NEW YORK (TIP): New York based America Tamil Sangam presented its highest honor -Tamil Ratna Award – on maestro AR Rahman at the United Nations General Assembly Hall on Monday, August 15, thehistoric day of India‘s Independence seventy years ago.

Rahman gave a sparkling musical performance in aid of Sankara Nethralaya to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr M S Subbulakshmi.

Presenting the award Dr Prakash M Swamy, president of the Sangam said the twice Oscar and Golden Globe winner is always an embodiment of peace, humbleness and charity The previous awardees include Bharathi Raja. the ace Tamil movie director, dancer Kamala Lakshman, Dr Srinivasa Varadhan,Abel laureate and Dr Prasad Srinivasan first Indian Assemblyman from Connecticut and Dr Valavanur Subramaniam, world renowned cardio thoracic surgeon.

“It was an historic occasion for global Tamils to have him perform at the United Nations General Assembly Hall”, said Dr. Swamy.

Executive committee members- Verra Kumar, Calai Chandra, John Joseph, Koshy Oomen, Nivetha Arasan and Soumya Murthi attended the event at the United Nations headquarters in New York.