Tuesday, June 16, 2026
ADVT 
International

Four Indian-Origin Kids Enter Australian Spelling Bee Final

IANS, 27 Jul, 2015 12:03 PM
    our Indian-origin children, including a pair of twins, are among 50 kids who have reached the finals of the Great Australian Spelling Bee contest, media reported on Monday.
     
    Scheduled to be aired on Channel 10 from August 3, the Great Australian Spelling Bee contest chose the finalists from over 3,000 children across Australia.
     
    "These kids are the brightest in their schools, classes and States," The West Australian quoted show host Grant Denyer as saying.
     
    Anirudh Kathirvel, twins Harpita and Harpith and Tej - all passed the three stages to reach the finals.
     
    In the first stage, the participants appeared for three online tests -- spelling, grammar and comprehension. The second stage included a Skype interview and spelling test.
     
    In the third stage, the students were tested on the bases of a live audition and spelling test.
     
    The students said they did not take any special training for the competition.
     
    Harpita's favourite word to spell was Cafune, a word of Brazilian Portuguese origin which means act of running fingers through a loved one's hair.
     
    Harpith's favourite word was 'Floccinaucinihilipilification'; one of the longest words in the English language it means the action or habit of estimating something as worthless.
     
    The Great Australian Spelling Bee witnesses children aged from eight to 13 compete in a series of word-related games and challenges.
     
    To advance, each speller must display a combination of speed, skill and smartness to deconstruct words they may never have heard before, let alone spelt.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indians, Asians fast becoming politically relevant in US: Report

    Indians, Asians fast becoming politically relevant in US: Report
    With Indians and other Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders growing in number at a fast pace, people of colour will be in the majority in the US by mid-century, according to a new report.

    Indians, Asians fast becoming politically relevant in US: Report

    A new player challenges Nikki Haley in South Carolina

    A new player challenges Nikki Haley in South Carolina
    South Carolina's Indian American Governor Nikki Haley faces a new challenge in her re-election bid with a former judge named Tom Ervin joining the race as an independent.

    A new player challenges Nikki Haley in South Carolina

    Modi a threat to democracy, say Indian-origin academics in Britain

    Modi a threat to democracy, say Indian-origin academics in Britain
    A group of Indian-origin academics in Britain has slammed the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his authoritarian nature which they said can only weaken India's democracy.

    Modi a threat to democracy, say Indian-origin academics in Britain

    Bangladesh building victims need help: rights group

    Bangladesh building victims need help: rights group
    Survivors of the Rana Plaza building collapse one year ago in Bangladesh are still suffering from their injuries and loss of income, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

    Bangladesh building victims need help: rights group

    Obama arrives in Japan on four-nation Asian trip

    Obama arrives in Japan on four-nation Asian trip
    US President Barack Obama Wednesday arrived in Japan on the first leg of his four-nation Asian trip.

    Obama arrives in Japan on four-nation Asian trip

    BBC's Top Gear apologises for racist remark

    BBC's Top Gear apologises for racist remark
    British television series Top Gear's producer has apologised for broadcasting a "light-hearted" joke by its host Jeremy Clarkson that sparked a complaint of racism by an India-origin actress, media reported Wednesday.

    BBC's Top Gear apologises for racist remark