The President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday has made the following four nominations to the Rajya Sabha -  Farmer Leader Ram Shakal, author and Columnist Rakesh Sinha, sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and classical dancer Sonal Mansingh. This move comes as an exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India and on the advice of the prime minister. 

Ram Shakal is a Dalit leader from Uttar Pradesh. Shakal has been working his whole life for the welfare of the Dalit community. He is also a strong leader for the farmers of the country and has advocated for farmer, labourers and migrants’ rights. 

A three-time Member of Parliament, he represents Robertsganj constituency of Uttar Pradesh. Among the four nominations, Rakesh Sinha is one of them. The author and columnist and founder and Honorary Director of the Delhi-based think “India Policy Foundation”. 

He is also a professor of Motilal Nehru College in Delhi University. Currently, he is a member of the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research. 

Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra also made it to the nomination to Rajya Sabha in the President’s list. Famous for his stone carving, Mohapatra has bee practising since 1959. He has so far trained over 2,000 students for the art. 

His contribution ranges from the preservation of traditional and monuments. He has also worked for the beautification of Jagannath temple in Puri. 
Sonal Mansingh is among the country’s famous classical dancer. She has been performing Bharatnatyam and Odissi for more than sixty years now. 
She is the founder of Centre for Indian Classical Dancers, which was founded in Delhi 1977.