LA Based Poet Pens Ode To India’s Soldiers And Scientists

India-West Staff Reporter

LOS ANGELES– Poet and lyricist Ashok Gupta, a former Xerox Corporation executive based in Los Angeles, has released a new Hindi patriotic song, “Hum Hai Bharatwasi.” The anthem, which debuted on August 10 ahead of India’s 79th Independence Day, marks a new chapter for Gupta, who began writing poetry at age 74 in 2022 after a long career.

The song celebrates India’s unity and acknowledges recent national achievements. Its lyrics pay homage to the soldiers of Operation Sindoor, the military strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as the scientists behind Mission Chandrayaan, which in 2023 made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole.

Produced under the label RRAGa Duo, which Gupta co-founded with singer-composer Ritu Rawat, the track features vocals by Rawat and Nikhil. Instrumentation was provided by guitarist Pawan Kumar and flautist Ravi Singh. The song has drawn comparisons to the classic patriotic anthem “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” and is intended for use during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.