Ranchi: Newly appointed Odisha governor Brajmohan Ram has identified unemployment, illiteracy, inadequate healthcare and infiltration as major challenges facing the state, saying he would work with the govt to address them.Drawing a parallel with neighbouring Jharkhand, the three-time former Palamu MP said the two states shared several socio-economic challenges. His association with the region, he added, would help him understand Odisha’s concerns.“I will serve the people of Odisha and discharge my responsibilities with sincerity by working in coordination with the state govt to address issues affecting ordinary citizens,” Ram told TOI at his residence in Ranchi’s Morabadi area on Tuesday, a day after President Droupadi Murmu appointed him governor as part of a reshuffle involving six states.For Ram (68), the appointment marks a journey from student politics and a crowd-funded election campaign to the constitutional office at Lok Bhavan.A three-time Lok Sabha member from Palamu, Ram began his political career while studying at BS College in Lohardaga. Friends persuaded him to contest a vacant assembly seat in Latehar.With little money of his own, he relied on contributions from supporters. “My friends raised around Rs 1.25 lakh through donations and local efforts to fight the election, which I won,” he recalled.He later served as an MLA in undivided Bihar before entering Parliament, winning the Palamu LS seat in 1996, 1998 and 1999.Ram said Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him on Monday morning and asked him to keep the conversation confidential. Around 1.30 pm, Union home minister Amit Shah informed him that he was being made governor, but did not disclose the state.The Union home ministry later sought his personal details for verification before the notification. Ram described the appointment as a “big gift” during Navratri.Although denied electoral tickets in later years, Ram remained involved in the BJP’s organisational work. He was serving as the state president of BJP’s Scheduled Caste Morcha.“Many times, my family told me to look for another party, but I never wished to join any other party,” he said.Ram is the second leader from Jharkhand to become Odisha governor after Raghubar Das.
About The Author
