6 days ago

Kamya Punjabi Recalls Childhood Illness, Sacrifice and Family Responsibility

Kamya Punjabi said she was sick many times when she was a child.

Doctors later discovered that her food pipe was bent and that she needed surgery.

She stayed in the hospital for about a month and a half.

Her family did not have much money, so her mother sold her jewellery to pay for care.

Kamya remembered that her father cried beside her hospital bed.

When she grew older, Kamya began working and earned Rs 150 a day at exhibitions.

She gave money to her family to help pay for food and other needs.

She also helped her sisters study and supported her parents.

Later, a college fashion show helped her enter the entertainment industry and television.

Key facts

Childhood diagnosis: Kamya said doctors eventually found that her food pipe was bent and that she needed surgery.
Hospital stay: She recalled staying at Wadia Hospital for about a month and a half.
Other childhood illness: Kamya said she had contracted tuberculosis when awareness about the disease was limited, according to her.
Mother’s sacrifice: Her mother sold her mangalsutra, bangles, earrings and other jewellery to help fund treatment.
Early earnings: Kamya said she earned Rs 150 a day working at exhibition stalls after Class 12.
Family responsibilities: She said she helped educate her sisters, supported their marriages and continues to financially support her parents.
Entertainment entry: She was noticed by choreographer Ahmed Khan at an inter-college fashion show before moving from background dancing to television.

indianexpress.com · 6 days ago

NDTV · 6 days ago