Gopalkrishna Gandhi
| Gopal Krishna Gandhi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gandhi speaking at Chatham House in 2010 | |
| 22nd Governor of West Bengal | |
| In office 2004 – July 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Viren J. Shah |
| Succeeded by | Devanand Konwar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 April 1945 |
Gopalkrishna Gandhi (Bengali: গোপালকৃষ্ণ গান্ধী Gopalkrishno Gandhi; born April 22, 1945) is an Indian civil servant and diplomat, who was the Governor of West Bengal serving from 2004 to 2009.[1] As a former member of the Indian Administrative Service, he served as Secretary to the President of India and as High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka, among other administrative and diplomatic posts.[2]
Early life and background
He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi,[2] and son of Devadas Gandhi and Lakshmi Gandhi. His maternal grandfather was C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji). Gopalkrishna Gandhi is the younger brother of Rajmohan Gandhi, and the late Ramchandra Gandhi, and Smt. Tara Bhattacharjee (Gandhi), all of whom are distinguished in their own right.
Gandhi graduated with a master's degree in English literature from St. Stephen's College of Delhi University.[3]
Career
He joined IAS as an Officer in 1968 and served in Tamil Nadu state till 1985. Thereafter, he remained Secretary to Vice-President of India (1985 - 1987), Joint Secretary to President of India (1987 - 1992).
In 1992 he became Minister (Culture) in High Commission of India, UK and Director, The Nehru Centre, London, UK. This was followed by various diplomatic and administrative positions for the rest of his career including High Commissioner of India to South Africa and Lesotho (1996), Secretary to President of India (1997-2000), High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka (2000), and Ambassador of India to Norway, and Iceland (2002), before his retirement from IAS in 2003.[4]
In 2004, he was appointed Governor of West Bengal on 14 December 2004 following the expiry of the term of office of incumbent Viren J. Shah. He was succeeded by Devanand Konwar (the serving governor of Tripura), who was given additional charge of West Bengal. In, 2006, he also took on an additional charge of Governor of Bihar.
He has authored one novel (Saranam - "Refuge" in English) and a play in verse (Dara Shukoh). His other books are - "Gandhi and South Africa", "Koi Acchha Sa Ladka" (translation into Hindustani of Vikram Seth's novel 'A Suitable Boy'), "Gandhi and Sri Lanka", "Nehru and Sri Lanka", "India House, Colombo - Portrait of a Residence", "Gandhi Is Gone. Who Will Guide Us Now?" (edited), "A Frank Friendship/ Gandhi and Bengal: A Descriptive Chronology" (compiled and edited).
He is the Chairman of Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai since December 2011. He was appointed the chairman of governing body of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, and president of its society on March 5, 2012.[5][4]
Personal life
Gopalkrishna Gandhi and his wife Tara Gandhi have two daughters, who are both married.[3]
Notes
- ↑ "At farewell, Gopalkrishna Gandhi calls for change in mindsets - The Hindu". December 13, 2009. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gopal Gandhi outlookindia.com. Apr 23, 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Hon'ble Governor of Bihar - Gopalkrishna Gandhi Profile". Governor of Bihar website. Retrieved 2013-11-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Chairman's Profile: Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi". Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
- ↑ "Gopal Gandhi is IAAS chairman". The Hindu. March 6, 2012. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
External links
- Gopalkrishna Gandhi Profile of the Governor of Bihar website.
| Government offices | ||
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| Preceded by Viren J. Shah |
Governor of West Bengal 2004–2009 |
Succeeded by Devanand Konwar |
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