Aizawl: Mizoram on Monday accorded a ceremonial fare-well to outgoing governor Lt Gen. (retd) Nirbhay Sharma as he completed his tenure on Monday after serving the state for three years since May 2015.

A farewell function was held at Raj Bhavan here where chief minister Lal Thanhawla, his cabinet colleagues, top officials and party leaders were present. Addressing the gathering at Raj Bhavan, Sharma said his tenure as the governor has been very satisfying.

"My wife and I feel at home here and the Mizos have showered us with tremendous love and affection which we have attempted to reciprocate in some manner. We have fallen in love with Mizoram," he said, adding that though he finds it comfortable to live in Mizoram, he finally must leave as his tenure was over.

Sharma said his impressions of the state are quite heartening in many ways which comprises a highly literate and law-abiding society, demonstrating some of the best practices in the field of governance and social order.

"These traits make us feel proud but are generally unknown to the rest of the world. However, the state punches below its weight and is yet to realise its full potential given that it still lags behind in certain key parameters such as health, infrastructure and employment," he added.

He said Mizoram is receiving increasing attention from the Centre and recent visits of the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister to the state have created a fair amount of momentum and expectations, which augur well for Mizoram.

The 72-year-old retired army officer from Lucknow became the state's 22nd governor on May 26, 2015.

Sources said the new governor, Kummanam Rajasekharan, will be sworn in on Tuesday.