Across my time at Christ University, I competed at the national level on the quizzing circuit and hosted events as a quizmaster through the Christ University Quiz Association (CUQA). It taught me how to read a room, think on my feet, and chase niche topics until they make sense, which are skills I still lean on in analytics and client work today.

Honestly, I started quizzing purely because I wanted a competitive outlet at uni. Having decided not to pursue sports competitively, I wasn't initially sure how I’d fare in a more academic arena. However, I knew I had a knack for absorbing random facts and recognizing patterns, and with Bangalore’s vibrant quizzing community right on our doorstep, it felt like the right fit.

It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. I lost my first few quizzes, picked up a few scattered wins, and eventually built the momentum to start winning consistently against the strongest teams in South India. Before long, I was stacking up hardware, scoring solid prize money, and traveling to different cities to represent the university and the School of Business at national fests. (Sadly, I don’t have a good photo of the trophies, so I'll have to grab one next time I’m back at my parents' place!)

As much as I enjoyed competing, I loved being a quizmaster just as much. Hosting gave me an excuse to share things I found fascinating, while researching themes outside my comfort zone, like art and history, pushed me to broaden my thinking. More than anything, quizzing introduced me to some of the sharpest people I know, and I still keep in touch with the mates I made on the circuit, even now that we’ve graduated and are scattered across different continents.

The habit definitely stuck with me after graduating. I became a regular on Bangalore's pub quiz scene and even ended up creating an advertisement for one of the city's biggest pub quizzing companies. Now that I’m in Auckland, I’ve kept the streak going by hitting up local pub trivia nights with my flatmates.

On the other side of the mic.

I ended up hosting some great quizzes across Christ University and its different deaneries, to the point where I was even invited back to host flagship quizzes at their national fests. Hosting helped me with public speaking and humour in front of big crowds, and I was even able to host a quiz for an auditorium filled with 1,500+ students.

Below is a set of questions I put together. If you want to give them a go, the answers are at the bottom of the page!

SWIPE OR SCROLL → · 4 QUESTIONS

QUESTION 01 · MARKETS

Veres Rivne became the first to launch an IPO in the Ukrainian stock market in 2021, the first Ukrainian IPO launch in 15 years. They operate in an industry you would not associate with the stock market, mainly because we know most of the ‘businesses’ in this industry to be either community owned or owned by private entities and their billionaire owners.

The first one to do this was a ‘company’ in London who eventually got themselves de-listed in January 2012, four months before one of their rivals became the best in Europe.

What industry or market are these ‘businesses’ operating in?

QUESTION 02 · HISTORY

The ‘X’ War marked the final phase of the conflict between Libya and Chad, earning its name from the mode of transportation used by Chadian forces. The war ended in a heavy Libyan defeat. The war began in 1983 when Libya, under Muammar Gaddafi, occupied northern Chad and backed the opposition GUNT to overthrow President Hissène Habré. France intervened with Operations Manta and Epervier, halting Libyan expansion at the 16th parallel in Chad's arid north.

Interestingly, there is also an Instagram page called the X’s of War highlighting the continued use of ‘X’ in Middle East wars and conflicts.

In NZ, you’ll probably see this mode of transportation on r/shitparkingofnz.

What is X?

QUESTION 03 · ART & SPORT

Arturo Di Modica is famous for the raging bull sculpture he made for Wall Street and for this sculpture of the stock market Bull and Bear for the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

However, in a completely different context where the bull and bear don’t represent contrasting positions, it would be more appropriate if it were placed in a different U.S. city, one that is no stranger to iconic statues and sculptures. You might have seen what I’m referring to on BoJack Horseman as well.

Which city? What context?

QUESTION 04 · DATA VIZ

This visualisation shows a famous artist’s evolution of self-portraits over his lifetime.

Who am I talking about? What “event” does the red circle indicate?