`Jai Ho`, says Speaker as Parliament lauds `Slumdog`, `Pinki`

New Delhi, Feb 24 (PTI) The eight-Oscar haul by 'Slumdog
Millionaire' was Tuesday hailed by the Indian Parliament which
said the "historic achievement" of three Indians winning
Academy Awards is an acknowledgment by the international
community of the excellence of the country's artistes.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker
Somnath Chatterjee led their respective Houses in paying rich
tributes to A R Rahaman, Gulzar and Resul Pookutty for
bringing laurels to India.

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for the day,
Chatterjee made a statement congratulating the awardees and
the entire teams of 'Slumdog' as well as 'Smile Pinki', a
short documentary based on the life of a cleft-lip affected
Indian girl that bagged an Oscar.

"It is a matter of immense pride for us that the film
'Slumdog Millionaire' has won eight Oscars including the award
for the best picture. Three Indians, A R Rahaman, Gulzar and
Resul Pookutty have bagged Oscar awards," the Speaker said.

This "historic achievement" has "warmed the hearts of
every Indian," Chatterjee said.

"The nation is proud of their achievement and it is clear
acknowledgment by the international community of the high
degree of excellence achieved by Indian artistes," he said.

"Equally exhilarating" is bagging of an Oscar by 'Smile
Pinki', based on Indian background, he said.
In Rajya Sabha, Ansari said "on behalf of the House, I
would like to felicitate the three Indians who have won the
Oscars this week."

The Lok Sabha Speaker also expressed confidence that the
achievements by "our creative legends will inspire the
talented youth of the country to realise its infinite
potential and prove its mettle globally."

"I am sure the House will join me in congratulating the
awardees as well as the entire teams of the two films and wish
them all the best in their future endevours," he said.

The Speaker ended his statement with "Jai Ho", referring
to the song in 'Slumdog Millionaire' that brought the Oscars
for 'Best Original Score' and 'Best Original Song' to Rahman.

The music maestro shared the award for 'Best Original
Song' with acclaimed lyricist Gulzar.

Kerala-born sound engineer Resul Pookutty has bagged an
Oscar for 'Best Sound Mixing' in 'Slumdog'.

The movie by British filmmaker Danny Boyle, set and shot
in Mumbai, also won in the categories of 'Best Picture' and
'Best Director' other than for best cinematography, best
editing and best adapted screenplay. PTI