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Village Of Sanskrit

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Mathur, a culturally rich village on the banks of the river Tunga in Karnataka. Villagers use Sanskrit here for their day to day conversation and not just during poojas.

It is one of the two villages in India where Sanskrit is the official language. The villagers speak a dialect called Sanketi, which is a mixture of Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada. It has no written script.

There is a village paatashala, which teaches chanting of Vedas in the traditional way, especially Krishna Yajur Veda along with other ritualistic rites from Bodhayana sutras and Aabhasthamba sutras. Other rituals for yagnas are conducted for learning purposes.

An example of their brilliance was seen when they told about this famous verse from Bodhayana Sutra of the Shulba Sutra (around 4000 BC) in Mathematics, ‘Deergachatursasyaa akshanyaa rajjuh: Paarsvamanischa Thiryakmani cha. Yatpruthagbhute kuruthasthatubayam karoti.’ It is nothing but a Pythogaras’ theorem stated in Shulba Sutras, 1000 years before Pythogoras wrote it. Venkatesh avadhaani( a sanyasi, whose knowledge of Sanskrit is amazing) explained it by drawing a rectangle and a diagonal with a chalk on the floor of his house and showed how these Sanskrit words state that the area of the square on one side of the diagonal is equal to the area of the sum of squares on the side and base of that rectangle.

A Japanese gentleman has been attending the classes for the last couple of years, learning and writing advanced Vedic scriptures.

Source : The Untold Story of India

Q. Why does an electric bulb make a ‘bang’ when it is broken?

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Q. Why does an electric bulb make a ‘bang’ when it is broken?

A. There is a vacuum inside the electric bulb. When the bulb is broken air rushes in at great speed from all sides to fill the vacuum. The rushing of air produces a noise generally referred to as a ‘bang’.

UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination and Syllabus of General Studies

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upsc mains gs syllabus

 UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination’s Syllabus of General Studies

 

General Studies- I

  1. Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
  2. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
  3. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant
  4. events, personalities, issues
  5. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
  6. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
  7. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
  8. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
  9. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
  10. Effects of globalization on Indian society
  11. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
  12. Salient features of world’s physical geography.
  13. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
  14. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

General Studies- II:

  1. Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
  2. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
  3. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
  4. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
  5. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
  6. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
  7. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
  8. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
  9. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various
  10. Constitutional Bodies.
  11. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
  12. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
  13. Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
  14. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
  15. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,
  16. Education, Human Resources.
  17. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
  18. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
  19. Role of civil services in a democracy.
  20. India and its neighborhood- relations.
  21. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
  22. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
  23. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

 

General Studies-III

  1. Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
  2. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
  3. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
  4. Government Budgeting.
  5. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and
  6. irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
  7. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
  8. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
  9. Land reforms in India.
  10. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
  11. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
  12. Investment models.
  13. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
  14. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
  15. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
  16. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
  17. Disaster and disaster management.
  18. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
  19. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
  20. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
  21. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
  22. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

 

General Studies- IV:

  1. Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
  2. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.
  3. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
  4. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
  5. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
  6. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
  7. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
  8. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
  9. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
  10. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
  11. Case Studies on above issues.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

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Cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the Indian subcontinent and every young boy aspires to enjoy the respect and  honour commanded by a great cricketer. But getting successful in carving out a career in cricket is thought to be an uphill task, given the tough competition one has to face in order to find a suitable place even in the district-level team. But a small-town boy dazzled everybody’s eyes and acquired a permanent place in the national team with a bang in such a big way that every Indian was driven crazy. He is none other than the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is considered the greatest Indian captain of all time by many due to his determination, courage, confidence, and dedication. His brilliance as a great player is evident from his natural flair for aggression and making runs at a breathtaking pace. He virtually takes games away from the opposition at the drop of a hat. Today, he is considered one of the greatest batsmen of the world by virtue of his inimitable batting style and an enormous range of shots. His mercurial mind never fails to fascinate the spectators and the recent Test series win of the Team India bears testimony to this fact. He led his team to 4-0 victory against Australia in theTest series played in February-March, 2013. Earlier, he had led India to enviable victory in the inaugural World Cup Twenty20 championship in South Africa in 2007 and scripted a history by leading his team to lift the ICC Cricket World’Cup 201 I after 28 long years.

Born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Dhoni studied at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Ranchi. Dhoni made his One-Day International debut against Bangladesh in Chittagong in December 2004. He caught the attention of the cricket fraternity when he hit a blistering knock (148 runs off 123 balls) against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam in 2005. Dhoni’s genius reached its insuperable best during his swashbuckling ODI innings of 183 runs (not out) against Sri Lanka in Jaipur, Rajasthan, in October 2005. It was the highest ODI score posted by a wicketkeeper and also the highest score (120) off 6s and4s in an ODI innings.
Dhoni made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Chennai, on December 2, 2005. He made an instant impact on the Test level too, pounding 148 against Pakistan at Faisalabad, only in his fifth Test, when India was struggling to avoid the follow-on. Dhoni has heralded a new genre of Indian cricketers— committed, courageous, fearless and willing to take the bull by its horns. Be it his composed attitude or the healthy secrets of his muscular prowess, Dhoni is the dream hero of all. The excellent wicketkeeper-batsman was voted as the MTV Youth Icon for the year 2006. The same year, Competition Success Review honoured him with a CSRGold Medal which is given to outstanding achievers. Mr. Dhoni was conferred the most prestigious award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna by the Government of India in 2007 for his invaluable contribution to the field of sports. The most remarkable quality in him is his humility and as St. Augustine has said, “It is humility that makes men as angels”.
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International Cricket Council (ICC)

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International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, all white countries renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989 and new rules adopted to permit the election of countries from outside the Commonwealth.

The ICC has 106 members: 10 Full Members that play official Test matches, 37 Associate Members, and 59 Affiliate Members. West Indies, New Zealand and India were elected as Full Members in 1926, doubling the number of Test-playing nations to six.

The overall Development Program is managed by the Global Development Manager, Mr Matthew Kennedy, who is based at the ICC headquarters in Dubai. The international game grew with several “affiliate nations” getting involved and, in the closing years of the 20th century, three of those became Test nations also: Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

The first ever international cricket game was between the USA and Canada in 1844. The match was played at the grounds of the St George’s Cricket Club in New York.

The ICC is responsible for the organization and governance of cricket’s major international tournaments, most notably the Cricket World Cup. It also appoints the umpires and referees that officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One Day International and Twenty20 Internationals. It promulgates the ICC Code of Conduct, which sets professional standards of discipline for international cricket, and also co-ordinates action against corruption and match-fixing through its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

The last ICC President was Zaheer Abbas. In 2016 the position of the president of ICC was abolished. The current CEO is  Manu Sawhney and the present chairman is Shashank Manohar. The new head of council is CEO and Chairman of ICC.

The ICC also has a “Code of Conduct” to which teams and players in international matches are required to adhere. Where breaches of this code occur the ICC can apply sanctions, usually fines. In 2006 the ICC imposed 27 penalties on players.

The ICC Mission:

As the international governing body for cricket, the International Cricket Council will lead by:

  • Promoting and protecting the game, and its unique spirit
  • Delivering outstanding, memorable events
  • Providing excellent service to Members and stakeholders
  • Optimizing its commercial rights and properties for the benefit of its Members

Vision of Success

As a leading global sport cricket will captivate and inspire people of every age, gender, background and ability while building bridges between continents, countries and communities.

Strategic Direction

A bigger, better, global game targeting more players, more fans, more competitive teams.
Our long-term success will be judged on growth in participation and public interest and the competitiveness of teams participating in men’s and women’s international cricket.

Values

  • Openness, honesty and integrity
  • Excellence
  • Accountability and responsibility
  • Commitment to the game
  • Respect for our diversity
  • Fairness and equity
  • Working as a team

The ICC appoints international umpires and referees, sponsored by Emirates Airline, who officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. The ICC operates 3 panels of umpires: namely the Elite Panel, the International Panel, and the Associates and Affiliates Panel.

Prior to the 2007 Cricket World Cup ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed warned against any corruption and said that the ICC would be vigilant and intolerant against it.