Tag: PSC

In this post…

Finding NotebookLM

One of the articles published in early 2025 on MySansar had an AI-generated audio summary. The tone and the words it used amazed me. I tried to find out how it was created, but did not get answer. I asked ChatGPT what AI software could be used to get an audio podcast. It led me to applications like ElevenLabs, but I was not satisfied. One day, almost by an accident, I found an AI-generated English audio overview on YouTube. The comments led me to NotebookLM, a research assistant powered by Google Gemini. I added one of my stories and the first feature I used was Audio Overview.

NotebookLM user interface as of August 12, 2025.
NotebookLM user interface as of December 23, 2025.

Early Experiments

Unlike ChatGPT, which immediately starts answering on getting questions (prompts), NotebookLM is source-based. It allows uploading PDF, text file, Markdown, and audio file. In addition to these, it also allows files directly from Google Docs and Slides via a Google Drive link. You can also embed links to websites and YouTube videos as long as they are not behind paywalls. You can also type in or paste any text you want.

The first evening I discovered NotebookLM, I first uploaded my story Swatantrata Sangram via my phone and generated an audio overview. The story, as you know is in Nepali and NotebookLM generated an audio overview in Nepali. The way the tool interpreted the story was impressive, but it killed the mystery by presenting the summary in chronological order.

To generate another overview, I had to delete the first one. The second time I asked it to present the story as it appears, to analyse nuances, and to add Sandeept as the author. The summary it produced was even more impressive. I could not believe how accurately it analysed the meanings behind each scene. I downloaded the audio, which came as a WAV file. I changed the language to English and generated an audio once again. NotebookLM translated the text and presented another excellent audio summary.

I also looked up other features like summary and briefs during the time Audio Overview generated.

Studying Laws Using NotebookLM

Having seen what NotebookLM is capable of, an idea struck my mind, What if I uploaded a law or related laws, make it connect dots, and understand laws better?

I uploaded through the computer, Nepal’s Procurement Act and Regulation, which had been troubling me for long. As soon as it read the source material, I saw the Mind Map icon for the first time, and immediately clicked on it. The interactive Mind Map was something I was struggling to get while studying the Constitution on ChatGPT. One click on the branches gave the answers I needed. I also created summaries and briefs. And of course, the Audio Overview.

The audio summary helped me not only link the Act and the Regulation but also understand the procurement process in a concise manner. I could prepare a simplified 20-page note on A5 size paper, which I had been struggling for the last three years.

Also read:

10 Genius Ways to Use ChatGPT for Better Studying in 2025

Studying Plans and Policies

When I began preparing for PSC exams, 15th Plan was in effect. Given its volume and my inadequate time, I had never been able to study it fully. Since last year, 16th Plan is being implemented. Going through the Plan was still difficult due to my job and family responsibilities. I generated an audio summary using NotebookLM. It was good but inadequate.

So, I came up with a new idea. I prompted NotebookLM to generate audios for each chapter. To generate fourteen audios for fourteen chapters took some time. I used to generate one overview, download and delete it and begin another. The 15 to 22 minute-audio files, however, were rich with analyses and interpretations of text and data from the 16th Plan.

I also studied the Foreign Policy and the New Population Policy using the NotebookLM, although uploading one file was enough. NotebookLM also began producing longer audio overviews, which included detailed information on the given source.

The downloaded audio files and notes help me prepare well for my PSC exams, and I could write more confidently citing relevant plans and policies, although I think it was still not enough.

New Studio Features

After I wrote this blog, NotebookLM introduced Flashcards and Quiz, and recently, it added beta versions of Infographic and Slide Deck. Audio and Video overviews have also become more powerful. All of these can be modified according to your need.

Flashcards

You can use Flashcards focusing just on Part 3 (Fundamental rights) of the Constitution of Nepal to generate Q/A flashcards.

Infographics

You can generate infographics focusing on a specific topic.

An infographic about Nepal's current constitutional crisis

Slide Deck

Slide deck can be used to produce PowerPoint slides based on the sources you have and topic you want to present. You can download the slides as a PDF.

Audio Overview

Audio Overview now has different customization options. Along with Deep Dive (the oldest feature), there are Brief, Critique and Debate. You can also choose the language and length you want.

16th Plan – An Audio overview

Video Overview

Video Overview comes as Explainer or Brief. You can choose your language and visual style.

Long-lasting Chats

Chats in NotebookLM used to be ephemeral and got removed when refreshed or opened the next day. Now they stay unless you delete them. You can’t delete individual chats, so be cautious.

Some Caution

NotebookLM, like ChatGPT, comes with a warning that it can make mistakes. It now has ability to generate and keep more than one audio, video, infographics, and so on. The app has evolved since I used it for the first time about three months ago, and I am enjoying it even more. I hope I will be able to catch up with even more complicated concepts, books, and research using it.

Globalization and Diplomacy: Navigating New Complexities

By Sandeept

On February 9, 2025

In International Relations & Diplomacy, Blogging, essay, Politics, Writing

Diplomacy is the method of representation, communication, and negotiations between states as well as non-state actors. The diplomatic practices are formalised in the 1961 Vienna Convention. Diplomacy originates in the ancient civilisation itself and still shapes the politics and relationships between states. However, the prominence of non-state actors, globalisation, and evolving technology has challenged traditional diplomacy.

Historical Development of Diplomacy

Diplomacy is as old as civilisation itself. The oldest records of diplomatic activities are described in the Tablets of Ebla from 2500 BCE (present Syria). These tablets depict, in detail, the negotiations between ancient states, diplomatic exchanges, and peace negotiations. The Egyptian and Mesopotamian hieroglyphs also shed light on their diplomatic practices, where trade was crucial in maintaining peace.

Diplomacy was an art practised in ancient India from the Vedic times (18th century BCE). Kautilya (3rd century BCE) described diplomacy as an extension of warfare and emphasised that the Empire should act in its self-interest. Emperor Ashoka, on the other hand, used peaceful means based on Dharma.

The Ancient Greeks practised diplomacy through public negotiations and agreements, but this meant transparency, secrecy, and intelligence gathering were impossible to maintain.
Modern international relations and diplomacy have been influenced by the Roman Empire. The Empire applied secrecy, diplomatic exchanges, and intelligence gathering to maintain its longevity. The Roman Empire also introduced the concepts of jus gentium (law of the people) and jus naturale (natural laws), which became influential in international laws.

The most critical contribution to modern diplomacy, however, was made by the Peace of Westphalia (1648). It ended the Thirty Years’ War in Europe and gave birth to independent and sovereign nation-states. The concept of sovereign nation-states is still the most prominent in modern times. However, the status quo of state sovereignty is being challenged by the presence of many non-state actors, the rise of globalisation, and the prominence of digital technology.

Changes in Diplomacy in the Modern Times

The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 increased the dependency of states on each other, and prominence in communication has changed traditional diplomacy. It now not only includes traditional statecraft but also soft power to influence other states.
Soft power, which is a means to attract others without using coercion or payment (Joseph Nye, 1990), is increasingly influential in shaping modern-day negotiations between states. Whereas the use of force and military threats was thought of as a productive means for conflict resolution in the past, cultural exchanges, public interactions, and digital communications have become essential parts of maintaining peace.
The advent of technology has also changed the way the states communicate. In recent times, information exchange has become extremely rapid, and diplomats have to make quick decisions. This has added to the complexity of already tangled international relations. The rise of non-state actors, too, has complicated the diplomatic practices. They now influence state decisions, policy formulation, and actions towards achieving a common goal.

The changes in diplomacy have also added challenges. Rapid dissemination of information allows diplomats to have very little time to make decisions. This can affect the process of negotiation and conflict resolution. Non-state actors such as international organisations often bring ideas that work only with cooperation between states. Terrorist groups, on the other hand, can bring states together or divide them further. Refusing the demands of non-state actors can sometimes create conflicts among nations. Globalisation has also brought challenges as people migrate from one country to another, exchanging ideas and cultures. States are not isolated but dependent. This web of dependency is also a cause of conflict between them.

Conclusion

Diplomacy has evolved from its traditional form and adapted to the newer concepts of soft power, globalisation, and digital diplomacy. The increased interdependence of states, the prominent role of non-state actors, and the advent of digital communication have transformed diplomacy. They have provided opportunities for states to influence other states without using force or coercion. There are also several challenges, such as maintaining a balance between different actors, adapting to rapid development in technology, and exchanging people and ideas. However, diplomacy will shape itself to the needs of states and keep having an influential role in their relationships even in the future.

Experiences of a common man!