From 1914 to 1918 it embroiled most of the nations of Europe. the United States, Russia, the Middle East, and other regions. The Central Powers of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Turkey were pitted against the Allies — Great Britain, Russia, France, Japan, Italy and, from 1917, the United States.

in this article, we look at the contribution of our Indian soldiers in World War I.

INDIAN ARMY IN World War I

13 lakh Indian soldiers fought in World War I, Served in France, Belgium, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine and Sinai and Fought against Germans in East Africa, Western Front.

Serving European, the Mediterranean and the Middle East regions 74,187 Indian soldiers died while many Killed in European trenches.69,214 soldiers were wounded,100 million British Pounds to fund World War I
Provided 1.7 lakh animals.

• 1914: Jawans stopped German forces in Ypres, 4,000 soldiers killed in Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
• 1,000 Indian soldiers killed in Gallipoli.
• 7,00,000 Indian soldiers fought in Mesopotamia.

BATTLE OF HAIFA

400 lancers of 15th cavalry fought including Jodhpur, Mysore, Hyderabad, Bhavanagar, Baroda, Idar and Jamnagar. 23 Sept 1918: Indian troops seized Haifa. Troops battled 1500 men of the Turkish army, Lancers fought with only spears & 1,350 Germans, Ottoman prisoners
captured.

• Eight Indian soldiers killed.
• 34 soldiers wounded.
• 60 horses killed in battle.

World War I PARTICIPANTS

The Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.
The Triple Entente: Great Britain, France and Russia.

World War I TIMELINE

• 28 June 1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary killed by a Serbian man.
  Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
• Russia got involved because Russia had an alliance with Serbia, Germany then declared war on Russia because Germany had an alliance with Austria-Hungary.
• 4 August 1914 – Britain declared war on Germany because of its invasion of neutral Belgium, 7 August 1914 – First shots of World War One were fired in Africa.
• 23 August 1914 – The Battle of Mons in Belgium was the British Army’s first engagement in France. 5 September 1914 – As the German Army advances towards Paris, French and British soldiers counterattack along the line of the River Marne.
• 10 October 1914 – The Indian Army joins the war.
• 31 October 1914 – Siege of Tsingtao.
• 3 January 1915 – First use of poison gas.
• 25 April 1915 – Australian, New Zealand, British, French and Indian troops mount an amphibious landing to take the peninsula of Gallipoli. But the Allies suffer a crushing defeat. 7 May 1915- The sinking of the Lusitania.
• 27 January 1916 – Conscription introduced in Britain,21 February 1916 – This is the longest single battle of World War One and lasts nine months. The Germans fail to break through or exhaust the French army ng defeat.
• 31 May 1916 – In the biggest naval battle of the war the British lose more ships than the Germans and fail to destroy the German High Seas Fleet. But the German Navy retreats and remains bottled up in its the North Sea and Baltic ports.
• 1 July 1916 – The Battle of the Somme is one of the largest and bloodiest conflicts of World War One. Nearly 20,000 British soldiers die on the first day,6 April 1917 – America enters the war.
• 8 November 1917 – In March 1917 there is a popular uprising in Russia and Tsar Nicholas II abdicates.. Russia leaves the war signing an armistice in December. 21 March 1918 – Germany launches the Spring Offensive.
• July 1918 – Hundred Days Offensive.
• 11 November 1918 – Armistice.
• 1919 – The Treaty of Versailles imposes harsh terms on Germany forcing them to accept the blame for the war and pay huge reparations.

World War I CAUSES: MUTUAL DEFENSE: ALLIANCES

• Germany seeing Russia mobilizing declared war on Russia.
• France was then drawn in against Germany and Austria-Hungary.
• Germany attacked France through Belgium pulling Britain into war.
• Later Japan, Italy and U.S. entered on the side of the allies.
• British Empire extended over 5 continents and France had control of large areas of Africa.
• The rise of industrialism led the need of new markets.

World War I CAUSES: IMPERIALISM

Amount of lands ‘owned by Britain and France increased the rivalry with Germany.
The desire for greater empires led to an increase in the confrontation.

World War I CAUSES: MILITARISM

The colonial rivalry had led to a naval arms race between Britain and Germany.
The British-german dispute also led to greater naval co-operation between Britain and France.

World War I CAUSES: NATIONALISM

Nationalism was a great cause of World War I.
Nationalist groups in Austria-Hungary and Serbia wanted independence.
France wanted Alsace Lorraine back from Germany.

World War I CONSEQUENCES

1. War caused the downfall of 4 monarchies: Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary & Russia.
2. The beginning of the end of European supremacy.
3. The emergence of USA as a superpower.
4. WW1 changed the face of modern warfare forever.
5. Casualties of men led to women becoming breadwinners.
6. New boundary lines drew for Austria, Germany and Turkey.
7. Inflation shot up in most countries.
8. Japan became a powerful country in Asia.

‘Statue of Unity’ is more than double the Statue of Liberty, which is 93 metres tall. The Base of the statue is 240 meters high and the bridge will connect the island to the river bank.

Status Of Unity

1. The base includes a memorial, a visitor centre, a convention centre, a garden and an amusement park. The total project cost is estimated to be Rs. 2989 crore. Choice of the site was dictated by the proximity of the Sardar Sarovar dam, which is 3.2 kilometres upstream.

2. The site connected with modern connectivity infrastructure such as expressways improved rail system and helipads Scientific area planning, clean industries located around the project site. Research facilities in the area of biotechnology, clean energy and ethnic crafts will generate white collar jobs in this area.

3. Location of educational institutions in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture expected to support economic activity. Indian sculptor Ram V Sutar designed the monument.

4. Status of unity Includes unique museum and audio-visual department depicting life and times of Sardar Vallabhbai Patel.Laser, Light and Sound show on efforts of Unification of India. A research centre dedicated to subjects close to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s heart.

5. Heavy-load open lift with a panoramic view will be built alongside the Statue of Unity. Visitors get a panoramic view from an astounding height of close to 400ft.

6. Refreshment areas like restaurants and recreational spots to make the project area an attractive tourist spot. Statue and surrounding area will be accessed by special boats to avoid vehicular traffic and pollution.

Timeline Of Status Of Unity

7. First announced in 2010 when Modi was Gujarat CM.
The state government set up a special purpose vehicle to build a statue. Modi laid the foundation stone in October 2013 and engineering firm L&T was awarded the contract.

8. Geotechnical and hydrological Surveys were completed in April 2015. Wind tunnel tests, detailed light, shadow study were conducted with an aim to determine the orientation. Construction of RCC core was completed up to 25 metres of the statue.

9. By June 2017 the statue core wall, statue base, statue base arches completed and the statue was completed up to 59 metres. In July 2018, RCC core was completed up to 157 metres, where a gallery will be placed. It took 42 months to complete structure.

Zone Of Status Of Unity

10. Divided into Five zones – Zone I: Exhibit floor, mezzanine and
roof, Zone II: Extends up to the statue’s thighs, Zone III: Viewing gallery at 153 mts, Zone IV: Maintenance area, Zone V: Head and shoulders.

Iron Man Of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

1934: Became Congress’ fundraiser and chairman of Central Parliamentary Board. He Played a key role in selecting and financing candidates for upcoming elections in 1934, 1936.

He Didn’t want the party to be distracted from the goal of complete independence in1936 he Opposed Nehru’s declaration of adoption of socialism at Congress session.

565 princely states were given the option of joining either India or Pakistan or choosing independence. 6 May 1947: Patel began lobbying princes.

Unifying India

Patel invoked patriotism of the rulers of these princely states
Set 15 August 1947 as the deadline to sign the instrument of accession. Other than J&K, Junagadh and Hyderabad, all states willingly merged.

Tallest Statues In The World

• Spring Temple Buddha in China (128 m)
• Laykyun Setkyar standing Buddha in Burma (116 m)
• Guanyin of South Sea of Sanya, China, (108 m)
• Ushiku Daibutsu, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan (100 m)
• Sculptures of Chinese Emperors Yan and Huang (106 m) Sendai Daikannon, Japan (100 m)
• Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes, China (99 m)
• Peter the Great Statue, Russia (98 m)
• Status of Liberty, U.S (93 m)
• Great Buddha of Thailand (92 m)
• The Kannon statue in Hokkaido, Japan (88 m)

The first trial of train 8 would be conducted on the Bareilly-Moradabad section on the Standard railway track to achieve a normal speed of 115 km per hour. Later in the second phase, the train 18 touched 180 km per hour between Kota and Sawai Madhopur track. While the final would be on New Delhi to Bhopal section via Agra.

Following the trials, it is expected to replace the current fastest train in the Shatabdi Express on the Delhi-Bhopal route. Significantly the final destination of the Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express is Habibganj. The first Indian railway stations are being developed as a world-class transit hub.

In all probability, by January 2019 India’s first world-class semi high-speed train will take passengers to India’s first class railway station at Habibganj. Indian Railways is set to a new era with its first made in India engineless train name train 18 also known as the T 18. the train will hit the track for trials on 29th October 2018.

India’s First Engineless Train 18 Features

• Driven by a self-propulsion module sans a separate locomotive.
• Capable of running at a speed of up to 160 Kmph.
• Technical features for enhanced quick acceleration.
• Swanky 16-coach prototype without a locomotive.
• Expected to cut travel time by 15% compared to Shatabdi trains.
• Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory in 18 months.
• Aerodynamically designed driver cabins at both ends for a quicker turnaround at destinations.
• The advanced regenerative braking system that saves power.
• Better passenger comfort and safety.
• Two executive compartments in the middle with 52 seats each
• Trailer coaches have 78 seats each.
• Rotatable seats in Executive class to match the train’s direction.
• Train Management System in driver’s cab to ensure precise brake control, automated control of doors.
• Coach doors to open only when the train is at zero Kmph.
• The train will start only when all coach doors are properly closed.

Train 18 Is Self- Propelled Train

• Automated sliding steps to avoid the risk of passengers falling.
• CCTV cameras to help a driver in monitoring movement of passengers on the platform.
• Emergency talks back units for passengers to talk to a crew in case of emergency.
• Disabled-friendly toilets, space for baby care, special pantry units.

Train 18 Is Indigenous Engineless Train

• No requirement of locomotives for hauling.
• Saving of around 20% in terms of lifecycle cost with Train 18 compared to Shatabdi Express.
• Train 18 will require less maintenance due to its 3-phase propulsion system, new generation bodies.
• The weight of Train 18 considerably less.

Train 20

• Railways to manufacture world-class engineless train
• It will be the most ambitious ‘Make In India’ project yet
• India has called for foreign collaborators, bidders.
• It may be launched by 2020.
• Train 20 will run at 160 km/hr.
• Trains to be manufactured by Integral Coach Factory.
• May operate on Delhi-Mumbai, other major metro routes.
• Budgeted at Rs 2,500 crore.
• May have 14 train sets, with each having 20 regular and 11 spare coaches.
• Total of 291 coaches to be manufactured under an order for Indian Railways.
• India has invited bids for the ambitious project.
• Contract to cover design, development, manufacturing, testing, commissioning of train sets.
• After first two-three coaches that will be shipped from abroad, remaining rakes to be built entirely at ICF.
• New coaches expected to be safer and adaptable for every new technology to seamlessly blend in.
• Indian Railways gearing up to offer passengers a world-class experience by 2020.

Virgin Hyperloop One(Indian Railway Another Biggest Project

• India’s futuristic transportation company backed by British tycoon Richard Branson.
• Company willing to build a network of high-speed pods.
• These pods can carry people, cargo across India.
• Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop: Proposed 1000 km/hr Hyperloop system will take 14 mins to commute between Mumbai and Pune.
• The route is the most feasible, can be made operational by 2026.
• Commuters, cargo will travel in pods in near-vacuum tubes.

In an announcement on the 10th October 2018, a private company in China announced the creation of a fake moon to the light of the street of city Chengdu. the artificial moon if successfully launched would be 8 times brighter than the actual moon and could light up a distance of 480 km in every direction. Effectively replacing all the city street lights, the main reason behind the ideas to bring down electricity cost.

China’s Fake Moon

China is planning to launch an artificial moon by 2020. the artificial moon or illumination satellite is expected to replace the street lamps at night. A private Chinese space company plans to build an artificial moon for Chengdu the capital of South Western Sichuan province.

The announcement was made at Tian Fu New Area science Society at an innovation and Entrepreneurship conference in Chengdu on October 10th. According to the head of the Chengdu Aerospace Science and Technology microelectronics system Research Institute company, the artificial moon would be 8 times Brighter than the actual moon and will be able to light an area with the diameter of 10 to 80 km.

The satellite will Orbit about 500 km above the city and use its mirror-like coating to refer like sunlight back to earth. according to key person both the location and brightness of the human-made moon can be changed and it can even be completely shut off if necessary.

The satellite can also assist in disaster relief by beaming light on areas that have lost power. the first of these man-made moons will launch by 2020 with three more to follow in 2022 if the first test goes well.

The lunar project aims to cut down the cost of street lights in China’s bustling cities by lighting up just 50 square kilometres of Chengdu night sky the fake moon could save Chengdu which has a population of 14.5 million and estimated hundred 174 million dollars each year.

The Pitfalls Of Chinese Moon In Sky

If first fake moon will successful the three follow-up moons will be able to light up 3600-6400 square kilometres for up to 24 hours. while the satellite boasts of the advantage of human control many experts believe the light reflected from space could have adverse environmental effects including severe light Pollution.

• It is also likely to affect the daily routine of nocturnal animals and also interfere with astronomical observations. the launch and maintenance of the satellites will be an expensive task. it will also be a huge challenge to assemble it in Orbit.
• Experts believe that it is highly unlikely for the fake moon to last for a longer period. it is also unclear whether the area has the official nod of the Chinese government.
• The idea of the artificial moon came from a French artist who imagined hanging and necklace made of mirrors above the earth, which could reflect Sunshine through the streets of Paris.
• China is not the first country to try beaming sunlight back to earth. in 1920 a German physicist name Herman Oberth proposed the idea of using a space-based mirror to reflect light to earth but the plant field.
• In 1993, Russian scientist reportedly uses joint Mirrors to reflect light from space in an experimental projects call Znamya. Znamya briefly beamed spot of light about 5 km in diameter to earth that was two to three times as bright as the moon but the mirror burned up as it re-entered Earth atmosphere.

Fake Moon Challenges

The real moon orbits on average about 3 lakh 80 thousand km above the earth. Chinese media reports said testing had begun on the satellite years ago and the technology has now involved enough to allow for the launch of an artificial moon in 2020.

• If the experiment proved successful to more such moons could be centre by 2022. While the first fake mood will be most experimental, the others expected to be launched in 2022 will have great Civic and commercial potential.
• Experts say scientifically the idea is viable but in order to serve its purpose, the fake moon would have to be permanently in Orbit over Chengdu. this means it would have to be in geostationary Orbit about 37000 kilometres from the earth.
• Missing the angle of reflection by even if a degree is would miss Chengdu by Miles for that they must be ample glow to replace the street light. If glow covers a large area, it could potentially daily cycle of animal and plants, affect the human body clock.
• Concerns have already been raised in China about the impact and artificial moon would have on the environment. while some say dusk-like-glow the fake moon will confuse nocturnal animals. others argue that many cities in China already suffer from Light Pollution. Research shows Light pollution affect human health and the patterns of wildlife badly. it affects human sleep, making them prone to diseases like obesity, depression and even cancer.
• Plants life stages also get disrupted, on the whole, these changes alter the entire ecosystem. Besides the artificial moon would also create problems for Chengdu’s residents who will be unable to screen out the unwanted like.

China In Space

From Building its own Space Station to capturing an asteroid and putting it in Orbit around the moon. China has several ambitious plans for space. China is focused on becoming one of the biggest countries in space exploration by the year 2030. let’s take a look at China’s future space programs and also the few failures from its past.

• It is no secret that China’s growth in the past few decades has been reflected in the space Sector as well. some of the countries achievements include the development of the Long March rocket family, the deployment of the first Space Station and the Chinese lunar exploration program.
• China is quickly becoming one of the most ambitious and pioneering Nations when it comes to exploring space and by 2030 it wants to be one of the major space powers of the world.
• Currently, China is forced to do something which neither Russia know the US or any other country has ever done. China is planning to Land Rover on the Dark Side of The Moon. the plan is to study the geology of the moon far side.
• In December this year, the China National space agency will launch a 2500 pound lander called Chang’e-4. Chang is the Goddess of the moon in Chinese mythology.
• China revealed a plan to capture an asteroid, the idea of taking an asteroid and putting it in orbit around the moon has however mocked by space scientist and other Nations. China proposal to study the chaotic asteroid following in the footsteps of Nasa Rosetta spacecraft.
• The plans to launch the spacecraft in November 2021, while the manoeuver will occur in August 2025. asteroids are important for a few reasons as your thought to have formed billions of years ago from rock that also became the precursor to the Rocky planets. asteroids may contain hints of how life came about but they also carry the potential to destroy it.
• China has said that this mission will be a stepping stone towards landing people on the moon and eventually sending an unmanned mission to Mars. Just like the US or Russia, China to believe that the future of human life on Mars. China’s interest in Mars began in 2009 in partnership with Russia. When Russian spacecraft carrying a Chinese orbiter crash in 2011, China began its own mission. now the nation is planning to send an orbital Lander and Rover to the red planet by 2020.
• China also plans to build its own space station. The first part of the Chinese large modular space station expected to go into orbit in 2019. The space station will host three crew members. Tiangong-1 was launched in 2011 but it failed.

On 21st October 2018 National Police commemoration day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation refurbished National Police Memorial and Museum for the Khaki wearing personnel in Delhi.

Police Commemoration Day 2018

The memorial is built in recognition of the supreme sacrifice made by police personnel since Independence. it represents all state and union territory police forces as well as Central police organisation of the country.

• The National Police Memorial has been built on 6.12 acres in Central Delhi in Chanakyapuri area.
• The central sculpture is a 30 feet monolith made of a single piece of granite weighing 238 tonnes.
• Its colour symbolises solubility of the supreme sacrifice.
• A 60-foot-long river at the base of the sculpture reflects the continuous self-service of the police personnel in maintaining peace and public order.

The wall of valour has names of all police personnel who lost their lives in the line of Duty. Since Independence 34,844 police Personnel from Central and state police forces have laid down their lives in the line of Duty. they include 414 who laid down their lives in service over the last year.

Most sacrifices were made in the fight against terrorism in Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and left-wing extremism affected regions of the country.

The newly built museum has an underground facility on the premises of the National Police Memorial. it captures the history, artefacts, uniform and care of Central and state police forces. the Museum project is being stared by the Intelligence Bureau in coordination with the central armed police forces that function under the command of the union home ministry.

The Prime Minister also announced the national award in the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will be given every year to police personnel who do excellent work in rescue and relief operations during any kind of disaster.

The Prime minister announcement came on the 75th anniversary of bosses declaration of the formation of India’s first independent government The Azaj Hind Fauj on 21st October 1943. The award will be announced on 23rd January the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The Police force in India is governed by laws, which was made on the British Era. There have been multiple debates on police reforms in the country, several expert panels and commissions have been made to improve the existing police system.

Indian Police Responsibilities

A police force is empowered to enforce the law to protect people & property as well as to prevent crime and civil disorders.it is one of the most important organisations in society. police are expected to be accessible in the government machinery. they need to be ready to help citizens in times of need, dangerous, crisis and difficulty.

The police personnel have multi works, these include investigation related duties, prevention of crime, preservation of peace and security, enforcement of social legislation, democratic and election-related duties. there are also needed to help in natural calamities, disaster management and emergencies, maintenance of police records.

The police account for near 3% government spending in the country. the result is poor infrastructure and overburdens police force. In January 2016 state police had 24% vacancies. which means while the sanctioned police trained 181 police per lakh people, the actual strength was just 137. the United Nations recommended standard is 222 Police per lakh person.

Police Reforms In India

The second Administrative Reforms Commission of 2007 noted that since the police forces have come under the control of the political executive. Their operational freedom is affected both the central and state government interfere with professional decision making by the police resulting in the biased performance of duty.

The commission along with the supreme court also observed that there is a need to have an independent complaints authority to inquire into cases of police misconduct. Police in India is an overburden force, the second Administrative Reforms Commission recommended ways to reduce the burden by Outsourcing or redistributing some non-core police function such as traffic management, disaster rescue and relief and issuing of court summons to government departments or Private agency. The commission also suggests modernization of the police forces.

• In 1977 the National Police Commission was established, the NPC suggested that superintendents be defined in the law to exclude instructions that interfere with due process of the law of that unlawful insurance police personnel transfers recruitment etc.
• In 2005, the central government set up the police act drafting committee to draft a new model police law that could replace the police act of 1861.
• The committee submitted the model police act in 2016, Asking all states to set up state and district level complaints authorities.
• In 2008, the supreme court appointed justice KT Thomas as the head of the three-member monitoring committee for implementation of its directions on police reforms.
• In 2013, the Verma committee also called for police reforms. it called on every member of the police force to understand their accountability is only to the law.

Many other commissions have also been formed to look into reform in the police in India like the Gore committee on police training, the Ribeiro committee on police reforms, the Padmanabhan committee on police reforms along with recommendations made from time to time by the national human right commission and the law commission.

It requires the police to work with the community for prevention and detection from maintenance public order and resolving local conflict with the objective of providing a better quality of life and sense of security.

Police System History In India

The British started the modern police system in India, evidence of a police-like arrangement can be traced back to the modern era during the modern rule Ashoka used the term “Punnis” or city keeper in Pali language.

Kautilya in his book Arthshashtra also mentioned the criminal justice system during the era. explorers like Megasthanes and Fahian mention officers who performed duty like modern police officers during the Gupta period.

After the Battle of Buxar when the British took over the revenue system Warren Hastings in 1781 try to bring reforms to the police system with the help of the local administration. however actual Reform was brought in by Lord Cornwallis who set up wage base permanent police force to prevent crimes in India. Cornwallis distributed districts in 27 police zones, the police station was situated after every four hundred miles and every station was headed by Daroga.

The British brought in many reforms to strengthen the Indian police force. A Police Commission was established 1860 and with its recommendations, The Police Act 1861 was passed.

According to article 246 of the Indian constitution and section 3 of the Indian penal code, the police system is a matter of states with no interference from the centre. State government have right to recruit and make rules for its Police Force. the highest officer of the police force in the states is the Director General of Police, however, the central government appoints police forces at the Central level.