Puja at her home in Kumardhubi. Pix: Gautam Dey

Dhanbad, Aug. 19: Blame it on small town, blame it on SMS poll or even blame it on people’s ignorance about the talent Jharkhand and Bihar can nurture, but Puja’s feet are firm on reality.

“Indian Idol is a great platform, which promotes budding talent and for me it inspires me to go ahead,” said Puja, minutes after she reached her Kumardhubi residence about 7 this evening.

But Puja’s father Gopal Chatterjee said had it been Mumbai or any other metros, his daughter’s fate would have been written differently. He said that even after the overwhelming support from students, administration and media here, her elimination was disheartening.

“The coal capital could not raise enough votes for Puja even when loads of appreciation poured from judges. Alisha Chinoi said her elimination was unexpected and a loss. The votes that reached Puja to the top 11 and then top six were not consistent. The number plummeted gradually,” he said while bringing his daughter home, about 45km from here.

When Abhishek — another contestant from here — returned from the show that mesmerises spectators nationwide, it was known that his fellow contestants, and organisers too, did not know where Dhanbad exists!

However, the coal capital took centrestage through three of them — Abhishek, Puja and Meiyang Chang. Deepali Kishore also brought Patna to the reckoning with her talent. Incidentally, she was also eliminated. Some pointed out “over-confidence” as a reason for her elimination while some others said it was “loss of concentration”.

B.P. Mishra, Abhishek’s father, added fuel to the small town versus big city debate claiming: “Had Abhishek been in a bigger city, he would have been better off with votes.”

With Puja leaving the show with the rendition of Hawa Hawaii in tears, all light is now on Meiyang Chang, who, although not born here, thinks himself belonging to this part of the country. But he too is in the hands of unpredictable public again.

“In terms of performance, he can give his best. But the votes matter a lotChang was in danger zone that means he had less votes. Let’s see what happens, we are optimistic and praying,” said Gaichen Chang, his mom.