A list of puzzling questions
Editor’s note: Every week, we feature three questions from our quiz master Shantanu Sharma—who is a researcher-writer, and has a side hustle as a professional quiz guru. He’d love to hear from you—so send your feedback/suggestions or just say ‘hi’ over at sharmashantanu312@gmail.com or @shantorasbox on Twitter.
How this works: Every correct answer is worth 10 points. If a question has multiple parts, each is worth 5 points. You have until Friday 12 pm to send in your answers to talktous@splainer.in or via DMs on Insta or Twitter. The correct answers will be published every Monday. The grand prize for the winner at the end of the month: a quarterly subscription for anyone of your choice—including the option of adding three months to your sub. That’s Rs 499 in value—so it’s pretty darn good:)
Rule to note: We will pick winners each month using a lucky draw.
The answers: to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom—as are the winners for the second week of September.
One: This IITian was recently featured on a distinguished global list—for his leadership of India’s tech development—along with two other Indians. However, he has received a lot of flak at home for his (lack of) leadership in another not-so-high tech area.
Two: Think laterally and figure out the modern connection among the three images
a) A popular yesteryear sports channel started by the man on the right
b) A soon-to-be-available Norwegian intelligent assistant
c) One of the most famous creations of these siblings (sisters, not brothers!)
Three: This clip is from a documentary named after the sport's intense and aggressive playing style—which inspired its former name. Recently seen on the world's biggest stage, which sport is the subject of this documentary? (No quiz setters were harmed in the making of this question.)
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: On the left is a man whose heroic action during a tragic event remains unforgettable. Identify him and the incident. Hint: The man on the right recently portrayed him on screen. (5+5)
Answer: Captain Devi Sharan and the hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC 814
In December 1999, terrorists hijacked the Kathmandu-Delhi Indian Airlines flight IC 814 and diverted it to Kandahar. Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot, faced the tough task of managing the hijackers while ensuring passenger safety. In the Netflix series ‘IC814: The Kandahar Hijack’, Vijay Varma portrays Captain Sharan, inspired by his 2000 account ‘Flight Into Fear’. After the controversy surrounding its release, Netflix India updated the opening disclaimer to include both the real and code names of the hijackers.
Two: Think laterally and work out the ‘Amritsari tadka’ that connects the images below:
a) Passionate romantic trio—man, woman, and tiger
b) One of India's earliest UNESCO heritage sites (don’t confuse it with the other one!)
c) A modern take on a housing style popular during colonial rule, named after a region in India
Answer: Vikas Khanna
The three elements are Junoon, Ellora Caves, and Bungalow.
Born and raised in Amritsar, Chef Vikas Khanna is a Michelin-starred Indian-American chef, restaurateur, author, filmmaker, and humanitarian. In 2009, he partnered with Delhi-born entrepreneur Rajesh Bhardwaj to open Junoon, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan. Ellora, a seasonal restaurant at JA Beach Hotel in Dubai honours the diverse regional cuisines of India and South Asia. Bungalow in New York opened on March 23, 2024, as a tribute to his sister Radhika. Bungalows in America trace their roots to the single-story huts of 19th century India. During British colonial rule, these simple huts, called "bangala" (meaning "from Bengal"), were used to house military officers.
Three: Posing with the trophies is a man whose vision, persistence, and faith have finally been rewarded. Identify this sports enthusiast—both on- and off-screen—and the maiden tournament win he is celebrating. (5+5)
Answer: John Abraham and Durand Cup
Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is one of the oldest football tournaments in the world. Named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, it began in Shimla and has become a major event in the football calendar. NorthEast United FC etched their name in history books by winning the 133rd Durand Cup, defeating defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-3 in a thrilling match last month. In 2013, John Abraham (the man in pic) became the sole owner of the club, investing his own money. Unlike other franchises backed by corporations, John single-handedly built a football club for the Northeast region, and after 11 years, the club has won its first silverware. FYI: He also played a UK-born Indian bred footballer in the 2007 film ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal’.
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the second week of September. Congratulations!
