Report on IT Talent Search 2007

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E-Pao! Linux - A Report on Linux Manipur's "IT Talent Search 2007"

A Report on Linux Manipur's "IT Talent Search 2007"

Linux Manipur *

20th May 2007 started like any normal day with beautiful sunny morning, but little did we know that the day would hold so much for us. It was the Judgment Day, which was to mark of our first ever big event in Manipur "IT Talent Search 2007". We reached Don Bosco, Imphal, at around 7:00 AM.

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success".

The volunteers dropped in one after the other by around 8:15 AM as promised; they are old friends and friend's friend, who came voluntarily - there was no fee extended to them to be volunteers, to be invigilators, to be examiners.

They started counseling the participants and guiding them with their roll numbers and the classroom charts. By 9:00 AM, there as an exodus of students near the registration counter.

Volunteers had a tough time managing the pulsating crowd which was getting so huge in a time span of half an hour. The turnover ratio of the participants was pretty high; it was more than what we expected. Around 500 participants turned up for the competition from almost all the districts of Manipur.

It was conducted in a very organized and disciplined manner. The seats were arranged for about 30 students in each class room. Two students of different categories were made to sit in a desk. There were two invigilators in every class.

10:00 AM, as the bell rang and kicked off the competition, it was complete silence that prevailed in the Don Bosco campus. The students wrote their papers sincerely. There were signs of seriousness on their faces during the examination. The questions were mostly according to their respective standards, 10% of the questions were based on Unix/Linux/Free and Open Source Software. The students did really apply their thoughts. They put in their best efforts.

Multitasking and parallel programming was how the event was organized. While the examination was going on in the class rooms, some volunteers were busy making arrangements for the seminar in the auditorium.

At 11:30 AM, the test got over. Coming out of the exam hall, students were seen discussing the questions with their friends. The relaxed and energetic participants were asked to move to the auditorium of DBS.

As they entered the seminar hall each and every participants were presented T-Shirt and Linux/Free and Open Source CDs. The number of participants exceeded the capacity of the auditorium. Volunteers had to arrange extra seats to accommodate everyone and it was a vivacious moment to see the overflowing auditorium.

Linux Manipur played a perfect host for all the parents of the participants. They were treated well and extra seats were arranged in front of the auditorium for them, refreshments were also provided.

At 12:40 AM, the program commenced.

The starting of the program was marked by lighting the candles by the students from almost all the nine districts with a vision "The candles we lit to spread the light of unity and share knowledge". The environment was less of "me" and more of "we".

There was pride in the hearts of everyone present there. It was a group of kids, from different districts of Manipur doing the honor of lighting the nice candles representing the nine districts, bringing hopes and a new dawn. Linux Manipur decided not stay away invite any minister or high profile person as VIP to do the lighting. The students were the VIPs of the event.

It was followed by welcome address by Linux Manipur. Invitees from MU and MIT gave inspiring speeches. Most notable points was made by Mr Tejmani, HOD, CSE, MU - he informed about FOSS/Linux being promoted in MU; he encouraged the audience to try out FOSS/Linux; he also said MU is ready to lend help in many ways to Linux Manipur. Mr Kishorejit, Lecturer, MIT, appreciated the never-say-die spirit of Linux Manipur. He also raised few queries on Linux Manipur, which was answered and made clear by Ringo Pebam later.

An overflowing auditorium, enthusiastic and pulsating crowd, Miss Meenakshi T and Mr Kennedy the quizmasters, well this was the setting of on-the-spot quiz, which was open for all. The questions were on IT and Unix/Linux.

The response of the audience was amazing, they were energetic and sportive, and everybody was trying to give the correct answers. If you were here you would have felt so good - you have seen the high and fast life out there in big cities, and seeing the kids here you will know that they are of great potential and caliber. Chocolates and Linux Manipur ball pens were given, to those who answered correctly. The session was full of excitements, laughter and clapping. In between the quiz sessions, the representatives of the sponsors of the event were called up on the stage, thanked and were handed mementos.

Mr Ringo Pebam gave a presentation on Free and Open Source Software and Linux. He also gave a brief introduction on Linux Manipur. He pointed out the better sides of FOSS/Linux. The primary goal of Linux Manipur was made known to the audience. He also requested the students to establish a strong network of Linux Users Group based in Manipur. Video clippings on FOSS/Linux were presented as well.

While all these programs were going on in the auditorium, about 30 examiners, comprised of mostly teachers in profession, were checking the answer sheets in another building. They completed the job in two and half hours, each teacher correcting about 16 answer sheets taking approximately 9 minutes per sheet. Linux Manipur planned to announce the results on the very day of the contest.

By around 3:30 PM the much awaited result arrived. Just before the result was announced, Mr Beda Leirenjam on behalf of Linux Manipur read out all the names of the contributors from outside the state, and thanked them.

The Imphal based volunteers of Linux Manipur were then called up on the stage as a way to thank and acknowledge them for the selfless contribution they made in making the event possible.

The result was finally announced to the anxious participants - it was nail biting moments for them who were eagerly waiting for it. There was excitement among the participants and the winners wore big smiles. Prizes - cash prizes, mementos, books, ball pens and T-shirts, were presented to them by Linux Manipur members and some senior invitees.

Those students, who could make it to the TOP 10, were given Linux Manipur T-Shirts. For those who couldn't make it to the Top 10, lottery draw was done for each category; the lottery winners were given books. At the end all the winners were called up on the stage for on final photo session and with that, the mega event came to the end.

Parents/guardians/teachers appreciated the 'IT Talent Search' and also requested Linux Manipur to conduct such motivating events in the near future. Inspired students left the premises in a joyful mood with full of hopes. Colorful!! Lively!! Happening!! These were few words that came out from the mouth of the young and brilliant minds of Manipur.

We rested for sometime after everybody left; and as we started cleaning up the auditorium we could hear thunders and rain started pouring over Imphal. We thought "Oh, the students left in time to reach home before the rain". Even the Almighty was in favour of Linux Manipur.

Finally we can say... Dreams Unlimited!!!

You may say I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one.I hope someday you will join us.
- John Lennon

Out there at home, we made the students/parents/volunteers know the contributions made by many people from outside the state.

Today, as we look back to that eventful day of May 20th 2007, we can’t just forget those volunteers at home, who turned up to help Linux Manipur; most of them are people whom we hardly know, they are friends of friends’. We can’t and don’t forget them.

Volunteers at Imphal:

Abungcha Narengbam, Abem L, Alphonsa (Senior Teacher DBS), Babudhon, Beda Leirenjam, Bhabina, Binapani Ningombam, Bindeshwar Thoudam, Biona Tayenjam, Biren Leishangthem, Bisorjit Ng, Bobby Kh, Bobby M, Dakeshor, Dev K, Devanand Ayam, Devraj, Dwipen K, Dinesh, Gogin L, Haripriya, Hectar, Ibochou L, Indira Loitongjam, Ingotomba Th, Irik M, Jeena Aribam, Jennifer Leirenjam, Joy L, Joy Shankar H, Juleeta, Julita L, Kamanda, Kennedy, Kumar (Senior Teacher DBS), Lalit N, Laxmi, Leirik, Lembi, Lokendro, Meenakshi T, Milan, Miller, Mohen Senjam, Napolean, Naresh Kumar, Noni, Norendro RK, Ojit N, Orzone Ch, Piyanu, Prameshwar Gotimayum, Pratima, Praveen Oinam, Premjit K, Premkumar, Pritam Yumnam, Pulika, Rahaman Md, Rajeshwar, Rajeshwor Yengkhom, Ranjibala, Raza Rahaman, Rebati Naorem, Ringo Pebam, Rita (Senior Teacher DBS), Robedi, Robindro Kh, Rocket Ch, Rocky Pebam, Sangai Leima, Sangeeta, Santosh, Sawan, Shekhar (Senior Teacher DBS), Silvia Lisa, Sofia, Somen Ch, Sonamani, Sophiya Ch, Sovana, Sumanto, Sushibala L, Tiken, Umakanta Lokshanbam

PS: If any name is missed out, please drop a mail at [email protected], and in the days to some we will make sure that nobody is left out.

* Linux Manipur contributes regularly to e-pao.net . They can be contacted at info(at)linux-manipur(dot)org . This article was webcasted on July 15, 2007.

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