"BINNACLE"

“Binnacle”—came the word bubbling through the mouth of Peter Sokolowski, the Editor-at-Large of the Merriam Webster Dictionary. I asked for the definition, asked for continuous repeats. Asked if it is “Bin-na-kel” or not. He agreed. I made up my mind to tell “B-i-n-n-a-c-l-e” but when, a sudden whim surrounded me; I don’t know with what spontaneity I uttered, “B-e-n-o-c-le”. Spontaneously came the reply, “The correct spelling is….” I closed my eyes in arrant disappointment, descended down the stage and took my seat. I was eliminated out of the remaining four contestants of the competition.

Paavan Agarwal, contestant no. 54, who had been sitting right next to me for the whole competition, came out as FIRST. Frankly speaking, I don’t remember the other names! It was only a week when I came out as 1^st from the east zone at Kolkata after competing with Kolkata and Patna. And it was a month ago when I came out as 2^nd from Siliguri. So fast these days have passed—now I sit and put down my thoughts, my delightful experiences on paper.

The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd at Delhi received DELL laptops each and a couple of thick dictionaries although every contestant was awarded a certificate of merit and a dictionary. The experience at Delhi was a great one; I met 54 students, different kinds of people and was really happy to have taken part in such a marvelous competition. It’s my first time at a close-to-national level competition and that I became 4^th was satisfying—but there’s still a “but”. I missed the laptop and moreover, 4^th was below my expectations. Anyway, better luck next time. Class XI will be an opportunity. So, that’s for today. Comment, my dear readers!