Context

• Jewels from the sacred Piprahwa Buddha relics, recently auctioned at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, were repatriated to India, 127 years after being taken during colonial rule.

About Piprahwa Relics

• The Piprahwa relics were  discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.
• They include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones,
• They are believed to be associated with the mortal remains of Lord Buddha.
• An inscription in the Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha deposited by the Sakya clan
• They are excavated from the Piprahwa Stupa—widely recognized as the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

About Piprahwa Stupa and its relics

• The Piprahwa stupa is located in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district.
• It was originally excavated in 1898 by Peppé. 
• It was found beneath an 18-foot brick mound lay a stone coffer containing bone fragments, caskets, and gemstones, the largest known assemblage of its kind.

About Relics

• Excavators discovered the Piprahwa Relics in 1898 at the Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh, believed to be ancient Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. 
• The relics include bone fragments, crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and other ritual offerings. 
• An inscription in Brahmi Script on one casket links the relics directly to Lord Buddha, stating they were deposited by the Sakya Clan. 

Context

• In a major transformation, Uttar Pradesh has become the first Indian state to launch an AI and Big Data Analytics based Road Safety Pilot Project, approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Key Highlights

• This AI‑driven road‑safety pilot project initiated by the UP Transport Department, executed by ITI Limited and mLogica, at zero cost to the state.
• This marks the first AI‑based road‑safety project in India led by any state transport department 

Allocation

• Uttar Pradesh has allocated ₹10 crore in its 2025–26 budget to support a data‑driven administrative model across transport operations for use of AI and Big Data.

AI Integration 

• The project will analyse accident reports, weather conditions, vehicle details, driver records, and road infrastructure to identify causes of accidents and detect black spots on highways. 

Working of the System

• The six-week proof‑of‑concept will integrate multiple data sources: accident history, weather conditions, vehicle telematics, driver behavior, roadway characteristics.
• The AI models will identify accident black spots, pinpoint contributing factors, and generate real‑time dashboards for strategic decision‑making.
• Upon success, the AI engine will be extended to core transport functions, including Designed to reduce traffic fatalities and accidents by predicting hazards before they materialize.

Benefits

• It will help and is designed to reduce traffic fatalities and accidents by predicting hazards before they materialize.
• It also reinforces UP’s broader AI adoption agenda—such as the AI Pragya and AI City initiatives in Lucknow—aimed at transforming governance, agriculture, healthcare, security, and citizen services.

Context

• In his recent Mann Ki Baat programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Bundelkhand’s fort notably Kalinjar, as enduring emblems of India’s valour and cultural pride.

About Kalinjar Fort

• Kalinjar Fort: Bundelkhand's Kalinjar Fort is located in Tarahati, Banda district, Uttar Pradesh. The Fort is a historical monument perched atop a hill in the Vindhya Range.  
• • It holds great cultural and historical value, combining features of both giri durga (hill fort) and vana durga (jungle fort). 
• It was built in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha (Bundela dynasty).
  
• It is known for its Iconic association with Rani Lakshmibai, who led a fierce resistance against British forces during the 1857 revolt.

Architecture of the Fort

• The fort features seven gateways (e.g., Alamgiri Gate, Ganesh Gate) and significant structures like Neelkanth Temple and Qanati Mosque. 
• It has Bundela Architecture with palaces, temples, and water tanks. 
• Famous structures include the Neelkanth Temple with its massive Kal Bhairav sculpture, Rani Mahal, Venkat Bihari Mahal, and Sher Shah's Tomb (his mortal remains were later brought to Sasaram, Bihar). 
• Defensive Strength: The fort’s 45-meter-high ramparts made it virtually impregnable, surviving artillery attacks such as cannonballs that bounced off its walls. 

Importance of the Fort

• The name Kalinjar is derived from Sanskrit: word “Kaal” (death/time) + “Jarna” (destruction), meaning “the destroyer of time”.
• It is also believed that Lord Shiva consumed the halahal (poison) here after the Samudra Manthan, and hence the fort houses the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple—a revered Shaivite pilgrimage site.
• It is also considered as one of the seven most important fortresses of ancient India, along with forts like Gwalior and Ranthambore.
• It also houses ancient Buddhist and Jainism inscription.
• It is home to massive gates like Rewa Gate, Hanuman Gate, and several stone reservoirs like Pandu Kund and Sita Sej.