Renowned quizmaster Ajay Poonia will be conducting the OrissaPOST Mettle Meet for the second time. The young and exuberant Poonia often catches the contestants off guard with his sharp wit and humour. Precise, crisp and to-the-point questions are what endear Poonia to the hearts of viewers. His choice of words is enough to crack open the safe where the answer is hidden. Add to this unique talent, his presence of mind and elephantine memory has propelled him to the higher echelons of the quizzing fraternity in the country.
In a candid conversation with OrissaPOST, Poonia opens his heart out on his journey and the art of quizzing. Excerpts…
How different is Mettle Meet from other quiz events?
Well, firstly it has a unique structure. Hosting all top educational institutions of the state in four-member team format is difficult to manage, but it is accomplished very nicely. Also, the four-member team helps in showcasing the talent and smartness of a large number of students.
How would you rate the standard of quizzing in Odisha, or eastern India?
Well, in the last edition, I had prepared easy questions. That was in the backdrop of what I perceived about the intensity and preparation of the participants. But I realized I was wrong. The standard is quite high here.
How do you prepare the questions?
Framing the questions is an art. Because, it is very easy to prepare tough questions but what makes a quizmaster stand out is asking questions which are neither too easy nor too difficult. The questions must be prepared in such a manner that it hooks the participant.
What should be the correct method of preparation for a contestant?
Paying attention to the question holds the key. If someone fails to understand the question initially, he/she can get the clue by discussing with team members.
Are talent shows a threat to quiz competitions these days?
It is unfortunate that one type of skill set like dancing and singing is getting more attention than other skills like quizzing. Like dancers and singers, quizzers too work hard and need consistency to excel.
Any tips for the participants of Mettle Meet 2023?
I will suggest all the participants to read OrissaPOST for the clues because there are certain questions which I have picked from the newspaper. Importantly, just pay attention to all the questions.
How does quizzing help in the intellectual development of a child and foster team spirit?
When you appear competitive exams, you need to improve your general knowledge skills, and quizzing helps in gaining that knowledge. Also, if you participate in quizzes it improves your general awareness level and makes you an interesting person. It helps in improving your skills and capabilities. Quizzing fosters the art of working together and team spirit in the sense that if someone does not know the answer the other members are always there to help.
Your take on OrissaPOST?
OrissaPOST’s style of reporting has been spoken about for a long time and I’m glad that the newspaper started ‘Mettle Meet’ in 2016 to revive the art of quizzing in the state.