Solution (c)

He played a vital role in India’s partition and political integration.

Menon was the political advisor of the last Viceroy of India, Lord Louis Mountbatten. When the interim Government had collapsed due to the rivalry between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, Menon had proposed to Mountbatten, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Indian leaders, the Muslim League’s plan to partition India into two independent nations – India and Pakistan.

Read More – https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/remembering-vp-menons-role-in-accession-of-jk-and-other-states-6039385/

Q.2) Solution (c)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, which promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism knowledge. It encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism to maximize the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development, while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), geared towards eliminating poverty and fostering sustainable development and peace worldwide. Its headquarters are located in Madrid.

This is the first time India hosted the World Tourism Day. Events around the theme ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all’ took place in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi from 26-28, September 2019.

Solution (d)

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. Its individual Members — structured into Divisions, Commissions, and Working Groups — are professional astronomers from all over the world, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, who are active in professional research, education and outreach in astronomy. The IAU also has Junior Members. The IAU has 13682 members. The Individual and Junior Members Directory contains 11128 names in 107 countries worldwide (these Individual Members are labeled as “active” in the IAU database: they have a valid, public email, and are affiliated to at least one Division.). Out of those countries, 82 are National Members. In addition, the IAU collaborates with various scientific organizations all over the world.

The focal point of its activities is the IAU Secretariat, hosted by the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris in France.

Solution (c)
The Ranking, produced by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, measures the capacity and readiness of 63 nations to adopt and explore digital technologies as a key driver for economic transformation in business, government and wider society.
India has advanced four places to 44th position in terms of digital competitiveness in the world as the country has made improvement in terms of knowledge and future readiness to adopt and explore digital technologies.

Solution (a)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/sittannavasal-relics-from-the-2nd-century-bc/article29509900.ece/photo/1/