1 He was born as Narendranath Dutta in an affluent family in Kolkata on January 12, 1863. He was an Indian Hindu monk and a chief disciple of the 19th century Indian mystic. Arts and Culture He was hailed as a Dhyana Sidha, a meditation expert, by his guru Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. He devoted his life to the service of the nation and humanity and laid emphasis on the power of meditation. After getting attracted to the idea of meditation in childhood, he achieved fame at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Swami Vivekananda: Nation remembers Chicago in 1893. Swami Vivekananda, one of the finest His speech made the culture and spiritual leaders and intellects India has heritage of India popular. EVER produced on his death anniversary. With his incredible knowledge of Highlights: Indian and Western culture and colourful personality, he made an Every year, July 4 is observed as irresistible appeal to all sorts of the death anniversary of Swami Americans who came in contact Vivekananda. with him during the global Swami Vivekananda played an dialogue on different kinds of faith important role in introducing the in the US. philosophies of yoga and Vedanta to the West. Ramakrishna Mission: He is best known for his speech at In 1897 Swami Vivekanand the World Parliament of Religion founded the Ramakrishna Math in Chicago in 1893 which started and the Ramakrishna Mission, an with the opening remarks, “My Indian socio religious reform sisters and brothers of America.” movement. About Swami Vivekananda: It subscribes to the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta and bases Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902), its work on the principles of karma died on July 4, 1902, when he was yoga, the principle of selfless work just 39 at Belur Math in West done with dedication to God. Bengal. www.civilserviceindia.com 2 He gave a new theory of ethics & ensure it will last for the duration of morality based on the intrinsic the winter. purity and oneness of the Atman. This highly decorated monument is built in the small seaside village of In 1984 the Government of India declared Blokhus in the northwest Denmark. that 12 January, the birthday of Swami It is reminiscent of a pyramid, is made Vivekananda, will be celebrated as up of 4,860 tonnes of sand. National Youth Day. Led by the seasoned artist Wilfred Stijger of Holland, 30 of the world's most gifted sand sculptors worked in the making of the giant structure. The Dutch designer said his creation was inspired by the coronaviurus pandemic. He said he put a coronavirus pathogen as a crown atop the castle to illustrate how the virus is ruling our world, and not allowing us to do what we want to do. World’s tallest sandcastle: A sandcastle Note: The Sand Sculpture Festival in recently built in Denmark has established a Blokhus takes place every summer. new Guinness World Record. About Blokhus Village: Key Points: This village is located in Jammerbugt Municipality of North Jutland in It has established new Guinness World Denmark. Record of 21.16 metres. The village is a popular beach town The Gunness world record was accounting for around 1 million measured by an authorized surveyor and signed and witnessess. visitors every year. It was originally named Hune Hvarre. Denmark’s new sandcastle is 3.5 meter taller than earlier record of In 1600s there were barely any trees 17.66 meter set by Germany in 2019. this village. So, timber was imported from Norway. About Denmark’s Sandcastle: In order to store timber, locals constructed some houses out it. The structure of the sandcastle is built These houses are called as ‘block in the shape of a triangle to avoid houses’ after which village has been collapsing like many others have. given Danish name Blokhus. A wooden structure was built around it to allow the artist to carve the About Denmark: incredible figures in the sand. To ensure the sand sticks on, it was Denmark officially the Kingdom of mixed with around 10% clay. Denmark, is a Nordic country in When everything is finished, an extra Northern Europe. layer of adhesive was applied to www.civilserviceindia.com 3 It is a Scandinavian country comprising the Jutland Peninsula and around 406 islands. It is bordered to the west by the North Sea, and its islands are located on the sea lane from the Baltic to the main oceans of the world, as well as the trade route from the Nordic countries to Central Europe. It is an independent country since the Indian Army Memorial: During his four day late 10th century and is also one of the visit to the UK and Italy, Indian Army Chief oldest states of Europe. Manoj Naravane will be meeting his The capital of Denmark is counterparts and senior military leaders with Copenhagen. the aim of enhancing India's defence The currency used here is Danish cooperation. Krone. The current prime minister of Highlights: Denmark is Mette Frederiksen. Additionally, the Indian Chief of About Guinness Book of World Records: Army Staff (COAS) will also be inaugurating the Indian Army Guinness World Records was Memorial at Cassino in Italy which is originally the Guinness Book of about 140 km away from Rome. Records from its inception in 1955 The memorial commemorates over until 1999. 3,100 Commonwealth servicemen It is a reference book published who took part in the effort to liberate annually, listing world records both of Italy in World War II. Apart from this, human achievements and the extremes 900 Indian soldiers were also of the natural world. commemorated on this memorial. The brainchild of Sir Hugh Beaver, the book was co founded by twin History: brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter What was happening in Italy in WWII? in Fleet Street, London, in August 1954. Under Benito Mussolini, Italy had After the founding of The Guinness joined Nazi Germany in 1936. Book of Records office at 107 Fleet In 1940 it entered WWII (1939 1945) Street, London, the first 198 page against the Allies. edition was bound on 27 August 1955 But in 1943, Mussolini was and went to the top of the British best overthrown and instead, Italy declared seller lists by Christmas. war on Germany. As of the 2021 edition, it is now in its The invasion of Italy by the Allies 66th year of publication, published in coincided with an armistice that was 100 countries and 23 languages, and made with the Italians. maintains over 53,000 records in its database. What was India’s involvement in World War II? www.civilserviceindia.com 4 In the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II, over 5,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives while fighting to save Italy from fascist forces. The Indian Army was the largest volunteer force during WWII, with over 2.5 million Indians participating. Nearly 50,000 Indians were enlisted for Italy’s liberation between September 1943 and April 1945. These troops fought the Axis powers The Light of Asia: It is the title of a new book (Germany, Italy and Japan) as part of authored by Jairam Ramesh. the Allies. Ramesh is a Member of Parliament, former Three infantry divisions of the Indian Union Minister, and Congress leader. Army took part in the Italian campaign. These were the 4th, 8th and 10th About: Indian Divisions. Besides Casino, Italy has many This new book titled “The Light of cemeteries where Indian soldiers are Asia” is a biography of an epic bio buried. Perugia, Luca, Florence, San poem on the Buddha. Marino, Cesena, Forli, Ferrara, and He digs deep in his new book to bring Bologna are a few of the Italian cities out the fascinating story behind the that Indian soldiers helped to liberate epic 1879 poem, “The Light of Asia” during World War II. by Sir Edwin Arnold, that took the Six Indian soldiers who were part of world by storm and in some ways, allied contingents fighting for the brought the Buddha’s story to the liberation of Italy also received the world at the turn of the last century. prestigious Victoria Cross. Note: Both the UK and Italy are important partners for India in the fields of defence, healthcare, aerospace, education, clean technology, renewable energy and information and communication technology among others. Books and Authors: Ramayana of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji: The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi recently received the first copy of the book, ‘The Ramayana of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.’ www.civilserviceindia.com 5 The book is penned by Late Mrs. Baljit Kaur Tulsi Ji, who is the mother of noted lawyer Shri KTS Tulsi Ji. Govind Ramayan Controversy: PM Modi, on 5 august 2021, had mentioned about Shri Guru Gobind Ji's Gobind Ramayan during his address at the Bhoomi Poojan of the Ram Janmbhoomi. However, the statement was criticized Exercise Shield: A Trilateral Table Top by many and it was said that the Sikh Exercise (TTX) – 2021 anti narcotics and guru never wrote anything as such, maritime search and rescue exercise, ‘Exercise with some even staging protests. Shield’, was held between Indian and Sri The book has now been published by Lankan Navies and Maldives National the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Defence Force through virtual mode. the Arts (IGNCA). Key Details: About Guru Gobind Singhji: The two day exercise, TTX 2021, was Guru Gobind Singhji was a spiritual held virtually on July 14 and 15 with master, warrior, poet, and philosopher. the Indian Navy’s Western Naval He was born in 1666 in Patna. Command as the lead agency.