Bob Dylan to be honoured with Presidential Medal of Freedom

London: Bob Dylan, who became a figurehead of the US civil rights and anti-war movement of the 1960s, is to be presented with America’s highest civilian honour – the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The 70-year-old, who released his first album in 1962, was one of 13 people chosen for the Presidential Medal of Freedom for “significant impact” on American culture over the past five decades. Dylan, who has won 11 Grammys including a lifetime achievement award, will be presented the honour at the White House in the late Spring. The Academy Award winner has written more than 600 songs throughout his career. Other recipients of the award will include Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State, physician and epidemiologist William Foege and astronaut John Glenn. “These extraordinary honourees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our Nation,” a leading daily has quoted President Obama as he announced the award recipients on Thursday. “They’ve challenged us, they’ve inspired us, and they’ve made the world a better place. I look forward to recognising them with this award,” he added. ANI