The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 16 featured 27-year-old Nareshi Meena who became the first contestant of the season to face the Rs 1 crore question. Although she was unable to answer the question, Meena walked away with Rs 50 lakh. However, it wasn’t just her performance on the show that captivated viewers. It was her remarkable life story that truly stood out. Meena, who hails from Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur, has been battling a brain tumour but has been unable to afford the surgery required to treat her condition.
Meena had successfully cleared the sub-inspector recruitment exam, but shortly after qualifying for the position, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018. Since then, she has been diligently saving money, bit by bit, for the surgery. Even before she won the Rs 50 lakh prize on Kaun Banega Crorepati, she received a life-changing promise from the show’s host, Amitabh Bachchan who vowed to fund the proton therapy she needs to surgically remove the tumour.
In an interview with The Times of India, Nareshi Meena opened up about her journey. She shared how, after being unable to pursue the sub-inspector position due to her diagnosis, she started working as a supervisor in the women empowerment department. She also recounted how Amitabh Bachchan made her feel at ease on the show and assured her that he would support her in getting the necessary treatment. “I got selected, and Big B sir made me very comfortable. He told me that regardless of what I do on the show, he will help me with my treatment,” she said
After the show, Amitabh’s team contacted Meena and asked her to choose the doctor and hospital where she wants to undergo surgery, assuring her that he would cover all the expenses. Expressing her gratitude, she said, “I bow my head with folded hands to him for this gesture.”