NEW DELHI, Sept 22:
‘Ehsaas-e-Kashmir’, a charity music concert featuring internationally acclaimed Kashmiri santoor players Pandit Bhajan Sopori and Abhay Sopori will be organised here tomorrow by German Embassy to raise funds for victims of floods in Jammu and Kashmir.
German Ambassador Michael Steiner, expressing solidarity with the flood-affected people of the state, said the concert is being organised to offer a “modest contribution” to the relief efforts.
“It is heartbreaking to see the suffering of the brave Kashmiris. We want to show our solidarity and join the efforts to support those in need. The concert was finalised just 10 days ago and is a modest contribution to Kashmir that occupies a soft spot in our hearts,” he said.
The Ambassador said that the embassy has set the target of collecting Rs one crore from various quarters for the J&K relief funds.
“I have set myself the target of collecting Rs one crore for the Kashmiris who are going through a nightmare. I do not have a closed list, NGOs, private individuals, trusts, even people from Germany are all welcome to contribute. The embassy website will upload the details of the transactions and contributors,” Steiner said.
The Embassy has opened a special account for the relief funds at Kotak Mahindra Bank, the details of which can be accessed on the embassy website.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori, who has won many awards, said the concert will bring out the sublime Kashmiri music to the fore.
“The concert tomorrow will be essentially Kashmir. We are planning to bring out the rhythms, ethos and the distinct flavour of Kashmir in the event. We believe that music holds the power to heal hearts and this concert is a way to show to the world that Kashmir will bounce back with all its vigour,” he said.
The concert will be organised at the garden of the Residence of the German Ambassador tomorrow at 6 pm. Doordarshan and ETV will broadcast the concert live.
The German Embassy had recently provided Rs 25 lakh for basic health care in Baramulla district of the state in cooperation with NGO German Doctors.
The German embassy in collaboration with the State Government had organised a concert of renowned music conductor Zubin Mehta in Srinagar in September last year. (PTI)