In a notable development for Assam, two eminent Assamese figures are now central to Chhattisgarh’s governance. Sonmoni Borah, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1999 batch of the Chhattisgarh cadre, warmly welcomed Ramen Deka, the newly appointed Governor of Chhattisgarh.
Borah took to social media platform X to express his pride and excitement, marking this moment as significant for the Assamese community.
Borah’s post on X read, “It was a great honour to welcome the new Chhattisgarh Governor, Ramen Deka and Madam Reena Deka Kakaty Baideu. As an Assamese, this is a proud moment for me personally. We wish him a successful tenure in Chhattisgarh!”
It was an absolute honor and privilege to welcome new Hon’ble @GovernorCG Shri Ramen Deka Dangaria @ramendeka16 and Madam Reena Deka Kakaty Baideu. Being an #Assamese,a proud moment and pleasure for me personally too. We wish him a great and successful tenure in #Chhattisgarh! pic.twitter.com/8Eo0Zsnjqm
— Sonmoni Borah IAS (@sonmonib5) July 30, 2024
Borah, currently serving as the Principal Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Government, will be joined by Ramen Deka, who has been appointed as the State’s Governor. This marks a historic moment with two Assamese individuals holding pivotal roles in Chhattisgarh’s governance.
Ramen Deka, a seasoned politician and former Lok Sabha member from Assam, has been named the new Governor of Chhattisgarh. Deka, who previously served as a national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will succeed Bishwabhushan Harichandan. He is set to take the oath of office on July 31, at Raj Bhavan, administered by Chhattisgarh High Court Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha.
Born on March 1, 1954, in Sualkuchi, Assam, Deka brings extensive political experience to his new role. His career includes serving as a Member of Parliament for the Mangaldoi constituency and holding significant positions within the BJP, such as State president and national secretary. His work on important committees and projects, including the Prime Minister’s Model Village Scheme, underscores his dedication to public service.
This appointment is part of a wider gubernatorial reshuffle initiated by President Droupadi Murmu, who has also appointed new governors for ten other states.
Simultaneously, Sonmoni Borah’s contributions to Chhattisgarh have been substantial. As the Principal Secretary, Borah has overseen various critical roles, including Secretary to the Governor of Chhattisgarh and responsibilities in the Department of Labour and Parliamentary Affairs. His notable administrative roles include serving as District Magistrate and Collector in several districts, such as Surguja, Janjgir-Champa, Kabirdham, Raipur, and Bilaspur.
Borah has spearheaded initiatives like UDAAN, which provides free English-medium education to children from primitive tribes in Chhattisgarh. He is an alumnus of Maxwell School, Syracuse University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Delhi University. His excellence in public administration has been recognised with numerous awards, including two Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration and accolades for Divyangjan (PwD) welfare.
His leadership in the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) has revolutionised land administration in Chhattisgarh, earning national and international recognition, including the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Skoch Award Platinum, and the Geospatial World Excellence Award.
As Ramen Deka and Sonmoni Borah step into their influential roles, their combined expertise and commitment promise to drive Chhattisgarh toward significant progress and development, reinforcing the State’s dedication to effective and innovative governance.
