Sense of joy hearing Rahman's music in White House: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday described A R Rahman's music as inspirational saying when he heard his songs in the White House, he had a sense of joy and achievement.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday described A R Rahman's music as inspirational saying when he heard his songs in the White House, he had a sense of joy and achievement.

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"Rahman's music is inspirational...When I heard Rahman in the White House, you cannot imagine the sense of joy and achievement...," Singh said, while conferring the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award to the Oscar winning music director.

Rahman, who was also given an awarded for entertainment, said "lessening the divide" through music was his intention.

The lifetime achievement award was given to Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Praising the maestro, the PM called him an "inspirational genius", saying "there is only one Panditji and he has been a role model and will be a role model".

For sports, Saina Nehwal was given the prize for taking Indian badminton to unprecedented heights by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Super Series title.

In business, the Prime Minister gave the award to the Satyam revival team for the deft handling of the crisis triggered by the scam in the IT company, while for public service, the award was given to Pratham, an NGO, working in the field of education.