by ARES, Daijiworld Media Network Goa

Goa, Mar 24: India's renowned pop singer Remo Fernandes will be bestowed coveted The Golden Key to Alexandria at a glittering function to be held in the old historic city of Alexandria, Egypt, at the Alexandria Opera House in July this year.
 
The official nomination letter from the Secretary General of the Festival states that this honour is bestowed "for Remo's valuable contribution to the world of music and humanity".
 
The presentation is to take place at the 6th Alexandria International Music and Song Festival, which will be held between 20 to 26 July.
 
Remo has also been invited to be part of the International Jury which decides the winners of the same International Music and Song Festival, which hosts a large number of stars from all over the world, and enjoys extensive local and international media coverage.
 
This year the revenue of the festival will go to one of the major charitable projects of the National Council for Childhood & Motherhood headed by Egypt's first lady Mrs. Mubarak.
 
Remo, who was granted the Padmashri by the then President of India, Abdul Kalam, in 2007, is one of the pioneers of original Indian pop and rock in English, being the only artist to have earned gold discs in this category in the country.
 
His transition into Hindi put him on top of that bracket too, earning him platinum and double-platinum discs for his film and non-film hits. His unique style of vocal scatting, flute playing and improvisory composition has been a great influence on Indian singers, instrumentalists and music directors.
 
He has represented India and earned top awards for the country at international music festivals, and has used his music to effectively project social messages against drugs, communalism, corruption, women's exploitation, AIDS, ecological destruction, noise pollution and others.
 
There is presently a move by the Indian Postal Department to issue a postage stamp commemorating Remo and three other living Indian icons in the near future.

Remo in recent Daijiworld headlines:

• Remo Fernandes Mesmerises Dubai Audience
• With Proper Back-up, Fusion Music will Rock: Remo
• Remo Declines State Award in Open Letter to Govt
• Assembly Hails Remo Fernandes on Conferment of Padma Shri
• Remo to Perform at Big Chill Festival in England 
• 'Vote for Taj' Campaign a Marketing Gimmick, Feels Remo
• Pop Singer Remo Calls for Boycott of Elections
• Goa: Remo Shares His Delight over Winning Padma Shri
• Brazil: Samba Land Dances to Remo's Tunes
• Remo to be Musical Ambassador at Three-nation Summit

  Daijiworld exclusive:

• Remo Fernandes' Reservations over Reservations Issue - Daijiworld Special 
• CLICK HERE  to read Remo's earlier interview to daijiworld on his music, esp. the spiritual kind