Leslie Lewis tugs at the city's heartstrings with launch of new anthem titled 'Mumbai Ki Dhadkan'

Promoting the cause of healthy hearts, musician Leslie Lewis introduced the “Mumbai anthem” on September 17 honouring the spirit of the city.

The song titled Mumbai Ki Dhadkan, launched in association with Fortis Healthcare, aims to highlight the issues of heart diseases that are, unfortunately, an integral part of life in a fast-paced city life.

Specially created for the occasion by the renowned song-writer, it urges people to adopt a healthier lifestyle for a trouble free heart. While talking about the anthem, Lewis stated, “The connection between music and the heart is eternal. It gave me great pleasure to create the music that hopefully will make people listen to their hearts.”

The song is part of the ongoing campaign that culminates towards the finale—World Heart Concert, to be conducted on September 29, on the occasion of World Heart Day.

To be held at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra, the concert will see the live performance of Mumbai Ki Dhadkan by Leslie Lewis, followed by local youth bands, chosen from a city wide college campaign, who will also render their own compositions in support of the initiative.

“Using youth as the core of our initiative and with the help of colleges in Mumbai, we will hold awareness programmes, conduct CPR training sessions and free cardiac check-up camps at all Fortis hospitals in Mumbai and Rotary Clubs over the next month,” says Varun Khanna, regional director at Fortis Healthcare.

So how bad is the city's heart condition?
India is estimated to account for 60% of heart disease patients worldwide. “It is estimated that Indians are nearly four times more susceptible to heart attacks. 25% of these are people under the age of forty,” explains Dr S Narayani.

These figures get more grim when dealing with a city like Mumbai and its fast paced stress inducing lifestyle. The city has seen an alarming rise in cardiac cases of almost 30% in the last three years in the below thirty category. Men are more susceptible to this menace.  “Urban Indians face an even higher danger because of their sedentary habits. Many people are ignorant that it is their lifestyle that puts them at greater risk,” adds the good doctor.

Also read: India becoming world's capital of heart diseases