Voice of India Debojit Saha gushes about his experience at a patriotic meet

Last Sunday, I had an out-of-this- world experience during a programme on the banks of the Ganga. The function, Naman 1857, was organised at Bithore near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh to pay tribute to the martyrs of Sepoy Mutiny, which marked the beginning of our battle for Independence. Soil from 300 places from across the country was collected and brought to Bithore. People from all these places were also present at the programme.

Among those present were 113 people from the Northeast.

Before the programme began, we applied tilak on our foreheads with the soil collected from the 300 places in an earthen pot.

It was a wonderful experience for me and the other singers who performed that day.

On May 10, as the clock strikes 6.57pm, a two-and-a-half minutes silence will be observed in all the 300 places from where soil was collected as part of a nationwide programme.

A function will also be held in Assam. I appeal to all fellow-citizens to participate in the programme and observe two-and-a-half minutes silence to pay tribute to the martyrs.

I was also thrilled to see the contestants of SaReGaMaPa Little Champs performing at Bithore.

The singers included Anamika from Assam and I took the opportunity to congratulate her for reaching the top three and to convey my best wishes to her.

I always knew Anamika was a good singer and she has taken her talents to a greater height.

I hope she will make Assam proud. I appeal to all of you to support her as you had supported me.

It is really heartening to see youngsters from Assam making it to the national scene by sheer dint of their talent and hard work.

The only thing they need now is some encouragement. I am sure more and more Anamikas will perform on the national stage.

The last few days have been very hectic and eventful for me. I recorded songs for three Bengali films.

One of them is Sesh Sangath with Bappi Lahiri.

For the first time, I also sang a Nepali song for a Nepali album. The music director of the song is Subhrojit Chakraborty, who is also from Guwahati. The album will be released in Nepal soon.