Cerebral contest

The excitement in the air was palpable as the three teams of finalists jockeyed for the top spot at the All Parsee General Knowledge Quiz 2008 on November 9, 2008 at the packed Rustom Baug Pavilion. In all 17 teams participated in the cerebral event organized by Rustom Baug’s Sir Ness Wadia Club, Rustom Jasoomoney, its president informed Parsiana in a write-up. An elimination round was held earlier on the same day and, after clearing a mentally taxing qualifying round, three teams representing the cream of the community’s talent remained in the field.

Meticulously researched and formulated by the sporting, well-read couple, Behram and Ruby Aderbad who put on their thinking caps and used their considerable knowledge to organize the brainstorming event, the questions were skillfully compiled and covered a vast array of topics ranging from the Zoroastrian religion, World War II, history, geography, science, sports and even a round dedicated to women along with an audio-visual round (see "Questions and answers,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, September 21, 2008). Earlier, the Aderbads had compiled the wildly successful Sports Quiz conducted by the Club in June 2007.

(Top): Winners with guests of honor and organizers of the All Parsee General Knowledge Quiz (Above): The Quiz in progress

Eight unique rounds entwining information, entertainment and questions kept the eager and knowledgeable audience enthralled. Monopoly Bawaji Style was the first of its kind, while the audio round became the highlight of the evening. The filmy element was catered for with an audiovisual Bollywood round. After a tantalizing oscillation of positions between the three teams, Team Sensex III (Arzaan Mistry, Shahzaad Sethna, Rohan Bokdawala) emerged victorious with 149 points followed closely by The LG Vultures (Ashdin Langrana, Cyrus Todiwalla, Delyar Langrana) who chalked up 145 points. Scoring 127 points, Team Flashy (Farhad Choksi, Eric Mehta, Homiyar Hathiram) came in third.

Sir Ness Wadia Club volunteers with Quiz masters Ruby (standing fourth from left) and Behram Aderbad (sitting, center)

Arash Shahriarian anchored the event, connecting well with the audience, remaining firm when he needed to be, handling his responsibility with élan. Commendable teamwork by Khushru Contractor, Nozer Sutaria, Behram Rabaddi, Hormuzd Mohta, Farokh Surti, Kernaz Mehta, Thrity Sethna, Shernaz Patel, Nazneen Engineer, Pearl Tirandaz, Kaizeen Todywalla and Syrin Marewalla contributed to the success of the Quiz event. Yazad Karai of Nyumark Entertainment provided the lights, projection, sound, music and photography, Jasoomoney’s write-up acknowledges.

During the half-time break the Club welcomed Rustom Baug’s first Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Yazdi Desai and his wife Anahita, who were chief guests at the event. The Desais were felicitated by Jasoomoney as well as by the Club’s vice presidents Hutoxi Doodhwala and Homiar Shroff. Godrej Dotivala, public relations officer of the BPP and his wife Havovi were also honored.

Among the generous sponsors were the Desais, Dinshaw Tamboly of the World Zoroastrian Organisation and Jimmy Mistry, BPP trustee and founder of Parsi Resource Group. The audience took home gifts thanks to the munificence of Shroff and Shahrukh Sanjana, Jasoomoney’s write-up reveals.