When I was in school, I grew up watching two TV programs on Doordarshan among many other that I really felt were outstanding in terms of their intellectual and brilliant presentation. These presenters
of these programs over a period of time had to leave DD and look out for private broadcasters to telecast their newer ventures. But to date, one is called as the earliest most professional television news reporter, Dr.Prannoy Roy with The World This Week and the other was the handsome and ever smiling Sidhdhartha basu, called the father of Indian quizzing.
Incidentally, both of these greats had been, in truer sense, supported by their better halves behind the scenes for the background work. Sidhdhartha Basu had to thank his wife for giving this opputunity to get the idea of MasterMind India(in a way as he got a chance to watch this program on British public service on a visit to his in-laws place in Surrey). Before he had worked with DD for Quiz Time and left it, may be because of the nepotism. Neways, he had to wait before he could bring the same MasterMind concept tailored for the Indian audience.
This book is a compiled version of the various questions asked during the series of Mastermind India’s television broadcast edited by Basu himself. IT is published by the TEKSONS publishers.
The books is organized in a group of 20 questions with over 136 sections, each containing 20 questions totalling about 2760 questions and one word answers. Each section is a compilation of questions related to a particular topic like "Hanuman in Valmiki’s Ramayana" or "The Life and Works of Agatha Christie" or "The Solar System" or "Life and Works of Marylin Monroe", etc. This way of orgainizing really helps for aspiring candidated preparing for quiz competitions.
The best example could be given that of the compilation of first War of Indian Independnec and all the related important questions that could likely be asked in a quiz competition. In between, one can find set of 20 general knowldege questions which are equally captivating.
As is claimed, its a book that sure is informing, educating and entertaining.
For me, it was like a brush up all learnings of my school time with reminders or one word answers.
A very well organized book that can refresh your knowledge about India and in general.
Also it can act as a guide for many quiz masters.
Some of the interesting questions from the book:
How do we better know the South Indian actor, Shivashankara Varaprasad?
-> Chiranjeevi
The National Sports Day of India celebrated on 29 August is the birthday of which legendary sportsperson of India?
-> Dhyaanchand
Which Bengali film director wrote the screenplay for Bimal Roy’s classic Madhumati?
-> Ritwik Ghatak
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