Life is a puzzle or a journey about creating and putting exceptional pieces together. It is always the small pieces that make the big picture. We all are part of that big picture and therefore hold a special place in this world. Sometimes when these parts are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place. Such is the beauty of a puzzle. Takshila Educational Society in association with Extra–C has embarked on the journey of Crossword Xpedition. This expedition will unfold in three stages with its three components. During its first session Xpert Speak on 29 August, 2020, Extra-C expert Mr. Vinayak Rao Ekbote conducted a session on “Uncrypting Crossword”. The next stage, we have Xploration which would be an Intra school Cryptic crossword contest at all the four locations Patna, Pune, Ludhiana and Coimbatore , to be conducted in the month of October. Finally the third and the last stage - Xtension- which will comprise of Inter school Cryptic Crossword contest followed by the grand Finale.

Xpert Speak workshop on ‘Uncrypting Crossword’ was conducted on August 29, 2020 by our Extra- C expert Mr. Vinayak Rao Ekbote. The event was graced by other dignitaries Mr. Vivek Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary Govt. of Bihar and Mr. Ramki Krishnan the National Champion of Crossword. The event commenced with a welcome note by Mr. Vivek Kumar Singh. He demystified the enigma of cryptic crosswords and took the audience on an enchanting odyssey of how letters and words can be arranged and rearranged in crosswords to form meaningful expressions. He encouraged the students to participate wholeheartedly in such brain teasing activities. It was followed by a workshop by Mr. Vinayak Ekbote. He shared tips and tricks on solving the puzzles making use of different tools, like Anagrams, Hidden words Homophones and many more. Mr. Vinayak underlined the need for sharpening the cryptic crossword skills of young learners from Delhi Public School Patna, Pune, Ludhiana and Coimbatore. He also shared tips of cracking the puzzles by starting off with the easier ones. It was hugely attended workshop with more than 200 participants, eager to grasp the nitty-gritty of Crossword from the wizards of words. The session ended with a promise to meet again with better skills and brighter hopes to crack the tougher challenges.