International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

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Japan was the first country in Asia to industrialize on a large scale. Industrialization began in Japan after the fall of the Tokugawa government in 1868. Japan industrialized faster than many European countries.
Japan’s industrialization was prompted by the need to improve the nation’s defenses against foreign threats. Local clans developed industrialization by copying Western examples and using traditional craft skills. Japan’s production included steel, machinery, metal goods, and chemicals, which were produced in quantities large enough for export.
Other Asian countries that have industrialized include: South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong.

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When a country faces serious medium-term balance of payments problems, International Monetary Fund assist the country with the adjustment process under its Extended Fund Facility.

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The North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) was signed by 12 countries on April 4, 1949 at the Departmental Auditorium in Washington, D.C.. The countries that signed the treaty were:  Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, The United Kingdom, The United States.  The treaty established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a mutual defense treaty between the 12 nations. The purpose of NATO was to deter the Soviet Union from invading Western Europe. The treaty committed each member to share the risks, responsibilities, and benefits of collective defense.  NATO is now an alliance of 31 nations from Europe and North America. The main purpose of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members by political and military means.

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One of the most famous speeches of the Cold War period in which former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill condemns the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe is also called as Iron Curtain Speech.

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The first-ever Income Tax Day celebrations in India were held on July 24, 2010. This date was chosen to honor the establishment of the Income Tax Department in India, which was formed on July 24, 1860. The celebrations aim to promote tax compliance and recognize the contributions of taxpayers to the nation’s development.

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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.

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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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The Revolution of Roses, also known as the Rose Revolution was a pro-Western peaceful change of power in Georgia in November 2003.

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National Mathematics Day is celebrated on December 22 in India to honor the birth of the renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887. Ramanujan made important contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, and continued fractions. His work has influenced various fields, and he is celebrated for his intuitive grasp of mathematics despite having little formal training. The day aims to promote the importance of mathematics in education and society.

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The book “Taj-ul-masir” was penned by Sadruddin Mohammad Hassan Nizami, popularly known as Hasan Nizami. The book, written in the Turki language, notably deals with political events in North India from approximately 1192 AD to 1228 AD. It offers a thorough examination of the reign of Sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Slave dynasty, and the early rule of Iltumish, Sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibak’s son-in-law.