Republic Day is a national celebration in India that honours the day when the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land that defines the rights and duties of the citizens and the structure and functions of the government. The Constitution was drafted by a committee headed by Dr BR Ambedkar, who is known as the chief architect of the Constitution. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, after nearly three years of deliberations and amendments. The date of January 26 was chosen to mark the anniversary of the Purna Swaraj declaration of independence from British rule, which was made by the Indian National Congress on January 26, 1930. Republic Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotism across the country, with the main event being the majestic parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, where the President of India unfurls the national flag and takes the salute of the armed forces.
MCQs:
1. What is the name of the committee that drafted the Constitution of India?
a) Drafting Committee
b) Constituent Committee
c) Constitutional Committee
d) Framing Committee
Answer: a
2. Who was the first President of India who took oath on January 26, 1950?
a) Dr Rajendra Prasad
b) Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
c) Dr Zakir Hussain
d) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Answer: a
3. Which constitutional amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 in India?
a) 61st Amendment
b) 62nd Amendment
c) 63rd Amendment
d) 64th Amendment
Answer: a
4. Which constitutional body presents the annual budget of the Union government in the Parliament?
a) Ministry of Finance
b) Reserve Bank of India
c) Planning Commission
d) Comptroller and Auditor General
Answer: a
5. Which constitutional article grants the right to education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 in India?
a) Article 21
b) Article 21A
c) Article 22
d) Article 23
Answer: b
International Youth Day is a global observance that aims to celebrate the achievements and potential of young people, as well as to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities they face in the world. The United Nations (UN) established the day in 1999, following the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. The day is observed every year on August 12, which coincides with the anniversary of the International Youth Year in 1985. The day provides an opportunity for various stakeholders, such as governments, civil society, media, and youth organizations, to promote youth participation, empowerment, and development. Each year, the day has a specific theme that reflects the current issues and priorities of the youth. The theme for International Youth Day 2023 is "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World".
MCQs:
1. In which year was the first International Youth Day observed?
a) 1985
b) 1995
c) 2000
d) 2005
Answer: c
2. Which UN body is responsible for coordinating the activities and events related to International Youth Day?
a) UNICEF
b) UNESCO
c) UNDP
d) DESA
Answer: d
3. What is the name of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, who is the global advocate for the rights and needs of young people?
a) Jayathma Wickramanayake
b) Ahmad Alhendawi
c) Amina J. Mohammed
d) António Guterres
Answer: a
4. Which SDG is directly related to the theme of International Youth Day 2023, "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World"?
a) SDG 4: Quality Education
b) SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
c) SDG 13: Climate Action
d) All of the above
Answer: d
5. Which online platform provides a space for young people to share their stories, opinions, and ideas on various topics related to International Youth Day and other youth issues?
a) Voices of Youth
b) YouthLEAD
c) Youth4Peace
d) YouthSpark
Answer: a
International Women's Day is a global celebration that recognizes the achievements and contributions of women in various fields of human endeavour. The day also advocates for gender equality and women's rights, and calls for action to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women. The origin of the day can be traced back to the early 20th century, when women's movements across the world organized protests and strikes for better working conditions, suffrage, and peace. The first official International Women's Day was observed in 1911, with the support of the Socialist International. The United Nations (UN) began celebrating the day in 1975, and since then, each year has a specific theme that highlights a relevant issue or goal for women's empowerment. The theme for International Women's Day 2024 is "Inspire Inclusion - #IWD2024" [^1^][1].
MCQs:
1. Which year was the first official International Women's Day observed?
a) 1909
b) 1911
c) 1921
d) 1931
Answer: b
2. Which UN agency is the main global entity dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women?
a) UN Women
b) UNICEF
c) UNDP
d) UNESCO
Answer: a
3. Which country was the first to grant women the right to vote in national elections?
a) New Zealand
b) Finland
c) Australia
d) Norway
Answer: a
4. Which Nobel Peace Prize laureate is known as the "Iron Lady of Africa" and the founder of the Green Belt Movement?
a) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
b) Leymah Gbowee
c) Wangari Maathai
d) Nadia Murad
Answer: c
5. Which international treaty is considered the "bill of rights" for women, as it sets the standards for eliminating discrimination against women in all aspects of life?
a) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
b) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
c) Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG)
d) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Answer: a
National Earth Day is a special observance in the United States that celebrates the birth of the modern environmental movement and encourages citizens to take action for the protection of the planet. National Earth Day is held on April 22 every year, coinciding with the global Earth Day that is observed in more than 190 countries. The first National Earth Day was organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist Denis Hayes in 1970, in response to the growing public concern over pollution, deforestation, and wildlife extinction. The event mobilized 20 million Americans to participate in rallies, marches, teach-ins, and other activities that raised awareness and demanded environmental reforms. The success of the first National Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of landmark legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Today, National Earth Day continues to inspire millions of Americans to join the global movement for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
MCQs:
1. Who is considered the founder of National Earth Day in the United States?
a) Rachel Carson
b) John Muir
c) Gaylord Nelson
d) Al Gore
Answer: c
2. Which federal agency was established as a result of the first National Earth Day in 1970?
a) National Park Service
b) Environmental Protection Agency
c) Department of Energy
d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Answer: b
3. Which of these is not one of the laws that were passed by the U.S. Congress after the first National Earth Day?
a) Clean Air Act
b) Clean Water Act
c) Endangered Species Act
d) Kyoto Protocol
Answer: d
4. Which of these is the theme of National Earth Day 2024, according to the Earth Day Network?
a) Restore Our Earth
b) Climate Action
c) Planet vs. Plastics
d) Inspire Inclusion
Answer: c
5. Which of these is an example of an activity that people can do to celebrate National Earth Day?
a) Plant a tree
b) Join a cleanup
c) Sign a petition
d) All of the above
Answer: d