The ceremony which started at 10:30 am lasted for five minutes with Governor SM Krishna reading out the oath to Dr Shahani in the presence of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. The other invitees who were present were Union Petrolium Minister Murli Deora, his son and MP Milind Deora, Police commissioner DN Jadhav, Associate Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni and members of academic fraternity.

Speaking to the media after the oath taking ceremony, Dr Shahani said: “I am happy that a woman has been chosen as the sheriff. I graduated from being a student to a teacher and now a Sheriff. This is very significant for the academic community.”

Listing her agenda she said she wanted the youngsters to become young leaders. “I will network with women’s groups, organisation & NGOs and bring them together to focus on plans for the city and women.” She added she is also planning to start an IT-based complaint redressal system for women in distress. “Though it is a ceremonial post, it allows me to take take up various issues,” she said.

She would begin her stint as Sheriff by visiting the general ward of the Bombay Hospital on Monday. She would be distributing the flower bouquets, which she has been receiving ever since it was announced that she would become the Mumbai Sheriff.

Talking about Dr Shahani’s achievements, theatre personality Sabira Merchant said, “I have been working with Indu for many years now. I do not think anybody more deserving could have been nominated for this post.” University vice chancellor Dr Vijay Khole said : “As a principal of HR college she has taken lot of efforts in raising the standards and credibility of the college. I am sure she will do a wonderful job as the sheriff of Mumbai.”