Sonal Mansingh among 4 nominated to Rajya Sabha

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 14

President Ram Nath Kovind has nominated eminent classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, academician Rakesh Sinha, Dalit leader Ram Shakal and artist Raghunath Mahapatra to the Rajya Sabha on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Ram Shakal is an eminent people’s leader and public representative from Uttar Pradesh, who has devoted his life for the welfare and well-being of the Dalit community. A farmer leader, he is widely respected for championing the cause of farmers, labourers and migrants. He has also been a three-time Member of Parliament, representing Robertsganj constituency of Uttar Pradesh.

Rakesh Sinha, a RSS ideologue, is the founder and honorary director of the Delhi-based think-tank “India Policy Foundation.” A Professor of Motilal Nehu College of Delhi University, Sinha is currently a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research. He is a regular columnist in a range of newspapers.

Raghunath Mohapatra is an internationally renowned authority on stone-carving. Practicing since 1959, he has trained over 2,000 students. He has contributed to the preservation of traditional sculpture and ancient monuments, and has worked on the beautification of the Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri. His famous works include a 6-foot-high statue of the Sun God carved in grey sandstone, in the Central Hall of Parliament; and the Wooden Buddha, Buddha Temple, Paris.

Sonal Mansingh is among India’s foremost exponents of Indian classical dance. She has been performing Bharatnatyam and Odissi for over six decades. She is also a well-known choreographer, teacher, orator and social activist. She founded the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in New Delhi in 1977.

Notably, Article 80(1)(a), read with Article 80(3) of the Constitution, provides that the President can nominate to the Rajya Sabha 12 persons having special knowledge, or practical experience, in respect of literature, science, art and social service. There were currently eight nominated members in the Rajya Sabha, and hence, four vacancies.

With these four new nominations, the government numbers will also go up in the Rajya Sabha, where it is still struggling to push through key legislative agenda due to paucity of a favourable figure. The new additions to NDA numbers will also help the ruling dispensation in the upcoming elections to the post of the Deputy Chairman, which fell vacant after the expiry of the tenure of PJ Kurien recently. The NDA will be in a better position to tackle the Congress-led Opposition, for which these elections are not just a matter of a post but also a show of unity; and also a show of strength keeping in mind the upcoming General Election.