International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
The book “Narendra Modi: The Making of a Legend” has been authored by Bindeshwar Pathak, the Sulabh International founder and a Padma Bhushan recipient. The book is recently launched by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in New Delhi. The coffee table book is all about PM Modi and the inspiring journey of his life. It has images and text depicting Modi’s journey, his struggles and several initiatives taken by him since he took oath as country’s prime minister in 2014.

Notes:
Track IV Diplomacy involves socio-cultural, scientific, environmental and educational programmes between two states.

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 general secretariat of Amnesty International is located in London, United Kingdom. The non-governmental organization was founded in July 1961 by Peter Benenson and Philip James. Amnesty International is a human rights organization that campaigns for compliance with international laws and standards. They use media attention, direct-appeal campaigns, research, and lobbying to protect human rights. Amnesty International has opened regional offices in cities across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Notes:
The motto of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) is “Unity and Discipline”. This motto reflects the organization’s focus on promoting teamwork and discipline among its members. The NCC is a voluntary organization that seeks to instill a sense of patriotism and national pride in young people, and to develop their physical, mental, and moral abilities through a variety of activities and training programs.

Notes:
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. The National Party governed South Africa from 1948 until 1994. During this time, South Africa was a partial democracy because non-white people were barred from voting after 1958.
The Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) was a British organization that opposed the South African apartheid system. The AAM supported South Africa’s non-white population who were persecuted by the policies of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela was sworn in as President of South Africa in 1994. He was known for his internal resistance to apartheid.

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.

Notes:
AFSPA became a law on September 11, 1958. Initially, it was applicable to the seven Northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. This was so because in all these states there were movements of ethnic groups demanding separation from India. The government felt that such insurgencies could be checked through deployment of the armed forces, and they would need special powers to carry out their responsibilities. AFSPA was extended to J&K in 1990, on similar considerations.

Notes:
Although the Germans were the first to use phosgene on the battlefield, it became the primary chemical weapon of the Allies. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical-weapons fatalities during World War I. Mustard gas, a potent blistering agent, was dubbed King of the Battle Gases.