The Shillong Quizzing Society organised its flagship quizzing event – Quriosity – here on Saturday with over 320 participants competing as teams of two.
Dubbed the biggest quiz competition in the North East, the event drew in participants from Tura, Sohra, Jowai, Guwahati, Tezpur and Nalbari, not to mention Shillong.
Sayan Mazumder and Bishwayan Bhattacharjee from Guwahati Medical College clinched the grand prize of Rs 50,000, showcasing their exceptional knowledge and quizzing skills. The competition was fierce, with teams battling it out for the top honours and cash prizes.
The runners-up received Rs 25,000, while the third place finishers secured Rs 10,000. Consolation prizes of Rs 5,000 each were given to the fourth, fifth and sixth place finishers.
Anirban Paul, co-founder of the Shillong Quizzing Society, expressed his enthusiasm for the resurgence of quizzing culture in the state capital.
“Shillong has a storied past with vibrant quizzing activities, graced by legends like Derek O’Brien and Barry O’Brien. However, the last two decades saw a decline in this tradition. Through Quriosity, we aim to reignite the passion for quizzing, using it as a vehicle for awareness and making learning an enjoyable journey,” he said.
Arpit Nayak, another co-founder, emphasized the inclusive nature of their quizzing events.
“Our quizzes are designed for everyone, not just those deemed traditionally intelligent. Our motto, ‘Everyone knows something about everything,’ encapsulates our belief that anyone can enjoy quizzing. We strive to make it a fun, engaging activity rather than a serious competition,” he said.
Secretary to the state government, Cyril VD Diengdoh, was present on the occasion and said that this intellectual event had brought people together.
“Shillong has produced many great quizzers over the years. The Shillong Quizzing Society’s commitment to using quizzing as a tool for spreading awareness and fostering a love for learning is commendable. It’s wonderful to see how they are bringing the community together through this intellectual sport,”he stated.
