Arjuna Award — Set 6

Correct Answer: C. In case of doping or misconduct

• **doping or misconduct** = The Arjuna Award can be cancelled if a recipient is found guilty of such unethical or criminal activities. • **sanctity of the award** — This principle is paramount, leading to the provision for withdrawal in cases of serious ethical or legal transgressions by the awardee. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: If the player retires: Retirement does not lead to the cancellation of the award; If the player changes their sport: Changing sports after receiving the award is not a reason for cancellation; If the player moves abroad: Relocating to another country does not affect the award status.

Correct Answer: C. L. Buddy D'Souza

• **L. Buddy D'Souza** = He was the first recipient of the Arjuna Award in the discipline of Boxing. • **1961** — He was honored in this year, being among the inaugural batch of awardees. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Vijender Singh: He is a celebrated boxer but received the award later in 2006; Mary Kom: She is an iconic female boxer but received the award later in 2003; Hawa Singh: He was a legendary boxer but received the award in 1966.

Correct Answer: A. Athletics

• **Athletics** = Gurbachan Singh Randhawa represented this sport when he received the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He was honored in this year as one of the first athletes to receive the award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Wrestling: Wrestling had its first awardee in 1961 (Uday Chand), but it was not Gurbachan Singh Randhawa; Shooting: Shooting had its first awardee in 1961 (Karni Singh), but it was not Gurbachan Singh Randhawa; Hockey: Hockey had multiple awardees in 1961, but Gurbachan Singh Randhawa was not a hockey player.

Correct Answer: B. Bronze

• **Bronze** = This is the primary material used for crafting the Arjuna Award statuette. • **strength and tradition** — The use of bronze in the statuette symbolizes these qualities, reflecting the values of the award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Brass: Brass is a common metal alloy but not the specific material for this statuette; Silver: Silver is a precious metal, but the statuette is not made of it; Copper: Copper is a base metal and an element of bronze but not the primary material for the statuette itself.

Correct Answer: A. Anne Lumsden

• **Anne Lumsden** = She was the first woman hockey player to be honored with the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — She received the award in this year, making her a pioneer for women in Indian hockey. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Rani Rampal: She is a contemporary hockey star but received the award later in 2020; Savita Punia: She is a renowned goalkeeper but received the award later in 2022; Elvera Britto: She was a celebrated hockey player but received the award after Anne Lumsden in 1966.

Correct Answer: C. 2020

• **2020** = The cash prize of the Arjuna Award was increased to 15 lakh rupees in this year. • **15 lakh rupees** — This significant hike from 5 lakh rupees was aimed at providing better financial support to elite athletes. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 2010: The prize money was not increased to 15 lakhs in 2010; 2015: The prize money was not increased to 15 lakhs in 2015; 2022: While awards are continuously reviewed, the specific hike to 15 lakhs happened earlier in 2020.

Correct Answer: A. Salim Durani

• **Salim Durani** = He was the first Indian cricketer to be honored with the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He became the inaugural recipient for cricket in this year, marking a significant moment. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sunil Gavaskar: He is a legendary batsman but received the award later in 1975; Kapil Dev: He led India to a World Cup victory but received the award later in 1979; Sachin Tendulkar: He is a cricket icon but received the award much later in 1994.

Correct Answer: B. Mahabharata

• **Mahabharata** = The Arjuna Award is named after Arjuna, a central character from this ancient Indian epic. • **Arjuna** — He is depicted as the ideal athlete, symbolizing the focus, dedication, and skill that the award celebrates. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ramayana: While a major epic, the award is not named after a character from the Ramayana; Silappadikaram: This is an ancient Tamil epic, but not the source of the award's name; Manimekalai: This is another classical Tamil epic, also not related to the award's nomenclature.

Correct Answer: B. P.K. Banerjee

• **P.K. Banerjee** = He was the first footballer to be honored with the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He became the inaugural recipient for football in this year, marking a historic achievement. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Subrata Bhattacharya: He is a renowned Indian footballer but received the award much later in 1989; Chuni Goswami: He was a legendary player but received the award after P.K. Banerjee in 1962; Bhaichung Bhutia: He is a modern-era football icon but received the award much later in 2008.

Correct Answer: A. Badminton

• **Badminton** = Nandu Natekar represented this sport when he became its first Arjuna Award recipient. • **1961** — He was honored in this year, establishing him as a pioneer in Indian badminton. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Tennis: Tennis had its first awardee in 1961 (Ramanathan Krishnan), but it was not Nandu Natekar; Squash: Squash had its first awardee much later in 1969 (Anil Nayar); Table Tennis: Table Tennis had its first awardee in 1961 (J.C. Vohra), but it was not Nandu Natekar.