Urmila Singh takes over as Himachal Governor

Urmila Singh,a senior Congress leader from Madhya Pradesh and former chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes,took oath as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh on Monday.

She was administered oath of office by acting Chief Justice of High Court,Justice R B Misra,at a ceremony at Darbar Hall of Raj Bhawan. She replaced Prabha Rau,now appointed as the Rajasthan Governor. CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and Cabinet ministers including Gulab Singh Thakur and J P Nadda,government officials,High Court judges attended the function.

Leader of Opposition Vidya Stokes,PCC president Kaul Singh Thakur and Rajya Sabha member Viplove Thakur were also present on the occasion. Urmilas relatives and supporters from MP and Chattisgarh also attended the ceremony.

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A former minister in Madhya Pradesh,Urmila was born on August 6,1946. She belongs to a family of freedom fighters of Gondwana and social reformers. One of her ancestors Shaheed Raja Natwar Singh alias Lalla Shah of Hridaypur was hanged by the British. She has also been president of the Madhya Pradesh Congress committee between 1996 and 1998.

Talking to the media after the taking charge,Urmila said she had always held people of Himachal Pradesh at high esteem as they live in Dev Bhumi.

Since I am a tribal and also remained a minister for tribal affairs in Madhya Pradesh,I will try to pay special attention to their issues, she said.

The Governor recalled that she had visited most of the famous temples of the state like Chintpurni,Jawalaji,Naina Devi and Chaumana. I have heard a lot about Shimla. This is a beautiful city, she added.

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