Digital Desk: Well-known playback singer Sonu Nigam rejected the Padma Shri award. He recalled his conversation with the government officials asking him to accept the honour.
During a discussion, Sonu Nigam informed that he had initially stated that he wouldn't accept the accolade. The singer even talked about individuals earning the honour due to lobbying, but it had been given to him 'from the universe'.
The singer futher added that Sonu Nigam even stated that he had designed the reply in anticipation of such buzzes.
Sonu Nigam thought he would reply, 'Don't you think it is too late to offer me 'Padma Shri'? In an interview, Sonu said," 'You guys are giving me Padma Shri now? You guys have been teasing me for a long time. We are also human beings, and we get lured by these temptations. Is there a person who would be felicitated with an award and would not like it?"
"Those who don't get it, just they say it like that. It's a pleasing sense to be provided acclamation and praise at the right time. Justice given late isn't called justice."
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"So I stated, 'I won't be able to accept this award'. I said 'This is too late. You are giving Padma Shri to me now. I am past that stage of expecting and I have stopped looking in that direction already'."
Recalling the moment, Sonu added that he had never lobbied for the award, but it came to him quite late. He talked with the officials who called him for the offer for 10 minutes and dropped the call stating that he had to make a call to his father.
Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the nation, was conferred on Sonu last month. He has had a thriving singing career of three decades and is considered one of the most versatile voices in the Indian film industry.
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