KalingaTV News Network
New Delhi: Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and Odissi exponent Sonal Mansingh took oath as Rajya Sabha members on Wednesday. Both of them took the oath in the presence of M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President and Chairman of the Upper House of the Parliament.
President of India Ram Nath Kovind had on July 14 nominated both of them to the Rajya Sabha.
Mohapatra, an internationally acclaimed architect and sculptor, had received the Padma Shri (in 1975), Padma Bhushan (in 2001) and Padma Vibhushan (in 2013) earlier.
Mohapatra has immensely contributed towards preservation of traditional sculpture and ancient monuments. This apart, he has also worked on the beautification of Puri Sri Jagannath Temple and started building a second Konark Sun Temple.
On the other hand, Padma Vibhushan winner Mansingh is an acclaimed Odissi and Bharatanatyam dancer. She has founded the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, in Delhi in 1977.
She has been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Ms Kalinga