Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 29: The employees of the Raj Bhavan staff were seen touching the feet of Rameshwar Thakur couple and seeking their blessings, on the evening of Sunday June 28, just before the governor left for Madhya Pradesh after a two-year stint in the state.

A tea party had been arranged at the Raj Bhavan, official residence of the state Governor, on Sunday evening. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, his cabinet colleages Dr V S Acharya, Suresh Kumar, Mumtaz Ali Khan and other officials met Rameshwar Thakur and extended their best wishes.

The State Reserve Police Force on security duty at the Raj Bhavan presented a drill and saluted the outgoing Governor. Speaking to the media men on the occasion, Thakur said that during his stay spanning over two years here, he very much liked the environment here. "Karnataka is a state of intelligent people. During the two years, I got an opportunity to interact with many of them and improved my knowledge. This is a development-oriented state and I wish it will develop further. I wish the very best to the new Governor," he said.

B S Yeddyurappa said, he had received guidance from Thakur many times during the last two years and said that he was lucky to get guidance from a senior statesman like Thakur. Minister Mumtaz Ali Khan reminisced that the Governor had visited him at his home and spent some time with him when his son had breathed his last.

The staff of the Raj Bhavan said Thakur is a kind-hearted man and that he had looked after them like the members of his own family. He also had provided good guidance to the staff, they said.

Rajya Sabha member Rama Jois, state chief secretary Sudhakar Rao, director general of police Ajay Kumar Singh, finance department chief secretary M R Srinivasa Murthy etc were present.