Dr. R. Sasikala Pushpa has been the Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). She completed her B.A. (English Literature) from University of Madras, Chennai and M.A. (Public Administration) from University of Madras, Chennai. She has also done Diploma in Business Administration from the Southern Cross University, Singapore. Her Ph.D. in Public Administration is from Manonmaniyam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu.
She has been an ardent political and social worker, teacher and educationist. Earlier, she served as the Mayor of Thoothukudi Corporation, Tamil Nadu. She also held positions like: Member, Parliament Committee on Human Resource Development (MHRD); Member, Parliament Committee of Privileges; and Member, Parliament Committee of Women and Children at national level.