Govt to fund singer’s treatment

Anupam Bhagria

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 4

The state government will bear the expenses of famous Punjabi singer and actress Bibi Ranjeet Kaur’s treatment.

Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, Rajat Agarwal said: “The Punjab Government has decided to bear the expenses of her treatment. The decision was taken after it was brought to the notice of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Minister for Cultural Affairs Sohan Singh Thandal. ”

Bibi Ranjeet Kaur is currently admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital.

When Tribune shared this information with the singer, tears rolled down her cheeks. She said: “Mera dhanvad keh dena ji. (Say my thanks)”

While appreciating this gesture of the state government, KK Bawa, chairman of Malwa Sabhyacharak Manch, said: “Bibi Ranjeet Kaur has a great contribution to Punjabi culture and Punjab. She deserved it.”

Her brother Paramjit Singh, who is also a singer and actor, said: “Ranjeet Kaur was decorated with the title of ‘Punjab di koel’ during Beant Singh’s government.”

Meanwhile, Daljeet Singh Grewal and Parminder Singh Soma of team Insaaf said: “The visit by team Insaaf along with MLA Simarjit Singh Bains at GTB Charitable Hospitable to ask the wellbeing of Bibi Ranjeet Kaur proved to be a blessing in disguise. It is only after their visit that the government became active and announced to bear the expenses of her treatment.”

Lying on the hospital bed, Bibi Ranjeet Kaur, who once ruled hearts of her fans, was seen instructing one of her caretakers to change the TV channels so that she could listen to some old melodies.

The painful expressions on her face suddenly changed to a smile as soon as an old Hindi number started playing. She said: “Meinu ehe change lagde ne.”

The 65-year-old singer was admitted to GTB Charitable Hospital on June 16. After having diagnosed with stones in her gall bladder, she underwent a surgery on June 30.

The singer who has sung duet songs with Mohammad Rafi, Suresh Wadekar and Mahender Kapoor has contributed to more than 700 Punjabi films through her playback singing.

She may be in pain, but her spirit is still alive. On being asked what would she like to sing once she recovers from her illness, she said: “Nanak veera teinu ghori chadheniyan.”

Ghori is a traditional song sung on the occasion of wedding and this particular one is attributed to Guru Nanak Dev and Bebe Nanki.

Married to Harjeet Singh, Bibi Ranjeet Kaur has a 23-year-old son Gurdas.

Her duet song with Suresh Wadekar — “Asin Alhad pune vich einvehi akhiyan la baithe, dil bekdran naal la ke kadar gava paitthe”; “Hass balliye” with Mohammad Rafi and her own very famous song “Khali ghodi hinkadi utte ni deenda veer” are among a few through which she established herself in the world of singing.

A majority of her duet songs are with famous Punjabi singer Muhmmad Sadique. The singer has also acted in two Punjabi films — Rano and Guddi.