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This book belongs to Copyrighted Material

Disclaimer: This book strives to be completely authen�c and accurate. The research for a volume such as this, takes several months and we have tried to ensure that the facts are updated. However, it is possible, at �mes, that something researched and compiled by us may have changed a�er the par�cular sec�on of the book has been published. In such cases the updates and correc�ons would appear only in the next volume. Readers are requested to keep this in mind before using the informa�on for any purpose. From the Author’s Desk

Hi, Welcome to our all new General Knowledge Series titled ‘pick YOUR brain’.

We live in an era filled with amazing facts and fascinating developments. This book is carefully researched and aptly designed to make you read, think and learn more about the world around us.

I am sure this book will be great fun to read and will kindle your curiosity. Each book in the series is generationally relevant, with colourful pictures and interactive activities.

The section on Topical Learning covers various interesting topics, unique for each month of the year and is aimed at engaging young minds like yours.

Being smart and knowledgeable is bound to be fun. Let’s read. CopyrightedLet’s 'pick YOUR brain’. Material

PICKBRAIN

Should you want to share your views about the book or even comment on something, please mail me personally at [email protected]. The Bharat Ratna...... …………………………………...05 Indian Nobel Laureates……………………………...... 06 Institutes of Repute……………...... 07 Indian Olympic Heroes...... ………...………………...... 08 Indians at Tussauds...... …………...... ………………09 India’s Disneyland!.....….…..…………………………….10 Pride of Kumaon...... ……….11 World Heritage Sites...... …...... 12 Unique India...... 13

What is ZrO2?...... 14 Tech Firsts...... 15 Black Box...... …...... 16 People in the Periodic Table...... 17 Who does What?...... 18 Dinosaur World...... 19

Yubee Lakpee...... 20 Football Tournaments.....…………...………...... …21 The Commonwealth Games…...... ……….…...... 22 Uncommon Sports...... ………………...... 23 Decathlon...... …………..……………………...... 24 Unusual Sport...... 25

Women as Wordsmiths...... 26 CopyrightedHarry Potter...... ……...... 27 Material Shakespeare & his Works...... 28 Etymology..…………...…...... 29 Languages of the World...... 30 Bestsellers of the World...... 31 The Name’s Bond...…………….………...... 32

Mission to Mars...... 33 Mysteries of the Universe...... 34 Constellations...... 35 Space Stations...... 36 Space Movies...... 37 Accidental Inventions...... 38 Logo Logic...... ………….….………...………....39 Cryptic Code...... 40 Innovative Gadgets...... 41 Watermelon Snow...... ……………………………...... 42 Different Strokes...... 43

Enchanting Destinations...... 44 Civilisations of the World...... 45 Famous Celebrities...... 46 People Who Changed the World...... 47 Museums of the World...... 48

January……………………………….…...... ………49 February………………………………………...... 50 March……………………………………………...... 51 April……………………………………………...... 52 May………………………………………………...... 53 June……………………………………………...... 54 July………………………………………………...... 55 August…………………………………………...... 56 September……………………………………...... 57 October…………………………………………...... 58 CopyrightedNovember………………………………………...... 59 Material December………………………………………...... 60

CENTRE FOLD A special pull-out game to improve observation and memory skills. It also enhances general knowledge. The Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award. It means the ‘Jewel of India’. It is conferred on people who have rendered distinguished service to the nation. The medal consists of the image of the Sun and the words ‘Bharat Ratna’, inscribed in Devanagari script. These rest on a Peepal leaf. The reverse consists of the Indian emblem.

The original specifications for the award called for a circular gold medal, 35 millimetres in diameter, with the Sun and the words ‘Bharat Ratna’ in Hindi, with a floral wreath below. The reverse was to carry the state emblem and motto. It was to be worn around the neck with a white ribbon.

This design was altered a year later. The award was established on 2nd January, 1954. The first recipient of the award was Sri. C. Rajagopalachari, well known as ‘Rajaji’. The award is normally given only to the citizens of India. However, Nelson Mandela and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan are foreigners who have received this award. Copyrighted Material

Identify these Bharat Ratna recipients.

5 Indian Nobel Laureates

The Nobel Prizes are given annually by the Nobel Committee in recognition of cultural and scientific contributions, based on the will of the great inventor, Alfred Nobel.

The prizes are given in Physics, Chemistry, Peace, Physiology or Medicine and Literature. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank instituted an award that is considered as the Nobel Prize in Economics.

The award was created by Alfred Nobel, who did not want to be remembered by the world as the creator of dynamite, which contributed to a lot of destruction.

Many Indians have received the Nobel Prize. This includes citizens of India, those born in India, or of Indian origin, or those born abroad but are Indian citizens. Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European and first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1913.

Which Nobel Prize did we win?

1. RABINDRANATH TAGORE

2. MOTHER TERESA

CATEGORIES 3. Dr. AMARTYA SEN

4. KAILASH SATYARTHI PEACE

PHYSICS Copyrighted5. RONALD ROSS Material CHEMISTRY 6. SIR C. V. RAMAN MEDICINE 7. HARGOBIND KHORANA LITERATURE

8. S. CHANDRASHEKAR ECONOMICS

9. V. RAMAKRISHNAN

10. RUDYARD KIPLING

6 Institutes of Repute

Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) The IITs are a group of highly reputed engineering and technology-oriented institutes across India. The aim of these institutions is to create scientists and engineers and develop a skilled workforce to support the economic and social development of India.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) AIIMS was established as an institution of national importance, with the objective to develop patterns of teaching medical education in all its branches, so as to demonstrate a high standard of medical education in India.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISC) IISC was conceived as a 'Research Institute‘, by J. N. Tata in 1909. The Institute has made the nation proud, in higher education and scientific research.

National Institute of Design (NID) NID is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost institutions in the field of design education and research. The institute functions as an autonomous body under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

CopyrightedNational Defence Academy (NDA) Material The NDA is a Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are trained together. Subsequently, they go on to pre-commissioning training in their respective service academies.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) NIFT is a prestigious fashion institute in India. It was set up in 1986 under the support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and is a premier institution in design, management and technology and developing professionals, to attain leadership positions in the international fashion business.

7 Indian Olympic Heroes

India first participated at the in 1900, with Norman Pritchard winning two medals in athletics. In fact, he was the lone participant from India. In 1920, India sent a team and has been a part of every single Olympic Games since then. India dominated the field of Hockey for many years, starting with the 1928 Amsterdam Games. Hockey has won us an impressive 8 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Olympic medals. Apart from Hockey and the 1900 games, wrestler Khashaba Jadhav was independent India's first individual Olympic medalist. He won a bronze at freestyle wrestling during the 1952 Helsinki Games.

Who was Norman Pritchard? Norman was born in . He was of British descent. He was technically the first Indian athlete to participate in the Olympic Games and the first ever athlete representing an Asian nation to win an Olympic medal. He won two silvers at the 1900 Olympics in , France.

In which sport did they win the Olympic medal?

1. T ______S 2. W ______G

3. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE S ______G

4. ABHINAV BHINDRA S ______G

5. W ______G 6. VIJENDRA SINGH B ______G Copyrighted7. KHASHABA DADASAHEB JADHAV W ______Material ______G 8. S ______G

9. VIJAY KUMAR S ______G

10. B ______N

11. B ______G

12. W ______G

The Indian Olympic Association is responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games. It was established in 1927. 8 Indians at Tussauds

The Madame Tussauds wax museum was founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. It is a major tourist attraction in London, displaying waxworks of famous people. It has branches in a number of major cities across the world. The increasing popularity of India on the global stage is reflected with an increase in the wax works of Indians showcased at the museum, over the last couple of years.

Famous personalities from India featured here are Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and many others.

HOW IT BEGAN? The roots of the idea date back to Paris, in the year 1770. It was here that Madame Tussaud learnt to model wax from her teacher and mentor, Dr. Philippe Curtius. At the age of 17, she became an art tutor to King Louis XVI’s sister at the Palace of Versailles and later, went to Britain in the early 19th century. In 1835, Madame Tussauds’ wax museum opened at Baker Street, London. The visitors had to pay ‘six pence’, to see the wax models then. The museum was relocated to Marylebone Road in 1884 and remains there presently.

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9 India’s Disneyland!

Appu Ghar was India’s first amusement park, located in Delhi. It was inaugurated by the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on 19th November, 1984, the birthday of his mother Indira Gandhi. The idea of setting up Appu Ghar was given by Indira Gandhi.

Appu Ghar was closed down in 2008 and the area is now being used for a new section of the Supreme Court and Delhi Metro Station.

Disneyland in India! Appu Ghar was known as ‘Mini Disneyland’. This amusement park was spread over a very large area and had a number of joy rides, water slides, haunted houses, roller coasters and food joints. It also housed a water park called ‘Oysters’. During winters, Oysters used to be transformed into an ‘ice park’, with the water being replaced with real ice. ‘Appu Columbus’, ‘Big Splash’ and ‘Giant Wheel’ were some of the big attractions of this place. Copyrighted Material Appu, the elephant! The place was named after ‘Appu’, the mascot of the 1982 Asian Games, that took place in New Delhi. Appu, the elephant, was both the cartoon mascot and a live elephant mascot, that became the beloved star of the 1982 Asian Games.

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