AR Rahman to perform for 'Clean UP, Green UP' campaign on Nov 21

Lucknow, Nov 19: As the famous music composer and singer AR Rahman will be enthrall the Saifai audience on Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Ydaav's 76th birthday, the music maestro will also be singing for the Uttar Pradesh government's ambitious project of "Geen UP, Clean UP."

As part of 'Clean UP, Green UP' campaign, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has planned to sow ten lakh saplings in a day.

On Wednesday, Nov 18, Grammy and Academy Award winning musician A R Rahman confirmed on Twitter saying, "The state of UP plants over 10 lakh trees in one day. I'll be performing on the 21st of November at Saifai to encourage a green UP."

On Saturday, Nov 7, claiming to be a record of sorts, Uttar Pradesh government had said over 10 lakh saplings were either planted or distributed within a span of eight hours.

"Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav himself planted a 'peepal' plant at Maudaha dam in Hamipur district under a special plantation drive. It is a 'world record'," an official spokesperson had said.

Plants such as Sheesham, Kanji, Pakar, Neem, Arjun, Aonla, Chilbil, Imli, Bargad and Peepal were being planted by women, teachers, students, armymen, villagers and others, at pre-decided spots.

By Nov 20, international record-keeping agency will confirm whether UP created a world record on Nov 7 or not. If yes, then, the state will receive an international certificate for its achievement.

Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party is busy preparing for a grand celebration of the 76th birthday of its founder and national president Mulayam Singh Yadav on November 22.

Rajkiya Nirman Nigam has been vested with the responsibility of holding the show, which is likely to draw over 50,000 fans and followers of the wrestler-turned-politician, envoys from some 10 countries, movie stars and industrialists.

The stadium is being decked up for the D-day, as acclaimed music composer AR Rahman is set to perform on the eve of the birthday. Organisers said there would also be "cultural performances" by Bollywood stars and dance troupes from Mumbai.

Mulayam Singh's son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is supervising the preparations "and is keen to make the day a memorable one for his father", said an organiser.

Adding a dash of glamour to the event are likely to be Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan (both have in the past performed at Saifai Mahotsava).

Also in attendance would be mega star Amitabh Bachchan, and his politician wife Jaya Bachchan, a Rajya Sabha MP of the Samajwadi Party. Invites have been sent to industrialists Anil Ambani and Adi Godrej. Scores of Uttar Pradesh ministers and bureaucrats will also attend.

Among political bigwigs would be Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad, Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik is slated to be part of the celebrations.

All government accommodation - guest houses, circuit houses and dak bungalows - and major hotels have been booked in neighbouring Mainpuri, Etawah, Firozabad and Agra to host the VVIP visitors.

"With the influx of several VVIPs and celebrities, the Saifai airstrip is being done up and security fortified there and around the venue," an official said.

Visitors will get a lavish spread, mostly vegetarian fare. Other than the usual north Indian delicacies, there will also be 'sarrata' (hot and spicy curd concoction) and 'kaddu-poorie'.

The state of UP plants over 10 lakh trees in one day. I'll be performing on the 21st of November at Saifai to encourage a green UP

— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) November 17, 2015

OneIndia News