Ustad Bismillah admitted to hospital

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Varanasi (UNI): Ailing shehnai wizard Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan was admitted to a private hospital here today for advanced treatment of protein, potassium, calcium and iron deficiency. The 92-year-old shehnai maestro was shifted this morning from his Harha Sarai residence to the Heritage Hospital in Lanka area, after Khan Sahib last evening agreed to District Magistrate's request of shifting him to a premier hospital in the city for advanced health care, Secretary to Khan Sahib, S Javed, told UNI here.

The family doctor M M Jafri, who had been treating the ailing musician for the last many years, said that shifting Khan Sahib to the premier hospital will certainly help in the advanced treatment of all sorts of deficiencies in his body. He, however, maintained that all his vital organs were functioning well. ''He is being administered KCL, Calcium Gluconate and 20 per cent human albumin through intra-venous line to correct the deficiency,'' Dr Jafri added.

At the Heritage Hospital, two specialists - D K Sinha and A K Pandey - will be treating the music legend, who thanked District Magistrate Rajiv Agrawal for the government assistance in the treatment. ''We have been directed by the Uttar Pradesh government to manage the entire treatment of Khan Sahib, who has been admitted to the hospital only as a precautionary measure,'' the DM, who called on the music maestro, told newspersons here. Mr Agrawal further said that since Khan Sahib was adamant on not leaving Varanasi, we managed to convince him last evening to undergo round - the - clock advanced treatment at the Heritage Hospital.'' The Heritage Hospital will release the first medical bulletin on Khan Sahib's health at 1400 hrs.

Musicians, singers, Bollywood actors and music lovers across the country today wished a quick recovery for ailing Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan. Lata Mangeshkar, Farouque Sheikh, Rahul Bose and the Ravi Shankar Foundation were among those who appealed to the people to pray for an early recovery of Khan. ''We appeal to the people and music lovers to pray for his good health and early recovery,'' said melody queen Mangeshkar. Sheikh said the entire world was with the Ustad who symbolises the best of the Hindustani 'parampara'. ''I am confident that he will fulfil his lifetime desire to perform at India Gate,'' said Sheikh. The Union Home Ministry had given its nod for the concert at the India Gate before it was postponed due to security reasons.

The family of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan also appealed to the people to pray for the maestro. ''India prays for his good health,'' said actor Rahul Bose. The 92-year-old maestro has been put on a fluid diet by his family doctor after he complained of weakness. He has refused to be moved to a hospital.