Over the last few days we have witnessed, on prime time television, a phenomenon which has been showing up with increased frequency. This phenomenon of very ordinary people using varied platforms to transform their lives with sheer intelligence, knowledge and confidence. Sushil Kumar, the winner of this season’s Kaun Banega Crorepati typified this phenomenon as he transformed his and his family’s life beyond his imagination.
This Sushil Kumar is my hero, and let me tell you why.
His story is that of a true slumdog millionaire. From earning a salary of mere Rs6000 per month to winning Rs 5crores in one fine evening by the virtue of his knowledge, intelligence and confidence is nothing but stupendous. His ever smiling face did not give us even an iota of an idea of his difficult background.
Sushil‘s, rather Sushilji’s (quite like the way my fellow Bihari brethren are used to being addressed) simplicity was rather exotic, after all who on national television proclaims his difficulty in managing the pressure of nature’s call. Unwittingly he also taught us key lessons in quizzing – you don’t need to know all answers, you can provide correct answers by choosing by elimination and by intelligently guessing.
Sushilji’s values impressed me most. His reverence for his elder brothers, one of which appeared to be his father figure, is quite unheard of in our metropolitan lives. His yearning to learn and gain knowledge was noteworthy. His belief in the adage ‘where there is a will, there is a way’ and rest is a bahana – an excuse is heartwarming. Rarely had any participant thanked the ‘expert advisor’ as profusely as Sushilji did. His gratitude towards the ushers at the studio also stood out. The strong sense of patriotism kept surfacing when Sushilji and his brothers repeatedly told us how happy they were to have done their district and state proud.
These values and ideas probably belong to a different age. They are rather romantic when it comes from people without enough to eat or a proper house to call home.
Inspite of the humongous amount of money that Sushilji won, his aspirations remain simple. He wants to read many more books and become a writer. Not for him, setting up a business that will make him more money.
In various ways Sushilji embodies the state he comes from, Bihar - a place with large hearted people with simple aspirations. A people deeply endued in the romanticism of culture, history and values. However inherent in Sushilji’s encounter with national television was an outdated phenomenon of the youth aspiring for government jobs. This doesn’t seem to have changed yet in the fast changing Bihar.
For many more Sushilji’s to be discovered it will be important that the state creates avenues and provides appropriate platforms to the talented people of Bihar.
Congratulations and well done, Sushilji. I am your fan.
