Raghunath Mohapatra, Sonal Mansingh nominated to Rajya Sabha

ONI Bureau: Renowned Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and noted Odissi Danseuse Dr. Sonal Mansingh were among the four eminent personalities, who were nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Ram Nath Kovind on the auspicious occasion of Ratha Jatra. The other two are Farmer Leader Ram Shakal and  Columnist Prof. Rakesh Sinha.

Incidentally, this is the first time anyone from Odisha was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President of India. While Raghunath Mohapatra is a renowned Sculptor, who has conceptualised the second Konark. He was earlier nominated by the BJD in Rajya Sabha polls two years ago, but lost the polls by a whisker and became a scapegoat of BJD’s internal politics.

Dr. Sonal Mansingh was married to senior diplomat Lalit Mansingh, but divorced later. She remains the daughter-in-law of Odisha and also an exponent in Odissi dance.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and MP Baijayant Panda have congratulated the duo on getting nominated to Rajya Sabha. While Naveen Patnaik has thanked President Kovind, Dharmendra and Baijayant have thanked both the President and Prime Minister.