Outgoing Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya on Wednesday expressed his desire to see a developed and established Nagaland and urged the people of the state to achi-eve that goal by playing their respective roles efficiently.

Acharya was speaking at the farewell programme organised by the Raj Bhavan employees in his and his wife Kavita Acharya’s honour at the at Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.

“Unless the Northeast develops, India will not develop,” Acharya said.

He expressed his gratitude to his officers, staff and security personnel of the Raj Bhavan for supporting and making his stay comfortable during the past five years. He said the people working in Raj Bhavan have an added advantage and urged them to make use of their position in a positive way by strengthening society.

“I have enriched myself with knowledge, friendship and love during my tenure as the governor of Nagaland and I thank you for all the love and support you all have shown to me,” Acharya said.

Commissioner and secretary to the governor, Dinesh Kumar, said Acharya, also known as the people’s governor, will be remembered for his love and concern for Nagaland and its people.

Kumar said over the last five years, the governor initiated holding of free medical camps, student-teacher exchange programmes and other outreach programmes like meeting with service providers, interacting with orphans and inviting them to stay in Raj Bhavan and advocated government welfare programmes for the benefit of the people of the state. He added all these activities have been a positive experience for the staff of Raj Bhavan.

Acharya’s tenure officially ended on July 18. His successor, R.N. Ravi, is scheduled to take charge on August 1.