MUMBAI: Sushil Kumar, who won the equivalent of US$1,000,000 in the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire..., gave his first major interview since winning the prize to BBC Hindi.  The winner of Kaun Banega Crorepati... (KBC...) told BBC Hindi's Vineet Khare that listening to BBC Hindi contributed to his success.

Below is a selection of quotes from the interview.  Please credit BBC Hindi.

On BBC Hindi:

My father, grandfather, everyone listens to the BBC [Hindi].  BBC radio has been played at our home since childhood.  During the audition, I did mention that I am a BBC listener.  We didn't have a television at home and power cuts were frequent.  People in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar do discuss the BBC stories....

On the game and Amitabh Bachchan:

When I went on the hot seat, my biggest achievement was to sit opposite Amitabh Bachchan.  People in my city came to know of that.  When the KBC... team went to my city, the news spread everywhere....

When I had won a crore [US$200,000], I thought that was it and it was time to head home.  I thought, let's have a look at the question at least.  It was a mere formality.  But when I looked at the final question, it got me interested and I thought, if I could give it a little more attention, I may have the answer....

The questions were routine. Whoever regularly listens to the BBC, or reads magazines can perform well....

On how he felt, having won:

It's unbelievable. My life has changed, although I feel like the same person who has a simple lifestyle - who listens to the BBC at night, reads newspapers in the morning and spends his day in office....

I am staying in a grand hotel.  Earlier I used to stand at the gates of similar hotels and think that the charge for one-night stay over there would be equivalent to my two to three months' salary....

On how he'll spend the prize money:

I will be proud to give away a part of the prize money as tax as it would be more than the sum I could have earned in my lifetime. This is a matter of pride for me. I am very happy.  This may be something very small for the country, but for me it will be a big amount....

There are some small needs. I have to get my house constructed and help my brothers in their business....

I would like to spend the rest of the money on the education of poor children. I shall definitely do something for them as I come from a similar background. I have struggled for my education. I know a lot of bright kids, but their financial condition is such that they have to work in hotels. I wish to educate them or help them in their education....

On security and Bihar:

I am not worried.  Bihar has undergone a considerable change.  I am proud to be from Bihar.   I have seen how Bihar has changed.  I have experienced what it was in the past and what it is now.  There is peace here....

On his plans for the future:

For my Mumbai visit, I had bought a few clothes for around 500 rupees [US$10].  I will wear the same clothes when I go back.  I always wanted to prepare for civil services exams.  I will leave my present job and go to Delhi to prepare for the competition....