KBC 18: Tea seller’s daughter, who dreams of IFS, loses Rs 12 lakh on Komagata Maru question

On August 28, 2023, Pragati Dinesh Kalpekar from Amravati, Maharashtra, appeared on the popular Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. Pragati, a junior clerk at the Divisional Information Office, took the hot seat alongside her father, who runs a tea stall, and her younger brother. The family had journeyed from their small town to Mumbai for the opportunity to be on the show.

As Pragati's game progressed, she reached the Rs 12 lakh question, which dealt with the Komagata Maru incident. The question was: Who chartered the Komagata Maru in 1914 to challenge Canada's immigration restrictions? Among the given options, Pragati incorrectly chose Kartar Singh Sarabha, while the correct answer was Baba Gurdit Singh. Despite losing Rs 12 lakh on this question, Pragati's winnings were reduced to Rs 5 lakh, which was the amount she ultimately won on the show.

Growing up, Pragati faced financial difficulties as her family prioritized her education. She aspired to become a doctor but was unable to secure an MBBS seat, leading her to choose BDS instead. The disappointment of not achieving her initial dream of becoming a doctor made Pragati feel depressed. However, her younger brother provided crucial support during this challenging phase by motivating her to pursue other exams and eventually work towards her dream of becoming an IFS officer.