ITANAGAR, Aug 1: Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu condoled the sudden demise of the second Governor of the State, R D Pradhan, who breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital on Friday.

He was 92. He held the gubernatorial post in Arunachal Pradesh from March 18, 1987 to March 16, 1990.

The Governor said that a distinguished bureaucrat and admired administrator, late Pradhan during his long and distinguished administrative career, in various capacities made immense developmental contributions to the nation and the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

“As Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, late Pradhan took keen interest in the public service programmes, especially education. It was during his period that the Arunachal University, now rechristened as Rajiv Gandhi University, was established. The people of Arunachal Pradesh will always cherish fond memories of late R D Pradhan, who groomed the State in its nascent stage,” Mishra said.

“I, on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Raj Bhavan, Itanagar family and on my own behalf, convey heartfelt condolence on his demise and join all my fellow citizens of the State in praying to Almighty God for eternal peace for the departed soul,” the Governor said in a condolence message here.

Mourning the death, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “The news of the sad demise of Ram D Pradhan, the second Governor of Arunachal Pradesh came as a shocker to me.

He had held the helms of the state in its initial years from where we have had an eventful journey of progress and ably emerged as a distinct and determined State, rubbing shoulders with our peers with pride,” Khandu said.

“In his demise, the country has lost a dedicated and sincere administrator. I pray Almighty to bestow enough strength on his family to bear the irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace,” he said in a condolence message.

Late Pradhan was an Indian Administrative Service officer, who served the country as the Union Home Secretary. He played a pivotal role in signing of the Assam Accord and the Mizo Accord. He held Secretary-level positions at the international and national levels in the areas of commerce, defence and home.

A Padma Bhushan awardee, late Pradhan was in service of the Government of India for 36 years and was later appointed as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh in the year 1987.

The Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) fraternity led by Vice Chancellor Prof Saket Kushwaha also mourned the passing away of the former Governor R D Pradhan.

The then Governor R D Pradhan as Chancellor had not only inaugurated the administrative building of the university but played a very proactive role for the varsity to grow and prosper, said Prof Kushwaha in a condolence message here.