With each endeavor of his, Dr Ghazal Srinivas has been elevating the pride of Telugu people across international fronts. This time, he shared his presence at the war torn Afghanistan, the most dangerous place in the world. Ghazal was there to spread a message of peace and here are few of his thoughts.
First Step...
Ghazal said his visit to Afghanistan has been a long cherished dream since childhood. He heard a lot about Afghanistan, its glorious history, culture and social life. His visit to Pakistan in 2006 inspired him a great deal towards the need for Peace and Harmony in the world, mainly in Asia. To spread the message of Peace and Love, he took the path of Gandhian Philosophy of Satyagraha.
The message of peace which he believed was written in the form a song in Telugu and he got it translated into 100 world languages and he sang all of them. This created a new Guinness World Record. During the recording of the songs in Dari, Pashto and Balochi, he made up his mind that he should visit Afghanistan and perform the songs of peace for the people of Afghanistan. He gave a special thanks to Mr Hamid Reza of Kandahar who translated the song into Dari and Pashto.
It was during his chatting with childhood friend, Mr PVV Ramaraju, a senior in the college, now working as CEO of Maiwandbank of Afghanistan, when requested to visit Afghanistan and perform for Indians. Ghazal told him that he would not come as an artist but would like to visit Afghanistan as a Peace Activist and Singer. Later, he called and said that he wanted to organize an Indo-Afghan friendship concert. Within two days the invitation was sent from Maiwandbank inviting him as Guest of Honor for their celebrations of Ed and Peace.
Ghazal informed them that he would perform a peace concert by singing the Gandhian Philosophy of Satyagraha as songs in Dari, Pashto and Balochi languages. He left for Delhi on 17th Sep 2009 and applied for the Visa and got it on same day. He explained about his peace mission in Afghanistan to the dignitaries of Consulate of Afghanistan. They congratulated him on his mission and also the songs that he composed in their local languages.
As soon as he reached Hyderabad, friends, relatives, fans, well-wishers discouraged his decision to visit Afghanistan on Peace Mission. They were very unhappy and requested not go to Afghanistan because situation is very bad. Ghazal explained to them that “situation is not good that is why that great country needs a peace message from artists like me”. He also added that he received a flood of phone calls from fans all over the world expressing their concern. But many of his followers felt excited about the decision. Taking the Message of Peace to Afghanistan, a dangerous territory, is a Herculean task. But Ghazal had the courage of his convictions which won over their apprehensions.
At Afghanistan…
Ghazal was well received by Mr Rama Raju, CEO Maiwandbank, Mr Siva Prasad, IO Global Solutions at Kabul International Airport on 23 sep. As soon as he landed, he was shocked to notice lots of security men for every quarter kilometer holding AK 47 and latest weapons in their hands. Even in the airport he found lots of US Army and Air Force aircrafts, staff. Suddenly, he had a feeling if he landed in the US! Watching so much of security force in Kabul he found lots of Private Security staff for many VIPs and opulent people at their houses with latest weapons. He was given an accommodation in a Guest House with all Indian facilities like TV Channels, Indian Food and Pickles and so on.
Ghazal met Dr Fraidoon Noorjad, Chairman of Maiwandbank and discussed the 25th concert arranged by them.
The song Salaam Bugo…
Ghazal gave a concert on 25th of September in a private hall organized by Maiwandbank during their Ed and Peace day celebrations. There were almost two thousand Afghan citizens in the audience gallery with a galaxy of VIPs and a crew of media. Ghazal felt this should be a good opportunity to sing the songs that he composed in Dari, Pashto, Balochi languages. Prior to his show famous Afghan singer, Mrs Hangama entertained them in local languages. At 3pm he began the performance. He sang a few Hindi, Urdu Ghazals and the songs on the Philosophy of Mahatama Gandhi in Dari, Pashto, Balochi, Italian languages. He composed a song in Dari language on the glory of Afghanistan with help of a Guest House cook and concluded the concert with the song on the glory of Afghanistan. After listening to the song ‘Salaam Bugo”, all two thousand audiences gave a standing ovation. Ghazal emotionally kissed the holy sand of Afghanistan by remembering its history and relationship with our great India. His audio album “Doosti-Sol” (Peace songs in Dari, Pashto, Balochi, Urdu and Hindi languages), dedicated to Indo-Afghan friendship, was released by Dr Fraideen Noorjad ji, Chairman, Maiwandbank.
Life in Afghanistan...
Ghazal started talking and enquiring with Afghans about their way of life. Dari and Pashto languages are widely spoken by Afghans. He found many Afghans were not showing interest in basic education too. They want to work for a few hours, earn money and enjoy. Many of them are working as Security men, Guards, Police, Drivers, Guest House Managers etc. and they are paid in US Dollars.
He added that they are family persons, spending time with their families and are completely Non-vegetarians. Surprisingly, they expressed a lot of love and friendship for India. Many of them watch Hindi TV serials, cinemas etc. Ghazal came to know that Hindi TV serial “Tulasi” has been dubbed into Dari language and telecast in Afghanistan. t has highest viewership rating in Afghanistan. Ghazal has also seen Hindi Pictures running in Kabul local film theatres.
Their culture is very similar to our culture. There is a lot of transformation taking place in Afghanistan. Ghazal revealed that women are going to colleges for studies, wearing jeans, colourful dresses. Afghan women are serving the Govt. and also many institutions at higher level posts. In villages he observed that women wear Blue color Burakha and have minimum six to seven children around.
A bonding that was strong…
Ghazal had been to Cdr Masood Foundation to talk about service activities. He met Dr Faroojuddin, CEO and former minister for health. He discussed an MOU between Masood Foundation and Ghazal Charitable Trust to work on Health, Education, Peace, Women empowerment in Afghanistan.
He also met His Excellency Sri Jayant Prasad, Ambassador of India in Afghanistan in his residence and explained to him about the visit to Afghanistan on Peace Mission and role of Maiwandbank. Later, Ghazal presented a brochure and Doosti-Sol audio album to His Excellency.
Spreading the Peace Message...
By the advise of His Excellency Mr Jayant Prasad, Ghazal received an invitation from Nelson Mandela Foundation of Peace from India, requesting to participate and perform on 2nd October 2009 in Afghan-India-Pakistan women Peace conference in Kabul.
He accepted the great opportunity and performed in Dari, Pashto, and Urdu and Hindi languages at the inaugural meeting. The conference was well attended by delegates from Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, USA etc. Ghazal conveyed the message of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha Philosophy. He invited representatives of the three nations and presented my audio album ‘Doosti-sol” to them as token of peace and friendship.
In the evening at the Indian Embassy Auditorium with Afghan musicians he performed for Indians, Afghan and Pakistani audience the concert Organized by Indian Embassy. He gave a musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhiji in many world languages. Audience from various states of India requested to sing in their respective languages. Ghazal sang the message song of Gandhi in Kashmiri , Punjabi, Haryanvi, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Urdu, Maarwaadi, Himachali, Tamil, Malayalam, Dari, Pashto, English, Italian, Spanish, Bengali, Telugu and many other languages. Auditorium has been a mini India with full of Indian spirit. He presented a few Hindi and Urdu Ghazals written by Sri Ravikanth Anmol, Munthaz Rasheed, Rohit Jain etc. At the end of the concert, he presented “Charminar memento’ to His Excellency. He was honored with Karzai suit and Masood cap by the fans. He appealed to the audience about the need of peace in Afghanistan and role of Indians, those who are living in Afghanistan. His Excellency honored Mr Hamid Reza of Kandahar, the translator of the songs in Dari and Pashto languages.
He has been invited by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan to perform in International Non-Violence Conference at Baghe-Babur in Kabul on 4th Oct 2009 evening 7pm. He presented the songs with the message of Peace and Non-violence in Dari and Urdu languages. The Conference was attended by dignitaries from Iran, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and many.
During the visit to Afghanistan he met and presented the audio CD “Doosti-Sol” to Dr Abdulla Abdulla, founder of Abdulla party, Foreign Minister Dr. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, minister for Higher Education Dr M Azam Dadfar, Husn Bano Ghazanfar, honorable minister for women and child welfare, Afghanistan, Dr Manoj Basnyat, UNO Country Director, Prof Geo Afghan A Rahman Ashraf, minister , Senior adviser, Abdul Qadeer Firat, Governor , Central Bank, French Ambassador Dr Jea d’ Amecourt, Famous Afghan singer Hangama, General Gia, Security Adviser Baba Jaan, Ambassadors of Various Nations and International NGO’s like Asia Foundation, Hope etc.
Desire for Kandahar
Ghazal wanted to go to Kandahar and also make a peace walk in Kabul but many Diplomats and Afghans did not encourage. That was the only thing he could not do during the visit.
Words of wisdom..
Ghazal expressed with many that one should work for the peace only in the path of Non-violence. he told them one can win a land with violence but not the hearts of the people. Afghanistan has been experiencing the War for more than 4 decades and no one bothered about their progress and development. Death is no more a calamity in their view such is the resolute state of mind of the people there. Ghazal says that one has to give them Love and Empathy, show them a world with Peace, Humanity and a beautiful tomorrow for their Kids.
He had also been to the universities and addressed the students. They want to work for their country for its Peace and Harmony.
Afghanistan needs lots of support from Health care institutions, various NGOs. There are people who are wounded, physically disabled during the war and various bomb blasts. Saddest specter was when he saw the deserted war tanks that once rang the death knell in their lives. The brown earth seemed to become purple with blood of the innocent Afghans, who have been victimized by war. Bomb blasts are no more a threat to them. They all made up their mind in such a way that death is an everyday affair. Ghazal said in one of his concerts “The Peace in Afghanistan will pave the way for World Peace”
Quotes from his poem:
'Breathes there the man, with soul so dead who never to himself hath said. This is my own, my native land!'
Visit to temples…
During his stay in Kabul, Ghazal had been to “Asamayee temple” and had darshan of Durga Mathaa and also Lord Shiva. The traditional Poojari, Mr Narendra Sarma told that this temple was built five thousand years ago. He said lakhs of pilgrims used to visit this temple in yester years but now hardly anyone seen here in this premises.
Many Indians are working in Afghanistan at various levels Life in Afghanistan is just 'every minute bonus'. Leaving their families in motherland and working in a country, branded as 'danger zone' is a great courageous act and hard task also.
Ghazal also met many musicians of Afghanistan, people, poets very closely and understood their emotions, sentiments and feelings. Many peace activists approached him and showed their willingness to work on peace process in Afghanistan in coming future.
Plans for next visit…
For his next visit in 2010 to Afghanistan, Ghazal will be going with a great epic audio and video album “Afghan Vatan Salaam Bugo’ in Dari language. It will portrait the hope and dreams of the children of Afghanistan for their country and its progress. An MOU has been signed between Maiwandbank and Ghazal Charitable Trust to give support to Afghans on Medical care and Empowerment.
Final note…
Ghazal is back in India but his message of peace and Love, Humanity and Harmony is dwelling in the hearts of the Afghans. Marks of his Peace Mission in Afghanistan are quite visible in the hope of the young generation of Afghans.
He is now waiting for 2010 to come so that he and his eight year old daughter Sanskrithi would make a trip to see a great Land of Love and Hospitality to sing the Peace.
