MOTIHARI: Sushil Kumar, who made history by winning the Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) jackpot of Rs 5 crore last month, has now received the prize money of Rs 3.5 crore (after deduction of taxes). Though this may pave the way for giving shape to his plans, he may remain a much harried man, at least for now.
Even while he was awaiting receipt of the money, he had received at least 2,000 letters from India and abroad, seeking monetary help totalling Rs 20 crore. The flood of letters is unlikely to stop for some more time.
A man of humble background - his father doesn't own any ancestral land - Sushil realizes that he cannot meet many requests for monetary help.
"The prize money is not a huge amount. If I do not spend it in a planned way, it will be gone," he told TOI.
Sushil is ready with his agenda - he wants to construct a big house, help his brothers set up business and improve his lifestyle. However, this erstwhile low-paid official of MNREGA scheme is quick to add that he would help some of his poor acquaintances. The jackpot winner has quit his job. His siblings have also stopped working. In the days preceding the receipt of prize money, Sushil borrowed Rs 10 lakh for various expenses.
"Around Rs 10 lakh has been squandered under various heads since KBC victory," said the crorepati's dad, Amarnath Prasad, 60.
Till date, about 500 invitations and over 2000 letters seeking monetary help have arrived at Sushil's doors.
"I don't know where to keep the awards. It needs a separate room, which I do not have," Sushil told TOI.
A postgraduate from BRA University, Muzaffarpur, Sushil has four brothers - Sunil, Anil, Sudhir and Sujeet. Virtually throughout the day, Sushil's brothers and father keep shuffling through the pouring letters and invitations.
Letters from the US, UK, Sri Lanka, Nepal and almost all Indian states have his address as "Crorepati Sushil, Bihar, India". Many letters have "Om Ganeshay Namah" written in bold on the top. Some letters contain an underlined statement: "Do read this letter. It is a true letter."
A municipality worker, Arun Kumar Sahu, from Durg (Chhattisgarh) has requested Sushil to give him Rs 20 lakh. Sahu wants to build a house. In another letter, a priest from Saharanpur in UP, B K Shukla, has advised Sushil to donate 1/10th of the income. A letter has come from Sri Lanka seeking financial help. One day a person arrived at his house seeking financial help.
Ever since he won the jackpot, Sushil is constantly under the media glare.
"Everyday cooked-up stories are appearing in a section of the media," he told TOI.
Pouring accolades are adding to Sushil's dilemma. "I have been selected for Indian of the Year Award. It is a huge feat, you know. I can't believe this," he repeated several times while talking to TOI.
"It feels good that wherever I go, people love me and get photographs with me," Sushil added.
Contrary to Bihar's notoriety, neither Sushil nor any of his family members has received any threat call so far.
alokknmishra@gmail.com
Even while he was awaiting receipt of the money, he had received at least 2,000 letters from India and abroad, seeking monetary help totalling Rs 20 crore. The flood of letters is unlikely to stop for some more time.
A man of humble background - his father doesn't own any ancestral land - Sushil realizes that he cannot meet many requests for monetary help.
"The prize money is not a huge amount. If I do not spend it in a planned way, it will be gone," he told TOI.
Sushil is ready with his agenda - he wants to construct a big house, help his brothers set up business and improve his lifestyle. However, this erstwhile low-paid official of MNREGA scheme is quick to add that he would help some of his poor acquaintances. The jackpot winner has quit his job. His siblings have also stopped working. In the days preceding the receipt of prize money, Sushil borrowed Rs 10 lakh for various expenses.
"Around Rs 10 lakh has been squandered under various heads since KBC victory," said the crorepati's dad, Amarnath Prasad, 60.
Till date, about 500 invitations and over 2000 letters seeking monetary help have arrived at Sushil's doors.
"I don't know where to keep the awards. It needs a separate room, which I do not have," Sushil told TOI.
A postgraduate from BRA University, Muzaffarpur, Sushil has four brothers - Sunil, Anil, Sudhir and Sujeet. Virtually throughout the day, Sushil's brothers and father keep shuffling through the pouring letters and invitations.
Letters from the US, UK, Sri Lanka, Nepal and almost all Indian states have his address as "Crorepati Sushil, Bihar, India". Many letters have "Om Ganeshay Namah" written in bold on the top. Some letters contain an underlined statement: "Do read this letter. It is a true letter."
A municipality worker, Arun Kumar Sahu, from Durg (Chhattisgarh) has requested Sushil to give him Rs 20 lakh. Sahu wants to build a house. In another letter, a priest from Saharanpur in UP, B K Shukla, has advised Sushil to donate 1/10th of the income. A letter has come from Sri Lanka seeking financial help. One day a person arrived at his house seeking financial help.
Ever since he won the jackpot, Sushil is constantly under the media glare.
"Everyday cooked-up stories are appearing in a section of the media," he told TOI.
Pouring accolades are adding to Sushil's dilemma. "I have been selected for Indian of the Year Award. It is a huge feat, you know. I can't believe this," he repeated several times while talking to TOI.
"It feels good that wherever I go, people love me and get photographs with me," Sushil added.
Contrary to Bihar's notoriety, neither Sushil nor any of his family members has received any threat call so far.
alokknmishra@gmail.com
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