Mumbai, Maharashtra,  The verdict is out. A.R. Rahman has been awarded the prestigious title of the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009. In a glittering ceremony held in the national capital, Chief Guest, Honble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh bestowed the honour in the presence of the Cabinet Ministers, Industrialists, Corporate leaders and Eminent Citizens of the country. Mr. Rahman was also declared the recipient of the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009 in the Entertainment category. He was awarded for his manifold achievements for putting India on the global entertainment map with his wins at the Golden Globe and Oscar Awards 2009.The award ceremony will be telecast on CNN-IBN on 25th December from 9:30 p.m. onwards. CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 09 Awards CNN-IBN Indian of the Year & Entertainment: Mr. AR Rahman Lifetime Achievement: Pandit Ravi Shankar Politician of the Year: Shri Rahul Gandhi Sportsperson of the Year: Ms. Saina Nehwal Business person of the Year: The Satyam revival Team consisting of Mr. Kiran Karnik, Mr. Deepak S Parekh, Mr. C Achuthan, Mr. Tarun Das, Mr.T.N. Manoharan and Mr. S Balkrishna Mainak Public Service of the Year: Pratham Special Achievements: Indian Test Cricket team and Kamal Haasan CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009 also honoured the legendary sitar artist and composer Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar with the Lifetime Achievement award, for his truly global musical spirit and unparallel achievements that have risen above cultural and national barriers, finding millions of admirers. Another important highlight of the event was the Special Achievement award that was given to veteran actor Kamal Haasan who was honored at the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009 award ceremony for being India most versatile, and arguably, one of the greatest actors on the Indian screens in a career spanning 50 years. Also, the Special Achievement award was given to the Indian Test Cricket team for becoming the world best test team and achieving unprecedented consistency in their performance in all three forms of the game. Representing the Indian team some of its brightest stars including three former captains Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly who have substantially contributed in achieving the number one status were present on the occasion along with VVS Laxman. A young politician who combines charisma, vision and political astuteness that belies his youth, Rahul Gandhi won the title of CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2008 - Politics. He has been recognised for his consistent effort to give a new vision to politics in Uttar Pradesh and being the chief architect of the Congress Party victory and inspiring youth to join politics. Displaying passion and commitment for corporate brand India and setting out to achieve a task that many considered to be impossible, the Satyam Revival Team consisting of Mr. Kiran Karnik, Mr. Deepak S Parekh, Mr. C Achuthan, Mr. Tarun Das, Mr.T.N. Manoharan and Mr. S Balkrishna Mainak was the unanimous choice for CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 09 in Business Category. Badminton ace, Saina Nehwal emerged as the winner in the Sports Category for her consistent wins in some of the most prominent international tournaments and fuelling the ambitions of sporting excellence and achievement in millions of Indians. "Pratham" the largest NGO working to provide quality education to the underprivileged children of India was the proud recipient of the prestigious CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 09 award in the Public Service Category. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief of IBN18 Network said, "CNN-IBN Indian of the Year is an initiative that attempts to recognize the contribution of individuals who have not only made exceptional contributions in their respective categories but have also proved themselves to be first amongst equals. The pinnacle of Indian achievement, the award adheres to the unparalleled four-tier process, involving the participation of and representing the aspirations of a billion free Indian minds. I congratulate all the winners for their extraordinary contribution to our great nation." Mr. Dilip Venkatraman, Convener - CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2009 and CMO - IBN18 Network added, "I am extremely delighted with how the event has shaped up. We are thankful to our Chief Guest - Honble PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Jury, the Winners, Guests and Sponsors for making this event such a success." Notes to Editor About Network 18 Network18 [BSE: 532798,NSE: Network18] is one of India leading full play media conglomerates with interests in television, print, internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its holding in Television Eighteen India Ltd (TV18) [BSE: 532299, NSE: TV-18], Network18 operates India leading business news television channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It also runs one of India largest Internet players - Web18, as well as one of India leading real time financial information and news terminals - Newswire18. TV18 has recently expanded into print with Infomedia18, a newly formed entity following the acquisition of Infomedia, India leading player in the special interest publishing and printing operations space.TV18 has also announced a collaboration with Forbes media for the launch of a business magazine in India. Through its holding in ibn18 Broadcast Ltd (ibn18) [BSE: 532800,NSE: ibn18], Network18 operates in the general news and entertainment space with leading general news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 and has launched IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group. ibn18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18 which houses the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon channels in India - as also Studio18, the Group filmed entertainment operation and has launched "Colors", a Hindi general entertainment channel. Additionally, Network18 holds the Group online & on-air home shopping venture, Homeshop18 and its full spectrum events management venture, E18.