O’Brien, Bond cast spell at inter-school quiz

NEW DELHI - Derek O’Brien was back at his enthusiastic self amidst an enthralled audience as he fired questions at young contestants at the annual Puffin Quiz for school students in the capital Monday.

The ace quiz-master was accompanied by renowned author Ruskin Bond at the inter-school event where nearly 90 schools from the national capital region (NCR) participated.

This quiz is a classic example of how children’s literature still maintains its charm and popularity. Even though television and virtual gaming are a craze, books can never be behind, Sudeshna Shome Ghosh, editorial director of Puffin publishing house, told IANS.

Delhi has always been a very good audience. I think the enthusiasm is exceptional, though I am not sure if kids back in Kolkata would really like me after saying this, O’Brien quipped, as he kept sharing anecdotes.

The prizes included laptops, i-pods and books sponsored by an online books sales firm and publishing house Penguin.

It was not just a lifetime experience for the participants, but also the audience from different schools of Delhi. The audience thronged the stage to meet Bond after the event.

I am disappointed because my school team could not perform well, but meeting Ruskin Bond just changed my mood. I shook hands with him, and I am going to tell this to all my friends, said Pragati Balayogee, a Class 8 student from G.D. Salwan Public School.

Milind Alokjee, 16, and Samarendra Narayan, 17, from Gyan Bharti School won the quiz. Host school Sardar Patel Vidyalaya was second.