New Delhi/Patna: Arnav V Raju of IIT Delhi claimed the top spot at the Lady Irwin College Crossword Contest, impressing both peers and organisers with his linguistic dexterity and puzzle-solving flair.
Organised by Extra C in collaboration with the student-led collective Team Eternal Phrases, the contest was held on the Lady Irwin College campus and attracted enthusiastic participation from institutions across Delhi. Arnav’s solo victory stood out as a display of razor-sharp thinking and command over vocabulary.
The host institution also left a strong imprint on the leaderboard. Sakshi and Simran of Lady Irwin College jointly secured the second prize, while their peers Riya and Payal claimed third place.
Adding gravitas to the event, Prof Rana Singh, Director of the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), addressed participants as Chief Guest. He praised the initiative for fostering intellectual curiosity and encouraged students to keep pushing the boundaries of creative thinking.
A highlight of the day was a crossword workshop led by acclaimed trainer Vinayak Ekbote, who engaged students in the subtleties of clue construction, grid design, and vocabulary enhancement. The session, interactive and lively, resonated strongly with the student audience.
The event’s seamless execution was credited to the spirited all-women organising team from Extra C—Unsa, Rohma, and Radhika—who managed everything from logistics to audience engagement. Faculty members Sapna Kumari, Dr Meenal Jain, and Prosenjit Roy offered crucial mentorship and support throughout.
Student Coordinator Sayti Samanta, along with teammate Zubiya Naaz, played a central role in steering the initiative. Their coordination efforts ensured the contest not only ran smoothly but also created a lasting impact.
