The annual Patna Mind Fest, an event designed to stimulate intellectual growth and promote a culture of study and competitiveness, commenced on Saturday at the Bihar Museum, Patna. The two-day festival is jointly organized by the IAS Officers Association (Bihar Branch), Bihar Museum, and Extra-C.

The event was inaugurated by RERA-Bihar Chairman Sri Vivek Kumar Singh and former Bihar Chief Secretary Sri Tripurari Sharan, along with MGNREGA Director Sri Rahul Kumar and Commissioner Sri Sanjay Kumar.

In his opening remarks, Chief Guest Sri Tripurari Sharan emphasized the importance of such events, stating, "The Patna Mind Fest serves as a gauge of Bihar residents' aggregate intelligence." He encouraged students to participate, drawing parallels to his experiences at IIT Delhi in the 1970s.

Sri Vivek Singh, known for his passion for crossword puzzles, highlighted the festival's role in nurturing talent. "We have started a series of Mind Fests to promote quizzing culture in Bihar and establish a pool of talent that could compete with those at Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, etc.," he said.

Day One of the festival saw enthusiastic participation across various competitions:

India Quiz: 134 teams competed, with Team Rosogolla Revolutionaries clinching the top spot, followed by Team Tihar To Bihar and The Group Experiencing Faiz.

Cryptic Crossword: 165 participants tackled 27 puzzles across school, college, and open categories. Notable winners include Ankush Raj from Red Rose School, Deoghar in the school category, and Vandita Vidisha from Miranda House in the college category.

Word Bee: 111 contestants showcased their word skills, with Team Rosogolla Revolutionaries again securing first place.

The second day of the festival is set to feature a creative writing competition, a general quiz, and a press conference.

The Patna Mind Fest continues to serve as a platform for Bihar's youth to demonstrate their intellectual prowess and competitive spirit, reinforcing the state's reputation as a land of wisdom and talent.