Important Questions CBSE Class 10th : Social Science Year 2009 (Solved)
(India’s Peace Initiatives)

Question .1. When is United Nations Day celebrated?
Answer : On 24 th October ; as UNO was founded on 24 th October 1945

Question .2. How many countries are members of the United Nations at present?
Answer : More than 191 countries.

Question .3. What is meant by Cold War?
Answer : Cold War means a tense atmosphere but not an actual fighting. It is a state of political hostility and military tension between two countries or power blocs, involving propaganda, threat etc. Such a situation was prevailing for a long time after second world war due to clash of interests between U.S.A. and Soviet Union.

Question .4. What is the meaning of ‘Non-Alignment’ with reference to India’s foreign policy?
Answer :A policy of not belonging to any bloc is called Non-Alignment. It does not mean that India will remain neutral and not take part on important problems of the world. It means India is not obliged to take any side of any of the big powers of the world. It can take independent position on international issues. India can follow her foreign policy independently. Two other countries, Yugoslavia and Egypt, are following the policy of Non-alignment with India.

Question .5. Explain the meaning of ‘Veto’?
Answer : An important organ of the U.N. is Security Council. It has 15 members of which 5 is permanent member and 10 is non-permanent. The permanent members are : the U.S.A., Russia, Britain, France and China. The permanent members have a special power called Veto power. They can say no to the any resolution of the Security Council. On all issues, it is necessary to secure support of all these five members. If any member uses its veto, no decision can be taken on that issue. In such a case, that particular resolution falls.

Question .6. Mention the names of the six organs of the United Nations?
Answer : Six organs of United Nation are:-
General Assembly, The Security Council, The Trusteeship Council, The Economic and Social Council, The Internal Court of Justice and The Secretariat.

Question .7. Discuss the role of the United Nation’s Secretary General?
Answer : The Role of The Secretary General of the United Nations are:-
(i) He is the chief administrative officer of UN secretariat and look after day to day work of the UN.
(ii) He puts into practice the decision taken by all the organs.
(iii) He sees that all branches of UNO function properly.
(iv) He submits annual report of all the branches to the General Assembly of the UNO.

Question .8. State the five principles of Panchsheel?
Answer : Five principle of Panchsheel are:-
(i) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
(ii) Mutual non-aggression.
(iii) Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
(iv) Equality and mutual benefit.
(v) Peaceful co-existence.

Question .9. Name four eminent Indians who held important positions in the United Nations?
Answer : Some eminent leaders who have held important positions in the UN are:-
(i) Shri B.N. Rau
(ii) Dr. Nagendra Singh
(iii) Justice P.N. Bhagwati
(iv) Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit.
(a) Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the first lady elected as President of the General Assembly.
(b) Dr. Radhakrishnan had occupied the highest position in the UNESCO.
(c) Shri Narsimhan has served as Chief of the Cabinet of the Secretary General.

Question .10. What do you know about United Nations?
Answer : The United Nation Organisation is a world body formed on 24 th October 1945 after the Second World War. It was due to the desire of the right thinking people to save the world from another world war. It tries to avoid mutual rivalries between the big powers of the world and save this world from the destructive wars of the modern scientific age. UNO does other works also. It helps different countries of the world in their economic development. It renders help in their educational and cultural programme. It helps in improving international understanding and settle disputes. It does its jobs through various organs and special agencies.

Question .11. What efforts have been made by India to maintain cordial relations with Pakistan?
Answer : Efforts to maintain cordial relation by India with Pakistan are:-
(i) The Tashkent Agreement of 1966 : - On January 10, 1966 both the countries signed an agreement and affirmed the need for a negotiated settlement of disputes.
(ii) The Shimla Agreement of 1972 : - Both the countries agreed to return the territories occupied by each other during the war. They decided to solve their mutual disputes peacefully.
(iii) Lahore Bus Diplomacy : - Former Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Bajpayee visited Lahore bu bus in 2000 as a goodwill gesture towards Pakistan. Many noted Indians accompanied him. The main aim of this diplomacy was to maintain and built an environment of peace and understanding between India and Pakistan.
(iv) The Agra Summit : - India invited Pakistan’s President Mushraff to visit India in 2001. He came here with a large number of Pakistani’s delegates. There held a meeting between two sides at Agra. This Agra summit failed due to the rigid and hostile attitude of the President Mushraff.
Any further attempt to establish cordial relations between the two countries can only be taken when Pakistan stops its cross-border terrorism.

Question 12. Describe the role of India in the promotion of world peace?
Answer : From the very beginning, the foreign policy of India recognized the necessity and importance of a world body like the UN to maintain peace, understanding and cooperation in the world. India has been playing a significant role in promoting world peace through the UN. She has taken part in the UN peace-keeping operation in different countries e.g. in Korea, Egypt, Congo, Yemen, Cyprus and Namibia. She has risked the lives of Indian soldiers in peace keeping efforts in a large number of operations and in every operation, our soldiers have proved their professional excellence. She has consistently supported UN efforts for ending colonialism and racial discrimination. She has been participating in the activities of UN agencies like the ILO, the UNESCO and the UNCTAD. She continues to play her role with dedication to make UN a strong and effective organization. 

Question .13. Give full forms of the abbreviations given below:
NAM, ILO, UNESCO, UNCTAD, FAO, WHO, UNO.
Answer :