Watch: Former athlete PT Usha chairs Rajya Sabha proceedings

Legendary athlete Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha presided over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. 

Usha presided over the upper house of the Parliament in the absence of Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar. 

Usha also posted a short clip of the moment on her official Twitter handle. In the post, she described the proud moment hoping to ‘create milestones’.

“‘Great power involves great responsibility’ as said by Franklin D. Roosevelt was felt by me when I chaired the Rajya Sabha session. I hope to create milestones as I undertake this journey with the trust and faith vested in me by my people,” Usha wrote in her tweet.

Usha was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in July 2022. She was elected as the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in November.

"Great power involves great responsibility" as said by Franklin D. Roosevelt was felt by me when I chaired the Rajya Sabha session. I hope to create milestones as I undertake this journey with the trust and faith vested in me by my people.
🎥 @sansad_tv pic.twitter.com/bR8wKlOf21

— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) February 9, 2023

After Usha’s tweet, her supporters and followers started congratulating the athlete immediately.

“So proud of you Usha, all the best for ur onward journey.  Go on & create history once more,” wrote one user. 

“So so proud. You are an inspiration for daughters of India,” another user commented.

Responding to the post a third user tweeted, “The real empowerment!! All the best and sure you’ll give back the country a lot more Ma'am.”

Usha became the first nominated MP to be a part of the panel of Vice Chairpersons of the Rajya Sabha in December. She has been given the authority to conduct the proceedings of the Upper House when Chairman and Deputy Chairman are not available.