International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

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World leprosy day is annually observed around the world on the last Sunday of January. It was initiated in 1954 by French philanthropist and writer, Raoul Follereau. The day was chosen to coincide with the death anniversary of Indian freedom fighter and Father of nation Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination on January 30 1948.
Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. It is caused by a slow-growing type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). It is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT)

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Every year June 20 is observed as World Refugee Day to raise awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world. The observance of the day seeks to draw attention to the plight of refugees and also to celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems

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Nuclear Suppliers Group was formed by  seven countries viz. Canada, West Germany, France, Japan, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States in response to the ‘Smiling Buddha’ (Pokharan-I) of India in 1974. 

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General Assembly is the principal deliberative and policymaking organ of the United Nations. It is composed of representatives from all member states, and each member state has one vote. The General Assembly discusses and makes decisions on a wide range of international issues, including peace and security, development, human rights, and international law. It serves as a forum for member states to express their views, negotiate agreements, and work together to address global challenges. While other UN organs, such as the Security Council and the Secretariat, have specific roles, the General Assembly is the central body where all member states come together to discuss and shape the policies and priorities of the United Nations.

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South-South Cooperation refers to the collaboration among developing countries in the Global South, focusing on sharing resources, technology, and knowledge. This concept emerged in the 1950s and gained prominence in the 1970s, particularly during the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It aims to enhance self-reliance and foster sustainable development. Notable examples include the India-Africa Forum Summit, which promotes trade and investment between India and African nations.

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The Indian government has designated the Third Week of December every year to observe India Corporate Week. This initiative aims to promote corporate governance, encourage entrepreneurship, and highlight the contributions of the corporate sector to the economy. The week serves as a platform for discussions on business practices and policies, fostering a better understanding of corporate responsibilities.

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The correct answer is: “The US backed South Vietnam side and USSR backed North Vietnam side.” During the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the United States supported the anti-communist government of South Vietnam, while the Soviet Union provided military and economic support to the communist North Vietnam. This conflict was a important aspect of the Cold War, illustrating the global struggle between capitalism (led by the US) and communism (led by the USSR). The war resulted in millions of casualties and important geopolitical changes in Southeast Asia.

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The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978. It was following twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the country retreat of the President of the United States in Maryland under the President Jimmy Carter.

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The correct answer is the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Established in 1992, the CSTO is a military alliance of several former Soviet republics, aimed at mutual defense and security cooperation. Its headquarters are indeed located in Moscow, Russia. In contrast, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1954 and dissolved in 1977, while the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 2001 with its headquarters in Beijing, China.

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The Telugu princess and poet of the Vijayanagar empire, Gangadevi wrote a Sanskrit epic poem, “Madura Vijayam” (the  Conquest of Madurai). The poem describes in detail, the victory of her husband, Kumara Kampana ( son of Bukka Raya I) over  the Madurai Sultanate.