'I have forgiven them'
Sudipto Chattopadhyay
Sunday, January 22, 2006 19:04 IST
Debojit Saha decides to come clean on the controversy that shook the 'Sa
Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge' show, rubbishes talk of an ULFA hand.
Debojit Saha, one of the leading claimants to the crown of 'Sa Re Ga Ma
Pa Challenge 2005', says he harbours no ill-will against his competitors
— Vineet, Himani and Hemchandra — who publically disapproved of him
on the show.
The dumbfounded boy from Silchar says the trio, who swore to be his
friends, wanted to stage a walkout because he had secured the highest
number of votes on the show. "I couldn't believe my ears. They were like
family to me. Suddenly they began to doubt by capabilities only because I
secured the highest number of votes. Is it my fault that people voted for
me?"
Debojit explains the arithmetic of the voting pattern, "When they said
that I had secured 80 per cent of my votes from the North-East and only
two per cent from the rest of the centres, it did not mean that I scored
lesser number of votes than them from the rest of India. The two percent
votes from Mumbai were higher in number than the combined total of
what they had earned from the same territory. I polled the highest
number of votes from every region in India."
The singer says he finds the accusations that ULFA (United Liberation
Front of Assam) is espousing his cause ridiculous.
"If I really had ULFA links I would not have been surviving hand-to-mouth
for so many years. When the top ten finalists were chosen, judges
including Pandit Jasraj and Hari Prasad Chaurasia felt that we were the
best. I feel sad when the same mentors now doubt my talent."
Debojit is deeply indebted to mentor Ismail Durbar who took up cudgels
on his behalf when Vineet questioned his ability. "I will never forget
Guruji's gesture. I am also grateful to Gajendra Singhji and salute his
stupendous efforts," says an emotionally charged Debojit.
On a more wistful note he concludes, "I did not participate in 'Challenge'
to win but to showcase my talent. I am sad that the show has to end on a
bitter note. Even if I win I'll not be ecstatic as I have lost the love of my
fellow-participants. But I have forgiven them as they are younger to me."
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