General Knowledge 2011: Major Events and Facts That Shaped History

General Knowledge questions from 2011 remain highly relevant for competitive exams, interviews, and quiz competitions. This comprehensive guide covers the most important events, discoveries, and milestones from 2011 that every knowledge seeker should know.

World Events of 2011

Arab Spring Revolution

The Arab Spring was one of the most significant global events of 2011, beginning in Tunisia and spreading across the Middle East and North Africa. Key developments included:

• Tunisia: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in January 2011
• Egypt: Hosni Mubarak resigned after 30 years in power following massive protests
• Libya: Muammar Gaddafi's regime fell after months of civil war
• Syria: Civil unrest began, leading to ongoing conflict

Japan's Triple Disaster

March 11, 2011, marked one of Japan's darkest days with a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis:

• Magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the northeast coast
• Tsunami waves reached heights of up to 40 meters
• Fukushima nuclear disaster resulted in reactor meltdowns
• Over 15,000 people lost their lives

Osama bin Laden's Death

May 2, 2011, saw the end of the world's most wanted terrorist when U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Sports Achievements in 2011

Cricket World Cup 2011

India won the Cricket World Cup for the second time, defeating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. MS Dhoni led the team to victory with his iconic six.

FIFA Women's World Cup

Japan won their first FIFA Women's World Cup, defeating the United States in the final.

Formula One

Sebastian Vettel won his second consecutive Formula One World Championship driving for Red Bull Racing.

Technology and Science in 2011

Space Exploration

• Space Shuttle Program ended with Atlantis' final mission in July 2011
• Juno spacecraft launched toward Jupiter
• Curiosity rover launched toward Mars

Technology Milestones

• iPad 2 was released by Apple
• Google+ social network launched
• iPhone 4S introduced with Siri voice assistant
• WhatsApp reached 1 billion messages per day

Awards and Recognition 2011

Nobel Prize Winners

• Physics: Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt, and Adam G. Riess for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe
• Chemistry: Dan Shechtman for discovering quasicrystals
• Literature: Tomas Tranströmer (Sweden)
• Peace Prize: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman

Academy Awards 2011

• Best Picture: The King's Speech
• Best Actor: Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
• Best Actress: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

Economic Events of 2011

Global Financial Crisis

• European debt crisis intensified
• Standard & Poor's downgraded U.S. credit rating for the first time
• Occupy Wall Street movement began in September

Currency Developments

• Euro crisis affected Greece, Ireland, and Portugal
• Swiss franc reached historic highs
• Gold prices hit record levels

Important Deaths in 2011

Several notable personalities passed away in 2011:

• Steve Jobs (Apple co-founder) - October 5
• Elizabeth Taylor (actress) - March 23
• Amy Winehouse (singer) - July 23
• Muammar Gaddafi (Libyan leader) - October 20

Environmental Events

Natural Disasters

• Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand (February)
• Tornado outbreaks in the United States
• Flooding in Thailand, Australia, and Pakistan
• Drought in East Africa

Cultural Milestones

Entertainment

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 became the highest-grossing film
• Angry Birds reached 500 million downloads
• Netflix began original content production

Literature

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo gained international popularity
• Kindle sales surpassed hardcover books on Amazon

GK Questions from 2011 for Competitive Exams

Understanding these 2011 events helps in various competitive examinations:

1. UPSC Civil Services - Current affairs and international relations
2. Banking exams - Economic events and financial developments
3. SSC examinations - General awareness sections
4. Railway exams - Current affairs components
5. State PSC exams - Regional and national events

Why Study GK 2011?

Studying General Knowledge from 2011 provides several benefits:

• Foundation knowledge for understanding current global politics
• Historical context for ongoing international conflicts
• Technological evolution understanding
• Economic crisis lessons for future reference
• Cultural significance of major entertainment milestones

Amitabh Bachchan: Current Affairs, GK Facts

Amitabh Bachchan: The Legendary Icon of Indian Cinema

Introduction

Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most celebrated and influential actors in Indian cinema history. Known as the "Shahenshah of Bollywood," his career spans over five decades, during which he has won numerous awards and captivated millions with his powerful performances.

---

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad, India, Amitabh Bachchan initially aspired to be a lawyer but soon turned to acting. He made his film debut in 1969 with Saat Hindustani, but it was his role in Zanjeer (1973) that catapulted him to fame as the "angry young man" of Bollywood.

---

Iconic Films and Achievements

Some of Amitabh Bachchan’s most iconic films include:

• Sholay (1975)

• Deewaar (1975)

• Paa (2009)

• Piku (2015)

He has won four National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards, among many others. Besides acting, Amitabh has hosted the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? titled Kaun Banega Crorepati, gaining widespread popularity.

---

Contribution Beyond Cinema

Apart from acting, Amitabh Bachchan has been involved in social causes, politics, and philanthropy. He briefly served as a Member of Parliament and has contributed to campaigns on polio eradication, education, and health awareness.

---

Why Amitabh Bachchan Is a Global Icon

• His versatility in playing diverse roles

• Powerful voice and commanding screen presence

• Longevity and relevance across generations

• Contributions to Indian culture and arts

---

Fun Facts

• Amitabh Bachchan’s deep baritone voice is widely recognized and has been used for voice-overs and advertisements.

• He was awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, three of India’s highest civilian honors.

---

Conclusion

Amitabh Bachchan’s journey from a struggling actor to a global superstar inspires millions. His dedication, talent, and charisma make him an evergreen icon of Indian cinema.

---

Amitabh Bachchan, 69 year old was admitted to hospital on Feb 11, 2012 and underwent two abdominal surgeries.

Monorail Facts: GK Facts

Understanding Monorails: A Modern Urban Transport Solution

What is a Monorail?

A monorail is a type of railway system where the train runs on a single rail or beam, unlike traditional railways that use two parallel rails. Monorails are often elevated above ground, making them ideal for crowded urban areas where space is limited.

---

How Does a Monorail Work?

Monorails operate on a single beam or track, usually made of concrete or steel. The train either straddles the beam or is suspended beneath it, depending on the design. This unique structure allows for:

• Smooth and quiet operation

• Tight turning radius, useful in urban environments

• Reduced land usage compared to traditional railways

---

Advantages of Monorails

• Space Efficiency: Since monorails are often elevated, they don’t interfere with road traffic or require large ground space.

• Eco-Friendly: Many monorail systems use electric power, resulting in low emissions.

• Safety: Elevated tracks minimize accidents with pedestrians and vehicles.

• Cost-Effective: Construction and maintenance can be cheaper than underground metro systems.

---

Examples of Monorail Systems Worldwide

• Tokyo Monorail, Japan: One of the busiest monorail systems, connecting the city center to Haneda Airport.

• Seattle Center Monorail, USA: A famous urban monorail linking downtown Seattle with the Seattle Center.

• Mumbai Monorail, India: India’s first monorail, aimed at reducing road congestion in Mumbai.

---

Monorail vs. Traditional Metro

Feature	Monorail	Traditional Metro
Track Structure	Single rail beam	Two parallel rails
Space Requirement	Less (often elevated)	More (ground or underground)
Noise Level	Lower	Moderate to high
Construction Cost	Generally lower	Higher
Speed	Moderate	Higher

---

Future of Monorails

With growing urban populations and traffic congestion, monorails offer a sustainable and flexible transport alternative. Many cities are considering monorail systems as part of their public transport expansion plans.

---

Conclusion

Monorails combine innovation and efficiency, offering a practical solution for urban transit challenges. As technology advances, monorails may become a common feature in smart cities around the world.

---

Busiest monorail line: Tokyo Monorail, Japan

Largest monorail system: Chongqing Rail Transit, China
Longest maglev monorail line: Shanghai Maglev Train
Longest straddle-beam monorail line: Line 3, Chongqing Rail Transit
Largest suspended monorail system: Chiba Urban Monorail
Oldest monorail line still in service: Schwebebahn Wuppertal

Mumbai Monorail GK Facts, GK

Mumbai Monorail: India’s First Monorail System

Introduction

The Mumbai Monorail is India’s first operational monorail system, designed to provide an alternative and efficient mode of transport in the congested areas of Mumbai, one of the world's most populous cities. It aims to reduce road traffic and improve connectivity in parts of the city that lack adequate public transport options.

---

Background and Development

Mumbai’s ever-growing population and heavy traffic congestion prompted authorities to explore innovative transit solutions. The monorail project was initiated to:

• Decongest road traffic in eastern suburbs

• Provide feeder service to Mumbai’s suburban railways and buses

• Offer a modern, eco-friendly transit alternative

The first phase of the Mumbai Monorail was inaugurated in February 2014, covering a stretch between Chembur and Wadala.

---

Key Features of Mumbai Monorail

• Length: Approximately 8.9 kilometers in Phase 1

• Stations: 7 stations along the route

• Train Type: Electric-powered, driver-operated monorail trains

• Speed: Average speed of 31 km/h

• Capacity: Each train can carry about 576 passengers

• Operating Hours: Generally from early morning to late evening

---

Advantages of the Mumbai Monorail

• Reduced Traffic Congestion: Helps ease the pressure on overcrowded road networks.

• Environmentally Friendly: Electric operation reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional vehicles.

• Improved Connectivity: Connects key residential and commercial areas with existing transport hubs.

• Affordable: Offers a cost-effective transport option for daily commuters.

---

Challenges Faced

While the Mumbai Monorail represents a significant step forward, it has faced challenges such as:

• Lower than expected ridership due to limited route length and connectivity

• Technical and maintenance issues in early phases

• Need for expansion to cover more areas to increase utility

Authorities are working on future phases to extend the monorail network and integrate it better with other modes of transport.

---

Future Plans

Plans for expanding the Mumbai Monorail include new routes to cover additional suburbs and improve linkages with local trains and metro lines. These expansions aim to boost ridership and maximize the system’s benefits.

---

Conclusion

The Mumbai Monorail is a pioneering project in India’s urban transport landscape. Despite initial hurdles, it holds promise as a sustainable, modern solution to Mumbai’s traffic woes. With further expansion and integration, the monorail can become an essential part of the city’s public transport network.

---

Mumbai Monorail

World’s second longest Monorail corridor.
Contracted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)
Will be the first monorail in India.
The rail cars are to be built in Malaysia by Scomi Engineering Bhd.

Top speed of Monorail 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph)
Average speed of Monorail: 65 kilometres per hour (40 mph)

Capacity of monorail more than 500 with a four coach consist, and more than 700 with six coaches.
Ratio of sitting to standing passengers is expected to be 4:1.