Rameshwar Thakur was on Tuesday sworn-in as the 15th Governor of the State by the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph on the lawns of Raj Bhavan in Bangalore.
At the simple function attended by outgoing Governor T N Chaturvedi, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Chief Secretary P B Mahishi read out the Presidential communique appointing Mr Thakur.
The new Governor took oath of office at 12:04 pm. The brief ceremony was witnessed by Thakur’s wife Narmada, his daughters Mrudulla Sinha, Sangeetha Thakur and others members of the family.
Mr Thakur takes charge at a time when there is growing talk about impending political uncertainty in the State with the countdown having began for the transfer of power from the JD (S) to the BJP on October 3.
Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, presiding officers of both houses of legislatures Krishna and B K Chandrashekar, Congress leaders N Dharam Singh and H K Patil, KPCC President M Mallikarjun Kharge and ministers also attended the ceremony.
Mr Thakur, who was shifted to Karnataka from the gubernatorial post in Orissa, will hold office for the remainder of his term till November 18, 2009.
Born on July 28, 1927 in Thakur Gangti village in Godda district of undivided Bihar (now Jharkhand), the 80-year-old Congress leader was elected to Rajya Sabha twice in 1984 and 1990.
A chartered accountant by profession, Mr Thakur was minister of state for finance, rural development and parliamentary affairs in the Union council of ministers between 1991 and 1994 under the prime ministership of the late P V Narasimha Rao.
Earlier, Mr Kumaraswamy and his cabinet colleagues received Mr Thakur at the airport on his arrival in the morning.

HE’S A SAINT

Bangalore, DHNS: “Just wait and watch how he functions, you will be delighted,” said Sangeetha Thakur, daughter of the new Governor of Karnataka Rameshwar Thakur.
In an informal chat with Deccan Herald soon after the swearing - in ceremony on the lawns of Raj Bhavan, Ms Thakur said her father had dedicated his life for the upliftment of poor and the socially downtrodden.
“He is a saint...You will know him soon. He is wonderful,” she said.
Ms Thakur said she will be staying with her parents at Raj Bhavan. “It’s a great feeling people are so nice here. I am looking forward to my stay in Bangalore,” she said.

KNOW YOUR GOVERNOR

Name: Rameshwar Thakur
Date of Birth: July 28, 1927
Education: MA, LLB, FCA
From: (i) Bhagalpur, Patna University
(ii) Calcutta University
(iii) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi.
Wife: Narmada Thakur
Children: Two sons and two daughters
Profession: (i) Chartered Accountant since 1953
(ii) Lecturer, City College, Calcutta University - 1955-1960
(iii) Visiting Professor, Delhi University - 1960-1973
Participation in other activities and public life
A. Actively participated in Quit India Movement, 1942. Remained underground for nearly six months in Raj Mahal Hills in Santhal Parganas. Was arrested and detained in Central Jail, Dum Dum, Calcutta in 1946 in connection with the national movement.
B. Took active part in health care, educational upliftment, social reforms and rural reconstruction activities particularly in Santhal Parganas, Jharkhand.
C. Founder Trustee: (i) Hari Devi Smarak Nidhi - A public charitable trust established in 1965. Established a 30- bed Rural Referral Hospital in 1976 and another 40 bed Hospital for Cancer, Leprosy & TB in 2002 at native village, Thakur Gangti, Dist Godda, Jharkhand.
(ii) Gadadhar Mishra Smarak Nidhi - A public charitable trust established in 1965 at Gandhigram. Engaged in Khadi & Village Industries, Rural Development Programmes in Godda District, Jharkhand since 1965.
Important positions held
(i) President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (1966-67)
(ii) National President, All India Bharat Scouts and Guides (1998-01 & 2004- till date).
(iii) Chairman, Study Group on Banking Costs, Banking Commission, Government of India (1978-82).
(iv) Chairman, Associated Journals Ltd (1987-91).
(v) Chairman, Thakur Research Foundation, New Delhi (Since 1981).
(vi) Chairman, Rajendra Bhawan Trust, New Delhi.
(vii) Director, (i) Unit Trust of India (4 years), (ii) Export Credit and Guarantee
Corporation (3 years), (iii) Punjab National Bank (1978-82),
(iv) Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chambers of Commerce
(3 years), (v) Board of Governors, Management Development
Institute, Gurugaon, Haryana.
(ix) Secretary, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust, Amethi, U.P.
 Parliament & Union Council of Minister
(i) Was elected to the Rajya Sabha (April 1984 to March 1990) and was re-elected (April 1990 to March 1996).
(ii) Was Union Minister of State for Finance (Revenue), Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs (June 1991 to December 1994).
(Source: http://legislativebodiesinindia.gov.in)