Usha Uthup says she is 'thrilled' to be honoured with Padma Bhushan award: 'It will inspire so many youngsters to have a dream and do their best for the country' - Exclusive

Iconic singer Usha Uthup was recently honoured with Padma Bhushan award for her contribution to the field of music in the Indian entertainment industry. The singer is popular as Queen of Indian Pop and is known for her versatile voice and diverse repertoire, which transcends genres.
ETimes reached out to the iconic singer for her reaction on receiving such an honour from the Indian Government.She said, "I am absolutely thrilled and grateful to God and to the Government and of course, to all my supporters who have stood by me for 54 years and believed in me. I was just a simple person from a middle-class background, singing in a nightclub. I am grateful that they have recognized my contribution. It will inspire so many youngsters to have a dream and hang in there, yeah, and do their best for their country. And I do hope that I will be able to carry on with the same energy and all the blessings that you all have given me. I hope I'll be able to carry on like that."
Celebrities like Chiranjeevi, Vyjayantimala Bali, Mithun Chakraborty also got honoured with the Padma Awards along with several others from different fields.

Usha Uthup had recently graced the Umang 2023 event in Mumbai where he photos with Salman Khan had gone viral on social media. In a touching gesture, Salman was seen bending down and touching the feet of Usha Uthup, as a symbol of deep respect and admiration. Usha, an icon in the Indian music industry, looked visibly moved by Salman's gesture.

The heartfelt interaction between the two industry veterans brought a genuine and emotional touch to the star-studded event. The sight of Salman respectfully paying his regards to Usha Uthup resonated with fans, creating a lasting impression. The occasion provided a glimpse of a more vulnerable and sentimental side of the actor.