International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
The book “From Inside the Steel Frame: The Memoirs of an Administrator” has been authored by Dr. Ashok Pandey, a retired IAS officer. This is an account of his journey from a small village in Bihar to the corridors of powers in Delhi.

Notes:
August 10 is International Biodiesel Day. This day spreads awareness about the benefits of biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel is made from renewable sources like vegetable oils and animal fats. It is biodegradable and cleaner for the environment compared to fossil fuels. Celebrating International Biodiesel Day promotes the production and use of this eco-friendly fuel option.

Notes:
Vijay Diwas is celebrated in India on December 16 to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. The day is celebrated to honour the martyrs of the 1971 war between the two countries. On this day in 1971, about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Indian forces. This historic victory led to creation of Bangladesh.

Notes:
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library is a library on the grounds of the headquarters of the United Nations. It located in the Turtle Bay/East Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan, in New York City.

Notes:
The General Secretariat of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is located in Madrid, Spain. The address is Oquendo 12, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
The General Secretariat is responsible for the administrative management of IOSCO. IOSCO was established in 1983 and has over 180 members from more than 100 states. The organization’s activities include research, risk identification, and standard-setting.

Notes:
Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) among the options you’ve provided is “C) Astra.” Here’s some more detailed information:

• Agni: Agni is not an air-to-air missile; it’s a family of long-range ballistic missiles developed by India for delivering nuclear warheads. It is not designed for aerial combat.
• Prithvi: Prithvi is also not an air-to-air missile. It’s a short-range ballistic missile system designed for attacking ground targets.
• Astra: Astra is indeed a Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India. Astra is designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at distances beyond visual range. It is a crucial component of India’s air defense capabilities.
• Nag: Nag is not an air-to-air missile either. It’s an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed by India for use against armored vehicles and tanks.

In summary, (C) Astra” is the correct choice as the Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile among the options provided.

Notes:
Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles was issued by the Commonwealth of Nations in 1971. The declaration set out the core political volunteering values that would form the main part of the Commonwealth’s membership criteria. The declaration proclaimed that expanded human understanding and understanding among nations would help the elimination of discrimination based on differences of race, color, or creed.  The Singapore Declaration was adopted at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (APRM of ILO). The declaration urges countries to ensure labor protection.

Notes:
Admiral Vishnu Baghwat is the first and only Chief of Naval Staff of India to be dismissed while in service. He was removed in 1998 due to differences with the government over various issues, including the handling of the Kargil War. This incident marked a important moment in Indian military history, which indicates the tensions between military leadership and political authority.

Notes:
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. It is the creation of china which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China. Its members are China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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.