Indian-origin whiz kid wins BBC contest

June 11, 2010 08:50 pm | Updated 08:50 pm IST - London

Indian—origin maths whizz kid Arjun Rajyagor has been adjudged as the first winner of BBC’s Junior Apprentice, a show in which contestants compete in tasks to prove themselves worthy of a prize that will help them up the career ladder.

Arjun, 17, beat finalists Zoe Plummer, Tim Ankers and Kirsty Cleaver after a final task to market bottled water.

Arjun has won 25,000 pounds to launch his business career.

Lord Alan Sugar, an industrialist who hosted the widely watched television contest, said Arjun had “that natural business flair combined with intelligence” that “you can’t learn“.

“I know that Arjun is going to become the best at whatever he wants to do and I will be here for support all the way,” he added.

Arjun, who runs a computer repair company from his home, is completing his A—levels and has an offer to study engineering science at Oxford University.

He will receive his 25,000 pounds prize when he wants to take on a suitable venture.

"An amazing opportunity"

“It’s been an amazing opportunity and I can’t believe I’m the first Junior Apprentice,” he said.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would win when I first sent off that application form,” he added, “but now that I have, I couldn’t be more elated”.

The last task on the BBC1 show last night saw the teens create and market a brand of bottled water.

Arjun teamed up with Tim in a final task to create and market a bottled water.

Their ‘A Bottle Of Water’ brand beat ‘Drip Drop’, created by Zoe and Kirsty.

Arjun described his win as “mind—blowing” and his time on the show as “the most amazing experience of my life“.

The 25,000 pounds prize will be controlled by Lord Sugar and will be carefully handed out when brainbox Arjun wants to take on a suitable venture.

Lord Sugar said: “I was so impressed with all of the candidates — they were outstanding for their age — but there had to be just one winner, and Arjun has done himself and his family proud”.

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