NEW DELHI: The new information and broadcasting secretary Navin Chawla took over formally in his new posting, replacing Pawan Chopra who retired yesterday from government service.

However, unlike his minister Jaipal Reddy, Chawla did not meet the media on his first day. That he wants to keep a low profile, especially on the eve of a new Parliament session that begins tomorrow, is understandable.

On being asked for an appointment by indiantelevision.com, Chawla's office said that he would prefer to speak to the media after about 10 days by which time he would try to get a hang of things and issues in the ministry.

Chawla, considered close to the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's family, served as a joint secretary in the I&B ministry in the mid to late 1990s period.