MS Subbulakshmi.

MS Subbulakshmi, the legendary Carnatic vocalist, was awarded the Bharat Ratna on 14th January 1998. This honor was given to her for her exceptional contribution to Indian music and culture. She became the first musician and the first woman to receive India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

Details about MS Subbulakshmi and the Award:

1. MS Subbulakshmi (1916-2004):
   • Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, known as MS Subbulakshmi, was one of the most renowned classical vocalists in the Carnatic tradition. She was born in 1916 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
   • She is celebrated for her divine voice, incredible depth, and mastery over Carnatic music. Subbulakshmi’s renditions of devotional songs and classical ragas earned her widespread acclaim not just in India, but globally.
2. Her Contributions to Music:
   • MS Subbulakshmi was a highly revered figure in the classical music world. She made significant contributions to the Carnatic music tradition and became an iconic figure in Indian classical music.
   • She was known for her soulful renditions of compositions by great composers like Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Shyama Shastri.
   • Apart from Carnatic music, Subbulakshmi's rendering of Bhajans and classical compositions gained immense popularity, and she became the voice of devotion for millions of Indians.
3. Awards and Recognitions:
   • Apart from the Bharat Ratna, Subbulakshmi received several prestigious awards during her lifetime. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1975 for her contribution to music.
   • She also received numerous honors and accolades from national and international organizations, and her performances were held in some of the most prestigious venues around the world.
4. Why She Was Awarded the Bharat Ratna:
   • MS Subbulakshmi was honored with the Bharat Ratna in recognition of her unparalleled contribution to the world of music and culture, her dedication to preserving traditional Indian music, and her efforts in promoting India’s rich cultural heritage globally.
   • Her voice resonated with millions of listeners, and her performances, especially in devotional and classical settings, left a lasting legacy in the music world. She was a symbol of grace, simplicity, and excellence.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect:

A) Rajiv Gandhi: Rajiv Gandhi was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991, after his assassination, not in 1998.

C) Atal Behari Vajpayee: Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2015, long after 1998.

D) Lata Mangeshkar: Lata Mangeshkar, the iconic playback singer, was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, not in 1998.

Thus, the Bharat Ratna awarded to MS Subbulakshmi in 1998 remains one of the highest honors for her exceptional and timeless contributions to Indian music.

Hence, Option B Is Correct.

Cyclone.

In 1998, Gujarat, a state on the western coast of India, was struck by a severe cyclone that caused widespread devastation. This natural disaster occurred in June 1998 and was one of the most destructive cyclones in the region in recent history.

Details of the Event:

1. The 1998 Gujarat Cyclone:

   • The 1998 Gujarat cyclone was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the region in June 1998. It originated in the Arabian Sea and intensified as it moved toward the Gujarat coast.
   • The cyclone brought heavy rains, extremely high winds, and caused severe damage to both infrastructure and lives in the affected areas.

2. Government and Relief Efforts:

   • In the aftermath of the cyclone, both the Indian government and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) launched extensive relief operations to provide food, shelter, medical aid, and rehabilitation to the affected population.
   • Relief teams worked to restore basic services like electricity and water supply, and efforts were made to rebuild damaged homes and infrastructure.

3. Lessons Learned:

   • The 1998 cyclone highlighted the vulnerability of coastal regions to tropical storms and the need for better disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
   • In subsequent years, Gujarat took steps to improve its disaster management framework and infrastructure, including developing more effective cyclone forecasting and early warning systems.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B) Earthquake: Although Gujarat experienced a devastating earthquake in 2001 (the Bhuj earthquake), this was not the event in question. The 1998 event was a cyclone, not an earthquake.

C) Tsunami: A tsunami did not strike Gujarat in 1998. The most significant tsunami affecting India occurred later, in 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated coastal regions, including parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Gujarat was not affected by a tsunami in 1998.

D) Floods: While floods can be a common consequence of cyclonic storms, the event in 1998 Gujarat was specifically a cyclone, not floods alone. The cyclone brought flooding, but the primary event was the cyclone itself.

Conclusion:

The 1998 Gujarat Cyclone was a major natural disaster that caused widespread destruction in Gujarat. It is important to note that while the cyclone led to severe flooding, the event itself was classified as a cyclone, making option A the correct answer.

Hence, Option A Is Correct.

India launched a nuclear test at Pokhran Range.

On 11th May 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear tests at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This event is commonly referred to as Pokhran-II, marking India's second round of nuclear tests after its first in 1974 (Pokhran-I).

1. Why India Conducted These Tests:

   • Security Concerns: One of the major reasons for the tests was India's growing security concerns, particularly in light of the nuclear capabilities of neighboring Pakistan and China. India felt the need to establish itself as a nuclear power in the region for deterrence and national security.
   • Global Context: The global nuclear non-proliferation regime, led by powers like the United States and other Western nations, had been pressuring nuclear states to reduce their arsenals and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Despite this, India decided to assert its nuclear capability and refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which it viewed as discriminatory.

2. The Impact of the Tests:

   • The tests were followed by widespread international reactions. Countries like the United States, Japan, and the European Union strongly condemned India’s nuclear tests and imposed economic sanctions.
   • Despite the criticism, the nuclear tests significantly bolstered India's stature as a global power. The tests were seen as a demonstration of India's growing technological and military capabilities.
   • India’s Nuclear Policy: The Pokhran-II tests also led to the development of India's nuclear doctrine, which called for a No First Use (NFU) policy, meaning India would not use nuclear weapons unless first attacked by a nuclear weapon state.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B) India won the Cricket World Cup: India won the Cricket World Cup in 1983 and again in 2007, but not in 1998.

C) Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated: Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, was assassinated by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) on 21st May 1991, not in 1998.

D) India became a permanent member of the United Nations: India has never been a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. India has been advocating for a permanent seat, but as of now, it has not been granted one.

Thus, 11th May 1998 is remembered as a significant day in Indian history because India conducted its nuclear tests at Pokhran, solidifying its position as a nuclear power and changing the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.

Hence, Option A Is Correct.