New Delhi:
His is the proverbial rags-to-riches story, well almost, and an overnight one at that. From struggling every single day to earn his meagre salary from his modest job to facing the cameras to talk about the big bucks he has suddenly earned, India's latest crorepati Sushil Kumar is the stuff middle-class India's dreams are made of.
Kumar, a teacher from Bihar's Motihari district, made history on Indian television as he became the first participant to win Rs five crore in the latest season of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. The prize money, incidentally, was increased in this season - the fifth - from the one crore that had been given out in the earlier editions.
As the iconic host of the show - actor Amitabh Bachchan - ended the suspense, a euphoric Kumar shrieked out in joy. Pumping his fists in the air, Kumar rose from his seat as he soaked in the winning moment. Amidst thunderous applause on the set and with an entire nation watching on TV, Sushil Kumar had become the face of several aspiring to be on the 'hot seat' and emerge victorious.
For the 'Millionaire from Motihari', life had changed. Before coming on the show, Kumar was working as a computer operator at the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act office in Motihari. For someone who earned just Rs 6,000 a month, even a few lakhs were enough to fulfill several of his dreams. But a shot at the jackpot amount of Rs 5 crore seemed real once he cleared the one-crore mark.
Most would have expected thumping heartbeats and pangs of nervousness, but Sushil Kumar had none of it. He patiently pondered on the last question and chose the right answer. "There's no place for fear if there's self-belief", Kumar had told NDTV after the victory. Very rightly so.
Kumar's now intends to utilise the money to build a house and then help his brothers make a livelihood by setting up a business. After he achieves these goals, Kumar then plans to come to Delhi and prepare for the Civil Services examinations.
He realises that the initial frenzy will soon die down, the flashbulbs would dim and then it would be back to reality and the grind. But, his victory has left behind a message for millions who dare to dream. As Sushil Kumar aptly put it, "God helps those who help themselves."
Kumar, a teacher from Bihar's Motihari district, made history on Indian television as he became the first participant to win Rs five crore in the latest season of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. The prize money, incidentally, was increased in this season - the fifth - from the one crore that had been given out in the earlier editions.
As the iconic host of the show - actor Amitabh Bachchan - ended the suspense, a euphoric Kumar shrieked out in joy. Pumping his fists in the air, Kumar rose from his seat as he soaked in the winning moment. Amidst thunderous applause on the set and with an entire nation watching on TV, Sushil Kumar had become the face of several aspiring to be on the 'hot seat' and emerge victorious.
For the 'Millionaire from Motihari', life had changed. Before coming on the show, Kumar was working as a computer operator at the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act office in Motihari. For someone who earned just Rs 6,000 a month, even a few lakhs were enough to fulfill several of his dreams. But a shot at the jackpot amount of Rs 5 crore seemed real once he cleared the one-crore mark.
Most would have expected thumping heartbeats and pangs of nervousness, but Sushil Kumar had none of it. He patiently pondered on the last question and chose the right answer. "There's no place for fear if there's self-belief", Kumar had told NDTV after the victory. Very rightly so.
Kumar's now intends to utilise the money to build a house and then help his brothers make a livelihood by setting up a business. After he achieves these goals, Kumar then plans to come to Delhi and prepare for the Civil Services examinations.
He realises that the initial frenzy will soon die down, the flashbulbs would dim and then it would be back to reality and the grind. But, his victory has left behind a message for millions who dare to dream. As Sushil Kumar aptly put it, "God helps those who help themselves."
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