Portal:India/Quiz/Archive7

[edit] Questions

[edit] Q1

Sorry for the delay, starting with a loosener. It is not uncommon for the Indian government to recognise foreign nationals (who build partnerships with India in their country or work in India) with civilian awards. However, the bestowal of a Padma award has been objected to by some Indian organisations with sizeable following. My question: Name the person, nationality, the Padma award and how such organisations would be classified by the media. Simple enough, four answers in four words. --Gurubrahma 06:52, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Did you mean the Padma Lakshmi "award" to the controversial Salman Rushdie? HEHE. --Idleguy 07:08, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Tee hee. -- Samir धर्म 07:35, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

I am seriously contemplating the incorporation of negative marks for frivolous answers in the quiz. <evil grin> Or would short blocks help, especially when the person is close to winning a round? [1] </evil grin> Nichalp? Samir? What say, folks? And back to the quiz, it is simple really. --Gurubrahma 07:40, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Gladys Staines , Australian Missionary , Sangh Parivar  ??Bharatveer 07:58, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Of course! The answers I was looking for are Gladys Staines, Australia, Padma Shri, right-wing. I thought it's a sitter as it is very current. Yes, Bharatveer, ask us a new question asap. --Gurubrahma 08:02, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q2

A simple question on Ancient Indian science.

Name the ancient Indian text which dealt with the science of aeroplanes.Bharatveer 08:44, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

• Rig Veda, references Trichakra Ratha -- Samir धर्म 08:53, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
  • Or, as a controversial alternative, Vimaanika Shastra dealt with aeronautics in detail -- Samir धर्म 08:58, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
  • Can you give the name of the author also? (Is Vimaanika Shaastra known by any other name)?Bharatveer 09:14, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
    • Maharshi Bharadwaaja (Bharadwaaji the Wise) is the author. Also known as Vaimanika Sastra -- Samir धर्म 09:17, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
      • Correct. (though what i had in my mind was Vimaana Tantra by Bharadwaja).Bharatveer 09:29, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
        • Short break, gentlemen. Call it 8-9 PM IST (10:30-11:30 EDT) for the next question -- Samir धर्म 09:32, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q3

A little late and quite easy. Connect Agra and Sasaram. -- Samir धर्म 18:32, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Silly guess, on the lines of Idleguy: Grand Trunk Road - Cribananda 19:03, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Not silly at all, it's correct! Sher Shah's adopted hometown was was born in Sasaram and his capital was in Agra, so his first stretch of Grand Trunk Road was between the two cities. Good show -- Samir धर्म 19:06, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Thanks. That was a nice, literal connect question! Busy rest-of-the-day for me. Next question around 8:00am India time. Will try to make it tough not to give early risers an advantage.- Cribananda 19:11, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

My first post here! But this says Farid (Sher Shah Suri) was born probably near Narnaul & the Wikipedia article says he was born in Multan. --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Email)} 19:15, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Correction. Sasaram was Sher Shah's adopted hometown, not his place of birth -- Samir धर्म 19:44, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Oh, how I would have loved to "connect" these cities via road and give the first answer. Atleast I'm happy that my silly guesses were inspirational for some in giving the right answer. ;) --Idleguy 03:13, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Why, it was the inspiration for the question! -- Samir धर्म 03:14, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q4

Which Indian connects Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the 52nd Oscar(R) awards ceremony (1979)? - Cribananda 06:27, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Persis Khambatta as Ilia (nominated for an Oscar in 1979) -- Samir धर्म 06:35, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Sorry, no. Academy_Award_for_Best_Supporting_Actress doesn't seem to list her in the nominees. Ilia's make-up was, I think, up for award in best visual effects or so. While I am not bale to get the link to prove it, I believe she presented an award that day. --Gurubrahma 06:55, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Okay, she presented an award [2]. -- Samir धर्म 06:57, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Yay, I score in this round as well. Yes, she presented an oscar and is the only Indian to do so. [3] --Gurubrahma 07:03, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Stop gloating :) I believe that you were served a meatball by me (see Canadian slang was removed, don't bother, see PINQ talk)-- Samir धर्म 07:15, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Great question and answer BTW -- Samir धर्म 07:16, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, indeed. Well done Guru, your turn to present a question. Close, Samir, but as they say, no cigar :-) - Cribananda 07:59, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q5

This would be tough, I hope ;). Protima Bedi dropped the suffix "Bedi" from her name and instead chose the suffix "Gauri." Why? --Gurubrahma 08:08, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Because some people might then not realize that she was the same person that ran nude on Juhu beach once upon a time?? - Cribananda 08:17, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

To dissociate herself from her hippie image in general and to look more conservative when she became a dancer -- Samir धर्म 08:31, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

And, (as a gastroenterologist in Kannada), Bedi has connotations of diarrhea -- Samir धर्म 08:33, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

'coz 'bedi' in Malayalam is a type of cigar? :P -- thunderboltz^{a.k.a.Deepu Joseph |TALK}09:17, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

Man, I did not know that Samir knew kannada; his user page is too silent on these issues. had i known, I wouldn't have asked the question! Yes, "bedi" means "loose-motion" in Kannada. [4] Well done Samir! Do let us know what other languages you know!! --Gurubrahma 14:16, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q6

Good morning everyone. Link Chandigarh to the planning of the cities of Washington, D.C., Chicago, Cleveland, Montreal, Denver, and Madison, Wisconsin -- Samir धर्म 03:23, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Chandigarh like the other cities was built from the scratch? i.e. a fully planned city. --Idleguy 03:55, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

No. I'm pretty positive Montreal was not planned, not sure about the others. But you are very much on the right track -- Samir धर्म 03:59, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Use of parallel roads.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 04:15, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Oh, well no thanks to my slow ISP, I've been beaten to the correct answer I guess. But I'll take a different guess, just in case. All were founded/planned/settled first by people of French origin. --Idleguy 04:18, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Why don't you get a 1Mbps broadband, and beat me then?--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 04:20, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

1Mbps isn't given for consumer connections yet in India. Well, they do actually if you pay disproportionately high prices and the ISPs don't guarantee the connectivity for that speed. So I'm sticking to 256Kbps for now. --Idleguy 04:24, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Well, I'm in India myself, and I sure don't pay high prices for my connection.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 04:39, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Which ISP is that? And how much do you pay? --Idleguy 04:45, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Sorry guys, was updating WP:DYK for a bit. No, Shreshth, if anything, the roads in Montreal and Cleveland are far from parallel. And my lazy friend, Chandigarh was not founded by a Frenchman :) I don't think so at least. Hint in a second (one more DYK message) -- Samir धर्म 04:45, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Just to note that Le Corbusier was largely instrumental in Chandigarh's planning and he has french connections. --Idleguy 05:06, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Planned the city, don't think he founded it. But your point is taken. -- Samir धर्म 05:11, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

As an aside, driving in Montreal is a pain. Was a major reason why I didn't go to medical school there -- Samir धर्म 04:46, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Hint: a pretty civil engineering movement, and Idleguy was very much on the right track. -- Samir धर्म 04:59, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Or rather, a pretty social control civil engineering movement -- Samir धर्म 05:05, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

• All these cities are arranged in a Grid pattern? Idleguy 05:13, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

No sir. Here's another hint, that makes this a sitter of the first degree: the pretty social control civil engineering movement inspired a nickname of the planned city Chandigarh -- Samir धर्म 05:18, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

City Beautiful movement --Gurubrahma 05:27, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes sir, you're correct. Chandigarh is known as The City Beautiful, and, as Chandigarh is a planned city, the moniker presumably bears some connotation to the City Beautiful Movement. This movement was a primarily social control strategy in the late 19th century to beautify cities in order to control behaviour; all of the cities listed were beautified in the name of the movement. Baton to you Gurubrahma -- Samir धर्म 05:36, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

All the cities you mention were transformed using the above movement while Chandigarh is nicknamed "city beautiful." I don't think Chandigarh itself was designed using the movement but the connect you were looking for is "City beautiful." Good question and great hints, btw. Next question around 4 p.m. IST. --Gurubrahma 05:43, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q7

mea culpa for the delay, but I hope that this gives chance to people on both sides of the ocean. Here goes. Arun Shourie found fault with Rajiv Gandhi the first time he did this. The second time Rajiv Gandhi did this, Shourie's column became more stringent and much of the media debated joined the issue debating the pros and cons. Rajiv gandhi never did this after the second time as long as he was the PM. However, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee did this, there was no protest by Shourie probably because he was in Vajpayee's cabinet. Unlike in Rajiv Gandhi's time where media entered into debates, this time round, it just covered "Vajpayee doing this" as a news item. What was the "this" the two prime ministers did? --Gurubrahma 16:16, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

My guess is that you are referring to visits to Pakistan. --BostonMA 18:21, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Even I thought the same, but couldn't find any reference that RG travelled to Pakistan. =Nichalp «Talk»= 18:22, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure if I shd say that you guys are on right track or wrong track. A hint is that travel has something, if not everything, to do with it. --Gurubrahma 18:58, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

A trip to see Sai baba ? Tintin (talk) 19:00, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Nope. Another hint is that they need not have travelled to the same place. I say "did this" and not "went there." With some thinking and guessing, this can be got. Am signing out for the night. Will be back hopefully by 0930 IST tomorrow morning. --Gurubrahma 19:05, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Went on an annual holiday? =Nichalp «Talk»= 19:37, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

As Gurubrahma is fond of hidden clues and puns, I am going to guess that "this" refers to utilizing Track II diplomacy or "Cricket" diplomacy. --User:BostonMA 19:40, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Specifically, taking a holiday (with family, relatives or friends) at the same time as an official engagement overseas: [5] -- Samir धर्म 20:54, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

• Shourie probably criticized Rajiv for having begotten a son (once) then mocked him for having a daughter (twice), since then Rajiv never had another offspring as long as he was alive, let alone PM. But this story doesn't exactly fit Vajpayee since he was Bachelor. Hehehe. --Idleguy 02:10, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
  • Anyone ever watch this TV show called Sliders based on alternate versions of reality. I think it would be hilarious to live in a version where Idleguy wrote history! -- Samir धर्म 04:00, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Chinese visits ??Bharatveer 04:27, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Engaged in the deal with the Bofors Howitzer cannons which were used by Vajpayee in the Kargil War? Nobleeagle (Talk) 04:55, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Well, Nichalp gets it; sorry I had to catch up on my beauty sleep ;). All that I was looking for was "went on a holiday." Samir has provided the link as well, but as the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. Actually, I wanted to ask a question about Bangaram island where Rajiv Gandhi saved a porpoise/dolphin on his holiday but couldn't get any online references, so found this other hook. btw, the article on Rajiv Gandhi is in a bad shape without a single reference and controversial statements saying that he converted to Christianity. Someone may want to have a look at it. --Gurubrahma 05:09, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Wow that was a pretty good guess. I'll post a question a short while from now. =Nichalp «Talk»= 06:10, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q8

As usual, asking tough questions are a problem for me. I got another Mumbai-related one: (sorry guys :-( ). Which suburb of Mumbai had its own Municipal Committee before it was absorbed by the Bombay Municipal Corporation? =Nichalp «Talk»= 07:35, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Colaba or Mulund? --May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 07:57, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Nope. =Nichalp «Talk»= 07:58, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Dadar-Matunga-Wadala-Sion which were earlier the part of the Bombay City Improvement Trust & were later merged into the BMC. --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 08:14, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Nope, that's not the answer! =Nichalp «Talk»= 09:12, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Mulund. If it's not any of the above, hint please, as you've succeeded in a tough question! -- Samir धर्म 08:24, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Hint: The BMC usurped it as late as the 1970s. =Nichalp «Talk»= 09:12, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

My mistake, it was usurped much earlier. =Nichalp «Talk»= 11:53, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Vidyavihar? --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 09:17, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Vidyavihar is a nondescript suburb. Known only for the K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering. =Nichalp «Talk»= 09:22, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Comment I read about the Committee in a Times of India article about a year back. (It's not on www.timesofindia.com BTW). Extensive googling yielded only one source. Let's see if this this helps. =Nichalp «Talk»= 09:22, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Ghatkopar-Kirol in 1916 [6]Actually the link talks about more than one MC. Borivili, Kandivili and Malad seem to have had their own MCs from 1921-- Lost 11:00, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

I'll give it to Lost. I was looking for the Bandra Municipal Committee (I hadn't heard of the others). It had encompassed a large area. I think it also ran it's own bus service, the Bandra Bus Company, but I can't find any link between the two. =Nichalp «Talk»= 11:53, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Belapur? --Gurubrahma 11:33, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Ha! I was editing Belapur Fort, the last of my fort series. No, Belapur does not come under the municipal limits of the BMC. =Nichalp «Talk»= 11:53, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

That was how I got Belapur - by looking at your contribs ;-) --Gurubrahma 13:27, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I guessed that immediately. =Nichalp «Talk»= 14:45, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Thanks.. This link talks about merging of suburbs twice, once in 1950 and then in 1957. Next question coming up shortly -- Lost 11:59, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Hey! I was about to answer Andheri and bandra :(( (Ok andheri did not technically have a corporation heading it.) --hydkat 12:19, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q9

This company owns the studio that produced King Kong recently. What was the first major contribution/project of this company in India. When? -- Lost 12:07, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

The studio is Universal Studios, a subsidiary of NBC Universal, a 80% subsidiary of GE. GE's first project in India was in 1902, when it installed India's first hydro power plant. --Gurubrahma 12:12, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Wow, that was too quick... All yours Guruji!! -- Lost 12:15, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Too fast for us. :( What was the name of the Power Plant? =Nichalp «Talk»= 12:16, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

I think it was the one a Sivanasamudram --BostonMA 12:34, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, the place is also called Sivasamudram. And this was India's first hydro electric power project as mentioned by Gurubrahma[7]!! -- Lost 13:15, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

No idea, googled "GE in India" and ended up at this page. --Gurubrahma 13:27, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q10

OK, hope this is tough enough so that those holidaying for the week-end don't miss out. ;) His name can be abbreviated to two alphabets, let's call them X and Y. Mr. X. Y. is now a popular movie actor but he started off his career in another language. He wanted his screen name to be X. Y. Rama Rao in his first movie, to show his respect for N. T. Rama Rao. However, the director of the movie dissuaded him from doing so and his name appeared in the credits as his true name itself, i.e. the expanded form of X. Y. Who is this person and who is the director of his first film?? --Gurubrahma 13:27, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

What a bouncer!! When is the first hint coming? -- Lost 15:07, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Isn't it too early for a hint, with not a single guess coming? Anyways, as someone can guess, this fellow's first movie was in Telugu given the NTR connection (the other guess would be that, instead, his later movies were in Telugu). Yes, X.Y.'s first film was in Telugu but we know him more as an actor in another language. This should be easy now, I guess. --Gurubrahma 17:29, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Your guess is confusing. First movie you say was in Telugu, then you say "his later movies were in Telugu". Then you top it off saying "but we know him more as an actor in another language". Maybe I'm just too sleepy but everything is confusing AFAIK. Idleguy 17:52, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

What he means is that his first movie was actually in Telegu, and considering that he started off his career in another language, the only other alternative was that his first movie was in another language and later became famous in Telegu. But this alternative is wrong, and the correct option is that his first movie was in Telegu, and he later became famous in another language. I hope I've succeeded in confusing you solving your confusion.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 18:04, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Strange indeed are the ways of the Jedi, for they have the ability to control others' minds and put them to sleep with their solutions :D. I'm truly confused and I think I'll need to take a nap. Idleguy 18:13, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

<persuade>You wish to take a nap</persuade>--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 18:19, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

OK, to clarify. XY's first movie as a hero was in Telugu but he later became a hero and popular actor in another language. The director of this Telugu film has a screen name which is the nickname of a cricketer and honorific of an important national leader (I could say the most important leader of India, but m afraid that ppl may call it POV). --Gurubrahma 05:07, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

• More hints, this googly's baffled us all -- Samir धर्म 13:46, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

• The director should be Bapu (artist) - Bapu Nadkarni being the cricketer Tintin (talk) 13:58, 26 June 2006 (UTC)
  • Mithun Chakraborty? If this is correct, the entire credit should go to Tintin, who did the tough work. -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 14:21, 26 June 2006 (UTC)
    • Anil Kapoor, and if it's correct, I'll take half because I got to Bapu also. But it's not, Mithun Chakraborty is a far better answer. I need a nap too. -- Samir धर्म 14:24, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

Hah! I was wondering which cricketer and director were called Mahatma!! Even did a google search for them :)) -- Lost 14:30, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

I did expect it ;-). The answers are Anil Kapoor and Bapu. Bapu directed Vamsa Vriksham (lineage tree) in which Anil Kapoor was the hero. He persuaded Anil to go with his real name rather than the name of A. K. Rama Rao. Anil later acted in a Kannada movie, Pallavi Anu Pallavi (Mani Ratnam's debut) before getting his first big break in Bollywood through Woh Saat Din. Tintin gets half the credit (in fact I also wanted to add the hint that Tintin wd crack this hint easily (he being the creator of Nadkarni article and the questioner abt his nickname on the cricket quiz) but desisted in interests of parity) and Samir half - the baton passes to Samir though, for answering the tougher part!! --Gurubrahma 14:52, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

I didn't see the hint till now because I had given up after seeing the original question :-) Tintin (talk) 14:58, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q11

Sitter! Name 3 Beatles songs that use the sitar -- Samir धर्म 06:19, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Norwegian wood, within you without you, Love you 2 -- Lost 06:23, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

EDIT CONFLICT! "Within You Without You", ""The Inner Light" and ""Norwegian Wood" [8]... Nobleeagle (Talk) 06:27, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Almost in time, Nobleeagle (your answer is also correct), but it goes to Lost. Norwegian Wood is the first use of the sitar in the Beatles catalogue. Love You To, Within You Without You and The Inner Light are other George Harrison compositions that also feature the sitar. Well done -- Samir धर्म 06:28, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

<evil grin>Heh heh </evil grin>, I have learnt to add references at a later edit after suffering various edit conflicts myself -- Lost 06:34, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Can you give a time estimate for your next question as it is getting very late here? Appreciated -- Samir धर्म 06:36, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

5.30 pm IST ok? -- Lost 06:43, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Okay! -- Samir धर्म 06:43, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q12

This is a very easy one (I think...), so I will try to twist it as much as possible...

This piece of architecture located in the Himalayas is the 'X'-est 'Y' in the world. Its name is derived from the general name for such 'Y's and there are separate articles for it as well as the general name in wikipedia. Name X and Y and the name of the piece of architecture. -- Lost 12:04, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

• Type of architecture: Dzong architecture
• Name of piece: Trongsa
• X= biggest/ northernmost/ highest
• Y= fortress--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 12:20, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Nope, not what I am looking for... It is located in India, not in Bhutan... -- Lost 12:25, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

X Y: Highest motorable road/pass

Khardung La

Piece of architecture: road -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 12:31, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

No, doesnt meet the second criteria. -- Lost 12:41, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Why not? La means pass. Or are you looking specifically for an English word? --Gurubrahma 12:46, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

(EDIT CONFLICTED with Guru)La exists but doesn't mention a mountain pass though. <evil thought>I should've added that myself.</evil thought> ;) -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 12:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes... looking for a specific English word. -- Lost 13:00, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

OK, I will not be online from 9 pm to 9 am, so here's the first hint... The 'piece of architecture' has been built by the military. This should make it very easy. Next hint will only come in the morning -- Lost 14:17, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Highest helipad at Siachin? -- thunderboltz^{a.k.a.Deepu Joseph |TALK}14:25, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Nope :) -- Lost 14:28, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

(X)Highest (Y)Bailey Bridge

Name of the architecture: Baily Bridge -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 14:34, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Bingo... This could make a good DYK too... -- Lost 14:38, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

True. Is 8:30 PM IST a good time for all? -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 14:43, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Sure...might as well give a last try before calling it a day... -- Lost 14:46, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

OK, next question at 8:30 PM IST. -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 14:49, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q13

A is a strange B phenomenon that has had a big socio-political impact in the past; so much so that in anticipation of its recurrence, C, a very important organisation, has been pressed into service in that region to perform an unusual task. Find A, B, and C. -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 15:05, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

A=Sati B=Ancient Hindu C=Brahmo Samaj -- Lost 15:13, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

A=Bamboo flowering; B=48 years; C=Indian Army - Internal reference Mautam. --Gurubrahma 15:14, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Lol.. Guruji checks the contribs first.. Nice way of guessing!! -- Lost 15:20, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

B should've been "ecological". But, that's not the important part. So, Guru takes it! <angry look>By the way, did you find it from my contributions?</angry look> -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 15:31, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

No way, I didn't. This is so current - however I had to google for the organisation part, then ended up on the wikipedia page for History of Mizos from where I ended up at Mautam. But for that page, I'd have mentioned the answer to B as 50 years because I was under the mistaken impression that it was a 50-year cycle. However, I verified the answer to part C through another site, an article from newkerala.com. Next question, tomorrow morning, after 0900 IST. Most probably it wd be around 1030 IST, but definitely after 0900 IST. --Gurubrahma 16:25, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

I trust you. The angry look before was just friendly posturing. ;) -- Sundar ^{\talk \contribs} 16:29, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Guruji, just kidding about the contribs part... Actually I myself checked the page history after you had mentioned it above, and saw editing by Sundar, ;) Waiting for the next q. -- Lost 03:52, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q14

This is very straightforward as people seemed to feel uncomfortable with my previous questions of late. OK, here is the question. This 2-time Member of Parliament exposed a scam in insurance companies that led to the resignation of a finance minister in one of Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinets. Identify this MP. --Gurubrahma 04:57, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Feroze Gandhi? [9] -- Lost 05:06, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, it is Feroze; and the finance minister in question is TTK. All yours, Lost. --Gurubrahma 05:32, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Next question at 5 pm IST -- Lost 05:41, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q15

A very easy "connect" question, so I will twist it as far as possible.

Town 1 (North India): contains erstwhile homes to Lord Kitchener and Maharaja of Patiala.

Town 2 (South India): Has been host to following personalities: Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, Sardar Patel.

Connect both. -- Lost 11:27, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

The cities are Bollaram and chail. Is the connection like, both have military contonements/schools? Or is it that like Bollaram, Chail too is in two different district? Or both have a wildlife sancturary (though bollaram only has shamirpet which is home to a deer sanctuary). I've tried multiple answers since I may not have time. I'll check later. Tx --Idleguy 11:42, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

No... hint - the answer is only partly correct. -- Lost 11:45, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Bollaram and Simla ? Bollaram article says that it contains one Rashtrapathi nilayam. Simla was the (summer) residence of the Head of State (Viceroy) before 1947. Tintin (talk) 11:47, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Well, I'll give it to you. Actually the answers I was looking for were Bollaram and Mashobra, a town in Shimla district. The connection is actually the "Presidential Retreat" or Rashtrapathi Nilayam in both places [10]. -- Lost 11:54, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

When is the next question coming? -- Lost 03:07, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Around 2-3pm today. The internet connection was down at home last night, so couldn't post a message earlier Tintin (talk) 04:45, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q16

I'll ask one straightaway. This is an old, often repeated question but doesn't seem to appear in a simple google search.

Connect Aparna Sen and Indian Tobacco Company Tintin (talk) 04:50, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

36 Chowringhee Lane was directed by Aparna Sen; 37 Chowringhee Lane/ Road is the address of ITC. So, the connect is Chowringhee. --Gurubrahma 05:01, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Damn, I thought it would last longer than that :-( Over to you. Tintin (talk) 05:02, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

It lasted for 11 minutes! Waddaya expect, that it'll last for 15 mins?--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 05:08, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Hmmm. Looking at the other questions in this page, 11 minutes is longer than the average time :) Tintin (talk) 05:17, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Hey, here's another connection: Her father worked for ITC [11]-- Lost 05:05, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

My answer started as a guess, as I knew that ITC was headquartered in Kolkata. After I realised that 36 Chowringhee Lane was a real location, I googled for Chowringhee & ITC and ended up with the answer ;) --Gurubrahma 06:33, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q17

Even taking POV into account, connect the best performance of Dhyan Chand with the worst performance of Indian football team. i hope it will last for quarter of an hour at least ;) --Gurubrahma 06:33, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Dhyanchand scored 133 goals in 1932 tour [12], India's FIFA ranking is was 133 at its worst?[13]-- Lost 06:42, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

No idea as of now, but some thoughts. India's worst ranking is 143 that they achieved in mid 2004. India's worst defeat in Olympics is 1-10 against Yugoslavia in the 1952 Olympics. What is Dhyan Chand's 'best performance' ? Eights goals in the 24-1 defeat of USA in 1932, or six goals in the 8-1 win in the 1936 Olympic final against Germany ? Tintin (talk) 07:20, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Good try, but not what I am looking for. Also, India was ranked much lower than 133. Reframing the question - the "worst" performance of Indian football team was what could have been its "best." I am looking for a single word connect. 1936 Olympic final shd be Dhyan Chand's best performance, right, given the occasion? --Gurubrahma 07:25, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Barefoot playing. Dhyanchand used to play barefoot, right? Also, I've heard of theis incident where India had qualified for some major football tourney (World Cup?), but they were disqualified 'coz they played barefoot--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 08:27, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

I think you've got it Shreshth! Why didn't I think of it!!! Yes, India qualified for the 1950 World Cup, but I can't fathom why they didn't accede to the FIFA rules to wear shoes! =Nichalp «Talk»= 09:03, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, Shreshth gets it - barefoot was the answer I was looking for. AFAICT, Indian football team did not have the experience of playing in shoes and it is possible that some of the players couldn't afford them as well. They were not allowed to participate in the world cup ('54?) for this reason. Dhyan Chand's performance in the 1936 Olympics final was better in the second half, after he removed his shoes and played. Good show, Shreshth and sorry if the question looked confusing or ambiguous. --Gurubrahma 11:12, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

1950. Tintin (talk) 11:15, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

So that question lasted a good 2h.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 11:47, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q18

This is pretty easy, so I'll combine a few questions, all relating to newspapers in India. BTW, the source for this question is my history book, with which I was studying for an exam on Saturday :-D

Name the first newspaper in India, and the year. Raja Rammohan Roy started 3 papers for spreading the cause of social reform. Name them and the languages they were published in. Which famous leader (male) edited which paper, which was the first political paper started in 1851? Easily googleable.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 11:47, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

• First newspaper: Mumbai Samachar, 1822
• 3 (I actually found 4) papers by Ram Mohan Roy:
  • Brahminical Magazine in English (edited by himself)
  • Bengal Gazette in Bangla - Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya
  • Sambad Kaumudi - a Bengali newspaper 1821, - Tarachand Dutta and Bhabani Charan Bandopadhyay
  • Mirat-ul-Akbar - Persian journal 1822, edited by himself

• 1st political paper by Dadabhai Naoroji - Rast Goftar in 1851

phew -- Lost 12:21, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Bengal Gazette is the oldest newspaper (Mumbai Samachar is oldest existing one) Tintin (talk) 12:25, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Then the info in Bombay Samachar is wrong. Just my luck :( -- Lost 12:29, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

I'll give it to Lost, since he answered all the tough part, except the part of the first newspaper, about which Tintin was right.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 12:38, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Mindless googling is injurious to health and having fun - my idea of starting this quiz was to provide a forum we can unwind and elax, not to give edit conflicted answers ;). I'm surprised that Lost says that Sambad Kaumudi was started in 1821 but Mumbai Samachar started in 1822 is the oldest newspaper. Kaise hoga?? Negative marks milnaa chahiye :P --Gurubrahma 12:45, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

<embarrassed face>Oops..</embarrassed face>.. Can anybody direct me to the WP:PINQ deaddiction pages? It seems to be taking its toll!! Well, next question around 10.30 am in the morning.... Sorry will not be online then. So next question at 7.30 pm IST tonight -- Lost 12:54, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Face it Guruji, it's the spirit of "healthy" competition, and will not change however much you or I would like it.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 12:56, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q19

This organisation developed a software named after the game that arguably originated in India. Besides Indians, name atleast two other nationalities that work/can work for the organisation... -- Lost 14:05, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Is the software a game? -- thunderboltz^{a.k.a.Deepu Joseph |TALK}15:09, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Well, I had thought of giving this out as a hint... so yes.. it is. -- Lost 16:59, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

I've figured out the earlier part. In the latter part what do you mean by "nationalities who work/can work for the organization"? I mean, can't anyone of any nationality can/do work for the organisation? Anyway you may not be a night owl like I am & might be sound asleep, so I'll wait for some time for your clarification & then give my answer. --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 19:29, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Wrong about the night owl part ;).. Well, I dont want to clarify anymore otherwise the answer will become too obvious (This is also meant to be a hint) -- Lost 19:35, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Okay, I'll throw in my guess. The organisation is Apple Computer, the software is Chess (application) & the nationalities can be Steve Jobs (CEO) & Timothy D. Cook (COO). --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 19:44, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

• Here's another night owl ! My guess is that the software / game is - Chess and the organization is Indian Army, which has developed a special version of this game for training its officers in the nuances of war. Just a guess though ! So the only 2 nationalities who can work in Indian Army , apart from Indians, are - Nepalese and Bhutanese. Jordy 19:48, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

After Edit conflict with Jordy: Yes, Jordy gets it. Indian Army has developed a war game called Shatranj (see DRDO). Only the above two nationalities can work in the Indian army apart from Indians... Over to you Jordy. Please let us know the time for the next question-- Lost 19:52, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

I had this answer the moment I saw the question, but was then searching for references for the same. After a long and fruitless search, I finally decided to take a potshot. Next question by 10:00 AM IST, if not earlier. Is it ok by you guys ? Jordy 20:01, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Sure, though I wont be online till afternoon (pity) -- Lost 20:03, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q20

A long question, please do bear with me. I framed this question for an inter - organization quiz sometime back.

Question

Being called the best by the best is probably more important than the those Filmfare awards. Lata Mangeshkar calls her the face she could sing for. Dev Anand identified her as the actress you could carry out an intelligent conversation with. Sadhana called her as her idol. She has incidentally won a large number of those Filmfare awards as well.

Daughter of a director father and an actress mother, acting was always her destiny. She started her career as actress as a 14 year old in a movie which also was the debut movie of her sister (who is also a famous actress of the yesteryears).

Her facial expressions were her greatest assets. She can be called Audrey Hepburn of Indian Cinema.

Her son is also an actor (what else do the children of actors, actress and directors do now a days !).

She passed away in the early nineties at the age of 54 due to cancer.

Name her.

Jordy 22:21, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Answers

No need to google for this one - Nutan is the answer. (Four hours since the question was posted and no one even gave it a try. Looks like the owls are still asleep :P ) Tintin (talk) 02:54, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

Just logged in... All ready for the next q. -- Lost 09:40, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

I am extremely sorry, that I haven't been able to confirm the fact that Tintin's answer is indeed the right one. Was busy since the morning in meetings. Jordy 10:17, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q21

Since Nutan is certainly the correct answer and I may not be online tomorrow, I'll ask the next one without waiting for Jordy.

When Parikshit, the son of Arjuna, died after being bitten by a snake, his son Janamejaya conducted a sarpasatra - a yaga intended to kill all the snakes in the world. But before he could complete it, he had to stop it at the request of a sage.

What is common between the father of this sage and Navjot Sidhu ! Tintin (talk) 09:59, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

Guessing: both from around Punjab? Or is it something to do with the Gilli-Danda to Cricket evolution presented in Lagaan. Nobleeagle (Talk) 10:05, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

No. You're not on the right track. Tintin (talk) 10:08, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

Jaratkaru married Jaratkaru, as Navjot Sidhu married Navjot Sidhu? -- Samir धर्म 10:24, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

He did. Navjot Sidhu (wife) was Navjot Grewal before marriage. Well done. Tintin (talk) 10:33, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

Excellent question. A real googly next (but it'll be a bit of time) -- Samir धर्म 10:37, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q22

Add:

• The number of states that share a border with Sikkim
• The number of career one day international centuries for Sachin Tendulkar
• The number of sons of Kuntidevi that fought in the Mahabharata
• The number of consecutive months that Kumbhakarna would sleep before waking
• The number of members in Akbar's navaratana at any given time
• and the number of CCA A-1 cities in India

-- Samir धर्म 23:39, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

1+39+6+6+9+6= 67 --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 03:40, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Close but no... -- Samir धर्म 04:23, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Well the only other answer I can think of is if you consider each of the bordering countries of Sikkim as a state. Then it becomes 4+39+6+6+9+6= 70. And Happy Canada Day to you! --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 04:54, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Well, it is 1, 39, 4, 6, 9, 6 so, 65 because 2 of the Pandavas were sons of Madri. --Gurubrahma 05:06, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Damn!!! How did I miss that? Anyway I'd like to make a last desperation attempt building on Guruji's answer & counting each of the countries as a state - 4+39+4+6+9+6= 68 --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 05:34, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Srikeit, you were so close, but 65 was the answer I was looking for... Guruji, baton is yours. And Happy Canada Day to everyone! They still make me go to work... -- Samir धर्म 14:01, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q23

No math involved in this question, thankfully ;). The straightforward question: Vande Mataram was made the National Song rather than the National Anthem to accommodate the feelings of the Muslim community. What were the two major objections from that community for making this the national anthem? I'll be back around 0930 IST, guess it wd be cracked by then. --Gurubrahma 19:04, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

The depiction of India as Durga and Lakshmi, and by its origin as part of Anandamatha, a novel they felt had an anti-Muslim message ([14]). BTW, I'm editing at 1 am on the 2nd of July, simultaneously watching France v. Brazil, and studying maths.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 19:21, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Shucks, EDIT CONFLICT: copied from Vande Mataram: The song was rejected on the grounds that Muslims felt offended by its depiction of the nation as "Ma Durga"—a Hindu goddess— thus equating the nation with the Hindu conception of shakti, divine feminine dynamic force; and by its origin as part of Anandamatha, a novel they felt had an anti-Muslim message -- Lost 19:22, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

Ok, I give it to Shreshth - the two objections are, (a)Muslims are not supposed to bow to anyone except Allah - Vande Mataram means "Mother, I bow to thee" - this objection was brought to the fore by the media when some BJP-ruled state governments wanted to make "Saraswati Vandana" compulsory in government schools; (b)In the original context of the novel, the song is sung by a group of people against the atrocities of a Nawab (i.e. a Muslim ruler). --Gurubrahma 07:31, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Next question at 9:15 - 9:30 pm IST.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 09:49, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q24

A slightly longer, though simple question.

• Add the years of the Battle of Panipats + the birth year of the creator of the quadratic formula + number of letters in the name of the largest slum in India

• Also, give the name of Tenzing Norgay's son, and the place where Indian currency is printed.

--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(review me!)} 15:25, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

1526+1556+1761=4843; Sridhara's birthyear is indeterminate but taken as 650 A.D.; Dharavi has seven letters ==> 4843+650+7 = 5500

Jamling Tenzing Norgay, a mountaineer and Nima Dorje who died aged 4 are Tenzing's sons. Nasik is where Indian currency is printed. --Gurubrahma 15:46, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Everything else is correct, but the place of the printing mill of currency notes is not what I had in mind. I'll give you a major hint: the city was earlier called Narmadapur.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(esperanza elections!)} 16:18, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Hoshangabad, but I don't get to ask the next question :( =Nichalp «Talk»= 16:21, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

You're right Nichalp, on both counts ;) Guruji bags full points and the right to ask the next question, since he answered the major part!--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(esperanza elections!)} 16:29, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

I knew that Nasik was only for stamps and covers, but did not know which place was the right answer, so took a chance. I will gladly give half the credit and the baton to Nichalp (I can be generous as I've taken an unbeatable lead in the round ;-)); If he doesn't ask a question by tomorrow morning 1030 IST, I'll do so. btw, Hoshangabad seems to be riddled with POV. --Gurubrahma 16:38, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks GB. I'll think of something, but you'll get the full points. I was too late on the draw. =Nichalp «Talk»= 18:02, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Q25

This is claimed to be the oldest of its kind in Asia. It is highly unlikely that it is, but it certainly is the oldest in South Asia (as what my references say). What is it, where is it, and how old? =Nichalp «Talk»= 18:26, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Very open ended question. Here's the first guess: The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE) in the Indian subcontinent :)-- Lost 18:31, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Nope. Ok clue: it's a structure. =Nichalp «Talk»= 18:33, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

I'm heading off to sleepyland, so replies later in the day. 09:30+ IST =Nichalp «Talk»= 18:34, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Clue2: One of its more famous international cousins was destroyed in an earthquake. =Nichalp «Talk»= 06:57, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

The Howrah Bridge ? --hydkat 08:58, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Nope. I guess people are finding this difficult. Clue 3: height >> width =Nichalp «Talk»= 09:06, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Qutub Minar, Delhi, (1193-1368)? -- Lost 10:22, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Qutub Minar won't be the oldest of it's kind in Asia. but you're close – it is a sort of "tower". =Nichalp «Talk»= 10:35, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Is it the [iron pillar] at the Qutab complex? - Parthi 10:49, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Nope. Another clue at in 1.5 hrs time. =Nichalp «Talk»= 10:59, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Bear with me if this is utterly & completely stupid as I have just gotten up from my siesta but is it the Bombay Stock Exchange? --Srikeit ^{(Talk | Review me!)} 11:00, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

No, as I said it is a structure. The building, Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers was completed in 1980. Nothing very old about that. =Nichalp «Talk»= 11:04, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Minor clue: This time it is "not" in Mumbai. (I bet everybody's sighing with relief). =Nichalp «Talk»= 11:04, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

OK, how about the Buddha statue at Bharhut? -- Lost 11:10, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Nope, it conflicts with the opening statement of this question. =Nichalp «Talk»= 11:23, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Is it Sarnath pillar by any chance? AFAICT, Sanchi stupa is the oldest stone structure in India and my gut-instinct reply was that but there width>>height, so I am rooting for Sarnath. --Gurubrahma 13:36, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Nope, that conflicts with the earthquake bit as I don't recall any of it's kind being destroyed by an earthquake. =Nichalp «Talk»= 15:58, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Clue #? The structure was built by a European colonial power. The structure has "cousins" in many countries in the world. =Nichalp «Talk»= 15:58, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Shaheed Minar, Kolkata, 1800s.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91^{(esperanza elections!)} 16:40, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Wrong. How is the Shaheed Minar the oldest of it's kind in South Asia? =Nichalp «Talk»= 16:45, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

You'll are all looking at the wrong kind of "tower" =Nichalp «Talk»= 16:47, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

I'll stick out my neck here - it must be the oldest radio tower, located in Goa; so the colonial power is Portugal and the radio station is Emisora da Goa; btw, some bugs seem to be plaguing WP today. --Gurubrahma 17:00, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Wrong on two counts: A famous radio tower razed by an earthquake? I haven't heard of one. :) From: Radio Ceylon, that is the oldest station in South Asia, so I guess there would be an older tower in South Asia. However, you've got the location correct! That's a first. =Nichalp «Talk»= 17:12, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Our Lady of Rossary, Oldest Church of Goa (begun c. 1510)? Though it doesnt look like it fits height>width, but who knows many churches are very high.. -- Lost 17:25, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Unfortunately, there are older churches in India. [15]. Plus the height >> width/length won't be valid. =Nichalp «Talk»= 17:43, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

My last guess for the day would have been public squares in Goa but I checked my impulses; Now I feel that the structure must be a lighthouse, esp. the one at Aguada fort started in 1604, though here height is only slightly higher than diameter [16]. --Gurubrahma 18:26, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Yes, Gurubrahma get's it right! It is the lighthouse. I didn't believe it would be this tough. =Nichalp «Talk»= 06:10, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

Whew! The question became tough because it was open-ended to start with and then we all started typing "tower" invariably in our google searches. That was an exciting round! I'll kick-off the next round with a reasonably easy question - between 1930-2130 IST or thereabouts. --Gurubrahma 06:19, 4 July 2006 (UTC)