On a treasure trail

It is time to strap on your sports shoes and don your thinking hats because Broke In Bandra, a treasure hunt of sorts, is being organised this weekend. Devised by Manjari Verma and Avani Patel of Broken Compass, the treasure hunt is an interactive trail through Bandra. Starting at the Broken Compass office at Bandra, participants will have to travel the length and breadth of the suburb. You can play in teams of three and there will be 14-15 spots in Bandra, where participants will find cues and only after they solve these riddles or decipher the clues or do the tasks can they proceed. To make it to the next pit stop/task location, participants need to successfully perform the given task, which might require them to spend money; thus it continues till they reach the final destination, when they are completely broke and without any access to resources like phones. The first team to reach is the winner.

A mode of transport will be arranged for the participants; they can also use public transport provided they have money. "We plan to take away their cell phones, money and electronic devices. There will, however, be money tasks as well, where participants also stand a chance of earning money," says Avani Patel, who along with her business partner, Manjari Verma. It is based on the system of juggad (working around with what you have), which most Mumbaikars are pretty familiar with.

Quiz Verma about what prompted her to come up with a treasure hunt and she says, "Broken Compass has been around for the last five years. The first few years, we concentrated on establishing the company and building a network of clients. Last year, we decided to try something different and conducted a shrine hop, which was well-received by people—we were pleasantly surprised when we got to know that Broken Compass was the first Mumbai-based company to be conducting a shrine hop," says Verma, "This year, we thought of having a fun activity and giving people a reason to enjoy their weekend by coming together. Day walks are often boring and we wanted to do something different. Hence, we thought of a treasure walk."

The three-and-a-half hours treasure hunt will begin at 8.30am. "We figured that there is not much to do during weekends. How many movies and plays can you go for? People are getting bored of doing the same things repeatedly every weekend," explains Patel, who seems to be clearly spelling out the boredom that is being witnessed by youngsters like Bandra resident Sankesh Mehta.

Employed in a diamond manufacturing firm, Mehta, who will be participating in the treasure hunt with two of his friends, says, "When I read about Broke In Bandra, I decided to be a part of it as it works on the concept of jugaad and I think I am pretty skilled at it. It is a new concept and it is our very own version of 'The Amazing Race'." Mehta has been preparing for the treasure hunt by brushing up his knowledge on landmarks in Bandra. "I thought I knew Bandra in and out, but there are a couple of places and some old churches that I still need to read about. Once that is done, I am confident of winning this treasure hunt," he says optimistically.

Log on to www.brokencompass.in for more details.