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| (From top) Sharad Vivek Sagar, founder, chairperson of We Aim High, conducts the Dexterity 2011 quiz, rock band Dan Bite performs at the event, students take part in the cultural programme organised at the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir in Patna. Pictures by Ashok Sinha |
Global warming has alarmed governments and people across the world and goaded them into organising summits and taking pledges to protect the green planet. Youths in the city, too, have discovered innovative means to promote the green cause.
On May 16, city-based students’ body We Aim High organised Dexterity, 2011 — a mega quiz fest with the theme “Youth and sustainable development”. At the vibrant event, students from 11 schools, displayed spontaneity and intelligence, not only in quizzing but a number of other activities like advertising, poster making and dance.
“Dexterity, 2011, is a platform for students to know each other and interact on issues that affect the world today, specially the environment,” said 17-year-old Sharad Vivek Sagar, the chairman of We Aim High.
The annual event has been organised every year since 2008.
The youth, who was also the quizmaster, added: “Youths have to play a pivotal role in raising these issues and bringing them to the fore.”
Sharad is not the only one in Patna who believes in the responsibility and the role of youths in society. Not only students from the city but also youths from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, took part in the event.
They answered questions on a plethora of subjects, including literature, sports, history, business world and music.
“Quizzing, I think, is a very interactive way to spread awareness and generate interest among students,” said Sharad, who formed We Aim High in 2006, when he was only 13.
He added: “Once people become aware of something, they automatically take part in it.”
Teams for the final round of the quiz were selected through a written preliminary round. Six teams made it to the final event, and after a number of closely contested rounds, International School, CBSE, lifted the trophy.
Subodh Kant Chaturvedi and Gaurav Hazra, both Class XII students, were declared the winners.
“We were enthusiastic about taking part in this grand event, as it has been organised for and by students. In the final round, our victory was ensured once questions related to music came our way. It is our forte and hence we did very well. We were elated when declared the winners of Dexterity Quiz,” said Subodh.
Adults, too, were equally enthusiastic about the event.
Manish Kumar, a former IIT student and director of Nirman Classes, said: “Such events are common in IITs but it is great to see school kids plan such events.”
“It is also a learning process for them, and boosts their confidence,” added Manish, also a sponsor of the event.
Menon said all responsible citizens should come forward to encourage the youths to fight for global causes.
“Youngsters in the city are multi-talented and bubbling with energy. All they need is a good platform. Through hard work, they try to raise concerns about various issues,” said Monica Menon, English teacher of St Dominic Savio’s High School.
Such praise from a teacher is rare but when youths find innovative ways to take up global causes, how can anyone not shower them with praises.
If the quiz was a real test of students’ general knowledge and intelligence quotient, another programme titled “Endurance” tested their oratory skills, spontaneity and presence of mind.
The eliminations in this round could give any reality TV show a run for its money.
Of course, no youth festival can be complete without the token performance of a music band. Calcutta-based rock band, Dan Bite, took to the stage after the competitive events were over.
Excited about performing in the city for the first time, members of the band were also upbeat about the fest. They sang all-time favourite songs like Summer of ’69, as well as a number of popular Bollywood and Indipop numbers.
“The loud cheers and rounds of applause in the auditorium spoke volumes of the high-voltage energy the participants exuded. We are happy to be a part of this event and would love to perform in the city again,” said Abir Bharati, the guitarist of Dan Bite.
Dexterity also conducts an online quiz on Facebook — their page on the social networking site has followers in at least 20 countries.
“Online quizzing is a lot of fun, where the participant needs to have really good general knowledge and presence of mind,” said Barsa, another young environment enthusiast who is also a member of the We Aim High core committee.
