The hills of Darjeeling are burning again. But this time with mobile phones and landlines instead of guns and kukris.
And all because of one boy, Prashant Tamang, a resident of Darjeeling and the finalist on the third Indian Idol contest on Sony Entertainment Television. The other finalist is Amit Paul from Shillong.
Prashant seems to have succeeded where the politicians have failed -- and that is to successfully unite the Nepalis, not only in Darjeeling but across the country. Just recently, a ban on liquor was enforced in Darjeeling to curb trouble during voting. Talk about star power!
Before all the hysteria, few had heard of Prashant, who hails from a humble family. Like most families in the hills, his father was the sole breadwinner, employed with the Calcutta police.
His father's untimely demise forced Prashant to join the Calcutta police when he was a student at St Roberts High School, Darjeeling. "He is a very responsible person," says a neighbour who vows to vote and make Prashant the next Indian Idol.
After joining the force he joined the police orchestra and was encouraged by his friends. Says policeman Niten Pradhan, "He has always been a down-to-earth person and has not changed a bit even after so much of success and fame."
And all because of one boy, Prashant Tamang, a resident of Darjeeling and the finalist on the third Indian Idol contest on Sony Entertainment Television. The other finalist is Amit Paul from Shillong.
Prashant seems to have succeeded where the politicians have failed -- and that is to successfully unite the Nepalis, not only in Darjeeling but across the country. Just recently, a ban on liquor was enforced in Darjeeling to curb trouble during voting. Talk about star power!
Before all the hysteria, few had heard of Prashant, who hails from a humble family. Like most families in the hills, his father was the sole breadwinner, employed with the Calcutta police.
His father's untimely demise forced Prashant to join the Calcutta police when he was a student at St Roberts High School, Darjeeling. "He is a very responsible person," says a neighbour who vows to vote and make Prashant the next Indian Idol.
After joining the force he joined the police orchestra and was encouraged by his friends. Says policeman Niten Pradhan, "He has always been a down-to-earth person and has not changed a bit even after so much of success and fame."
It was his colleagues on the police force who urged him to participate on Indian Idol 3. He never imagined he would qualify. Since then life has never been the same.
A Nepali celebrity, he has just been appointed brand ambassador for the Nepali-majority Sikkim state.
Such is the fever in Darjeeling that everybody is rooting for Prashant's success, leading to the mushrooming of Prashant fan clubs.
People collect money and stay awake the whole night to vote for him. Voting often takes place in shifts with some folks voting at night while others do so during the day.
A member of Prashant's fan club tells us, "We are grateful to the mother who has given birth to this fellow who has united and brought Nepalese society" to the notice of the rest of India.
Prashant's fan clubs are not restricted to India but exist abroad as well. Money for the SMSes has come in from the US and UK as well as Nepal. One citizen of Nepal said, "since the cost of SMS is high in Nepal, we have to come to Darjeeling."
A group from Nepal recently performed in Darjeeling and Kurseong and collected money for SMS votes for Prashant. Offices too are collecting money. The Prashant fever is so high in the area that kids are saving their pocket money so that they can SMS Prashant
A Nepali celebrity, he has just been appointed brand ambassador for the Nepali-majority Sikkim state.
Such is the fever in Darjeeling that everybody is rooting for Prashant's success, leading to the mushrooming of Prashant fan clubs.
People collect money and stay awake the whole night to vote for him. Voting often takes place in shifts with some folks voting at night while others do so during the day.
A member of Prashant's fan club tells us, "We are grateful to the mother who has given birth to this fellow who has united and brought Nepalese society" to the notice of the rest of India.
Prashant's fan clubs are not restricted to India but exist abroad as well. Money for the SMSes has come in from the US and UK as well as Nepal. One citizen of Nepal said, "since the cost of SMS is high in Nepal, we have to come to Darjeeling."
A group from Nepal recently performed in Darjeeling and Kurseong and collected money for SMS votes for Prashant. Offices too are collecting money. The Prashant fever is so high in the area that kids are saving their pocket money so that they can SMS Prashant
Sikkim is leading the way to make sure that Prashant returns home triumphant.
The business community of Namchi in Sikkim is said to have donated Rs one crore (Rs 10 million) towards this end. Every town in Sikkim has set up a number of booths to vote for Prashant.
People, who are financially weak, are said to be selling assets to vote for Prashant while those who do not know how to send SMSes buy vouchers and give it to people who do.
The Himalaya Darpan newspaper, which started the campaign for Prashant, has declared it will give him a motorcycle on his return home.
Not to be outdone, Sikkim's Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has already donated a Maruti SX4 car to the boy. M K Subba, the Nepali MP from Assam, has announced that he will send SMSes worth Rs 15 lakh for Prashant.
In the SMS race, the Calcutta police is not far behind. Says Niten Pradhan, "Vouchers are sent from 48 thanas (police stations) in Kolkata as well as the headquarters of the Calcutta police. The duty is given to 10 to 12 sepoys to send these SMSes."
Gurkha personnel posted at the Indian Army's eastern headquarters in Fort William, Kolkata, are also said to be voting in large numbers.
The business community of Namchi in Sikkim is said to have donated Rs one crore (Rs 10 million) towards this end. Every town in Sikkim has set up a number of booths to vote for Prashant.
People, who are financially weak, are said to be selling assets to vote for Prashant while those who do not know how to send SMSes buy vouchers and give it to people who do.
The Himalaya Darpan newspaper, which started the campaign for Prashant, has declared it will give him a motorcycle on his return home.
Not to be outdone, Sikkim's Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has already donated a Maruti SX4 car to the boy. M K Subba, the Nepali MP from Assam, has announced that he will send SMSes worth Rs 15 lakh for Prashant.
In the SMS race, the Calcutta police is not far behind. Says Niten Pradhan, "Vouchers are sent from 48 thanas (police stations) in Kolkata as well as the headquarters of the Calcutta police. The duty is given to 10 to 12 sepoys to send these SMSes."
Gurkha personnel posted at the Indian Army's eastern headquarters in Fort William, Kolkata, are also said to be voting in large numbers.
