A mountain to climb

Jubin Nautiyal

Charity organisation Sewa International has roped in singer Jubin Nautiyal for a concert called Umeed ke Sur, to raise funds for the long-term rehabilitation of Himalayan communities affected by the pandemic. While Nautiyal told us, "I decided to collaborate [with Sewa International] to bring a significant impact. However, we can't do this alone and need everyone's support. Every little contribution counts and will go a long way to save lives," the organisation's CEO, Nishant Aggarwal, opened up further about the situation in the hilly region.

How has the pandemic affected the Himalayan region?
The rural areas in the region have witnessed challenges in accessing basic healthcare facilities. The cases are snowballing with a larger number of patients needing life support or hospitalisation. This pandemic poses a threat with far more disastrous implications for the overall delicate socio-economic ecosystem of the region.

What rehabilitation do people in this region need in relation to Covid-19, which Umeed Ke Sur is aimed at providing?
The funds from the campaign will go towards long-term rehabilitation, which includes support to rural public health infrastructure by collaborating with hospitals in remote locations; capacity building of frontline workers by training and supporting them in terms of skills and resources; accessibility to digital healthcare; and livelihood rehabilitation in Uttarakhand.

What role can performing arts play in making the world a better place?
In a world where we are stressed and often feel numb to the problems around us, the performing arts connect us to our real self. It plays a key role in creating better synergies and connecting a large audience to a cause.

What will the set-list for the concert roughly entail?
It revolves more around Jubin's soulful songs, which empathise with the stress faced by communities affected by the pandemic across the nation.

On: June 19, 9 pm
Log on to: insider.in
Cost: Rs 399