Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 5: The 17th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, continues to capture hearts with not just quiz questions but also inspiring stories from contestants across the country.

On the latest episode, home tutor Kumari Puja from Odisha took the hot seat and left the audience deeply moved with her journey of determination and resilience.

Sharing her struggles, Puja revealed how her father once insisted she stop studying after Class 8 and get married. “Everyone protested that I should not study beyond Class 8. But I wanted to prove that education can change lives,” she told Amitabh Bachchan.

Despite the odds, she fought for her dream. “My school only had classes till 7th. The nearest school was far, but I somehow managed to study till 10th. With just one notebook and a pencil, I completed the year. When the results came, I topped my class. Everyone was shocked, and my teachers came to congratulate me,” she recalled with pride.

Later, Puja also disclosed her dream of pursuing a PhD, though financial constraints forced her to choose a teaching job to support her family. “In 2016, the PhD fees were Rs 12,000, but I was earning only Rs 20,000 from school. I had to prioritise my family’s needs. But now, I want to fulfil my dream,” she said.

When Big B asked about her personal life, Puja narrated how she met her husband through a matrimonial site. “I was scared to marry him but decided to take the risk. And it turned out to be the best risk of my life,” she smiled.

So far, Kumari Puja has reached the Rs 2 lakh question and will return as a rollover contestant in the next episode.