International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

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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.

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The SAARC Food Bank was established during the 15th SAARC Summit held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2008. This initiative aimed to address food security issues among member countries by providing a mechanism for food assistance during crises. The food bank is a important step towards regional cooperation in agriculture and food security within South Asia, which is home to a large population facing food scarcity challenges.

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The Bermuda Conference, also known as the Bermuda Conference on the Problems of War and Peace, was a conference held in 1943 in Bermuda to discuss issues related to the ongoing World War II. The conference was attended by high-level officials from the United States and the United Kingdom, and focused on a range of issues related to the war, including the fate of Jewish refugees and the possibility of negotiating a peace settlement with the Axis powers. The conference ultimately failed to produce any significant agreements or resolutions.

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The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval battle fought on October 21, 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was fought between a British fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and a combined French and Spanish fleet off the coast of Spain, near the Cape of Trafalgar. The British fleet emerged victorious, despite being outnumbered by the combined French and Spanish forces. The battle was a significant victory for the British, as it effectively ended the threat of a French invasion of Britain and cemented British naval dominance for the remainder of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle was also notable for the death of Nelson, who was killed during the fighting.

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The Brasilia Declaration is related to the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue Forum. Established in 2003, IBSA aims to promote South-South cooperation and enhance collaboration among these three emerging economies. The Brasilia Declaration, signed in 2006, emphasizes political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among member countries. IBSA is notable for its focus on issues like poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and reforming global governance structures.

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The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) is related to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was established in 1995 to ensure that countries do not use food safety and animal/plant health regulations as unjustified trade barriers. The SPS Agreement allows countries to set their own standards but requires them to base these on scientific principles and international standards where applicable. This agreement is crucial for facilitating safe international trade while protecting human, animal, and plant life.

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The primary focus of Gaudiya Vaishnavism is the devotional worship (bhakti yoga) of Radha and Krishna, and their many divine incarnations as the supreme forms of God. This worship predominantly takes the form of singing and chanting the holy names of Radha and Krishna, often through the Hare Krishna mantra or kirtan, and dancing. It is a religious movement primarily rooted in the Gaura or Gauḍa region of Bengal and was inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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The Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) has being developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

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ASEAN+3 include the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam) plus the China, Japan, and Korea.

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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.