President of India, Ram Nath Kovind made an announcement on Saturday nominating four eminent personalities to Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament. RSS member and ideologue Rakesh Sinha, artiste Raghunath Mohapatra, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and Dalit farmer leader Ram Shakal are the nominees.
They will be filling the seats vacated by industrialist Anu Agha, famous cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, veteran actress Rekha and lawyer K Parasaran. Their term in Rajya Sabha expired earlier this year.
As per the constitution, the President has the right to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from the field of science, literature, art and social service considering the advice of the Prime Minister of India.
Sonal Mansingh is an internationally renowned artiste. She is a foremost advocate of the Indian Classical Dance. Mansingh is not only an acclaimed Odissi and Bharatnatyam dancer for six decades but is also a prominent choreographer, orator, teacher and a social activist. She is the founder of the Centre for Indian Classical Dances located in Delhi since 1977. She was also awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.
Raghunath Mohapatra is an acclaimed sculptor and architect born in Odisha. He is an internationally popular authority on stone carving. He has spread his art by training more than 2000 students. He has restored various ancient monuments. His some of the most appreciated works include a 6-feet-high statue of the Sun God carved in grey sandstone in the Central Hall of Parliament and the Wooden Buddha in Paris. He was also acclaimed by the government of India with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Ram Shakal is not only a former BJP lawmaker but also a three-time Member of Parliament from Robertsganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh. He is a Dalit farmer leader who has worked for the welfare and benefits of the farmers.
Rakesh Sinha is known by most of us as the face of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the TV debates. He is an RSS leader, an author, a columnist and avid supporter of BJP. He is a prominent member of the Indian Council of Social Research (ICSSR). Sinha works as an associate professor in Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi. He is also the founder and Honorary Director of the “Indian Policy Foundation”, a think-tank based in Delhi.
The list was announced on Saturday by the Prime Minister Office.