IMPORTANT DAYS

National Forest Martyrs Day 2025 observed on September 11.

• National Forest Martyrs Day 2025 observed on September 11, this day pays tribute to those who laid down their lives protecting India's forests and wildlife.

• The observance promotes awareness about forest conservation and the protection of natural resources.

• Declared officially in 2013 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

• The day commemorates the Khejarli massacre of 1730, where Bishnoi villagers resisted deforestation.

• 363 members of the Bishnoi community were killed while preventing tree felling ordered by Maharaja Abhay Singh.

• This historic resistance symbolizes India's deep-rooted commitment to ecological preservation.

• In 2025, the Palamu Tiger Reserve hosted the event for the first time, honoring forest officers who died in service.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

15th India–EU Joint Working Group Meeting on Counter-Terrorism

• The 15th India–EU counter-terrorism meeting took place in Brussels, co-led by KD Dewal and Maciej Stadejek.

• Both sides condemned the April 22 Pahalgam attack, with the EU offering condolences to India.

• A unified stance was taken against all forms of terrorism, especially cross-border threats.

• The need for sustained global cooperation to tackle terrorism was strongly emphasized.

• Collaboration through platforms like the UN, FATF, and GCTF was reaffirmed.

• Threat assessments at domestic, regional, and global levels were thoroughly exchanged.

• Discussions covered terror financing, online radicalization, terrorist listings, and emerging tech challenges.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVE’S

AIIMS Delhi Launches ‘Never Alone’ – AI-Driven Mental Health Support for Students

• AIIMS Delhi has introduced ‘Never Alone’, an AI-based mental health initiative focused on student well-being.

• Launched on 10 September, the program aims to combat rising student suicides and boost mental health awareness.

• It provides 24/7 access to mental health professionals through a WhatsApp-integrated platform.

• Personalized, confidential screenings are available at an affordable cost of 70 paise per student per day.

• The initiative targets educational institutions with over 5,000 students for maximum impact.

• A key goal is to break the stigma around suicide and promote open discussions on mental health.

• As per NCRB 2022 data, India reported 1.7 lakh suicides, with 35% involving youth aged 18–30.

Launch of “Adi Sanskriti” – A Digital Platform to Preserve and Promote Tribal Culture

• The Tribal Affairs Ministry launched the beta version of Adi Sanskriti on September 10, 2025, marking a new initiative to digitally preserve India’s tribal heritage.

• Touted as the world’s first digital university focused on tribal culture, it aims to educate and raise awareness about tribal traditions and practices.

• The platform features three key sections: Adi Vishwavidyalaya (Digital Tribal Art Academy), Adi Sampada (Cultural Repository), and Adi Haat (Digital Marketplace).

• Minister of State Durgadas Uikey officially unveiled the platform in New Delhi, highlighting its role in safeguarding tribal knowledge and heritage.

• Adi Vishwavidyalaya currently offers 45 interactive courses on tribal arts, including music, folklore, painting, crafts, and dance forms.

• The Adi Sampada archive holds over 5,000 curated resources detailing tribal clothing, crafts, artifacts, lifestyle, and more—collected in collaboration with State Tribal Research Institutes.

• Linked with TRIFED, the Adi Haat marketplace supports tribal artisans by showcasing and selling their products online, with plans to expand as a dedicated e-commerce hub.

‘Gyan Bharatam’ Initiative Set to Revive and Digitize India’s Manuscript Heritage

• The Ministry of Culture is launching Gyan Bharatam, a national mission to digitize, preserve, and share India’s ancient manuscript wealth.

• The launch includes the first Gyan Bharatam International Conference, held from Sept 11–13 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

• With the theme “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy”, the event brings together 1,100+ participants, including scholars and cultural experts from India and abroad.

• The initiative aims to document, restore, and digitize manuscripts using advanced AI technologies for scale and precision.

• A National Digital Repository will be created for public and academic access, along with efforts to translate and publish rare texts.

• Collaboration with libraries, temples, and private collectors is planned, while training programs will build capacity in manuscript conservation.

• PM Modi will attend on Sept 12 to review progress and address delegates, with the Home Minister closing the event on Sept 13.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Dharmendra Pradhan Strengthens India–UAE Educational Ties During UAE Visit

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan completed a two-day official visit to the UAE, focusing on deeper education and innovation ties.

• He inaugurated India’s first overseas Atal Innovation Centre at the IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi campus.

• The visit saw the launch of Ph.D. and B.Tech programs in Energy & Sustainability and Chemical Engineering, respectively.

• Pradhan commended the India–UAE academic collaboration and held interactive sessions with students and faculty.

• In his meeting with Sara Musallam (ADEK Chairperson), he explored expanding joint educational initiatives and support for Indian schools in the UAE.

• Talks included the proposal to set up Atal Innovation Labs inspired by India’s Atal Tinkering Labs.

• He also marked the first anniversary of Symbiosis University’s Dubai campus, showcasing India’s growing academic footprint in the region.

France Sees Nationwide Protests After Sébastien Lecornu Named Prime Minister

• Mass protests erupted after President Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu, a close ally and former defence minister, as the new Prime Minister.

• Lecornu becomes the fourth PM in a year, highlighting deepening political turmoil in France.

• Demonstrations under the “Block Everything” banner spread nationwide, with over 200 arrests reported early on.

• The government deployed 80,000 police personnel to manage unrest, but protests still intensified in multiple cities.

• Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed several violent incidents and disruptions across the country.

• Protesters say the resignation of François Bayrou and the cabinet reshuffle fail to address real issues.

• Critics accuse Macron of prioritizing loyalty over reform, fueling public frustration and political instability.