Patna, July 29: Rajesh Singh is a Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) veteran. Why, you may ask.

Well, Singh had won Rs 3.2 lakh at KBC season 4 hosted by Amitabh Bachchan last year. This week, he became the first person to win Rs 1 crore at the Bhojpuri version of KBC, hosted by actor and parliamentarian Shatrughan Sinha.

The 34-year-old, who completed his education in Diraith village in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district and did not have it easy all his life, spoke to The Telegraph after his win.

On his struggle through life, Singh said: “Initially, it was really a tough time for me. I had to fund the marriage of my sister and brother but thanks to God, who gave me the power to face all sort of problems. It was the greatest day in my life when I won Rs 1 crore at the show. Even Shatrughan Sinha could not stop himself and tears rolled down his eyes when I answered the final question.”

The question that made Singh a crorepati: Which country won the first women’s hockey World Cup in 1974? If you find it difficult to arrive at the right answer, you are not alone.

Singh said: “The last question was really tough. Although I knew its answer, I was not confident. So, first, I used my phone-a-friend helpline to call my buddy in Vizag. He did not have an idea, so I took an audience poll. But then, only 10 per cent of the audience supported my answer, which was The Netherlands. Finally, I took my decision and locked my answer. At first, the expression on Shatruji’s face disappointed me, but then he said I had answered correctly.

“My mother Pushp Lata and aunt Kispati Singh were at the sets and hugged me after Shatruji announced I was the first one to win Rs 1 crore in Bhojpuri KBC,” said the winner.

To think Singh won the amount in a jiffy would again be wrong. It took him three days to reach his goal at the sets of the show in Calcutta.

“I was in Calcutta for three days. On the first day, I won Rs 20,000, on the second, Rs 50 lakh and finally Rs 1 crore on the third day.”

Singh, the son of a farmer and the eldest of three siblings, had to travel a long way to reach his crore.

The jackpot winner did his primary schooling from his village.

He shifted to banking sector although his dream was to be an engineer.

“My father could not afford a good school. So, I studied in an institution in my village and then passed Intermediate from Gorakhpur Jubilee Inter College. Later, I took admission in Gorakhpur University and graduated with 62 per cent in mathematics. At the same time, I used to help my father in farming.”

He added: “My father could not generate the fees required to study engineering. So, I shifted to banking. I joined the State Bank of India as a deputy manager in Ahmedabad. In 2009, I left the bank to join a private firm.”

On his preparation for Bhojpuri KBC, the veteran said: “You just need to read the newspaper and keep yourself updated about the recent developments. Nobody can win this game with planned preparation. I had to answer questions on Ramayana and Mahabharata. As I used to watch these two serials during my school days, I was able to answer them easily.”

Although Singh would have to forgo 33 per cent of his prize money as tax, to get Rs 67 lakh after the necessary formalities in two months, he is happy.

He plans to spend the money on the future of his two children and start a counselling centre for youngsters not sure about their career path.

“I will also give some money to my aunt and my relative, to whom I owe some money. I will use a part of the winning amount to clear my bank loans,” Singh said.