The Nepal Weekly 
February 6, 2024
Nepal’s visually impaired girl Menuka Paudel has been eliminated from Indian Idol -14 competition. She, however, has managed to secure her position among top 10 of the Indian reality show. During Sunday’s episode it was announced that the 25 year old girl has been ousted from the show.
She wrote in social media that her journey of Indian Idol has ended. “Though my journey to the India Idol ends here but the musical journey of my life begins from now,” she announced. Menuka has thanked all of her supporters and well wishers for extending her support and encouragement. She assured her fans saying “I will be able to provide more entertainment to the people than before through my songs and performances.”
She has also requested her fans to continue their support in her singing, recording and concerts in the future. According to Menuka, she has plans to record many songs in the pipeline throughout the year.
Visually challenged girl Menuka managed to leave everyone speechless with her soulful voice as soon as she entered the stage of the Indian reality show.
As she enters the stage, Menuka broke into a rendition of Lagaan’s ‘O Paalan Haare,’ originally sung by the legendary Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar. Hearing her slower, lower tempo version of the Javed Akhtar-AR Rahman masterpiece, judges Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani and Kumar Sanu were in awe of her. Shreya also broke into full sobs over her song.
In one of the shows Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor stunned everyone when he touched the feet of ‘Indian Idol’ contestant Menuka on the stage. Ranbir was on the show to promote his upcoming release, ‘Animal.’. Impressed by Menuka’s talent the actor rushed to the stage to touch her feet.
While performing for the Indian Idol, Menuka has also got an offer to sing for Indian film Salaar, which has just been released.
Menuka was born blind and she learned music solely through listening. She rose to fame through her participation in Nepal TV reality show “Nepal Idol” in 2018. She then took part in ZEE TV singing reality show “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” in India. Menuka’s captivity melodious voice made extremely popular in a short span of time.
Menuka on Monday returned to her home district Jhapa directly from India capital New Delhi after being eliminated from the show. She left memorable impression in the heart of millions of Indian viewers and audiences through her magical voice, though failed to grab the trophy of India Idol season 14.
