Guwahati: The central government announced its selections for the Rajya Sabha including philanthropist Veerendra Heggade, famed athlete PT Usha, legendary musician Ilaiyaraaja and screenwriter-director V Vijayendra Prasad on Wednesday.
All four people are from different South Indian states and have made enormous contributions in their respective disciplines, earning them acclaim on a national and international level.
PT Usha, one of India’s most well-known athletes was raised in a small town in the Keralan district of Kozhikode. For many of young girls across the nation who aspired to pursue a career in athletics, particularly track and field events, PT Usha has served as an inspiration and role model.
Ilaiyaraaja, one of India’s best music composers, was born into a Dalit family in a Tamil Nadu village in the Madurai area. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2018. He also received the Padma Bhushan honour.
Veerendra Heggade has been the Dharmadhikari of the Dharmasthala Temple in Karnataka since he was just 20 years old. He has dedicated his life to philanthropy for more than 50 years. He has served as the leader of numerous innovative projects that have boosted rural development and independent work.
Born in Andhra Pradesh’s Kovvur, V Vijayendra Prasad KV Vijayendra Prasad is a renowned screenwriter and director in the nation. He has written the script for numerous well-known Telugu and Hindi films. Some of the highest-grossing Indian films, such as RRR, the Baahubali series, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, are among his renowned creations.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all four personalities in separate tweets. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated them.
Taking to twitter, he wrote, “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.”
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.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 6, 2022