Shimla, May 8
Justice Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje was sworn in as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh at a simple but impressive ceremony at Raj Bhavan, here today.

The Chief Justice, of Himachal High Court Mr Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta, administered the oath of office and secrecy. Mrs Rajender Bhattacharya, Chief Secretary, read out the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India. Justice Kokje is the 21st Governor of the state. He replaces Dr Suraj Bhan, who completed his tenure yesterday.

Mr Virbhadra Singh, Himachal Chief Minister, his wife Rani Pratibha Singh, Mrs Sumitra Mahajan, Union Minister of State for Communication, Mr P.K. Dhumal, a former Chief Minister, ministers, judges of the high court, senior civil and police officers were among those present on the occasion.

Born on September 6,1939 at Dahi village in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh Mr Kokje obtained his law degree from Government Arts and Commerce College Indore. He is a postgraduate in sociology.

He started practising law in 1964 and during his career as an advocate for 26 years he specialised in civil law, labour and industrial Law, Company and constitutional matters.