First Lata award conferred on PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar award on Sunday and remembered the iconic singer as an artiste who was an integral part of nation-building and will be missed on Rakhi. Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray skipped the event amid a tussle between BJP and Sena.
“Lata Didi, apart from being the queen of melody, was my elder sister. She taught generations the language of love and compassion. I feel fortunate that she loved me like a brother. After many decades, this will be the first Rakhi when Didi won't be here,” Modi said in his award acceptance speech. Lata Mangeshkar died at 92 in February following multiple-organ failure.
Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad tweeted the invitation card of the Lata Mangeshkar award ceremony, saying it didn't mention the name of Uddhav Thackeray. “The Mangeshkar family avoided mentioning the name of the Chief Minister on the invitation card of the award ceremony. Their role is incomprehensible. This act of the Mangeshkars is an insult to 120 million Marathi people,” Awhad tweeted.
In his speech, PM Modi said Lata Mangeshkar's voice enthralled the audience for over 80 years, from the era of “gramophone, CD, DVD, pen drive, digital music to apps. The journey of songs and the world ran through the journey of Lata Didi, who gave voice to five generations of actors and made India proud. Her journey on this planet came to an end at a time when our country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. She gave voice to India, even before its Independence. The 75 year journey of the country was always tied to her 'sur'. Our entire nation is grateful for the contribution of the Mangeshkar family to the country. Apart from singing, the passion of 'rashtra bhakti' that was within her, was due to her father,” the PM said. Modi received the award on Sunday, which marked the 80th death anniversary of Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, the singing legend’s father. The PM said he generally stays away from felicitation ceremonies but made an exception to receive the first Lata Mangeshkar award named after the legendary singer whom he considered his “elder sister”. Noted musician and Lata Mangeshkar's younger brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar couldn't attend the event as he was admitted to a hospital. The 84-year old musician, younger brother of Lata didi and Asha Bhosle, will be discharged soon, Adinath his son said without divulging the cause of his hospitalisation.