feat: implement Q&A database persistence and Telegram bot integration

.gitignore

@@ -22,3 +22,4 @@ dist-ssr
 *.njsproj
 *.sln
 *.sw?
+*.db

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/controller/CommunityQuestionController.java

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package com.rit.portal.controller;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityAnswer;
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityQuestion;
+import com.rit.portal.repository.CommunityAnswerRepository;
+import com.rit.portal.repository.CommunityQuestionRepository;
+import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
+import org.springframework.http.ResponseEntity;
+import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.*;
+import org.springframework.web.client.RestTemplate;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+@RestController
+@RequestMapping("/api/questions")
+public class CommunityQuestionController {
+
+    @Autowired
+    private CommunityQuestionRepository questionRepository;
+
+    @Autowired
+    private CommunityAnswerRepository answerRepository;
+
+    private final RestTemplate restTemplate = new RestTemplate();
+    private static final String TELEGRAM_BOT_URL = "http://localhost:8082/send_question";
+
+    @GetMapping
+    public List<CommunityQuestion> getAllQuestions() {
+        return questionRepository.findAll();
+    }
+
+    @PostMapping
+    public CommunityQuestion createQuestion(@RequestBody CommunityQuestion question) {
+        if (question.getUpvotes() == null) question.setUpvotes(0);
+        if (question.getIsAnswered() == null) question.setIsAnswered(false);
+        question.setCreatedAt(LocalDateTime.now());
+        
+        CommunityQuestion saved = questionRepository.save(question);
+        
+        // Notify Telegram bot in a background thread to keep it robust and non-blocking
+        new Thread(() -> {
+            try {
+                Map<String, Object> payload = new HashMap<>();
+                payload.put("question_id", saved.getId());
+                payload.put("title", saved.getTitle());
+                payload.put("body", saved.getBody());
+                payload.put("author", saved.getAuthor());
+                
+                restTemplate.postForEntity(TELEGRAM_BOT_URL, payload, String.class);
+            } catch (Exception e) {
+                System.err.println("Failed to notify Telegram Bot intermediary: " + e.getMessage());
+            }
+        }).start();
+
+        return saved;
+    }
+
+    @PostMapping("/{id}/answers")
+    public ResponseEntity<CommunityAnswer> addAnswer(@PathVariable Integer id, @RequestBody CommunityAnswer answer) {
+        return questionRepository.findById(id).map(question -> {
+            answer.setQuestion(question);
+            if (answer.getUpvotes() == null) answer.setUpvotes(0);
+            if (answer.getIsAccepted() == null) answer.setIsAccepted(false);
+            answer.setCreatedAt(LocalDateTime.now());
+            
+            CommunityAnswer savedAnswer = answerRepository.save(answer);
+            
+            question.setIsAnswered(true);
+            questionRepository.save(question);
+            
+            return ResponseEntity.ok(savedAnswer);
+        }).orElse(ResponseEntity.notFound().build());
+    }
+
+    @PostMapping("/{id}/upvote")
+    public ResponseEntity<CommunityQuestion> upvoteQuestion(@PathVariable Integer id) {
+        return questionRepository.findById(id).map(question -> {
+            question.setUpvotes(question.getUpvotes() + 1);
+            return ResponseEntity.ok(questionRepository.save(question));
+        }).orElse(ResponseEntity.notFound().build());
+    }
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/controller/NotePyqController.java

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import java.util.List;
 
 @RestController
 @RequestMapping("/api/notes")
-@CrossOrigin(origins = "*") // CrossOrigin configured globally, but added here for safety
 public class NotePyqController {
 
     @Autowired
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ public class NotePyqController {
 
     // Increment downloads count
     @PostMapping("/{id}/download")
-    public ResponseEntity<Void> incrementDownloads(@PathVariable Long id) {
+    public ResponseEntity<Void> incrementDownloads(@PathVariable Integer id) {
         return noteRepository.findById(id).map(note -> {
             note.setDownloadsCount(note.getDownloadsCount() + 1);
             note.setFileType(note.getFileType()); // Keep dirty check

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/CommunityAnswer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package com.rit.portal.entity;
+
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
+import jakarta.persistence.*;
+import lombok.*;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+
+@Entity
+@Table(name = "community_answers")
+@Getter
+@Setter
+@NoArgsConstructor
+@AllArgsConstructor
+@Builder
+public class CommunityAnswer {
+
+    @Id
+    @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
+    private Integer id;
+
+    @ManyToOne(fetch = FetchType.LAZY)
+    @JoinColumn(name = "question_id", nullable = false)
+    @JsonIgnore
+    private CommunityQuestion question;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false, columnDefinition = "TEXT")
+    private String body;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false)
+    private String author;
+
+    @Column(name = "upvotes")
+    private Integer upvotes = 0;
+
+    @Column(name = "is_accepted")
+    private Boolean isAccepted = false;
+
+    @Column(name = "created_at")
+    private LocalDateTime createdAt = LocalDateTime.now();
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/CommunityQuestion.java

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package com.rit.portal.entity;
+
+import jakarta.persistence.*;
+import lombok.*;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+@Entity
+@Table(name = "community_questions")
+@Getter
+@Setter
+@NoArgsConstructor
+@AllArgsConstructor
+@Builder
+public class CommunityQuestion {
+
+    @Id
+    @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
+    private Integer id;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false)
+    private String title;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false, columnDefinition = "TEXT")
+    private String body;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false)
+    private String author;
+
+    @Column(name = "upvotes")
+    private Integer upvotes = 0;
+
+    @Column(name = "tags", columnDefinition = "text[]")
+    private List<String> tags = new ArrayList<>();
+
+    @Column(name = "is_answered")
+    private Boolean isAnswered = false;
+
+    @Column(name = "created_at")
+    private LocalDateTime createdAt = LocalDateTime.now();
+
+    @OneToMany(mappedBy = "question", cascade = CascadeType.ALL, fetch = FetchType.EAGER)
+    @Builder.Default
+    private List<CommunityAnswer> answers = new ArrayList<>();
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/NotePyq.java

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ public class NotePyq {
 
     @Id
     @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
-    private Long id;
+    private Integer id;
 
     @Column(nullable = false)
     private String title;

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/CommunityAnswerRepository.java

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+package com.rit.portal.repository;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityAnswer;
+import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
+
+@Repository
+public interface CommunityAnswerRepository extends JpaRepository<CommunityAnswer, Integer> {
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/CommunityQuestionRepository.java

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+package com.rit.portal.repository;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityQuestion;
+import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
+
+@Repository
+public interface CommunityQuestionRepository extends JpaRepository<CommunityQuestion, Integer> {
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/NotePyqRepository.java

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
 import java.util.List;
 
 @Repository
-public interface NotePyqRepository extends JpaRepository<NotePyq, Long> {
+public interface NotePyqRepository extends JpaRepository<NotePyq, Integer> {
     List<NotePyq> findBySemester(Integer semester);
     List<NotePyq> findByDepartment(String department);
     List<NotePyq> findByFileType(String fileType);

backend/src/main/resources/application.properties

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # ─── DATABASE CONNECTION CONFIGURATION ───
-spring.datasource.url=jdbc:postgresql://localhost:5432/rit_freshers_hub?sslmode=disable
+spring.datasource.url=jdbc:postgresql://localhost:5433/rit_freshers_hub?sslmode=disable
 spring.datasource.username=postgres
-spring.datasource.password=Amudiesh22@.
+spring.datasource.password=Devesh@54
 
 # ─── JPA / HIBERNATE SETTINGS ───
 spring.jpa.database-platform=org.hibernate.dialect.PostgreSQLDialect

package-lock.json

@@ -340,9 +340,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -360,9 +357,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -380,9 +374,6 @@
         "ppc64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -400,9 +391,6 @@
         "riscv64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -420,9 +408,6 @@
         "riscv64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -440,9 +425,6 @@
         "s390x"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -460,9 +442,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -480,9 +459,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1605,9 +1581,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1625,9 +1598,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1645,9 +1615,6 @@
         "ppc64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1665,9 +1632,6 @@
         "s390x"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1685,9 +1649,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1705,9 +1666,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1959,9 +1917,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -1983,9 +1938,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -2007,9 +1959,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -2031,9 +1980,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -2206,9 +2152,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -2226,9 +2169,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -2246,9 +2186,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -2266,9 +2203,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MIT",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -3211,9 +3145,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -3235,9 +3166,6 @@
         "arm64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -3259,9 +3187,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "glibc"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [
@@ -3283,9 +3208,6 @@
         "x64"
       ],
       "dev": true,
-      "libc": [
-        "musl"
-      ],
       "license": "MPL-2.0",
       "optional": true,
       "os": [

src/pages/Community/Community.tsx

@@ -1,19 +1,48 @@
-import { useState } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
 import {
   MessageCircle, Heart, TrendingUp, ThumbsUp, Send,
-  Shield, Lock, Smile, ChevronRight, Search, Plus
+  Shield, Lock, Smile, ChevronRight, Search, Plus, User
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import SectionTitle from '@/components/SectionTitle/SectionTitle';
 import { StaggerContainer, StaggerItem } from '@/components/AnimatedContainer/AnimatedContainer';
 import AnimatedContainer from '@/components/AnimatedContainer/AnimatedContainer';
 import { QUESTIONS_DATA, CONFESSIONS_DATA } from '@/constants';
-import { formatDate } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 type Tab = 'qa' | 'confession';
 
 const TRENDING_TAGS = ['hostel', 'academics', 'clubs', 'campus', 'canteen', 'sports', 'placement', 'library'];
 
+const AVATARS: Record<string, string> = {
+  'Priya S.': 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1494790108377-be9c29b29330?auto=format&fit=crop&w=120&h=120&q=80',
+  'Ravi K.': 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507003211169-0a1dd7228f2d?auto=format&fit=crop&w=120&h=120&q=80',
+  'Arun M.': 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1500648767791-00dcc994a43e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=120&h=120&q=80',
+};
+
+const getAvatar = (author: string) => {
+  return AVATARS[author] || `https://api.dicebear.com/7.x/initials/svg?seed=${encodeURIComponent(author)}`;
+};
+
+const getRelativeTime = (dateString: string) => {
+  const now = new Date('2026-07-22T11:56:24+05:30').getTime(); // Current local time from metadata
+  const past = new Date(dateString).getTime();
+  const msPerMinute = 60 * 1000;
+  const msPerHour = msPerMinute * 60;
+  const msPerDay = msPerHour * 24;
+  const elapsed = now - past;
+
+  if (elapsed < msPerMinute) {
+    return 'just now';
+  } else if (elapsed < msPerHour) {
+    return Math.round(elapsed / msPerMinute) + 'm ago';
+  } else if (elapsed < msPerDay) {
+    return Math.round(elapsed / msPerHour) + 'h ago';
+  } else {
+    const days = Math.round(elapsed / msPerDay);
+    return days === 1 ? 'yesterday' : `${days}d ago`;
+  }
+};
+
 export default function Community() {
   const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<Tab>('qa');
   const [confessionText, setConfessionText] = useState('');
@@ -21,10 +50,30 @@ export default function Community() {
   const [confessionPosted, setConfessionPosted] = useState(false);
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('');
   const [likedIds, setLikedIds] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set());
+  const [questions, setQuestions] = useState<any[]>(QUESTIONS_DATA);
 
-  const filteredQuestions = QUESTIONS_DATA.filter((q) =>
+  const fetchQuestions = async () => {
+    try {
+      const response = await fetch('http://localhost:8080/api/questions');
+      if (response.ok) {
+        const data = await response.json();
+        if (data && data.length > 0) {
+          // Sort newest first
+          setQuestions(data.reverse());
+        }
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.log('Backend not available. Falling back to local static questions data.', error);
+    }
+  };
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    fetchQuestions();
+  }, []);
+
+  const filteredQuestions = questions.filter((q) =>
     q.title.toLowerCase().includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase()) ||
-    q.tags.some((t) => t.includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase()))
+    (q.tags && q.tags.some((t: string) => t.toLowerCase().includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase())))
   );
 
   const handleConfess = () => {
@@ -34,34 +83,81 @@ export default function Community() {
     setTimeout(() => setConfessionPosted(false), 3000);
   };
 
-  const toggleLike = (id: string) => {
+  const toggleLike = async (id: string) => {
     setLikedIds((prev) => {
       const next = new Set(prev);
       if (next.has(id)) next.delete(id); else next.add(id);
       return next;
     });
+
+    try {
+      await fetch(`http://localhost:8080/api/questions/${id}/upvote`, {
+        method: 'POST'
+      });
+      fetchQuestions();
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.log('Backend not available for upvote sync.', error);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handlePostQuestion = async () => {
+    if (!questionText.trim()) return;
+    
+    const newQuestion = {
+      title: questionText.split('\n')[0].substring(0, 100) || "Q&A Question",
+      body: questionText,
+      author: 'Priya S.',
+      tags: ['fresher', 'general'],
+      upvotes: 0,
+      isAnswered: false,
+      createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+      answers: []
+    };
+
+    try {
+      const response = await fetch('http://localhost:8080/api/questions', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          title: newQuestion.title,
+          body: newQuestion.body,
+          author: newQuestion.author,
+          tags: newQuestion.tags
+        })
+      });
+
+      if (response.ok) {
+        const saved = await response.json();
+        setQuestions(prev => [saved, ...prev]);
+        setQuestionText('');
+      } else {
+        setQuestions(prev => [{ ...newQuestion, id: String(Date.now()) }, ...prev]);
+        setQuestionText('');
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error("Error saving question:", error);
+      setQuestions(prev => [{ ...newQuestion, id: String(Date.now()) }, ...prev]);
+      setQuestionText('');
+    }
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="min-h-screen" style={{ backgroundColor: '#FAFAFA' }}>
+    <div className="min-h-screen" style={{ backgroundColor: '#FAFBFD' }}>
       {/* Header */}
-      <div className="bg-white border-b border-[#E5E7EB] py-10">
+      <div className="bg-white border-b border-slate-100 py-12">
         <div className="container-custom">
-          <h1 className="text-3xl md:text-4xl font-bold text-[#1E293B] mb-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Playfair Display, serif' }}>
+          <h1 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-bold text-slate-900 mb-2 tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
-            RIT{' '}
+            RIT Community
-            <span style={{ background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)', WebkitBackgroundClip: 'text', WebkitTextFillColor: 'transparent', backgroundClip: 'text' }}>
-              Community
-            </span>
           </h1>
-          <p className="text-[#475569]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+          <p className="text-slate-500 text-sm" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
             Ask questions, share confessions, and connect with fellow RIT students.
           </p>
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="container-custom py-8">
+      <div className="container-custom py-10">
         {/* Tabs */}
-        <div className="flex gap-2 bg-white rounded-2xl p-2 border border-[#E5E7EB] mb-8 w-fit" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+        <div className="flex gap-1.5 bg-slate-100 rounded-xl p-1.5 border border-slate-200/40 mb-8 w-fit">
           {[
             { id: 'qa' as Tab, label: 'Freshers Q&A', icon: MessageCircle },
             { id: 'confession' as Tab, label: 'Confessions', icon: Heart },
@@ -69,19 +165,18 @@ export default function Community() {
             <button
               key={tab.id}
               onClick={() => setActiveTab(tab.id)}
-              className="relative flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2.5 rounded-xl text-sm font-medium transition-all"
+              className="relative flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-[13px] font-medium transition-all cursor-pointer"
-              style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', color: activeTab === tab.id ? 'white' : '#475569' }}
+              style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', color: activeTab === tab.id ? '#ffffff' : '#64748B' }}
             >
               {activeTab === tab.id && (
                 <motion.div
                   layoutId="community-tab"
-                  className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl"
+                  className="absolute inset-0 rounded-lg bg-slate-950"
-                  style={{ background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)' }}
+                  transition={{ type: 'spring', bounce: 0.15, duration: 0.35 }}
-                  transition={{ type: 'spring', bounce: 0.2, duration: 0.4 }}
                 />
               )}
               <span className="relative z-10 flex items-center gap-2">
-                <tab.icon className="w-4 h-4" />
+                <tab.icon className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
                 {tab.label}
               </span>
             </button>
@@ -93,33 +188,34 @@ export default function Community() {
           {activeTab === 'qa' && (
             <motion.div
               key="qa"
-              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 16 }}
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
               animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -16 }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -12 }}
-              transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
+              transition={{ duration: 0.25 }}
             >
               <div className="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
                 <div className="lg:col-span-2">
                   {/* Ask Question Box */}
-                  <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5 mb-6" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+                  <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 mb-8 shadow-xs">
-                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B] mb-3" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Ask a Question</h3>
+                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-900 mb-3 tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Ask a Question</h3>
                     <textarea
                       value={questionText}
                       onChange={(e) => setQuestionText(e.target.value)}
                       placeholder="What's on your mind? Ask your seniors anything about RIT..."
                       rows={3}
-                      className="w-full border border-[#E5E7EB] rounded-xl p-3 text-sm text-[#1E293B] placeholder-[#94A3B8] focus:outline-none focus:border-[#F97316] resize-none transition-colors mb-3"
+                      className="w-full border border-slate-200 rounded-xl p-3 text-[13px] text-slate-800 placeholder-slate-400 focus:outline-none focus:border-slate-400 focus:bg-white bg-slate-50/30 resize-none transition-all mb-4"
                       style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                     />
                     <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
-                      <span className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                      <span className="text-[11px] text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
                         Your question will be visible to all students
                       </span>
                       <motion.button
-                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.03 }}
+                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.01 }}
-                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.97 }}
+                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.99 }}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-white text-sm font-semibold"
+                        onClick={handlePostQuestion}
-                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)' }}
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-white text-[13px] font-semibold bg-[#F97316] hover:bg-[#EA580C] transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
                       >
                         <Plus className="w-4 h-4" />
                         Post Question
@@ -128,91 +224,121 @@ export default function Community() {
                   </div>
 
                   {/* Search */}
-                  <div className="relative mb-5">
+                  <div className="relative mb-6">
-                    <Search className="absolute left-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-[#94A3B8]" />
+                    <Search className="absolute left-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-slate-400" />
                     <input
                       type="text"
                       placeholder="Search questions..."
                       value={searchQuery}
                       onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-                      className="w-full pl-10 pr-4 py-2.5 rounded-xl border border-[#E5E7EB] bg-white text-sm text-[#1E293B] placeholder-[#94A3B8] focus:outline-none focus:border-[#F97316] transition-colors"
+                      className="w-full pl-10 pr-4 py-2.5 rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-white text-[13px] text-slate-800 placeholder-slate-400 focus:outline-none focus:border-slate-400 transition-colors"
                       style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                     />
                   </div>
 
                   {/* Questions */}
                   <StaggerContainer className="flex flex-col gap-4">
-                    {filteredQuestions.map((q) => (
+                    {filteredQuestions.map((q, idx) => {
+                      const isFeatured = idx === 0 && searchQuery === '';
+                      return (
                         <StaggerItem key={q.id}>
                           <motion.div
-                          whileHover={{ y: -2 }}
+                            whileHover={{ y: -1 }}
-                          className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5"
+                            className={`bg-white rounded-xl border p-5 transition-all shadow-xs ${
-                          style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}
+                              isFeatured
+                                ? 'border-l-4 border-l-slate-900 border-slate-200'
+                                : 'border-slate-200/80'
+                            }`}
                           >
                             <div className="flex items-start gap-4">
-                            {/* Votes */}
+                              {/* Avatar */}
-                            <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1 shrink-0">
+                              <img
-                              <button
+                                src={getAvatar(q.author)}
-                                onClick={() => toggleLike(q.id)}
+                                alt={q.author}
-                                className="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center transition-all"
+                                className="w-9 h-9 rounded-lg object-cover bg-slate-100 border border-slate-100 shrink-0"
-                                style={{ backgroundColor: likedIds.has(q.id) ? '#FFF7ED' : '#F8FAFC' }}
+                              />
-                              >
+
-                                <ThumbsUp className="w-4 h-4" style={{ color: likedIds.has(q.id) ? '#F97316' : '#94A3B8' }} />
+                              <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                              </button>
+                                {/* Header / Meta */}
-                              <span className="text-xs font-semibold text-[#475569]">{q.votes + (likedIds.has(q.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
+                                <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-1.5 flex-wrap">
+                                  <span className="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-800">{q.author}</span>
+                                  <span className="text-[10px] text-slate-300">•</span>
+                                  <span className="text-[11px] text-slate-400">{getRelativeTime(q.createdAt)}</span>
+                                  {isFeatured && (
+                                    <span className="ml-auto px-2 py-0.5 rounded text-[10px] font-bold bg-slate-900 text-white tracking-wider uppercase">★ Popular</span>
+                                  )}
                                 </div>
 
-                            <div className="flex-1">
+                                <h3 className={`font-bold text-slate-950 mb-1 hover:text-slate-700 cursor-pointer transition-colors tracking-tight ${
-                              <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B] mb-1.5 hover:text-[#F97316] cursor-pointer transition-colors"
+                                  isFeatured ? 'text-base md:text-lg' : 'text-sm md:text-base'
+                                }`}
                                   style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
                                   {q.title}
                                 </h3>
-                              <p className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8] mb-3 line-clamp-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{q.body}</p>
+                                <p className="text-[13px] text-slate-600 mb-4 leading-relaxed line-clamp-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
-                              <div className="flex items-center justify-between flex-wrap gap-2">
+                                  {q.body}
+                                </p>
+
+                                <div className="flex items-center justify-between flex-wrap gap-3 pt-1 border-t border-slate-100">
                                   <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
                                     {q.tags.map((tag) => (
                                       <span
                                         key={tag}
-                                      className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full text-[10px] font-medium bg-[#F8FAFC] text-[#94A3B8] border border-[#E5E7EB]"
+                                        className="px-2.5 py-0.5 rounded-lg text-[10px] font-medium bg-slate-100 text-slate-600"
                                         style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                                       >
                                         #{tag}
                                       </span>
                                     ))}
                                   </div>
-                                <div className="flex items-center gap-3 text-xs text-[#94A3B8]">
+
-                                  <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
+                                  <div className="flex items-center gap-4 text-[11px] text-slate-400">
-                                    <MessageCircle className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
+                                    <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                                      <MessageCircle className="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-slate-400" />
                                       {q.answers} answers
                                     </span>
                                     {q.isAnswered && (
-                                    <span className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-emerald-50 text-emerald-600 text-[10px] font-semibold">✓ Answered</span>
+                                      <span className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded-lg bg-emerald-50 text-emerald-700 font-semibold text-[10px]">✓ Answered</span>
                                     )}
+
+                                    {/* Like/Vote Button inside bottom bar */}
+                                    <button
+                                      onClick={() => toggleLike(q.id)}
+                                      className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1 rounded-lg transition-all cursor-pointer ${
+                                        likedIds.has(q.id)
+                                          ? 'bg-slate-900 text-white font-semibold'
+                                          : 'bg-slate-50 hover:bg-slate-100 text-slate-500 hover:text-slate-800'
+                                      }`}
+                                    >
+                                      <ThumbsUp className="w-3 h-3" />
+                                      <span>{q.votes + (likedIds.has(q.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
+                                    </button>
                                   </div>
                                 </div>
                               </div>
                             </div>
                           </motion.div>
                         </StaggerItem>
-                    ))}
+                      );
+                    })}
                   </StaggerContainer>
                 </div>
 
                 {/* Sidebar */}
-                <div className="flex flex-col gap-5">
+                <div className="flex flex-col gap-6">
                   {/* Trending */}
                   <AnimatedContainer direction="right" delay={0.1}>
-                    <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+                    <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs">
                       <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-4">
-                        <TrendingUp className="w-4.5 h-4.5 text-[#F97316]" />
+                        <TrendingUp className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-600" />
-                        <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Trending Topics</h3>
+                        <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-850 tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Trending Topics</h3>
                       </div>
-                      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+                      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
                         {TRENDING_TAGS.map((tag) => (
                           <button
                             key={tag}
                             onClick={() => setSearchQuery(tag)}
-                            className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-xs font-medium bg-[#FFF7ED] text-[#F97316] hover:bg-[#F97316] hover:text-white transition-all border border-[#FED7AA]"
+                            className="px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-[11px] font-medium bg-slate-100 text-slate-600 hover:bg-slate-200 hover:text-slate-900 transition-all border-0 cursor-pointer"
                             style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                           >
                             #{tag}
@@ -224,15 +350,15 @@ export default function Community() {
 
                   {/* Stats */}
                   <AnimatedContainer direction="right" delay={0.2}>
-                    <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+                    <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs">
                       {[
                         { label: 'Total Questions', value: '124' },
                         { label: 'Answered', value: '98%' },
                         { label: 'Active Students', value: '340+' },
                       ].map((stat, i) => (
-                        <div key={i} className={`flex justify-between py-2.5 ${i < 2 ? 'border-b border-[#E5E7EB]' : ''}`}>
+                        <div key={i} className={`flex justify-between py-2.5 ${i < 2 ? 'border-b border-slate-100' : ''}`}>
-                          <span className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{stat.label}</span>
+                          <span className="text-xs text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{stat.label}</span>
-                          <span className="text-xs font-bold text-[#F97316]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>{stat.value}</span>
+                          <span className="text-xs font-bold text-slate-900" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>{stat.value}</span>
                         </div>
                       ))}
                     </div>
@@ -246,25 +372,25 @@ export default function Community() {
           {activeTab === 'confession' && (
             <motion.div
               key="confession"
-              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 16 }}
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
               animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -16 }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -12 }}
-              transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
+              transition={{ duration: 0.25 }}
             >
               <div className="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
                 <div className="lg:col-span-2">
                   {/* Post confession */}
                   <div
-                    className="rounded-3xl p-6 mb-8 border"
+                    className="rounded-xl p-5 mb-6 border"
-                    style={{ background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #1E293B, #334155)', borderColor: 'rgba(255,255,255,0.1)' }}
+                    style={{ background: '#0F172A', borderColor: 'rgba(255,255,255,0.05)' }}
                   >
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mb-4">
-                      <div className="w-10 h-10 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center" style={{ backgroundColor: 'rgba(249,115,22,0.2)' }}>
+                      <div className="w-9 h-9 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center bg-slate-800">
-                        <Lock className="w-5 h-5 text-[#F97316]" />
+                        <Lock className="w-4.5 h-4.5 text-slate-300" />
                       </div>
                       <div>
-                        <h3 className="text-white font-semibold text-sm" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Share Anonymously</h3>
+                        <h3 className="text-white font-semibold text-sm tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Share Anonymously</h3>
-                        <p className="text-slate-400 text-xs">Your identity is never revealed</p>
+                        <p className="text-slate-400 text-[11px]">Your identity is never revealed</p>
                       </div>
                     </div>
 
@@ -273,29 +399,26 @@ export default function Community() {
                       onChange={(e) => setConfessionText(e.target.value)}
                       placeholder="Share your thoughts, stories, crushes, or anything on your mind... It's completely anonymous 🤫"
                       rows={4}
-                      className="w-full rounded-xl p-4 text-sm placeholder-slate-500 focus:outline-none resize-none mb-4"
+                      className="w-full rounded-xl p-3 text-[13px] placeholder-slate-500 focus:outline-none resize-none mb-4 bg-white/5 border border-white/10 text-white"
                       style={{
                         fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif',
-                        backgroundColor: 'rgba(255,255,255,0.06)',
-                        border: '1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1)',
-                        color: 'white',
                       }}
                     />
 
-                    <div className="flex items-center gap-3 p-3 rounded-xl mb-4" style={{ backgroundColor: 'rgba(249,115,22,0.1)', border: '1px solid rgba(249,115,22,0.2)' }}>
+                    <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 p-3 rounded-lg mb-4 bg-white/5 border border-white/10">
-                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-[#F97316] shrink-0" />
+                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-300 shrink-0" />
-                      <span className="text-xs text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                      <span className="text-[11px] text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
                         No IP tracking. No username. 100% anonymous posting.
                       </span>
                     </div>
 
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
                       <motion.button
-                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.03 }}
+                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.01 }}
-                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.97 }}
+                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.99 }}
                         onClick={handleConfess}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-2 px-6 py-2.5 rounded-xl text-white text-sm font-semibold"
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-white text-[13px] font-semibold bg-[#F97316] hover:bg-[#EA580C] transition-colors cursor-pointer"
-                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)' }}
+                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
                       >
                         <Smile className="w-4 h-4" />
                         Post Anonymously
@@ -322,39 +445,40 @@ export default function Community() {
                     {CONFESSIONS_DATA.map((conf) => (
                       <StaggerItem key={conf.id}>
                         <motion.div
-                          whileHover={{ y: -2 }}
+                          whileHover={{ y: -1 }}
-                          className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5"
+                          className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs"
-                          style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}
                         >
                           <div className="flex items-start justify-between mb-3">
-                            <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                            <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5">
-                              <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center bg-[#FFF7ED]">
+                              <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center bg-slate-50 border border-slate-100">
-                                <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-[#F97316]" />
+                                <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-500" />
                               </div>
                               <div>
-                                <span className="text-xs font-semibold text-[#1E293B]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Anonymous</span>
+                                <span className="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-800" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Anonymous</span>
-                                <p className="text-[10px] text-[#94A3B8]">{formatDate(conf.createdAt)}</p>
+                                <p className="text-[10px] text-slate-400">{getRelativeTime(conf.createdAt)}</p>
                               </div>
                             </div>
                             {conf.category && (
-                              <span className="px-2.5 py-0.5 rounded-full text-[10px] font-semibold bg-[#FFF7ED] text-[#F97316] border border-[#FED7AA]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                              <span className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded text-[10px] font-bold bg-slate-50 text-slate-650 border border-slate-200/40" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
                                 {conf.category}
                               </span>
                             )}
                           </div>
-                          <p className="text-sm text-[#475569] leading-relaxed mb-4" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{conf.content}</p>
+                          <p className="text-[13px] text-slate-700 leading-relaxed mb-4" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{conf.content}</p>
                           <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
                             <button
                               onClick={() => toggleLike(conf.id)}
-                              className="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-xl transition-all"
+                              className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg transition-all cursor-pointer ${
-                              style={{ backgroundColor: likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#FFF7ED' : '#F8FAFC' }}
+                                likedIds.has(conf.id)
+                                  ? 'bg-slate-900 text-white'
+                                  : 'bg-slate-50 hover:bg-slate-100 text-slate-500'
+                              }`}
                             >
                               <Heart
                                 className="w-3.5 h-3.5"
-                                style={{ color: likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#F97316' : '#94A3B8' }}
+                                fill={likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#ffffff' : 'none'}
-                                fill={likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#F97316' : 'none'}
                               />
-                              <span className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8]">{conf.reactions + (likedIds.has(conf.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
+                              <span className="text-xs">{conf.reactions + (likedIds.has(conf.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
                             </button>
                           </div>
                         </motion.div>
@@ -365,9 +489,9 @@ export default function Community() {
 
                 {/* Sidebar */}
                 <AnimatedContainer direction="right" delay={0.15}>
-                  <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+                  <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs">
-                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B] mb-4 flex items-center gap-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-850 mb-4 flex items-center gap-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
-                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-[#F97316]" />
+                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-500" />
                       Community Rules
                     </h3>
                     {[
@@ -377,9 +501,9 @@ export default function Community() {
                       'Keep it relevant to campus life',
                       'Confessions are 100% anonymous',
                     ].map((rule, i) => (
-                      <div key={i} className="flex items-start gap-2.5 py-2.5 border-b border-[#E5E7EB] last:border-0">
+                      <div key={i} className="flex items-start gap-2.5 py-2.5 border-b border-slate-100 last:border-0">
-                        <ChevronRight className="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-[#F97316] mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
+                        <ChevronRight className="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-slate-400 mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
-                        <span className="text-xs text-[#475569]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{rule}</span>
+                        <span className="text-xs text-slate-650" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{rule}</span>
                       </div>
                     ))}
                   </div>

telegram-bot/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# 🤖 RIT Freshers Hub - Telegram Q&A Intermediary Bot
+
+This is a lightweight Python microservice that acts as an intermediary between the student Q&A forum and registered helper accounts (Seniors/Staff) on Telegram.
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 How It Works
+1. **Student submits a question** on the web portal.
+2. **Spring Boot Backend** saves the question and triggers an HTTP POST request to the Python bot: `/send_question`.
+3. **Telegram Bot** broadcasts the question with a `force_reply` prompt to all configured helper accounts.
+4. **Helpers reply** directly to the Telegram message.
+5. **Telegram Bot** captures the reply, maps it back to the original question ID, and pushes the answer back to the Spring Boot REST endpoint (`POST /api/questions/{id}/answers`).
+
+---
+
+## 🛠️ Installation & Setup
+
+### 1. Install Dependencies
+Run this in the `telegram-bot/` directory:
+```bash
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+```
+
+### 2. Configure the Bot
+Update [config.json](config.json):
+```json
+{
+  "telegram_bot_token": "YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN",
+  "helper_chat_ids": [
+    971749136
+  ],
+  "spring_backend_url": "http://localhost:8080"
+}
+```
+
+#### How to find your Telegram Chat ID:
+1. Search for the bot username on Telegram and click **Start** (or send `/start`).
+2. The bot will automatically reply with your exact **Chat ID**.
+3. Add this ID to the `helper_chat_ids` array in `config.json`. The bot dynamically reloads configuration changes on the fly!
+
+---
+
+## 🏃 Running the Bot
+
+Start the server:
+```bash
+python telegram_bot.py
+```
+* **Bot Server Port**: `8082`
+* **Local Mappings Store**: `bot_mappings.db` (SQLite) is created automatically to persist message mappings so that replies continue to map to the correct questions even if the bot is restarted.

telegram-bot/config.json

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+  "telegram_bot_token": "8859374355:AAH0dhwstkTBhRerRTjzmb2RG2fjPbigzvo",
+  "helper_chat_ids": [971749136],
+  "spring_backend_url": "http://localhost:8080"
+}

telegram-bot/requirements.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+requests>=2.28.0
+fastapi>=0.95.0
+uvicorn>=0.20.0
+pydantic>=2.0

telegram-bot/telegram_bot.py

@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+import os
+import json
+import sqlite3
+import threading
+import time
+import logging
+import requests
+from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException
+from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+import uvicorn
+
+# Configure Logging
+logging.basicConfig(
+    level=logging.INFO,
+    format="%(asctime)s [%(levelname)s] %(message)s",
+    handlers=[
+        logging.StreamHandler()
+    ]
+)
+
+# Load Configuration
+CONFIG_PATH = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "config.json")
+
+def load_config():
+    if not os.path.exists(CONFIG_PATH):
+        default_config = {
+            "telegram_bot_token": "8859374355:AAH0dhwstkTBhRerRTjzmb2RG2fjPbigzvo",
+            "helper_chat_ids": [],
+            "spring_backend_url": "http://localhost:8080"
+        }
+        with open(CONFIG_PATH, "w") as f:
+            json.dump(default_config, f, indent=2)
+        return default_config
+    
+    with open(CONFIG_PATH, "r") as f:
+        return json.load(f)
+
+config = load_config()
+BOT_TOKEN = config.get("telegram_bot_token")
+BACKEND_URL = config.get("spring_backend_url")
+
+# Database Setup
+DB_PATH = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "bot_mappings.db")
+
+def init_db():
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+    cursor.execute("""
+        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS question_mappings (
+            chat_id INTEGER,
+            message_id INTEGER,
+            question_id INTEGER,
+            PRIMARY KEY (chat_id, message_id)
+        )
+    """)
+    conn.commit()
+    conn.close()
+
+init_db()
+
+def save_mapping(chat_id: int, message_id: int, question_id: int):
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+    cursor.execute(
+        "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO question_mappings (chat_id, message_id, question_id) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
+        (chat_id, message_id, question_id)
+    )
+    conn.commit()
+    conn.close()
+
+def get_question_id(chat_id: int, message_id: int) -> int:
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+    cursor.execute(
+        "SELECT question_id FROM question_mappings WHERE chat_id = ? AND message_id = ?",
+        (chat_id, message_id)
+    )
+    row = cursor.fetchone()
+    conn.close()
+    return row[0] if row else None
+
+# Telegram API Helpers
+def send_telegram_message(chat_id: int, text: str, reply_to_message_id: int = None) -> dict:
+    url = f"https://api.telegram.org/bot{BOT_TOKEN}/sendMessage"
+    payload = {
+        "chat_id": chat_id,
+        "text": text,
+        "parse_mode": "Markdown",
+        "reply_markup": {"force_reply": True, "selective": True}
+    }
+    if reply_to_message_id:
+        payload["reply_to_message_id"] = reply_to_message_id
+        
+    try:
+        response = requests.post(url, json=payload, timeout=10)
+        return response.json()
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.error(f"Error sending Telegram message to {chat_id}: {e}")
+        return {}
+
+# Background Long Polling for Telegram Updates
+def telegram_polling_thread():
+    logging.info("Starting Telegram long polling thread...")
+    offset = 0
+    while True:
+        # Re-load config dynamic updates
+        current_config = load_config()
+        helpers = current_config.get("helper_chat_ids", [])
+        backend_url = current_config.get("spring_backend_url")
+        bot_token = current_config.get("telegram_bot_token")
+
+        url = f"https://api.telegram.org/bot{bot_token}/getUpdates"
+        params = {"offset": offset, "timeout": 20}
+        try:
+            response = requests.get(url, params=params, timeout=25)
+            data = response.json()
+            if not data.get("ok"):
+                logging.error(f"Telegram API getUpdates error: {data}")
+                time.sleep(5)
+                continue
+                
+            updates = data.get("result", [])
+            for update in updates:
+                offset = update["update_id"] + 1
+                
+                message = update.get("message")
+                if not message:
+                    continue
+                    
+                chat_id = message["chat"]["id"]
+                text = message.get("text", "").strip()
+                
+                # Help helper find their Chat ID
+                if text == "/start":
+                    welcome_text = (
+                        f"👋 *Welcome to RIT Freshers Hub Intermediary Bot!*\n\n"
+                        f"To configure this helper, register this Chat ID in the `config.json` file:\n"
+                        f"`{chat_id}`\n\n"
+                        f"Once registered, you will receive new student questions here and can reply directly to them."
+                    )
+                    send_telegram_message(chat_id, welcome_text)
+                    continue
+
+                # Process reply messages
+                reply_to = message.get("reply_to_message")
+                if reply_to:
+                    # Verify if helper is authorized
+                    if chat_id not in helpers:
+                        logging.warning(f"Unauthorized message from chat ID {chat_id}")
+                        send_telegram_message(chat_id, "⚠️ You are not registered as an authorized helper in config.json.")
+                        continue
+
+                    original_message_id = reply_to["message_id"]
+                    question_id = get_question_id(chat_id, original_message_id)
+                    
+                    if question_id:
+                        # Extract author name
+                        first_name = message["from"].get("first_name", "")
+                        last_name = message["from"].get("last_name", "")
+                        author_name = f"{first_name} {last_name}".strip() or "Senior Helper"
+                        
+                        logging.info(f"Submitting answer for question {question_id} by helper '{author_name}'")
+                        
+                        # Post answer to Spring Boot backend
+                        backend_endpoint = f"{backend_url}/api/questions/{question_id}/answers"
+                        answer_payload = {
+                            "body": text,
+                            "author": author_name
+                        }
+                        try:
+                            res = requests.post(backend_endpoint, json=answer_payload, timeout=10)
+                            if res.status_code == 200 or res.status_code == 201:
+                                send_telegram_message(chat_id, "✅ *Answer posted successfully to the Q&A board!*", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                            else:
+                                send_telegram_message(chat_id, f"❌ *Failed to post answer to backend.* (Status: {res.status_code})\nResponse: {res.text[:100]}", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                        except Exception as e:
+                            logging.error(f"Error calling backend endpoint {backend_endpoint}: {e}")
+                            send_telegram_message(chat_id, f"❌ *Connection error to backend.* ({e})", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                    else:
+                        send_telegram_message(chat_id, "❓ This message does not correspond to any active question or the mapping has expired.", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                        
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.error(f"Error in long polling loop: {e}")
+            time.sleep(5)
+
+# Start Polling Thread
+polling_thread = threading.Thread(target=telegram_polling_thread, daemon=True)
+polling_thread.start()
+
+# FastAPI Web Server Setup
+app = FastAPI(title="RIT Telegram Intermediary Bot HTTP Server")
+
+app.add_middleware(
+    CORSMiddleware,
+    allow_origins=["*"],
+    allow_credentials=True,
+    allow_methods=["*"],
+    allow_headers=["*"],
+)
+
+class QuestionPayload(BaseModel):
+    question_id: int
+    title: str
+    body: str
+    author: str
+
+@app.post("/send_question")
+def send_question(payload: QuestionPayload):
+    current_config = load_config()
+    helpers = current_config.get("helper_chat_ids", [])
+    
+    if not helpers:
+        logging.warning("No helper chat IDs registered in config.json.")
+        return {"status": "ignored", "reason": "No helpers registered"}
+        
+    logging.info(f"Broadcasting question {payload.question_id} to {len(helpers)} helpers.")
+    
+    formatted_msg = (
+        f"❓ *New Student Question!*\n\n"
+        f"👤 *Author:* {payload.author}\n"
+        f"📌 *Topic:* {payload.title}\n"
+        f"📝 *Details:* {payload.body}\n\n"
+        f"💬 *Reply to this message directly to submit your answer.*"
+    )
+    
+    sent_count = 0
+    for chat_id in helpers:
+        res = send_telegram_message(chat_id, formatted_msg)
+        if res.get("ok"):
+            message_id = res["result"]["message_id"]
+            save_mapping(chat_id, message_id, payload.question_id)
+            sent_count += 1
+            
+    return {"status": "success", "delivered_to": sent_count}
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    uvicorn.run(app, host="0.0.0.0", port=8082)