Kolkata, 19th April, 2011: ‘Kaho What’s Your Idea’, a National inter-school skills fest, conceptualized by IDEA Cellular, came to a grand closure in Kolkata. The unique program aimed at developing relevant skill sets among school children beyond just academics, concluded at a fun-filled and exciting event here today.

Aftab Ashraf Chitalwala from Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai was declared the Champion of Kaho What’s Your Idea Season 1, and was felicitated by Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular.

Ten Semifinalists selected from amongst 200,000 children from 3,000 schools across 100 cities clashed in a battled of wits and intelligence in the unique contest conducted by Quiz Master Derek O’Brien. Winner Aftab Ashraf Chitalwala won a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 from Idea and Runner Up Sashwat Nitin Sinai Salgaonkar from Mushtifund High School, Goa and walked away with Rs. 50,000. Other 8 finalists and semifinalists also won cash prizes from Idea.  

Felicitating the winners in the city, Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, IDEA Cellular said, “I congratulate the winner and all 200,000 school children from across the nation who participated in Kaho What’s Your Idea challenge. Idea is happy to provide a platform to the children of our country for honing skills beyond academics, and giving them an opportunity to speak their mind and test themselves in a holistic manner, for building a better future. Idea is the first telecom brand to reach out to children with Kaho What’s Your Idea, and we hope to build the property further, in the coming years.”

Idea, through the ‘Kaho What’s Your Idea’ initiative, began a movement focused at developing school children’s all round personality, engaging them in activities which promote Logical thinking; Weaving a story; Application of Memory skills and Real-Life skills; besides honing their General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The program was open for students of Standard 8th to 12th, and the jury comprised of Principals, Counselors, and Teachers from across the country.

The conclusion of this first-of-its-kind national school connect program, which began in September 2010, saw an entertaining and lively mock session conducted by the country’s leading Quiz programmer and Host, Derek O’Brien.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Derek O’Brien said, “The experience of hosting Kaho What’s Your Idea in 3,000 schools covering over 2 lakh children has been overwhelming. Schools, Parents and Children have realized the need for holistic personality development and have whole heartedly supported and participated in this unique national program conducted by Idea.”

With this pioneering effort, Idea became the first brand in the telecom category to focus on building brand awareness amongst this nascent and high potential segment. Idea has realized the potential in the Indian youth and created this engagement program to target this segment, just before they step into the crucial decision making age of 15-18 years, with the new national inter-school skills fest.

The preliminary city contests comprised of rounds like Instant Recharge, Talk Time, Memory card, Key pad locked and Speed Dial which were specially designed by counselors, principals and faculty from different schools and institutes from the country.

About IDEA Cellular Ltd

IDEA Cellular is India’s 3rd largest national mobile operator, with over 89 million subscribers. With traffic in excess of a billion minutes a day, Idea ranks among the Top 10 country operators in the world. Using the latest in technology, Idea provides world-class service delivery through the most extensive network of customer touch points. Idea is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

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