Dehradun, Oct. 19 -- As the crisp October air carries a quiet sense of farewell over Dehradun, these next two or three days are gently asking us to prepare for a goodbye that feels far too sudden. Working closely with him for almost the whole of his tenure I find myself looking back at a journey that was as enriching as it was historic. In the 26-year history of Uttarakhand since its formation on November 9, 2000, no Governor has served this state longer than Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, completing an extraordinary tenure of five years and one month. Yet, beyond the impressive timeline lies a human legacy that touched every life he encountered in Devbhoomi.

From his decorated decades in uniform to the highest constitutional office of the state, ...