Momotaz Begum, leading Bangladeshi folk singer and MP, has been conferred an honorary doctorate by an Indian university.
According to a post on her Facebook page on Monday night, the singer received this honorary degree from Global Human Peace University in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu for her contributions to folk music in her three-decade-long career.
"Momotaz Begum has been awarded the prestigious 'Doctor of Music' by the university's founder and chairperson Dr P Manuel on April 10. The degree was presented to her, honouring her career and legacy for numerous achievements such as being the only music artist with a world record of 800 music albums, playing her role as a singer through upholding the pride of Bengali music in front of the entire world, popularising folk music in the society, achieving multiple National Awards in Bangladesh and engaging in many socio-cultural activities," the post read.
Apart from enthralling Bangladeshi audiences the world over for the past 30 years, Momotaz Begum has also been actively engaged in politics since 2009. She is currently serving as a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the ruling party from the Manikganj-2 constituency.
She was nominated as a Member of Parliament by the Bangladesh Awami League in the reserved women's seat of the Ninth National Assembly in 2009. And in 2014 and 2018, she was elected from Manikganj-2 constituency on Awami League ticket.
Momotaz hogged limelight after her stellar performance in her popular track 'Return Ticket' on the popular magazine show Ityadi in 2001. The song was penned by renowned lyricist Mohammad Rafiquzzaman and tuned by Sohail Aziz.
Apart from music and politics, Momotaz has also been associated with various socio-cultural activities. Out of her social responsibilities, she established an Eye Hospital in her native village Joymontop in Singair upazila of Manikganj.
She is also currently serving as the president of Bangladesh Deaf Sports Federation. Moreover, she is a goodwill ambassador for the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
