Jai Ho, says Speaker as Parliament lauds Slumdog, Pinki

The eight-Oscar haul by Slumdog Millionaire was on Tuesday hailed by Parliament which said the "historic achievement" of three Indians winning Academy Awards is an acknowledgment by the international community of the excellence of the country's artistes.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee led their respective Houses in paying rich tributes to AR Rahaman, Gulzar and Resul Pookutty for bringing laurels to India.

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, Chatterjee made a statement congratulating the awardees and the entire teams of Slumdog as well as Smile Pinki, a short documentary based on the life of a cleft-lip affected Indian girl that bagged an Oscar.

"It is a matter of immense pride for us that the film Slumdog Millionaire has won eight Oscars including the award for the best picture. Three Indians, AR Rahaman, Gulzar and Resul Pookutty have bagged Oscar awards," the Speaker said.

This "historic achievement" has "warmed the hearts of every Indian," Chatterjee said.

"The nation is proud of their achievement and it is clear acknowledgment by the international community of the high degree of excellence achieved by Indian artistes," he said.

"Equally exhilarating" is bagging of an Oscar by 'Smile Pinki', based on Indian background, he said.