JEDDAH — To celebrate the 70th anniversary of India’s Republic Day and to pay tribute to the country’s freedom fighters, Indian Cultural Society Jeddah (ICSJ) and Bazm-e-Osmania organized a grand memorable evening with playback singer Mukhtar Shah, whose voice resembles that of the legendary Bollywood singer late Mukesh, at the Consulate General of India on Friday.

The program started with the audience and guests observing a minute's silence in memory of the martyrs of the recent Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The musical night, which took the audience back to the haunting tunes and classic lyrics of the music directors and lyricists of yesteryears and rendition of doyen singer Mukesh’s numbers, was made memorable by Shah’s confidence in rendering the classical numbers, interspersed with his humorous interactions with the audience.

The chief guest of the evening was Indian Consul General Mohd. Noor Rahman Sheikh. Special guests were Moin Akhtar, consul (consul press, information and culture); Danish Abdul Ghafoor, member of higher board IISJ; Ghazanfar Alam, chairman IISJ; Dr. Haroon Rashid; Dr. M.H. Maniyar; Dr. Ashfaq Maniyar; Dr. Iqbal Maniyar; Dr. Mohammed Shabbir; and Dr. Karimuddin.

ICSJ Patron and Saudi Gazette Executive Editor L. Ramnarayan Iyer in his welcome speech stressed that ICSJ President Arif Quraishi has been celebrating India’s national days for the past 43 years in Jeddah. "Quraishi is a real patriot and a true Indian," he said.

He said, Quraishi had last year requested him to take over as the patron of ICSJ after the previous patron Dr. Dilshad Shamsi left for India. "I thought I was a misfit and told Shamsi so, but I soon realized the previous patron’s assurance of it being easy and that I am just the head, the neck (Quraishi) is elsewhere. And all I had to do was follow Quraishi, who in himself is a virtual one-man army.”

"He (Quraishi) has been instrumental in doing social service for the community, not only for the state where he hails from, but he has taken upon himself and the group to serve one section of the community — that is the needy students.

“However, last year, unfortunately he could not continue what he was doing due to ill heath, and many missed this for he was in demand every year in the community for providing books for the needy children," he added.

Remembering the martyrs who lost their lives in the recent Pulwama terror attack, he said: "Today we should remember and contribute in making the lives of the brave hearts and their families much better. ICSJ and Bazm will hopefully take the lead in this regard as well."

In his speech, Quraishi paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and wealth to gain independence. He also prayed for the Pulwama martyrs and for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

"Living miles away from India since many years we have not forgotten our love for our homeland because of our patriotism,” he said.

Shedding light on the group's social services for the Indian community in Jeddah, Quraishi said the group has been involved in the collection and distribution of old textbooks for the needy students of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) since 30 years.

"Every year 20,000 to 25,000 books are collected, of which about 3,000 to 5,000 are discarded due to their poor condition and the remaining 20,000 to 23,000 are distributed free of charge to students. We could have earned thousands of riyals had we sold the books, but instead we chose to earn the blessings and good wishes of the parents and students of IISJ and not their money. It is because of their prayers that I have regained my health after my illness," he said, thanking everyone who prayed for his good health. Quraishi also thanked the sponsors of the program.

In his speech, Sheikh congratulated all Indians for the 70th Republic Day and praised the spirit of patriotism of "Indian expats living 4,000 km away from their motherland." He reminded everyone that all Indians are one and there is no place for any discrimination."

He expressed appreciation for ICSJ members’ efforts in organizing the country’s national day function and praised the patriotism of Quraishi and ICSJ members.

Sheikh appealed to the Indian community to exercise their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in order to contribute to the formation of the new Indian government.

He commended ICSJ and Quraishi's non-profitable voluntary service of the distribution of old textbooks to needy students. "More Arif Quraishis should come up in the community so that this help is given out to the needy and the spirit is continued," he said.

After speeches, the cultural program started with a patriotic song "Ae mere watan ke logo" by local artist Dhania, followed by another song “Apni azadi ko hum” by Faris Al-Waheedy.

Guest of honor Mukhtar Shah, who had especially flown in from India to attend the 70th Republic Day celebrations, was welcomed on stage as he sang his first song "Hum us desh ke wasi hai." He was presented a shawl and bouquet by the consul general.

Shah sang some of the most memorable and popular songs of Mukesh, including solo and duet songs with Dhania and Mumtaz, to a packed audience. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the various performances and were left wanting for more when the program ended on time. Shah concluded the cultural program with "Mera jootha hai Japani."

Shah is known for singing 130 songs in 13 hours, a feat that was recorded in the Limca Book of Record. The program was compered by Asif Daudi, who also proposed the vote of thanks.

ICSJ and Bazm office bearers who worked day and night for the success of the program are: ICSJ Patron L. Ramnarayan Iyer, President Arif Quraishi, Vice President Iqbal Sulkar, General-Secretary Syed Yousuf Hussain, Cultural Secretary Maqbool Pervaiz, Joint General-Secretaries Imtiyaz Hussain and Syed Amjad Hussain, Treasurer Laiq Siddiqui, members Azharuddin Sulkar, Kamaluddin and Habeebuddin.

The main sponsor of the show was Indomie. Co-sponsors included: Air India, Al-Falah International School Jeddah, BAFCO International Shipping, Jeddah National Hospital, Al-Kabeer, Davidoff Cafe, Nabil Tiffany, Shadab Restaurant, Saudi Masterbaker Ltd., Hindustan Tours & Travels (Haj and Umrah services - Delhi), Hi-Tea Best Harvest, Vivo, Master Potato and Chiko (Chiko Eclairs Milk). — SG