Shillong, September 24: Millions watched it. A whopping seven crore people voted for them. They had a photo op with UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi before the mega final. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not miss it as Indian Idol 3 drew to a close on Sunday evening.

Now even in defeat, Amit Paul ? the boy from Shillong ? has become a symbol of peace and hope for the hill state. As Paul, one of the two finalists of the show, accepted defeat gracefully, his fans back home didn't disappoint him. Much to the relief of the Shillong district administration, the crowd, which had spilled on to the streets with excitement, returned quietly.

In fact, for this tiny hill state in the Northeast, Paul's journey to the finals of Indian Idol 3 has also been a move towards unity across communities. People from all communities here came together to cheer him and vote for him.

Reacting to the defeat of Paul, who was pitted against Darjeeling cop Prashant Tamang, Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang said: "He may have lost the Indian Idol title, but for us he is still the winner and an idol." The Meghalaya Government has also made him the state's Brand Ambassador of Peace, Communal Harmony and Excellence.

East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner B Dhar said, "We saw a similar surge cutting across communities when late Capt Clifford Nongrum's body was brought to Shillong after he was killed in the Kargil War." Dhar said people were out on the streets only for a day when Nongrum's body was brought here, but Paul's popularity has surpassed all that.

Dhar is now hoping that the harmony and unity triggered by Paul will last forever and encourage investors to come to the trouble-torn state. He said such camaraderie would make Shillong proud and help lay the foundation for progress and send a positive signal to the world.