Lata Mangeshkar falls ill

Legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar has fallen ill, and will not be able to receive the Bangabibhushan, the highest civilian award of India's West Bengal, on its pre-scheduled date of October 20.

The 86-year old singer personally called West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bnerjee and expressed her regrets. Banerjee, in reply, said the programme will be rescheduled sometime in November, if Lata Mangeshkar recovers from her illness. The two also exchanged Bijaya Dashami greetings over the phone.

Earlier in 2013, iconic singer Manna Dey was also conferred the honour in Bengaluru, in what would be the last days of his life.