Date: 2026-04-16Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Text of the Obituary Reference made in the House today by Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha, on passing away of Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai and Shrimati Asha Bhosle
**Executive Summary**
This document records the obituary references made by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on April 16, 2026, regarding the passing of Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai and Shrimati Asha Bhosle. It highlights their extensive contributions to Indian politics and the arts, respectively, and details the formal recognition of their legacies by the House. The session concluded with a moment of silence and a directive for the Secretary-General to convey official condolences to the bereaved families.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Tribute to Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai**
* **Passing and Tenure:** Deceased on April 8, 2026, at age 94; served two terms in the Rajya Sabha representing Chhattisgarh (2004–2016).
* **Legislative Career:** Distinguished career spanning over six decades, serving in four different legislatures: both houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature and both houses of Parliament.
* **Executive Roles:** Served as a Minister in the Government of Uttar Pradesh and as a Union Minister holding various portfolios.
* **Social Contribution:** Recognized for her work as an able administrator and her dedication to the upliftment of the weaker sections of society.
**Tribute to Shrimati Asha Bhosle**
* **Passing and Legacy:** Deceased on April 12, 2026, at age 92; celebrated as an iconic and versatile playback singer with a career spanning over eight decades.
* **Artistic Impact:** Recorded thousands of songs in multiple Indian languages, leaving a significant mark on the national music landscape.
* **Awards and Recognition:** Recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and National Film Award, among other national and international accolades.
**House Proceedings**
* **Act of Respect:** Members of the House rose to observe a moment of silence in memory of the departed.
* **Official Correspondence:** The Chairman directed the Secretary-General to formally communicate the House's deep sympathy to the families of the deceased.
**Impact Analysis**
**Members of the Rajya Sabha**
**Impact**
The members were called upon to formally recognize the loss of a former colleague and a national cultural icon.
**Action Required**
Members were required to rise and observe silence as a mark of respect during the session.
**Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha**
**Impact**
The Secretary-General is designated as the official liaison to convey the House's collective grief.
**Action Required**
Must formally communicate the House’s sense of profound sorrow and sympathy to the bereaved families of Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai and Shrimati Asha Bhosle.
Key Entities Referenced
Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai: Former Union Minister and two-term Rajya Sabha member who served in four different legislatures and contributed to the upliftment of weaker sections.
Shrimati Asha Bhosle: Iconic Indian playback singer and cultural icon, recipient of the Padma Vibhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award for her eight-decade career in music.
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of India's Parliament where the official obituary reference was made and where Mohsina Kidwai served as a representative.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan: Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha who delivered the obituary reference for the deceased individuals in the House.
Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Text of the Obituary Reference made in the
House today by Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan,
Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha, on passing
away of Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai and Shrimati
Asha Bhosle
Posted On: 16 APR 2026 3:22PM by PIB Delhi
CHAIRMAN: Hon’ble Members, I refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Shrimati Mohsina
Kidwai ji, a former Member of this House, on the 8thof April, 2026, at the age of 94 years. She served as a
Member of the Rajya Sabha representing the State of Chhattisgarh for two terms, from 2004 to 2010 and
from 2010 to 2016.
Born on the 1st January, 1932in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh, Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai ji entered
public life at a young age and had a distinguished political career spanning over six decades. Over the
course of her illustrious career, she had the distinction of serving in four different legislatures - both the
Houses of Uttar Pradesh Legislature and the Houses of Parliament.
Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai ji also served as a Minister in the Government of Uttar Pradesh and as a Union
Minister holding several portfolios. She made significant contributions to public life and the upliftment of
the weaker sections of society.
In her passing away, the nation has lost a veteran legislator, an able administrator and a distinguished
parliamentarian.
CHAIRMAN: Hon’ble Members, with profound grief, I refer to the passing away of Shrimati Asha
Bhosle ji, one of the most iconic and versatile playback singers of India, on the 12thof April, 2026, at the
age of 92 years.
Born on 8th September, 1933, at Sangli in Maharashtra, Shrimati Asha Bhosle ji carved an unparalleled
niche for herself in the world of music and cinema. With a career spanning over eight decades, she lent her
melodious voice to thousands of songs in multiple Indian languages, leaving an indelible mark on the
soundscape of Indian music.
In recognition of her immense contribution to the field of music, she was honoured with several
prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and National Film Award,
in addition to numerous national and international accolades. She remained an inspiration to aspiring
artists and a symbol of dedication, excellence and artistic brilliance.
In her sad demise, the nation has lost a legendary voice, an unparalleled artist and a cultural icon whose
legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
We deeply mourn the passing away of Shrimati Mohsina Kidwai and Shrimati Asha Bhosle.I request Members to rise in their places and observe silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the
departed.
(After observance of silence)
CHAIRMAN: Secretary-General will convey to the members of the bereaved families our sense of
profound sorrow and deep sympathy.
***
RKK
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