Profile of Honorable Governor

Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who is known for his contributions to education and public service is presently the 17th Governor of Sikkim. He was born on October 3, 1954, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. His parents were the Late Shri Kalidas Kharwar and the Late Smt. Pyari Devi. He has two brothers, Shriram Prasad and Shitla Prasad, as well as one sister, Vindhvasini Verma.

Educator
Belonging to a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage in the Hindu world, Varanasi. He started his career in his own hometown as a teacher in 1973 at Bhartiya Shishu Mandir in Ramnagar, Varanasi

Education Campaign(June 1977)
On June 22, 1977, He initiated the “शिशु शिक्षा गांव की ओर” (Child Education in the Village) campaign with the sole aim of establishing schools in the remotest villages. In the remote corners of Uttar Pradesh, places like Baburi, Sakaldiha, and Sonbhadra, he embarked on an educational journey. He established institutions of learning, such as Sishu Shiksha Niketan and Shri Kalidas Shiksha Sansthan Junior High School, in 33 far-flung locales like Baburi and Sakaldiha. His efforts extended to even more distant areas in Madhya Pradesh. Furthermore, his dedication to education led to the creation of Smt. Pyari Devi Intermediate College. He is the first person to open private schools in villages of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Political Journey
In 1990, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya took his first steps into politics by becoming the divisional president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Ramnagar area of Varanasi. This marked the beginning of his active political journey. In 1995, he assumed the role of General Secretary for the combined district of Varanasi, which included Varanasi and Chandauli. In 1996, Shri Acharya’s political journey led him to become the District President of the BJP for the Varanasi district. Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Development Corporation (UPFDC): He received this responsibility from the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Kalyan Singh. Remarkably, he continued to serve in this role even as subsequent Chief Ministers, such as Ram Prakash Gupta and Rajnath Singh, took office. His position as the Chairman of UPFDC held an equivalent rank to that of a State Minister, highlighting his influence and responsibilities. He brought in many developmental changes for fisheries in UP.

Member of the UP Legislative Council (2015 and 2021)
In 2015, Shri Acharya was elected as a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) after contesting the election from the Legislative Assembly constituency. He commenced his term on January 31, 2015. In recognition of his continued service and contributions, he was re-elected for a second term as a Member of the UP Legislative Council in 2021. He continued to represent the interests of the people in this capacity until his appointment as the Governor of Sikkim.

A champion of education and a beacon of change. From teacher in Varanasi to his transformative “Child Education in the Village” campaign, he has tirelessly worked to bring knowledge to the remotest corners. His political journey reflects a commitment to service, culminating in his role as the 17th Governor of Sikkim, where he continues to illuminate the path of progress.