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Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala on January 2, 2024. Born on April 23, 1954, in Panaji, Goa, he is the son of Late Shri Vishwanath Arlekar and Late Smt. Tilomattama Arlekar. Shri Arlekar completed his matriculation at St. Joseph’s Institute in Vasco da Gama, Goa, and pursued a degree in Commerce at MES College in Vasco da Gama. His early interest in public service was nurtured through his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during childhood and later through his involvement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an active member since 1989. He also served as the State President of the Goa BJP for four years. His unwavering commitment to democratic values was exemplified during the Emergency (1975–1977), when he faced imprisonment along with father for his resolute defence of democracy. Shri Arlekar’s tenure as a Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly (2002–2007) was marked by respect for his ideologies and his advocacy for social issues, development, and environmental conservation. From 2012 to 2017, as the Hon’ble Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, he earned nationwide acclaim for his visionary leadership in making the Assembly the first in India to adopt a paperless system. He also served as the Minister for Forest & Environment and Panchayati Raj in Goa. In July 2021, Shri Arlekar was appointed as the 21st Governor of Himachal Pradesh, a position he held until 2023. In February 2023, he assumed office as the 30th Governor of Bihar, where he continued to demonstrate his commitment to public service. Shri Arlekar is married to Smt. Anagha Arlekar. The couple is blessed with two children: a daughter, Smt. Aditi Kulkarni, and a son, Shri Amogh Arlekar.