Azad Hind Government

About

• The Azad Hind Government, founded on 21st October, 1943 was inspired by Neta ji Subhash Chandra Bose who was the leader of Azad Hind Government and also the Head of State of this Provisional Indian Government-in-exile.
• It was a part of the freedom movement, originating in 1940s outside India with a purpose of allying with Axis powers to free India from British rule.
• The existence of the Azad Hind Government gave a greater legitimacy to the independence struggle against the British.
• Pertinently, the role of Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA) had been crucial in bequeathing a much needed impetus to India’s struggle for Independence.

Subhas Chandra Bose

• Subhas Chandra Bose is one of the most eminent freedom fighters of India.
• Bose joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1921. He also started a newspaper called ‘Swaraj’.
• He was the President of the All India Youth Congress and also the Secretary of the Bengal State Congress. In 1924, he became the CEO of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. In 1930, he became the Mayor of Calcutta.
• Bose authored the book ‘The Indian Struggle’ which covers the Indian independence movement from 1920 to 1942. The book was banned by the British government.
• He coined the term ‘Jai Hind’. His charisma and powerful personality inspired many people into the freedom struggle and continues to inspire Indians. He was called Netaji.

Arzi-e-Hukumat Azad Hind Fauz

• The Indian National Army (INA) was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II.
• Its aim was to secure Indian independence from British rule.
• It formed an alliance with Imperial Japan in the latter’s campaign in the Southeast Asian theatre of WWII.
• The army was first formed in 1942 under Mohan Singh, by Indian PoWs of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan campaign and at Singapore. It was revived under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose after his arrival in Southeast Asia in 1943.
• The role of Subhash Chandra Bose & his Indian National Army(INA), also known as Arzi-e-Hukumat Azad Hind Fauz have been a significant part of Indian Freedom Struggle.
• INA was an armed force organised by Bose in South Asia.

ADMM Plus meet

About ADMM+

• Established in 2006, the ADMM is the highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism in the ASEAN.
• It aims to promote mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defence and security challenges as well as enhancement of transparency and openness among ten ASEAN member states namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
• Meanwhile, the ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN Defense Ministers to engage their counterparts from the 8 Dialogue partner countries namely: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and Unites States.
• The inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi in 2010.
•  The defence ministers then had agreed on five areas of practical cooperation to pursue under the new mechanism including maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping operations.

'DHARMA GUARDIAN-2018'

About

• Exercise 'DHARMA GUARDIAN-2018' will be yet another step in deepening strategic ties including closer defence cooperation between the two countries.
• It will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other's militaries and also facilitate  tracking the worldwide phenomenon of  terrorism.  

Carnot Prize

Why the award has been constituted?

• The Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.
• The most prestigious award in the energy sector, Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot who recognised that the power of the steam engine would “produce a great revolution” in human development.
• The Carnot Prize is intended to honour those leading revolutions in energy policy to further progress and prosperity.
• Just like Carnot visualised the progress of mankind, the Carnot Prize recognises pioneering scholarship and path breaking policies in the energy sector.

Why India has been awarded?

• The rural electrification drive gave a significant breakthrough to the mission of ‘24×7 Affordable, Environment Friendly Power for all’, as India eliminated decades of darkness in more than 19,000 villages
• With the Saubhagya Programme, the last-mile connectivity to every household in the villages is being fast tracked, with 51% of the 3.1 crore rural households electrified.
• The massive thrust to green energy is reflected in India’s 175 GW target by 2022, being the world’s largest renewable expansion programme with 72 GW already achieved.
• The Carnot Prize recognises India’s “solid footing to reach a 40% renewable mix by 2030”
• UJALA scheme the world’s largest LED distribution programme, and along with private sector participation, 130 crore LED bulbs have been distributed, making India brighter and cleaner.

Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)

About

• Asian–European political dialogue forum to enhance relations and various forms of cooperation between its partners
• ASEM represents around 62.3% of the world’s population, 57.2% of the global GDP and almost 60% of the world’s trade.
• It has 53 partners,  51 countries and 2 regional organisations of which India is also a member
• established — 1996 at the first summit in Bangkok, Thailand

What are the main components?

The main components of the ASEM process rest on 3 pillars

1. Political Pillar
2. Economic Pillar
3. Social, Cultural & Educational Pillar