Throwback to Pink Mysteries

“Mystery trails”

Pinktober’s Mystery Mania

It all started on the 18^th of October when a POC form was published on the Rotaract groups mentioning a new project enlistment to host a treasure hunt. It was aimed at Pinktober’s main theme to increase the awareness of breast cancer within the community. The collaboration of a treasure hunt into this theme was the sudden rhetorical question. However, it turned out to be the best ever!

The POC was chosen immediately the next day and the work started. Following the round of selection surprises, we had our first encounter via zoom. We were addressed by our VPs, Sachindra Aiya and Sithira Aiya, along with Reshani Akki adding the teeny bits they were missing as they spoke, occasionally tossing questions at our project chair, Sajani, who had the main role of handling us all.  “Treasure Hunt is planned to premiere on the 30^th”, they said doubtingly adding the fact that it was just 10 days away. And, there we were at square one starting from scratch.  This was day 1, everyone was busy familiarizing their part in the play. The editors, myself and Sayagi were granted with what we fantasize as “writing”, though we never imagined how stressfully exciting it was to plot this storyline.

Moving on to our IT crew, our tech masterminds were entrusted with the designing part. The team included Asala, Malith, Charya, and Dinal and to be more precise about their part here, they were supposed to design the entire treasure hunt which wasn’t exactly their cup of tea. And moving on we have our PR coordinators, Navodya and Dimagi, handling the editors as well as the IT coordinators to perceive the required outcome. A tough job to carry out, yet they were seemingly excited with the new task. Coming on to our hyperactive, amiable moderator, Chandula, the one who never forgets to add ideas whenever the stage is free. And finally, we’ve got our delegate, Chamishka who had to coordinate with our moderator to get the essentials planned out.

Time slipped through unknowingly, as everyone was soon busy playing their part. Occasionally interrupted by Reshani Akki inquiring whether the planned stuff is completed. She was pleasantly inquiring all members frequently, at the same time keeping the group active, along with the VPS cracking jokes on her. She was more like our motivator. From time to time, we were carried away by the pleasantries when she finally brings us back to reality. With this motivation, we seemed too swift in tandem with the work. Posts were designed, shared and we were unknowingly reaching the finale. After a series of swapping and alterations, the storyline was finally done. Being editors, we were truly relieved to have completed that part. Truthfully speaking, the worst nightmare during our 10-day period was waking up on a nice morning in October to view Sajani’s message saying that either the post or the storyline needs to be edited. At times, she was like a rooster to our sleepyheads. As we proceeded through the course of events, the IT workload rose sky high with the completion of the storyline. Yet, the effective cooperation of the coordinators along with Sithira aiya seemed to balance off the work smoothly. The PR coordinators were also providing their utmost support to the IT crew along with post designs, sporadically bothering the editors on their way. And they never forget to add some inspiration to their messages with “you guys are doing an excellent job (with a heart)” which was really worth to keep hanging on. At times it was really helpful in cooling down the tension of the workload.

With the loaded second semester lectures, it was a tough time for all of us. But luckily we received a couple of extra hands to share our burden, namely Ruchira Aiya, Ovin, Oshadi, and Yasas. Sadly, they had to do a lot of multitasking thanks to the project. Yet, they accepted everything with a smile. Meanwhile, on another section of the set, Sithira Aiya, Sachindra Aiya, and Vihanga Aiya along with our President Adheeban Aiya, were busy capturing scenes played by our main cast Nilakshi Akki (the dead woman) and Azam (Agent Trent).

Soon, we were nearing the end and finally, it was 1 day to go. Yet, it was the most challenging day, to be exact, the busiest. We had the first trial run along with another troop joining us from the webinar as facilitators namely Rashmi, Binuri, Nipuni, Dewmini. Moreover, we also had extra scorers namely Akalanka Aiya, Imalsha Akki, Isiwara Aiya, Anujitha Akki, Rukshala Akki, and Kithmadie Akki. We received a lot of support from them all along the process with new ideas on how to implement the treasure hunt. Amidst all the setbacks and mishaps, we finally managed to plan out the next day’s happenings after a series of lengthy zoom sessions. This was all thanks to the effective teamwork as well as the sound understanding of all the project members. Soon afterward, that night, the teams were made and the facilitators were assigned to the groups.

The next morning as a part of reassurance, a final trial run was executed to exercise perfection. As we were scooped up in the excitement, none of us realized that it was almost showing time!

Finally, at 5.45 pm. The stage was set, the cast was waiting for action, the facilitators were ready to transfer the replies, the scorers were impatiently waiting to fill their scoreboards and thus the hunt began. It was the most awaited sensational finale of Pinktober, undoubtedly the nerve-racking hour of the 10-day period. All faces were fixed at their phones occasionally switching them towards the zoom session taking place.

Finally, after an amazing one hour ride with our young detectives, we were finally able to fill our scoreboards. This was the most exciting part of our crew. All eyes were fixed on the rankings which were fluctuating as the scorers kept updating the sheet. After confirmation, the winners were finally announced that night. And thus, we marked the end of Pinktober with numerous cherishing memories for a lifetime.

This is a sneak peek at the backstage mission; we executed to pull off the Treasure Hunt-“Mystery Trails”. Despite the limited time blocking us, we were able to conclude our Pinktober mystery mania successfully thanks to the joint effort and support of all the club members. Kudos to everyone!!!Hoping for many more fantastic projects in the future!!!

By Rtr. Thiruni Withana