Bollywood stars join hands to raise funds for Kashmir, Assam

New Delhi, Oct 19: From Aamir Khan and Anupam Kher to Shaan, several film and music personalities joined hands for a special concert to raise awareness and funds for the flood victims of Kashmir and Assam.

Titled 'Hum Hain.. Umeed-e-Kashmir', the event, held last evening, was an initiative of the entertainment industry led by the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), the Film and Television Producers Guild and Zee.

Voicing concern over lack of a proper disaster management system in India, Bollywood star Aamir Khan said it is time that the government takes steps to prepare itself to deal with such situations.

"I don't have any complaints with our government. I think they are doing their best in terms of relief effort. But we are very ill-equipped with disaster management. We need to be prepared and for that the Center and state has to work hand-in-hand," said Aamir.

The 49-year-old actor, who made a donation of Rs.25 lakhs, said, "I feel that we should all do our bit to help the victims. Tourism has been gravely affected by the floods. So, besides making monetary contributions, we can also help the economy by visiting the two states as both are famous tourist destinations."

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is a Kashmiri, made an emotional appeal to people gathered for the concert at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, to make generous contributions so that normalcy in the Valley is restored as soon as possible.

"I am shattered seeing the situation in Kashmir. So many lives were lost, so many properties destroyed. So, as a citizen of this country it is my duty to appeal to people to help the victims," said the 59-year-old actor, before giving a message in Kashmiri.

Donning a traditional Kashmiri phiran, Kher said the dress was a symbol of the Hindus and Muslims of the state as they both wear the same clothing.

Director-singer-actor Farhan Akhtar took to the stage for a special performance with a band. The 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' star opened his act by reciting a poem- 'Jab jab dard ka baadal chaya'- penned by his father lyricist Javed Akhtar, followed by singing unplugged version of 'Dil Chahta Hain' and 'Rock On'.

"I have decided that rather than blaming the system or the government, I will come here and do my bit for flood victims in Kashmir, and that's what you should do too," Farhan said.