International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

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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.

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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.

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“The New Courier” is published by UNESCO. It has largest and widest-ranging readership of all the journals published by the United Nations and its specialized institutions.

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International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8. Established by UNESCO in 1966, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of literacy for individuals and communities. The date was chosen to highlight the significance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a key to sustainable development.

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World Health Day is celebrated on April 7th each year. This date marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. The day aims to raise awareness about global health issues and promote healthy living. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to highlight a particular health concern, making it a important event in the public health calendar.

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Operation Meghdoot was an Indian armed forces operation launched on 13 April 1984 to capture the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir. The operation was entrusted to one of the Kumaon Battalions, supported by Ladakh Scouts. Initial assault was led by Maj (later Col ) RS Sandhu, VrC. This military operation was unique because it was the first assault launched in world’s highest battlefield.

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Dhruva is India’s largest indigenous research and production nuclear reactor. It is an indigenously built 100MWt research reactor at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai. Operational since 1985, this heavy-water moderated and cooled reactor predominantly uses uranium as fuel. The reactor is used primarily for the production of weapons-grade plutonium for India’s nuclear deterrent program. Additionally, it is also used for research in materials science and to provide irradiation services.

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“A Suitable Boy” is an epic novel of over 1,500 pages, making it one of the longest novels published in a single volume in the English language. The author, Vikram Seth, is a celebrated Indian novelist and poet. Known for his masterful storytelling and keen understanding of human nature, he holds a distinguished place in contemporary English literature.

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The Tuluva dynasty ruler, Sri Krishna Dev Raya (1509-1529 AD) composed the epic poem, ‘Amuktamalyada’ ( in telugu) that tells the well-known story of the daughter of Periazhvar, Goda Devi, who used to wear the garlands intended for Lord Ranganatha before they were offered to the deity and thus known as ‘Amukta Malya Da’ (one who wears and gives away garlands).

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On 13th Feb, the 3rd Indo-German Environment Forum was held in New Delhi with the theme “Cleaner Air, Greener Economy”. The one-day event focuses on challenges, solutions and necessary framework conditions of air pollution control, waste management and circular economy as well as implementation of NDCs and SDGs based on Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 of UN respectively. Around 250 representatives of ministries, business and science as well as non-governmental organizations participated in the forum, which is organized by the two environment ministries in cooperation with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The Forum provided a platform for the bilateral exchange of high-level policy-makers and other key players on international environmental and climate policy and cooperation between the two countries.