Gopalkrishna Gandhi, IAS

He was the governor of West Bengal serving from 2004 to 2009. He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and son of Devadas Gandhi and Lakshmi Gandhi. His maternal grandfather was C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji). Gopalkrishna Gandhi is the younger brother of Rajmohan Gandhi, and the late Ramchandra Gandhi, and Smt.Tara Bhattacharya (Gandhi) all of whom are distinguished in their own right.

As a former member of the Indian Administrative Service, he served as Secretary to the President of India and as High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka, among other administrative and diplomatic posts.

Gandhi graduated with a master's degree in Literature from St. Stephen's College of Delhi University. He has authored one novel (Saranam - "Refuge" in English) and a play in verse (Dara Shukoh).His other books are- "Gandhi and South Africa", "Koi Adhha Sa Ladka" (translation into Hindustani of Vikram Seth's novel 'A Suitable Boy', "Gandhi and Sri Lanka", "Nehru and Sri Lanka", "India House, Colombo- Portrait of a Resience", "Gandhi Is Gone. Who Will Guide Us Now? (edited), "A Frank Friendship/ Gandhi and Bengal: A Descriptive Chronology" (compiled and edited)

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam made the appointment on 14 December, 2004 following the expiry of the term of office of incumbent Viren J. Shah. He was succeeded by Devanand Konwar (the serving governor of Bihar) who has been given additional charge of West Bengal.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi and his wife Tara have two married daughters.

He published a book titled "The spring of the Blackbuck: Writings on Wildlife and Conservation in South India" in June 2010.

Career:

   * 1968 - 1985 Joined as an IAS Officer and served in Tamil Nadu

* 1985 - 1987 Secretary to Vice-President of India
* 1987 - 1992 Joint Secretary to President of India
* 1992 Retired from IAS
* 1992 Minister (Culture) in High Commission of India, UK and Director, The Nehru Centre, London, UK.
* 1996 High Commissioner of India, South Africa and Lesotho
* 1997-2000 Secretary to President of India
* 2000 High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka
* 2002 Ambassador of India to Norway, and Iceland
* 2004 Governor of West Bengal.
* 2006 Governor of Bihar (Additional Charge)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopalkrishna_Gandhi