Fifty Is A Number, But A Significant One At That
Dear Fellow-Bhagavathas,
It is a matter of great satisfaction that our quiz ‘Trail Our Glorious Sampradaya’ is into its 50th edition. This has been made possible by the overwhelming enthusiasm and participation by the viewers. This significant milestone hopefully would spur us on further in our service.
I remember that a participant wished ‘Golden Jubilee’ for the website during a monthly function in the fledgling stages. I do not know if she meant the monthly quiz or the number of years. If it was the former, we are already there by the grace of the Divya Dhampathis and Swami Desika. In case the context was the latter, well, it is a long, long way to go.
For now, it may be said that the two monthly quiz programmes and the Weekly Paasuram Quest have made svdd.com synonymous with the term ‘quiz’.
The two principal aims of the website are: To present viewers, wherever they are, an opportunity to keep in touch with the happenings at the temple; and to provide a platform through contests on matters relating to our Sampradaya to enable them learn and express their understanding through participation.
Knowledge and learning feed off each other. A beautiful couplet from ThirukKural comes to the mind.
| தொட்டனைத்து ஊறும் மணல்கேணி -- மாந்தர்க்குக் | |
| கற்றனைத்து ஊறும் அறிவு. |
“Knowledge is like a sandspring. The more you dig and draw, the more excellent is the flow in a sandspring. Similarly, knowledge oozes in direct proportion to one’s learning.”
With this in mind, the contests have been designed to benefit participants of different orientation — those with rudimentary knowledge, reasonable knowledge and the well-versed.
The idea is there should be something to gain for everyone. The quest for the answers leads to intensive referencing and knowledge enrichment that could be much beyond the corridor of contests. Simply put, the search for answer to even one question may require the participants to refer to plenty of materials and result in ‘netting’ of quite a bit knowledge.
There are prizes aplenty on offer. Not that the participants eye them. On the contrary, from the feedback we get, they are keener to expand the horizon of knowledge on our tradition and philosophy. Just for the record, apart from the three monthly quiz prizes for excellence, an unlimited number of quarterly prizes of excellence for Paasuram Quest and annual prizes for mere participation in both the quizzes are being given.
The highlight of all these contests is the respective ‘Archives’ section. As for the ‘Golden Jubilee’ quiz, the 500 questions are quite some collection!
Of the other important features of the site, the Gallery section comprising video clippings and photos of the Uthsavams held at the temple is a very popular one. The Articles section that features a few series has been widely read too.
Looking forward to an enduring support and committed participation from you.
Meet you in the next Note.
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