Shukla launches his own music video on Durga Puja

After turning out for the country in international cricket and discharging his ministerial responsibilities for over two years since joining politics, Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Tuesday launched his own music video centreing around the Durga Puja festival.

"This is an endeavour to encourage the upcoming generation and inspire them. My objective is to provide an opportunity to new generation composers, dancers, choreographers and others," he said while releasing the music video featuring a single song.

Shukla, an MLA from North Howrah and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports in West Bengal, said he was habituated to stepping out since his cricketing carrier and took up the latest challenge with his team.

"During our time, many aspiring players could not afford to go to coaching camps. So, I have opened a free camp in Howrah so that everyone gets an opportunity. Similarly, many young performers have participated in the music video," he said.

Shukla, who played three One-Day International matches for India in 1999, said the entire shooting of the music video was conducted in a house in North Howrah.

"The house, where the shooting was done, is owned by the Ghosh family. They used to organise Durga Puja and had stopped it due to some reasons. Our team renovated it and this year, Durga Puja will be organised in the Ghosh house for the first time after 1974," said.

"Last year, too, I sang a song ahead of Durga Puja with kids," the all-rounder said.

Notably, the ardent fan of legendary singer Kishore Kumar, had earlier also recorded the master's evergreen "Chalte Chalte" song to as a tribute to him.

"We have a team of Kishore Kumar fans and have been demanding a posthumous Bharat Ratna for him for the last 12 years," he added.

Shukla had a long and successful career in Indian domestic cricket, where he captained Bengal and turned out for various sides in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

He joined politics in 2016, becoming a legislator and minister that very year.

--IANS

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