Shehnai maestro refuses hospital treatment

Varanasi/Lucknow, Aug 16 (UNI) Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who is indisposed and has been put on a fluid diet by his family doctor, has refused to be moved to a hospital.

The Ustad's family doctor Nadim Jafri issued a medical statement in the holy city which attributed his ill health to age related fatigue. ''He is fine today after being put on a drip...since he is not taking anything orally for the past three days, medicines are being administered through I V lines,'' it read.

The doctor claimed though the health condition of the Bharat Ratna awardee could improve fast if he is shifted to a hospital, the maestro has expreased unwillingness to leave his Harha Sarai home.

''He wants to die in Kashi (Varanasi),'' the doctor said quoting the 92-year-old.

The shehnai exponent's son Kazim Hussain told UNI here that the Ustad has been put on a glucose drip. ''He has not taken any solid diet for the past 15 days...on the whole his condition is stable,'' he said.

The Shehnai exponent could be shifted to a hospital either in this holy city or the state capital if his condition deteriorates, his son said.

A large number of well-wishers had gathered at his residence here following reports that he was hospitalised. ''He is at home and has not been hospitalised,'' Hussain clarified.

Meanwhile, in the state capital chief secretary N C Bajpai told reporters the Varanasi administration has been asked to ensure that the 91-year-old maestro is provided with the best possible medical care. ''The district administration would decide whether to shift him to a hospital...he could also be brought to Lucknow if required,'' he added.

UNI ARS/NAB MB LS HT1645