Kolkata, March 11 Former Governor C V Ananda Bose described West Bengal as his "second home" on Wednesday, and said his journey in the state was "far from over" as he would continue to remain associated with it.
In an open letter to the people of the state, Bose thanked them for their support and warmth during his tenure.
"Although my term has come to an end, my journey in West Bengal is far from over. I will continue to be associated with West Bengal – my second home – as an integral part of it," he said.
The former governor said he had travelled extensively across West Bengal over the past three years, interacting with people from different walks of life.
"Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to tour the entire state and interact with people. I shared meals with people in their thatched huts, I read with young scholars, I interacted with great learned men and women," he said.
Bose said he would cherish the memories of interactions with people across the state.
"I remember my sister's embrace, that little boy's pat on my back, that young person's firm handshake, and the powerful message that the distant raised hand had to convey," he said.
"Several decades ago, Mahatma Gandhi had said, 'I am not able to leave Bengal, and Bengal will not let me go'. Today I share that feeling," the former governor wrote in his farewell message to the people.
He also quoted Rabindranath Tagore's poem to highlight his experiences while travelling across the state.
"Leave this chanting and singing and telling of beads. He is there where the tiller is tilling the hard ground and where the pathmaker is breaking stones," he said, quoting Tagore's poem.
Expressing confidence in the people of the state, Bose said, "I am sure my brothers and sisters of Bengal will achieve great heights, and I will, in my humble way, contribute to that."
"As my innings in Lok Bhavan, Kolkata, draws to a close, may I once again express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the support and consideration extended to me," he said.
Bose concluded the message with a prayer for the prosperity and well-being of the people of West Bengal.
"May Bengal reach glorious heights in the days to come. May there be prosperity and good health for all. May Ma Durga protect my people. Vande Mataram," he said.
Bose, who had been the West Bengal governor since November 2022, resigned on March 5, about 18 months before his term was set to complete.
He has been replaced by R N Ravi, who served as the governor of Tamil Nadu.