Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received the first-ever Lata Deenananth Mangeshkar Award, named after the legendary singer who passed away earlier this year at the age of 92 years. The award was announced on April 11. The award ceremony was held at the city's Shanmukhanand Hall.
Addressing the award ceremony, Modi said, “I am not knowledgeable about a subject like music. But from cultural understanding, I feel that music is a sadhana as well as an emotion." He added that while he has tried to keep away from award ceremonies, he felt it was his duty to attend the ceremony and accept the award. "I dedicate this award to the people of my country. This award is for every Indian," he added.
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The Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Charitable Trust had said in a statement that the award will be given every year to an individual "who has made path-breaking, spectacular and exemplary contributions to our nation, its people and our society." Referring to Modi, the statement added, “He is an international statesman who has put India on the path of global leadership. The spectacular progress that has, and, is taking place in every aspect and dimension of our beloved nation is driven and inspired by him. He is indeed one of the greatest leaders our great nation has seen in its glorious history of thousands of years.”
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PM Modi, meanwhile, said the award meant quite a lot to him. "Music can give a feeling of motherhood and love. Music can take you to the pinnacle of patriotism and duty. We all are fortunate that we have seen this power of music, this power in the form of Lata Didi. When the award is in the name of an elder sister like Lata Didi, it is a symbol of her oneness and love for me. So, it's not possible for me not to accept it," the Prime Minister observed.
