23-05-2025
Derek O'Brien writes: A quizmaster's tribute to the Indian Armed Forces
It has been one month and one day since the monumental tragedy at Pahalgam. Every life matters. More than 20 lives were lost in Poonch, Rajouri and Uri. Prime time debates did not do justice to this part of the story. At least 15 people were killed in Poonch, including four children. Three were killed in Rajouri. An Additional District Development Commissioner, a migrant labourer from Uttar Pradesh, a Sikh ragi (one who sings hymns), and a seven-year-old girl were among those who lost their lives. Schools were destroyed. Places of worship were damaged. Pahalgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Uri needed to be spoken of in the same sentence.
As we stand by the grieving families, let us pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who are on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir. And all the Indian Armed Forces — approximately 50 lakh of them — personify valour. Fourteen lakh from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, 11 lakh in the reserve forces, and 25 lakh in the paramilitary forces. This quiz is one small way of paying tribute to each one of them.
1. In 1950, which word was dropped from the Indian Navy?
2. Which site in Delhi has a scheme of four distinct concentric circles, named Tyag Chakra (circle of sacrifice), Raksha Chakra (circle of protection), Veerta Chakra (circle of bravery), and Amar Chakra (circle of immortality)?
3. The first captain of the Indian Test cricket team, C K Nayudu, was appointed Colonel in 1923 by which army?
4. Lieutenant Colonel Avatar S Cheema was the first Indian born person to do what in 1965?
5. 'If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a __.' Fill in the blank with a six-letter word to complete this quote by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
6. What was the name of the all-women soldiers' unit under the Azad Hind Fauj?
7. In 1888, which football tournament started off as an Army Cup, open only to the British Indian Army troops in India, but soon opened up to civilian teams?
8. According to his own statement, Manoj Kumar donated the entire amount he received for the National Award for his 1965 film Shaheed to the family of which martyr?
9. Which Army Chief refused special treatment for his son, who was captured during the 1965 Indo-Pak War?
10. In 2019, several salons across India offered discounts to customers who chose to style their moustache and hair like which Indian Air Force pilot?
11. Which joint military exercise involves all three Indian services?
12. The motto of the Indian Air Force, Nabham Sparsham Deeptam, has been taken from the eleventh chapter of the…
13. Formed in the 1700s, with the Assaye elephant as their insignia, which is the oldest infantry regiment in the Indian Army? a) Madras Regiment, b) Punjab Regiment, c) Kumaon Regiment, d) Jat Regiment
14. In which city would you be if you were visiting the Hall Of Fame, a museum constructed and maintained by the Indian Army in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-Pak wars?
15. Who was the first and only Indian to be promoted to the five-star rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force (equal to the army rank of Field Marshal)?
16. Which ceremony marks the end of Republic Day festivities in India and is held on the evening of 29 January at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi?
17. Founded in 1987, the MARCOS are one of the nation's most formidable commando units under which branch of the Indian Armed Forces?
18. Which is the only regiment in the Indian Army that has the privilege of carrying the President's Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner?
19. Name the operation launched by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force on 13 April 1984 to establish full control over the Siachen Glacier.
20. In 1835, what was formed as a militia called the 'Cachar Levy', primarily to protect British tea estates and their settlements against tribal raids?
Answers: 1. The word 'Royal', since India became a republic; 2. National War Memorial; 3. The Holkar Army; 4. Climb Mount Everest; 5. Gurkha; 6. Rani of Jhansi Regiment; 7. Durand Cup; 8. Bhagat Singh; 9. K M Cariappa; 10. Abhinandan Varthaman; 11. Exercise Tropex. Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise; 12. Bhagavad Gita; 13. Madras Regiment; 14. Leh; 15. Arjan Singh; 16. Beating Retreat; 17. Indian Navy; 18. The President's Bodyguard; 19. Operation Meghdoot;
20. The Assam Rifles
The writer is MP and leader, All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party. Additional research: Amit Ghosh, Ayashman Dey
