popularity soared

As her popularity soared, everyone wanted to associate with Indias nightingale. In 1999, the perfume Lata Eau de Parfum was launched. The same year, she was nominated as a Member of Parliament. However, due to ill health the noted singer could not attend the sessions in Rajya Sabha which drew a lot of flack. Interestingly, Lata didi did not take a single penny or a salary or a house in Delhi for her services an MP. Putting her creative talents to the test once again, Lata Mangeshkar designed for an Indian diamond export company called Adora. The collection was called Swaranjali and five pieces from this collection were auctioned at Christies and raked in 105,000. Being generous as she was, she donated the money for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake relief. She has made the Nation proud and has been award Indias Highest Civilian Award the Bharat Ratna, making her the only second vocalist to be the recipient of this prestigious award. That apart, she has been awarded the Padma Bhushan , Padma Vibhushan, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Maharashtra Bhushan Award, NTR National Award, Bharat Ratna, ANR National Award and three National Film Awards to name a few. She has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by six universities including one by the New York University.