Dr Bhargav Mallappa gifted Sathya Sai Baba’s portrait to Om Prakash Mathur at the Kerala Governor’s oath ceremony, highlighting compassion and selfless service
Keralam: The teachings of Sathya Sai Baba featured in a gesture during Om Prakash Mathur’s oath-taking ceremony as Governor of Keralam on October 27, 2026. Dr Bhargav Mallappa, founder and National Chairman of the Akhila Sevak Samaj Council (ASSC), presented Mathur with a portrait of the spiritual leader at Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
Mathur took the oath as the state’s 29th Governor. Justice Soumen Sen, Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, administered the oath in the presence of Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, state ministers and other public representatives.
A Gesture Centred on Compassion
Explaining the presentation, Mallappa said Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings of love, service, compassion and unity continued to influence people across generations.
He said the portrait represented respect for the newly appointed Governor and served as a reminder of the importance of humanity and selfless service.
Focus on Community Welfare
Mallappa is associated with the Akhila Sevak Samaj Council, which focuses on social service and community welfare initiatives. The presentation highlighted the role of compassion and service in public and community life.
Mathur previously served as the Governor of Sikkim. He succeeded Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who was appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu, according to the information provided.
The ceremony marked Mathur’s formal assumption of office, while Mallappa’s presentation brought a spiritual and service-oriented message to the occasion.
