New Delhi: Former MP Ram Shakal, RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and stone artist Raghunath Mohapatra were on Saturday nominated to the Rajya Sabha. The nominations were made by President Ram Nath Kovind on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PMO said.
“Ram Shakal is an eminent people’s leader and public representative from UP, 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,” it said. He has also been a three-time member of the Lok Sabha, representing the Robertsganj of UP. RSS ideologue Sinha is the founder and honorary director of the Delhi-based think-tank India Policy Foundation.
A professor at the Motilal Nehu College of the Delhi University, Rakesh Sinha is also a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Mohapatra is an internationally renowned authority on stone carving. Mohapatra has contributed to the preservation of traditional sculpture and ancient monuments and has worked on the beautification of the Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri. Mansingh is among India's foremost exponents of Indian classical dance. She has been performing Bharatnatyam and Odissi for over six decades.
