In the New Year, noted singer Adnan Sami will become an Indian citizen. He says it's a "New Year gift".
Home ministry officials on Thursday said Sami will be granted citizenship on Friday. The Indian citizenship was granted after he made a representation to the home ministry on May 26 requesting for it on humanitarian grounds.
"This is the New Year gift for me. I am thankful to the Indian government. I am very happy today," Sami, who is of Pakistani origin, told reporters here.
Born in Britain and hitherto a Canadian citizen, Sami has been living in India on visa since March 2001. He was last given a visa extension in October this year.
The singer, who became a sensation in the country with hit songs like "Kabhi to nazar milao" and "Lift karaa de", spoke to the media before leaving for Mumbai airport to catch a flight to the capital on Thursday.
Sami, who is known for playing a variety of musical instruments and is a known name for his distinct voice, has always maintained that the love he has received from Indian citizens is "everything" for him.
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"When my first album came out, it wasn't Bollywood. The love that I received from people was everything and it still is everything for me. After 16 years, it is not just the land where I work, but also my home and my love," Sami, who has sung in Bollywood movies and even for albums, had said at a conclave here earlier this year.
His last Bollywood track was "Bhar do jholi", which featured in Salman Khan's blockbuster "Bajrangi Bhaijaan".