Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha, including prominent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Also nominated are social worker and educator C Sadanandan Master, and political scientist and historian Dr. Meenakshi Jain.
Profiles of Newly Nominated Members
The nominations follow the retirement of previously nominated members, as per a gazette notification issued recently. Under the Constitution, the President can nominate up to 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, chosen for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service. Four seats in the Upper House were currently vacant.
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Ujjwal Nikam (72): A renowned special public prosecutor, Nikam has handled some of India’s most high-profile terror and criminal cases, including the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. His legal expertise also extends to high-profile murder cases like those of music mogul Gulshan Kumar and BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Nikam contested from Mumbai North Central on a BJP ticket but lost to Congress’s Varsha Gaikwad. He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2016.
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Harsh Vardhan Shringla: Shringla served as India’s Foreign Secretary from January 2020 to April 2022. He was the Chief Coordinator of the G20 Summit hosted by India in 2023. His diplomatic career includes postings as India’s Ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to Bangladesh, highlighting his significant contributions to Indian foreign policy.
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C Sadanandan Master: An educator and social activist from Kerala, Sadanandan Master became a symbol of resilience after he lost both legs in a violent attack by CPM workers three decades ago. Despite personal tragedy, he continued his activism and contested the 2016 Kerala Assembly elections from Kuthuparamba, finishing third.
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Dr. Meenakshi Jain: A respected political scientist and historian, Dr. Jain was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 for her contributions to education and historical research. She has previously served on the Indian Council of Historical Research and has authored several acclaimed works on Indian history and culture.
Prime Minister’s Felicitations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the newly nominated members, praising each for their contributions in their respective fields. He lauded Nikam’s devotion to law and the Constitution, admired Sadanandan Master’s courage and resilience, commended Shringla’s strategic role in foreign affairs, and acknowledged Dr. Jain’s scholarly impact on academic discourse.
These nominations add significant expertise and diverse perspectives to the Upper House, reflecting the government’s commitment to drawing talent from various walks of life into national decision-making.
