International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The DRDO began developing the Pinaka in the late 1980s as an alternative to Russian-made systems. The Pinaka can fire 12 rockets and is designed to engage targets at a range of up to 40 km. It was used extensively by the Army during the Kargil War.
The Pinaka is named after “Pinaka”, the bow of Lord Shiva.

Notes:
The Southern Air Command (SAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram. It is on the southwestern side of India. This is one among the seven commands of IAF. This command was started on 19 July 1984 and is relatively new among the other commands.

Notes:
Bharat Dynamics Limited specializes in missile and torpedo design and production. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in India that is primarily involved in the manufacture of ammunition and missile systems. It plays a key role in the country’s defense sector, particularly in the development and production of advanced weapons like missiles and torpedoes.

Notes:
Black Power movement was a political and social movement in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. The movement emphasized racial pride, economic empowerment, and the creation of political and cultural institutions. The movement’s advocates believed in racial pride, self-sufficiency, and equality for all people of Black and African descent. The Black Power movement was a branch of the civil rights movement and was motivated by a desire for safety and self-sufficiency.  The Black Power movement began in 1966 and ended in 1975. Critics viewed Black Power organizations as separatist groups or street gangs. These critics ignored the movement’s political activism, cultural innovations, and social programs.  The Black Power movement was a militant movement that advocated violence in the United States.

Notes:
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialized unit of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It was established in 1991 in response to the growing need for a quick-response force that could be deployed in situations of communal violence, riots, and other forms of civil unrest. The RAF is trained in riot control and crowd management techniques, and is equipped with specialized non-lethal weapons and equipment. The unit is made up of personnel from various state police forces, and is known for its professionalism and effectiveness in dealing with volatile situations.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Saint Surdas, revered for his intense devotion to Lord Krishna, is the author of Sahitya Ratna. Blind from birth, he belonged to the Saguna School of the Bhakti Kal. Apart from Sahitya Ratna, Surdas has also composed Sur Sagar (Ocean of Melody), and Sur Saravali. His works, primarily centered around his spiritual affection for Lord Krishna, are celebrated for their melodious and devotional undertone.

Notes:
The Tuluva dynasty ruler, Krishna Dev Raya (1509-1529 AD) composed a drama “Jambavati Kalyanam” (in Sanskrit) i.e based on the Jambavati, one of the eight principal queen-consorts of Lord Krishna. She was the only daughter of Jambavan, the bear king who assisted Lord Ram in the battle against Ravana.

Notes:
Abul Fazal was the author of Ain-i-Akabari, the third volume of the book “Akbarnama”. The book gives the administrative details of Akbar’s time.