Puri: Governor-designate of Odisha Raghubar Das arrived in the pilgrim town of Puri on Monday ahead of his swearing-in ceremony slated to be held on Tuesday.
The newly-appointed Governor was accorded a warm welcome by a host of dignitaries, including Health and Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari and senior officials.
Soon after reaching Puri by train early in the morning, Das proceeded to Raj Bhavan located in the seaside town. Thereafter, he visited Shree Jagannath Temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the Lords at the 12th century shrine.
After spending some time in the pilgrim town, Das is scheduled to leave for Bhubaneswar around 12.15 pm. He will stay at Raj Bhavan in the state capital.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Raj Bhavan in the state capital at 11.45 am on Tuesday. Before being sworn-in as the 26th Governor of Odisha, he will offer prayers at the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
As per information, a large number of people from Jharkhand including family members and relatives of the newly appointed Governor will be joining the swearing-in ceremony. Several BJP leaders are also slated to attend the ceramony.
It may be noted here that Das was on October 18 appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as the Governor of Odisha, replacing Ganeshi Lal.
Das has served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2014 to 2019. He became the first non-tribal Chief Minister of the neighbouring state.
Das, who completed a degree in law after passing out from Jamshedpur Cooperative College, started his political career as an activist of the student movement launched by Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan in 1976-77. He was also jailed during emergency. He enrolled himself with the Janata Party in 1977 and joined the BJP after its launch three years later. In 2004, Das was appointed as Jharkhand state president of the BJP.
Earlier speaking to media, Das had said that he would discharge his constitutional duties in coordination with the state government and was committed to taking Odisha to new heights.
