NEW DELHI: In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 80 of the Constitution of India, the President of India made four nominations to the Rajya Sabha on Saturday. They are farmer leader Ram Shakal, author and columnist Rakesh Sinha, sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and classical dancer Sonal Mansingh.

  • Rakesh Sinha:


Author, Rakesh Sinha is the Founder and Honorary Director of the Delhi-based think-tank “India Policy Foundation.” A Professor of Motilal Nehru College of Delhi University, he is also currently a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research. He is a regular columnist in a range of newspapers.

He has been a frontrunner in propagating works and ideologies of RSS. He will be instrumental in keeping the radical outfit’s viewpoint in the Rajya Sabha.

  • Raghunath Mohapatra:




He is an internationally renowned authority on stone carving. BJP President Amit Shah met Padma Vibhushan sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra in Bhubaneswar on Sunday under ‘Sampark for Samarthan’ initiative. Nominating Mohapatra on the day of the beginning of Lord Jagannath yatra shows BJP set its sight on Odisha ahead of 2019 polls.

Practising since 1959, he has trained over 2000 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 feet high statue of the Sun God carved in grey sandstone, in the Central Hall of Parliament; and the Wooden Buddha, Buddha Temple, Paris.

He bagged Padma Bhushan award in 2001 and Padma Vibhushan in 2013.

  • Sonal Mansingh:




She 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 Delhi in 1977.

  • Ram Shakal:


He belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party and is a 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. By nominating him to the Upper House, the BJP is looking at intensifying its Dalit outreach programmes.

He has also been a three-time Member of Parliament, representing Robertsganj constituency of Uttar Pradesh.