 He was sworn in as Governor of Kerala on 10 July 2008.Gavai was a recipient of the Kusta Mitra Award, as well as the National Integration awards for peace and harmony.He was President of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Amravati.