President Kovind appoints new state, UT governors: A closer look at profiles of the appointees

Ram Nath Kovind

President Ram Nath Kovind appointed the governors of five states including for Bihar and Meghalaya and Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Banwarilal Purohit has been appointed as the governor of Tamil Nadu while Satya Pal Malik would be the new governor of Bihar. Let’s have a look at profiles of newly appointed Governors-

Satya Pal Malik (Bihar)

From 21 April 1990 to 10 November 1990, Satya Pal Malik was the Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, and Tourism. He also held significant positions in both Centre and State. He has also been a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) for two terms. He was a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from 1989 to 1990. Not only this, he has also been the Chairman and member of many important Parliamentary Committees during his long political career. He has an experience of over 50 years in social development. Mr. Malik completed his B.Sc and LL.B from Meerut University and holds a Diploma in Parliamentary Affairs from Institute of Constitutional & Parliamentary Studies run by Parliament of India.

Banwarilal Purohit (Tamil Nadu)

For the first time in 1978, Banwarilal Purohit had won the election in Maharashtra Assembly from Nagpur east seat, then in 1980 re-elected from Nagpur south and in 1982, he became a minister. He was also the member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Defence Ministry. Purohit was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nagpur-Kamptee seat. Purohit had resurrected an English daily, "The Hitavada" which was founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Under his leadership, "The Hitavada" became a leading newspaper of central India.

Admiral DK Joshi (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

Admiral (Devendra Kumar Joshi) was Chief of Naval Staff from 31 Aug 2012 to 26 Feb 2014. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned on April 01, 1974 in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. He was graduated from the US Naval War College and an alumnus of Mumbai's College of Naval Warfare. He has been awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal, the Ati Vishist Seva medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Nau Sena Medal and the Vishist Seva Medal. He served as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Island Command, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. From 1996 to 1999, he worked as the Defence Adviser in the Indian High Commission in Singapore. He also commanded the Vizag-based Eastern Fleet of the Navy.

Jagdish Mukhi (Assam)

Since 25th June 1975, Jagdish Mukhi had been in active politics. From 1980, he has been representing Janak Puri constituency and won seven times. Earlier, he held the portfolios of Finance, Planning, Excise & Taxation and Higher Education in the Delhi Government. He widely worked for the welfare of citizens of Delhi. Not only this, he was the leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly from 1998-2008. He was awarded as Best Finance & Planning Minister by the then Planning Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in the year 1997. He was also awarded as best MLA by the then Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Manohar Joshi in the year 2002.

B.D. Mishra (Arunachal Pradesh)

After an acclaimed career in the Forces, Dr. B.D. Mishra retired from the Indian Army on July 31, 1995, as Brigadier. Dr. Mishra was the Commander of NSG (Black Cat Commandos) Counter Hijack Task Force that assaulted the hijacked aircraft of Indian Airlines. During his long career, he successfully executed the rescue operation at Raja Sansi Airfield, Amritsar, on April 24, 1993, in which he rescued all 124 travelers without any casualty or damage. For his courageous step, Prime minister has appreciated him. He also served the nation in various wars and operational roles such as Chinese attack on India (1962), Naga insurgents in Nagaland (1963-1964), Pakistan in Sialkot Sector (1965), Pakistan in Liberation of Bangladesh (1971), Pakistan on LoC in Poonch Sector, as Battalion Commander (1979-1981).

Ganga Prasad (Meghalaya)

In 1994, Mr. Ganga Prasad was elected for the first time as the Member of Legislative Council, MLC in Bihar which lasted for 18 years. In the Legislative Council, Ganga Prasad has served as the opposition leader and during the earlier NDA regime, he was the leader of the Bihar Legislative Council for the ruling party.