IT’S TIME TO GO-GREEN: Brain Jam Quiz 2009

Guwahati, Ayg 29: One needs just to look around to realize what harm we have committed to ourselves!!

By jetting all those obnoxious gases into our sky, releasing all those toxic chemicals into our river streams and reducing the lush forests, mountains and hillocks to barren lands and mounds, we have so destroyed the planet that even the worst enemy of mankind would not be able to do.

It is a known fact that the climate is undergoing a drastic change. Farmers are crying about it, animals dying, environmentalists anxious and intellectuals screaming. We the people cannot be oblivious to the matter and just sleep over it! The threat of global warming is assuming a huge proportion and our apathy to matters not concerning ‘us-directly’ is actually compounding the problem manifold...…

Are we therefore actually turning our backs to a raging catastrophe???

The problem has not crept overnight. It is 30 years since scientists first warned about the diverse affects of climate change. If not now then when do we ring the alarm bells to wake up to the call of the moment?

Perhaps the time is of introspection and promise to ourselves to do our possible bit before it’s too late!!!

Brain Jam Open Quiz conceived in 2005 by ‘Priya communication’ has been addressing such socio-economic issues of importance every time. It is organized in the loving memory of Ram Gopal Khanna, a World War II veteran who fought for his country with the hope and vision that there is a better tomorrow for the future generation. This optimism is what the quiz has endeavoured to spread by juxtaposing awareness with entertainment. This time global warming will be at the centre as the theme of the quiz which will be conducted once again by none other than Barry O’ Brien the worthy successor of Neil O’ Brien the ‘father of quizzing’ who has a huge fan-following in the North East.

It will perhaps not be irrelevant to mention a little about the genesis of the ‘Quiz-Cult’ started by the legendary Neil O’ Brien. In 1966 on holiday in UK Neil O’ Brien discovered the delight of radio quiz shows. Back home in Kolkata, the entertainment committee of Parish Club was looking for something novel and quizzing fitted the bill. Thus the first open live quiz was conducted in 1967 and the winners were treated to ducks and beer. The heat gained momentum when it shifted to Dalhousie Institute in 1970 and from then on, there’s been no looking back. Today you have Barry O’ Brien carrying the legacy of his father forward and helping spread the message and the good work. This region too boasts of its own Quiz-Masters – Prof. Dilip Kumar Barua along with the likes of Dr. Amarjyoti Choudhury and Robin Kalita. Present Quiz-Masters include Dr. Abhijit Hazarika, Sailen Biaishya, Monimugdha Sharmah, Abra Das and many others who have carried the baton forward.

The man behind the monumental success of the series of events, Anoop Khanna is exhilarated by the tremendous response the show has received. This is an event which attracts people from all walks of life and hence it is only a natural corollary that the Guwahatians are given an opportunity to root for the cause of a green world. “An issue which calls for action as the need of the hour cannot be ignored by our quizzing activities also. We will be displaying various facts and figures which will inform and equip people better to understand the danger that looms over us.” What better way for us Guwahatians than the 360 degrees of interrogation that this platform offers to join the fight for the noble cause?

Are you aware that each year more than 200 teams register for the preliminary round which is an evidence of the enormous hunger for quiz in this part of the country? The event has already created its own mark in the calendar and the regular quiz buffs await it with great expectations. The quiz has always come up with something novel to offer to the people who have made it such a grand success every time.

The sponsors of the event have always acknowledged the efforts of the people by offering a spread of prizes for the participants and the audience. The 2008 winners ‘Usual Suspects’ – Amrit Pritam Chetia and Bidyut Bailung from Assam Engineering College walked away with a package trip to Thailand. This year, it is a trip to Malaysia sponsored by Sona Bath Fittings that will go in the booty of the winners. Indian Oil the main sponsor along with Assam Tribune, SBI, NEWS LIVE, LICI, Hotel Landmark, Fast Track, Bnas and www.northeasttribune have all joined their hands in making the Indian Oil golden Jubilee Brain Jam Quiz a magnificent show. The organizers await the event with the same pulsating heart as the quizzers of the region do.

The quiz is open to all. Anyone in pairs of two can participate – grandfather-grandson, Husband-wife, sisters, friends, foes!!! The event invites one and all to come and regale in the fun packed INFOTAINMENT and also take a pledge to make our mother Earth-a better place to live in.

Folks! Before leaving for the evening do not forget to turn off the electric switches, appliances and water taps. For unitedly we are all going to GO GREEN.