International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
The book “Army and Nation : The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence” has been authored by Steven Wilkinson, a professor of political science and International relations at Yale University. It is about Indian Army’s relationship with the civilian government after Independence. It is in news because Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has advised his officers to read the book “Army and Nation” to understand how India succeeded in keeping the military out of politics.

Notes:
The Southern Air Command (SAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram. It is on the southwestern side of India. This is one among the seven commands of IAF. This command was started on 19 July 1984 and is relatively new among the other commands.

Notes:
The correct answer is 6 June 1944. This date is known as D-Day, marking the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Operation Neptune was the naval component of the larger Operation Overlord, which aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. D-Day involved the largest amphibious assault in history, with over 156,000 troops landing on five beachheads in Normandy. The success of this operation was pivotal in turning the tide of the war in favor of the Allies.

Notes:
The ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus) conference involves defense ministers from ASEAN and eight partner countries, focusing on regional security and defense cooperation. Established in 2010, it aims to enhance dialogue and collaboration on defense and security issues, addressing challenges like terrorism and maritime security. The “Plus” includes countries like the U.S., China, and India, emphasizing multilateral defense strategies.

Notes:
Gold Coast was a region in West Africa that is now known as the country Ghana. The region was named the Gold Coast because of its large supplies of gold and the market for it during the transatlantic slave trade. The Gold Coast was also a trade hub for slaves.
The Portuguese named the area Mina, which means “mine”, after finding so much gold between the Ankobra and Volta rivers in the 15th century. The English colonists later adopted the name Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast was a British colony. In 1957, the Gold Coast gained independence from Britain and became the country Ghana. Kwame Nkrumah led the independence movement and became Ghana’s first prime minister and president.

Notes:
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21st. The United Nations declared this day in 1966. The day is commemorated as Human Rights Day in South Africa, where the Sharpeville Massacre occurred. This event led to the creation of the day.

Notes:
Bhanu-Chandra Charita written by Siddhichandra Upadhayaya (a Jain ascetic) in Sanskrit language, which gives an account of the Jain mission to Akbar’s court. Like Hirvijayasuri ji, Shanti Chandra Upadhayaya, he was one of the most popular Jain saint in the court of Mughal emperor Akbar, who gave the title of Khus-faham (a man of sharp intellect) to Siddhichandra Upadhayaya.

Notes:
All given features are of Prithvi-I. Prithvi I was one of the first missiles developed under Government of India’s IGMDP. Launched in February 1988, Prithvi I is a single-stage, liquid-fuelled missile. A surface-to-surface missile, it has a range of 150 km and a mounting capability of 1000 kg. It was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994. The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme was conceived under the leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and has proved to be one of India’s most successful defence research projects. The missiles developed successfully for Indian armed forces under the project are Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag, and Agni. The IGMDP was conceived in 1982-83 and completed in 2008.

Notes:
Arjuna is the modern tank produced by Defence Research and Development, Organisation (DRDO). The Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, for the Indian Army. The tank is named after Arjun, the main protagonist, an archer prince of the Indian epic Mahabharata.
The Arjun was found to be comparable to the T-90 in almost all respects and better in aspects of mobility – aided in no small measure by its German-made 1,400 horsepower engine which is significantly more powerful than the powerpack employed on the T-90. The invitation to visit the Arjun tank formation was unexpected.

Notes:
In the year 1939 (3rd September), Second World War started. It ended in 1945.