Famous Personalities — Set 9
Haryana GK · प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व · Questions 81–90 of 100
Boxer Akhil Kumar, who won gold at Commonwealth Games, is from which Haryana district?
Correct Answer: B. Bhiwani
Akhil Kumar is from Bhiwani district, Haryana — the boxing capital of India nicknamed 'Mini Cuba'. He won gold at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 in the bantamweight category. He also represented India at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Bhiwani Boxing Club has produced multiple Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medalists including Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, and Manoj Kumar.
Jitender Kumar, the boxer from Bhiwani who competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, reached which stage?
Correct Answer: C. Quarterfinal
Jitender Kumar reached the quarterfinals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in the 60 kg lightweight boxing category. Multiple Bhiwani boxers competed in the same Olympics — Vijender Singh won bronze, Akhil Kumar reached quarterfinals, and Jitender Kumar also reached the quarterfinals. This unprecedented achievement of three boxers from a single Indian town qualifying for the same Olympics highlighted Bhiwani's extraordinary boxing talent.
Which Haryana-based media personality is known for hosting the popular TV show 'Crime Patrol'?
Correct Answer: B. Anup Soni (Haryana connection)
Anup Soni is associated with Haryana, particularly for his role as anchor on 'Crime Patrol', the popular Indian TV crime series. He has been working in Hindi television for decades. Haryana has contributed to Indian entertainment — Bollywood actresses like Parineeti Chopra (Ambala), Haryanvi folk singers, and television personalities. Kapil Sharma (Punjab) and Dharmendra (undivided Punjab/Sahiwal) are often mistakenly associated with Haryana.
The Mahabir Phogat Award is named after a legendary wrestler from Haryana. What is this award given for?
Correct Answer: A. Best wrestling coach of the year
Mahavir Singh Phogat, the wrestling guru from Balali (Charkhi Dadri), inspired the Dangal film. His legacy is honored through wrestling-related awards and recognition programs in Haryana. The state government of Haryana gives Bhim Award and various sports excellence awards named after wrestling and sports icons. Wrestling coaching recognition in Haryana is among the highest in any Indian state. The Dronacharya Award at the national level is India's highest coaching recognition.
Ranbir Singh Hooda was the first elected Chief Minister of Haryana after the state's first general elections. Which year were these elections held?
Correct Answer: B. 1967
The first Haryana Vidhan Sabha elections were held in 1967 (the first CM Bhagwat Dayal Sharma served from November 1966 to March 1967). Rao Birender Singh became CM after the 1967 elections, followed by Ranbir Singh Hooda who won the subsequent elections. The 1967 elections established Haryana's multi-party democratic tradition. Initially, Congress dominated Haryana politics before other parties emerged.
Gyan Chand Yadav, a prominent wrestling gold medalist at the 1982 Asian Games, is from which state?
Correct Answer: A. Haryana
Haryana has contributed several Asian Games gold medalists in wrestling since the 1970s-80s. The state's wrestling tradition dates back to the pre-independence era when Jat and Ahir communities maintained traditional akharas (wrestling centers). Wrestling success in Asian Games laid the foundation for the Olympic achievements that followed. Several wrestlers from Haryana's Rohtak-Sonipat-Jhajjar belt won gold at Asian Games in the 1970s-90s, establishing Haryana as India's wrestling capital.
Kalpana Chawla's first space mission (STS-87) was aboard which NASA spacecraft?
Correct Answer: B. Columbia
Kalpana Chawla's first space mission (STS-87) was on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. Her second and fatal mission was also on Columbia (STS-107), which disintegrated on re-entry on February 1, 2003. She was a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Haryana honors her memory through the Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College in Karnal, Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium in Kurukshetra, and the Kalpana Chawla Award for Women Scientists. She remains Haryana's greatest scientific pride.
Ranjit Singh Virk (R.S. Virk), a famous Haryana Police officer, is known for:
Correct Answer: C. Modernizing Haryana Police with technology
Haryana Police has undergone significant modernization over the decades, with senior IPS officers contributing to technology adoption, crime investigation, and institutional reforms. Senior Haryana Police officers have introduced CCTV surveillance, online FIR systems, and e-governance in policing. The Haryana Police is known for its specialized units like Anti-Narcotics Cell, Special Task Force, and Cyber Crime Cell. Reforms in Haryana Police have improved crime detection and citizen services.
The famous 'Veer Savarkar' Bollywood film (2024) was played by which Haryana-born actor?
Correct Answer: B. Randeep Hooda (from Rohtak, Haryana)
Randeep Hooda, born in Rohtak, Haryana, played the title role of Veer Savarkar in 'Swatantra Veer Savarkar' (2024) — a biopic on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. He also directed the film. Randeep underwent an extreme physical transformation (lost 18 kg) for the role. The film was a passion project for him and he received critical acclaim for his portrayal. Rohtak, Haryana is proud of producing this versatile actor-director.
Savita Punia became India's most-capped female hockey player. Before becoming captain, she replaced which goalkeeper in the national team?
Correct Answer: B. Helen Mary
Savita Punia (from Sirsa, Haryana) established herself as India's first-choice goalkeeper replacing Helen Mary, the earlier national goalkeeper. She has been the backbone of India's goal-keeping unit since 2011. At Tokyo 2020, India finished 4th (narrowly missed bronze), and at Paris 2024, she captained the team. She has been awarded the Arjuna Award (2021) and is the first woman goalkeeper from Haryana to achieve such national prominence in field hockey.