Miracle

 

The Moment when I tasted Miracle……..

After my 10^th grade I wished to take Humanities as main. But my parents forced me to take Bio Maths. I was not interested in that as a result I was not able to excel in the academics. But one thing I loved the most is Quizzing. I got that inspiration from one of my friends in the past. He used to win many competitions. I participated in competitions whenever I get chance but never won any. In my 11^th grade I participated I two major Quiz competition Aksharamuttam Quiz festival and Sapthathi Quiz conducted by school. But I got crushed out in the first round itself. I was really disappointed. I thought only one year is left for me. I need to win at least one competition next year. I decided to prepare early. During my vacation itself I started the preparation. I referred current affairs from newspaper daily. Also I learned from social media too.

During my 12^th grade, the expectation was very high. I have hope. More than the academics, I spend more time for the preparation of Quiz. Soon the first competition of the academic year started. In the school level competition I got first prize. I was really excited. I started my preparation for the Sub district competition. The whole day spend for this. During the Sub district competition I won 2^nd prize. I lost the 1^st prize in difference of one mark. But 1^st and 2^nd prize winners are qualified for the second round. I got cash prize of rupees 750. That was the first cash prize of my life. I was on cloud nine. The next round was after my semester exam. But didn’t give any importance to semester exam. I spend that time for preparation of Quiz. The winning hangover was still there in my head. Because this was the first time I am experiencing the taste of victory in Quiz. During the District level competition, there were 24 participants across the district. I was the only one who belongs to the science batch. Rest of them are from Humanities batch. The questions were very difficult. I was not able to perform well. I scored only 2 questions out of 25. I was the only one who scored below 25. I ended up the last. I was broken. I thought that all my efforts are in vain. Actually I was depressed. One week later the result of the semester exam came. I failed in 3 subject physics, chemistry and maths. But more than this failure the failure in Quiz hurt me the most.

Then came the Sapthathi Quiz conducted by our school. But luck was not in my side. I got disqualified. I was really depressed. It was almost the half of November. I don’t know if there is any competition. I thought that this is not written in my life book.

One day 3 students from a college came to our class. They said that they are conducting a Robotic Quiz and asked us to team up as a group with 3 members. I didn’t find it very surprising because I thought that this is a science quiz. I was really weak in it. I teamed up with my classmates Sidharth and Saraswanth. To my surprise the questions were current affairs only. I was able to do well. One week later when my class was in the Chemistry lab an announcement came saying that Aswin, Sidharth and Saraswanth should come to the office. I don’t know what was going on. We went to the office. The teacher who is in charge in Quiz Club told as that we have qualified for the next level of Robotic Quiz. That was very surprising for me. He said tomorrow you have competition at ACE College, so get ready. I still believed that there will be only science questions only. So I didn’t prepare.

The next day we went to that college. There were teams from 48 schools. There were 3 rounds. I thought that there will be only science question but every questions were current affairs only. The questions were very familiar. I learnt some of these questions in the past competitions. When the results came we were the toppers of the first round. We were thrilled. The second around was also very easy. Our school topped in that round also. We qualified for the final round. The excitement was really high. But in the final round I got really nervous. 6 teams qualified for the finals. The finals was held in a big stage with LED lights, cameras also a big audience in front. I have never experienced it before. We were not able to answer well. Some mistakes happened in between. At the final round we were in the 4^th position. Only 4 questions left. We answered wrong answer in the 1^st question. We pulled backed to the 5^th position. Now only 3 questions left. If we correct that 3 question we will be in the 2^nd position. I hoped that God will surely perform some miracles. The first 2 questions we said the right answer. We were in the 3^rd position now. Only one question left. They asked ‘What was the name of the operation which conducted the Balakot Air Strike in Pakisthan?’ Suddenly I thought I have learned this before. I had an answer. But not sure. Sidharth urged me to tell the answer. Whatever may happen I told the answer ‘Operation Bandar’. There was some silence. The Quiz master said ‘That’s the correct answer. ST.Mary’s came out for nowhere. That was a brilliant play.’ At that point I don’t know what to say. A pleasant feeling inside. We won the 2^nd prize. We may not able to win the 1^st prize but this prize is way beyond that. We got cash prize of Rupees 5000. One of the best moments of my life.

So many questions were asked which I learned in the past which I failed. At time I thought that everything that I learned is a big waste now. The thing that you learn is never a waste. It will surely be useful in the future. One of the best lessons which I learned from my life. Be hopeful because life may perform miracles at any point of your life.