Life Lessons from Sushil Kumar

I never thought a TV episode would bring tears to my eyes, but today it did.
I just saw Sushil Kumar win 5 crore rupees on Kaun Banega Crorepati. Sushil Kumar, a computer operator from Motihari, in East Champaran District of Bihar. I will never forget where he is from as i intently watched the entire episode. A man who earns 6000 rupees a month now has 5 crore rupees in his bank account. What was special about Sushil Kumar wasn't that he hit the jackpot but the way he played. 


From the moment he sat on the Hot Seat, he said it innumerable times that he has been dreaming about being in the hot seat for 11 years. He went on to say that it's such a normal dream for him that he feels like he is still dreaming. 


When he had only won around 80,000 rupees he said  that he believes whatever one truly desires and honestly asks god for, he achieves it. Even he didn't know at that time that he had bugged god enough and that his gift had finally arrived. 


In this unequal country, i am glad that there are crazy people who believe in their dreams. Sushil Kumar works as a computer operator in MNREGA,but he didn't know the answer to the only computer related question. And he smilingly confessed that his computer related knowledge was low and he just somehow manages to operate a computer.


When asked what would he like to do if he wins a substantial amount, he said he would like to buy a house for his family and help bright students who didn't have the resources to provide for a good education.


He is an M.A. in Psychology, but works as a computer operator. His passion is teaching and he takes tuitions for students. He was confident of his knowledge but said that various disappointments in life  had made him unsure of himself. Sushil Kumar won 50 lacs with three lifelines left. He was well read and sure of his answers.  There are many times in our lives we do things that don't have any apparent link to our success in the future. But nothing ever goes waste. As Steve Jobs said, " you cant connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards." 


Then came the biggie, the one crore question. The question was what did Lal Bahadur Shahstri ask for in dowry on his marriage besides Khadi? And Sushil Kumar didnt know the answer. Well, who would. But then luck was truly on his side. He used the expert advice lifeline. And the expert was Pankaj Pachauri, a very senior journalist. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have won. Pankaj Pachauri knew the answer but cautiously put it forward should he be wrong. But Sushil Kumar being the risk taker went with him. He won. He jumped exuberantly and hugged Mr. Bachchan.  Immediately after winning, he asked to thank Pachauri. And Pachauri appeared on the screen wiping his tears. So, were me and my mom. Mr.Bachchan presented the 50 lac cheque to Sushil Kumar and Kumar counted the number of zeroes on it.


But the show wasn't over.


Then came the last question, for 5 crore rupees. By this time Sushil Kumar really wanted to pee but was told by Mr.Bachchan that he had to finish the game. So, came this question. "Which colonial power ended its involvement in India by selling the rights to Nicobar Islands to the British on Oct 16, 1868?".The options were Belgium, Denmark, Italy and France. He didn't know the right answer. He just knew that "Italy aaya nahi tha, aur france tab tak gaya nahi tha." His wife could be seen praying. He had two lifelines left, he took the phone a friend but the person on the line couldn't answer. Then he took the suicidal lifeline double dip, wherein he had the option of giving a second option if his first option was incorrect. As he was confused between Denmark and Belgium, he picked Denmark. 


And then in that one second helplessness vanished from his life. His dream came true. He threw water on his face to make himself believe. He showered in the confetti, hugged his wife and brothers. Tears came as he couldn't believe what had just happened to him. 
When finally he sat down again, Mr.Bachchan walked up to his seat and presented the 5 crore rupee cheque to him. And Sushil Kumar counted the zeroes again. He said that he would quit his job and study, to which Mr.Bachchan replied that none of his next six generations have to do a job now. 


This episode made me think how extraordinary we all are. Whatever be our situations, there is always a chance for us. We all have a crazy voice inside us. Faith in that voice is what will make us stand apart and stand proud.