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KBC 13’s first crorepati Himani Bundela to take the plunge for Rs 7cr
Mumbai: Kaun Banega Crorepati -13 has got its first crorepati Himani Bundela who will be risking it all for Rs 7 crore on 30-31 August. In a promo released by SET, the visually challenged Bundela is seen fielding the last (16th) question from the ‘hot seat’.
The Agra-based contestant appears to be confident and enjoying the game in the video, even as she leaves the outcome to God.
Bundela is a Mathematics teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya. Having lost her eyesight in a road accident in 2011, and not able to regain it even after multiple operations, she wants to raise awareness for the cause of inclusive education. “My life after the accident hasn’t been easy. A lot of us had to put in an immense amount of work to get back to our daily livelihood, especially my parents and my brothers and sisters. Being a woman who’s visually impaired, I hope my stint on KBC brings a lot of hope to people who are just like me,” says Bundela.
If she wins big on Monday, 31 August, she will work towards giving a bigger platform to the ‘Divyang Awareness Programme’ pioneered by her at KV. While pursuing her passion for teaching mental math to blind students, she intends to open inclusive coaching for competitive exam prep and revive her father’s pandemic-hit business with the prize money.
“A lot of students with special abilities do get admissions in schools & colleges but there are no coaching academies for government competitive exams that admit students with any sort of disabilities. With the money I won, I would want to open a coaching academy that trains the ‘divyang’ kids for the government competitive exams,” she says.
Bundela has nurtured the dream of appearing on a television reality show since childhood. Realising that knowledge was her biggest strength, she finally zeroed in on KBC. The thrill of meeting Amitabh Bachchan was also a motivating factor for her. The spirited 25-year-old has been practicing being on the ‘hot seat’ for over a decade now. Inspired by the show and its host, she even launched the online initiative ‘Kaun Banega KV Champion for her students last year.
Talking about her experience on the show, she says, it was a dream come true. “To be on Kaun Banega Crorepati and to meet Amitabh Bachchan has always been a dream and I’m glad I could fulfil it. He made me feel so comfortable on the sets of the show that I didn’t feel nervous at all,” she adds.
KBC 13 premiered on SET and Sony LIV app on 23 August with the first contestant Gyaan Raj from Ranchi (Jharkhand) who ended up winning Rs 3.2 lakh after failing to answer the 12th question for Rs 12.5 lakh. If Bundela gets the last question wrong, she will have to walk away with ____ (would you know how much she will lose in that case!!?)
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
