In an exhilarating encore, IIT Delhi triumphs at NICE 2023, retaining their title as the National Inter-College Crossword Expedition champions. Harshul Sagar and Arush Utkarsh, the dynamic duo from IIT Delhi, dazzled the audience at Delhi's Vasant Kunj with their cryptic crossword prowess. Their masterful performance not only secured their trophies but also a coveted prize of Rs 25,000. The competition was fierce, with Thanjavur's SASTRA University and Pune's FLAME University securing the second and first runner-up positions respectively.
Pinnacle of Puzzles: The Rise of NICE 2023
The resounding success of NICE 2023 echoes in the staggering participation of nearly 75,000 college students. This marks a significant surge from last year's count of 15,000 participants, indicating a resolute boom in the realm of online crosswords. The event spanned three stages across five zones in India, unveiling a cross-country contest that gripped the imagination of word enthusiasts nationwide.
A Battle of Brains: Journey to the Grand Finale
The path to the Grand Finale was paved with intellectual battles as 12 college teams engaged in a rigorous written preliminary round and an electrifying onstage G20 challenge. From this intense skirmish, the top nine contenders advanced, navigating through three riveting onstage quarter-finals. Ultimately, six teams emerged triumphant, earning their spots in the two fiercely fought semi-finals. The climax ensued with the three leading teams – IIT Delhi, SASTRA University, and FLAME University – converging to vie for the coveted championship trophy, crowning one team as the reigning National College Crossword Champion for a year.
Empowering Diversity: A Crossword Tapestry in Indian Languages
Beyond the allure of English crosswords, NICE harboured a grand vision – to nurture the potential of crosswords in Indian languages. Vivek Singh, the Development Commissioner of Bihar and the driving force behind NICE illuminated the intricate challenge of incorporating 'matras' (diacritics) into Indian scripts. These linguistic nuances render the creation and completion of regional crosswords, such as Hindi, Bengali, or Tamil, a formidable task. Unlike English grids, where individual blocks contain single vowels or consonants, Indian language crosswords require innovative solutions to accommodate digraphs (joint characters) that represent distinct sounds. Singh's impassioned plea resonates, urging young minds to innovate and fashion novel syntactical approaches, thus ensuring that the rich tapestry of Indian languages finds its voice in the world of crosswords.
Rising Trends: A Wordplay Renaissance in India
The escalating popularity of Mini Crosswords highlights India's burgeoning appetite for word games that foster intellectual camaraderie and spirited competition. This phenomenon reflects the nation's thirst for brainy challenges that transcend traditional norms. To embark on a journey of cerebral exhilaration, enthusiasts can join the pursuit of puzzling delight by following @iepuzzles on Instagram.
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