‘He united us all’: Darjeeling pays tearful tribute to Prashant Tamang

Darjeeling: Political rivals set aside their ideological differences to pay tribute to Indian Idol 3 winner Prashant Tamang, whose mortal remains reached his hometown of Darjeeling on Monday. Mourners acknowledged that Tamang's rise helped unite the people of the Hills, regardless of their politics, bound by identity, emotion, and shared aspirations.Tamang, 43, from Toong Soong in Darjeeling, died of cardiac arrest in Delhi on Sunday morning. His body arrived at Bagdogra Airport at 9.30am on Monday. Prominent politicians, including GTA chief Anit Thapa, Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) neta Ajoy Edwards, BJP Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba, and MP Raju Bista, were present to pay their tributes.
From Bagdogra, a solemn procession made its way to Darjeeling via Kurseong, with people lining the route to offer floral tributes. Upon reaching Darjeeling, the body was placed at Chowrasta for public viewing.Gorkha Janmukti Morcha neta Bimal Gurung paid his respects at Chowrasta. Gurung, who had campaigned for the singer during his 2007 win, stated that Tamang's demise sent shockwaves across the Hills. Gurung said, "It was my responsibility as a guardian to support him. It was a victory for the entire Gorkha community. In 2007, he united Gorkhas across the country, and his footprints will forever be remembered."A condolence meeting and Sarva Dharma Puja were organised at Chowrasta. As a tribute, netizens shared renditions of "Asarai Mahina Ma," the song synonymous with his fame. His former competitor and actor Meiyang Chang also reached Darjeeling to pay his respects. Family members confirmed that final rites will be performed at 11.30am on Tuesday, proceeding from Toong Soong to the Alubari Monastery.Rupesh Rasaily, a member of the band ‘Prashant and the Himalayan Bridge', expressed disbelief. "We were together from Jan 4 to Jan 8 for a pan-India tour. We celebrated his birthday on Jan 4 and performed a show on Jan 6. He was absolutely fine," Rasaily said.On Jan 8, Tamang flew to Delhi while the band took a train, he said, adding, "He video-called us after reaching Delhi. We spoke again on Jan 9, but on Jan 11, we received the shocking news. Prashant was a down-to-earth person and a truly wonderful human being."Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said the nation had lost a great artist. "From serving as a police constable to winning Indian Idol, his journey inspired a generation and brought Gorkha identity into the national consciousness," Bista said.GTA chief Anit Thapa added, "Through his music, he emerged as a unifying force, bringing together Gorkhas across the world. Prashant lived in the hearts of the people of the Hills."