RN Ravi was sworn in as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan on Thursday morning, marking a significant transition in the state's political landscape. The oath of office was administered by Sujoy Paul, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Other notable figures included Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, senior minister Firhad Hakim, Kolkata Mayor, and Left Front chairman Biman Bose. However, the absence of any Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders raised eyebrows during the event.
Ravi’s appointment follows the resignation of his predecessor, C V Ananda Bose, on March 5, 2026. Before his new role, Ravi had a distinguished tenure as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, where his public engagement set new standards for the office. He focused on breaking the traditional barriers of the Raj Bhavan, becoming actively involved in interacting with the public, especially youth. Ravi personally addressed over 1,00,000 students in Tamil Nadu, stressing the importance of their contribution to nation-building. His unique initiative included distributing over 50,000 certificates during university convocations, a step away from the usual ceremonial distribution.
Ravi’s career in the Indian Police Service (IPS) has been marked by significant contributions to national security. He served in various capacities within the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), focusing on counter-terrorism, insurgencies, and border issues. His work in conflict resolution, particularly in Nagaland, earned him recognition for bringing insurgent groups into the peace process, eventually leading to agreements for peace in the region.
As the Centre's Interlocutor for Naga peace talks, Ravi played a pivotal role in transforming the approach to the conflict, shifting the focus from international discussions to including the voices of local stakeholders. His diplomatic efforts were instrumental in signing agreements that aimed to resolve the long-standing insurgency issues in North-East India. Ravi’s leadership in such critical areas, alongside his commitment to governance, reflects his diverse and impactful career trajectory, which now continues in his new role as Governor of West Bengal.
