Lata ji conferred Insignia of ‘Officier de la Légion d’Honneur’
Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: It is the time for Lata Mangeshkar’s fans to rejoice. ‘Didi’ will be conferred the Insignia of ‘Officier de la Légion d’Honneur’ in an official ceremony hosted by Mr Jérôme Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India, on 2nd December 2008. The ‘Nightingale of India’ will be decorated on the occasion of the opening of the French Film Festival (a part of ‘Bonjour India’) held from 2nd to 6th December in Mumbai.
“France has a tradition of supporting artists from all over the world. Bestowing the insignia of Officer of the Legion of Honour on Lata Mangeshkar, is a recognition of her incomparable singing career, and to a personality who has stayed at the top rang in her field for over 60 years.” says Jérôme Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India.

The “Légion d`Honneur” (Legion of Honour) is the highest distinction that can be conferred by the French Republic on a French citizen as well as on a foreigner. The Order of the Legion of Honour was instituted in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.

Some famous personalities who have been awarded this honour include Steven Spielberg and Gérard Depardieu. In India, the late Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, and Amitabh Bachchan are some of the famous Indian cinema personalities who have been bestowed this honour.