RS turns to House of Iyengers with K Parasaran's entry

With the Presidential nomination of legal luminary K Parasaran -- a decision by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- the Rajya Sabha has now four Iyengar Vaishnavites, beginning from Jairam Ramesh, Dr V Maitreyan and Communist Party of India-Marxist MP T K Rangarajan.

The heads of Vaishnavite Mutts lauded the gesture of UPA II on the nomination of K Parasaran to the Rajya Sabha.

For the first time the UPA II has recognised K Parsaran's services -- in the legal field as well as spreading the message of peace and oneness -- the chiefs of the Vaishnavite Mutt stated that by nominating him, the UPA II had recongnised a Sanskrit scholar, who is likely to take oath in Sanskrit.

Jairam Ramesh, K Parasaran, Maitreyan and T K Rangarajan incidentally belong to the Vadagalai Vaishnavite sect. Jairam Ramesh has not only studied Bhagawad Gita but can also recite many stanzas of three chapters of Gita.

In a lighter vein Union shipping minister G K Vasan commented that a minority has become majority in Rajya Sabha.

Educated voters, especially teachers and lawyers from Tamil Nadu, are expected to thank UPA II for recognising the service of K Parasaran.

Nomination of Parasaran was the choice of Prime Minsiter Dr Manmohan Singh. Insiders say that on Monday the prime minister spoke to Prasaran and obtained his consent for the same.

A rare gesture Dr Manmohan had shown to his long time  "guide and friend."