CONDOLENCE: PM condoles passing away of Pandit Ravi Shankar

New Delhi, December 12, 2012: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of eminent Musician Pandit Ravi Shankar. In his condolence message, the Prime Minister described him as "one of its most effective cultural ambassadors across the world".

He said, “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar. India has lost an eminent son, the world of sitar has lost one of its ablest exponents ever and a shining light in the firmament of music has been extinguished.”

Further, he said, “I consider it a personal privilege to have known Pandit Ravi Shankar and to have served together with him as a member of the Rajya Sabha. It was difficult, often, to judge what was more remarkable – the man or his music. The nation was fortunate not only to be able to enjoy his music, but also to have him as one of its most effective cultural ambassadors across the world. His humanism, combined with his musical genius, helped him in building cross-civilizational contacts that served the world of music and benefited humanity at large.”