Today's 11-14/09/2025

1 .Jatindra Nath Das,

General Studies Paper-I (Mains) - Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

also known as Jatin Das, was an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who is remembered for his ultimate sacrifice during the Indian independence movement.

Born in 1904 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), he was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and a close associate of revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh. His commitment to the cause began early, as he participated in Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement at the young age of 17.

In 1929, Das was arrested in connection with the Lahore Conspiracy Case. While imprisoned in Lahore Central Jail, he and other political prisoners, including Bhagat Singh, initiated a hunger strike to protest the deplorable conditions and demand equal treatment for Indian political prisoners,

who were subjected to far worse conditions than their British counterparts.

Das's hunger strike was a testament to his unwavering resolve.

Despite facing brutal force-feeding and severe physical distress, he refused to break his fast. His strike lasted for an incredible 63 days.

On September 13, 1929, he succumbed to his fast and died in prison at the age of 24.

His martyrdom had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement.

2 . Diella:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

Albania has appointed what is being hailed as the world's first AI minister, a virtual entity named Diella.

Announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Diella has been given a ministerial role to oversee the country's public procurement process.

The move is a groundbreaking step, as the AI is not a human minister in charge of technology, but a digital entity tasked with making decisions and managing a critical aspect of the government's operations.

The primary goal of Diella's appointment is to combat corruption and ensure that all government contracts are transparent and "100% corruption-free."

3 .Albania,

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

officially known as the Republic of Albania, is a country located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula.

It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. Its western coastline stretches along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, directly opposite the heel of Italy.

The country's terrain is predominantly mountainous, with the Albanian Alps in the north and more central highlands, while the western coastal plain is its most fertile and densely populated area.

Albania's climate is predominantly Mediterranean along the coast, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, transitioning to a more continental climate in the interior.

Albania's history is ancient and complex.

The area was inhabited by the Illyrians, an Indo-European people, before becoming part of the Roman and later Byzantine Empires. Following a period of resistance against the Ottoman Empire, most famously led by the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, the country was under Ottoman rule for nearly five centuries.

This period significantly influenced its culture and led to the majority of the population converting to Islam. Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire on November 28, 1912.

The 20th century was marked by a monarchy, occupation during World War II, and then a brutal communist regime under dictator Enver Hoxha, which isolated the country from the rest of the world until 1991.

Since the fall of communism, Albania has transitioned to a democratic system and is currently a candidate for membership in the European Union; it joined NATO in 2009.

Albanians refer to their country as "Shqipëria," which translates to "Land of the Eagles," a symbol proudly displayed on the national flag.

Traditional Albanian society valued concepts like "besa," a code of honor meaning "to keep the promise," which emphasizes trust, hospitality, and loyalty.

which includes several national parks. Notable cultural and historical sites include the ancient ruins of Butrint (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Ottoman-era towns of Berat and Gjirokastër (also known as the "town of a thousand windows" and both UNESCO sites), and the vibrant capital city, Tirana.

4 .Gyan Bharatam:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

a portal, a dedicated digital repository aimed at digitizing and preserving India's rich collection of ancient manuscripts. The launch took place during the "Gyan Bharatam" International Conference, a three-day event held in New Delhi focused on "Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage."

The Gyan Bharatam initiative, a major project under the Ministry of Culture, seeks to create a central, AI-driven platform to make India's vast intellectual and cultural heritage accessible to the public, scholars, and researchers worldwide. 

The government's mission is to survey, document, conserve, and digitize over one crore manuscripts currently located in academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections.

PM Modi highlighted that the portal will not only preserve these invaluable texts but also help combat "intellectual piracy" of traditional Indian knowledge that has often been patented abroad. 

He emphasized that the initiative is a "renaissance of India's golden past" and a crucial step towards advancing the vision of a self-reliant and prosperous India