New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for nominating him for the Rajya Sabha on Sunday.

Shringla thanked President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that it is a 'rare honour'. The former Indian foreign secretary noted that after serving in Government of India for 40 years, he went back to his 'grassroots' and began to work in the North Bengal area.

'I think it's a great responsibility and I want to extend my very grateful thanks to the President, Prime Minister for thinking of me in providing this opportunity to serve the people of the country through the great institution of our Parliament. I think it is a rare honour. After I completed approximately 40 years in the Government of India. I went back to my area which is the North Bengal area, Darjeeling area and I have been working at the grassroots levels', Shringla told ANI.

Shringla asserted that having a parliament seat will give him 'additional' basis to work and also gives him opportunity to articulate the views of people.

'Having a seat in Parliament gives me additional basis to be able to work. It provides me with a platform to be able to articulate the views of people of that area but also of any issue that is important for our country and contribute in any way that can serve the interests of the country and its people', Shringla added.

Shringla, known for his distinguished diplomatic career, was India's Ambassador to the United States and Bangladesh. He served as Foreign Secretary from January 2020 to April 2022.

Other than Harshvardhan Shringla, Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, veteran social worker C. Sadanandan Master and noted historian Meenakshi Jain were among the other people who were nominated by President of India for Rajya Sabha.

These individuals were nominated under the powers conferred by Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, read with clause (3) of the same article. These nominations come in the wake of vacancies created due to the retirement of previously nominated members.

The Ministry of Home Affairs made the announcement through a notification.

These nominations fill the vacancies created by the retirement of previously nominated members and are seen as the government's acknowledgement of significant national contributions in the fields of law, diplomacy, social service, and historical scholarship. (ANI)