Bhubaneswar: The fifth edition of Odisha’s biggest quizzing extravaganza, Orissa POST Mettle Meet-2023, got off to a spectacular start amid an overwhelming participation of students representing 69 premier educational institutions- in Junior and Senior Categories- of the state, at Hotel Swosti Premium here, Saturday.
16 teams from Odisha’s top educational institutions won the tough preliminary round battle and qualified for the finals to be held Sunday. The top eight teams each of Junior and Senior categories will battle it out to bag the prestigious trophy Sunday.
Welcoming the participants at the outset, Orissa POST Chief Executive Adyasha Satpathy said, “We thought of starting Mettle Meet because we realised quizzing needs more attention and wanted to give a platform to brainy minds, a chance to shine. I wish all the participants the best of luck and, wish to see you again in 2024.”
Editor of Orissa POST Tathagatha Satpathy said, “A slight amount of nervousness and stress is necessary for life. It will make you great human beings. Also, for me, all are winners here today, and hope this quizzing experience will help you in life.”
The venue was abuzz with activities since the early morning hours as batches of participants started pouring in from across the length and breadth of the state.
Many teams coming from as far as Rourkela in the north, Koraput down south to Sambalpur in the west endured the overnight travelling gruel to reach the venue on time to feel and witness their dream unfolding before their own eyes.
The quiz event began with the Junior round wherein eight teams were chosen for the Grand Finale. They include ODM Public School, Blessed Sacrament High School, Loyola School, DAV CDA, SAI International School, DAV Kalinganagar, DPS Rourkela, and DAV Pokhariput.
The preliminary for the Junior category was based on 35 questions with no negative marks with the rider benefit of double marks of 15 selected questions wherein the teams were sure of the answer.
In the Senior category, the leading teams who made their presence felt represented institutions of engineering, medicine, and other disciplines. The colleges which were selected for the Grand Finale include NIT Rourkela, IIT Bhubaneswar, XIM Bhubaneswar, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, National Law University of Odisha, Cuttack, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, VIMSAR Burla, and NISER.
Quiz wizard Ajay Poonia left no stones unturned to ensure that the budding talents lived every moment during the intense battle of nerve and wit.
Poonia said, “In comparison with 2019, I hoped participants to be better prepared and ready. I am happy and overwhelmed by the response of students.”
The questions posed at the Mettle Meet preliminary round ranged from diverse subjects relating to politics, sports, culture, international affairs, health, and others. The use of audio-visual questions by the quizmaster made the competition more interesting.