LONDON: Popular Indian-origin singer from Britain, Apache Indian, has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do more to encourage youth voices in the country.
The singer, whose real name is Steven Kapur, is best known in India for his chart-topping hit 'Arranged Marriage'. The 47-year-old, who has also opened a music academy for youngsters in his home city of Birmingham, made his appeal to Modi in the lead up to a major 'I Am Me – Live' concert in the city on June 17.
"There is a renewed sense of hope in India with the new government and I feel some of this hope needs to be given to the young people of the country," the singer said.
"If we don't help the youth now then it will be catastrophic in the long run," he added.
The 'I Am Me – Live' concert will include a mi x of live performances and debates with high-profile guests on the influences that define the youth of today.
"It's definitely a time for established names in all industries to reach out to the youth to inspire, to offer opportunity and to learn from them. We need more policies in place where it becomes compulsory for established names to work with young people," said Apache Indian.
The event, produced by British Asian writer-commentator Asjad Nazir, is part of the One World Many Faiths event series collaboration between the Welsh National Opera (WNO) and Maimonides Interfaith Foundation, an international charity supported by UNESCO.
The line-up includes popular British Asian artists such as rapper TaZzZ, Raxstar, Rita Morar, Immi, Priti Menon, Khiza, Soni-J, Bonafide, Sheena, Doni Brasco, Surinder Rattan and Dr Zeus.