Major Dhyan Chand — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. Magician

• **Magician** = Major Dhyan Chand was famously known as 'The Magician' or 'The Wizard' of Hockey due to his exceptional ball control and goal-scoring abilities. • **Three Olympic gold medals** — He led India to consecutive Olympic hockey gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lion: While implying strength, this is not the specific epithet for Dhyan Chand; King: While a great player, 'King' is not his common nickname; Wall: This term is usually associated with defensive players, which Dhyan Chand was not primarily known for.

Correct Answer: B. Allahabad

• **Allahabad** = Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player, was born in Allahabad, which is now known as Prayagraj. • **August 29, 1905** — Major Dhyan Chand was born on this date in Allahabad. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Jhansi: While he later lived and considered Jhansi his home, it was not his birthplace; Lucknow: Incorrect; Lucknow is not Dhyan Chand's birthplace; Meerut: Incorrect; Meerut is not Dhyan Chand's birthplace.

Correct Answer: B. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

• **Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna** = The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was originally known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. • **2021** — The award was renamed in this year to honor Major Dhyan Chand, shifting from its original name. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Arjuna Award: This is a separate award for consistent performance in sports, not the original name of the Khel Ratna; Bharat Ratna for Sports: There is no specific award by this name; Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honor; Dronacharya Award: This is a distinct award given to coaches for excellence, not the Khel Ratna.

Correct Answer: A. Viswanathan Anand

• **Viswanathan Anand** = Viswanathan Anand, the chess Grandmaster, was the inaugural recipient of the Khel Ratna award. • **1991-92** — Viswanathan Anand received the first Khel Ratna award in this period. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sachin Tendulkar: A cricketer, he received the Khel Ratna in 1997-98, not as the first recipient; Geet Sethi: A professional billiards player, he received the Khel Ratna in 1992-93, after Viswanathan Anand; Milkha Singh: A legendary athlete, he did not receive the Khel Ratna.

Correct Answer: D. Khel Ratna Award

• **Khel Ratna Award** = The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honor presented by the Government of India. • **Pinnacle of sporting awards** — The Khel Ratna is considered the ultimate recognition for exceptional achievement in sports in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Arjuna Award: This is a prestigious award for consistent outstanding performance, but it is not the highest; Dronacharya Award: This award is specifically for coaches, not for athletes' performances; Dhyan Chand Award: This is a lifetime achievement award in sports, distinct from the Khel Ratna which recognizes current outstanding performance.

Correct Answer: C. 25 Lakhs

• **25 Lakhs** = A cash prize of **25 Lakhs** rupees is currently awarded to the recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. • **2020** — The prize money for the Khel Ratna was increased to 25 lakh rupees in this year from the previous 7.5 lakhs. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 15 Lakhs: This is not the current cash prize for the Khel Ratna award; 20 Lakhs: This is not the current cash prize for the Khel Ratna award; 50 Lakhs: This is not the current cash prize for the Khel Ratna award, it's a significantly higher figure.

Correct Answer: B. August 29

• **August 29** = National Sports Day in India is celebrated annually on **August 29** to commemorate the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. • **Major Dhyan Chand's birthday** — This day marks the birth anniversary of the legendary Indian hockey player and is when national sports awards are conferred. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: August 15: This date is India's Independence Day, not National Sports Day; September 5: This date is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India; October 2: This date is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

Correct Answer: B. Karnam Malleswari

• **Karnam Malleswari** = Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari was the first Indian woman to be honored with the Khel Ratna award. • **1994-95** — Karnam Malleswari received the Khel Ratna award in this period, making her the first female recipient. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: P.T. Usha: A legendary athlete, she received the Arjuna Award but not the Khel Ratna; Saina Nehwal: A badminton player, she received the Khel Ratna in 2010, not as the first woman; Mary Kom: A boxer, she received the Khel Ratna in 2009, not as the first woman.

Correct Answer: B. 1997-98

• **1997-98** = Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketing legend, received the Khel Ratna award during the **1997-98** period for his dominance in international cricket. • **First cricketer** — Sachin Tendulkar was the first cricketer to be honored with the Khel Ratna award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1995-96: Incorrect; Sachin Tendulkar received the Khel Ratna in 1997-98, not this period; 2000-01: Incorrect; Sachin Tendulkar received the Khel Ratna in 1997-98, not this period; 2005: Incorrect; Sachin Tendulkar received the Khel Ratna in 1997-98, not this year.

Correct Answer: A. 1928, 1932, 1936

• **1928, 1932, 1936** = Major Dhyan Chand led India to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in field hockey in these years. • **Three consecutive Olympic golds** — These victories were achieved at the Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932), and Berlin (1936) Olympics. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1924, 1928, 1932: Incorrect; India did not win gold in 1924; 1932, 1936, 1948: Incorrect; while 1932 and 1936 are correct, the 1948 gold was India's first post-independence, and Dhyan Chand's primary contribution was to the earlier golds; 1920, 1924, 1928: Incorrect; India did not participate or win in 1920 and 1924.