KNOWN for his mesmerizing voice, prominent playback singer Sonu Nigam who has done extensive charity concerts world over and performed for peace and harmony in the subcontinent plans something similar for this trouble-torn region in the Himalayas.
 With hundreds of hit numbers and awards to his credit, Nigam is scheduled to perform at Eisaar— a charity show for orphans and specially abled kids –in  Srinagar.
 The show is scheduled to be held somewhere in the middle of summers while the arrangements are on at full swing to host the star whose voice has earned him millions of fans.
 Sources said a Valley based organization, Kashmir Music Club, which has earlier also held charity shows, has roped in Nigam through its Mumbai contacts.
 Prominent Kashmiri singer and Chairman of KMC Waheed Jeelani, who is well connected with the Bollywood  playback singers, is understood to have persuaded Nigam to perform in Srinagar.
 Sources said initially the Bollywood singer was hesitant to perform in this trouble-torn region citing security concerns.  But Jeelani is understood to have apprised him that the ground situation was quite favorable for his visit.
 And Nigam was given a food-for-thought that if he could perform for charity shows in other trouble-hit places like Afghanistan, why not Kashmir?
 Finally, the good news for the KMC came when Sonu Nigam’s Secretary mailed a letter of acceptance to perform in Srinagar.
 When contacted the KMC people confirmed about the development but equally maintained that the show was “purely for the cause of charity.”
 “Basically all programs held under this banner (KMC) aim at social causes better say Music for Cause,”  Jeelani told Greater Kashmir confirming that the event has been named Eisaar.
 Last year, this popular Kashmiri singer had organized a charity show for specially abled kids in the City.
 While some outside state private companies have volunteered to be sponsors for the Eisaar, the event hosts look ahead for sponsors from the Kashmir Inc as well.
 “Through this charity show we aim to pool resources for the orphans and specially abled children. So our own people should come forward to lend a helping hand in the endeavor,” Jeelani told Greater Kashmir.
 As about the Bollywood singer, Nigam has worked for various charities in India and abroad for Dignity Foundation, various cancer organizations, leprosy organizations, blindness organizations, women’s welfare organizations, Kargil war affected families and earthquake affected families.
 He also reportedly sponsors a child from the organization “Crayon”. He has made various appearances in the cause of HIV / AIDS and also has a song titled “Papa I’m sorry” relating to this.
 “He has also released several songs and made several contributions to the cause of peace between India and Pakistan,” says Wekipeida, a popular online encyclopedia.
 As for Kashmir, his scheduled visit is being seen as a significant development for fund raising in the Valley which has witnessed  thousands of children turning orphans in the past over 20 years of conflict, which witnessed numerous killings.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST