Brand envoy badge for Amit 
- Meghalaya chief minister backs Indian Idol aspirant     OUR CORRESPONDENT     
            Lapang holds up a poster urging people to vote for Amit in Shillong 
on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections   Shillong, Aug. 29: When he sang, 
the nation applauded and his home state dropped communal differences to drum up 
support for the voice that did it proud. 
  Meghalaya’s favourite Indian Idol 3 contestant, Amit Paul, will now don the 
mantle of brand ambassador for the hill state. 
  Chief minister D.D. Lapang today announced that the government was finalising 
Amit Paul as the Meghalaya brand ambassador for peace, communal harmony and 
excellence. 
  “I am very proud of Amit Paul and his success proves that music breaks 
barriers of hatred. He has brought unity in diversity,” Lapang said.
  The Shillong Music Arts and Lovers’ Forum had earlier approached Lapang to 
gather support for the young singer. 
  Today, Lapang convened a meeting — attended by ministers Debora Marak, Zenith 
Sangma, Nehlang Lyngdoh, chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee, additional chief 
secretary W.M.S. Pariat, additional directors-general of police Anil Pradhan 
and B. Kezo and members of the arts forum — where he promised all support to 
help Paul bag the coveted crown. 
  The chief minister appealed to the residents of Meghalaya to vote for Amit to 
brighten his chances for a shot at the title. 
  Calling Amit a symbol of communal harmony, Lapang said people from all 
communities in the state have been voting for him. He also released posters of 
the Northeast’s newest pin-up boy during the meeting. 
  “I had spoken to my counterpart in West Bengal to drum up support for Amit 
Paul,” said chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee. West Bengal, however, has its 
own candidate — Prashant Tamang — a constable with Calcutta Police. As Friday’s 
elimination round approaches, Amit’s fans and the government are making frantic 
efforts to ensure that he gets sufficient votes to make him the frontrunner. 
  Lapang has also asked his ministers to speak to BSNL officials to reduce SMS 
tariffs so that more people can send in their votes. 

       
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