Pakistani Sufi singer Abida Parveen has millions of fans across the world. In India, there is at least one VIP couple dedicated to her music: Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia and his wife, Isher Judge Ahluwalia. Last year, the Ahluwalias sat through her entire performance at the Qutub festival, organised by Muzaffar Ali. Last week, when Abida Parveen took the stage at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Culture and Art, the power couple rushed in. Montek Singh Ahluwalia later told the organisers (Indian Women Press Corps) that whenever Parveen sings in Delhi, he will try to be present.
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