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From government offices to the durbars of tribal kings, the
chief minister's secretariat to the Raj Bhawan, and schools and
colleges - the only topic of discussion in the northeastern state
of Meghalaya is the much-watched reality television contest "Indian
Idol".
"Will Amit Paul be the next Indian Idol?" is the oft-repeated
question asked by each and everyone. Even the wrinkled grandmmother
who knows nothing about Hindi songs is enthusiastic.
There is a frenzy in this predominantly Christian state of 2.3
million people as the 24-year-old singing sensation from Shillong
is now in the top two of the highly-rated reality music show on
Sony TV, where a contestant is eliminated based on the least number
of votes received via SMS or phones. The finals are scheduled to be
telecast live Sep 23.
"Music has transcended all cultural barriers and even the durbars
of local kings (there are 25 durbars in Meghalaya) are talking
about Amit and appealing for votes through SMS and phone calls,"
John F. Kharshiing, spokesperson of the Federation of Khasi States,
the apex body campaigning for legal status for the durbars in
Meghalaya, told IANS.
Local media reports here, quoting mobile telephone service
providers, said that an estimated Rs.450,000 worth of SMS messages
were sent every hour from across the state during the last couple
of days.
"Amit should be the next Indian Idol," appealed Patricia Mukhim, a
well-known writer and Padma Shri award winner from Meghalaya,
through SMS messages to her friends and well-wishers.
Leading the bandwagon for supporting Amit is Meghalaya Chief
Minister D.D. Lapang himself. And jostling for space to campaign
for the local hero are all the ministers and opposition parties.
"We have conferred him the honorary title of Meghalaya's 'Brand
Ambassador' to foster peace, communal harmony and excellence,"
Lapang told IANS.
Giant hoardings and posters with Amit's photographs have sprung up
across Meghalaya asking people to vote for him.
"This is definitely more than an election and Amit's success in
the contest has brought name and fame to Meghalaya," said Paul
Marbaniang, a college teacher.
"There is a frenzy all over the place as the catchword now is Amit
and only Amit. Some members of his fan club have opened a free
telephone booth for people to vote for him, while an Internet
cafй has also been set up exclusively to vote for Amit," said
K. Mawlong, a local singer.
Amit's rival in the contest Prashant Tamang from Darjeeling is
also drawing huge public response with the authorities forced to
enforce a ban on sale of liquor Sep 22-24, fearing wild parties if
he wins.
A local cop, Tamang's supporters across Darjeeling and other parts
of West Bengal have been working overtime to garner support.
Amit fever is also catching up in adjoining Assam with at least a
dozen of the state's leading actors and singers organising a
street campaign to garner votes for the Shillong youth.
"Amit is the pride of the northeast and we should all rise to the
occasion and vote for him," said Munin Baruah, a noted Assamese
filmmaker.
Amit has been into singing since his childhood and had quit studies
to pursue a career in music - he can sing in six languages making
him the darling of the "Indian Idol" judges.
Another youth from Assam, 29-year old Debojit Saha had earlier won
Zee TV's "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005", earning him the coveted
title 'India's Voice'.
Indo-Asian News Service
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