Right wing academician Acharya Dev Vrat was sworn in as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh in a simple ceremony held at Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday.
He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir.
Chief Secretary P. Mitra read out the warrant of appointment.
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Mr. Vrat (56), an educationist steeped in Indian Vedic culture and traditions, took the oath in chaste Sanskrit.
A double post-graduate in Hindi and History from the Punjab and Kurukshetra Universities, Mr. Vrat did his doctorate in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences from the All India Council of Naturopathy, New Delhi. He served as a Pracharya in Samprati Gurukul in Kurukshetra. He has been involved in social activities like promoting Yoga, working for environment protection, inculcating traditional and moral values among the youth, working for the protection of organic culture, girls’ education, and naturopathy.
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He has been conferred various awards including Bharat Jyoti Award in 2003, American Medal of Honour in 2002, Janhit Shikshak Shree Award in 2009, Himotkarsh Rashtriya Ekatmakta Puraskar in 2006, and Akshay Urja Samman in 2011.
He has authored books like Swasthya ka Anmol Marg - Prakritik Chikitsa (Hindi and English editions), Gurukul Kurukshetra ka Gauravshali Itihaas besides editing magazines and translation works.
He has rendered valuable services towards the strengthening of the Gurukul culture in the society.
Mr. Vrat succeeded Urmila Singh, whose term ended on January 26, earlier this year.
Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh was given the additional charge of the hill State, following Urmila Singh’s completion of her term.