Junoon

They are an international phenomenon. In Paris, France, UNESCO presented them with an award for Outstanding Achievements in Music and Peace. The BBC presented them with an award for Contribution to Asian Culture at the exclusive BBC Asian Awards Ceremony. They are the first-ever Asian band to have performed at the Roskilde Festival!, held annually near Copenhagen in Denmark at the end of June, and shared the stage with international acts Oasis, Pearl Jam, Pet Shop Boys, Bush, and the likes. They received a golden disc when their album Azaadi, became super hit in Asia -- they are Junoon. Junoon, which means Obsession in Urdu, is comprised of the trio Salman Ahmed, Ali Azmat, and Brian O' Connell. Salman Ahmed, songwriter/lead guitarist/composer, born in Lahore, Pakistan, is an M.B.B.S. graduate from reputed King Edward Medical College. Regarding how he feels about wasting a seat, considering there's a high level of competition as far as getting a seat in medical colleges in Pakistan, he says "We are still helping people." He received a letter from a boy in Pakistan who had completely given up on his life. All he wanted to do now was die. And he was all geared to do that, too. He pointed a gun to his head and was about to blow the trigger when from his open window Junoon's hit song "Jazba-e-Junoon" flowed in. Hai Jazba-e-Junoon, to himmat na haar! "If you have the Spirit of Passion, never give up!" Justuju jo karey woh chuey aasmaan! "The one who perseveres reaches the Stars." The boy who was ready to take up his life seconds earlier threw the gun away and started crying. He realized how right those words were, and he decided not to give up hope. He decided to live. Ahmed left Pakistan's biggest sensational pop band Vital Signs to pursue a different kind of music. He...