JOIN USSix teams, each consisting of two members, from schools in the City competed in the finals of the Limca Book of Records Quiz 2009 held at Baldwin’s Boys’ High school premises. Conducted by well-known quizmaster Derek O’ Brien, there was never a dull moment as he interacted both with the participating teams on stage as well as the school children from different classes who filled up the packed auditorium.
The schools, which made it to the final round to compete for a spot in the semi finals were Baldwin’s, Bishop Cottons, Carmel, St Joseph’s, St Paul’s and Vidya Niketan. With audio-visual aids and the quiz master’s keen sense of humour, there was a well-balanced mix of entertainment and excitement as the student strove to answer questions and make it to the national semi-finals where they will compete with
74 other schools.
Coming from a quiz background himself, Derek was no stranger to quiz competitions which were conducted in his home on a regular basis by his father Neil, a quizmaster in the 70s. “Quiz winners are not necessarily toppers in class or bookworms but kids who are aware of what’s happening around them and make an effort to develop and sustain their natural curiosity,” he said.
The questions were varied and ranged from topics on geography and art to history, sports films and other areas of general interest. Participants were tested on all kinds of subjects from the person who is credited with measuring Mount Everest to the etymological origin of the word ‘kebab’.
The winners were the team from St Paul’s School and the runners-up were the team from Bishop Cottons Boys’ School.
Deepak Kaul and Uma Jayakumar, who hold records in the Limca Book of Records for being the fastest saree draper and the fastest hair designer respectively, along with H M Kumar also a record holder in the Limca Book of Records for teaching typing in four hours and for having a special cross-hand typing style, presented the awards to the winners of the Bangalore city finals.