A) L. Subramaniam
B) Zakir Hussain
C) Ravi Shankar
D) A.R. Rahman
Correct Answer: C) Ravi Shankar
Explanation: Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitar maestro, was the first Indian musician to receive the prestigious Polar Music Prize in 1998. He was recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field of music and for bridging the gap between the music of the East and the West.
A) Nicole Faria
B) Suman Rao
C) Dia Mirza
D) Lara Dutta
Correct Answer: A) Nicole Faria
Explanation: Nicole Faria was the first Indian and Asian woman to win the Miss Earth title in 2010. Her victory brought attention to environmental issues and her active role in spreading awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.
A) Sunderlal Bahuguna
B) Medha Patkar
C) Vandana Shiva
D) Pradip Krishen
Correct Answer: D) Pradip Krishen
Explanation: Pradip Krishen, an Indian environmentalist and filmmaker, initiated the “Tree for Harmony” campaign to promote ecological awareness and harmony through the planting of native trees. His efforts focus on restoring indigenous ecosystems.
A) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
B) Mata Amritanandamayi
C) Swami Vivekananda
D) Swami Ramdev
Correct Answer: A) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Explanation: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981. The foundation is known worldwide for its stress-relief and self-development programs, which include breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga.
A) Bhanu Athaiya
B) Satyajit Ray
C) A.R. Rahman
D) Gulzar
Correct Answer: B) Satyajit Ray
Explanation: Satyajit Ray, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, was awarded an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1992. The Academy recognized his profound impact on cinema with his humanistic approach to storytelling.
A) Viswanathan Anand
B) Pentala Harikrishna
C) Praggnanandhaa R
D) Vidit Gujrathi
Correct Answer: A) Viswanathan Anand
Explanation: Viswanathan Anand was the first Indian to win the World Junior Chess Championship in 1987. He later became India’s first Grandmaster and went on to become one of the world’s greatest chess players.
A) Rahul Singh
B) Suketu Talekar
C) Pradeep Gidwani
D) Vijay Mallya
Correct Answer: B) Suketu Talekar
Explanation: Suketu Talekar co-founded India’s first microbrewery, Doolally, which has played a significant role in pioneering and shaping the craft beer culture in India.
A) Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
B) Sarojini Naidu
C) Muthulakshmi Reddi
D) Indira Gandhi
Correct Answer: C) Muthulakshmi Reddi
Explanation: Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi was the first Indian woman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha. She was also an eminent medical practitioner, social reformer, and a staunch advocate for women’s rights.
A) Raj Kapoor
B) Amitabh Bachchan
C) Gurudutt
D) Yash Chopra
Correct Answer: A) Raj Kapoor
Explanation: Raj Kapoor was often referred to as the “Showman of Indian cinema” due to his remarkable ability to entertain and engage audiences with his films. His cinema was noted for its deep social relevance and mass appeal.
A) Nandalal Bose
B) Amrita Sher-Gil
C) Ramkinkar Baij
D) Anish Kapoor
Correct Answer: C) Ramkinkar Baij
Explanation: Ramkinkar Baij was one of the most seminal artists in modern Indian sculpture. His innovative use of materials and his approach to form and texture broke new ground in Indian art.
A) J.R.D. Tata
B) Sardar Hardit Singh Malik
C) Indra Lal Roy
D) Pratap Chandra Lal
Correct Answer: B) Sardar Hardit Singh Malik
Explanation: Sardar Hardit Singh Malik was the first Indian to fly as a pilot during World War I. After the war, he had a distinguished diplomatic career and significantly contributed to India’s international relations.
A) Charles Correa
B) Balkrishna Doshi
C) Laurie Baker
D) Raj Rewal
Correct Answer: C) Laurie Baker
Explanation: Laurie Baker was renowned for his pioneering work in cost-effective energy-efficient architecture and designs that maximized space, ventilation, and light. His commitment to simple, sustainable architecture made him a key figure in Indian design.
A) Anandi Gopal Joshi
B) Kadambini Ganguly
C) Muthulakshmi Reddi
D) Ida S. Scudder
Correct Answer: A) Anandi Gopal Joshi
Explanation: Anandi Gopal Joshi was one of the first Indian female doctors in Western medicine and the first Indian woman to obtain a medical degree in the United States in 1886.
A) Maneka Gandhi
B) Medha Patkar
C) Sunderlal Bahuguna
D) Vandana Shiva
Correct Answer: C) Sunderlal Bahuguna
Explanation: Sunderlal Bahuguna was a noted environmentalist and a prominent leader of the Chipko movement, which advocated for the protection of trees and mountains, focusing specifically on preserving the Himalayan ecosystem.
A) Trilochan Sastry
B) Samir Bordoloi
C) Vandana Shiva
D) Rajendra Singh
Correct Answer: B) Samir Bordoloi
Explanation: Samir Bordoloi is recognized for his efforts in promoting organic farming practices in the northeastern states of India. His initiatives have focused on sustainable agricultural practices that enhance biodiversity.
A) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
B) Satyendra Nath Bose
C) C.N.R. Rao
D) Narinder Singh Kapany
Correct Answer: D) Narinder Singh Kapany
Explanation: Narinder Singh Kapany is considered the “Father of Fibre Optics” for his pioneering work in fiber optics technology, which revolutionized the fields of telecommunications, lasers, medical instrumentation, and television.
A) Tribhuvandas Patel
B) Verghese Kurien
C) Bhavsinh Rathod
D) Ela Bhatt
Correct Answer: C) Bhavsinh Rathod
Explanation: Bhavsinh Rathod played a critical role in establishing dairy cooperatives in Rajasthan, which not only boosted milk production but also empowered women by involving them actively in the dairy industry.
A) Vikram Akula
B) Muhammad Yunus
C) Raghuram Rajan
D) Ela Bhatt
Correct Answer: A) Vikram Akula
Explanation: Vikram Akula founded SKS Microfinance, which played a pivotal role in providing micro-loans to the rural poor in India. His work has empowered numerous entrepreneurs and helped lift many out of poverty.
A) Bachendri Pal
B) Premlata Agarwal
C) Santosh Yadav
D) Arunima Sinha
Correct Answer: A) Bachendri Pal
Explanation: Bachendri Pal was not only the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest but also led the first all-women expedition to the mountain in 1993, showcasing leadership and breaking new ground in adventure sports for Indian women.
A) Santosh Sivan
B) V.K. Murthy
C) Anil Mehta
D) Rajiv Menon
Correct Answer: B) V.K. Murthy
Explanation: V.K. Murthy was the first Indian cinematographer to be recognized internationally for his technical excellence. He won the Berlin International Film Festival’s Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury for his work on the film “Kagaz Ke Phool.”
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