Sadhana Ponnaluri from Secunderabad Delhi Public School in HDFC Life Spell Bee Semi-Finals

Sadhana Ponnaluri from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, spells his way to the semi-finals of HDFC Life Spell Bee – India Spells Season 5

~A spelling extravaganza across 35 cities with lakhs of participants~

Hyderabad, February 10, 2013: On Sunday, Hyderabad hosted the city finals of Radio Mirchi and HDFC Life’s ‘Spell Bee – India Spells 2013’, Season 5. In what can be termed as India’s biggest and the only spelling contest, SADHANA PONNALURI from Delhi Public School, Secundrabad, Hyderabad emerged as the winner along with the 1st runner up A V LAKSHMI from Githanjali Senior school will now proceed to compete in the semi-finals stage of the competition. HDFC Life Spell Bee India Spells 2013 is the Indian counterpart of the highly acclaimed Scripps National Spelling Bee, USA.

The initial round of this spelling competition received an outstanding response. Hyderabad is one of the 35 cities in which such city-finals will be happening over the month. The top 2 spellers from each city will then compete with each other in the next round. Of which, the top 16 scorers across India will battle it out in the Grand Finals of HDFC Life Spell Bee to be held in Mumbai in February, 2013.

More than 350 spelling enthusiasts from across the city participated in the 5th edition of HDFC Life Spell Bee, a remarkable surge in the number of participants. This reiterates the popularity of Spell Bee not only among the school students, but parents as well. The city final was hosted by RJ Dhirja of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM was graced by her as the chief guest for the occasion.

In the initial phase, an on-ground exercise was conducted across 20 schools in Hyderabad where children were given spelling tests. Top 20 scorers from each school then competed in the city finals round. The culmination of Spell Bee 2013 will see a grueling competition between the top 16 scorers of India to win the title of India’s Spelling Champion. The winner will be felicitated with cash prize of Rupees 2 lakhs and a trip to Washington DC along with a parent to witness the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee live

Applauding the finalists, Mr. Sanjay Tripathy, Executive Vice President and Head, Marketing and Direct Channels said "I am extremely pleased to witness the phenomenal response received in Hyderabad, for the fifth edition of Spell Bee – India. HDFC Life Spell Bee in India is considered as the significant platform that shapes the little geniuses’ careers and independent futures by encouraging them to sharpen their English vocabulary skills in a distinctive and an exciting format. I congratulate the Hyderabad city winners and wish them all the luck for the grand finals.”

Mr. Prashant Panday, Executive Director and CEO, ENIL says, “In our 5th edition of Spell Bee, the competition was even more grueling as over lakhs of students from grades 5 to 9 across 1000 schools participated this year. We started this competition to sensitize young children on the basics and proper usage of the language. The hunt since then has only become bigger. Each year we see the enthusiasm increase. Not only students, but parents are deeply involved in the competition. The participation of these young spelling enthusiasts from Hyderabad was astounding. We look forward to similar scholarly cutthroat race in other 34 cities as well.”

About HDFC Life

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading private life insurance companies, offers a range of individual and group insurance solutions. It is a joint venture between Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC), India’s leading housing finance institution and Standard Life plc, the leading provider of financial services in the United Kingdom.

HDFC Life’s product portfolio comprises solutions, which meet various customer needs such as Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment and Health. Customers have the added advantage of customizing the plans, by adding optional benefits called riders, at a nominal price. The company currently has 31 retail and 9 group products in its portfolio, along with 10 optional riders catering to the savings, investment, protection and retirement needs of customers.

HDFC Life continues to have one of the widest reaches among new insurance companies with about 500 branches in India touching customers in over 900 cities and towns. The company has also established a liaison office in Dubai. HDFC Life has a strong presence in its existing markets with a strong base of Financial Consultants. For more information, please visit our website, www.hdfclife.com

About Radio Mirchi:

Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL), India’s leading private FM radio broadcaster, popularly known as Radio Mirchi, operates across 32 cities in the country. Launched in 2001, Radio Mirchi has the highest listenership across the country and a track record of developing innovative content, thus expanding and retaining its audiences and advertisers through the years. Radio Mirchi has delighted listeners and the industry with its exciting properties like the Purani Jeans Film Festival and the Mirchi Music Awards.

Radio Mirchi’s continuous innovations across different platforms like Visual Radio or Mirchi Mobile have been instrumental in gaining leadership in the private FM Radio industry. Radio Mirchi made its international foray with the launch of the brand in the UAE. From 1st Feb, 2012, Radio Mirchi can be heard in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and is the first Indian radio brand to go international.