She could well be the only housewife in India who is not bothered by price rise. Rahat Taslim, who won the Rs.1 crore (Rs.10 million) jackpot in last year's "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (KBC), is today a contented homemaker who is following the show's host Amitabh Bachchan's advice of spending her money wisely.
To know how life has changed for the 38-year-old mother of two, this correspondent visited her home here and found that while she is surrounded by telltale signs of prosperity, she still remains a simple middle-class housewife at heart.
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Rahat, whose name literally means contentment, has proved to be true to her name (Photo: IANS)
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"I still buy the vegetables myself...but the tension of inflation has gone forever," she beams.
Taslim, whose husband Imtiaz Ahmad earned Rs.8,000 per month in his government job, created history last year by becoming the first woman to win the biggest prize in the game show.
After deducting the necessary taxes, she was gifted a cheque of Rs.70 lakh.
"One should go high but should not leave the ground," she says about the heady days.
Taslim still lives in her old home in Gaddi Mohalla, ignoring suggestions that she shift to a more upscale neighbourhood.
"Several people came with suggestions on how to spend the money, but we followed Amitabh Bachchan and (show producer) Siddartha Basu's advice on spending money very sensibly," Rahat said.
"We are constructing the first floor of our house and have renovated the groundfloor," she said.
She has furnished her home with marble and tiles, and also bought a sofa set and a dining table.
"We did not buy a car as there is no space in our house, and also because we do not feel the need. But when we find it is necessary, we will buy one as it is not a big deal now," she smiled.
Taslim is still doing the household chores herself and has not hired a maid.
Her husband Imtiyaz, meanwhile, has left his job at MMTC (Mineral and Metals Trading Corporation).
"I will soon start a textile business along with my husband," she explains.
Her children, Faisal Muazzam, Class 11 student, and Tazim Rahat, who is in Class 8, are still enrolled at their old BNS DAV School.
"This school is already the best one in Giridih and they are doing very well in their studies. My daughter especially has been an excellent student throughout her school life," a proud Taslim said.
Taslim, who badly wanted to be a doctor but could not pursue her dream for want of money, is focussed on being a teacher.
"I will do a B.Ed (bachelor in education) course and join the teaching profession. That apart, the tailoring and embroidery training, which I used to impart to the girls of my neighbourhood to earn money, now I will do it for free for needy women," she adds.
After her win, Taslim got at least three endorsement offers, but she turned them down. "If I had run after success, my family would have been ruined. All wishes of my life are getting fulfilled now, what more could I want," she said.
And what advice would she give to KBC aspirants?
"My father used to say, never follow the crowd and have faith in yourself," she said.
Rahat, whose name literally means contentment, has proved to be true to her name.
"Earlier, my family and friends called me by my nickname Rumi, but now they call me 'Rahat'. Even, my husband calls me Rahat now," she chuckled. - IANS
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