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KBC16: Contestant Dr. Neeraj quits the game midway

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The recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 began with rollover contestant Ranveer Raghuvanshi, who had previously secured Rs 80,000. He proceeded to tackle the first question of the episode, aiming for Rs 1,60,000. The arch in the image was located on a highway that was proposed to connect which two cities? Lacking confidence in his answer, he opted for the 'Video Call A Friend' lifeline, but received no assistance. As a result, he used his final lifeline, 'Double Dip.' His first guess was Option A) Khartoum, Juba, which was incorrect. He then chose Option D) Jerusalem, Mecca, which was also wrong. Unfortunately, this led to Ranveer dropping down to Rs 10,000.

After Ranveer left the show, host Amitabh Bachchan proceeded with the Fastest Finger First round. Dr. Neeraj Saxena from Kolkata, West Bengal, emerged as the next contestant to take the hot seat. Before sitting down, Dr. Neeraj politely requested Big B to take his seat first, but they eventually agreed to sit down together. Dr. Neeraj works as a PRO Chancellor at JSI University in Kolkata and has also served as a scientist in the past.

Dr. Neeraj Saxena also shared that after completing his PhD, he began his career under the mentorship of former President of India and renowned scientist, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, whom he referred to as his "first boss." The episode featured some memorable photos of Dr. Neeraj alongside Dr. Kalam. Neeraj spoke fondly about how working with Dr. Kalam profoundly changed his outlook on life and shaped his perspective.


Dr Neeraj clears the first Padhav by giving all answers correctly and he faces the 'Super Sawaal'. In which Indian state will you find the Sri Venkateswara Temple In Tirupati? The contestant answers 'Andhra Pradesh' and wins the super power 'Dugnastraa'. He then faces the question for Rs 20,000. Which item belonging to Abhinav Bindra is housed in the Olympic Museum at Lausanne, Switzerland? Dr Neeraj correctly answers Option D) Rifle.



Big B asks Dr Saxena about his experience of working with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and he reveals whenever he visits all the young scientists, he would say 'low aim' is a crime, think big. He would inspire all the young scientists to think about the nation and not about themselves.

Dr. Neeraj Saxena recounted a memorable incident where he once told Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam that he believed Patna was his favorite city, given how frequently Dr. Kalam visited. In response, Dr. Kalam asked him what had led him to think that and he responded saying, "P for Prithvi, A for Akash, T for Trishul, N for Nag and A for Agni and all these were names of his missiles. Dr Saxena shares that Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was surprised and pleased with this and from thereon Dr Neeraj began his journey of making acronyms. He even reveals the full form of KBC - Knowledge Brings Confidence and also the full form of Amitabh - Amazing Minds Inspiring Thousands And Bringing Happiness. Mr Bachchan is left impressed with this talent of Dr Neeraj but humbly says, "Sir, iss layak nahi hoon main."

Moving ahead in the game, Dr Neeraj Saxena gets stuck at the question for Rs 80,000 and he takes the help of his lifeline, Audience Poll. In the Valmiki Ramayana, who asks Dasharatha to allow Lord Rama to come with him to protect his yagya from rakshasas? He goes with Option A) Rishi Vishwamita and it is the correct answer.

Next, he faces the question for Rs 1,60,000 and he uses his second lifeline 'Video Call A Friend'. Dick Schoof became the prime minister of which European country in 2024? He gets help from the video call and he answers Option B) Netherlands. He wins the amount. Host Big B reminds Dr Saxena that this is his last chance to use 'Dugnastraa'.

He reads the question for Rs 3,20,000 and Dr Saxena presses the buzzer for Dugnastraa. For this work in which discipline did Manjul Bhargava receive the Fermat Prize in 2011 and the Fields Medal in 2014? Dr Saxena selects Option A) Mathematics and he wins the bonus amount of Rs 3,20,000 along with the amount for the question,

In a surprising turn of events, Dr. Neeraj Saxena made an unprecedented decision during Kaun Banega Crorepati 16. He requested a favor from host Amitabh Bachchan, stating,He says, "Sir, ek nivedan hai main iss paidaan par quit karna chahunga. Main chahta hoon baaki joh bacche hue hain, unko mauka mile...Yahan sab humse chote hain..Joh prapt hai woh paryapat hai. (Sir, I would like to quit at this stage. I want to give the remaining contestants, who are younger than me, a chance... What I have gained is enough." His gesture marked the first time in this season that a contestant voluntarily stepped down for the benefit of others)"

Big B gets impressed by Dr Neeraj Saxena's sweet gesture for his co-contenders. The host says, "Sir, hum ne pehle kabhi ye udharan dekha nahi...This is your greatness and big heart and we got to learn a lot from you."

The studio audience erupted into a standing ovation as Mr. Bachchan addressed them, saying, "Hum apni janta ko batana chahte hain ke ye pehla avsar hai iss pure khel ke dauran, 20 se zyada varshon se ye chal raha hai, kisi contestant ne apne saathiyon ke liye ye game quit kiya ho." This heartfelt gesture by Dr. Neeraj Saxena left everyone in admiration, as he became the first contestant in over two decades of Kaun Banega Crorepati to quit the game for the sake of others.

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Dr Neeraj Saxena took home Rs 6, 40,000. After Dr Neeraj left the show, host Amitabh Bachchan played another Fastest Finger First round and Soniya Rijwani made it to the hot seat. She joined the show and her emotional story about her mother's struggles moved everyone into tears. Soniya takes online tuitions and they stay at an ashram. She reveals their father abandoned them as he did not want daughters.


She won Rs 3,20,000 in the game.

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