MUMBAI: Darjeeling Hills came alive with the sound of music on 3 January when nearly 600 guitarists strummed and rendered John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ as a tribute to Delhi’s rape victim ‘Damini’.

Shillong’s ‘Bob Dylan’ Lou Majow, led the large ensemble - from young students, foreign tourists to music veterans- to render a moving and poignant rendition of Lennon’s ode to peace. The event was organized by the Darjeeling Tea & Tourist Festival.

The evening saw Olympic medalist Mary Kom speak about the need for protecting women against sexual assaults. She said girls could learn boxing not just as a sport but also as a means of self-defense.

Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, organizing committee member Diwaskar Chettri said this was the first time that around 600 people got together to play a song for a social cause.

“The event was planned very late so we could not get more participants. Darjeeling is a musical town with strong rock tradition and is poised to be the next music destination. The music event was a call for peace and harmony in an increasingly violent world that has engulfed India and Darjeeling too. The show was also a tribute to the brave Delhi girl who lost her life,” he said.

He said a crime like rape was rare in Darjeeling and in the northeast region unlike cities like Delhi. He however said that many girls from the northeast were at risk from dangerous sexual predators in cities like Delhi. Men needed to change their attitude and outlook towards women for positive changes to develop.

“Men have to be more open, be sensitive and respect women. We must abolish the clichés of what women should be. Events like the concert are important to generate awareness among our girls about the potential dangers that places like Delhi can pose. Just because we like Western outfits does not mean our girls can be raped. "