Mehta, 76, is the first non-Jew to receive such an award.
Jerusalem:
India-born music conductor ZubinMehta was today honoured with the Israeli Presidential Awardof Distinction for his contribution to the society through thelanguage of music.
Mehta, 76, the first non-Jew to receive such an award,joins an elite group of people like former US Secretary ofState Henry Kissinger, Judith Feld Carr, a Canadian-Jewishmusician and human rights activist who helped smugglethousands of Jews out of Syria, the Rashi Foundation, anon-governmental organisation, Chabad Rabbi Adin Even Yisraeland attorney Uri Slonim.
"Zubin you came here to conduct an orchestra but youbecame the conductor of our hearts. You know I can't think ofanybody else who has offered such a unique contribution to ourcountry, to our people and to our mood," said IsraeliPresident Shimon Peres conferring the award on the musicconductor at a ceremony organised at his official residence.
"You have shown leadership, a leader was born to elatethe spirit and the hopes of the people," he said.
"That's what you did. Israel used to be a drama and youmade us into a dramatic symphony without compromising one forthe other. You made our people feel at ease, feel togetherthrough the language of music. You and the orchestra carried aflag of friendship across the world and represented ourcountry in an unbelievable manner," the elder statesman saidpraising Mehta's contribution to the Israeli society.
"Music conducted by you became a message for peace, amessage of hope. I feel honoured and privileged to expressfrom the depth of our hearts our thanks to a person who is sounique," the Israeli President said.
"The award is bestowed upon those who have made anoutstanding contribution to the State of Israel or tohumanity, through their talents, services, or in any otherform," the President's media adviser, Yair Zivan, told PTI.
Mehta, 76, the first non-Jew to receive such an award,joins an elite group of people like former US Secretary ofState Henry Kissinger, Judith Feld Carr, a Canadian-Jewishmusician and human rights activist who helped smugglethousands of Jews out of Syria, the Rashi Foundation, anon-governmental organisation, Chabad Rabbi Adin Even Yisraeland attorney Uri Slonim.
"Zubin you came here to conduct an orchestra but youbecame the conductor of our hearts. You know I can't think ofanybody else who has offered such a unique contribution to ourcountry, to our people and to our mood," said IsraeliPresident Shimon Peres conferring the award on the musicconductor at a ceremony organised at his official residence.
"You have shown leadership, a leader was born to elatethe spirit and the hopes of the people," he said.
"That's what you did. Israel used to be a drama and youmade us into a dramatic symphony without compromising one forthe other. You made our people feel at ease, feel togetherthrough the language of music. You and the orchestra carried aflag of friendship across the world and represented ourcountry in an unbelievable manner," the elder statesman saidpraising Mehta's contribution to the Israeli society.
"Music conducted by you became a message for peace, amessage of hope. I feel honoured and privileged to expressfrom the depth of our hearts our thanks to a person who is sounique," the Israeli President said.
"The award is bestowed upon those who have made anoutstanding contribution to the State of Israel or tohumanity, through their talents, services, or in any otherform," the President's media adviser, Yair Zivan, told PTI.
