FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2010
“Support Farmers, Here and in India” Top Indian Rock Band (Indian Ocean) asks Torontonians
Toronto: Internationally acclaimed Indian Ocean called on GTA residents today to support farmers here and in India by coming to a live benefit concert, ROCK FOR HOPE, at the University of Toronto’s MacMillan Theater on September 11, 2010 at 8:00pm. Proceeds of the concert will go to AidIndia.org, an organization that helps Indian farmers.
“In the past nine years over 200,000 farmers have committed suicide in India,” said Rahul Ram, Indian Ocean Band member. “They are victims of failing monsoon rains, overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and loan sharks preying on their failed farms. The money raised at Saturday’s concert will directly help Indian farmers avoid the despair that leads to suicide.”
“ROCK FOR HOPE is also about what people can do to help farmers where they live. Every day people in Toronto buy fresh food. Make sure it’s grown locally,” said Mr. Ram. “This way you help local farmers and you help the environment.”
Indian Ocean, one of Indians premiere rock bands was recently featured on the cover of the most recent Rolling Stone Magazine in India. In 2002, on hearing Indian Ocean play in Washington DC, the great cellist Yo-Yo Ma complimented them for doing to Indian music what he had always wanted to do with Chinese music. Their songs are featured in internationally acclaimed films ‘Black Friday’ and Aamir Khan’s ‘Peepli Live’ which released August 13, 2010. The song ‘Rukh Ja Re Bandhe’ (Stop! Dear Friend), set against the horrifying 1993 Mumbai riots became an anthem for young Indians fed up of ethnic violence in India.
The ROCK FOR HOPE concert is organized by Yeh Hai Life, founded by filmmakers Genevieve Castelino and Nadja K. Rutkowski. The concert will benefit AidIndia an organization of thousands of volunteers in India and around the world working together with NGOs in India to lift millions of Indians out of poverty. It is a 4-star rated charity by Charity Navigator.
The Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA), a local environmental advocacy group, is also involved because of the band’s environmental message and support for local farmers and food. TEA will be distributing guides identifying local retailers who sell locally grown ethnic food used in South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and African Caribbean cuisines.
Tickets for ROCK FOR HOPE can be purchased online at www.yehhailife.com.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Franz Hartmann, Executive Director
Toronto Environmental Alliance
416-596-0660