International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
The book “Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand” has been authored by K. Vijay Kumar, the Senior Security Adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The book is a source of valuable inspiration offering insight into the tactics that went into the wiping out of the dreaded forest brigand on whom a prize money of Rs. 5 crores had been declared more than a decade back.

Notes:
The book titled ‘The Emergency – Indian Democracy’s Darkest Hour’ has been authored by Surya Prakash, the chairman of Prasar Bharati. The book has recently launched by Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The purpose of the book is to honor all those who fought for the restoration of democracy in the country in the mid-1970s.

Notes:
Treaty of Portsmouth ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The treaty was signed on September 5, 1905 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The treaty was signed by Japanese and Russian diplomats after negotiations from August 6 to August 30. The treaty ended the war that began in 1904. The war was caused by Russian and Japanese expansionism in the Far East. The war contributed to domestic unrest in both countries, which led to the Russian revolution of 1905. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in the negotiations and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Notes:
The Velvet Revolution of 1989 was a series of peaceful protests and political events that took place in Czechoslovakia, leading to the overthrow of the Communist government and the transition to a democratic system. The Velvet Revolution, which is also known as the Gentle Revolution, began in November 1989 with a student demonstration in Prague, which was met with a violent response from the government. This sparked widespread protests and strikes, which quickly spread across the country and put pressure on the government to reform. After weeks of protests and negotiations, the Communist leadership was forced to resign, and a new government was formed. The Velvet Revolution is considered to be one of the key events of the collapse of the Communist bloc in Eastern Europe.

Notes:
‘Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi’ born in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, also called Panditji, was an Indian poet, writer, essayist, playwright and a journalist who is particularly remembered for his participation in India’s national struggle for independence and his contribution to Chhayavaad, the Neo-romanticism movement of Hindi literature. He was awarded the first Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi for his work ‘Him Taringini’ in 1955.He was also, awarded with the civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan in 1963 from Government of India.

Notes:
The famous Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau wrote a masnavi on the Tughlaq dynasty ruler, Mubarak Shah as “Nuh Sipihr” (Nine Skies), relating the events of Mubarak Shah’s rule. Excerpts of the works done by him are Tughluq Nama, Wast-ul-Hayat, Ashiqa, Khamsa, Baqia-Naqia, etc. He was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi.

Notes:
Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) is an annual military exercise of India. It started in January and the month-long exercise will have ships and aircraft of both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands, as also assets from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard exercising together.

Notes:
The book ‘Conquest of self’ was authored by Mahatma Gandhi in 1943. The book contains several experiences of his life. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.

Notes:
The Uniting for Peace resolution was initiated by the United States and submitted by the “Joint Seven-Powers” in October 1950, as a means of circumventing further Soviet vetoes during the course of the Korean War .It was adopted by 52 votes to 5, with 2 abstentions. It has empowered the General Assembly to act in specific situations in matters of peace and security.

Notes:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved issuance of two Open General Export Licences (OGELs) for export of certain parts and components and intra-company transfer of technology to select countries. This decision is expected to give a boost to defence exports and enhance Ease of doing Business (EDB). The transfer of technology to the countries is subject to the condition that the export is an intra-company transfer from an Indian subsidiary (applicant exporter) to its foreign parent company and or to subsidiaries of the foreign parent company. The OGEL is a one-time export licence to be granted to a company for a specific period which would initially be only two years.