'Indian Idol' unites northeast, all root for Amit Paul
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From politicians to actors, people from all streams of life in
the northeast are rooting for Shillong singing sensation Amit Paul
to make him the next "Indian Idol" in a much-watched reality
television contest. The 24-year-old singer is now in the top five
of the highly-rated "Indian Idol" musical show on Sony TV where one
contestant is eliminated based on the least number of votes
received on SMS or through phone calls.
Leading the bandwagon for supporting Amit is Meghalaya Chief
Minister D.D. Lapang.
"We have conferred him the honorary title of Meghalaya's 'Brand
Ambassador' to foster peace, communal harmony, and excellence,"
the chief minister told IANS.
Lapang on Wednesday participated at a function here - organised by
music lovers and several socio cultural groups - to drum up support
for Amit.
"We are all proud of Amit for the success and fame he has attained
so far. His achievements have helped people from all walks of life
and communities to come together, and this aspect clearly reflects
that music has no cultural barriers," the chief minister said.
Giant hoardings and posters with Amit's photographs have sprung up
across Meghalaya asking people to vote for him.
"There is a frenzy all over the place with the catchword now being
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 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 singing - 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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