11-year-old Manya Chamoli in her own words “dislikes studies and homework; likes dogs, cooking and reading books “. Yet the latest feather in her cap — winning Rs 25 lakh in the Kaun Banega Crorepati Junior contest, proves her sharp intellectual and academic skills.
This Rs 25 lakh remains notion money for her till she is 18. However, once she turns 18, she will get this money with interest from her bank.
A student of Manav Mangal Smart School, Manya’s Principal Anila Kinder says, “She is an all-rounder, a good singer, dancer, good in oration and studies, and has been preparing for the KBC since she was in Class 2. Her mother tried to participate in 2018 in KBC but could not go beyond the fastest finger first stage. Now, in a way, the daughter has fulfilled the mother’s dream.”
Manya’s mother Archana Chamoli who is a freelance scriptwriter says she is a bright kid and doesn’t have to be pushed towards anything whether studies or current affairs or general knowledge. “She has won several Olympiads in the last couple of years and is naturally hooked to being aware of the world around us,” she says.
Manya’s father, Dr Vinay Chamoli is a professor at Maharaja Agrasen University in Baddi.
Manya by her own confession says, she would want to join the defence services once she grows up.
The episode was filled with self-bemoaning humour as when Amitabh Bachchan asked her about which breed of dog she would want to keep, Manya says, she would like to possess a dog which has her characteristics, her dad’s, and mom’s –”a Beagle, Labrador and a Rottweiler.” Upon hearing this the audience burst into laughter.
On another occasion during the show, Amitabh Bachchan asked Manya if she knew how to cook and Manya said, she will give the hint and he will have to name the dish that she likes to cook. And the hint that she dropped was: “I like to cook fried sizzled onions in Indian spices, mixed with flattened rice flakes, and garnished with groundnuts, coriander and a squeeze of lemon.” Mr Bachchan couldn’t guess until someone from the audience helped him that Manya was referring to poha.
