“Why do you play our Mini Crossword?”
[Live Game Inside] We asked 10 regulars of the Indian Express Mini Crossword this question. From avoiding relationship drama to helping them look 'busy' in class, here's what they said.
Anushka Das Sharma, who enjoys the IE Mini Crossword during her Metro commute. Not to toot our own horn, but the Express Mini Crossword turns one next month. Started as an experiment for hobbyists, our daily game fusing pop culture and wordplay seems to be creating a subculture of its own, spurring mini-playing groups, classroom activities and a demand for pure crossword events. The free archives may have a hand in this, but we like to think it’s also because of a growing desire for warm, humanised learning over the cold precision of curriculums and AI.
Before we up the ante for year two, a look at what our Mini Crossword means to some of its most dedicated players:
‘It jump-starts my brain’
My day kicks off with solving puzzles, playing mini games, and, of course, diving into Wikipedia. It’s the time when the IE Mini gets updated for the day (5.30am!) that keeps me waiting until the sun actually rises; otherwise, it would’ve been my first pitstop. Solving has become a ritual now, and I’ve even joined a small community where we ‘subtly’ brag about how quickly we conquer the day’s edition. This morning routine jump-starts my brain for the challenges ahead, even if I end up ‘sleep-working’ through the day.
— Anirudh Arora, 22, Software Engineer
‘All my friends were doing it with me’
Students at Ashoka University enjoy a crossword together in class.
I came across the IE mini by pure chance—I was bored in class, and wanted to do something that’d still look like I was focused and typing. So I looked up ‘mini crossword’ and this happened to be there. I remember so clearly, one of the answers was ‘Orry’, and it was all I could do to not burst out laughing. I was so happy that the clues were culturally relevant too, because…I really don’t care about the Super Bowl or NFL or American English. Soon enough, all my friends were doing the IE Mini with me, and we’d burn through the archives in class, while travelling, or generally while procrastinating work.
I know it sounds cheesy to say the real crosswords were the friends you made along the way, etc, but doing the Mini together became such a big part of our daily routine. Now that we’ve graduated, I know that solving the Mini (which was great in and of itself) will remind me of them, and that makes it all the better!
— Shreya Khobragade, 21, recent graduate (Ashoka University)
‘Favourite pastime on Metro’
I love puzzles, and for the longest time I had to make do with the New York Times editions, which, let’s be honest, can be too American on a good day. So the IE Mini was a fresh change, with hints and themes that are more relatable, while still managing to get your competitive side out. It’s a favourite pastime in the Metro while I’m on my way to work.
— Anushka Das Sharma, 26, Brand Consulting
‘Ding sound makes my morning’
I play the IE Mini every morning while travelling to work or while taking a tea break. I don’t recall if I have missed the Mini for even a single day in the last two months. When most people my age have a natural instinct to check their Instagram feed or work emails in the mornings, I get the urge to complete the Mini in the first two minutes (or at least try), before moving on to other things. The “ding” sound on a correct word makes my morning!
— Apoorva Doshi, 26, Management Consultant
‘Distracts from traffic (and relationship) drama’
My morning starts in a rush with so many activities scheduled in the first three hours. Starting from my morning walk, to rushing to the kitchen, to getting ready for office, to starting from home at 8:30 am. My husband and I travel to work together, and thanks to the rush hour traffic, it takes a lot of time. Here the Mini comes to my rescue. It’s one activity which is easy, fun, and distracts you from the morning traffic drama.
Seema Kumar attempts a recent IE Mini Crossword. Her son introduced her to the game.
On a lighter note, when I am involved in solving it, it also saves me from getting into any unwanted debate with my husband and the day starts with peace. I noticed that playing the crossword also helps me to focus on my upcoming office meetings. Usually after the crossword, I start making mental pointers with a clean, fresh mind. Missing the IE Mini any day is like missing my morning tea.
— Seema Kumar, 57, Social Development Professional
‘Replays are a balm for a bad day’
I love the written word and games and things that combine the two. Even as a kid, I would find myself interested in word games more than any other genre.
For me, the IE Mini is now a ritual. I wake up around 7-ish every day. Quite literally, the first thing I do is check my phone, open Google Chrome, and the first suggestion that comes up is ‘indian express mini crossword’. Do I have a choice then? Is there any better way to begin the day than seeing ‘You solved the puzzle in 19 seconds’ flash on your screen? (If there is, please don’t tell me)
Bookworms and literature students tend to have an affinity for crosswords.
If I’m having a bad morning or have a hectic day ahead of me, and even the crossword gods are not on my side, I’ll replay the game after solving it – so that I can start my day with ‘You solved the puzzle in 5 seconds’, instead of ‘You took 3 minutes to solve this and you know nothing in life’.
— Garima Sadhwani, 24, Journalist
‘Helped me win free beer’
Once I started playing the Mini, I learned a lot of new things. For instance, I didn’t know basics like what our swadeshi handspun cloth (khadi!) was called. (Anurag is not being modest; demo below):
It also helps me kill time during breaks, and even helped me win free beer. I was solving a crossword with some Bollywood-related clues, and the very next day, I attended a Bollywood quiz at a club. There was a particular question I wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for the Mini. I got it right and won a free beer!
— Anurag Roy, 22, Student
‘Like a shot of espresso’
I used to love playing the NYT Mini in college, but my interest dwindled due to its US-centric clues. Discovering the IE Mini was refreshing, as its slangy and Indian topical clues make it more enjoyable. I usually start my morning by playing the Mini. It often feels like a shot of espresso, requiring sharp awareness to achieve a good time on the grid. Sometimes it even feels like a triple shot when I’m stuck in a tricky Bollywood clue.
— Vinay UB, 25, Software Developer
‘Helps when overwhelmed at work’
I have loved crosswords for a long time despite being very bad at them; they’re one of the few word games which focus on semantics and the range of a word’s use instead of letters. I usually pick up the IE Mini when I’m the most overwhelmed during my work, and use that adrenaline to solve it as quickly as possible, though I make sure to savour every second of it. I like that the references are Indian but the scope is not limited to it. I like how you’re including Ruskin Bond’s favorite words. I would love to solve full-sized versions as well.
— Pratyush Pareek, 22, Software Development Engineer
‘Beautiful respite in a busy day’
“I have a standing office and at some time in the morning I sit for a while and solve the IE Mini. This is also the time I’ll have a cup of green tea. Working on the Mini provides a much needed break in my day. I find that most people solve with speed as an objective. I prefer to take some time and read the clues carefully. My favourites are those that are India-specific words and relate to recent news items.
— Kapil Mehta, 55, Entrepreneur
Are you a regular on our Mini Crossword, Sudoku or weekly News Quiz? We’d love to hear your thoughts and niggles on puzzles@indianexpress.com. You can also write in to @iepuzzles on Instagram. Happy solving!
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