New Delhi, Oct 6: Noted Musician A R Rahman has been chosen for the Indira Gandhi Award National Integration for the year 2009.
Rahman shares the award with Narainpur Ashram branch of Ramkrishna Mission in Chhattisgarh for their services in promoting and preserving national integration in the country, a release from AICC said.
This year the award consists of a citation and cash of Rs 2.5 lakh each. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will present it to both the winners on October 31 here, the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi.
Prominent among those who have received the award in the past include Rajiv Gandhi (posthumously), late Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, former Presidents A P J Abdul Kalam and Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, film-maker Shyam Bengal, lyricist Javed Akhtar and writer Mahashweta Devi.
A number of institutions like Paramdham Ashram, Wardha, Ram-Rahim Nagar Slum Dwellers Association, Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Gandhi Institute of Public Affairs also received the award.
The award was instituted by the Congress in its centenary year to give recognition to outstanding contribution to the cause of national inegration and understanding by individuals and institutions. PTI
