Governor R.N. Ravi calls his 54-month tenure in T.N. the ‘golden days’ of his life

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, who has been appointed Governor of West Bengal, said the 54 months he spent in the State will remain the “golden days” of his life, as he thanked the people of Tamil Nadu for showing him love and affection.

In a three page farewell letter in Tamil, addressed to people of Tamil Nadu and signed by him in Tamil, Mr. Ravi said he rejoiced in the pride of the Tamil language and the dignity of the Tamil people. “Though circumstances in the course of life now require me to part from you, the days I spent with you will remain the golden days of my life,” he said.

Recalling Tamil poets, freedom fighters and scholars from Tamil Nadu including Tiruvalluvar, Kambar, Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal, Subramania Bharati, Ayya Vaikundar, Kaniyan Pungundranar, U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer, T. K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar, Poolithevan, Rani Velunachiyar, Maruthu brothers and Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Mr. Ravi said the names, ideas and legacies of these great personalities fill his mind like an inexhaustible treasure.

“When I assumed office as the Governor of Tamil Nadu in September 2021 in a State that stands distinguished in both tradition and modernity, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet fully subsided. Yet the affection and support you extended to me deeply moved me. Wherever I went and whoever I met, I was surrounded by smiles. Not only the well known or the influential or the wealthy, but ordinary people, including children, welcomed me with warmth,” he recalled and said he continues to feel that even today.

He said “No person in Bharat (India) can remain untouched by the influence of Rama or Krishna. Having studied the Bhagavad Gita and Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas from a young age, Kambar’s epic offered me an even broader perspective… My admiration for that great Tamil poet and for the Rama he portrayed inspired me to establish ‘Kambar Vanam’ in the Lok Bhavan in Chennai and to install a statue in honour of him. Just as people recite the Thiruvasagam in its entirety, I wish that at least some portions of the Kamba Ramayanam be recited and enjoyed,” he said.

Mr Ravi was greatly impressed by the hard work of the people. He said from Chennai he had travelled to farthest villages in Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari and from the eastern coastline to the western mountain slopes. Though the composition and structure of towns and their regional dialects varied, the affection of people and their dedication to work and finding happiness from it remain the same everywhere, he added.

Mr. Ravi is scheduled to leave for West Bengal on Wednesday morning to take over as Governor there.