Click to play videoNew Delhi: AR Rahman won the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009 award. Rahman, while accepting the award from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi on Monday night, said he wants his music to lesson the divide among the people.
"It is a triumph for music. I hope it inspires more people and lessens the divide," said the Oscar winning music maestro.
When asked what was it about his music that wowed the world Rahman said, "I don't know. I think the philosophy of music playing larger role, being selective and blessings of God."
Singh described Rahman's music as inspirational saying when he heard his songs in the White House, he had a sense of joy and achievement.
"AR Rahman's music is inspirational. It has a universal appeal. When I heard Rahman in the White House, you cannot imagine the sense of joy and achievement," Singh said.
Rahman also won the award in the entertainment category of the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009.
Rahul Gandhi was given the Politician of the Year. Rahul was chosen for emerging as the rallying spirit of the Congress and the face of India's young politicians.
He led the Congress from one win to another in the state and General Elections. His most remarkable achievement was performance of Congress in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha elections.
The othe young achiever who was honoured was Saina Nehwal. The teenage badminton champion won the Super Series title earlier this year in Indonesia, becoming the first Indian woman player to do so.
The Indian of the Year award for business went to a team of industry experts - Kiran Karnik, C Achuthan and award jury member Deepak Parekh who revived software giant Satyam Computers, which was about to fold up after being hit by one of the biggest scams in India's corporate history.
The team ensured that despite the scam, world's faith in India's software industry and corporate tranparency was not shaken.
A special award was given to the real heroes of India.
Indian of the Year for public service went to NGO Pratham, which has emerged as a powerful voice in education reform in India, and for providing underprivileged children with good education.
There were three very special awards this year. Indian cricket team, which scaled the peak of Test cricket to break on through to the No. 1 spot for the first time ever, was given a special prize which was collected by former India captains Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid along with VVS Laxman and Murli Karthik.
Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan, who completed 50 years in cinema, was given a special award.
Indian of the Year lifetime achiever award was given to sitar maestro Ravi Shankar who, like Rahman now with modern music, led the popularisation of classical Indian music on the world stage.
The Indian of the Year winners were chosen from a select list of superachievers by an elite jury panel and then voted for by the viewers of CNN-IBN and visitors to www.ibnlive.com.
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