International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The National Broadcasting Day (NBD) is celebrated every year on July 23 because on this day, in 1927, the radio broadcasting was started in India. The first ever radio broadcast in India went on air from the Bombay Station on July 23, 1927 under a private company, the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC). It was by the British Viceroy of India Lord Irwin. On June 8, 1936, the Indian State Broadcasting Service became All India Radio (AIR).

Notes:
International Biodiversity Day is celebrated on 22nd May every year to raise awareness about biodiversity issues. This day commemorates the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. 192 countries are party to this convention to promote sustainable development.

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The World Meteorological Day (WMD) is observed every year on 23rd March to mark establishment of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on this day in 1950.

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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 rank in the Indian Air Force which is equivalent to Major in the Indian Army is Squadron Leader. The rank structure in the Indian Air Force is designed to be parallel to that of the Indian Army, with each rank in one service having an equivalent in the other.

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The MIG series of super fighters, including the MIG-21 and MIG-29, were developed by the Soviet Union, which is now Russia. These aircraft were introduced to India in the 1960s and have been a important part of the Indian Air Force’s fleet. The MIG-21, in particular, became one of the most widely used fighter jets in the world, with over 11,000 units produced.

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Minorities Rights Day is observed on December 18. This day was established by the United Nations to promote and protect the rights of minority groups worldwide. The date highlights the importance of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, can enjoy their rights and freedoms.

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The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is based in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1961, it aims to promote productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through various programs and initiatives. Tokyo was chosen as the headquarters due to Japan’s post-war economic success, which served as a model for productivity improvement in the region.

Notes:
Tenali Ramakrishna wrote Panduranga Mahatyam. It’s one of the Pancha maha kavyas of Telugu literature. The book is a legendary account of a shrine of Vishnu as Panduranga, at Pandharpur. Ramakrishna was a court-poet of the Vijaya Nagar Empire in the 16th century CE during the Krishnadevaraya period. He was one of the eminent luminaries in literature known as Astadiggajas in the court of Krishna deva Raya.  Ramakrishna took the theme for Panduranga Mahatyam from the Skanda Purana and enhanced it with many stories about the devotees of Panduranga. He is known for his exceptional narrative skills and fabulous sense of humor.  Panduranga Mahatyam is dedicated to Krishnadeva Raya’s grandson.