Hey there 🖐,
This newsletter is a culmination of all things you know but didn’t notice the finer details of. We hope you have as much fun reading it as we did while creating it. Now, dig in!
Fun Fundas
Mehmood Ali is often considered the greatest comedian in the Hindi film industry. His character in the film 'Pyar Kiye Jaa' (In that famous narration scene with Om Prakash) had a film company named "Wah Wah Productions." This was referenced in Andaz Apna Apna (his last film), where his character Johnny owns a film company called the same. To add to this, any guesses as to who his famous son is? Hmmmmmmm(can you hear the humming, or is it just me?)...It's Lucky Ali!
Gambling in China is illegal, and it is not surprising, but China is one of the world's biggest gambling economies at the same time. Under their "one country, two systems" policy, while gambling is illegal in mainland China, it is entirely legal in Macau city (A former Portuguese colony). Macau is now the top gambling destination globally, with an industry seven times bigger than Las Vegas. If you are short of money for a trip to Macau, I do know another former Portuguese colony with many casinos... Goa, anyone 😅?
Larry Page and Sergey Brin's search engine ( well, in case you’re wondering what is being talked about, try “Googling” it) was initially called "BackRub". The reason was that people searched for something, your website was ranked back then just based on how many backlinks it had or, in simple words, how many other sites had links that came back to your site. If many other sites were linking to your site, it was considered an important site and therefore ranked higher. Hence, the name BackRub.
TINY TALES
The other day, my friend brought a new puppy to his home from one of his cousins’. So technically speaking, his house was like its second home just like Spain was, for Argentinian football legend Alfredo di Stefano. The latter played six games for Argentina before getting banned from representing his country in 1953 after playing for an informal Colombian XI two years earlier. Being banned by his home country, nothing made more sense to him than adoring Spain’s kit, where he was loved widely. But it was for his contributions to making Real Madrid a European powerhouse during his 11 years at Madrid ( 8 Spanish championships, 1 Spanish Cup, 2 Latin Cups, five consecutive Champions Cups (that too, scoring in all the finals he won), 1 Intercontinental Cup, and several individual titles including league top scorer five times) that he is better known for. Scoring 308 goals in 396 appearances for the club and holding the record for the club's best-ever goal scorer for almost half a century is no piece of cake. Now, if you know any other Argentinian player from this era who sends shivers down any defender's spine with his club in Spain, then it's purely "coincidental". 🙂
SOME INTERESTING READS ON THE WEB
When classes went online, EdTech companies were the first ones to capitalize on the trend, having huge stars like Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan on board as brand ambassadors. In the latest addition to this development, Byjus is reported to have invested one billion USD for a majority stake in Aakash Educational Institutions, one of the biggest chain of coaching institutes in India. Here's why Byjus may want to spend a billion dollars on physical coaching centres.
6th Jan marked the birthday of one of India’s most influential musicians: Allah Rakha Rahman(Did you know that the Mozart of Madras and his son share the same birthday?). AR Rahman is known to be a very reticent person, seldom speaking or socialising out of the way. Famously, Karan Thapar said interviewing him was his most difficult experience. But one journalist reveals the methodical approach behind the magic and a mystical side to him which makes anyone gel with him. You can find out more about it on this link: AR Rahman and the art of Focus.
The world has been dealing with a problem of late, no, not talking about the corona. We are talking about global warming. Yeah, well, you perhaps forgot about that considering how messy 2020 was. But we'll tell you who forgot to forget, the Saudis ... These guys are building a 170km city with NO CARS AND NO ROADS THUS NO CARBON EMISSION as a part of "The Line" project, at a staggering cost of 500 billion dollars, yes you heard that right 500 billion. They plan to build a futuristic community along the lines of nature, with the people living there contributing little to no harm to Mother Nature.
DAILY DOSE OF TRIVIA
Which ancient civilization was the origin of the superstition that cats had nine lives?
How has the NBA immortalized the Lakers legend Jerry West?
Which fictional character gives his name to India's first paper strip vaccine to detect Covid-19 ( Shaktiman guesses not allowed!)
Which company, majorly owned by Reliance Entertainment, has produced films like “The Arrival” and “The Forest”?
Which city is set to become the first of its kind to host both the summer and winter Olympics?
(Answers at the end. We don't want you guys to peek at the answers that easy ;) )
What’s happening!
Here’s a snippet from the General Quiz conducted last Sunday. Can you guess what this is about?
On that note, we are planning a Republic Day special India Quiz. Join in for some fun trivia while we celebrate the nation’s rich diversity.
ANSWERS
Egyptian
The NBA logo is the silhouette of Jerry West dribbling a basketball with his left hand.
Feluda (Detective character created by Satyajit Ray )
Lava bear films
Beijing
Finally,
We have club sessions every weekend (sometimes we get lazy). We have more fun trivia and quizzes in the works, so stay tuned for updates in our WhatsApp group through this link.
Also, please do fill this feedback google form. If you have some interesting fundas to share or wish to be a member of the content team of the newsletter, drop in a mail to quizzing@iittp.ac.in. We’d love to hear more from you!
Keep quizzing 💖,
Quiz Club IITTP