A 41-year-old vibrant and highly ambitious woman, Anamika Mazumdar, who runs an NGO, FAITH IN INDIA- Female Aura Initiated Towards Hope for her people of Jharkhand, Jamshedpur has created history on the most celebrated quiz show- 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' hosted by the dynamic Amitabh Bachchan. She has become the first contestant, female per se to win Rs 1 crore on the ninth season of the show, staying very true to her NGO's name 'Female Aura'. Tell her about this and she instantly says, “Now that you've said, I realise it is true to my organisation's name.” She has a bitter-sweet relationship with her husband and therefore finds solace in delivering help to the society. In a quick chat with mid-day, Anamika shares her moment of pride and why meeting Amitabh Bachchan is a Lifetime Achievement Award for her.

Anamika Mazumdar and Amitabh Bachchan

Excerpts from the interview:

How was it meeting megastar Amitabh Bachchan?
It was like a Lifetime Achievement Award. Not a heavy cheque but meeting sir was like winning an award.

What was your reaction when you learned that you've won Rs 1 crore?
I was teary-eyed and was trying my best to hold back my tears. Amitabh Bachchan sir was ecstatic with this win of mine and got off his chair in excitement. Then my husband and mother joined me on the floor. It was an unbelievable moment, just couldn't believe what was happening around.

Did anyone encourage or push you to go ahead for 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', or it was your own choice of playing this quiz game?
I was facing a drastic shortage of resources to fund my NGO. It was my own decision because I had no other option. One by one, a lot many people got associated with this NGO and with the tight budget we were allotted, it became difficult to run the organisation.

How easy or difficult was the process to make it up to the hot seat?
It's a very difficult and lengthy process. There are a number of people who dedicatedly work for KBC, and I'm very much inspired by the team's discipline. They coordinated everything very aptly. So, the process is such that firstly, you have to send in your answers to the questionnaire provided, based on which you'll be called for an audition, after which, if you get selected, you make it to the fastest finger first. This part is the most crucial aspect of the show after you crack this, your way to the hot seat is paved.