New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu chose Satnam Singh Sandhu, the founder-chancellor of Chandigarh University, as a nominee for the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

According to a notification from the home ministry, President Droupadi Murmu nominated Sandhu to the upper house of Parliament.

Satnam Singh Sandhu, who hails from a farming background, is recognized as one of India's foremost educators today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his happiness about Sandhu's nomination on social media platform X (previously Twitter), stating, "I am pleased that Rashtrapati Ji has nominated Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Satnam Ji has distinguished himself as a prominent educator and social worker dedicated to serving people at the grassroots level in various capacities."

"He has tirelessly worked towards promoting national unity and has also engaged with the Indian diaspora. I extend my best wishes to him for his journey in Parliament, and I am confident that his insights will enrich the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha," PM Modi added.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jadeep Dhankhar also welcomed Satnam Singh Sandhu's nomination, stating on X, "I extend a warm welcome to the nomination of Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji to the Rajya Sabha. His extensive contributions to community service and his commitment to education, innovation, and learning will greatly benefit the Rajya Sabha. I wish him success during his tenure."

Despite facing challenges in accessing education, Satnam Singh Sandhu, with a background in agriculture, dedicated himself to establishing top-tier educational institutions.

He laid the groundwork for the Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) in Landran, Mohali in 2001, and later took a significant step forward with the establishment of Chandigarh University in 2012, which was ranked first among private universities in Asia in the QS World Rankings 2023.

Sandhu's early life struggles spurred him to become a committed philanthropist, providing financial assistance to thousands of students to pursue quality education.

He is actively involved in large-scale community initiatives aimed at improving health, wellness, and promoting communal harmony through his two NGOs, the 'Indian Minorities Foundation' and the New India Development (NID) Foundation.

Sandhu has left a significant impact through his efforts towards national integration domestically and extensive work with the diaspora abroad.

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