India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: The Festival of Globe (FOG) Idol finals were held on Sunday, August 1st 2026, at the Saraswati Hall in Fremont Hindu Temple. The event was packed with phenomenal performances across all age groups, 5 to 9 years, 10 to 18 years, and 18+ years.
Alka Bhatnagar, UP Ratna awardee, Nehal Raval, classical singer, and Lakshmi Iyer, FOG Health Fair, Chair were the main judges.
Dr. Romesh Japra, FOG Founder and FOG President Rajesh Verma led the dignitaries in launching the program by lighting the lamp. Dr. Japra in his message emphasized the focus to engage youth at early stages and imbibe in them the culture and values. FOG Idol strives to do this by inviting everyone from 5 years to 99 years of age to build their skills and confidence by singing at the event. The event was then initiated with a melodious and patriotism filled rendition of Vande Mataram by Bay Area’s versatile instrumentalist Neil Nayyar. All the participants and audiences joined the Vande Mataram by following along the scrolling lyrics. It was an apt tribute to 150 years of Vande Mataram. Neil Nayyar continued his celebrity performance by giving a powerful performance of Ganesh Vandana. The whole hall was spell bound and energized by his performance.
This year’s FOG Idol organizing committee included Ritu Maheshwari, FOG Media Chair, Alka Bhatnagar, FOG Idol chair, Sheen Trisal, FOG CDO, and Lakshmi Iyer, FOG Idol emcee.
Poonam Bajaj of SITAARRE TV was the exclusive TV media partner to capture this memorable contest on camera.
Dr. Romesh Japra gave away the awards to FOG Idol winners.
LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
- Neil Nayyar – FOG Idol Champion 2026
- Angela Tirago – FOG Idol Incredible Contribution to Music
FOG Idol 2026 ( 5-9 years)
- 1st prize-Jay Mishra
- 2nd prize-Advika Sahoo
- 3rd prize- Krishna Soni
Judge’s choice- Shreedatri Suter
- FOG Little Spark Award-Pavani Narain
- FOG Spunky Performer Award-Sharvi Guduru
- FOG Sweetest Voice Award-Sai Yashaswi Shukla
- FOGClassical Special Award-Rithvika Puwada
- FOG Devotional Award- Shreni Kothiya
- FOG Debut Singer Award-Aryan Rami
- FOG Rising Star Award-Devisha Prasad
- FOG Melodious Voice Award-Mayra Gaonkar
- FOG Little Spark Award- Anvi Abhyankar
- FOG Power SingerAward-Soham Muley
- FOG Bright Gem Award- Saanvi Muley
FOG IDOL 2026 (10 years -18 years)
- 1st Prize – Mansi Mahesh
- 2nd prize- Ahana Sameer and Moushmi Mahesh
Judge’s Choice – Aarush Chennuru
- FOG Incredible Performer- Dev Mishra
- FOG Melodious Singer-Shivani Thattipelli
- FOG International Singer Award-Anya Vannarath
- FOG Versatile Singer Award – Meera Bokil
- FOG Special Mention( Unique Voice) Saanvi Acharya
- FOG Special Mention ( Heartfelt Singer) – Ishaan Pradhan
- FOG Special mention award( Captivating Voice)-Saanvi Narain(medal)
- FOG Best Debut Singer-Maanya Verma ( medal)
- FOG Promising Singer- Armaan Chanana (medal)
FOG IDOL 2026 (18+ category)
- 1st prize- Vikas Kumar
- 2nd prize – Dhyasa Kumar
- 3rd prize-Pratibha Mallick and Bornali Bhuyan
Judge’s Choice- Binayak Das
Special Mention Award (Indian Regional Language Performance)- Soumya’s Dindukurthi
- FOG Incredible Performer- Sharanya Prasad
- FOG Melodious Voice Award-Yogeshwar sanchihar
- FOG Most Promising Singer- Shreyashi Ganguly
- FOG Impressive Debut Award- Haritha Gayam ( medal)
- FOG Most Lively Performer- Mahesh Mehta
- FOG Golden Voice Award-Satish Kumar
- FOG Vocal Excellence Award- Minal Bidkar
