Review of the Margao Feb monthly by Assis Sequeira
The
February sun lingered, the heat pressing down and making us long for
cooler weather. Relief finally dawned as we stepped into the Hospicio’s
air conditioned auditorium, where the outside world seemed miles away.
The atmosphere shifted instantly from sultry discomfort to eager
anticipation, as all eyes turned toward the stage.
On
the stage or rather in front of the stage, the dynamic quizmaster
duo—Devika Shetty and Vilas Pavithran—were all set to orchestrate an
afternoon of intellectual excitement. Devika, with her trademark radiant
smile, welcomed the audience warmly, while Vilas, sporting his
mischievous grin, added a spark of playful energy. Together, they struck
a perfect balance: charm and wit, precision and humour.
The Quiz Experience
•
Range of Questions: The duo guided participants through a sweeping
journey of knowledge, from ancient civilizations to contemporary events.
Their incisive questions touched upon landmark historical moments,
cultural trivia, and fascinating nuggets of information that kept the
players on edge.
• Innovative Rounds: A particularly memorable
segment featured a world map, cleverly marked with the birth and death
locations of global personalities. Contestants had to connect the
dots—literally and figuratively—between geography and history, making
the round both challenging and visually engaging. Contrary to the slogan
‘Global is Local’ all the teams missed identifying the only Goan
featuring in the segment.
• Pounce Questions with a Twist:
Adding to the thrill, the pounce round came with a clever catch.
Contestants could opt for a clue, but at the cost of halving their
points. This rule tested not only knowledge but also strategy, forcing
participants to weigh risk against reward.
The
energy in the auditorium was palpable. Most questions sparked murmurs,
gasps, and bursts of applause. The quizmasters’ seamless coordination
and engaging style ensured that even though a few questions flew over my
head, I felt proud to be part of the intellectual challenge. Like all
SEQC contests, it was more a celebration of curiosity and fun learning.
As
the clock ticked relentlessly, time became the only adversary the duo
could not outwit. The much anticipated final round of twelve questions
had to be shelved, leaving the players with a bittersweet sense of
longing. Yet, the enthusiasm and joy generated throughout the quiz
ensured that it would be remembered not for what was missed, but for
what it delivered.
