Country will remain indebted to Mangeshkar family: PM

New Delhi, April 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country will remain indebted to the family of late melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and recalled how a song written by Veer Savarkar was sung by her father and renowned singer Dinanath Mangeshkar, before the British Viceroy in Shimla. “The patriotic spirit that Lataji was filled with, was instilled into her by her father. Dinanath ji sang a song written by Veer Savarkar in the programme of the British Viceroy in Shimla during the freedom struggle. Savarkar had written the song, challenging the British rule. This courage, this patriotism, Dinanath ji had given to his family,” the PM said. The Prime Minister was speaking after receiving the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award in Mumbai, declared by Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Charitable trust. The Prime Minister recalled his association with the legendary singer and heaped praises for her immense contribution in the field of music. The PM called Lata Mangeshkar “a melodious presentation of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” “She sang 1000s of songs in over 30 Indian languages. She has given music in multiple languages, making the same impact,” he said. The Prime Minister said that music can give a feeling of motherhood and love. “Music can bring you to the pinnacle of patriotism and sense of duty… We are all fortunate that we have seen the power of music in the form of Lata Didi,” he said. The Prime Minister dedicated the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar award to the countrymen. “Lata ji always gave me the unconditional love of a sister. I dedicate this award to every citizen of the nation. Just how Lataji lived for everyone, this award is dedicated to everyone,” he said. What greater fortune than having received the love of an elder sister like Lata Didi- who has given the gift of love and emotion to generations, he added. When the award is in the name of an elder sister like Lata Didi, the Prime Minister said, “It is a symbol of her oneness and love for me. So, it’s not possible for me not to accept the award,” The Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar award, instituted in memory of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, will be given every year exclusively to one individual for exemplary contribution towards nation building and to the one who has made path-breaking, spectacular and exemplary contributions to the nation, its people and the society. “He (the PM) 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 in our beloved nation, is driven and inspired by him,” the trust said in the statement. “He is indeed one of the greatest leaders our great nation has seen in it’s glorious history of thousands of years, and our family and Trust gratefully thank him for accepting this Award,” it added. (UNI)