Mumbai: Noted singer Adnan Sami, who is of Pakistani descent, received his certificate of Indian citizenship from Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju here on Friday. He has described it as a "new birth".
Sami also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for granting him the Indian citizenship.
“A new beginning. A new feeling. A new belonging. A new love affair. A new country. Jai Hind,” tweeted Sami, who was born in Britain and was earlier a Canadian citizen.
He also tweeted a photograph of himself while receiveing the certificate from Rijiju. “Receiving my Indian Citizenship Certificate of Naturalisation from MOS Home Affairs @KirenRijiju ji. Huge Thanks,” he captioned the image.
“My profound thanks to honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for approving my Indian citizenship. A new birth. I'm highly indebted to the Honourable Home Minister @BJPRajnathSingh ji for his tremendous support in granting me Indian citizenship,” added Sami, who looked dapper in a black bandhgala, and was accompanied by his wife Roya Faryabi.
Sami was granted the Indian citizenship after he made a representation to the home ministry on May 26 requesting for it on humanitarian grounds.
He has been living in India on visa since March 2001. He was last given a visa extension in October last year.
Sami, who became a sensation in the country with hit songs like "Kabhi to Nazar Milao" and "Lift Kara De", is known for playing a variety of musical instruments. He has always maintained that the love he has received from Indian citizens is "everything" for him.
His last Bollywood track was "Bhar Do Jholi", which featured in Salman Khan's 2015 blockbuster "Bajrangi Bhaijaan".
(with agency inputs)
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