P. T. Usha

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha (born 27 June 1964) is a retired Indian track and field athlete. She was born in Koothali near Perambra in Kozhikode district, Kerala. She grew up in Payyoli. She has been associated with Indian athletics since 1979. She has won 4 Asian gold medals and 7 silver medals. She is often associated as the "Queen of Indian track and field". On 6 July 2022, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by former President Ram Nath Kovind. In December 2022, Usha was elected president of the Indian Olympic Association unopposed. In December 2022, she was appointed to the panel of Rajya Sabha vice chairman to control the proceedings of the upper house during the absence of both Chairman and Deputy Chairman. She is the first nominated MP in history to become the Vice Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.