Hyderabad, Jan 26 (IANS): Though his term officially ended Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan unfurled the national flag and took the salute at the Republic Day parade here Thurday.
As there was no communication from Rashtrapathi Bhavan on his successor, Narasimhan performed the task of unfurling the tricolor, receiving the guard of honour and delivering the Republic Day address at the main official function at Secunderabad Parade Ground.
Officials say a governor usually performs his duties till a successor is appointed, though his term may have officially ended.
Interestingly, Narasimhan delivered his address in three languages. He started his speech by greeting the state's people in Telugu and paying his tributes to freedom fighters, and then switched to English to read out a prepared text. He signed off with a message in Hindi to the young generation that the future of the country is in their hands.
Narasimhan, former chief of the Intelligence Bureau, was appointed governor of Chhattisgarh on Jan 25, 2007.
The former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was given additional charge of Andhra Pradesh in December 2009 following the resignation of N.D. Tiwari over an alleged sex scandal.
In January 2010, the centre appointed him full-time governor. He took charge on Jan 22 when the movement for separate Telangana state was at its peak.