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 book “Lincoln in the Bardo” has been authored by George Saunders, the Folio prize-winning author. The novel is a tale of death and beyond that captures the grief of Abraham Lincoln over the death of his 11-year-old son Willie while the Civil War raged on in the United States of America (USA). The book draws a parallel line between the lives of Willie’s ghost and a similar uncertain state of Lincoln, after the boy’s death. In simple words, the novel is a confrontation with the mysterious beyond the inevitable death, a question that has haunted humankind, and the way death can bring even the head of a nation to his knees.

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:
National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 in India. This day marks the birthday of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. National Sports Day aims to raise awareness on the importance of sports and physical fitness.

Notes:
23rd November is traditionally celebrated as the ‘NCC Day’ to mark the function of raising the first NCC Unit at Delhi.

Notes:
SAARC is regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union in South Asia. It promotes development of economical and regional integration. 
Member Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (joined in 2007
The first SAARC summit was held in Dhaka (Bangladesh) in December 1985.

Notes:
The General Secretariat of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is located in Madrid, Spain. The address is Oquendo 12, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
The General Secretariat is responsible for the administrative management of IOSCO. IOSCO was established in 1983 and has over 180 members from more than 100 states. The organization’s activities include research, risk identification, and standard-setting.

Notes:
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is not based in Basel, Switzerland. it is headquartered in Paris, France. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) are both located in Basel. The OECD, established in 1961, focuses on economic development and policy coordination among member countries.

Notes:
Mudrarakshasa is a Sanskrit-language play by Vishakhadatta that tells the story of the ascent of King Chandragupta Maurya. Its timeframe varies from the late 4th century to the 8th century CE. This literary work mainly portrayed the Mauryas and the Nandas, hence marking an important event in Indian historiography.

Notes:
The Sanskrit poet Padmagupta Parimala composed “Navasaha Sankacharitam” , in which he described the exploits of Paramara
King Sindhuraja (995-1010 AD) of Dhara, who possessed the title “Nava Sahasanka”. It deals with the marriage of Sindhuraja  (the father of King Bhoja of Dhara) with the Shashi Prabha (daughter of Nagaraja Shankhapara) and the personal aspects of his life.