"I am grateful to my leader Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister that they they have given me such a responsibility and reposed faith in me. I don't know how best I can do," Shinde told reporters here.
Shinde, who arrived here to attend the swearing-in of newly-elected members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration members tomorrow, said "the courage that the Gandhi family has shown in bringing up the downtrodden, has been remarkable.
"Earlier, Buta Singh, a scheduled caste, and now again they have made me a scheduled caste, the home minister," Shinde said.
"Without strong political will, you can't help the downtrodden to come up and the Gandhi family has shown that will," the Union Home minster said.
