New RS Members: Veerendra Heggade, P T Usha, Ilaiyaraaja, & Vijayendra Prasad
Philanthropist & spiritual leader Veerendra Heggade, sports icon P T Usha, Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, acclaimed screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad are nominated as new Rajya Sabha members.
The resignations of Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi of the BJP and RCP Singh of the JD(U) from the Union Cabinet on the day of the nominations coincided with their mandates in the Rajya Sabha expiring on Thursday.
The newly nominated members have accomplished careers and have won acclaim on a national and international scale.
The ruling BJP’s new RS nominations, all of which are from the south, select southern states for its next stage of growth. Simultaneously, the nominations also send a political message.
Prasad is from Telangana, while Heggade is from Karnataka, and Ilaiyaraaja is from Tamil Nadu, while Usha is from Kerala.
The Rajya Sabha Nomination Process
The Upper House has seven open positions for nominees. In the upcoming days, the government is anticipated to fill the open positions.
12 out of the 245 members of the Rajya Sabha are chosen by the President based on the Government’s suggestion.
They are chosen in accordance with Article 80(3) of the Constitution, which states that nominees must possess exceptional expertise or relevant experience in fields such as literature, science, the arts, and social work.
However, a nominated member is permitted to join a political party during the first six months of holding office.
1. Veerendra Heggade
Since he was 20 years old, Heggade has served as the Dharmadhikari of the Dharmasthala Temple.
He founded the Rural Development and Self-Employment Training Institute as a well-known philanthropist to educate rural youngsters about self-employment options and offer them with training.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted,
“Veerendra Heggade Ji is at the forefront of outstanding community service. I have had the opportunity to pray at the Dharmasthala Temple and also witness the great work he is doing in health, education and culture. He will certainly enrich Parliamentary proceedings.”
Shri Veerendra Heggade Ji is at the forefront of outstanding community service. I have had the opportunity to pray at the Dharmasthala Temple and also witness the great work he is doing in health, education and culture. He will certainly enrich Parliamentary proceedings. pic.twitter.com/tMTk0BD7Vf
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2022
2. P. T. Usha
In the 1980s, Usha, also referred to as the Payyoli Express, dominated track and field competitions. She has 11 medals from the Asian Games, four of which were gold at the Seoul Games in 1986.
When she placed fourth at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, she narrowly missed winning a medal.
After quitting competitive athletics, she founded the Usha School of Athletics, where she trained more than 100 athletes at the national and international levels.
PM Modi tweeted,
“The remarkable PT Usha Ji is an inspiration for every Indian. Her accomplishments in sports are widely known but equally commendable is her work to mentor budding athletes over the last several years.”
The remarkable PT Usha Ji is an inspiration for every Indian. Her accomplishments in sports are widely known but equally commendable is her work to mentor budding athletes over the last several years. Congratulations to her on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha. @PTUshaOfficial pic.twitter.com/uHkXu52Bgc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2022
3. Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja received congratulations on the nomination from Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, actors Rajinikanth & Kamal Haasan, and others in Chennai.
According to a tweet from Raj Bhavan, “Ilaiyaraaja’s amazing musical brilliance and inspirational life journey have inspired and continue to inspire generations.”
Ilaiyaraaja has composed songs in many Indian languages over the course of a nearly 50-years career, and he has earned various honors, including the national prize five times.
The maestro received the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a tweet,
“The creative genius of Ilaiyaraaja has enthralled people across generations. His works beautifully reflect many emotions.
What is equally inspiring is his life journey – he rose from a humble background and achieved so much.”
The creative genius of @ilaiyaraaja Ji has enthralled people across generations. His works beautifully reflect many emotions. What is equally inspiring is his life journey- he rose from a humble background and achieved so much. Glad that he has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. pic.twitter.com/VH6wedLByC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2022
4. V Vijayendra Prasad Garu
V Vijayendra is a notable screenwriter in Telugu films. The man behind blockbusters like “Mersal” in Tamil, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” in Hindi, the “Baahubali” trilogy, and “RRR” in Telugu is also the father of well-known filmmaker SS Rajamouli.
Vijayendra has also worked in Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. These movies were all dubs in various languages.
Prime Minister said,
“V Vijayendra Prasad Garu has been associated with the creative world for decades. His works showcase India’s glorious culture and have made a mark globally.”
Shri Veerendra Heggade Ji is at the forefront of outstanding community service. I have had the opportunity to pray at the Dharmasthala Temple and also witness the great work he is doing in health, education and culture. He will certainly enrich Parliamentary proceedings. pic.twitter.com/tMTk0BD7Vf
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2022
Compliments from Union Home Minister
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also welcomed & congratulated them with a tweet,
“Congratulations to PT Usha Ji, Shri V Vijayendra Prasad Ji, Shri Veerendra Heggade Ji and Shri Ilaiyaraaja Ji on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
You have made outstanding contributions in your respective fields and have made the nation proud with your dedication & hard work.”
