For years, melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has mesmerised people across the globe with her soulful voice.
For years, melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has mesmerised people across the globe with her soulful voice. On Sunday, the Nightingale of India’s phone call to Bhupen Hazarika, 85, proved to be ‘sweet medicine’ for the ailing music maestro, who is undergoing treatment at Andheri’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital for over a month.
A semi-conscious Hazarika, who was put on ventilator on Wednesday night and was not responding to treatment for over six days, not only opened his eyes for a minute when Lata Mangeshkar inquired about his health, but they also turned moist, said Debasish Sarma, deputy resident commissioner of Assam Bhavan in Mumbai.
Lataji called filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, Hazarika’s long-time companion. “The phone was placed near Bhupenda’s ears when Lataji spoke this morning. To everyone’s surprise, Bhupenda opened his eyes,” Sarma said. “Lataji told him that they were all wishing for his speedy recovery and eagerly waiting to have him back among them.” Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika have belted out hits in several films, the most popular being Rudaali and Ek Pal.
Sarma said ever since he heard Lataji’s voice, Bhupenda has been recovering well. “His condition is much better today. His lung infection decreased significantly, almost by 70%,” Sarma said quoting doctors attending to the music icon. “He is responding well to medicines for the past two days and is breathing about 25 times a minute. The doctors said he will be put off ventilator once he regains complete consciousness.
The Assam government has told hospital authorities to provide the best medicines and treatment to Hazarika. Meanwhile, Assamese people settled in Mumbai prayed near Kokilaben hospital for Hazarika’s speedy recovery for a second consecutive day on Sunday. Special prayers were held in Assam too.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}