Historic Moment as Phangnon Konyak Becomes First Woman from Nagaland to Preside Over Rajya Sabha

In a groundbreaking development for gender representation in the Indian Parliament, Phangnon Konyak, the first woman member from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, made history today by assuming the role of the presiding officer in the Upper House. Her appointment as the presiding officer marks a momentous occasion for women in Nagaland and the nation as a whole.

Earlier this month, on July 17, 2023, Phangnon Konyak had already achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first-ever woman member to be appointed to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons in the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, had taken a significant step towards promoting gender equality by nominating four women members, constituting 50% of the total, to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.

The panel, which was reconstituted just before the Monsoon Session, comprises a total of eight members, with half of them being women. This marks the first time in the history of the Upper House that women members have been given equal representation on the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.

The other women members nominated alongside Smt. Phangnon Konyak are:

1. P.T. Usha: A renowned athlete and Padma Shri awardee, Smt. P.T. Usha was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in July 2022. She serves as a member of various committees, including the Committee on Defense, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Committee on Ethics.
2. Dr. Fauzia Khan: A member of the Nationalist Congress Party, Dr. Fauzia Khan was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2020. She actively participates in the Committee on Empowerment of Women, Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Law and Justice.
3. Sulata Deo: Belonging to the Biju Janata Dal, Smt. Sulata Deo was elected to the Rajya Sabha in July 2022. She plays an active role in the Committee on Industry, Committee on Empowerment of Women, Joint Committee on Office of Profit, Committee on Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), and Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

The collective achievements of these women Parliamentarians signify a significant step towards gender inclusivity and empowerment in the highest legislative body of India. The nation looks forward to witnessing more milestones achieved under the guidance and leadership of Phangnon Konyak and her fellow women members. Their contributions are set to leave a lasting impact on the growth and progress of the country.