http://www.actionaid.org/538/indian_antipoverty_concert_demands_action_from_world_leaders.html
Kick-starting a week of GCAP Wake Up' events before White Band Day 2 this weekend, an anti-poverty concert was held in Delhi, India on September 3. The concert was part of a two-day South Asian Peoples Summit Against Poverty (PSAP) on September 3-4 'Pray for me brother. Do you need a reason to be kind', sang Bollywood music star A.R. Rahman as he lent his support to the People's Concert against poverty, held on Saturday evening. Rahman was joined by singer Kailash Kher, Indian Ocean and Envision in the special concert against poverty organised by GCAP, in collaboration with People's Summit against Poverty. "The anthem 'Pray for..' is based on the theme of eradicating poverty and is very close to my heart," said Rahman, who performed his new anti-poverty song for the first time. "There is a need to remind people from time to time that we should make our lives meaningful by extending support to such noble causes. I feel great to be associated with such causes," said Kher Kailash who sang his hit from the Bollywood film, 'Mangal Pandey'. And Indian Ocean stole the show with their songs "Are ruk ja re bande.." and "Kasi Hile Patna hile.." Throughout the concert speakers representing diverse groups, both from the Indian campaign and from GCAP globally, took to the stage. Amitabh Behar and Shefali, spoke on the Indian campaign and the reality of poverty in India. While Minar Pimple, GCAP Co-chair, gave an overview of GCAP globally. At the end of the show John Samuel, ActionAids international director for Asia, tied a White Band to Rahmans wrist and both called for an end to poverty. The concert was timed to boost the GCAP campaign, ahead of globally planned actions next week just prior to the UN World Summit. "The aim of the concert was to generate support among the masses. Such events will raise awareness amongst people and draw the attention of the government to poverty," said Indu Prakash Singh, National Campaign Co-ordinator for Action Aid. Like the Live8 concerts in July, the aim of the event was not to raise funds, but to create awareness about widespread poverty in India and across the world, Singh said. Meanwhile, Rahman, invited media to a press conference in a Delhi slum where reporters were surrounded by people who live on a daily basis with extreme poverty and suffering. To echo the words of Rahman, the concert certainly helped to add Indian voices to the widespread international call to end poverty. The Peoples Summit Against Poverty The concert was held as part of the South Asian Peoples Summit Against Poverty from 3rd 4th of September, in Delhi. Launched by former prime minister V.P. Singh, well over 10,000 people attended, eager to discuss Indias progress on the Millennium Development Goals, ahead of next weeks UN Summit. Other speakers included, A.B Bardhan, Secretary of the Communist Party of India and Dr. Sayeeda Hameed, a member of the Indian government Planning Commission the department responsible for the implementation of the MDGs in India. The Summit also marked the release of the Indian Citizens Report on MDGs, which evaluated the Indian Governments progress on the MDGs and the national expression of these in the National Development Goals. On the 3rd a massive rally was held with over 12,000 people marching throughout the streets of Delhi. "We neglect our cities at our peril. For, in neglecting them, we neglect the nation." -John F. Kennedy ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Life without art & music? Keep the arts alive today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/iuUuID/dnQLAA/n1hLAA/iyUplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arrahmanfans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
