Famous Personalities — Set 5
Haryana GK · प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व · Questions 41–50 of 100
Nayab Singh Saini, current Haryana CM, belongs to which social community?
Correct Answer: B. Saini (OBC)
Nayab Singh Saini belongs to the Saini community, which is an OBC (Other Backward Class) in Haryana. His elevation as CM in 2024 was seen as BJP's strategy to appeal to OBC voters in Haryana. He replaced Manohar Lal Khattar (from a Punjabi community) as CM in March 2024. He represents the Ladwa constituency in Kurukshetra district and is a trained lawyer.
Which Haryana personality won the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honor?
Correct Answer: D. None from Haryana yet
As of 2024, no person specifically from Haryana (born and raised there) has been awarded the Bharat Ratna. Haryana has produced many national-level sports icons, politicians, and personalities who have received Padma awards and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Kapil Dev received the Padma Bhushan (2002) and Abhinav Bindra received the Padma Bhushan (2009). However, Bharat Ratna has not been awarded to a Haryana personality as of 2024.
Bhim Singh (Bhimrao), who was the first Haryana MLA from the Valmiki/Scheduled Caste community to become a Cabinet Minister, was from which district?
Correct Answer: B. Ambala
Haryana has had several pioneering politicians from Scheduled Caste and backward communities. Ambala district, with its significant SC population (Valmiki, Chamar communities), has produced SC leaders who have served in Haryana Vidhan Sabha and Cabinet. Political representation of SC communities has been ensured through reserved constituencies. Haryana has 17 SC-reserved Vidhan Sabha seats out of 90 total.
Saina Nehwal, the Olympic badminton medalist, though not from Haryana, trains at which facility connected to Haryana's sports infrastructure?
Correct Answer: B. Badminton Academy Hyderabad (Pullela Gopichand Academy)
Saina Nehwal, born in Hisar, Haryana on March 17, 1990, trains at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. She was born to Haryanvi parents (her father is from Hisar) but spent her playing career based in Hyderabad. She won bronze at the London 2012 Olympics. She is the daughter of Harvir Singh Nehwal (a CHAU employee from Hisar). Her Haryanvi origins are a matter of state pride.
Poonam Yadav, a prominent women's cricketer who represented India, is from which Haryana district?
Correct Answer: A. Agra (not Haryana)
Poonam Yadav is actually from Agra, Uttar Pradesh (not Haryana), though she has been associated with several Haryana teams during her domestic cricket career. She is a leg-spin bowler who has represented India Women in T20 and ODI cricket. She has taken many wickets in international cricket and was part of India Women's World Cup squads. This question highlights that some cricketers get confused with Haryana origins.
Which IPS officer and Haryana-origin figure is known for the 'encounter specialist' reputation and later controversies?
Correct Answer: A. K.K. Paul
Haryana has produced several prominent IPS officers who have served in various states. K.K. Paul is a Haryana-cadre IAS officer who served as Governor of Meghalaya and Uttarakhand. The question tests knowledge of Haryana's civil service contributions. Haryana's administrative officers have served across the country and contributed to governance. The IPS officers from Haryana have served in various law enforcement roles.
Lal Bahadur Shastri's famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' was echoed by which Haryana farmer-politician who added 'Jai Vigyan' to it later?
Correct Answer: A. Devi Lal
Devi Lal, the farmer-leader CM and Deputy PM, strongly echoed Shastri's 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' slogan in his political campaigns. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee later added 'Jai Vigyan' to create 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan'. More recently, PM Narendra Modi added 'Jai Anusandhan'. Devi Lal's farmer-centric political philosophy aligned closely with Shastri's vision. His legacy continues to influence agrarian politics in Haryana.
Which Haryana-origin Supreme Court judge is known for landmark judgments on right to privacy and constitutional freedoms?
Correct Answer: D. Justice Surya Kant
Justice Surya Kant is a prominent Supreme Court judge from Haryana who has delivered several landmark judgments. He served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court before elevation to the Supreme Court. He has presided over benches dealing with constitutional matters, environmental law, and civil liberties. Haryana has contributed several distinguished legal minds to India's higher judiciary.
Which Haryana-born cricketer represented India in Test cricket and captained the Indian team in the 1970s?
Correct Answer: C. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev, born in Chandigarh (then Punjab, now considered part of the Chandigarh-Haryana cultural zone), became one of India's greatest cricketers. He captained India to the 1983 World Cup victory. He took 434 Test wickets and scored 5,248 Test runs, becoming the first player to achieve the 5,000 runs/400 wickets double. He served as India's cricket team coach (1999–2000) and has been active in cricket administration.
Deepak Kalal, Haryana's famous wrestler who won at Asian Games, is from which district?
Correct Answer: B. Sonipat
Haryana's Sonipat district has been a powerhouse for wrestling, producing multiple Asian and Commonwealth Games medalists. The SAI NTC Sonipat facility trains national-level wrestlers. Several wrestlers from Sonipat including Ravi Dahiya (Olympic silver), Sushil Kumar (Olympic double medalist), and others have won at Asian Games. Sonipat, along with Bhiwani and Jhajjar, forms the wrestling belt of Haryana that produces world-class wrestlers.