RSS thinker Rakesh Sinha, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh along with five others took oath in Rajya Sabha

NewsBharati    18-Jul-2018
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New Delhi, July 18: As many as seven new members including Dr Rakesh Sinha who is the founder and honorary director of India Policy Foundation, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra took the oath of office in Rajya Sabha today. 

Apart from these three members, former BJP lawmaker Ram Shakal, CPI(M) leader and CITU state general secretary Elamaram Kareem, CPI's Binoy Viswam and Jose K Mani of Kerala Congress (Mani) took the oath of office in Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu greeted the new elected members while others thumped desks. Importantly, Rakesh Sinha, Sonal Mansingh and Raghunath Mohapatra, who were nominated to Rajya Sabha last week took the oath of office in Hindi.

Dr. Rakesh Sinha is a professor at Motilal Nehru College of Delhi University and also the founder director of the Delhi-based think-tank 'India Policy Foundation'. Defending the RSS, Sinha has been frequently seen in fierce TV debates. Dr. Sinha is a respected and widely read author and has authored the biography of RSS founder Dr. Hedgewar.

Notably, today the monsoon session in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha began. As many as 48 important items including 46 Bills and two financial matters has been listed by the government in Monsoon Session of Parliament. Centre has kept the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill or the anti-instant triple talaq bill and The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, that gives Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes on its top priority.

On Saturday last week, President Ram Nath Kovind announced four nominations to the Rajya Sabha. The nominees included former MP Ram Shakal, Rakesh Sinha, Raghunath Mohapatra and Sonal Mansingh.

According to powers of Article 80(1) (a) of the Constitution of India and on the advice of the Prime Minister, the President of India can make 12 nominations to the Rajya Sabha. They are those who have special knowledge or experience in fields like literature, art, science and social service. Eight of the total nominated seats with the nomination of four new members, the President has filled the vacant four seats. 

BACKGROUND:

Raghunath Mohapatra is a renowned architect and sculptor who is a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Practicing since 1959, he has trained over 2000 students. His famous arts 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.

Considered one of India's foremost exponents of Indian classical dance, Sonal Mansingh has been performing Bharatnatyam and Odissi for over six decades. A well-known choreographer, teacher, also founded the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in Delhi in 1977.

Rajya Sabha member Rakesh Sinha oath Parliament Monsoon Session President Ram Nath Kovind