In India, quizzing is equal to a sport. Whether watching in-person or on TV, locals gather to witness nail-biting competitions based on knowledge, skill and speed.
While quizzing began as a mere hobby for 20-year-old Athith Krishna, one quiz contest – the TI India Science and Technology quiz – helped open doors for him to attend Cornell University on a full ride scholarship.
Athith and his close friend, Subham Nandy, were in fourth grade when they teamed up for their first quizzing competition. After their first win, the two were inseparable – regularly competing in quizzes and taking on increasingly challenging competitions through high school.
In 2009, Athith and Subham tested their skills as competitors in the TI India Science and Technology quiz – a contest that differentiates itself by focusing on both science and technology. The annual quiz features regional rounds across the country and culminates in one, national showdown. It has become one of India’s most prestigious quizzes for school children.
“While most quizzes explore what, when and where, the TI quiz stresses more on why and how,” said Ochintya Sharma, TI India Science and Technology quizmaster. “We want children to build a spirit of inquiry and curiosity.”
Athith and Subham took the contest by storm in 2009, winning the regional round in Bangalore and going on to defeat the then-reigning champions.
“I remember when we first won in 2009, most people thought we had gotten lucky,” Athith said. “Then we won again the next year, and people realized, ‘Oh, they really are good!’”
Athith and Subham weren’t just good, they were unparalleled in the quizzing circuit. In fact, as a team, he and Subham never lost a science and technology quiz.
When it came time for Athith to apply for colleges, he listed his back-to-back victories in the TI quiz on every college application he submitted. He was recognized as a Times Scholar, awarded by The Times of India, and was one of 20 nationwide winners in India who received a college scholarship. Then, toward the end of his last year of high school, Athith was selected as a Cornell University Tata Scholar, which covered 100 percent of his tuition needs.
“Winning the TI quiz two years in a row helped me to stand out above the rest on my college applications and boosted my resume to a very high level,” said Athith. “I am sure that the TI quiz was one of the main reasons I received a scholarship at Cornell.”
Although the idea of attending college halfway across the world was daunting at first, Athith knew he couldn’t turn down the opportunity. As a high schooler, he couldn’t have imagined where his passion for science and technology and thirst for competition would take him. The physical prize for winning our India quiz that first year was a TI-Nspire™ CX handheld. But the real prize was where the competition – and his new calculator – helped lead him – a double-major in electrical and computer engineering at Cornell. And he still uses his TI calculator every day.
“The TI India quiz aims to nurture India’s future generations like Athith,” said Ashwin Kamath, a TI design engineer who spearheaded this year’s quiz. “We want students to see TI as a fun place where cutting edge innovation is encouraged. High school is a crucial time when students make a choice about their careers, and we hope the TI quiz encourages students to consider science and technology as a career option.”
The level of competition associated with the quiz heightens each year. Twelve years ago, the quiz began in one city. This year, the quiz reached students in seven cities across India. As more cities and schools ask for the opportunity for their students to participate in the quiz, TI hopes to encourage science and technology education across a wider array of students, giving them the opportunity to gain knowledge outside of their textbooks.
“The world around us is complex and changing at a rate faster than you can imagine,” said Sanjay Bhan, TI India HR director. “We believe the TI Science and Technology Quiz will go a long way in triggering the imaginations of our future generations with STEM.”
On December 5, the 12th annual TI India Science and Technology quiz wrapped up, with this year’s winners being R.K. Puram represented by Sagnik Anupam and Kabir Goel from Delhi Public School.
R.K. and Sagnik hope to follow in the footsteps of Athith, who is currently participating in an engineering co-op program, gaining real-world experience at a start-up in Denver. He’ll return to Cornell next semester, where he plans to finish out his degree over the next three semesters. After college, Athith is interested in pursuing a career in electrical engineering or academia. Subham was offered an opportunity to attend Emory University. Bound by their glory days as quizzing victors and their love for science and technology, Subham and Athith remain close friends.
For complete results from this year’s competition, please click here.