KBC first 'crorepati' woman

Mumbai : After 10 years and four seasons, Kaun Banega Crorepati finally got its first woman crorepati as Rahat Tasneem won the prize money of Rs1,00,00,000 in the fourth season (KBC4)of popular game show.

She is confidence personified, a trait which was even lauded by the show's host megastar .

Coming from a small town of Giridih in Jharkhand, the 37-year-old says she played well utilising the options of 'phone a friend', 'double dip', 'expert advice' and 'audience poll' effectively.

Rahat said she was confused initially and had to use the lifelines. "But, from the stage of Rs320,000 to Rs50,00,000, I knew my answers and did not require lifelines."

"When Big B asked me where did I get my confidence from, I replied it stemmed from self-belief and the fact that I knew it all," she said.

Rahat won the Rs1,00,00,000 sum by opting for 'double dip' to a question about which state did the first woman president of an African nation, belong. "I was confused so I used my last lifeline (double dip)," she said adding she quit the game as she did not know the answer of the jackpot query of Rs5,00,00,000 on the first heart transplant. "I did not have any lifelines left."

The lucky housewife had only Rs3 in her mobile phone as balance when it all began, with a question on Hindu mythology on October 16. "I decided to take a chance and send the SMS," Rahat said.

Rahat said she was confident of being selected and got a call to give an audition in Mumbai on October 26.

"We were told that a bank account and PAN card was necessary for all contestants. When I went back home, the first thing I did was to open a bank account and apply for PAN card," she recalled. Then she was informed of being selected as a participant on November 1. The episode featuring her was shot on November 8 and was telecast on November 18.

"I was confident of making it to the hot seat but winning Rs1,00,00,000 is unbelievable. The feeling is yet to sink in," she said.

Besides, being a housewife Rahat runs a tailoring class. "Now, I will open a boutique and, after ensuring my other needs are taken care of, I plan to utilise my prize money for charity especially children's education," she said.

Rahat was married off at an early age but completed her degree course (BA Honours) in History after her children were born. She said her husband is presently employed with a public sector company and stationed in Kochi.

Source : PTI

November 21, 2010