Kolkata, September 25 : Indian Idol and the latest poster boy of the Kolkata police, Prashant Tamang, will be permitted to pursue his singing career along with his present job as a policeman.
Commissioner of Police Prasun Mukherjee on Tuesday felicitated Prashant’s family for the 24-year-old constable’s achievement. Mukherjee also handed over a congratulatory letter by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, a gift box and copies of Kolkata police’s special publications “Evolution of Kolkata Police” and “Dynamic Force — A Visual Journey 1856-2006” to Rupa Tamang, Prashant’s mother. Archana, Prashant’s sister, was also present at the occasion. Mukherjee said that if required, Prashant might be offered special leave to pursue his singing career. “There are 17 police officers who have participated in international sports events. But this is different. We will definitely see if he requires leave,” Mukherjee said. “The singing contract (Rs 1 crore agreement with Sony) is for a year and his service to Kolkata police is for life. We would like him to continue with both,” he added.
The police force feels that Prashant’s victory should not be seen as a local achievement. “Though we voted for him, we couldn’t have got him lakhs of votes. The entire country voted for him. After all, he is the Indian idol,” said a senior police official.
What is the family planning next for Prashant once he returns home? Possibly getting him married? “Although he consults his mother for almost every decision he takes, we would leave this to him,” sister Archana said.
Commissioner of Police Prasun Mukherjee on Tuesday felicitated Prashant’s family for the 24-year-old constable’s achievement. Mukherjee also handed over a congratulatory letter by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, a gift box and copies of Kolkata police’s special publications “Evolution of Kolkata Police” and “Dynamic Force — A Visual Journey 1856-2006” to Rupa Tamang, Prashant’s mother. Archana, Prashant’s sister, was also present at the occasion. Mukherjee said that if required, Prashant might be offered special leave to pursue his singing career. “There are 17 police officers who have participated in international sports events. But this is different. We will definitely see if he requires leave,” Mukherjee said. “The singing contract (Rs 1 crore agreement with Sony) is for a year and his service to Kolkata police is for life. We would like him to continue with both,” he added.The police force feels that Prashant’s victory should not be seen as a local achievement. “Though we voted for him, we couldn’t have got him lakhs of votes. The entire country voted for him. After all, he is the Indian idol,” said a senior police official.
What is the family planning next for Prashant once he returns home? Possibly getting him married? “Although he consults his mother for almost every decision he takes, we would leave this to him,” sister Archana said.
