General Knowledge: Literature, History & Current Affairs

Mr. Ratan Tata was appointed as the Chairman of the Investment Commission of India, which was established to promote foreign direct investment in the country. The other options are distinguished scientists and administrators not associated with this commission.

Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, a former Chief Justice of India, served as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC is India's statutory body responsible for protecting and promoting human rights.

Ms. Swati Piramal, a prominent business leader and healthcare professional, has served as the President of ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), one of India's leading industry associations.

Ban Ki-Moon served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016. He was the eighth Secretary-General and succeeded Kofi Annan.

Michael Griffin served as the Administrator of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) from 2005 to 2009. He was the chief executive of the US space agency during this period.

The gluteus maximus is indeed the largest muscle in the human body by volume. It's the main extensor muscle of the hip and the muscle we sit on.

Cockroaches can survive for weeks without their heads because they breathe through spiracles located throughout their body segments and have a distributed nervous system. They eventually die from dehydration or predation.

Dame Rosalyn Higgins served as the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague from 2006 to 2009. She was a British judge and the first female president of the ICJ.

The six Vedangas are Shiksha (phonetics), Kalpa (ritual), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chhanda (meter), and Jyotisha (astrology/astronomy). Aranyakas are forest texts that form part of the Vedas themselves, specifically philosophical discussions between sages in forest settings, not auxiliary disciplines.

Arthur Berriedale Keith was a distinguished Scottish Sanskrit scholar who produced important translations and studies of ancient Sanskrit texts, particularly the Vedic literature and Dharmashastras. He served as a jurist and scholar, writing extensively on Sanskrit drama, Vedic religion, and ancient Indian law. The other options - Grierson (linguist), Newton (physicist), and Johnson (literary figure) - did not specialize in ancient Sanskrit literature.

The Mahabharata consists of 18 Parvas (books), which matches the number of days the Kurukshetra war was fought. The number 18 holds sacred significance in Hinduism - the Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters, and the Pandava army had 11 divisions while the Kaurava army had 7, totaling 18. Each Parva covers different phases of the epic narrative.

Kalidasa authored Kumarasambhava (an epic about Shiva and Parvati), Meghaduta (a lyrical poem about a Yaksha sending a message through a cloud), and Raghuvamsha (chronicle of the Raghu dynasty). 'Harish Chritra' (likely meaning Harishchandra's story) is not among his compositions - it appears to be a misspelled or fabricated title. His other major works include Abhijnanashakuntalam, Vikramorvashiya, and Malavikagnimitram.

The 2009 Man Booker Prize shortlist comprised AS Byatt (winner for 'The Children's Book'), Sarah Waters ('The Little Stranger'), J.M. Coetzee ('Summertime'), Adam Foulds ('The Quickening Maze'), Simon Mawer ('The Glass Room'), and Hilary Mantel ('Wolf Hall'). Nick Hornby, despite his contemporary literary prominence, was not among the six shortlisted authors that year.

Ralf Georg Reuth's book examines the origins of Hitler's antisemitism, suggesting various influences including industrialists and political figures. George Eastman (Kodak founder) is identified as having some connection or influence, though this claim requires verification from the original historical research. This question tests very specific historical knowledge from a particular scholarly work.

Rajan Bala was a distinguished Indian sports journalist who passed away in 2009. 'Days Well Spent' was published posthumously, serving as a collection of his cricket writings and observations. The title reflects on a career covering cricket and other sports. His other works include various cricket books, but this particular volume was completed and published after his death.