27 September 2007

Prasant Tamang felicitated by Kolkata Police

KOLKATA: The new Indian Idol Prasant Tamang, a constable of Kolkata Police has been felicitated by the commissioner of Kolkata Police, Prasun Mukherjee at the police headquarters on Tuesday.

The felicitation was received by his mother Rupa Tamang as Prasant is still not in town. Mukherjee handed her over a congratulatory letter from Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee. Prasant's sister Archana was also present.

"We will give him a separate reception once he comes back," Mukhrjee said to the reporters. The Kolkata Police Family Welfare Association would give him another reception.

Asked whether he would be allowed to continue with his singing career as it was against government rules that a government employee cannot earn from a different source, he said, "This is a special case. I have verbally asked for permission from the Chief Minister and he gave the consent".

On how could he continue duties in a one-year contract with the organisers of the Indian Idol when he would have to stay outside most of the time, Mukherjee said "I haven't seen the contract but Prasant is our treasure and we will try to keep him in the force".

A resident of Darjeeling, Prasant's father Madan, a constable in Kolkata Police, died in 1992 and Prasant got the job on compassionate ground. He was posted on bodyguard lines.

And then the fortune fairy passed by. He was primarily selected in the Indian idol and his voice won the hearts of millions across the country. He made it to the finals and then it was a history.

Prasant's mother Rupa honoured the Commissioner of Police in a traditional way by giving him a Khada, a white piece of cloth.

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