This Article is From Oct 31, 2010

Indira Gandhi Award for A R Rahman, Ramkrishna Ashram

Highlights

  • Noted music composer A R Rahman
  • and Ramkrishna Mission Ashram Narainpur were jointly
  • honoured with the 25th Indira Gandhi Award for National
  • Integration.
  • Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister
  • Manmohan Singh gave away the award at a function here.
  • Swami Vyaptanand received the award on behalf of the
  • Ashram. The award carries a cash prize of Rs five lakh and a
  • citation.
New Delhi: Noted music composer A R Rahmanand Ramkrishna Mission Ashram Narainpur were jointlyhonoured with the 25th Indira Gandhi Award for NationalIntegration.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime MinisterManmohan Singh gave away the award at a function here.

Swami Vyaptanand received the award on behalf of theAshram. The award carries a cash prize of Rs five lakh and acitation.

The Ramkrishna Mission Ashram in Narainpur in Bastarregion of Chhattisgarh was selected for the award for its workamong the Pahadi Madia tribals, while Rahman was honoured forbringing together people of all ages and all lands on theuniform platform of melody, rhythm and song.

In her brief remarks on the occasion, Gandhi hailed theselfless work of the Ashram in Chhattisgarh and lauded thecontribution of Rahman whose Jai Ho "not only won him anOscar but also held people across the world in a trance".

The Prime Minister said Rahman's music in films likeRoja, Bombay and Lagaan fostered the spirit ofpatriotism and furthered the message of unity and respecttowards the sacrifices of those who fought for the freedom ofthe country.

Singh made a special mention of Rahman's rendition ofVande Mataram in the eponymous album released in the late1990s.

"This album inspired all Indians -- Hindus, Muslims,Sikhs, Christians and Parsis -- alike," he said.

Singh praised the efforts of the Ramkrishna Ashram forthe betterment of tribals residing in remote regions of thecountry.

"The Pahadi Madia tribe is one of the most backward andpoor tribes residing in jungles and mountainous regions spreadacross 4000 square kilometres," Singh noted.

The Ashram manages health clinics and organises healthcamps in interior Abujmarh, and runs fair price food andmedical shops in the district that ensure that the tribalshave access to essential needs.

The Residential Tribal Youth Training Centre providesfacilities for self-employment courses, and a 52-acre farm hasbeen developed for teaching new techniques to tribal farmers.

Swami Vyaptanand recalled that the Narainpur Ashram wasset up at the instance of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhiand inaugurated in 1985.

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