Premium

Kavinder Gupta takes oath as Himachal governor, all 6 stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ played for first time at Lok Bhavan

Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta stressed the immense potential of religious tourism in the state and the need to further strengthen the sector.

4 min readShimlaMar 10, 2026 05:13 PM IST

Governor Kavinder Gupta interacting media after taking oath at Lok Bhavan in Shimla on Tuesday. (Express Photo by Saurabh Parashar)

In a first at the Himachal Pradesh Lok Bhavan, the full version of Vande Mataram was played before the national anthem Jana Gana Mana on Tuesday as Kavinder Gupta took oath as governor. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

“Yes, I know that the full Vande Mataram was played for the first time in Lok Bhavan. Honestly, even I do not remember the entire song, which consists of six stanzas. The reason is that we were often only taught about the periods when India was ruled by the Mughals and later by the British. At least when the entire national song is played on such occasions, it will help people memorise it easily,” Gupta told the media later.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had on January 28 notified the first set of protocols for singing Vande Mataram, directing that all six stanzas of the composition shall be sung during official functions.

Gupta, the 23rd governor of Himachal Pradesh and the former lieutenant governor of Ladakh, shared his vision and priorities for the state. Recalling his association with the region, he said that he had studied in Punjab and that the cultural ethos of Punjab and Jammu is deeply similar. Quoting a line in Hindi, he said, “Antim lakshya nahi hai, path par badhte jaana hai,” emphasising the need for continuous progress rather than focusing solely on the end goal.

Highlighting his development priorities, Gupta stressed the immense potential of religious tourism in Himachal Pradesh and the need to further strengthen the sector. Drawing parallels with his experience in Jammu and Kashmir, he noted that while terrorism had affected tourism there in the past, Himachal Pradesh has a strong opportunity to further boost its tourism economy.

He said environmental protection and increasing green cover would remain key priorities. Tribal development would also receive special attention. Emphasising youth empowerment, he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Yuva Shakti’, stating that India aims to become a developed nation by 2047 with the active participation of young people.

The governor said he had travelled nearly 10,000 kilometres in the past seven months and believed in remaining among the people. Over the next three to four years, he plans to visit all 12 districts of the state, with a particular focus on the development of border areas, he added.

Story continues below this ad

Gupta stressed that the governor’s office is above party politics and assured full coordination with both the state government and the Opposition. He also noted that previous governors had launched several initiatives, including campaigns such as ‘Nasha Mukti’, and he would continue to build upon such efforts.

Strengthening education, becoming self-reliant

As chancellor of the state universities, he said strengthening the education sector would also be a priority. Referring to his administrative experience in Ladakh, he recalled initiatives related to education boards and sports programmes such as ‘Khelo India’.

Gupta further emphasised the need for Himachal Pradesh to become self-reliant by developing its own resources and enhancing revenue generation, including through sustainable use of forest resources. Responding to a question about coordination with the state government, he said that anyone who has worked in Jammu and Kashmir can effectively work in Himachal Pradesh as well.

He also sent a clear message on administrative accountability, stating that officials who fail to perform their duties despite drawing salaries should face strict action.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

Tags:
Himachal Pradesh

Loading Recommendations...

Apr 16: Latest News

Live Blog