Philanthropist D Veerendra Heggade to take oath as Rajya Sabha member today

Renowned philanthropist and administrator of the Dharmasthala temple in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade, is likely to take oath as Rajya Sabha MP later in the day on Thursday. Heggade was nominated to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month. His nomination came alongside that of three other eminent personalities -- ace music composer Ilayaraja, Olympic athlete PT Usha and screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad. His nomination filled the void the coastal region of Karnataka has had in the Upper House. After the demise of senior Congress leader and former Union minister Oscar Fernandes on September 13, 2021, the coastal region did not have any representation in the Rajya Sabha. Heggade was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. 73-year-old, Heggade, is the hereditary trustee of the famous Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy temple in Dakshina Kannada district. He is the 21st in his line to hold the position which has been passed on from father to son in his family. Heggade belongs to the Digambara Jain.