Blue Helmets are
- A.United Nations Peacekeepers
- B.Violent Non-State Actors
- C.Civil Society Organisations
- D.Environmental Organisations
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, United Nations Peacekeepers. UN peacekeeping troops wear light blue helmets or berets, which is why they are called the Blue Helmets.
Peacekeepers are military, police and civilian personnel sent by member countries to serve in missions authorised by the UN Security Council. The first armed mission, the UN Emergency Force, was sent to the Suez region in 1956, and the light blue colour of the UN flag was chosen for their headgear so they could be recognised from afar. UN peacekeeping forces received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988. India has been one of the largest troop contributors to these missions since the 1950s.
B is wrong because violent non-state actors are armed groups that do not belong to any state, the opposite of an authorised UN force. C is wrong because civil society organisations are non-governmental bodies, not troops. D is wrong because environmental groups are often called 'green', not blue helmets.
Exam tip: Blue Helmets = UN Peacekeepers; Nobel Peace Prize 1988; 29 May is the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following description of the Samadhi of a former Prime Minister of India :
Central Samadhi platform comprises nine square black polished granite solid stone blocks, capped with a 'Diya' in the centre. The number nine holds significance and represents the navarasas, navaratras and navagrahas. Then placement of the nine-square Samadhi is in a circular lotus shaped pattern. The nine-square platform is accessed in four cardinal directions by pathways made in white composite tiles so that the floor does not get heated.
Identify the Samadhi :
- A.Shakti Sthal
- B.Shantivan
- C.Sadaiv Atal
- D.Veer Bhumi
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The nine-square black granite platform with a diya at the centre, set in a lotus pattern, describes Sadaiv Atal, the memorial of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi.
Read the full explanation →Bharatmala Pariyojana is related to
- A.interlinking of Northern and Southern Indian rivers in a garland shape.
- B.networks of National Highways in India.
- C.interlinking of all cities of India through Railways.
- D.interlinking of all industrial regions of India through pipelines.
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Bharatmala Pariyojana is the Union government's umbrella programme for developing national highways and road corridors.
Read the full explanation →Which one among the following Joint Military Exercises was NOT conducted between India and USA ?
- A.Yudhabhyas
- B.Vajra Prahar
- C.Malabar
- D.Varuna
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Varuna is the naval exercise between India and France, not between India and the USA. India and France began their bilateral naval exercises in 1983, and the series was named Varuna in 2001; it has since been held regularly in the Indian Ocean and off the French coast.
Read the full explanation →The Headquarters of South-Eastern Railway is located at
- A.Bilaspur.
- B.Secunderabad.
- C.Kolkata.
- D.Bhubaneswar.
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The South Eastern Railway zone has its headquarters at Garden Reach in Kolkata. South Eastern Railway was formed in 1955 from the old Bengal Nagpur Railway, whose head office at Garden Reach it inherited.
Read the full explanation →Under which one of the following rivers has India's first underwater metro rail tunnel been constructed?
- A.Yamuna
- B.Ganga
- C.Hooghly
- D.Gomti
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India's first underwater metro tunnel runs beneath the Hooghly river in Kolkata. It is part of the East-West Metro corridor (the Green Line) of Kolkata Metro and joins Howrah on the west bank with Kolkata on the east bank.
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