On the day India celebrates 75 years of freedom, singer Adnan Sami turns 50. He flew out of Mumbai to a foreign destination with his wife Roya and little daughter Medina. “Just for two days. I wanted to be away from home with my loved ones to feel the full force of turning 50, ha ha. In spirit I’ve never felt younger. My 4-year daughter Medina keeps me on my toes constantly. She is very excited about my birthday. ‘Papa Papa what are you getting me on your birthday?’ she keeps asking.”
Adnan is very proud of his daughter. “She is just 4, and she speaks three languages fluently. With me she speaks in Urdu and Hindi, with her mother she speaks in English and with her Naani, Medina switches effortlessly to Pharsi.”
Besides Medina, the best thing to happen to Adnan in recent years is his Indian citizenship. “I have travelled to every part of the world. The minute I touch down in India, I feel I am home. It’s an indescribable feeling. That sense of belonging is what gives me my identity and the impetus to keep doing the right things. My father who was an army general in the Pakistan, also felt the same way. He was the happiest with my decision to adopt Indian citizenship.”
Adnan sadly feels Indians don’t value their heritage and freedom. “Look at the variety of food, cinema and culture in India… My god! Food habits change after every 5 miles in India. With due respect, in the USA, whether you go to New York or Los Angeles you get the same hamburger. From Chhola to Sambar, from Naan to Dosa, in India the cuisine is completely different in any two cities. There is much to learn and partake from. Sadly we take our country for granted. We don’t even realize the value of freedom. Go to Pakistan to realize how precious Indian democracy is. Look at what’s happening in Afghanistan. Indians need to protect their freedom and democratic values. I see here is discontent. No appreciation for what we have. That’s because freedom was handed to us on a platter.”
On his birthday, Adnan has a very important message for his fellow-Indians. “Learn to value the enormous cultural and religious diversity in India. We Indians take our freedom for granted. This must change. At the same time we are a very caring people. Look at how Indians surged forward to help the needy during Covid.”
Any birthday wishes? “To continue to sing. To make my country and my late father proud. I wish my children would go further in life than me. My son Azaan who stays in Pakistan with his mother my first wife Zeba is doing well for himself in music. He just called to wish me on my birthday.As for Medina she has a lifetime ahead to decide what she wants to do in life. Kuch bhi karo, kuch bhi bano, ek acha insaan bano.
Image source: Instagram/adnansamiworld