Satyanweshi…The Poyla Boishakh trivia game show

Srijan SenguptaPoyla Boishakh, 1420

How this works

Please raise you hand if you want to answer, and please wait till we prompt you to answer.

The first person to answer correctly will be given a numbered token. You can have only one token even if you answer multiple questions!

At the end, we’ll have a lottery to select two lucky winners who get a shiny new i-pod!

A game of deduction, rather than knowledge or information.

What symbol? On 10 August 2010, the Unicode Technical

Committee accepted the proposed code position for this symbol

Ubuntu became the first operating system to support this symbol by default, since its 10.10 version

On 18 May 2011, Microsoft released an update to its operating systems to include support for this symbol.

Apple has added support for this symbol with iOS 5

What symbol? On 10 August 2010, the Unicode Technical

Committee accepted the proposed code position for this symbol

Ubuntu became the first operating system to support this symbol by default, since its 10.10 version

On 18 May 2011, Microsoft released an update to its operating systems to include support for this symbol.

Apple has added support for this symbol with iOS 5

Hint: The symbol was designed by D Udaya Kumar, a student at IIT Bombay.

What symbol? On 10 August 2010, the Unicode Technical

Committee accepted the proposed code position for this symbol

Ubuntu became the first operating system to support this symbol by default, since its 10.10 version

On 18 May 2011, Microsoft released an update to its operating systems to include support for this symbol.

Apple has added support for this symbol with iOS 5

Hint: The symbol was designed by D Udaya Kumar, a student at IIT Bombay.

The new Indian Rupee sign is a combination of the Devanagari letter "र" (ra) and the Latin capital letter "R". The parallel lines at the top make an allusion to the tricolor Indian flag. and also depict an equality sign that symbolizes the nation's desire to reduce economic disparity.

Identify the batsman.

Identify the batsman.

Hint: his residence has the second most famous address in his city.

Identify the batsman.

David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, during his recent visit to India

Pringle Kennedy (1855–1925) was an author/historian and a famous barrister. He wrote 2 books:

History Of The Great Moghuls Arabian Society At The Time Of Muhammad

In 1908, Mr Kennedy lost his wife and daughter in an ‘unfortunate’ incident in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.What incident?

Pringle Kennedy (1855–1925) was an author/historian and a famous barrister. He wrote 2 books:

History Of The Great Moghuls Arabian Society At The Time Of Muhammad

In 1908, Mr Kennedy lost his wife and daughter in an ‘unfortunate’ incident in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.What incident?Hint: This ‘incident’ took place in front of the European Club of Muzaffarpur

Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki’s attempted assassination of Kingsford, magistrate of Muzaffarpur

What’s in a name?

James Cash ________, Jr. (September 16, 1875 – February 12, 1971) was an American businessman and entrepreneur.What was his surname?

What’s in a name?

James Cash ________, Jr. (September 16, 1875 – February 12, 1971) was an American businessman and entrepreneur.What was his surname?

Hint: In 1902, he founded a famous chain of stores.

What’s in a name?

James Cash ________, Jr. (September 16, 1875 – February 12, 1971) was an American businessman and entrepreneur.What was his surname?

Hint: In 1902, he founded a famous chain of stores.

James Cash Penney, founder of J.C.Penney

Talking of corporations..

Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices that are cultivated. Which organization is the largest single consumer of vanilla in the world?

Talking of corporations..

Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices that are cultivated. Which organization is the largest single consumer of vanilla in the world?

Hint: Not an ice-cream company – at least ice cream is not their primary product(s)

Talking of corporations..

Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices that are cultivated. Which organization is the largest single consumer of vanilla in the world?

Hint: Not an ice-cream company – at least ice cream is not their primary product(s)

Coca ColaWhen Coca Cola changed their recipe in 1984, it created a

major global collapse in vanilla prices, and almost threatened the entire economy of Madagascar. With the

introduction of vanilla coke, supply and demand are quite stabilized now.

Last question on corporations (for now)

Identify the company/brand behind this famous commercial (we will play this without sound)

Note to self: exit full-screen before clicking on the file!

Last question on corporations (for now)

Identify the company/brand behind this famous commercialHint: Here is the narration that’s going on

Note to self: exit full-screen before clicking on the file!

Last question on corporations (for now)

Identify the company/brand behind this famous commercialHint: Here is the narration that’s going on

Apple Inc/ MacThis was Apple’s famous ‘Think Different’ campaign.

Steve Jobs had just returned to Apple, and he wanted to re-position the company and brand.

India: Politics

Which Indian political party has the following party flag?

Hint!

TRS or Telangana Rashtra SamithiThe flag depicts the map of Telengana region

Politics to crime..

On February 14, 1981, in what came to be known as Behmai massacre, 22 upper caste Thakur men in Behmai village of Kanpur (Rural) were lined up and publicly executed.

Who was the mastermind behind this massacre?

Politics to crime..

On February 14, 1981, in what came to be known as Behmai massacre, 22 upper caste Thakur men in Behmai village of Kanpur (Rural) were lined up and publicly executed.

Who was the mastermind behind this massacre?Hint: Elected as MP for Samajwadi Party

Phoolan DebiAlso known as Bandit Queen

India: Politics

Which Indian politician has siblings named Jalebia, Rasgulawa and Paanwa?

India: Politics

Which Indian politician has siblings named Jalebia, Rasgulawa and Paanwa?

Hint: this person served as Chief Minister for 3 terms

Rabri DeviIt’s a family custom of offering to women the food of their choice after childbirth and then naming the newborn after the food item. Rabri’s own children have fascinating names as well. The eldest

daughter Misa Bharti got her name from the draconian MISA under which Laloo as a student leader had been jailed at the time of her birth. The second daughter, Chunnu (Rohini Acharya) was named

after chunav (polls) as Laloo was contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Chhapra in 1977 when she was born.

Talking of political marriages…

King Subala married her daughter to a goat (for astrological reasons). Later the goat was sacrificed and the princess was married to a young prince from a powerful kingdom.

However, years later, when this husband (technically 2nd husband) learnt about this earlier, he threw all his in-laws in jail.

Name this princess and her angry prince..

Talking of political marriages…

King Subala married her daughter to a goat (for astrological reasons). Later the goat was sacrificed and the princess was married to a young prince from a powerful kingdom.

However, years later, when this husband (technically 2nd husband) learnt about this earlier, he threw all his in-laws in jail.

Name this princess and her angry prince..

Gandhari and Dhritarashtra

Terrorism and Cricket

In 2011, there were a series of bomb explosions carried out by the Taliban in Afghanistan, where they hid the bombs inside their turban.

The Afghan public got very unhappy at the resultant security procedures - having to open their turban and get it searched

American military coined the term TBIED (turban-borne improvised explosive device), but Kabul public and the media coined a more ‘colloquial’ name for it

In India, this term is a nickname for a cricket star

What name/term?

Terrorism and Cricket

In 2011, there were a series of bomb explosions carried out by the Taliban in Afghanistan, where they hid the bombs inside their turban.

The Afghan public got very unhappy at the resultant security procedures - having to open their turban and get it searched

American military coined the term TBIED (turban-borne improvised explosive device), but Kabul public and the media coined a more ‘colloquial’ name for it

In India, this term is a nickname for a cricket star

What name/term? Hint: he recently played his 100th Test for India

TurbanatorHarbhajan Singh’s nickname since his Aussie demolitions

of 2001

India: Sports

Which Indian sports superstar wrote an autobiography named “Goal!”?

India: Sports

Which Indian sports superstar wrote an autobiography named “Goal!”?

Hint: He scored more than 400 goals in his international career

India: Sports

Which Indian sports superstar wrote an autobiography named “Goal!”?

Hint: He scored more than 400 goals in his international career

Major Dhyan Chand

Identify the book

English-language novel written in 2005 by an Indian diplomat (IFS officer)

Follows the first-person narration of Ram Mohammad Thomas, an orphaned, uneducated young waiter

The chapters in the book are titled: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 50000, etc

Identify the book

English-language novel written in 2005 by an Indian diplomat (IFS officer)

Follows the first-person narration of Ram Mohammad Thomas, an orphaned, uneducated young waiter

The chapters in the book are titled: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 50000, etc

Hint: The book was adapted into a movie in 2008

Q & A by Vikas SwarupThe chapter names are the various levels (money

amount) that a contestant has to clear in the quiz game show, modeled on KBC

Chambana’s Bollywood connection

Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams is an American physician, social activist, citizen diplomat, clown and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute, based out of Urbana, which promotes an alternative health care model based on humor, comedy acts, and mental well-being.

In 1998, his life and work was featured in a Robin Williams movie ‘Patch Adams’, which gained a cult following.

‘Patch Adams’ inspired a major Bollywood movie in 2003, which received critical acclaim and commercial success. Which movie?

Chambana’s Bollywood connection

Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams is an American physician, social activist, citizen diplomat, clown and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute, based out of Urbana, which promotes an alternative health care model based on humor, comedy acts, and mental well-being.

In 1998, his life and work was featured in a Robin Williams movie ‘Patch Adams’, which gained a cult following.

‘Patch Adams’ inspired a major Bollywood movie in 2003, which received critical acclaim and commercial success. Which movie?

Hint: The lead actor of the Bollywood movie was in news recently

Chambana’s Bollywood connection

‘Patch Adams’ inspired a major Bollywood movie in 2003, which received critical acclaim and commercial success. Which movie?

Hint: The lead actor of the Bollywood movie was in news recently

Chambana’s Bollywood connection

‘Patch Adams’ inspired a major Bollywood movie in 2003, which received critical acclaim and commercial success. Which movie?

Hint: The lead actor of the Bollywood movie was in news recently Munna Bhai MBBS

Chambana

“If the computer can successfully tell a joke, and do the timing and delivery as well as Henny Youngman, then that’s the voice I want.”_________ in 2011 TED Conference

This gave rise to the _________ test, which gauges whether a computer-based synthesized voice can tell a joke with sufficient skill to cause people to laugh.

Which son of Chambana is this test named after?

Chambana

“If the computer can successfully tell a joke, and do the timing and delivery as well as Henny Youngman, then that’s the voice I want.”Roger Ebert in 2011 TED Conference

This gave rise to the Ebert test, which gauges whether a computer-based synthesized voice can tell a joke with sufficient skill to cause people to laugh.

Last question on Chambana

From Roger Ebert’s journal, dated Nov 16, 1999:

“I have been here at the _______________ for five days without once hearing the word "Miramax." No one has discussed a deal. There has been no speculation about a film's box-office prospects. I have not seen a single star. I have been plunged into a world of passionate debate about film - nonstop talking about theory, politics and art. For the visiting American, dazed and sedated by the weekly mumbo-jumbo about the weekend's top 10, this is like a wake-up plunge into cold water.”

What event is Ebert describing here?

Last question on Chambana

From Roger Ebert’s journal, dated Nov 16, 1999:

“I have been here at the Calcutta Film Festival for five days without once hearing the word "Miramax." No one has discussed a deal. There has been no speculation about a film's box-office prospects. I have not seen a single star. I have been plunged into a world of passionate debate about film - nonstop talking about theory, politics and art. For the visiting American, dazed and sedated by the weekly mumbo-jumbo about the weekend's top 10, this is like a wake-up plunge into cold water.”

What event is Ebert describing here?

More quotes from Ebert’s Kolkata trip

Calcutta is said to be the intellectual center of India. Bombay is the film center, and "Bollywood" produces more films every year than Hollywood. But Calcutta is the home of Satyajit Ray, the greatest Indian director and patron saint of Bengali film lovers. I am told by a young man behind me in line at the Pepsi stand: "In Bombay, it is all business; in Delhi, it is all politics; in Calcutta, it is all philosophy."

More quotes from Ebert’s Kolkata trip

The grounds of Nandan are filled with conversation. On the grass, students in threes and fours sit in the sun with the festival program, discussing the films they have seen. On railings and benches, older people nod in earnest debate. Nobody asks me about Tom Cruise, but I am closely examined on "Battleship Potemkin."

There are no white lines on the streets in Calcutta. They would be a waste of good paint. Cars drive wherever there is an opening. In general, you stay on your side of the street, unless an opportunity opens up on the other side. Every square inch of the pavement, from curb to curb, is occupied by cars, buses, taxis, people and the occasional horse. In America, we squander half our streets with empty space between vehicles.

All drivers honk their horns constantly. There is a kind of code. Some honks mean, "Pedestrian, jump out of the way quickly as I am not going to stop." Others mean, "I am now cutting you off." Little toots mean, "Don't get any ideas about slowing down because I am maintaining a constant speed and am 1 1/2 inches from your rear bumper." Long angry blasts mean, "You are heading directly toward me in my lane." Then there is a happy little tap that simply means, "I exist."

The changing face of Kolkata..

What Kolkata landmark was located in the building on the right before it was closed and taken over by a departmental store?

The changing face of Kolkata..

Lighthouse Cinema (1934 – 2002)

The changing face of Kolkata..

The original Fort William was built in 1700, and stood till 1756, when it was destroyed by Siraj-ud-doullah’s armies during the ‘Siege of Calcutta’. It was also the alleged site of the infamous ‘Black Hole incident’

Which iconic Kolkata building currently stands in the site of the original Fort William?

The changing face of Kolkata..

GPO (General Post Office)

The changing face of Kolkata..

Hawkers in Kolkata:

Operation Sunshine (1996) was a huge co-ordinated campaign by the Govt, the Municipality, and the Police to remove hawkers from streets of Kolkata.But even then, a particular part of Kolkata was left alone, as a matter of policy. Which part?

The changing face of Kolkata..

Hawkers in Kolkata:Operation Sunshine (1996) was a huge co-ordinated campaign by the Govt, the Municipality, and the Police to remove hawkers from streets of Kolkata.But even then, a particular part of Kolkata was left alone, as a matter of policy. Which part?

College Street Boi Para

And some things that don’t change

Identify this Kolkata restaurant and their signature dish: It opened on 15th August 1947 Its list of dedicated patrons include(d) MF Hussain,

Jyoti Basu, and a certain Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar Much of the restaurant’s popularity came from

football. In th 80’s, after league matches ended in the evening, players from East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohd Sporting often came over for a meal, together.

A chef needs to spend 10+ years in training before allowed to cook the signature dish. A special part of the kitchen is reserved for this dish. The current head chef for this dish is Muhammed Farid.

And some things that don’t change

And some things that don’t change

Where was this picture taken?

And some things that don’t change

Where was this picture taken?

Gol Bari (New Punjabi Hotel)

Final question on Kolkata..

Calcutta High court (pic) has 32 permanent seats. Currently there are 40 judges. 38 of them are located in High Court. Where are the other two located, and why?

Final question on Kolkata..

Calcutta High court (pic) has 32 permanent seats. Currently there are 40 judges. 38 of them are located in High Court. Where are the other two located, and why?

Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar bench)In fact, after independence, jurisdiction of the Calcutta

High Court (which at that point was restricted to WB) was extended to two other places. One was A & N, the other

was?

Final question on Kolkata..

Calcutta High court (pic) has 32 permanent seats. Currently there are 40 judges. 38 of them are located in High Court. Where are the other two located, and why?

Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar bench)In fact, after independence, jurisdiction of the Calcutta

High Court (which at that point was restricted to WB) was extended to two other places. One was A & N, the other

was Chandernagar.

Penultimate Question…

Harish Bhimani played an important character in an Indian TV series. However, Harish Bhimani was never seen on screen in this series.

Name the TV series, and the character played by Harish Bhimani.

Penultimate Question…

Harish Bhimani played an important character in an Indian TV series. However, Harish Bhimani was never seen on screen in this series.

Name the TV series, and the character played by Harish Bhimani.

Hint: It was a very famous TV series.

Penultimate Question…

Harish Bhimani played an important character in an Indian TV series. However, Harish Bhimani was never seen on screen in this series.

Name the TV series, and the character played by Harish Bhimani.

Hint: It was a very famous TV series.Mahabharata, character of Samay

Last Question… Connect the following pictures

Last Question… Connect the following pictures

Hint: the connection should be an Indian organization

Last Question… Connect the following pictures

Air India

Thank you..(and hope you had fun!)