Sept. 24: Thousands of people took to the streets in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong today in what promises to be the beginning of a week-long carnival to celebrate Prashant Tamang’s win in Indian Idol.
The party had begun last night itself, as soon as news filtered in that the 24-year-old from Toongsoong in Darjeeling had beaten Amit Paul of Shillong to win the nationally televised music talent hunt contest. Today, the party just got bigger.
“I have come to Darjeeling with my colleagues to celebrate Prashant’s success,” said Rajesh Subba, the principal of Green Shield Academy, Takdah, enjoying an extended weekend.
The principal was not alone. Be it teachers, or government employees, no one wanted to miss out on the fun. All schools and colleges in the hills remained closed and attendance in government offices was low.
Students in the hills are keeping their fingers crossed: local GNLF leaders in Kalimpong and Darjeeling have already appealed to school authorities to declare holiday on the next two days as well.
Tea gardens in Darjeeling remained shut to enable workers join the celebrations. In Kalimpong, owners of business establishments and private taxis have been requested to give their staff a holiday tomorrow. Unlike in Darjeeling, most shops in Kalimpong and Kurseong remained open today.
The scenes on the streets were carnival-like. Strangers hugged each other, people distributed sweets and at some places tourists joined the revelry. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I want to make the most of it,” said James Tamang in Kalimpong.
Political leaders from the hills sought to cash in on the Prashant wave by making themselves seen and heard at victory rallies. However, Bimal Gurung, a GNLF leader from Singmari-Tukvar and the secretary of Prashant Fan Club, Darjeeling, had a word of warning for them. “MPs and MLAs had no role to play in Prashant’s victory. It is the ordinary people who ensured his triumph,” he said.
The ordinary people included the Sikkimese who voted for Prashant in droves and Gurung was lavish in his praise for them. He even proposed that Prashant should first visit Sikkim before returning to his hometown. “After all, we can have him anytime,” Gurung reasoned.
People seemed to share the sentiment as they shouted slogans in favour of Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling, the one leader who had publicly supported Prashant
The party had begun last night itself, as soon as news filtered in that the 24-year-old from Toongsoong in Darjeeling had beaten Amit Paul of Shillong to win the nationally televised music talent hunt contest. Today, the party just got bigger.
“I have come to Darjeeling with my colleagues to celebrate Prashant’s success,” said Rajesh Subba, the principal of Green Shield Academy, Takdah, enjoying an extended weekend.
The principal was not alone. Be it teachers, or government employees, no one wanted to miss out on the fun. All schools and colleges in the hills remained closed and attendance in government offices was low.
Students in the hills are keeping their fingers crossed: local GNLF leaders in Kalimpong and Darjeeling have already appealed to school authorities to declare holiday on the next two days as well.
Tea gardens in Darjeeling remained shut to enable workers join the celebrations. In Kalimpong, owners of business establishments and private taxis have been requested to give their staff a holiday tomorrow. Unlike in Darjeeling, most shops in Kalimpong and Kurseong remained open today.
The scenes on the streets were carnival-like. Strangers hugged each other, people distributed sweets and at some places tourists joined the revelry. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I want to make the most of it,” said James Tamang in Kalimpong.
Political leaders from the hills sought to cash in on the Prashant wave by making themselves seen and heard at victory rallies. However, Bimal Gurung, a GNLF leader from Singmari-Tukvar and the secretary of Prashant Fan Club, Darjeeling, had a word of warning for them. “MPs and MLAs had no role to play in Prashant’s victory. It is the ordinary people who ensured his triumph,” he said.
The ordinary people included the Sikkimese who voted for Prashant in droves and Gurung was lavish in his praise for them. He even proposed that Prashant should first visit Sikkim before returning to his hometown. “After all, we can have him anytime,” Gurung reasoned.
People seemed to share the sentiment as they shouted slogans in favour of Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling, the one leader who had publicly supported Prashant
