New Delhi: Legendary athlete Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha on Thursday made history of sorts by presiding over the proceedings of Rajya Sabha.
PT Usha, popularly known by her sobriquet Payyoli Express, posted a short clip on Twitter to mark the moment, as well as saying that she hopes to “create milestones”.
One of the greatest athletes from India, Usha lost the women's 400m hurdles at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics by 1/100th of a second.
Usha presided over the proceedings in the absence of Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, according to NDTV.
“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 said in her tweet.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated Usha to the Upper House in July 2022.
In November, she became President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Usha won medals for India in the Asian Games, the Asian Championships and the World Junior Invitational Meet, as well as setting many national and Asian records during her career.
Her timing of 55.42s in Los Angeles in 1984 still remains as the national record.
Many congratulated the athlete on her presiding over the procedures at the Rajya Sabha with one user saying, “Go on & create history once more”.