idols @ the indo-china border

Indian Idol finalists Antara, Meenal, Monali, Yashashree, Ravi, Karunya, Amey, Panna and Sandeep (Neha and Jolly still recovering from Chicken Pox) scaled new heights over the last 3 days. The ten Idol finalists made their way up to the North Eastern borders of our country in a journey of their lifetime, as a sign of respect for the jawans who are protecting our borders, living a life so different from that of our own. The contestants spent 2 days on the Indo China border 50 kilometers from the Assamese town of Tezpur, which is situated 180 kilometers from Guwahati.

Commanding Officer of the regiment stationed at Tezpur welcomed the Idols in a true militarily aplomb. The cantonment was quite well-equipped. They were treated to sumptuous lunch which according to Sandeep Acharya, "Even the food there seemed so pure and fresh. I think the vegetables were grown just there and freshly cooked before we arrived."

To their surprise, the Indian Idols were well recognized and greeted like celebrities by the jawans and their families. In the evening, a stadium full of officers and jawans with their wives and children awaited the Idols performance. Indian Idols performance was very well received with the jawans singing along and even dancing on stage with the contestants during their solo performances. Together they sang, danced and enjoyed on a group performance of the patriotic "Saare Jahan Se Acchaa".

Followed a heated round of antakshari with the Idols versus the jawans in the stadium. Undoubtedly the Indian Idols emerged was winners in this battle of music with the jawans. Excited about their unusual concert, Karunya said "This will probably be the most memorable and fulfilling of all my performances. Everyone can watch me sing in the comfort of their living rooms, but to perform for these brave men who are ready to give their lives up for the sake of our nation is a very humbling feeling." Moved by their performance Jawan Veer Singh said "Inko dekh kar aise lagta hai ki yeh koi filmi sitaren ho. Aawazien toh inki first class hai aur adaa bhi hero heroein jaisi!" (These contestants look like film stars. Their voices and performances are first class!)

Touched by the messages and applause that they received at the small border town, Yashashree said "These people live such simple lives and yet were so warm and hospitable. They respected us for our talents and we tried to reciprocate with our performances for them." Meenal added "It gives me a shiver down my spine when I think of their families so far from them, not knowing how these brave fathers and sons are. I truly respect them and their families without whose support and patriotic will, our country would not be where it is today."

At the crack of dawn the contestants were taken for an Army drills to the "43 Assam Rifles". Though the girls seemed a little skeptical of what they would be made to do, Amey, Sandeep, Ravi, Karunya and Panna couldn't withhold their excitement. "I guess it's every boy's dream to be a soldier and to learn combat techniques and go through army drills was so exciting for us" said Amey. At the training camp they were made to climb a ten-feet wall and jump from the height, of course, after being briefed on the proper technique.

They walked on a zig-zag ledge and jumped from the edge. Ravi was the best at the firing practice, with accurate aim with almost every shot. Thought the boys had a whale of a time, the girls too enjoyed themselves. Yashashree, who had her reservations before she began, said "It's all about facing your fears. We face our fears on stage each week and overcome them. In the same way, we had to face out rears of jumping off a ten foot wall and then we realized it's not that tough!"

Apart from entertaining the Idols have also been doing their bit for causes like the charity run at the Mumbai Marathon and now performing for the jawans at the Indo-China border. The show truly helps make more "complete" people of the contestants, who interacted with a whole new type of audience and share their experiences and ideas with the brave souls of the Indian Army. Far from their busy shooting schedule, riyaz, training, the idols have taken time out to reach out to army and their families to pay a fitting tribute to them on the eve of t. he Republic day, these young contestants are truly India's Idols.

Every Mondays and Tuesday at 8.30 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television.