International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently released a book ‘Matoshree’, authored by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in New Delhi on April 11, 2017. The book ‘Matoshree’ covers the life and times of legendary Devi Ahilyabai Holker who ruled the Holkar Empire spread over the Malwa region from 1767 to 1795. Ahilyabai Holkar was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime and considered as a saint by people after her death. She is remembered and worshipped by people for her exemplary governance, sense of justice and fairness.

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Southern Command – Chennai does not correctly denote the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Operational Command. The headquarters of the Southern Command of the Indian Army is actually located in Pune, not Chennai.

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Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) ended the Bosnian War, which was part of the Yugoslav Wars. The DPA was signed on December 1995 after months of negotiations. The war lasted three and a half years and was known for its violence and atrocities. The war resulted in about 100,000 deaths and displaced two million people. The DPA also outlined a constitutional framework for peace in Bosnia.  The DPA was reached by the presidents of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia. The agreement was brokered by American diplomat Richard Holbrooke. The negotiations began in the Balkans and ended in Dayton, Ohio.

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The United Nation Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre is an executive agency of UN Environment Programme, which is based in Cambridge (UK). It was previously managed by IUCN, UN Environment Programme and WWF.

Notes:
Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) among the options you’ve provided is “C) Astra.” Here’s some more detailed information:

• Agni: Agni is not an air-to-air missile; it’s a family of long-range ballistic missiles developed by India for delivering nuclear warheads. It is not designed for aerial combat.
• Prithvi: Prithvi is also not an air-to-air missile. It’s a short-range ballistic missile system designed for attacking ground targets.
• Astra: Astra is indeed a Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India. Astra is designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at distances beyond visual range. It is a crucial component of India’s air defense capabilities.
• Nag: Nag is not an air-to-air missile either. It’s an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed by India for use against armored vehicles and tanks.

In summary, (C) Astra” is the correct choice as the Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile among the options provided.

Notes:
Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles was issued by the Commonwealth of Nations in 1971. The declaration set out the core political volunteering values that would form the main part of the Commonwealth’s membership criteria. The declaration proclaimed that expanded human understanding and understanding among nations would help the elimination of discrimination based on differences of race, color, or creed.  The Singapore Declaration was adopted at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (APRM of ILO). The declaration urges countries to ensure labor protection.

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Mekong Ganga Cooperation was established in 2000 and the 6 members are Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, India

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. It is the creation of china which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China. Its members are China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Notes:
The correct answer is “5 Permanent & 4 Non-Permanent Members.” In the United Nations Security Council, a decision requires the affirmative votes of at least 9 out of 15 members, which includes all 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and 4 non-permanent members. This structure ensures that both permanent and non-permanent members have a important role in decision-making. Notably, any of the permanent members can veto a substantive resolution, which is a unique feature of the Security Council.

Notes:
Ganita Sara Sangraha (“Compendium of the Essence of Mathematics”) written by Mahavira ( or Mahaviracharya), a Jain  mathematician from Mysore. It was written during the reign of the Rashtrakuta dynasty ruler Amoghavarsha (800–878 AD). In  the 11th century, the book was translated into Telugu language by Pavuluri Mallana as Saar Sangraha Ganitam.