PM conferred CNN-IBN 'Indian of the Year' Award

New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was today conferred the 'Indian of the Year Award', instituted by the English news channel CNN-IBN, beating five other prominent contenders including Tata group patriarch Ratan Tata and Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi.

The Prime Minister, who has already been adjudged CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in the category of politics, was chosen by a jury, headed by eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee and including policewoman and Magsaysay Award winner Kiran Bedi and Nandan Nilekani.

Media Advisor to the Prime Minister Sanjaya Barua received the award on behalf of Dr Singh from Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. Representatives of Mr Tata, who won the award in the business category, and Ms Indra Nooyi, for being the most prominent NRI, collected the awards on their behalf.

The three other awardees Jeev Milkha Singh (CNN-IBN Indian of the Year - Sports), Rajkumar Hirani (Entertainment) and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Arvind Kejriwal (Public Service) were present to receive their awards in person.

The conferment of the awards will mark the grand finale of CNN-IBN's celebrations of 60 years of India's independence, according to a statement by the news channel yesterday.

The award honours the finest Indians by recognising their contribution to the country in 2006, helping build 'Brand India' in the process.

The winners were selected for the award after a rigorous and transparent 4-tier selection process, including the TV18 editorial, the Jury, the Electoral College and the citizens of the country.

UNI