Address by Governor at the release of the book ‘Those Eventful Days’ at the hands of the Hon’ble Vice President of India at Raj Bhavan, Chennai
Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the release of the book ‘Those Eventful Days’ at the hands of the Hon’ble Vice President of India at Raj Bhavan, Chennai at 1500 hrs on Monday, 16th October 2017
Thiru M Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Vice President of India, Thiru Banwarilal Purohit, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Edappadi Palaniswami, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Tmt. Girija Vaidyanathan, Chief Secretary, Thiru Ramesh Chand Meena, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Governor, Dr.S. Vijayakumar, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, senior government officials, distinguished invitees, staff and officers of Raj Bhavan, ladies and gentlemen,Good afternoon and greetings to you.
I am extremely happy to visit Tamil Nadu one more time. I feel honoured that the Hon’ble Vice President of India Thiru M Venkaiah Naidu has made it convenient to bless the commissioning of the Solar Power Plant installed in Chennai Raj Bhavan and to release the book ‘Those Eventful Days’.
I am equally happy that Thiru Banwarilal Purohit ‘Babuji’, one of most respected public figures and outstanding Parliamentarian from Central India has taken charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Shri Purohit Ji brings with him a vast and varied experience of public service. He has been a respected business leader, an educationist and has served as the Managing Editor of one of the largest circulating newspapers from Nagpur – ‘The Hitavada’. I congratulate Purohit Babuji on his appointment and wish him the very best in the discharge of his responsibilities.
During the last 13 months that I was holding additional charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu, I developed fondness for the State and its people.
It was a great experience for me that gave me an opportunity to learn more about the history, culture, philosophy, language and traditions of Tamil Nadu. It convinces me that when it comes to history, culture, heritage and language, Tamil Nadu is undoubtedly the richest State in the country. I was moved by the richness of the work of Thiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar. It inspired me to install the statue of Thiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar in the Raj Bhavan premises.
These 13 months were essentially the most critical months in the political history of Tamil Nadu and its people.
Things were perfectly normal until the hospitalization of Selvi Jayalalithaa on 22nd September 2016. Subsequently, a number of political developments took place, which are known to all.
The situation in the State was very delicate following the demise of Selvi Jayalalithaa. To the credit of the political leadership, the state administration and the state police, the situation was handled extremely well.
I always supported the government whenever the Chief Minister approached me for advice. I have had highest regards for Selvi Jayalalithaa Ji. I have had excellent relations with leaders of the ruling party. There occasions when the Opposition leaders disagreed with me. But they never disrespected me. Leaders from different political parties also met me and I had cordial relations with each one of them.
Tamil Nadu has the most dynamic media in the country and every action of the Governor was watched, scrutinized and commented upon. Quite often editorials in newspapers provided me solutions to some of the trickiest situations the State faced during my gubernatorial stint. I am especially thankful to the media for upholding the best traditions of democracy and journalism.
The decision to open the Raj Bhavan for the people was greeted with an overwhelming response both by citizens and media. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department offered its wholehearted support in managing the visits.
Recently, we have installed the biggest 1 Megawatt Solar Power plant in the Raj Bhavan at Pune. This solar power plant will not only meet the energy requirement of all three Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra but will also create surplus energy which will be contributed to the common grid.
I am very happy that the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan too is switching over to solar power from today. If the Raj Bhavan at Pune has the biggest solar power plant among Raj Bhavans in the country, Chennai will have the second biggest solar power plant among all Raj Bhavans in the country.
If I could do anything worthwhile for the State of Tamil Nadu and its people, the credit has to go to the Governor’s Secretariat. I am thankful to the staff and officers of Raj Bhavan for their wholehearted support.
Last but not the least, I thank the people of Tamil Nadu for their kindness, love and affection. I shall remain ever indebted to all of them.
I thank Hon’ble Governor Purohit ji for hosting this wonderful function and inviting me to attend it. I also thank Vice President Thiru Venkaiah Naidu Ji for releasing the book.
Thank you
Jai Hind !! Jai Tamil Nadu !!