
The Beethoven link to Afghan anthem
The Beethoven Orchestra in the former German capital Bonn is rehearsing the new Afghan national anthem preparatory to recording a definitive instrumental version of it next week, a media report said.
The anthem's lyrics, which Afghanistan's government and parliament agreed on last autumn, celebrate the country as the homeland of many tribes.
The German radio and TV Corporation is supporting the project to create a new anthem for the Asian nation.
The anthem's composer, Afghan-born Babrak Wassa, conducted the orchestra during the recording Wednesday in Bonn, the city that was the birthplace of classic German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, the Deutsche Welle said.
Wassa, who has lived in Germany for 25 years, was commissioned by Afghanistan's ministry of culture to compose the music.
From 1978 he was head of music for radio and television in the Afghan capital Kabul.
Wassa, 58, left Afghanistan for political reasons in 1980 and is now a German citizen living near Cologne.
He said he aimed for a melody that was "simple and catchy" and also "optimistic".

Delhi HC dismisses plea claiming unsolicited emails sent by central govt depts
- A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh said the simple mechanism available with the petitioner is to unsubscribe to those emails.

'Just an employee of Amazon, not a producer': Aparna Purohit says in SC

Delhi HC seeks details on capacity to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines

India proposes inclusion of Chabahar port in international north-south corridor

J-K LG Manoj Sinha gets 1st Covid-19 vaccine dose, urges people to follow suit

Some OTT platforms showing pornographic content, observes SC

Supreme Court rejects plea requesting extension of GST amnesty scheme

Similipal Sanctuary fire: Odisha CM asks officials to take preventive measures

After enhancing ties with Brazil, ISRO eyes new opportunities with Italy

Plea in Supreme Court seeks appointment of regular CBI director

Bengaluru, Shimla best cities to live: See top 10 in Ease of Living Index 2020
- The Ease of Living Index was first launched in 2018 and is based on indicators across 15 evaluation criteria.

3 Jharkhand Jaguar force jawans killed in Maoist landmine blast

New hope to unite Geeta with family, 5 years after repatriation from Pakistan
- Geeta went missing 20 years ago and reached Lahore, where she was found sitting alone in Samjhauta express in the year 2000.

'Ungliyon pe nachana': Rahul Gandhi slams I-T raids on Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee

News updates from HT: SC seeks response on D-voter listing of 26 women in Assam
- Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.