Prelims Focus 5th August 2026

Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das 

In News: President Droupadi Murmu officially unveiled the 52-kg bronze-and-copper statue of Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das at New Delhi’s Lajpat Bhawan Auditorium on August 3, 2026. This historic event marks the very first installation of a statue honoring an eminent Odia personality in India’s national capital. 

Key Facts About the Unveiling

• The Sculpture: Created by noted Odia artist Rabi Narayan Rath. 
• Historical Connection: Pandit Gopabandhu Das served as the National Vice President of the Servants of the People Society and handed over his assets to the organization before his demise. 
• Dignitaries Present: Attended by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other prominent parliamentarians. 

Core Legacy of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das (1877–1928)

• The Title: Affectionately named “Utkalmani” (meaning The Jewel of Odisha) for his relentless public service.
• Pioneer of Journalism: Founded the iconic Odia newspaper The Samaja in 1919, which served as a major voice for the freedom struggle.
• National Movement: Served as the very first President of the Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) in 1920.
• Educational Visionary: Established the famous Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya (an open-air school model) to foster patriotism and human values among young students.

Glaw Lake

In News: Glaw Lake was officially designated as India’s 101st Ramsar Site and Arunachal Pradesh’s first wetland under the Ramsar Convention on August 3, 2026, by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. This milestone pushes India’s total count of protected wetlands past a century, growing from 26 sites in 2014. 

Location and Geography

• District: Located in the Lohit district of southeastern Arunachal Pradesh.
• Setting: Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas at about 1,500 meters above sea level inside the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Water Source: Fed naturally by perennial mountain streams in a pristine forest setting. 

Ecological Importance

• Biodiversity: Supports over 150 recorded tree species and 49 orchid species in its local catchment.
• Wildlife: Serves as an important habitat area supporting rare and endangered fauna, including being crucial for the critically endangered white-bellied heron.

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