Christ University India Quiz 2016 - Finals

The Christ University National Quiz Championship 2016
The India Quiz
Finals

Content and Presentation
Sameer Dharur

Acknowledgements
Harish Krishna
Rama Subramanian
Nitish Khadiya
Navin Rajaram
Major Chandrakant Nair

 2 Written Rounds.
 2 Infinite Pounce Rounds.
 46 questions in all.
 Good luck!
The Deal

 8 questions.
 10 points per answer.
 No negatives, feel free to take guesses.
 Theme – Symbolism.
Written Round I

1.
The Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is NASA’s primary rocket launch site
to support space and exploration missions.
On his first visit to the place, APJ Abdul Kalam describes in Wings of Fire
that he was awestruck by one of the paintings in the lobby of the
reception, which was an appropriate and deserving recognition befitting
the place – while it wasn’t given its due credit in our own country.
What event, apt to the facility, was captured by the painting?

2.
Brooks is a sports clothing company based in Australia that landed one of its
most high profile clients about a decade ago.
The requirement was to make specially customized equipment that would
bear the colours of green or navy blue in patches with white – an unusual
combination for these items, intended for personal reasons.
What items were these, that have occasionally been faulted by the official
body in its field for flouting rules? Why this peculiar choice of colours?

3.
Being Censitive is an art project by a group of design students from
around the country that intends to protest against moral policing and any
form of censorship in the creative space, especially in content that is
considered obscene and ‘against Indian culture’.
To counter this notion, they came up with a series of drawings that sought
to banish the taboo as well as reassert that they were very much a part of
‘Indian culture’.
What place provided the inspiration for this art project?

4.
The Hilton Young Commission was a group appointed by the British in
1927 to improve the financial health of its colonies, especially India, in the
aftermath of the World War I.
One of the results of this commission in our context was a new setup
whose logo was inspired by the erstwhile Double Mohur coin initiated by
the East India Company. However, this logo was tweaked to remove the
lion for another replacement.
What new setup was this, that first saw an Indian heading it only in 1952?
Why was the lion replaced – a choice that gained official validation in
1972?

5.
The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti is a NGO set up by
renowned activist Narendra Dhabolkar in 2013 that conducts numerous
sessions across the state to raise awareness on important issues.
Earlier this year, it began a series of discussions with the public on
marriage reforms – the need to banish outdated customs and rituals, to
spend less on the ceremonies and to eliminate the menace of caste
endogamy.
What exactly was claimed to be the inspiration, that also made a
Maharashtrian record of sorts, for these sessions?

6.
At a public meeting earlier this year, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu
considered the idea of laying a special railway line as a symbolic gesture
to ensure connectivity to the village of Gehlore in Bihar which is still 8 KMs
away from its nearest railway station, despite sustained efforts to ensure
better access that only managed to connect it to a few nearby towns and
villages, and ended over 30 years ago.
How did this remote village become accessible to its neighbours around
that time?

7.
Mohammed Farooq Qureshi Sheikh is a 56 year old resident of Mumbai
who makes the news around mid-year for undertaking an activity across a
seven-kilometer distance from Dongri to Chinch Bunder.
He has been doing this for the last 18 years to keep alive a tradition that
originated in Egypt and has prevailed ever since across several countries
of the Middle East, but is quickly becoming extinct owing to the
advancement of devices to perform the task.
What tradition is this? OR What does he do for a few days every year?

8.
Following a relentless period of 16 years, Iron Sharmila finally decided to
break her fast on August 9th this year and also announced her desire to
run for public office in Manipur.
Why did it specifically end on August 9th this year, coinciding with a certain
anniversary from over 70 years ago? How was this symbolic to the idea of
her protest?

The use of Tipu Sultan’s rockets in the
Anglo-Mysore Wars.

MS Dhoni’s wicket-keeping gloves.

The camouflage is intended as a tribute to the
Indian Armed Forces.

The sculptures at the Khajuraho temples.

4.
The Hilton Young Commission was a group appointed by the British in
1927 to improve the financial health of its colonies, especially India, in the
aftermath of the World War I.
One of the results of this commission in our context was the a new setup
whose logo was inspired by the erstwhile Double Mohur coin initiated by
the East India Company. However, this logo was tweaked to remove the
lion for another replacement.
What new setup was this, that first saw an Indian heading it only in 1952?
Why was the lion replaced?

To impart a sense of local authority to the
organization, the national animal tiger was picked.

Dashrath Manjhi’s carving of the hillock.

Wakes people up at the dawn of Ramzan!

Intended to coincide with the anniversary of the
Quit India Movement.

The AFSPA was brought into being by the British
empire to suppress the movement.

 15 questions.
 +10, -5 on the pounce.
 No partial pounces applicable.
 Good luck!
Infinite Pounce I

1.
The Hitachi Zosen Corporation shipped 5 of these machines to India in 2011,
which were locally nicknamed – Helen, Margarita, Kaveri, Krishna and
Godavari.
Operating at a diameter of 5 meters, they were picked for their USP to work
without causing damage to the surrounding area – by using the pressure of
the circulated muddy water in the cutter chamber. While one half of the
intended job has been done and is now operational, the other half is to be
completed by next year.
For what specific purpose were these machines used?

Creating the underground tunnels
for the Bangalore Metro.

2.
In February this year, a vendor on Barakhamba Road – connecting Mandi
House to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi – reported heavy sales of his ₹20
product, widely bought and displayed by a large group of people. The
rationale for this surge in purchases was that it not only projected the
origins of the people but also aligned well with the tenets of their core
message.
Who were these people, setting an Indian record of sorts and making
news extensively? What items were these, appropriate to their cause?

Roses, a tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru and his
values as opposed to those of the crackdown.

3.
The choice of ebony for laying the foundation in the construction of buildings
has always been considered a risky one. The wood is known to weaken over
time and crumble owing to rot and ruin.
Archaeological studies conducted over the years have, therefore, expressed
surprise when ebony was picked over other materials for this 17th century
construction – whose marginal shift of 1.5 inches reported in the 1980s was
considered as evidence of its impending destruction, apart from widespread
pollution in its neighbouring areas. However, the design ensures that even a
collapse wouldn’t damage its significant centerpiece(s).
How has the danger of ebony collapsing been prevented by its surroundings?
What design choice has ensured that even a collapse wouldn’t ruin it?

The foundation of the Taj Mahal is nourished by the
waters of the Yamuna which keeps the wood strong.

The minarets were designed with an outward tilt –
ensuring a collapse wouldn’t affect the actual tombs.

4.
A recent edition of the Open magazine carries a revelation on the
reasons behind a diplomatic defeat in the last decade.
It is revealed that China had nothing to do with the negative outcome,
contrary to common perception back home. The result was attributed
entirely to the actions of the USA and its foreign policy interests with
another Asian country. In addition, the matter did not figure prominently
in consecutive meetings between Manmohan Singh and George W Bush,
due to a much more significant bilateral matter with historic implications.
What defeat was being talked about? What was this other more crucial
issue that took precedence?

The failure to elect Shashi Tharoor as the UN
Secretary General.

5.
Skymet Weather Services is a company headquartered in Noida that
provides forecasts and research solutions on the weather.
On a special study undertaken retrospectively since the technology wasn’t
available at the time, the phenomenon of ‘inversion of temperature’ on
winter nights was discovered – that acts as a lid on the lower layers of the
atmosphere which does not allow for any escape to the upper layers
thereby ensuring that any entrants would survive for sustained periods of
time at the same level without drifting away to higher or neighbouring
areas in the absence of air currents.
What exactly was the subject of this study?

The leakage of Methyl Iso-Cyanate that caused
the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

6.
The DMT Corporation of Germany is a company that carries out research,
development and maintenance in the geological industry.
In 2015, they offered to collaborate with the Indian government for tackling an
issue within a 18 sq-km area that has given us losses of over $220 billion, apart
from heavy costs involved in the relocation of settlements. While the extent of
the problem was unknown for years, investigations carried out over 4 decades
ago revealed over 70 sites that needed attention. No progress has been made
since then, leading to hazardous effects on the area and its people.
What issue is this, that has now entered the record books? What socialist
government decision 4 decades ago initiated an investigation into the matter?

The nationalization of coal mines in 1972.

7.
Zirakpur – popularly known as the Wedding Capital of Punjab – is known
for its exotic function halls that come with the most lavish facilities.
In 2008, one of the premium halls in this town received an unusual
renting request for a special purpose and given an image makeover –
with wooden walls, glass enclosures and green coloured flooring – by
someone who, while travelling from Germany to the east decided to stop
over for a week since it was on the way, spent a couple of days with a few
close friends at this place before resuming his trip that eventually turned
out to be a successful one.
Who rented out this wedding hall, and why?

To simulate the conditions of the shooting
range at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

8.
In the 1970s when the royal families were stripped of their titles and the ‘privy
purses’, Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur turned it into an opportunity and
threw open his much coveted fort for tourism and monetization.
Before turning it into a museum, he made money by selling a product courtesy
the fort’s only ‘residents’ until that point – which was playing a pivotal role
around the world in developing modern practices in the agricultural field, and
also contributing hugely to the development of environmental consciousness.
Who were these ‘residents’? How did this place catch worldwide attention four
years ago, an apt choice of location considering the residents?

Bats, whose droppings make the guano fertilizer
extensively used in the farming industry.

The location for the rock climbing scene in The
Dark Knight Rises.

9.
Kunaria is a remote village in the Kutch region of Gujarat. A decade and a half
ago, the barren land contained some distinguishable features of development
from the rest of the area in the form of pucca-roofed-houses, navigable roads,
regular supply of water – all spread across a 100 acre piece of land that held
particular significance to a 3000+ group of occupiers, despite being one of the
hottest places in the state throughout the year.
Following their subsequent exit, they were compelled to return in a few months,
this time for more unfortunate reasons that related to the native villagers.
Who were these occupiers? Why did they feel the need to return?

The cast and crew of Lagaan, who chose this
village for the film’s shoot.

To offer help in the aftermath of the 2001 Bhuj
earthquake that destroyed the village.

10.
After the first Anglo-Sikh war, the British East India Company and Gulab Singh
Dogra struck a treaty at Amritsar in 1846.
One of the articles of the treaty was that “the British Government transfers and
makes over for ever in independent possession to Maharajah Gulab Singh and
the heirs male of his body – all the hilly or mountainous country with its
dependencies situated to the eastward of the River Indus and the westward of
the River Ravi.”
What controversial and prohibitive rule, mentioned as a sub-article, stays on
even today? What loophole did the British exploit to enjoy the summer months
in this region?

Non-Kashmiris not being allowed to buy land in
Kashmir.

The British purchased the houseboats on Dal Lake
as they weren’t technically buying land!

11.
Nandalal Bose of Shanti Niketan was made the illustrator of a book
written by Prem Behari Raizada, three of whose drawings are seen in the
following slide.
The first image was mentioned in a January 1993 judgment of Justice HN
Tilhari of the Allahabad High Court in a case between the State of Uttar
Pradesh and another private entity, that ignited the passions of a large
group of people.
In which book would you find these drawings? According to the
judgment, what did the first drawing imply and help justify?

The judge legitimized the Ram temple at
Ayodha, claiming ‘Ram is a constitutional entity’.

12.
Bhaskara Sethupathi was a minor when his father, the Raja of Ramnad,
died in the late 1800s. According to a British policy, such minor zamindars
were to be trained by a Court of Wards until they come of age.
He was taught English, Western etiquette and made to travel around
India and Ceylon to become worldy-wise. But he disappointed his tutor at
the end of his study when he preferred Sanskrit poetry to English classics
and said that he had moorings in Indian culture and arts.
What prestigious invitation did he receive a few years later, because of his
scholarship? Which guest from his kingdom did he send instead of going
himself?

To speak at the Parliament of Religions in
Chicago in 1893.

13.
Sydney Percy Lancaster was the last Englishman to hold the position of
Superintendent of Horticultural Operations, Govt of India. One of the most
prominent projects he carried out was under the supervision of PM Nehru in
the late 1940s, to create a square sunken garden floored with red stone – as a
symbolic, simplistic depiction of natural Earth landscaped with a grass lawn.
His other high profile venture came a couple of years later, supervising
greenery for the renovation of a nearby amphitheatre that would soon garner
global attention in a historic first for India, and recur for several years to come.
What two projects of his are being referred to?

The grass used in the National Stadium, that
hosted the first Asian Games in 1951.

14.
The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, which was aimed at regulating
payments and foreign exchange, claimed Coca Cola as a high profile
casualty when it required its secret formula to be revealed so that an
Indian company could go ahead with having a major stake in the
business.
To make up for this, Modern Food Industries – a public sector company –
came up with a product called Double Seven that grew popular all over
the country but was later disbanded 3 years later.
What was the significance behind the name of this product? What
circumstances enabled Coca Cola’s re-entry into the Indian market?

The year Indira Gandhi lost power, since the
incumbent Janata Party wanted to push local goods.

The liberalization of the economy in 1991.

15.
By the end of 2nd century BC, mariners in India intending to travel to Indonesia
never went directly. They assembled at Odisha’s Chilika Lake around this time
of the year and headed to Sri Lanka first, taking in fresh water and supplies
along the way, eventually reaching Bali through Sumatra and Java. The return
journey was planned similarly beginning about 6 months later.
During these travels, one of the key exchanges was the import of a South
Asian plant of the Piperaceae family whose extensive usage in our country is
contrasted with bans over its sale and consumption in countries such as the
UAE and Qatar, over health hazards among other things.
What led to these unusual travel itineraries? What ubiquitous plant used in
India owes its origins to these travels?

The travel was planned in such a way that it was
eased along by the monsoon winds.

Paan, prepared from the imports of betel
leaves and areca nuts.

 8 questions.
 2 parts to each question – with 5 points per part.
 The first part connects to the second part in a lateral way.
 Theme – Winning questions on Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Written Round II

1.
In 1992, who became the first sportsperson to be honoured with the Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?
A. Vishwanathan Anand.
B. Sachin Tendulkar.
C. Geet Sethi.
D. Leander Paes.

1.
The Pongal Test was an annual fixture held at the Chepauk in Chennai
from 1915 to 1950 between Indian and European teams. The trophy was
named after Buchi Babu Naidu – widely regarded as the father of South
Indian cricket.
His son Cotah Ramaswami – a regular in the match – shares a special
distinction with two others, of representing India in multiple sports having
played professional tennis too. One of the others was MJ Gopalan who
played cricket and hockey for India.
Who is the third and last person who joined this list in June this year?

2.
In 1860, which British official became the first Auditor General of India?
A. Sir AF Cox.
B. Sir Proby Cautley.
C. Lord Salisbury.
D. Sir Edmund Drummond.

2.
Earlier this month, the governments of India and the USA signed a landmark
defence agreement for the purchase of M777 howitzers costing $737
million, the first deal for artillery guns since the 1980s.
The machines themselves were manufactured by BAE Systems, a world
leader in its field that sells defence equipment to several countries around
the globe.
How do we better know this last deal that was signed in the 80s also
involving the said company, that gave its auditor many a sleepless night?

3.
Who was the youngest person in the world to climb the Mount Everest?
A. Arjun Vajpai.
B. Jordan Romero.
C. Ming Kipa Sherpa.
D. Temba Tsheri.

3.
The Zenith sector was an upward facing telescope used for accurate
angle measurement scales. Several of these machines were imported into
the country by the British for a certain purpose that began in the early
19th century and went on for much longer than expected, spearheaded by
6 different people throughout its duration.
What was the purpose?

4.
Which of these animals' image is not found on a 10 rupee note?
A. Tiger.
B. Deer.
C. Elephant.
D. Rhino.

4.
The Mysore Airport at Mandakahalli was inaugurated during the
Yeddyurappa regime in 2010 but left practically unused after a few initial
flights.
However, it was recently learnt that the central government paid a private
company 1 lakh euros to run a series of chartered flights that would enable
transport from a local facility in the city to various other important places
in the country – an operation carried out over the last 6 months and
seeing effect over the last few weeks.
What were these flights transporting?

5.
What was the only dowry, apart from a few yards of khadi, that Lal
Bahadur Shastri accepted in his marriage?
A. Bhagvad Gita.
B. Khadaun.
C. Gandhi Topi.
D. Charkha.

5.
One of Charles Correa’s first and most iconic constructions in India – this
museum was inaugurated in 1963 with the idea of paying tribute to its
most famous resident.
Where is this museum located?

6.
Whom does the Indian constitution permit to take part in the proceedings
of the Parliament?
A. Solicitor General.
B. Attorney General.
C. Cabinet Secretary.
D. Chief Justice.

6.
A dramatic moment in recent Indian legal history took place at a CBI
Special Court in 2013 where a person holding this constitutional office
appeared for trial as a witness for the first time ever. He was subjected to
much animosity from the accused who called him a liar and claimed that
every decision in the process was taken after consulting him.
The accused, meanwhile, was guilty of misusing a press release issued by
him to illegally alter specific dates in an official process that went on to
become the subject of much uproar.
What case of public importance was this?

7.
Who commanded the 'Hector', the first British trading ship to land at
Surat?
A. Paul Canning.
B. William Hawkins.
C. Thomas Roe.
D. James Lancaster.

7.
Well before the arrival of the Hector and the captain’s bonhomie with
Jehangir, one of the first interactions of the Mughal Empire with
Europeans was in the 1560s when Akbar encouraged exchange of cultural
ideas. Following these meetings, Mughal miniatures made their way to
countries in Europe.
About a 100 years later, who was inspired by these miniatures to come up
with the following depictions of the Mughal Empire?

8.
Which colonial power ended its involvement in India by selling the rights
of the Nicobar Islands to the British on October 16, 1868?
A. Belgium.
B. Italy.
C. Denmark.
D. France.

8.
The Canara Union Hall in Malleshwaram has its roof at a height of 20 feet
and girders at 17 feet – and has been a preferred place for all sorts of
association among people in the area for several decades.
These dimensions were of particular help to someone in the late 60s since
they imposed constraints that helped hone his craft in an effective
manner.
After initial successes in the country in the 70s, what was his global claim
to fame in 1980 that cemented his place in the history books?

Yuzvendra Chahal, who was a chess player
before taking to cricket.

The Great Trigonometric Survey of India, once
headed by George Everest.

6.
What was the only dowry, apart from a few yards of khadi, that Lal
Bahadur Shastri accepted in his marriage?
A. Bhagvad Gita.
B. Khadaun.
C. Gandhi Topi.
D. Charkha.

6.
One of Charles Correa’s first and most iconic constructions in India – this
museum was inaugurated in 1963 with the idea of paying tribute to its
most famous resident.
Where is this museum located?

Prakash Padukone winning the All England
Badminton Championships.

 15 questions.
 +10, -5 on the pounce.
 No partial pounces applicable.
 Good luck!
Infinite Pounce II

16.
As part of increasing the awareness towards rail safety, Section 156 of The
Railways Act 1989 brought in rules that laid out punishments for a specific act
of passenger misconduct.
Roughly a decade later, it was observed that this practice suddenly grew in
popularity, greatly endangering the lives of passengers. Over the last few
years, a few thousands of these cases are observed to be registered annually
– with increased fines and widespread campaigns by the Railways urging
people to stay away.
What risky practice is this? Why did it quickly become popular in the late 90s?

Inspiration from the filming of
Chaiyya Chaiyya.

17.
Among the most audacious decisions of the Delhi High Court in its recent
history was the setting up of mobile courts in the capital in the late 2000s to
dispense speedy justice to a large group of people.
This was seen as a necessary parallel to the relevant welfare scheme, with
subjects being booked under a 1959 act considered a violation of rights
among activists. Several vans were deployed in the city which were meant to
round up around 60,000 people for quick trial – following which they were to
be deported to their state of origin, or to government run shelters.
Who were the intended subjects of this crackdown? What was the reason for
carrying out this exercise, that was an eventual success despite skepticism?

Rounding up beggars on the streets.

To ‘cleanse’ the city in the run up to the 2010
Commonwealth Games.

18.
Involving over 12,000 men and requiring enormous maintenance effort
throughout the year, the British in 1803 decided to construct a series of tall
hedges over 4 metres tall, that would constantly be patrolled by its officers.
Often called one of the least known achievements of the British regime, it
eventually extended to a continuous construction across a large region of the
country, which affected close to 30 million Indians. However, it was
systematically disbanded towards the end of the century but its origins
remained contentious and spurred a historic event around 30 years after its
closure.
What purpose did these hedges serve? What event did its origins inspire?

Customs barriers to impose the salt tax,
surrounding the areas that produced it.

Gandhi’s protest march against the law from Dandi.

19.
Akhnoor is a picturesque town in the Jammu district on the banks of the
River Chenab, located on the foothills of the Himalayas.
Among the many crop cultivations that take place in the region, the grass
grown around the town is always required to be contained within specific
limitations, for a special purpose. Interestingly, this town has a famous
mythological reputation associated with a similar purpose – making it
among the most vital archaeological sites in the state and more
importantly, one of religious significance for believers.
What necessitates this regulation of the grass? What similar helpful role
did this town supposedly play in Indian mythology?

The grass is kept low to deny the cover
needed for cross-border terrorist infiltrations.

The town supposedly played host to the exiled
times of the Pandavas in hiding.

20.
The Aravalli mountain range extends for about 692 km, originating at
Palanpur in Gujarat and extending up to the North of the country.
The place where it terminates gets its name from a moniker given to the
local estate ruler Kalda Rao whose reign during the 1600s and 1700s was
considered brave and courageous. In the 1910s, the locals of this place
were subjected to harsh land grabbing with over 300 families being
displaced. Today, the name continues to serve as a metronym for the
establishment.
How do we better know this terminating point of this range? What was
the reason behind this land acquisition in the 1910s?

Movement of the capital of British India from
Calcutta to Delhi.

21.
Among the worst victims of animal poaching in India are turtles – about
15,000 of which have been reported to be smuggled over the last 10
years from a breeding ground near Sarnath set up by the government in
1987 to serve a special purpose.
This initiative was halted in 1993 owing to poaching efforts and resumed
again in 2005, with over 1,000 of them being carefully bred every year
and released to the intended location, while a number of them are
intercepted in transit as they’re headed North.
Where are these turtles released every year? What special purpose do
they serve for the greater good, owing to their distinctive culinary habits?

Along the banks of The Ganges.

To eliminate the polluting corpses
cremated in the river.

22.
Duncan Kennedy, the owner of a materials science and manufacturing
workshop at New York’s Clarkson University received a special request last
year to design certain objects of steel weighing about 20-25 kilos each.
As an addition to the generic ones manufactured for other clients in
European countries such as Germany, Italy and Austria – the Indian
variant required a special addition that increased its weight by a few 100
grams without compromising on its intended purpose, deemed
dangerous by several experts – especially in our conditions.
What exclusive items were these, manufactured for a certain individual?
What was the special addition made to the Indian variant?

Shiva Keshavan’s luge sleds.

Equipped with wheels to help him train on
Manali’s roads in the absence of snow.

23.
The origins of Bombay’s massive population can be traced back to the latter half
of the 19th century, which witnessed a huge influx of immigrant workers owing to
the cotton boom that the city benefitted from. However, this growth was short-
lived and brought catastrophe in the 1890s which forced the British Parliament to
enact special laws for the city’s welfare.
Despite India never being the first choice for cotton imports in Britain, changing
circumstances and competitive considerations in the 1860s increased the Indian
contribution from 20% to over 60% of all cotton.
What was the unfortunate consequence of this development to Bombay in the
1890s? What circumstances led to India suddenly becoming the number one
choice for cotton in the 1860s?

The bubonic plague epidemic in Bombay, that
killed around 40,000 people in 10 years.

The embargo on cotton-rich Confederate
states during the American Civil War.

24.
During BC Roy’s tenure as the Chief Minister of West Bengal in the years
following independence, he was approached by Bela Sen – who headed the
All Bengal Women’s Union – to release a ₹1,50,000 loan for a cause seen as
‘rural uplift’.
The CM eventually agreed but decided to review the outcome with Nehru,
after its completion over 3 years from 1953 to 1956, to ensure it did more
good than harm to the state. For accounting purposes, this loan was
sanctioned under the name of the state’s Roads and Buildings Department.
What world famous project was this funding for? Why did the government
account for it under the Roads and Buildings Department?

Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali.

The title means ‘Song of the Road’, mistakenly
thought to be a documentary on the state’s roads!

25.
Dronagiri is an ecologically sensitive village in Uttarakhand whose locals
are very sensitive about preserving their natural environment.
Owing to this reason and to historical considerations, this village’s manner
of celebrating the Ramlila ceremony has undergone a change in terms of
the storyline of the Ramayana – which is also reflected in the Hindu
temples around the area. Locals say this change is rooted in sentiments
shaped over several centuries and unlikely to ever change.
What change in the story or ceremony is this? What emotional reasons
brought about this change?

The exclusion of Hanuman from the Ramayana.

Intended as a boycott of him for taking away
the Sanjeevani from the region!

26.
Contrary to the global trend, the community of amateur radio operators in
India has grown in its numbers since inception in the 1970s, driven by
communication engineers at HAL and boosted by the efforts of a pioneer
who, in the 1980s eased the process of entry, while using them extensively
for communicating with people across the world as part of his job.
With regular hangout spots being the islands of Andaman and Nicobar,
and Lakshadweep, these licenses are handed out after rigorous
examinations and remain very difficult to acquire.
Who was this pioneer, actively using the medium until the early 90s? In the
absence of alternatives, how did these communications save lives in these
islands more than a decade ago?

Rajiv Gandhi, who abolished import duty on
the wireless equipment as PM.

Undertook special relief broadcasts during the
Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.

27.
Four qualified doctors from the Brooklyn Medical Center in New York were
sponsored by the Govt of India to travel to Chennai’s Apollo Hospital in
1984 for treating a case of acute kidney failure, that was followed by a stroke
that led to permanent impairment of speech and paralysis of the right leg.
A couple of Japanese doctors were flown in as well to assist local ones and
apart from the state-of-the-art medical equipment, cameras were also
exclusively permitted into the hospital premises on the insistence of the
state government, which did so in view of events to follow that year.
What case was this, that grabbed the attention of the state for a long time?
For what eventually successful purpose were the cameras brought in?

The hospitalization of MG Ramachandran.

To reassure voters of his health before the
Assembly elections later in the year!

28.
Makrana is a town in Rajasthan best known for mining high quality
marble. Because of its high percentage of Calcium content, its water
absorption is the least among all varieties available in India.
Owing to this important property, this was chosen as the renovation
material a few years ago for a structure heavily affected by saline winds
on a daily basis and thronged by around 80,000 people every week –
despite being inaccessible for some parts of the day.
What place is this? Why exactly is it out of bounds to visitors for some
time every day?

The causeway to the shrine is submerged
during high tides.

29.
The White-bellied Shortwing is a songbird species endemic to the Shola
forests in the Western Ghats, now threatened by ecological circumstances.
They are now found in isolated populations separated from each other
along the Ghats such that their cultural characteristics are vastly different,
within the same species. Researchers have attributed natural factors such
as rivers and valleys that have separated the birds over millions of years
as well as man-made causes about 100-200 years ago, introduced by the
British after conducting relevant studies in China.
What was the man-made reason for the drift of these birds and the
subsequent cultural disparity?

The construction of tea plantations along the
Ghats in places like Munnar and Kodaikanal.

30.
Following the 26/11 attacks, the Home Ministry decided to undertake a
major revamp of the National Security Guard (NSG) – that carried out the
operation which flushed out the terrorists from the Taj Hotel.
The organization itself was set up more than three decades ago for
‘combating terrorist activities with a view to protect states against internal
disturbances’ – inspired by the German special operations unit GSG9 that
was established more than 10 years prior to this, owing to a shakeup of
their security apparatus following an international embarrassment.
What circumstances in India necessitated the formation of the NSG? What
prompted the Germans to establish the GSG9?

The 1972 Munich Olympics massacre.

Christ University India Quiz 2016 - Finals

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