Patiala: In the memory of the great singer of the Hindi film world, the king of music and the "voice of God", Mohammad Rafi Sahib, various organizations across the country organize musical programs in the months of July and December, but Patiala's Ramgarhia Cultural and Welfare Council (Regd.) has found a new way to celebrate the memory of the great singer by organizing musical programs as well as charity. Paramjit Singh Parwana, a retired announcer of All India Radio and president of Ramgarhia Cultural and Welfare Council (Regd.), and his colleagues had formed the organization in 2002, but started the series of programs in the memory of Mohammad Rafi Sahib from 2009.
Initially, some singing programs were organized with local artists of Patiala, but when the organization started getting good response from the music lovers of Patiala, the organization expanded its scope and started a singing competition, which received a huge response and in which singers of all age groups participated. Apart from Punjab, singers from Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan participated. The title of this competition was kept as "Mujhko Mere Baad Zamana Dhundega". The council has conducted 12 competitions so far. This competition was widely discussed in the media throughout North India.
According to Council President Parwana, his organization has implemented many social service projects in the memory of Mohammad Rafi Sahib, including distributing free school bags to 100 needy students in the government school of Mohammad Rafi Sahib's village Kotla Sultan Singh (near Majitha-Amritsar), providing ration to Bir Ji Dasoondhi Ram Pingalwara in Patiala and Pingalwara located on Sanaur Road, providing 'A class' food to the blind and deaf children of Amar Ashram Patiala, in addition to giving cash to the Society for Welfare of the Handicapped, distributing ration and fruits to those living in the leper colony of Patiala.
Paramjit Singh Parwana, a big fan of Mohammed Rafi Sahib's music, says, "An angelic singer like Rafi Sahib comes after centuries. The magic of his velvety voice and style still speaks volumes today and people dance after listening to his songs.
The extent of Rafi Sahib's fame is such that even 45 years after Rafi Sahib said goodbye to this mortal world, many of his fans worship the great singer by building "Rafi Mandir" in their homes. Such singers live in the hearts of people even after leaving this world, they become immortal." He said that Ramgarhia Cultural and Welfare Council will organize a big program in connection with Mohammed Rafi Sahib's birthday in December this year.