This book belongs to

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Disclaimer: This book strives to be completely authen�c and accurate. The research for a volume such as this, takes several months and we have tried to ensure that the facts are updated. However, it is possible, at �mes, that something researched and compiled by us may have changed a�er the par�cular sec�on of the book has been published.In such cases the updates and correc�ons would appear only in the next volume. Readers are requested to keep this in mind before using the informa�on for any purpose.

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PICKBRAIN

From the Author’s Desk

Should you want to share your views about the book or even comment on something, please mail me personally at pickbrain@greycaps.com.

Hi,Welcome to our all new General Knowledge Series titled ‘pick YOUR brain’.

We live in an era filled with amazing facts and fascinating developments. This book is carefully researched and aptly designed to make you read, think and learn more about the world around us.

I am sure this book will be great fun to read and will kindle your curiosity. Each book in the series is generationally relevant, with colourful pictures and interactive activities.

The section on Topical Learning covers various interesting topics, unique for each month of the year and is aimed at engaging young minds like yours.

Being smart and knowledgeable is bound to be fun. Let’s read. Let’s 'pick YOUR brain’.Copyrighted Material

Astronomy...............................................................13Global Scientists......................................................14Places in the Periodic Table......................................15Amazing Animals.....................................................16Plant Facts..............................................................17Prehistoric Timeline.................................................18

Indian Martial Arts...................................................19I-League...................…...…………...……….............…20Famous Sporting Trophies…........……….…...............21Athletic Games........................………………..............22Stadiums............…………..……………………..........23Formula 1................................................................24

Prime Ministers of India.………………………………...05Indian Postal System.……………………………….........06Doordarshan.………………….................................07Indian Co-operatives..………………………………........08Indian Writers..................…………........………………09Indian Business Houses.………………………………….10Incredible India.............................................……….11National Parks...............................................….......12

Art...........................................................................25Famous Oscar Movies..............……..........................26Puppets Galore........................................................27Braille Talk........…………...…...................................28Mystery Writers.......................................................29Amar Chitra Katha...................................................30Fact and Fiction.....…………….………........................31

Asteroid Belt...........................................................32Exploring Space......................................................33Comets and Meteors................................................34The Sun..................................................................35Craters on the Moon................................................36

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Wildlife Enthusiasts................................................42Great Leaders of the World......................................43Unique Festivals.....................................................44Interesting Inventions.............................................45The Nobel Prize.......................................................46Tribes of the World..................................................47Famous Greeks.......................................................48

Airlines of the World................................................37Flag Facts....................………….….………...………....38World of Mascots.....................................................39Exceptional Delicacies.............................................40Countries and their Names..........……………….........41

January……………………………….…...............………49February………………………………………..................50March……………………………………………................51April……………………………………………..................52May………………………………………………................53June……………………………………………..................54July………………………………………………................55August…………………………………………..................56September……………………………………..................57October…………………………………………................58November………………………………………................59December………………………………………................60

A special pull-out game to improve observation and memory skills. It also enhances general knowledge.

CENTRE FOLD

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Prime Ministers of IndiaGiven below are some Prime Ministers of India. Identify them.

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru had written an article about himself and his administration, under

the pseudonym ‘Chanakya’.

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1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8

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Indian Postal SystemThe Indian Postal System is the largest postal network in the world, with more than 1.5 lakh post offices around the country.These post offices provide services like regular mail, speed post, parcel post, etc. for the people of India. Apart from these, they also provide financial services like money order, international money transfer, saving schemes, etc.

A PIN code (Postal Index Number) is a unique 6 digit number. The first digit denotes the region, the first two

digits together, denote the postal circle and the first three digits together denote the sorting district. The last three

digits refer to the delivery post office. Asia’s first adhesive stamp was the ‘Scinde Dawk’. The term refers to a postal system, which was prevalent in the Indus Valley of Sindh. After India became independent, the first

stamp issued was the stamp of an Indian flag. It was valued at 3 and a half annas.

Apart from the standard stamps, India Post also issues commemorative stamps to celebrate eminent Indians, places or occasions. Following are some of them.

Brihadeeswara Temple Subhas Chandra BoseRabindranath Tagore

Special Protection Group

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

Completion of 100 Years of

Airmail

Y.B. ChavanRath Yatra, Puri

Krishnadevaraya

Commonwealth Games 2010

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Doordarshan

Doordarshan was launched on 15th September, 1959. The regular transmission started in 1965, as a part of All India Radio. Later, it also started a daily, five minute news bulletin. It soon got separated from AIR and in 1982, permanently became a national broadcaster. It went on to air some memorable shows like Hum Log, Buniyaad, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Chitrahaar, Malgudi Days, Shaktimaan and many more.

CHITRAHAAR HUM LOG MAHABHARAT

All India Radio

In order to educate the masses, the All India Radio, also known as ‘Aakashvaani’, was started in 1936, as an initiative

by the government. AIR functions under Prasar Bharati.

Post independence, AIR became one of the largest media

organisations in the world. The network has several

broadcasting services. It broadcasts in various languages

-both Indian and foreign.

AIR is known to air well-known programmes such as Charcha ka

Vishai Hai, Spotlight, Sports Scan, Money Talk, etc.

Vividh Bharti is a service of AIR. It’s FM

transmission was launched in 1957.

In order to digitise itself, AIR has also made the

service available on mobile phones.

Doordarshan, a division of Prasar Bharati, is an Indian Public Broadcasting Service. Considered to be the largest broadcasting service in the world, it has a three-tier service, that is national, regional and local.

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Indian Co-operatives

Amul was founded in 1946, by a group of farmers in a small town

called Anand, in Gujarat. Amul was part of a national co-operative movement, as the farmers were unhappy due to unfair practices

of traders. This caused the farmers to protest,

who, under the guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, went on to form Amul.

The women still follow the same rules

and principles they incorporated when they started. They thrive on value for money and good quality products. The members earn good

profits while the society also benefits, through donations made by these

women. The women still follow the process of kneading the dough and rolling it into

a papad, followed by quality checks by another group of women, with a

third group packing it.

Lijjat Papad was started by a group of women who formed the ‘Shri Mahila Griha Udyog

Lijjat Papad’. They took a modest loan of mere Rs. 80 and have today, converted

the co-operative into a multi-crore business.

The farmers went on a strike and refused to work for the traders.

They opened ‘Kaira District Co-Operative Milk Producers

Union Ltd.’, which later went on to be known as Amul Dairy. The

body worked under the leadership of Tribhuavandas

Patel, who chaired the union and Dr. Verghese Kurien, who later went on to be known as the

‘Milkman of India’.

The famous Amul Girl mascot was created in 1966.National Dairy Development Board was founded in the year 1965. The chairman of this organisation was Dr. Verghese Kurien.

>>>Dr. Verghese Kurien

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Indian WritersFit in the names of famous Indian writers in the crossword given below.

Names of the books are given as clues.

S

T

B

BP

DD

TI

T

D

AH

Y

NN

N

I

D

V K

K

C

RR

J

S A

A

A

R

1

1

4

9 8

3

6

2

7

10

5

2

5

8

3

64

7

9

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Indian Business HousesSome of the most famous companies and groups in India are displayed here

with their logos. Identify them.

Newspapers,magazines and websites

Domestic and internationalairline travel services

Automobiles, financial products, home appliances and other businesses

Oil and oil-related products, textile, retail and other businesses

Steel, hospitality, heavy motors, software and other businesses

Information Technology

Banking and Financial servicesTelecommunications

Automobiles, farm equipment, software and other businesses

Oil and gasMotorcycle andcycle manufacturer

Cement, fibre, metals andother businesses

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