TEAM HERALD

PANJIM: Senior BJP leader Mridula Sinha was sworn-in as the Governor of Goa on Sunday, becoming the first woman Governor of the State with a full-time charge. 

Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Mohit Shah administered the oath of office at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Secretary B Vijayan, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Cabinet ministers, BJP legislators, GPCC President John Fernandes, DGP T N Mohan among others. She was later given the guard of honour. 

Sinha succeeded Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli, who was given additional charge of Goa in August. Her family members including her husband Dr Ram Kripal Sinha, ex-MP and former union minister was also present. 

Interacting with journalists later, 71-year-old Sinha said her priorities would be towards the welfare of women, family and the poor.

“I have asked Lord Ganesh to give me wisdom and help me so that I can do something for Goa. I prayed to Him before coming for the oath ceremony. I want to do something special for Goa,” she said. “I have been working in the field of women, preservation of culture and the poor people.  I will see that with the cooperation of the chief minister, I will do it in Goa too. The problems of the family, the problems of the society should be solved. I know Goa is not a problematic state though.”

Asked about the plaguing alcohol and gambling issues, she replied, “I will study deeply about Goa’s issues… let me study. I will seek your (journalists) advice also.”

A native of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Sinha is a renowned writer of Hindi literature and an ex-chairperson of Central Board of Social Welfare. Authoring more than 46 books in various disciplines, she is ready with her next novel Mandodari which is an autobiography of Queen Consort of Ravana, King of Lanka from Ramayana.

Replying to a question on her literary works Sinha said she has completed the autobiography of ‘Mandodari”. “It is an unique novel. Two months from now it will be on the shelves,” she said.

A film based on the life of a famous Indian politician who was popularly known as Rajmata of Gwalior -- Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia -- was produced using the biography of the book Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi authored by the noted writer. 

Her literary contribution also includes Nayi Devyani (Novel), Gharwaas (Novel), Jyon Mehandi Ko Rang (Novel), Dekhan Mein Choten Lagen (Stories), Sita Puni Boli (Novel), Yayavari Ankhon Se (Interviews), Bihar Ki Lok Kathayen -I (Stories), Bihar Ki Lok Kathayen –II (Stories), Dhai Beegha zameen (Stories) and Matr Deh Nahin Hai Aurat (Women liberation) among others.