Going green with the chaand sitare

Recent campaign sees reunion of former Vital Signs members Salman Ahmad, Shahi Hasan and Junaid Jamshed

LAHORE:

Patriotism seems to be in full swing in the country as was evident at the launch of the campaign ‘Chamkay Hum Se Pakistan’ at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club in the city. The campaign brought together the sitare of the local music scene for a national chant Chaand Sitaara. It was after decades that former Vital Signs members Salman Ahmad, Shahi Hasan and Junaid Jamshed reunited on stage along with Hadiqa Kiani.

Chaand Sitaara will soon be doing the rounds on the airwaves with a video that boasts a roster of celebrity and non-celebrity success stories. The line-up includes boy genius Haroon Tariq, who holds the world record for scoring 87 As in O and A levels, and Saad Ali, Pakistan’s first and only Formula 3 racecar driver. Also featured in the video is the captain of Pakistan’s blind cricket team Zeeshan Abbasi, international chess champion Mahak Gul, and Fizza Farhan, who was part of Forbes list of 30 under 30 social entrepreneurs for 2015.

“The song highlights the campaign, which celebrates the beauty of Pakistan through the eyes of its unsung chaand sitare,” explained Salman Ahmad, who was also formerly part of Junoon. “It’s very optimistic and festive. It’ll surely win hearts and become our next big patriotic anthem,” he added. When asked about the need for such a song, Salman and his fellow campaigners agreed that the timing is just right. “When we were in college, we used to sing Dil Dil Pakistan. Today, our nation needs that passion again and so, we have made Chaand Sitaara,” said Salman.



Shahi supported Salman, adding that the point of a national song is to stir the soul of the nation. “There’s a dire need for stimulating the youth of our country and nurture their love for Pakistan,” he said. “National songs do this. They establish a passion and connection for one’s nation. With Chaand Sitaara, we hope to reignite the passion once kindled by Dil Dil Pakistan.”



Junaid even gave a special presentation of his historic anthem Dil Dil Pakistan alongside Shoaib Mansoor, who composed the iconic song. Familiar faces from the cricket fraternity, such as Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik, were also present in support of the efforts. With the campaign, organisers hope to shed light on the struggles and achievements of Pakistan’s unsung heroes. Jehanzeb Khan, vice president and general manager Pepsi Cola for Pakistan and Afghanistan, said, “We endeavour to inspire the youth of our country by bringing forward those who have achieved a lot in their respective fields.” “We want these chand sitaras to step into the limelight and inspire others.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th,  2015.

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