iQuizLeague

Day 1: PRELIMS

 

(Subhashree Srinivasan)

 

As we got down from the auto, both Sylvian Patrick and Vinod reached out for their wallets.

“I will pay”, said Vinod.

“Hey, it’s ok. No problem. I will pay.” offered Patrick

Both stuck out their hands and began a slight argument while I, like any other cheap minded Indian, was watching the whole thing without offering. As I lazily scanned the “Kalaivanar Arangam”, a banner hit my eye.

 

                                RADIO MIRCHI “CLASH OF CORPORATES”

                                                 OCTOBER 19, 20

 

                                             “Where Corporate is War”

 

That is when I realized that these guys misunderstood the message.

 

There was no possibility of a war. Absolutely no possibilities because a “war” needs people and the place was completely void and deserted when we entered. It was shocking and surprising because the event was conducted by a very popular radio team (or is that Chennai folks don’t want to go to college again?) – but then what do you say of a Biz Quiz that runs for two days (that too over a weekend?) – Spoilsport!!

We made ourselves comfortable near the canteen munching on the “desi” puffs when the quizzing people poured in. The quizzing event was started after little negotiations (ya, potpourri and quiz timings clashed).Vinod was natural when he handled the event and Sylvian took care of all the technical stuff. I was doing my job of prompting and observing (if at all it is called a job) and noticed that around 23 teams had made it to the place-some known and some unknown.

 

The prelims consisted of 25 easy and crackable questions with visuals, video and audio .The whole thing went on smooth. It was only after the prelims ended did we realize that there were participants who had been waiting outside and weren’t aware that the event had started because there was no announcement. The team apologized and another prelims round was held for these 5 teams in the “green room” (to make it simple-backstage). In another half an hour (the correction took time because everyone had written the answers in a notepad!!), the names of the 8 finalists were announced but we were not allowed to give out the answers because the Mirchi team wanted to “retain the crowd”. The quizzers eventually left after getting answers from us personally and the huge auditorium was almost empty again. We packed up for the day hoping that the next day finals would draw crowd.

 

I looked at my watch- 3.00 p.m. The guys got the message and we hit Spencer’s food court.

 

P.S.; I take this opportunity to thank the IQL team especially KN (who was invisibly visible) and of course the On-Stage Quizmasters, Sylvian (who left us awestruck), Vinod (who was left awestruck) and last but not least, our Off-Stage Quizmaster, Priyanka (again invisibly visible) for their efforts.