No chocolates or flowers for Lata ji, please
I have decided that I will have no birthday celebrations this year LATA MANGESHKAR, SINGER
Lata Mangeshkar, who turns 87 tomorrow is in no mood for celebrations after the recent attack on Indian soldiers in Uri. Saddened and worried, the melody queen speaks her heart out.
Your recent tweet asking fans to not send you flowers and chocolates on your birthday, but to help the dead soldiers’ families touched a chord
I feel we need to stop wasting money, whether it is on food in restaurants or useless gifts like flowers and chocolates. Every year on my birthday, there are bouquets lining up the entire entrance to my home, right from the entry at the apartment complex, to my home on the first floor. And these bouquets often cost thousands of rupees. They serve no purpose.
Why do you feel that?
The love that my well-wishers feel for me cannot be enclosed in a bouquet.Why not use that money for the families of the soldiers? I’ve seen the pitiable financial condition of the families of martyred soldiers. I even saw a mother shouldering her soldier son’s corpse. I was deeply saddened. That’s when I thought it’s time we took a firm stance against the wastage of money.
Your song ae mere watan ke logon, sung 45 years ago, remains a befitting tribute to the soldiers, even till now.
I suppose so. Jo Shaheed Hue Hain Unki Zaraa Yaad Karo Qurbani. Desh ko jawaan sambhalta hai.They give up their lives at a tender age. Mujhe bahot dukh hota hai. It’s because of the sacrifice of these soldiers that we are able to breathe free air, and feel safe in our homes.
So no celebrations?
I decided I will have no birthday celebrations this year. I’ve told my family not to arrange anything and they completely understand. I’ve request my well-wishers to send money to the soldiers’ families, whatever they can afford. And I am happy to say that many are doing so at my behest.