P.T. Usha takes oath as Rajya Sabha Member

New Delhi, July 20: Renowned former athlete P.T. Usha on Wednesday took oath as a Rajya Sabha Member. She was nominated to the Upper House by the government on July 6 along with music composer Ilaiyaraaja, philanthropist Veerendra Heggade and movie director K.V. Vijayendra Prasad.

One of India’s most well-known athletes, Usha was born in a tiny town in the Keralan district of Kozhikode. For thousands of young girls around the nation who wanted to pursue a career in athletics, particularly track and field events, she has served as an inspiration and role model.

She has represented the nation and won gold at numerous international athletic competitions, including the Asian Games, the Asian Championships, and the World Junior Invitational Meet, earning her the nickname “Payyoli Express.” Throughout her career, she has broken and set a number of national and Asian records.

In the women’s 400-meter hurdles, where she finished fourth and lost the bronze medal by 1/100 of a second, she narrowly missed winning India’s first track and field medal at the 1984 Olympics. After retiring, she founded the Usha School of Athletics, which provides gifted children with access to top-notch facilities.

The Delhi BJP gave Usha, a recipient of the Arjuna award and the Padma Shri, a rousing welcome on Monday at the airport. She was met at the airport by a BJP delegation led by Vice-President of the Delhi Unit Virendra Sachdeva and Lok Sabha Member Manoj Tiwari.

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