Janice Miller Rocks
Islamabad
By Talat Sattar
Janice
Miller with President Musharraf and Begum Sehba Musharraf
|
Islamabad: For the first
time in the fifty-eight year history of Pakistan, the Government
seems to be catching up with the reality of globalization
and the need for cashing on the right opportunity when it
comes. The body of Mother Teresa was paraded through the
streets of India to get the whole world’s sympathy
that India is so caring and for the “war on terrorism”
every single country jumped on the band wagon to show support
to the United States. President Musharaf deserves great
credit for this realization and insight on this count.
In the December 31, 2004 issue of the Pakistan Link, my
article “Janice Miller’s Love for Pakistan”
appeared,http://www.pakistanlink.com/Community/2004/Dec04/31/07.htm
stressing that “Pakistan has lost several opportunities
in the past for not taking advantage of the nation’s
heroes. Janice is Pakistan’s pride. I hope Pakistan
gets smarter this time and fully abridges the relationship
between America and Pakistan. Pakistan can fully exploit
Janice Miller’s talent and position in the USA and
benefit from them”.
Soon after the publication of this article, Janice Miller
got a call to perform in front of President Musharaf . Janice
is an artist extraordinaire – she does not speak Urdu
or any regional languages, but she sure can pronounce Punjabi
and Urdu words better than an average desi in the US. She
has enthralled the desi community with her mellifluous voice
and songs. “I was thrilled with this opportunity and
accepted this offer right away”, said Janice Miller.
Janice Miller
with PM Shaukat Aziz and Mrs. Azizing
|
The climax of her trip
came when she received the call to fly to Islamabad from
Karachi where she had arrived few days earlier for a lifetime
opportunity to perform in front of the President, the first
lady, their colleagues and family. PIA took her all the
way to the peaceful city of Islamabad. She stayed at the
Army Barracks Hotel Suites. “Before the show, I must
have had the best KFC imaginable, but started to blow up
very quickly since the food was so delicious”, Janice
Miller says.
The team enjoyed one pleasant surprise after another, and
finally made its way to the Pakistani White House; of course
she is talking about the heart taking Army Palace. “The
landscaping was immaculate with the lawn and plants all
let up so beautifully. I glanced around me in serenity and
total disbelief and feeling like I had stepped into a dream
while I was being escorted to the hall. It was an elegant
setting at the ‘Army House’ and about sixty
guests were invited. A few of the Palace’s employees
were curious about my inspiration to sing Punjabi songs
being American, and they were so kind and polite,”
Janice miller said.
Janice Miller
with Mr. and Mrs. Talat Sattarrecited
|
She added, “I
was a bit nervous and worried about how everything was going
to turn out until the President himself walked into the
room, then all of a sudden, all tension disappeared with
his friendly smile, welcoming personality and simplicity,
everyone became relaxed in his presence and I was deeply
honored to meet such a great President. To my surprise I
found a gentleman who approached me claiming to have attended
my show in New York . He was actually the Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz. It was all so overwhelming for me.”
Janice said the musicians were fabulous and “I rocked
the Army House with ‘Mahi Awai Gaa’, ‘Aiy
Jazba-i-Dil’ and ‘Kameese Teri Kaali’,
just to name a few. Mr. President seemed to have some interest
in music acknowledging and complimenting a few of my Eastern
vocal abilities. The audience was great and I will never
forget the elegance and royalty treatment with refreshments
being served every minute. To my surprise, the performance
went on for three hours, they enjoyed and participated in
every moment, it was such an honor and a dream come true
for me to be there.”
I hope the Government of Pakistan keep their eyes open and
avail of an opportunity like this one in the future also.
This practice is not only good for the country but also
for the citizens living abroad.
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