Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 3: Ahead of Zubin Mehta’s concert in Shalimar Garden later this week, the German Ambassador to India, Michael Steiner, today took stock of preparations.
Accompanied by instrumentalist Bhajan Sopori and his son Abhay Sopori, Steiner visited Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Lal Mandi this morning to take stock of different musical items to be used by Bhajan Sopori and his team at the concert.
Steiner and his team were briefed by Bhajan Sopori and cultural academy officials about the preparations done for the programme.
Later, the Ambassador visited Nishat Garden and inspected the lanes, fountains, street lights especially decorated for the musical show. Steiner, however, didn’t speak to reporters.
The Floriculture Department, which has been doing facelift of the Mughal Garden has spent a huge amount of Rs 3.65 crore. It has installed 114 fountains in black pavilion, 65 in channels and 23 in the centre of garden.
“We have tried to restore the Mughal Garden like it was when Jehangir built it,” said Sunil Misri, Director of Floriculture.
Abhay Sopori, who is presenting one of his music items in the concert, said that he is presenting a show with the aim that Kashmiri culture is projected in the programme.
“If Kashmiri culture had not been included in the programme, we would have never participated in the programme. We are music loving people; we have nothing to do with politics,” Abhay said.
However, the cards are only been distributed after getting clearance from the CID and other investigation agencies of the State.
Despite facing opposition from Separatists and civil society, the German Embassy and the Government have decided to go ahead with the programme.
Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani has called for holding protest on Friday and a strike on Saturday against the programme.
Geelani has said that the musical concert has a political connotation to dilute the attention of world community from the ongoing conflict in Kashmir.
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