From academia to politics - A sneak peek into life of newly appointed Odisha Guv Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati

Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati is poised to begin his tenure as the new Governor of Odisha, with a formal oath-taking ceremony scheduled at the Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Friday. 

On his arrival in Bhubaneswar today, the incoming governor plans to visit the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri to seek blessings, a tradition deeply rooted in Indian culture.

Before assuming his new role, Kambhampati was bid farewell in Mizoram. His appointment adds a new chapter to Odisha’s governance, promising a blend of academic expertise and seasoned political insight. The 71-year-old Mizoram Governor will replace Raghubar Das.

Must Read: Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati to visit Puri on Jan 2, take oath as Odisha Governor on Jan 3

Kambhampati, born in 1953 in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district, has a long-standing career in Indian politics. His political journey began during his university days, where he played an active role in the Jai Andhra Movement in 1972. He was also imprisoned for six months during the Emergency period in the mid-1970s, reflecting his steadfast commitment to political activism.

An academic by profession, Kambhampati holds a BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering and a PhD from Andhra University. He dedicated 24 years to academia as an associate professor in Andhra University’s Engineering College where he significantly contributed to the academic development of engineering students, providing them with the necessary skills for their careers.

Kambhampati’s engagement in politics resumed in 1977 when he joined the Janata Dal. By 1978, he was serving as the vice-president of its youth wing in Andhra Pradesh. His prominence continued to grow as he later became the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Andhra Pradesh, a position he held for a decade from 1993. In 1999, he was elected as an MLA from the Visakhapatnam-1 constituency.

He was entrusted with the role of national secretary for BJP in 2005 and served as the president of the Andhra Pradesh BJP between 2014 and 2018. As a Member of Parliament from 2014 to 2019, Kambhampati contributed significantly to various parliamentary committees.