Mumbai, Sep 5 (IANS): In an unexpected gesture, senior politician and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who was sworn-in as the 19th Governor of Maharashtra on Thursday, took the oath in Marathi.

Soon after taking oath, Koshyari, who had served as a college teacher in Uttar Pradesh's Etah, also greeted all teachers on the occasion of Teachers Day, (September 5).

Earlier, Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog of the Bombay High Court administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Governor at the sprawling Raj Bhavan facing the Arabian Sea.

Surprising all the dignitaries and invitees, Koshyari read out the entire oath in Marathi and the gathering expressed its approval with a thunderous round of clapping.

Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta read out the warrant of appointment issued by the President Ram Nath Kovind and the even began and concluded with the playing of National Anthem by the Police Band.