Raghunath Mohapatra, Sonal Mansingh nominated to Rajya Sabha

BHUBANESWAR: President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday nominated four persons to Rajya Sabha, including Odissi exponent Sonal Mansingh and sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra. This is for the first time that eminent personalities from Odisha have been nominated to the Upper House of Parliament.

While Mansingh is among India’s foremost exponents of classical dance, Mohapatra is known for his contribution towards preservation of traditional sculpture and ancient monuments. Mansingh, a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner said, “I got the good news on Rath Yatra due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath. I will take Odisha’s art and culture forward, if Odisha Government wants, I will work for Odissi.”

Mohapatra gave all credit to Lord Jagannath and said he met Prime Minister to seek help for construction of a new Konark temple, work on which began on Saturday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Mansingh and Mohapatra for being nominated to Rajya Sabha. He thanked the President for nominating two distinguished personalities who have made immense contribution for the promotion of Odisha’s art and culture.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also congratulated the two and said, “There could not have been better news for the people of Odisha on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra.”  

Similarly, taking to twitter, former MP Baijayant Panda said “Among Prez’s Rajya Sabha nominations, I’m delighted to see 2 cultural icons of Odisha, Sonal Mansingh, Raghunath Mohapatra.” “Both highly deserving, one was on brink of RS membership a couple of years ago before state politics intervened. Thank you narendramodi ji” Panda tweeted. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik also congratulated the new nominees.

Mohapatra unsuccessfully contested the Rajya Sabha polls on February 7, 2014 as a BJD backed independent candidate. Then, the BJP had also extended support to his candidature. The seat was won by Ranjib Biswal of Congress.