Gopalkrishna Gandhi born April 22, 1945) was the governor of West Bengal serving from 2004 to 2009. He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and son of Devadas Gandhi and Lakshmi Gandhi. His maternal grandfather was C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji). Gopalkrishna Gandhi is the younger brother of Rajmohan Gandhi, and the late Ramchandra Gandhi, and Smt.Tara Bhattacharjee (Gandhi) all of whom are distinguished in their own right.
As a former member of the Indian Administrative Service, he served as Secretary to the President of India and as High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka, among other administrative and diplomatic posts.
Gandhi graduated with a master's degree in Literature from St. Stephen's College of Delhi University. He has authored one novel (Saranam "Refuge" in English) and a play in verse (Dara Shukoh).His other books are "Gandhi and South Africa", "Koi Acchha Sa Ladka" (translation into Hindustani of Vikram Seth's novel 'A Suitable Boy', "Gandhi and Sri Lanka", "Nehru and Sri Lanka", "India House, Colombo Portrait of a Residence", "Gandhi Is Gone. Who Will Guide Us Now? (edited), "A Frank Friendship/ Gandhi and Bengal: A Descriptive Chronology" (compiled and edited)
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam made the appointment on 14 December, 2004 following the expiry of the term of office of incumbent Viren J. Shah. He was succeeded by Devanand Konwar (the serving governor of Bihar) who was given additional charge of West Bengal.
Career
1968 - 1985Joined as an IAS Officer and served in Tamil Nadu
1985 - 1987 Secretary to VicePresident of India
1987 - 1992 Joint Secretary to President of India
1992 - Retired from IAS 1992 Minister (Culture) in High Commission of India, UK and Director, The Nehru Centre, London, UK.
1996 - High Commissioner of India, South Africa and Lesotho
1997 - 2000 Secretary to President of India
2000 - High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka
2002 - Ambassador of India to Norway, and Iceland
2004 - Governor of West Bengal.
2006 - Governor of Bihar (Additional Charge)