President Droupadi Murmu has appointed educationist Satnam Singh Sandhu, founder of Chandigarh University (CU), as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar welcomed Sandhu to the Upper House. “I welcome the nomination of Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji to the Rajya Sabha. His rich work in community service and his passion towards education, innovation and learning will be big sources of strength for the Rajya Sabha. I wish him the very best for his tenure,” Dhankar said on X.
Sandhu, hailing from a farming background, established the Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) at Landran, Mohali in 2001, followed by the founding of Chandigarh University in 2012.
"He is renowned for his philanthropic endeavors, actively engaging in community initiatives to enhance health, wellness, and foster communal harmony through his two NGOs, the Indian Minorities Foundation and New India Development (NID) Foundation," a source familiar with the matter revealed.
Under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the President has the authority to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha for a six-year term, recognizing their contributions to arts, literature, science, and social services.