Bollywood celebs pray for disaster-hit Japan

A host of Bollywood personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shekhar Kapur and Madhuri Dixit have expressed grief at the devastation in Japan, which was hit Friday by a massive earthquake followed by a tsunami.

The celebrities are shocked at the images of the country after the disaster and, in postings on their blogs and social networking site Twitter, they hope that the pain and suffering will subside soon.

Here's what they had to say:
Amitabh Bachchan: The horrible visuals of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan are just unbearable to watch! The fury of the devastation and the helplessness of those that suffer is petrifying. In this hour of grief our heads bow down in prayer and hope, for those that face this trauma and wish that we can through our thoughts give them solace and comfort.

Shekhar Kapur: Watching videos from Japan was like watching an apocalypse. Heart and prayers go out to people of Japan.

Madhuri Dixit: Can you believe another quake and tsunami? My heart goes out to them.

Gul Panag: My heart goes out to all those affected by nature's fury in Japan. Gut-wrenching images on TV.

Vivek Oberoi: Just got back and saw the heartbreaking images of the tragedy in Japan... brings back memories of the destruction and devastation I saw during the tsunami in India. The images we see on television are nothing compared to the real pain and anguish of the people going through it... my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Shahana Goswami: Feel really helpless and upset with the tsunami and what its done to Japan. All the support and love to the survivors.

Aftab Shivdasani: Shocking visuals of the earthquake in Japan... Dreading the loss of life there. It's nature's way of saying do not spoil the planet... Must respect nature before it gets too late. My condolences and deep compassion to all those who lost their loved ones in this unforeseen fury of nature. May the divine bless the souls.

Arshad Warsi: God be with the ppl of Japan...

Siddharth: The visuals of yesterday (Friday) still haven't sunk in. It's all so very tragic. 2012 does seem like just another doomsday prophecy anymore!

Shahid Kapoor: Spread the love people... Life is just too short... Japan could have been us... Live with no regrets... May god bless us all!

R. Madhavan: My heart goes out to Japan. Having lived through one in Chennai I can't even imagine how this must be.

Lisa Ray: Deeply saddened by news of natural disaster in Japan.

Sanjay Suri: Heart and prayers for all suffering in Japan. Life is so very fragile.

Divya Dutta: EverythIng that we run around for is so frivolous in front of nature's fury. Let's make every day magical as if there's no tomorrow... prayers for Japan.

Sophie Choudry: As I lay me down to sleep, can't help but think of today's (Friday's) tragedy. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan. Lord have mercy.

Shreya Ghosal: The Japan Earthquake, Tsunami is MASSIVE!! I am just praying... Dear God, have mercy..

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Bollywood celebrities walk their way to Pakistan

LAHORE: Poetry tells the truth and that too in a subtle, dignified and befitting way. The feelings that need countless words to be expressed are sometimes told in a single verse in a unique way.
This is what writer and poet Javed Akhtar practically demonstrated when he crossed the Pakistan-India border on Friday to participate in Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s centennial celebrations.
When asked to share his feelings after crossing the border, Akhtar recited a verse of Faiz: “Khoon kay dhabbay dhulein gey kitni barsaton kay baad.” (How many more rains will it take to wash away the blood stains).

Bollywood veterans Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar were received by Faiz’s daughter Moneeza Hashmi, Salima Hashmi and other guests at the Pakistani side of the border.
Akhtar was dressed in traditional kurta shalwar while Azmi wore choridar pajama with her long kameez.
“Crossing the border on foot is a strange kind of experience. When you come by airplane, you have a feeling that you are in another country. Here we just walked in from Pakistan to India. This is for the first time I have crossed the border on foot. Last time, I came here was 12 years ago with the delegation of the then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

This time, I have come to attend the centennial celebrations of Faiz Sahib and it’s a great experience to be here,” said Akhtar.

“Enroute to Lahore for Faiz Centennial,” Shabana Azmi posted on her Twitter page right before reaching the border. The Bollywood actor said that she came to Pakistan after the earthquake but this was the first time that she crossed the border on foot. She said, “Faiz Sahib has always been my favourite poet. But he was more than a poet to me. He was my father’s best friend and my uncle. I grew up reading his poetry, which always rejuvenated me”.

When asked when the two countries would overcome the distances to reach a destination of love, Akhtar replied, “Such a destination does not exist on the ground, that can be measured in terms of distance. That destination is in minds and one can reach it in a few seconds or sometimes can’t make to it in years”.
Speaking about Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Akhtar said that the poet was not only an asset of the subcontinent but of the whole world, “People across the world read and love Faiz Sahib. Different activities are being organised throughout the world to celebrate his 100th birthday. In India, several people are organising Faiz Sahib’s centennial celebrations. Indian People’s Theater Association in Mumbai has organised a function to commemorate Faiz on February 14 and we will leave to attend that function there after attending the celebrations here.”

The arrival of Akhtar and Azmi also witnessed some emotional moments. Both the celebrities had tears in their eyes while meeting their hosts. During their stay in Lahore, Akhtar and Azmi will attend several events including a ghazal night and an international mushaira. Faiz Foundation Trust has also organised an evening with Azmi, who will recite poetic verses of Faiz with Tina Sani.

Other than the duo, several other prominent guests from India are also in Lahore to attend centennial celebrations, of the poet, which will continue till February 13.

Complementing the celebrations, Tina Sani also launched her latest album titled after Faiz’s poem Bahar Aai on Thursday. The album features Faiz’s poetry. Talking about the legendary poet, Sani said, “I have known Faiz through his poetry. Though I never had a chance to meet him, his works tell a great deal about his personality.

Faiz’s daughter and the chairperson of Faiz Foundation, Salima Hashmi said, “My father’s centennial is not being celebrated in Pakistan alone. Ceremonies are being arranged in different counties of the world and we have been receiving a massive amount of emails and phone calls.”

“Some people from Swat have also contacted us. They claim that they have discovered Faiz’s documents like his letters sent during his imprisonment,” said Hashmi.

Source:The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2011.

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