World Culture & Heritage Quiz

International Mother Language Day is observed annually on 21 February and was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. The day commemorates the language movement in Bangladesh where students sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue.

The Linguapax Institute is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The institute is a non-profit organization that works to promote linguistic diversity, multilingual education, and the rights of minority languages worldwide, in partnership with UNESCO.

International Mother Language Day has always been observed on February 21 since its inception in 2000. The date commemorates the 1952 language movement in Bangladesh and has never been changed to February 20.

International Mother Language Day was first observed in the year 2000 after UNESCO proclaimed it in 1999. The day has been celebrated annually on February 21 since then to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity.

The theme for 2011 International Mother Language Day was 'Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for multilingual education: the linkages with linguistic diversity'. This theme highlighted how technology can help preserve and promote mother languages and multilingual education.

In Hindu philosophy, the Trigunas (three qualities) that constitute all of prakriti (matter) are Sattva (purity, harmony), Rajas (passion, activity), and Tamas (inertia, darkness). These three gunas are present in varying proportions in all material nature and influence human behavior and consciousness. The other options are unrelated: Sad Jyoti Amritam refers to nectar, while Brahma Vishnu Rudra are the Trimurti gods.

The Arishadvargas (six internal enemies) in Hindu theology are: Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (pride), and Matsarya (jealousy/envy). These six negative qualities are considered the primary obstacles to spiritual progress and must be overcome to attain moksha (liberation). The correct answer is Matsarya, meaning jealousy or envy.

The Navarasas (nine emotions) form the foundation of Indian aesthetics in classical dance, theatre, and literature. They are: Sringara (love/romance), Hasya (laughter), Roudra (anger), Karunya (compassion), Bibhatsa (disgust), Bhayanaka (fear), Vira (courage), Shanta (peace), and Adbhuta (wonder/awe). Adbhuta rasa represents the emotion of wonder, surprise, or amazement at experiencing something extraordinary or divine.

The Panchatantra by Vishnu Sharma consists of five tantras (treatises): Mitrabheda (loss of friends), Mitrasamprapti (gaining friends), Kakolukiyam (of crows and owls), Labdhapranasham (loss of gains), and Aparikshitakaraka (ill-considered actions). Each tantra uses animal fables to teach practical wisdom and statecraft. The fifth tantra, Aparikshitakaraka, deals with the consequences of acting without careful consideration.

The Chatur Upaya (four expedients) are the diplomatic/military strategies used in Indian statecraft to deal with enemies or opponents: Sama (conciliation/persuasion), Dana (gifts/bribes), Bheda (dissension/sowing discord), and Danda (force/punishment). These form the core of realpolitik in ancient Indian political thought, outlined in texts like the Arthashastra and Nitigrantha. The approach emphasizes trying peaceful methods before resorting to force.

The six traditional Indian seasons (ritu) in their annual cycle are: Vasanta (Spring), Greeshma (Summer), Varsha (Monsoon), Sharad (Autumn), Hemant (Pre-winter), and Sisira (Winter). Greeshma represents the hot summer season.

'La Gioconda' is the Italian title for the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci's famous portrait painted in the early 16th century. The name 'Gioconda' refers to Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, who is believed to be the sitter for this masterpiece.

Shivaji Rao Gaekwad is the birth name of the legendary Indian actor Rajinikanth, known as the 'Superstar' of Tamil cinema.