The “Battle of Minds – Indian Army Quiz 2023” has been won by the team of Ashwani Kumar, Swasti Gupta and Mankala Harish from St. John’s School BLW, Varanasi, and crowned as champions in the finale of this national quiz held in New Delhi on Dec 3. Sunbeam School Lahartara, Varanasi, and St Anthony’s Senor Secondary School Udaipur bagged second and third spot in the quiz competition. The other three teams who competed in the finals were Teja Vidyalaya Kolad, De Paul Shool Vizag, and Army Public School Hisar.
The winners were given a combined cash prize of Rs 5.25 lakh, laptop, certificates and the school a 12-seater school bus besides the trophy. The finale coinciding with commemoration of the 25th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil War, at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi, was graced by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as the Chief Guest. He, along with General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff and Mrs. Archana Pande, President, Army Wives Welfare Association felicitated the winners. Prizes for the participants included cash awards, certificates, tablets and a mini school bus to the winning team.
In all 32,441 schools had registered for the Quiz that began in August this year. The competition comprised of online and offline rounds, including quarter and semi-finals, held across the length and breadth of India. Quarter Finals were conducted at 12 locations nationwide extending from Srinagar in the North to Bengaluru in the South and Narangi, Guwahati in the East to Kota in the West. Command level semi-finals were conducted in Srinagar, Chandimandir, Kota, Dehradun, Chennai, and Shillong. Top 12 teams were eventually progressive for participation in the finals
Speaking at the finale, General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff expressed his delight and pride in the event’s success, underscoring the Indian Army’s commitment to nurturing intellectual growth and leadership among the youth. The event will also motivate bright young students to take up Army as a career option.
In his address, Rajeev Chandrasekhar thanked Indian Army for such an event outreaching to students, who are custodians of future India and battling of minds is certainly is tune with times and the world we are living in as mind is far bigger asset in winning battles in any field from intellectual, trade, economic or military, the Army has chosen the right title for this. “I congratulate the winners and other participants. As symbolized by its poignant logo, this visionary stride honours the spirit of the victory in the Kargil War and cements the Indian Army’s commitment to a future where unity, knowledge, and curiosity converge – further reinforcing a sense of commitment towards a strong, progressive and united India.” he said.
