Kathmandu :

That Ram Krishna Dhakal has a huge fan following is no secret. But the turnout at the concert on August 5 at the Birendra International Convention Centre was yet another acknowledgment to his musical talents.

Hundreds of music aficionados had gathered at the BICC to witness a musical evening with Dhakal, the evening that aimed at raising awareness and attracting donors to contribute to build the Smriti Bhawan at the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (BCH).

The thunderous applause that greeted the singer was reciprocated in equal terms as the concert began on a jingoistic note while singer warbled Himal dekhna paiyos. But the singer’s repertoire seemed inexhaustible as he switched over to other of his oeuvres. The concert was organised on the initiative of the Rotary Club International, which has been providing active support to the destitute cancer patients over the years.

Since the demand for treatment at BCH is rapidly increasing, the Rotarians felt the acute need to build a new infrastructure and with the help and support from a group of Nepalis living in UK formed a new organisation called Friends of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in July 2004. In October 2004, another similar committee called Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Smriti Bhawan Committee was formed with Rotarian Gopal Kakhshapati, past president of Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-town as the Chairman, and has received tremendous response from the public.

The project now called Smriti Bhawan (Memorial Building) aims at raising a minimum of Rs 2 Crore to construct the building, which will be a proper diagnostic centre. The fund collected from the evening of Dhakal’s performance will be used to buy equipment and furniture for this building.

Dhakal’s new musical album Aagaman was also launched at the function.