iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Acclaimed Gujarati folk singer Geetaben Rabari raised $2.98 million in funds for the war-ravaged Ukraine, in a musical event in the US.
This comes in the wake of numerous appeals from the Ukrainian government. Ukraine has been receiving funds in millions now.
Most of the donations are in Crypto currencies and NFTs. Ukraine made virtual currencies a legal tender by law. The latest surge in donations seems to be from NRIs. And it’s not all checks and wire transfers. The super-rich expatriates showered the stage with dollars during Geetben’s musical.
Geetaben Rabari did the fundraising performing at an event in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) with her Lok Dayro show. Lok Dayro is a rich tapestry of Gujarati folk culture.
Her ongoing show in the US is a runaway hit. Besides fundraising for the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, Geetaben has also raised funds worth crores through musical shows for various charity programs and animal welfare.
Fondly called the ‘Kutchi Koyal’ by the Maldhari community of Kutch in Gujarat, Geetaben took center stage with her ‘Eklo Rabari’ album.
Her next release ‘Rona Sher Ma’ has been off the charts with millions of views on youtube. Geetaben sings in Gujarati and Rajasthani too besides her mellifluous Kutchi.
It’s been more than a month now as Russia continues to escalate aggression over Ukraine. The humanitarian crisis that ensues from the conflict will cost more than just the economies of either country.
The trauma of war will continue to terrorize the afflicted, their families and friends. The bereaving needs all forms of support and sustain. Monetary donations help significantly. It cannot mend the shattered souls in war. Art to some extent can salvage.
Whilst artists form a beeline to help a battered Ukraine, it’s inhumane to abandon poor Russians amid sanctions all because of an unhinged tyrant. And flying dollars at a musical event seems a bit overindulgent
