KBC16 contestant Nareshi Meena thanks Amitabh Bachchan for support in brain tumor treatment: ‘I feel free of responsibilities’

KBC 16 contestant Nareshi Meena said that her brain tumor treatment costs Rs 25-30 lakhs, an amount she "wouldn't be able to save in my lifetime". She attempted the Rs 1 crore question in the Amitabh Bachchan show.

Nareshi Meena with KBC 16 host Amitabh Bachchan. (Photo: Sony Entertainment Television)

Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 contestant Nareshi Meena, hailing from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, is the sole contestant to have reached the Rs 1 crore question, this season. She recently opened up about how it was like a dream come true for her to meet the quiz show’s host Amitabh Bachchan in person and sitting on the ‘hot seat’. Nareshi was diagnosed with brain tumour and she participated in the quiz show to win enough money to cover the expenses of her treatment. She revealed that Bachchan has taken the responsibility of handling the expenses of her treatment.

Talking to Hindustan Times, Nareshi said, “My purpose for coming to KBC was to recover the cost for proton therapy, but Big B sir said that he would be taking the responsibility of handling all the expenses for it. So I feel free from that responsibility. I had never imagined that this would happen, because I worked so hard for this…”

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“Earlier I had thought whether I could do some savings for handling the costs, but it is a huge amount for us, Rs 25- 30 lakhs, so I do not think I would be able to save that much in my lifetime. I had so many doubts about my checkup but all of that went away when, in a matter of a few seconds, Big B sir took the responsibility of my treatment. I was unable to believe that happened,” she added.

During the KBC 16 episode, she attempted the Rs 1 crore question but failed to answer it and went home with Rs 50 lakh. Here’s the question — “Whom did Leela Row Dayal beat to become the first Indian woman to win a singles match at the Wimbledon tennis championships?” The options were A. Lottie Dod B. Gladys Southwell C. May Sutton and D. Kitty Godfree. The correct answer was Gladys Southwell.

Nareshi, 27, works as a supervisor in the Women’s Empowerment Department. During the show, she also revealed that she has been diagnosed with brain tumor, and although she has been operated once she needs the expensive proton therapy. Her story made Amitabh Bachchan quite emotional on the show and he promised to try his best to support her expenses for the proton therapy. He said, “Mujhe aapka sahayak banna hai (I want to support you) and now whatever amount you win from the show will be yours. Be rest assured about your treatment.”

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