Bangalore girl Anjana Padmanabhan wins first 'Indian Idol Junior'

September 2, 2013

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Mumbai, Sep 2: She doesn't know Hindi, but her powerful and melodious rendition of Hindi songs helped 10-year-old Anjana Padmanabhan win the audiences' hearts, and thus, the first “Indian Idol Junior” title at the star-studded grand finale of the singing reality show here Sunday.

For the finale, the Bangalore-based Anjana competed with three other finalists - Nirvesh Sudhanshubhai Dave, Debanjana Karmakar and Anmol Jaswal. The talented young girl was ecstatic upon receiving the trophy from megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and much to everyone's delight, she made a short acceptance speech in Hindi.

“Maine yeh expect nahin kiya thha. Main bahut khush hun (I didn't expect this. I am very happy),” she said after being adjudged the winner based on audience voting.

As the 'Indian Idol Junior', she went back home with a trophy, a cash prize of Rs.25 lakh and a Nissan Micra car. She was also gifted cheques of Rs.500,000 and Rs.200,000 from Kotak Mahindra and Horlicks, respectively.

Judged by singer Shreya Ghoshal, and music composer duo Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, the Sony Entertainment Television show was hosted by Karan Wahi and Mandira Bedi. It went on air June 1.

The finale lived upto its buzz as Amitabh even sang "Mere sath aao mere doston" with Shekhar and the four finalists.

Shahid Kapoor too made an appearance on the show to promote his upcoming film "Phata Poster Nikla Hero". The actor also took to the stage with Vishal to perform their hit track "Dhan te nan" from "Kaminey". He later danced to the beats of "Dhating naach" from his upcoming movie with “Indian Idol Junior” contenders.

"Zanjeer" stars Priyanka Chopra and Ram Charan Teja also made a roaring presence on the show. They entered while grooving to the beats of "Akhi Mumbai humko salam thokti dekho" from their forthcoming film.

Priyanka even performed a Bihu dance on "Daiya re daiya" on the behest of two participants of the show - Priyam Borpatra and Eman Chaudhary. The actress even requested the final four to sing for her - and they chose to croon her tracks "Gun gun guna re" and "Desi girl".

Apart from performances by the top four contestants and celebrity guests, the judges also put up an energetic show. All remaining contestants, who were in the top 11, also got a chance to showcase their talent once again.

Shreya lured the audience with her song "Sun raha hai na tu" from "Aashiqui 2" and "Itni si hansi" from Barfi, Vishal-Shekhar accompanied her for "Radha" and "Ooh la la". The music composer duo also belted out some of their hit numbers including "Disco deewane" and "One two three four".

The final performance was of the top four contestants who paid a tribute to Amitabh by singing some of his hit numbers, including "Yeh mera dil", " Ab toh hai tumse", "Dekha na haye re".

At the finale, an announcement of an Indian Idol Academy, which will impart musical training to children, was also made.

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News Network
October 1,2024

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Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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