Yep you are right. Regional competitions are better as they churn out talents although they may not have the same sort of TRP's or hype as compard to the programmes aired on the national networks....
Even I did not watch marathi Saregamapa, but I am sure even Abhijeet was good too...hard luck for him that he had to go out because of public voting....else he too would have styed on....
The first/original format of Saregamapa was the best....as it churned out true talents....
I am sure more than half the contestants (baring a few) in today's competition will fail miserably if they are asked to perform based upon a certain raag (say raag bhairavi etc.) instantly....
But one has to also relaize that today's world is a different world....filled with glamour...if the packaging is not good then viewers will dump it.
Adding to that I would have been happy if the organizers would have juxtaposed singing with quality packaging in a more efficient manner...but only if wishes were horses....hehehe