A Versatile Quiz: Sunday Evening of Wit and Wonder

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.