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On March 8, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian educator, author, and philanthropist Sudha Murty has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu. The nomination, which coincides with International Women’s Day (March 08), underscores the importance of representation from different regions of the country and the role of women in political decision-making.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that Murty’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power), exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping the nation’s destiny. The nomination serves as an inspiration for women across the country and highlights the importance of their contributions to various fields.
Sudha Murty’s Contributions:
Sudha Murty, wife of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and mother to venture capitalist Akshata Murty (married to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak), is a prolific writer in Kannada and English. She has authored novels, technical books, and travelogues, and her philanthropic efforts are extensive.
As the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, Murty has tackled issues like poverty, healthcare, and sanitation. She has built thousands of homes in flood-affected areas, established libraries in schools, and funded the construction of public toilets. Her influence extends beyond India, as she founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.
Awards to Sudha Murthy:
Sudha Murty was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for social work by the Government of India in 2006. In 2023, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India.
Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha:
Under Article 80 (3) of the Constitution, out of the 245 members in the Rajya Sabha, 12 are nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government. According to the Article’s provisions, the nominated members should have special knowledge or practical experience in areas such as literature, science, art, and social service. Murty is both an author and a philanthropist.
A nominated member, however, is allowed to join a political party within the first six months of taking a seat. Four of the current nominated members — Sinha, Mansingh, Jethmalani, and Ali — joined the BJP following their nomination. The door to join a political party after nomination remains open for Murty too for six months.
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution says, “A nominated member of a House shall be disqualified for being a member of the House if he joins any political party after the expiry of six months from the date on which he takes his seat after complying with the requirements of Article 99 or, as the case may be, Article 188.”
Both Articles 99 and 188 deal with the provision of taking oath after being nominated.