Gun survivor moves hearts on KBC
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Mumbai

Imphal, October 06 2013: It was an emotional moment on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) as Amitabh Bachchanmade an earnest appeal for a very special hot seat contestant.

The extraordinary story of Johnson Philem, a survivor of gun violence in Manipur, was so moving that it made even Big B have a lump in his throat.

The first part of the 'Doosra mauka' episode of the popular television game show which was telecast on Sony Entertainment Television (Sony TV) at 8:30 pm today, witnessed Johnson Philem, a 30-year old contestant from Moirang making his way to the hot seat.

Accompanying Johnson in the show was Deputy Editor of Aaj Tak, Sumit Awasthi.

To the end of the first part of the episode Johnson could win Rs 12.5 lakh.

The entire episode could not be telecast due to paucity of time.

The remaining part would be telecast next week.

During the show, Johnson revealed to Bachchan how he fell victim to a cross-firing when he was just 18 years.

The incident took place on 20th September, 1999.Johnson had planned to go out with his friends to celebrate when suddenly a cross firing took place.

Johnson tried to escape from the back gate of the restaurant when suddenly someone fired on him from behind and the bullet went in his back.

Due to delay in his operation his lower part of the body got totally paralyzed.

He added that he was in pain since 13-14 years, and he is now living on pain killers.

Johnson further revealed that due to the intake of pain killers, he is experiencing some major side effects such as memory loss, hair fall and sleepless nights.

It may be noted here that recalling about the tragic incident some years back, Johnson had written on the website of Control Arms Foundation of India, "A police firing incident in 1999 robbed me off my teens & my future.

One boy was killed & I along with another was wounded.

A bullet pierced through my spinal cord & I became paraplegic.

My dreams of becoming a doctor & a sportsman were shattered in an instant.

I became half dead and a burden, slowly squeezing the sop out of my family's life.

Later on I realized that the incident was the direct out fall of the deteriorating law & order situation in Manipur, my state in the North Eastern region of India.

Dozen others too were falling victims to it.

In many hill areas & other remote areas in Manipur, countless incidents of brutality happen.

Many young women lose their dignity.

People's life's savings are robbed everyday.

When going outside no one feels secure.

Every now and then my mother would call me up for my whereabouts.

So it's a burden to both of us.

Gun fights between security forces & insurgents, ambushes, bomb blasts & unwarranted killing have become the order of the day.

Fear psychosis loomed large in the minds of the people.

Common men become the target of security forces & insurgents.

We are living in a war zone.

What will happen everyday is uncertain and we are afraid to roam about freely lest we run into some security forces personnel or insurgents.

Hundreds are assaulted and tortured physically.

Wails of mothers and womenfolk fill the air.

Today life has become a hell!! .

The incident that happened to me 8 years ago (now its 14 years) has changed my life.

Now, I came to value my life and others more.

I love my mother and father more than before.

As instead of showing their love they are giving it to me by helping me in my daily life.

My brief description of the state of affairs in Manipur is just the tip of the iceberg.

Thousands of souls are weeping silently like my mother.

It is my appeal and prayer that the turmoil comes to an end for the sake of peace and humanity.

The need of the hour is to take up certain steps to curb the problem of armed violence which is spreading like a deadly virus today.

Supporting Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) can be the first step from us.

This can surely saves many lives.

And so, I appeal to the people of this country to support it whole-heartedly.

Please let us not take birth to yet another me Philem Johnson" .

After hearing the tragic story, Bachchan appealed to all the doctors to come forward and help Johnson.

He also promised to personally inquire and ask doctors about Johnson Philem's treatment.

Later during the show, when Bachchan asked Johnson about his favorite actress, he replied Anushka Sharma.

Big B was quick to connect the call to Anushka and Johnson smoothly asked her if she would go out for a coffee with him? Anuskha blushed but was quick to say yes.

Johnson also gifted B Big a Lengyan (a traditional scarf with Leirum design) and explained to him that it signifies symbolic coming together in a bond of friendship between those in Manipur that live in the hills and of those that live in the valley.

In an entry on his official blog a week ago, after shooting the episode with Johnson, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, "walking into the portals of the KBC extravaganza, the start of the day and my abode till late in the night ...and with the 'doosra mauka' contestant Johnson Philem from Manipur, wearing the scarf he gave to me, locally made signifying the symbolic coming together in a bond of friendship between those in Manipur that live in the hills and of those that live in the valley ...

it has now become that element of togetherness between Johnson and me ..

!!!" .

Big B also posted on Facebook, "A day at KBC with some interesting meetings with our contestants ...

particularly with Johnson Philem, a young man from Manipur, victim of a crossfire bullet in an operation, and now paralysed waist down ..

!! A brave young man, facing this tragedy in life, and determined to get better.

We did a 'doosra mauka' episode with him and gave him opportunity to win substantial money so he could pay for his expenses ...

Innocent victims of violence suffer the most ...

a sad day ...

but with the hope and prayer that matters will improve and that Philem shall recover fast ...

our prayers and good wishes with him ..." .

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