Shri Ram Naik was designated as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh by Hon’ble President of India on 14th July 2014 and took the oath of office on 22nd July, 2014 at Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently he also held the additional charge for Governor of Rajasthan for a brief period from 8th Aug. 2014 to 3rd Sept. 2014. Shri Naik was felicited with ‘National Eminence Award’ in Mumbai on 13th December, 2014 by Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal of His Holiness Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. The previous awardees included former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Presidents late Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, etc
Shri Naik was the Cabinet Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas in the Government led by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 13th October 1999 to 13th May 2004. After creation of a separate Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas in 1963, he has a rare distinction to be the only Petroleum Minister to head the ministry for full five years. In the earlier Cabinet, he was Minister of State for Railways (Independent Charge), Home Affairs, Planning & Programme Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs (from 13th March 1998 to 13th October 1999), a record number of Ministries indeed at one time! He was a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Executive Committee from its inception in 1980 and also the National Convener of ‘Good Governance Cell’ specially constituted to enhance efficiency and performance of Ministers in BJP ruled states. Shri Naik decided that he would not contest 2014 Lok Sabha election and would continue to work for BJP sharing his political experience. The decision was announced in a press conference held on 25th September 2013, the birth anniversary day of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay who led the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) by his characteristic simplicity and expounded the theory of Integral Humanism. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP candidate Shri Gopal Shetty nominated from his North Mumbai constituency secured highest votes 6,64,004 and also the highest margin of 4,46,582 in Maharashtra. Shri Naik was his Election – in – charge.
When Shri Naik took over as a Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas in October 1999, the waiting list of LPG for domestic cooking purposes was 1 crore 10 lakh. During his tenure he not only liquidated the waiting list but also gave 3 crore 50 lakh new connections against 3 crore 37 lakh connections in earlier 40 years. He also introduced 5 kg cylinder to cater to the needs of families in lower income group in hilly regions as well as urban slums. The LPG cylinders were available on demand. He planned many programmes to overcome 70% dependence on import of crude oil and also started their implementation. Important among them was production of ethanol as a by-product in sugar factories, which would be blended upto 10% with petrol to be used as transport fuel. The Petroleum Ministry also allotted 439 Petrol Pumps and LPG Distributorships to widows/dependents of Defence Personnel who laid down their lives in Kargil war. Brave women and men of those security personnel who lost their lives in protecting Parliament House from attack by terrorists in December 2001 were also awarded Petrol Pumps for their supreme sacrifice. In order to reduce pollution by vehicles run on petrol-diesel, he introduced CNG in Delhi and Mumbai. At present more than 2 lakh autorikshaws, 58 thousand taxies, 2,00,000 private cars and 9,400 buses-trucks-tempoes run on CNG in Mumbai. Instead of LPG cylinders for cooking, he introduced more safe, easy to use and also comparatively cheaper pipe gas for cooking (PNG). Presently more than 8 lakh families and 2,800 small industries are using PNG in Mumbai. Subsequently it is also being used phasewise in various big cities.
Shri Ram Naik is known as a friend of Mumbai suburban railway commuters. He started organising suburban commuters by founding ‘Goregaon Pravasi Sangh’ in 1964. A commuter activist turned into Minister of State for Railways in 1998, he got established the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) for providing better facilities to 76 lakh commuters who travel in the world’s most over-crowded suburban trains in Mumbai. He was instrumental in starting ‘Special Ladies Local Trains’ in Mumbai for the first time in the world. Extension of suburban section of Western Railway upto Dahanu, 12 coach rakes, computerized reservation centres at various places, quadruplicating of railway lines from Borivli to Virar and 6 tracks of railway lines from Kurla to Kalyan are a few of the important works in the city for which Shri Naik was instrumental. The dynamic decision of banning sale of cigarettes and bidies on railway platforms and trains was taken during the regime of Shri Naik. The innovative idea of inviting commuters’ suggestions for naming new trains is a brain-child of Shri Naik. He was also instrumental in providing relief to commuters affected in bomb-blasts of suburban trains on 11th July 2006. Dahanu-Churchgate locals have been commissioned from 16th April 2013, thereby increasing the distance of suburban section from 60 Kms. to 124 Kms. on Western Railway.
Shri Ram Naik who represented North Mumbai Lok Sabha Constituency from Maharashtra as a BJP MP has a track record of getting elected successively for five terms. Earlier he got elected as an MLA for three consecutive terms from Borivli Assembly Constituency, which is a part of his Parliamentary Constituency. In the elections for the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999, he secured 5,17,941 votes, which were the highest votes secured by an M.P. in Maharashtra. He created a new record of getting elected successively eight times from Mumbai. He used to present his annual Performance Report to the voters as people’s representative to uphold the democratic principles of accountability and also transperancy. Even after becoming Governor, he has presented the reports of his performance for the years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 under the caption ‘Raj Bhavan Main Ram Naik’. This again is the first such report to be released by any Governor in the country.
Shri Ram Naik, a seasoned Parliamentarian was the Chairman of the prestigious Public Accounts Committee in 1995-96. He was the Chief Whip of BJP in the 11th Lok Sabha. He also contributed significantly in the Parliamentary debates as well as in important committees like Joint Parliamentary Committees for Security Scam and Empowerment of Women, Railway Convention Committee, etc. He was also a member of the Chairman’s Panel to preside over the Lok Sabha proceedings.
Shri Naik has been instrumental in singing ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ in the Parliament from the year 1992. He successfully prevailed upon the Government to change the name ‘Bombay’ in English and ‘Bambai’ in Hindi to its original Marathi name ‘Mumbai’. Thereafter names of many cities were changed to their original local names like Madras to Chennai, Calcutta to Kolkata, Bangalore to Bangaluru, Trivendrum to Tiruanantpuram etc. It is his brain-child, which made available Rs.1 crore annually to each Member of Parliament for need based small development projects in his constituency. This amount was increased to Rs. 2 crore during his tenure as Minister of State for Planning & Programme Implementation. It has been subsequently increased to Rs. 5 crore. He also introduced, in the capacity of a Private Member, a Bill for ‘Promotion of Breast Feeding and Ban on Advertisements of Baby Foods’. The Bill was subsequently adopted by the Government and became an Act, the only Bill to get this honour in the Indian parliamentary history..
Born on 16th April 1934, at Sangli in Maharashtra, Shri Ram Naik had his early school education at Atpadi in Sangli District and secured B.Com. degree in 1954 from Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, Pune and LL.B. degree in 1958 from Kishinchand Chellaram College, Mumbai. He started his career in the Accountant General’s Office, Mumbai as an Upper Division Clerk. In due course he rose to higher posts and also worked as a Company Secretary and Management Consultant till 1969. He has been a R.S.S. activist from his childhood.
On the organizational wing of the political party, he started as a grass-root worker of the erstwhile BJS. In 1969, he resigned from the service to work as the Organising Secretary of Mumbai unit of BJS. He continued to work in that capacity for eight years. He was also President of BJP Mumbai unit for three terms. He was a Special Invitee of National Executive Committee and also the National Convener of ‘Good Governance Cell’ till he resigned from the BJP after nomination as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh on 15th July 2014.
Shri Naik has personally pleaded for rehabilitation of project affected persons of Tarapur Atomic Power Project III and IV in Mumbai High Court from 2004 to 2014 The long awaited justice is on way. Shri Naik has also written a book ‘Saga of Struggle’ which narrates the case history. The book is translated version of his original Marathi book ‘Gatha Sangharshachi’. With Shri Naik’s initiative, a petition was submitted to the Rajya Sabha on 5th December 2007 for empowerment and rehabilitation of the leprosy affected persons. The Committee on Petitions have submitted their report to the Rajya Sabha on 24th October 2008. He was also the President of the International Leprosy Union, Pune from 23rd November 2012 till his nomination as the Governor. The NGO was founded in 1987 by the renowned sociologist Dr. S.D.Gokhale. Shri Naik also penned his memoirs in the widely circulated Marathi Daily ‘Sakal’. These were published in Book form under the title ‘Charaiveti! Charaiveti’ (Marching Ahead) on 15th April, 2016. It has been subsequently translated in English, Hindi, Gujarathi and Urdu languages and released by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on 9th November 2016.
Shri Naik, a winner of successive eight elections, has also won over the serious disease of Cancer in 1994. He has devoted full time for the Party and also the social work stating that in recovery from Cancer, he got the ‘bonus’ of his life and that he would utilize it in the Service of the Nation. Shri Naik is a unique personality, known for his awareness and his eye for the details. He is respected for his honesty, transparency, wide networking and public contact, as also for his remarkable competence. He is workaholic and enjoys work at the age of 83.
Graduated in Arts from Agra University, Agra in the Year 1977 and Law from Meerut University, Meerut in the year 1980.
Enrolled as an advocate on 05/10/1980.
Practised tax matters, but gradually shifted to service side and specialised in this branch of law at Allahabad High Court since 1980.
Worked as Standing Counsel for U.P. Power Corporation, U.P. Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, U.P.P.C.L. and Allahabad University. On September 19, 2003, he was appointed Additional Advocate General from 2003 of U.P. at High Court till elevation.
Haridwar district, covering an area of about 2360 sq.km. is in the western part of Uttarakhand state. It’s latitude and longitude are 29.58 degree north and 78.13 degree east respectively. The height from the sea level is 249.7 mts. The district came into existence on 28th Dec. 1988. Prior to its inclusion, the district was a part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary. The district is ringed by Saharanpur in the west, Dehradun in the north and east, Pauri Garhwal in the east, Muzzaffar Nagar and Bijnor in the south. The district headquarter is situated in the Roshnabad. The district is administratively subdivided into four tehsils i.e. Haridwar, Roorkee , Laksar, Bhagwanpur and six development blocks i.e. Bhagwanpur, Roorkee, Narsan, Bahadrabad, Laksar and Khanpur. Haridwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the planes. Due to Haridwar’s location on the bank of river Ganga, it has plenty of water resources and almost all kind of food grains are produced here in abundance. The places of tourist interests in the Districts are Haridwar Har Ki Pauri, temple of Chandi Devi, Mansa Devi Temple, Rajaji National Park, Piran Kalier, Sureshwari Devi, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Kodiyala, and Mussoorie
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Rajaji National Park :
Haridwar is also a popular destination for nature and adventure lovers. The Rajaji National Park is about 820 sq. km. in area; attracts wildlife lovers with its pristine scenic beauty and rich bio diversity. Three sanctuaries of the Shivalik range of western U.P. -Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla were amalgamated into a large protected area and named Rajaji National Park in year 1983It has 23 species of mammals and 315 avifauna species. One may watch a herd of elephants roaming majestically in the jungle or may find oneself excited by wildlife of many kinds including tigers, leopard, jungle cat, Himalayan yellow throated marten, samber, cheetal, barking deer, wild boar, langoor, ghural, sloth beer, king cobra, woodpecker etc. The river shelters fish in abundance. For further information on the subject, one may contact the Director’s office, 5/1 Ansari Marg, Dehradun-248001, Phone no. 0135-621669. They have got their website too- www.rajajinationalpark.co.in
Piran Kalier :
The ‘Dargah’ of Hazrat Makhdum Allauddin Ali Ahamed ‘Sabir’ on the outskirts of Roorkee town is a worth-visit-place for every visitor. It is situated towards the south of Haridwar. This place is one of the living examples of unity between the Hindu and Muslim religions. Famed for its mystical powers that fulfill the desires of the devout, the Dargah is visited by millions of devotees from all religions from India and abroad. The Urs is celebrated at this Dargah every year, from the first day of sighting the moon to the sixteenth day during the Rabeeull month of the Islamic calendar.
Sureshwari Devi :
This is a temple of Goddess Durga. Situated in the peaceful forest area of Rajaji National park.
In the very first verse of Bhagwad-Gita (धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किम् अकुर्वत संजय ||), Kurukshetra is described as DHARAMKSHETRA i.e. ‘Region of righteousness’. Kurukshetra is a place of great historical and religious importance, revered all over the country for its sacred association with the Vedas and the Vedic Culture. It was here that the battle of Mahabharat was fought and Lord Krishna preached His Philosophy of ‘KARMA’ as enshrined in the Holy Bhagwad-Gita, to Arjuna at Jyotisar. According to Hindu mythology, the Kurukshetra is spread over, a circuit of about 48 KOS which includes a large number of holy places, temples and Sacred tanks connected with the religious events/rituals, Mahabharat War and Kurus, the ancestor of Kouravas and Pandavs. Kurukshetra is intimately related to the Aryan civilization and its growth all along the sacred river Saraswati.
It is believed that all the holy waters of all sacred rivers flow/converge into Kurukshetra’s Sannehit Sarovar, at the time of Somavati Amavasya & Solar eclipse. It is believed that those who visit this area reside here, take bath in the tanks, or die in Kurukshetra go to heaven after death. The Mahabharata states that one who dies at Kurukshetra attains salvation after death. It is said that the Almighty God after having perfomed, divine, yajnas created the universe here.
It is the land where the sage Manu penned his ‘Manusmriti’ and where learned ‘rishis’ compiled the Rig Veda and Sama Veda.Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, who also performed a supreme sacrifice to bring prosperity to the land and his people.
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Brahma Sarovar :
Brahma Sarovar, as its name suggests, is a water tank in Thanesar in Haryana. It is considered sacred by Hindus and is incredibly beautiful. It is said that the water inside the tank is sacred and used by people internally as well as externally to take a bath and attain salvation. It has been currently renovated and equipped with modern state-of-the-art facilities. The tank has the dimensions of 3600 length and 1500 breadth. It has been given a rectangular shape.
Legend has it that the universe was created by Lord Brahma from the land of Kurukshetra after yajna took place. This Brahma Sarovar is believed to be the support of the civilisation and has also been mentioned in the eleventh century AD memory of Al Beruni who was also called Kitab-ul-Hind
Krishna Museum :
Founded in 1987, Krishna Museum houses various artifacts of Lord Krishna and Krishna’s incarnations from 1st Century AD to 11th Century AD. The museum housing six galleries also showcases the statues in the forms as described in the Bhagavata Purana and Mahabharata.
The exhibits in the galleries consist of exquisite woodcarvings, wooden panels, bronze casting, ivory works, palm- leaf etchings, stone sculptures, archaeological artifacts and miniature paintings. There is also a tableaux made from Papier-mache and clay, based on Bhagavata and Mahabharata
Sthaneshwar Mahadev :
It is said that the Pandavas obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva in Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple. The tank in the premises of the temple is believed to possess healing properties and has also healed Banasura’s leprosy.
Archeologists trace the architecture of the temple to Sthaneshwar, an ancient capital of Harsha Vardhana. One can see the roof of the temple shaped like an amla dome with lofty pinnacles. The temple houses an ancient statue of the Shiva Linga which is believed to be the first idol of Shiva in the phallic form
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple :
It is said that the Pandavas obtained the blessings of Lord Shiva in Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple. The tank in the premises of the temple is believed to possess healing properties and has also healed Banasura’s leprosy.
Archeologists trace the architecture of the temple to Sthaneshwar, an ancient capital of Harsha Vardhana. One can see the roof of the temple shaped like an amla dome with lofty pinnacles. The temple houses an ancient statue of the Shiva Linga which is believed to be the first idol of Shiva in the phallic form
Karnal is one of Historical Districts of Haryana. It is also known as a city of ‘Daanveer Karn’. It is known all over the world for production of Rice, Wheat and Milk. It is also known for agriculture research Institutions like NDRI, CSSRI, Wheat Research Directorate, National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources, Sugarcane Breeding Institute etc
Karnal is important city on Delhi Ambala Rail Line & Sher Shah Suri Marg (G.T.Road), connected with all important places in the country. It is 123 Kilometer from Delhi & 130 Kilometer from Chandigarh. Karnal District lies on the western Bank of river Yamuna which once flows about 11 Kilometer. to the east forming eastern boundary of the district. The river Yamuna separates Haryana from Utter Pardesh. The Karnal Distt. including Panipat lies between 29’09’50” and 29’50’ North latitude and 76 31′ 15″ and 77 12’45” East longitude, its height from sea level is between 235 and 252 meters. The Karnal Distt. is surrounded by Kurukshetra District on its north-west, jind & Kaithal Distt. on its west, Panipat Distt. on its south and Utter Pradesh on east.
Yamuna River forms eastern boundary of the district and flows from north to south. The district is a part of the Ganga-Sindus (Indo-Gangestic) plains and has a well spread net work of western Yamuna canal. Its geographical area has been divided in to three agroclimatic regions, Khadar, Bhangar and Nardak belt. Khadar starts from Indri-Karnal road one mile away from Karnal covering the area in between Yamuna river and National Highway Road No.1 upto Patti-Kalyana village. Bhangar area starts from west of Khadar area covering Gharaunda, development block. The nardak area lies in Nissing, Nilokheri and Assandh development block. However, its water is saline and not fit for irrigation
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Cantonment Church Tower :
Being a fine example of the unique architectural style of the British era, Cantonment Church Tower stands tall in Karnal. The tower is about thirty-five meters high and has an ornamental cross on the top. The tower is visible from a radius of 7 km around the church. The church was dedicated to St. James, a disciple of Jesus Christ. The church got dismantled when the cantonment was shifted from Karnal to Ambala however the tower was permitted to stand here. Adjacent the tower is a cemetery of the European soldiers on the left side. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has certified this Cantonment Church Tower to be a historic monument of the country.
Qualander Shah’s Tomb :
Built in the memory of Bo-Ali-Qualander Shah, the famous Muslim sage, this place of honour was constructed by Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq, the ruler of Delhi. The well sculpted memorial was constructed in marble. The tomb is important because of the stories that are related to Qualander Shah. This Sufi sage was famous for his new-age thinking and his ideas that have been respected and appreciated by people of all religions. The saint was said to be blessed with miraculous powers. The tomb premises are fenced by walls and hoses beautiful fountains and lush garden surrounding the tomb.
Karnal Fort :
Built in the mid eighteenth century by Raja Ganpat Singh, Karnal Fort now houses an important office of the city. Being conquered by different Emperors in different eras, Karnal Fort has seen glorious victories and unimpressive declines of the rulers. Conquered by the Marathas from Raja Bhag Singh, Karnal Fort has been a witness of the tussles between the Sikhs and the Marathas until Karnal was overtaken by the British. The fort was used a jail during the initial British-Raj. The stately construction of the fort is outstanding and it is known as the Old Fort by the locals
Pukka Pul :
Pukka Pul is also known as Sayad’s Shrine is located at a distance of 7 km from the main city of Karnal and is considered to be a sacred monument by the Muslims. The shrine is in the vicinity of the Mughal Bridge and is known for having powers to counter the ghostly spirits and cure serious diseases. Every Thursday the shrine is illuminated with lamps. Devotees around the world come here to seek the blessings so as to lead a positive life ahead.
Karnal has been a city of historical importance from the time of Mahabharata. The place has been a spectator of different eras and been a part of the Indian history. Karnal or the Karnabhoomi will leave you mesmerised with the ancient stories that the city contains
Yogi Adityanath
Built in the memory of Bo-Ali-Qualander Shah, the famous Muslim sage, this place of honour was constructed by Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq, the ruler of Delhi. The well sculpted memorial was constructed in marble. The tomb is important because of the stories that are related to Qualander Shah. This Sufi sage was famous for his new-age thinking and his ideas that have been respected and appreciated by people of all religions. The saint was said to be blessed with miraculous powers. The tomb premises are fenced by walls and hoses beautiful fountains and lush garden surrounding the tomb.