Tata group launches "Tata Crucible - the business quiz"

Mumbai: This year, which is the death centenary of JN Tata and the birth centenaries of JRD Tata and Naval Tata, is an important year in the calendar of the Tata group.

Over the past 100 years, the Tatas have invested in industries and worked in areas, which have been of specific importance to nation building and industrial development. This has been done upholding the values cherished by the group — innovation, leadership, trust, and fair play to name a few. The year 2004 is being seen by the Tatas as the "Century of Trust". To commemorate this year, the Group has planned a host of initiatives. One such initiative is 'Tata Crucible — The Business Quiz'.

The quiz is on two tracks. First, it is aimed at the employees of the group and the second at the corporate world at large and companies other than the Tata group.

It is probably the largest intra-group business quiz in India, reaching out to the employees of over 80 companies, and held at various cities of India — Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore

It is a 'winner takes all' quiz with the winner walking away with Rs2 lakh as cash prize and a host of other attractive prizes. Unlike other quiz shows, it is a multi-media based set up and would be developed on VB with extremely interactive rounds, thereby taking Indian quizzing beyond the power point.

The quiz, to be conducted in major metros across India, has already started the regional rounds for the two tracks kicking off from Jamshedpur on June 26, 2004 where 150 Tata teams had participated. It will culminate in a grand finale on August 1, 2004 to be held in Mumbai. The quiz will also underline the role played by the Tata Group in its quest for nurturing and growing business excellence, leadership, team play and entrepreneurship.

Hosted by quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam, 'Tata Crucible — The Business Quiz', will cover a wide canvas of subjects from business houses to brands, business history, people to products, from business fundas to fundamentals, from creators of wealth to architects of scams, from Wall Street to Dalal Street, and Manhattan to Chandni Chowk. In short it's all about the world of business.

Says Romit Chaterji, vice president, corporate affairs, Tata Services, "For over one 100 years, the Tata Group has been synonymous with pioneering initiatives focussed towards nation-building. The group has been a role model for the business community in these 100 years. From steel to power, aviation to automobiles and from textile to technology, it has been at the very core of Indian industry. Building people, products and business ethics that have inspired several other companies and business practices in India."

He adds, "Nationwide, quizzing has become a cult phenomenon and while there are many such properties for students and the children, there are not many properties for the corporate world at large. Recognising the untapped potential and to bridge this gap, the Tata Group has decided to launch 'Tata Crucible — The Business Quiz'. Bringing together India's finest business minds, to take the heat of the toughest business quiz in India. It is also our aim to make this event a part of our annual Calendar of Events."

Reiterating the commitment and the vision of J N Tata towards serving the society, the registration fee of Rs 500 per team to be paid by non-Tata companies will be towards the cause of Save The Children — India.

Indian Airlines has consented to provide the transportation for the regional finalists for the grand finale in Mumbai. The winning teams at the regional final rounds will receive a cash prize of Rs.60,000 and the first runner-ups would receive a cash prize of Rs35, 000. All regional finalists would be presented with watches and Fast Track eye-gear from Titan.

The winning team of the National Finals will walk away with a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000/- and a host of other lucrative prizes like Centenary celebration Watches, Gift vouchers from Westside and Barista. There are also special prizes for the audience.