International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations for coordinating economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for implementing internationally agreed development goals.

Notes:
August 10 is International Biodiesel Day. This day spreads awareness about the benefits of biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel is made from renewable sources like vegetable oils and animal fats. It is biodegradable and cleaner for the environment compared to fossil fuels. Celebrating International Biodiesel Day promotes the production and use of this eco-friendly fuel option.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The headquarters of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is loacated in Geneva, Switzerland. IUCN has observer and consultative status at the United Nations and plays a role in the implementation of several international conventions on nature conservation and biodiversity.

Notes:
In 1988, World Health Assembly of WHO had passed a resolution calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on May 31. Since then WHO has supported the observance of World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) every year.

Notes:
The Axis powers during the World War-II included Italy, Germany and Japan. They were also known collectively as “Rome–Berlin–Tokyo Axis”. These three nations fought the WW-II against the allies but without any strong coordination between three of them. The major Allied Powers were Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. Thus, France was an allied power and not axis power.

Notes:
The first Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was Josip Broz Tito, the leader of Yugoslavia. The NAM was established in 1961 during the Cold War to promote cooperation among countries that did not want to align with either the Western or Eastern blocs. Tito played a crucial role in its formation, alongside leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Gamal Abdul Nasser. The movement aimed to provide a platform for countries seeking independence from colonialism and to advocate for peace and mutual respect among nations.

Notes:
Admiral Vishnu Baghwat is the first and only Chief of Naval Staff of India to be dismissed while in service. He was removed in 1998 due to differences with the government over various issues, including the handling of the Kargil War. This incident marked a important moment in Indian military history, which indicates the tensions between military leadership and political authority.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Memory of the World Programme is an initiative of UNESCO. It is an international initiative launched to safeguard the documentary heritage of humanity against collective amnesia, neglect, the ravages of time and climatic conditions, and willful and deliberate destruction.