He came. He spoke Hindi. He became Mr India.
His name is SUNIL MANN (extreme right). These days, he is proud to call himself Grasim Mr India 2004.

His story is as simple as his background. A farmer's son from Ishwarhaveli in Haryana's Jhajjar district. A village that Mann says does not have cable television -- "only DD-1 and DD-2".

Mann nursed only one dream: to make it big as a model.

I don't have hobbies or interests. Interests are for those who are well settled. I was busy training myself. Everyone struggles with the world. I was struggling with myself. I had only one motto: to become a trendsetter.

I am the first farmer to have won the Grasim Mr India. I proved you can win the competition by speaking Hindi. I wanted to make my mark. I wanted to carve my name in history.

For some, the Grasim Mr India may be a title. For others, It may be a career. For me, it is a life.

In the picture: (from left) Second runner-up Piyush Vig;
First runner-up Prashant Raj Sachdev;
Grasim Mr India 2004 Sunil Mann.

Reportage: Sita Menon | Photographs: Jewella C Miranda

Also see: A Prayer for India

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