Prayer, Mann says, is an integral part of his family. His parents would visit temples every day so that he could win the competition. His sisters (he has five) fasted for him a week before the final competition. All this, despite the fact that they have no idea what the Grasim Mr India competition is about.
My family is so simple. So innocent. You cannot imagine how untouched they are. They don't realise the importance of this win. When I was crowned, villagers from the surrounding areas told my parents that their son had got full marks. So they are happy I have done something good. And they are proud of me, because I have done well in whatever I set out to do.
You know, my father told me this: I am a farmer. I will sell my property for you if that is what it takes for you to succeed. Do whatever you want to do, but do it with good intentions. Leave the rest to God.
Their prayers have been answered. God has sent some good people in my life. It wouldn't have worked if a bad person had blessed me.
Life is a whirl of shoots, meetings and dinners for Mann just now. He is not making any plans but to go home and to take each day as it comes. Later this year, he will represent India at the Mr International pageant at Ankara, Turkey. But before that:
I am off to Delhi after a dinner with (Grasim Chairman) Kumaramangalam Birla, some photoshoots, and a few appearances on MTV and Channel [V].
From Delhi I will finally go home. NDTV will accompany me from Delhi to my village. I can't tell you what going home now means to me. I can't express what I am feeling. I don't know what I will tell my parents when I get there. Maybe touch their feet and ask their blessings.
But yes, I will get my mother to make simple home-cooked food. After so long, I will have one subzi, a lassi or dahi and chapattis. And my sweet dish will be gud (jaggery).
I won Rs 3 lakhs as the prize for this title. I will gift my sisters some good saris or salwar kameezes. But the first thing I will do when I get home is present my mother with a gold necklace worth Rs 40,000. She has always wanted one.