WASHINGTON: An Indian-American teen has won the prestigious $50,000 National Geographic Bee competition, maintaining the monopoly of the community in the contest. Pranay Varada, 14, a runner up last year, was declared the winner as he won the first tie breaker question when he correctly identified the Kunlun Mountains as the 1200 mile range that separates the Taklimakan Desert from the Tibetan Plateau.
“I was absolutely sure I could win that challenge,” Varada said. “Having done this for such a long time and winning it now, it's just a feeling of satisfaction.” Another Indian-American, Veda Bhattaram finished third at the finals, while Thomas Wright from Wisconsin was declared the runner up. Six of the 10 finalists of this year's National Geographic Bee competition were Indian-Americans.
In a testament of the Indian community's over-achieving ways, the Scripps National Spelling Bee recently announced the list of state spelling champions, who are set to travel to Washington to participate in the annual spelling championship contest. At least 75 of the 291 spellers are of Indian or South Asian origin. What is worth noticing is that the spelling bee has been won by an Indian-American every year since 2008, including co-winners in the past three years. However, this year, the possibility of co-winners are less likely as the competition will use a test to break ties.
