The Mumbai-bornsymphony music director who visits the county frequently withorchestra troupes has for long been expressing his desire to play inthe Kashmir region. The German ambassador said he would attempt tomake "this dream of Zubin Mehta a reality. I would also like totalk to the Indian government. Maybe we can make this dream of ZubinMehta a reality to have a concert in Jammu Kashmir. I will try mybest and of course the Indian government has to agree," said theambassador who has just assumed office in the country.
Although Zubin Mehtahas no personal connect with Jammu and Kashmir, he has travelled tothe state earlier in the 1970s. "We visited Kashmir twice firstin 1973 and then again in 1974 with our children. We fell in lovewith the country and my wife and I took our children to Amarnath onthe yatra so we know Kashmir quite well," said the 76-year-oldconductor who was accompanied by his wife, yesteryear Hollywoodactress Nancy Kovak for the award ceremony.
The couple hadmade use of short period of gap time in Mehta's packed calendar for avisit to Hyderabad.
The Commander's Crossof the Order of Merit which was awarded to Zubin Mehta is one of thehighest awards given by the German president to German or foreignnationals "who in their specific field of work have shownhumanitarian approach, affection for people and shown an inclinationof working in the interest of international peace," said Germanambassador to India.
