PLAIN lifts patriotic spirit
The Pakistan Ladies Association in the Netherlands (PLAIN) organized a Music Mehfil on 24 May in The Hague to pay tribute to the living legend Maestro Sohail Rana, who flew in from Canada to join the Mehfil. The Ambassador of Pakistan and his wife also attended the memorable evening marked by melodious songs composed by Sohail Rana during his four decades long music career, specially his famous national songs like Sohni dharti Allah Rakhhe. It was the fourth event organized under auspices of PLAIN and the first one to which the spouses of PLAIN members were also invited. Around 130 guests comprising PLAIN members, their spouses and family members enjoyed the musical event. The guests were welcomed by the PLAIN Bureau: Afshan, Zalifa, Shahzadi, and Shumaila. The Ambassador, speaking briefly on the occasion, commended PLAIN Bureau led by its patron, Najia Aizaz Ahmad, for regularly holding events that are promoting Pakistan's culture and soft image in the Netherlands and for mobilizing the Pakistani-Dutch ladies in bringing communities together. Mr. Sohail Rana expressed his admiration for PLAIN's work and objectives and announced that he would compose an anthem for PLAIN as a gift to the Association. The recently created PLAIN website www.plainpk.nl was launched on the occasion. Shahzad Ali Khan, an emerging star in the Netherlands, performed various songs composed by celebrated Musician Sohail Rana. The melodious compositions of Sohail Rana held the audience in thrall. The two sessions of the evening, one indoor and the other outdoor, was interspaced by delicious Pakistan refreshments. The outdoor session held in the grassy lawn of Pakistan House captivated the audience. The choir of Urdu Church of Holland also joined in to make the evening even more colorful. The mesmerizing environment was taken to the peak when Mr. Sohail Rana himself came on stage along with the Ambassador and sang in his own voice a couple of moving national songs. The event concluded with a grand Group Photo.
