From PATNA to KBC: How Dr. Kalam Taught Me When to Step Aside

जो मुझे मिला, वही पर्याप्त था। जो उसके बाद मिला, वह अनमोल था।  (What I received was enough. What followed was priceless.) 

  

A year ago today, October 17th, 2024- I sat on the hot seat of Kaun Banega Crorepati and created history in an unexpected way.

 

 

                                      

After winning ₹6,40,000 and answering questions confidently, I made a request that surprised everyone: "सर, एक निवेदन है, मैं इस पड़ाव पर क्विट करना चाहूंगा। मैं चाहता हूं कि बाकी जो बचे हुए हैं, उनको मौका मिले।" (Sir, I would like to quit at this stage to give the remaining contestants a chance.)

Mr. Amitabh Bachchan's response will stay with me forever: "सर, हमने यह उदाहरण पहले कभी देखा नहीं। बहुत कुछ सीखने को मिला आपसे।." (Sir, we have never seen such an example before in 20+ years of KBC. We have learned a lot from you.)

 

A Special Moment I Shared on KBC

During the show, I recounted a cherished memory with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. When he mentioned traveling to Patna for a TIFAC agriculture project, I said, "Sir, Patna looks very special for you."

Intrigued, he asked why. I replied: "P for Prithvi, A for Akash, T for Trishul, N for Nag, A for Agni - your gift to the nation."

"Fantastic!!!" came his immediate reply with that unforgettable smile.

                  

From that moment, my journey with acronyms became a tool to inspire and create. Over the years at TIFAC and AICTE, I coined names for schemes that weren't just abbreviations, but carried meaning:

🎯 IDEA Lab - Idea Development, Evaluation & Application Lab

🌶️ SPICES - Scheme Promoting Interest, Creativity & Ethics among Students

🌄 GAINER - Grant for Augmenting Infrastructure in North Eastern Region

☕ CAFES - Campus Accommodation & Facilities Enhancing Social experience

🚀 YUVAK - Youth Undertaking Visit for Augmenting Knowledge

📚 e-KUMBH - e-Knowledge Unleashed in Multiple BHartiya languages

📡 AURA- Augmented Utilization of Research Assets

 

And to challenge conventional thinking:

📝 EXAM - Examining Xeroxing Ability of Mind

✅ TASK - Testing of Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

💡 CLAPS - Challenge-Led Accelerated Problem Solving

On KBC, I even shared my acronym for the show itself: KBC- Knowledge Brings Confidence. And for Mr. Bachchan: AMITABH - Amazing Minds Inspiring Thousands And Bringing Happiness

Big B humbly responded, "सर, इस लायक नहीं हूँ मैं।." (Sir, I'm not worthy of this.)

The Response Was Beyond Imagination

 

What followed was truly humbling:

📰 Media Coverage Across India: From India.com to Times Now, Pinkvilla to Bollywood Life, AajTak to regional outlets in Bengali, Hindi, and multiple languages - the story spread across the nation

 

📱 Social Media Explosion: Videos and reels went viral on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and WhatsApp - views running into lakhs, comments in hundreds

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBSSGhlp9jm/?hl=en
https://youtu.be/I-Sm4Y_pjHk?si=TAlWxPH7qqTcW8d4

https://www.facebook.com/rishalsmita/videos/2024-will-also-be-remembered-because-of-a-kbc-contestant-neeraj-saxena-kbc-corep/603329308748815/ 

💬 Messages That Touched My Heart: From corporate leaders to armed forces personnel, scientist colleagues to the academic fraternity, college friends to schoolmates, extended family to complete strangers - admirations poured in from across the country and even abroad

  
    

                                              

  

    

 

But This Decision Wasn't Made on That Stage

The seed was planted years ago during my stints at TIFAC and AICTE, where I witnessed:

- Talented students struggling to break into the mainstream

- Dedicated teachers working with limited resources

- Deserving institutions fighting for recognition

- The hunger for just ONE chance that could change trajectories

Working under Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam transformed my thinking. As I mentioned on the show, before working with him, I thought only of myself. After that experience, I began thinking on a larger scale - about the nation's progress, students' futures, and collective well-being.

 

The Universal Message That Resonated

People wrote saying this moment reminded them:

✓ To be satisfied with what they have at some point

✓ To relax, enjoy, and appreciate their journey

✓ To step aside and give others their moment

✓ That creating space for others is not losing, but multiplying opportunities

✓ That knowing when to quit while ahead is also a form of wisdom

 

A Year of Reflection

This wasn't about nobility or sacrifice. It was about recognizing:

- That I've had my share of opportunities

- That younger dreamers deserve their chance

- That satisfaction and ambition can coexist

- That true success is measured not just by what we win, but by what we enable others to achieve

To everyone who reached out, shared the story, or found meaning in that moment - THANK YOU! Your response validated what Dr. Kalam taught me: thinking beyond ourselves enriches us all.

As we move forward, may we all find the wisdom to recognize when we've had enough, the grace to step aside, and the joy in watching the next generation shine.

 

(In memory of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, whose vision continues to inspire us all.)

#KBC #KBC16 #ThrowbackThursday #GratitudePost #Leadership #CreateOpportunities #PayItForward #DrAPJAbdulKalam #TIFAC #AICTE #JISUniversity #KnowledgeBringsConfidence #Innovation #EducationForAll