KBC 18: Who is ‘world’s smallest doctor’ Ganesh Baraiah? From Rs 5 lakh circus offer to Amitabh Bachchan’s show

Stills from Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 (Pictures via SonyLiv)

Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 recently welcomed Ganesh Baraiah, popularly known as the "World's Smallest Doctor", to the hot seat. Hailing from Gorkhi village in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, Ganesh won admiration for his determination and inspiring life story while interacting with host Amitabh Bachchan.

Who is World's Smallest Doctor?

Standing at 3 feet 4 inches, Ganesh was diagnosed with dwarfism and has a 72 percent locomotor disability. Despite the challenges he faced while growing up, he remained focused on his education. He scored 87 percent in Class 12 and secured an All India Rank of 233 in NEET. However, his journey to becoming a doctor was far from easy, as he was initially denied admission to an MBBS course because of his disabilities.

Ganesh's school principal, Dalpat Katariya, played a crucial role in helping him pursue his dream. He supported Ganesh's fight against the decision, eventually helping him challenge it in court. The court ruled in Ganesh's favour, referring to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. This allowed him to pursue medical education and eventually become a doctor. He now works in the paediatrics department of a hospital in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

Ganesh Baraiah shares his story

During his KBC 18 appearance, Ganesh also recalled a deeply emotional incident from his childhood. He revealed that when he was in primary school, a group associated with a circus had approached his family and offered his father Rs 5 lakh in exchange for taking him with them.

Recalling how his father responded to the offer, Ganesh said, "Mere pita ne paise ke bajay padhayi ko chuna." His father chose his son's education over the money, a decision that eventually helped Ganesh build a career that defied the expectations of those around him.

On the show, Ganesh reached the hot seat after winning the Fastest Finger First challenge. He continued answering questions correctly until he reached the Rs 3 lakh question. By then, he had exhausted his lifeline.

The question featured pictures of the Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Meenakshi Temple and Charminar and asked him to identify which monument was located in the north of Gujarat. Unable to answer correctly, Ganesh's winnings dropped to Rs 25,000.

Although his KBC 18 journey ended sooner than he may have hoped, Ganesh's appearance was less about the prize money and more about the extraordinary journey that brought him to the hot seat. From overcoming discrimination in medical admissions to becoming a doctor, his story left a lasting impression on viewers and Amitabh Bachchan alike.