THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

Delhi is an Immortal City: Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena

For centuries, the region has sustained civilizations after civilizations. The mention of Indraprastha takes us back by over 2000 years. There are archaeological evidences for Vedic settlements that dated around 1200 BCE. Anangpur in Badarpur area, Narela and Nand Nagari have excavations of the Harappan period. In the recent history, Tomaras and Chauhans built kingdom in the region that we now call as National Capital Region. By the medieval times, the Sultanates developed, leading to hundreds of years of the Mughal dynasty that gave way gradually to colonial occupation. That too did pass and Delhi became the prime seat of power of the largest democracy in the world. We have now entered a new era of 75 years of independence and self-rule.

Amidst all these dramatic train of events of history of Delhi, two things have remained constant. One is that Delhi has been the seat of power that has held together a large nation of diverse civilizations, cultures and people. And Delhi has been a living system of vibrant life beyond the passing phases of engagement with history. That is the background thought I had in me when I was bestowed with the honour of assuming office as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of National Capital Territory (NCT). I knew that the responsibility had historic significance. And I knew that for any person, the honour is a humbling experience. I also had no doubt that I must receive the rich heritage of the socio-cultural capital of the people of India and curate it humbly so as to hand over to another custodian in the chain of this historic honour.

And that was also the essence of the counselling given by Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Vice President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Home Minister and many elders and well-wishers when I assumed the office.

Delhi is the heart of India and to be of service to it is an honour in my heart.