RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary
RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary is a double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal committed to advancing knowledge across a wide spectrum of disciplines through Multidisciplinary research. The journal serves as a platform for scholars, practitioners, and researchers from diverse academic backgrounds to publish original and high-quality work that bridges disciplinary boundaries and fosters innovative thinking. The journal welcomes submissions in multiple languages — English, Hindi and Gujarati— to promote inclusive academic communication and support linguistic diversity in global scholarship. Journal Start Year: January-2016 Title: RESEARCH REVIEW International Multidisciplinary Research Journal ISSN: 2455-3085 (Online) Impact Factor: 6.93 Crossref DOI: 10.31305/rrijm Frequency of Publication: Monthly [12 issues per year] Languages: English/Hindi/Gujarat [Multiple Languages] Accessibility: Open Access Peer Review Process: Double Blind Peer Review Process Subject: Multidisciplinary Plagiarism Checker: Turnitin (License) Publication Format: Online Article Acceptance Rate: 18% to 29% Contact No.: +91- 99784 40833 Email: editor@rrjournals.com Old Website: https://old.rrjournals.com/ New Website: https://rrjournals.com/ Address: 15, Kalyan Nagar, Shahpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380001 Key Features of RRIJM Journal was listed in UGC with Journal No. 44945 (Till 14-06-2019) Journal Publishes online every month Online article submission Standard peer review process
Tracing Trans-corporeality in Indian River Poetics: A Comparative Study of A.K. Ramanujan’s ‘A River’ and Keki N. Daruwalla’s ‘The Ghaghra in Spate’
This paper examines the role of Indian rivers in Indian poetry from the burgeoning field of Blue Humanities, belonging to the crossroads between Environmental Humanities and Oceanic Studies, that engages with human-water relationships. The poems analysed in this paper are A.K. Ramanujan’s ‘A River’ and Keki N. Daruwalla’s ‘The Ghaghra in Spate’ that animates the fluidity and flow of water that seep into land and the lives of people, resisting the rigid boundaries that humans have drawn for it, thereby according to it, the nature of ‘trans- corporeality’, a term coined by Stacy Alaimo. Building on Steve Mentz’s claim of shifting focus from “largely saltwater” and oceanic discourses to “varied analyses of planetary water” including other water bodies like ponds, estuaries and rivers, this paper reflects on the blue humanities discourse on rivers in the Indian scenario by documenting ecological violence, challenging anthropocentric arrogance and preserving hydro-centric memory.
Opportunities and Challenges in Leveraging Dynamic Capabilities to Enhance the Sustainable Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Vietnam
In the context of digital transformation, economic integration, and increasing demands for sustainable development, this study focuses on analyzing the opportunities and challenges in enhancing dynamic capabilities to improve the sustainable business performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. Specifically, the study examines opportunities arising from digital transformation, international integration, government support policies, market changes, and the innovation ecosystem, while also identifying challenges related to resource constraints, technology, management capabilities, human resources, and the institutional environment. Based on this analysis, the study proposes several managerial and policy implications to support SMEs in strengthening dynamic capabilities and promoting long-term sustainable development.
Blended Cooperative Learning in Practice: Challenges, Barriers and Pathways to Effective Classroom Implementation
Blended cooperative learning combines online digital tools with face-to-face group activities to foster interactive, student-centered education, integrating the flexibility of blended learning with the social and cognitive expansions of cooperative structures to enhance engagement, critical thinking, and peer collaboration. Despite its promise, implementation comes across significant challenges. Technological obstacles, including unreliable internet, limited device availability, and the digital divide, hinder equitable access and participation, especially in underserved areas. Teachers face increased workloads from redesigning curricula, facilitating hybrid group dynamics, etc., which is often intensified by inadequate training and low self-efficacy in managing blended environments. Cooperative processes are interrupted by unequal contributions, interpersonal conflicts, insufficient student social skills, and challenges maintaining accountability. Classroom management grows difficult amidst noise, time pressures, large classes, and tensions between individual and collective assessment. Students struggle with poor self-regulation, weakening motivation during asynchronous phases, isolation, and distractions from non-academic online content. Institutional barriers such as rigid curricula, resistance to change, and weak policy support make adoption even more difficult. Targeted teacher training, fair resource distribution, specific education in collaborative skills, organized group responsibilities, and definite evaluation procedures are all necessary to meet these objectives. When blended cooperative learning is properly implemented, it may produce lively and inclusive classrooms that prepare students for better teamwork in real-world situations.
Social Media Addiction as a Predictor of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms among Young Adults
The proliferation of the social media in the life of the young adult generation has been the source of increasing worries on the possible effect of the social media on the mental health of the population and specifically the social media addiction (SMA). In the current study, SMA is observed as an antecedent of anxiety and depressive symptoms in young adults aged 1825 years based on the quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational research design. A total of 200 participants who were recruited using the convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to collect the data using online platforms. They used standardized self-report assessments, such as the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to determine addictive use of social media and validated instruments, such as the DASS-21/PHQ-9 and GAD-7, to assess the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis were some of the statistical analyses that were done using SPSS. The results showed that there were positive correlations of a significant association between SMA and both depression (r = 0.38, p < 0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), meaning that the higher the levels of social media addiction were, the more the psychological distress was. The regression findings also indicated that SMA is a strong predictor of anxiety and depressive symptoms even when the demographic factors like age and gender were taken into consideration. These results are in line with theoretical accounts that associate compulsive usage of social media with emotional regulation disruptions via fear of missing out, social comparison, disrupted sleep, and dopamine-driven reward schemes. The research provides the significance of early detection and specific interventions to mitigate problematic social media use and encourage healthier online interactions to safeguard the psychological well-being of young adults.
Consultation Expectations, Experiences, and Satisfaction in Medical Tourism: Evidence from International Patients in India
This study examines medical tourism trends within India, focusing on expectations around medical consultation, actual consultation experiences, and overall satisfaction among international medical tourists. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, using a secondary data set comprising 300 international patients treated at a tertiary, multi-specialty healthcare center in the National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire measured on an 11-point Likert scale. Composite scores were calculated for consultation expectations as well as experiences. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, and quartile-based segmentation analysis, were conducted to ensure analytical transparency and reproducibility. The findings indicate that expectations from medical consultation were slightly below midpoint, while the actual consultation experiences were evaluated marginally above it. This revealed that patient experiences were slightly more positive than their initial expectations. Overall satisfaction levels were notably high. However, regression analysis revealed that perceived consultation experiences did not significantly predict overall patient satisfaction. Quartile-based segmentation further demonstrated that satisfaction remained consistently high across different levels of consultation experiences. The results suggest that consultation-level experiences alone do not account for variation in overall satisfaction outcomes in this sample. The study contributes empirical evidence to medical tourism research by demonstrating the multidimensional nature of international patient satisfaction and emphasizing the importance of comprehensive service standards in cross-border healthcare contexts.
Job Satisfaction of Secondary Level Teachers in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha with regard to their Gender, Location, and Type of Institution
Teaching is a highly honourable profession, and teachers’ play crucial role in moulding student’s behaviour. The most important factor influencing teacher effectiveness and student outcomes is job satisfaction of teachers. This study aimed to assess the level of job satisfaction of secondary level teachers with regard to their gender, location (rural and urban) and types of institution (government and private) in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (TJSQ), developed by Pramod Kumar and D.N. Mutha, was used in a descriptive survey method to gather data from 200 secondary school teachers across 15 schools in the Mayurbhanj district using stratified random sampling method. Null hypotheses were tested using the mean, S D, and t-test. Results showed that gender had no role in job satisfaction while locality had substantial effect on job satisfaction with urban teachers having greater job satisfaction than rural counterparts and similarly, government teachers showed greater levels of job satisfaction compared to private teachers.
The Bhagavad Gītā and Consumerism: A Philosophical Critique of Desire, Knowledge, and Detachment
The Bhagavad Gītā, a shining center of Indian wisdom, does not merely preach—it reveals. On the field of Kurukshetra, it opens the human heart and studies the restlessness within; how icchā (desire) blossoms into tṛṣṇā (craving), and how only vairāgya (detachment) can heal the ache of endless wanting. In our age—dazzled by consumption, where identity is branded and happiness sold in installments—the Gītā speaks with striking clarity, cutting through illusion like light through fog. This reflection reads the Gītā as a mirror for the modern mind. It draws on Nyāya’s discipline of clear knowing, Sāṃkhya’s rhythm of the guṇas that move thought and feeling, and Vedānta’s serene insight that the Self is pure, radiant consciousness. Together they show that our culture of consumption is not only an economic habit but a spiritual confusion—a case of avidyā, the ignorance that mistakes the temporary for the eternal, and the object for the Self. Against this fever of wanting, the Gītā offers a calmer rhythm; niṣkāma karma, the art of action without attachment. To act fully, yet remain free; to move through the world without being moved by it—this is the Gītā’s quiet rebellion against consumerist hunger. It is not escape, but balance; not denial, but awakening. Thus, in an age of excess, the Gītā becomes a handbook for freedom, teaching that true wealth lies in awareness, not accumulation; that peace begins not in possession, but in participation; and that to live wisely is to act without being consumed by what one consumes.
Reimagining Examinations: The Role of Open-Book Assessment in Transforming Higher Education
The human mind is a complex system, and contemporary education aspires to nurture learners holistically across the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. In order to evaluate such broad learning outcomes meaningfully, assessment systems must extend beyond the traditional focus on recall and reproduction. In India, particularly at the higher education level, examinations still rely predominantly on long, short and very short answer questions that begin with prompts such as “what”, “where”, “how” and “when”, and far less often with “why”, “create”, “design” or “model”. This pattern constrains opportunities to develop and assess higher-order thinking skills. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 (para 11.2) calls for creativity and innovation, critical and higher-order thinking, problem-solving abilities, deeper learning and mastery across disciplines. In this context, open-book examinations (OBEs), once a rare assessment format, have gained renewed attention as a means of aligning evaluation practices with these goals. This paper conceptually examines the nature of OBEs, their potential advantages in fostering critical thinking, deeper learning and real-world preparedness, and their challenges, including question design, academic integrity, equity and logistics. It analyses key differences between open-book and traditional closed-book examinations in terms of assessment focus, preparation strategies and student experiences. The paper also outlines best practices for designing and implementing OBEs, examines key policy implications for institutions, and identifies future research priorities related to effectiveness, student experiences and the use of emerging technologies in assessment.
Prevalence and Patterns of Junk Food Consumption among Adolescents: A Baseline Cross-Sectional Study
The stage of adolescence is a critical development period in which the food habits are formed, which has long-term consequences to health. The growing access to foods with high energy content, combined with changing lifestyle trends has contributed to an increased dependency of junk food among the adolescents. This cross-sectional baseline study aimed at investigating the prevalence and the determinants of junk food intake in adolescents studying in six private schools in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu in the larger project of promoting sustainable dietary habits. The sample was 1,181 adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years old, and the data were collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire that measured socio-demographic variables, the pattern of junk food consumption, the awareness of the impact on the health, and the peer influence. The anthropometric parameters were recorded and Body Mass Index (BMI) was determined based on the World Health Organization reference standards. Junk food intake was ranked by using a Junk Food Frequency Index (JFFI) and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis. The results showed that 34.5 percent of the respondents had high rates of junk food consumption. High pocket money was found to be the strongest predictor of the frequent-eating of junk food, and the boys were more likely to report high consumption compared to girls. The level of nutritional awareness was negatively related to the likelihood of consuming high amounts of junk food. There were no notable independent relations with the parental employment status, peer influence, and BMI category. These findings provide support to the relevance of economic autonomy and knowledge of health in influencing the dieting preferences of adolescents and the need to implement school and family-based intervention strategies that simultaneously target both behavioural and environmental factors towards the fostering of long term and healthy dieting patterns.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching: Insights from Trainee Teachers
Artificial intelligence has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of teaching and learning; however, its ultimate success depends heavily on how it is implemented within educational framework. As teachers remain the central pillars of the education system, understanding their perception of AI integration is essential. Gaining the insight is critical, as they reveal the extent of educator’s acceptance, their level of preparedness and their primary concerns regarding the use of AI in the classroom. The study focused on taking the perception of the future teacher or the trainee teachers who would reshape the future education system. That would help in policy making, in the development of effective training programmes and designing of sound pedagogies in learning. To know the perception of trainee teachers an exhaustive primary survey has been conducted on the awareness, understanding and willingness of the future teacher. The result shows that 86.1% trainee teachers are aware about AI integration and 66.4% understand the usability of AI and 70.4% are willing to use AI in learning and teaching. It shows that the proportion of understanding about AI implication in education system is relatively less than the others which means there is lack in proper training and learning about AI. Thus, the study suggests for more training of the teachers about the usability of AI in classroom teaching. AI integration in education with proper adaptability among teachers is a great step towards a future efficient education system. Thus, the study is more significant in the present context to build a sustainable education system.
Climate change has emerged as one of the most critical environmental challenges facing the world today. Scientific evidence overwhelmingly confirms that global warming, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events are largely driven by human activities. However, public perception of climate change varies significantly across different societies, cultures, and political contexts. Understanding how individuals perceive climate change is essential for designing effective policies, communication strategies, and environmental initiatives. This research paper examines the factors that shape public perception of climate change, including media influence, education, political ideology, and cultural values. The study reviews existing literature on climate communication and environmental sociology to understand how people interpret climate information and respond to environmental risks. Research findings indicate that public perception is influenced not only by scientific knowledge but also by social, political, and psychological factors. Misinformation, political polarization, and media framing often shape how individuals interpret climate-related information. The paper concludes that improving climate literacy, strengthening science communication, and promoting public engagement are essential for addressing misconceptions and encouraging collective action against climate change.
Bound for new horizons: Indentured migration from Jharkhand
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of indentured migration from Jharkhand, India, encompassing both historical and contemporary perspectives. Indentured migration involves individuals entering exploitative contractual agreements to work in distant locations, with 'hill coolies' from Jharkhand's tribal groups being central to this phenomenon during the British colonial era. This paper, based on a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, sheds light on the historical significance of indentured migration, emphasizing the vulnerability of early migrants from tribal communities. Despite the integral role of Jharkhand in indentured migration, the region remains understudied, particularly concerning the Chota Nagpur plateau. The paper underscores the crucial role of indentured migration plays in the growth and development, presenting a thorough examination of its socio-economic impact. The concluding section reflects on the importance of indentured within the context of migration, emphasizing the need for further research and attention to the understudied phenomenon of indentured migration from the Chota Nagpur plateau. The paper proposes a discussion on the historical roots of indentured migration and labour from Jharkhand, as well as a broader exploration of the relationship between identity and indentured migration. In summary, this systematic review contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of indentured migration from Jharkhand, urging for a deeper understanding of its historical context and contemporary implications.
Impact of emerging neighbourhoods on women’s health: A case study from India
Neighbourhoods are socio-spatial residential units in urban areas. Women’s experiences in neighbourhoods are gendered due to differential mobility, caregiving roles, and access to shared spaces. Although global research links neighbourhood conditions and health, evidence from developing countries, particularly among working-age women, remains limited. This study attempts to examine the influence of neighbourhood environments on women’s health in Newtown, an emerging planned neighbourhood in Kolkata, India. A mixed-methods exploratory design was employed. Primary data were collected from 170 working-age women from 15 to 59 years through surveys and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. High prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was observed. Neighbourhood conditions were significantly associated with physical and mental health outcomes. Lack of walkability increased the odds of cardiovascular disease at 1.62, diabetes at 1.51, and orthopaedic problems at 1.78. Air pollution led to respiratory concerns at 1.68, and loud music elevated neurological vulnerabilities at 1.71. Low social cohesion predicted mental health concerns at 1.98. Neighbourhood in Newtown influence women’s health, and gender-sensitive urban planning becomes essential to improve well-being and equitable health access.
Ecological Consciousness in Contemporary Literature: Reconfiguring the Human–Nature Relationship
Contemporary literature increasingly responds to global ecological crises such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the ethical consequences of anthropocentric thinking. This paper examines the emergence of ecological consciousness in contemporary literature, focusing on how literary narratives reconfigure the relationship between humans and the natural world. Drawing upon ecocritical theory, the study analyzes selected contemporary texts to demonstrate how nature is represented not as a passive backdrop but as an active, ethically significant presence. The paper argues that contemporary literature challenges human-centered worldviews by foregrounding ecological interdependence, environmental responsibility, and the vulnerability of both human and non-human life. Through narrative strategies that emphasize loss, interconnectedness, and ecological agency, literary texts contribute to environmental awareness beyond scientific and political discourse. By situating literature within the broader framework of environmental humanities, the study highlights its role in shaping ecological sensibility and ethical reflection. The paper concludes that ecological consciousness in contemporary literature functions as a transformative cultural force, encouraging readers to reconsider their position within ecological systems and to imagine more sustainable modes of coexistence with the natural world.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Narrative Form and Authorship in Modern Literature
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) to literature is entirely transforming the narrative structure and authorship in contemporary literature as an indication of a new creative paradigm, which is more human-centered with a hybrid element. As a co-creative agent, AI makes it possible to have non-linear, interactive and adaptive storytelling which broadens structural possibilities beyond linear forms of storytelling. This movement has subverted the historical concept of the independent author and fixed text and reanimates the theoretical discussions of originality and the death of the author in digital culture. But this change brings about some major ethical, legal and aesthetic issues as there is a risk of homogenizing narratives, biases within the training data and uncertainty in terms of intellectual property and creative ownership. This discussion looks at how AI serves a dual purpose both as a transformative medium expanding human creativity and in a disruptive way that requires a re-evaluation of the idea of literary creativity as a collaborative process. After all, the effects of AI illustrate a grave conflict between technological growth and the maintenance of the human aspect of the literary art: its emotional richness, cultural particularity, or authorial voice.
Redefining Teacher Roles: Navigating the Problematic
The primary objective of Higher Education Institutions is to prepare a new generation – intellectually robust, economically productive, socially committed, culturally sensitive and spiritually inclined — to become useful citizens of society. Teachers play a crucial role in this. A teacher is invested with greater responsibilities than merely teaching. At the same time, he is confronted with many largely contextual problems, depending on the situation he is thrown into and the vagaries of characters he faces. The main characters a teacher confronts, in fact, in day-to-day life, are the students, his colleagues, workplace superiors, institutional authorities, parents, and stakeholders. Interactions with them often become problematic. Compounded with this is his own personal self, personality issues and family problems. Interactions are problematic considering the vagaries of characters and the dynamics of the situation. In any given situation, the characters exhibit different responses. So also, situations keep changing. These amount to demanding that the teacher acquire a newer set of skills each time and a shift in roles to overcome it. The main factors at interplay are character, context, response and reciprocation. A generality of negatives is generated by each of the characters together and in varying contexts that might require reciprocation. Thus, multiple contexts are created as the characters keep changing, each with different responses. This calls for an appropriate reciprocation that defines the teacher's role. The teacher's role is the total of expected reactions, which ideally require reciprocation to resolve the negatives, together called the problematic. In other words, characters may turn negative, the situation or context turns negative, the response generated is negative, but the reciprocation should be positive. In other words, the role is to navigate the problematic. This discourse aims to examine these in greater detail, especially in the context of the negatives and factors contributing to it.
Electrochemical Sensing of Glyphosate Employing Cucurbit [6] uril -Chitosan Composite Platinum Electrode
Glyphosate is universally used broad spectrum organophosphorus herbicide to eliminate weeds. Although it’s prolonged use has led to contamination of water and soil bodies and potential health issues in humans. This study highlights the necessity to monitor the level of glyphosate using electrochemical sensor. Herein, we report the development of a chitosan-cucurbit [6] uril modified platinum nanoparticle electrode for the detection of glyphosate. Platinum nanoparticle deposited electrode was modified by chitosan-cucurbit [6] uril solution by drop cast method. Electrochemical performance was examined by cyclic voltammetry and it is found that the current response of oxidation of glyphosate at modified electrode is higher than the bare and nanoparticle deposited platinum electrode.
A Bibliometric Analysis of the Goods and Services Tax (GST): A Review of Recent Research Trends
Purpose: To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to enhance comprehension of the existing body of knowledge. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analysis was executed using Biblioshiny in R studio, and 784 documents were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database covering the years 1989 to 2023. Findings: The analysis findings unveiled prominent authors, highly cited publications, significant themes, keywords, and co-citation networks within the field of GST. Originality/Value: This study used Web of Science (WoS) data for the bibliometric analysis, contributing to the existing literature on this subject. Practical Implications: The research results are pertinent to scholars, researchers, and policymakers in the field of GST. The study offers a roadmap and pathways for scientifically comprehending this domain's current and future research trends.
A Sociological Study of Paranormal Beliefs and Experiences in a Village in West Bengal
This article examines the manifestations of paranormality in a village in West Bengal. It begins by engaging with sociological understandings of the idea of paranormal and then situates these ideas within the specific local context. The article further explores how ghost beliefs are positioned within broader notions of the paranormal in the selected village. It highlights the need to understand how people make sense of contested issues by examining the particular social context and the diverse forms of knowledge and belief. Drawing on empirical evidence, the study demonstrates how villagers collectively interpret certain events or situations as having paranormal qualities. Finally, the study highlights the central role of ambiguity in shaping these interpretations.
“When Education Becomes Competitive, Character Often Becomes Secondary”: Shadow Education and Character Development: A Critical Analysis
Shadow education, or private supplementary tutoring, has grown into a global phenomenon, with its prominence in many education systems becoming more apparent over the years. While it provides students with the necessary academic reinforcement to excel in standardized examinations, its implications on holistic character development remain underexplored. This paper aims to investigate how shadow education, with its focus on academic success and competition, presents significant challenges to fostering essential character traits such as resilience, empathy, critical thinking, self esteem, emotional intelligence and social responsibility. Drawing on various studies and theoretical perspectives, this research argues that the dominance of shadow education can prioritize cognitive outcomes over character formation, leading to an imbalanced educational experience. The paper highlights the necessity of rethinking educational structures to ensure that character development is not sidelined by the pressures of academic performance enhancement.
Future of Defence Manufacturing in India: A Strategic Transformation Towards Global Leadership
The defence production industry in India is still in a historic restructuring process which takes the form of the reliance on imports changing to more autonomous and internationally competitive environment. Under the policy frameworks of the Atmanirbhar Bharat strategic vision and supported by the policy instruments of Make in India, Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and Positive Indigenisation lists, India has historical expansion in the same area of defence production and exports. Since 2014-15, defence production has grown by 220 per cent, and exports have grown more than thirty times and is expected to reach about 24,000 crores in 2024-25. The given paper will review the structural, policy, and technological forces that precondition the future of defence manufacturing in India. It examines the changing roles of the Defence Public Sector Undertakings, the growing private sector, MSMEs, and start-ups as well as the strategic importance of defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Other indigenous technological achievements described in the study include BrahMos, Tejas, Akash and Pinaka systems and new capabilities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and sophisticated manufacturing. Although the paper recognises some ongoing problems, especially in the areas of critical technologies, supply-chain resilience, skill building, and procurement complexity, this paper contends that India can meet its goals of 3 lakh crore in defence production and 50,000 crores in exports by 2029. The defence industrialisation is therefore manifested as a backbone of the Indian strategic independence, economic development and international defence leadership objectives.
Echoes of Empire: Iron Maiden's Critique of Imperialism
The discography of Iron Maiden also criticizes the devastating effects of imperialism using striking historical accounts, making the subjects of the oppressed human and the hopelessness of the empire visible. Songs such as "Run to the Hills" abhor Native American displacement by settler colonialism, and songs such as The Trooper praise Crimean War folly in the Charge of the Light Brigade. Paschendale regretting the horrors of the trenches in World War I and Alexander the Great following the hubris in the conquests of olden days, both are predating imperial conflicts. In the contemporary resonances, modern themes can be seen in the themes of Blood Brothers and For the Greater Good of God where the author condemns the cycles of violence, propaganda and power greediness in both the ancient hordes and the modern day wars. Combined with galloping riffs, the lyrics of Steve Harris promote the anti-imperial sympathy during the period of patriotic NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). It examines important songs, repetitive motifs of wasted glory and victimization, and historical conditions, which establishes Maiden as metal historians, as they have deconstructed the myths of conquest and the long-term shadows of imperialism.
A Quantitative Study of the Use and Constraints of Artificial Intelligence in Indian Knowledge Systems
Indian Knowledge Systems represent the diverse, context-specific, and life-oriented knowledge traditions of our country—knowledge that has evolved over generations through oral traditions, everyday practices, and lived experiences. In recent years, artificial intelligence has drawn attention due to its potential for the documentation, preservation, and wider dissemination of these traditional knowledge systems. However, the convergence of artificial intelligence and Indian Knowledge Systems is neither simple nor neutral. It involves several epistemic, cultural, ethical, and contextual challenges. This study explores in depth the forms and extent to which artificial intelligence is being used in Indian Knowledge Systems and examines the barriers that limit this process. The study finds that although artificial intelligence is viewed as a powerful tool for enhancing accessibility, creating records, and making knowledge more visible, it often fails to capture the experiential and value-based dimensions that constitute the essence of Indian Knowledge Systems. By foregrounding local perspectives, this research emphasizes that meaningful engagement between artificial intelligence and Indian Knowledge Systems is possible only when frameworks are developed that respect knowledge diversity, cultural integrity, and contextual richness, rather than assimilating traditional knowledge into uniform and extractive technological structures. Abstract in Hindi Language: भारतीय ज्ञान प्रणाली हमारे देश की विविध, परिस्थितिनिष्ठ और जीवन से जुड़ी हुई ज्ञान परंपराओं का प्रतीक हैं, ऐसा ज्ञान जो पीढ़ी दर पीढ़ी मौखिक परंपराओं, दैनिक जीवन की प्रथाओं और अनुभवों के माध्यम से विकसित हुआ है। विगत वर्षों में कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता ने इन पारंपरिक ज्ञान प्रणालियों के दस्तावेज़ीकरण, संरक्षण और व्यापक प्रसार की संभावनाओं के कारण ध्यान आकर्षित किया है। हालाँकि कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता और भारतीय ज्ञान प्रणाली का मेल इतना सरल या तटस्थ नहीं है। इसमें कई ज्ञानमीमांसीय (epistemic), सांस्कृतिक, नैतिक और संदर्भगत चुनौतियाँ शामिल हैं। यह अध्ययन इस बात की गहराई से पड़ताल करता है कि भारतीय ज्ञान प्रणालियों में कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता का उपयोग किस रूप में और किस हद तक हो रहा है, और कौन-कौन सी बाधाएँ इस प्रक्रिया को सीमित करती हैं। अध्ययन में पाया गया कि भले ही कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता को सुगमता बढ़ाने, अभिलेख तैयार करने और ज्ञान को अधिक दृश्य बनाने के एक शक्तिशाली साधन के रूप में देखा जाता है, लेकिन यह अक्सर उन अनुभवजन्य और मूल्य आधारित पहलुओं को पकड़ने में असफल रहता है जो भारतीय ज्ञान प्रणाली की आत्मा हैं। यह शोध स्थानीय दृष्टिकोणों को केंद्र में रखकर इस बात पर जोर देता है कि कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता और भारतीय ज्ञान प्रणालियों के बीच सार्थक संवाद तभी संभव है जब हम ऐसे ढाँचे विकसित करें जो ज्ञान की विविधता,सांस्कृतिक अखंडता और संदर्भ की समृद्धि का सम्मान करें न कि पारंपरिक ज्ञान को एकसमान और दोहनकारी तकनीकी ढाँचों में समाहित कर दें। Keywords: भारतीय ज्ञान प्रणाली, कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता, पारंपरिक ज्ञान, ज्ञान का उपनिवेश उन्मूलन, सांस्कृतिक और तकनीक
Yajña as a Model of Spiritual Communication: A Semiotic and Ritual-Discourse Analysis of the Yajurveda
The Yajurveda, the Veda of ritual formulae, presents yajña (sacrifice) as the central rite of Vedic religion – a structured offering into the sacred fire to sustain cosmic harmony (ṛta) and commune with the divine. Drawing on Vedic texts and contemporary scholarship, this paper uses semiotic theory and ritual-discourse analysis to examine yajña as a multifaceted act of spiritual communication. In Vedic ritual, mantras (sacred utterances), Agni (the sacrificial fire-god), and offerings function as interconnected signs: mantras are symbolic formulas that articulate devotion and request, Agni is the indexical mediator who carries offerings to the gods (as the Rigveda calls him “the messenger of the gods, the perfecter of this rite”), and offerings themselves are gifts that enact reciprocity. The ritual’s precise sequence and materials embody cosmological concepts and the agent (yajamāna/priest) becomes an extension of ṛta. Performatively, each verbal and embodied act enacts meaning (per Peirce’s triadic sign model and Bell’s ritual discourse), enabling devotees to “speak” with the sacred. In maintaining ṛta through sacrificial order, yajña exemplifies transcendental communication: a dialogue between mortals and the cosmic order. This analysis shows that yajña is not mere ceremony but a living semiosis – an interchange of signs – through which the human and divine worlds are continuously linked.
Archaeological Remains at the Site of Harwan with Special Reference to Art and Architecture
During the Kushan period, Buddhism was in a prosperous condition in Kashmir. The Buddhist council held at Kundalvan serves as evidence of this. It was later also confirmed by the Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang). The excavations carried out by the archaeologist R. C. Kak further authenticate the popularity of Buddhism in the Kashmir region. Abstract in Hindi Language: कुषाणों के समय कश्मीर में बौद्ध धर्म संपन्न स्थिति में था। कुण्डलवन में हुई बौद्ध संगीति इसका प्रमाण है। इसे बाद में चीनी यात्री हेनसांग ने भी सत्यापित किया है। पुरातत्ववेत्ता आर. सी. काक द्वारा किए गए उत्खनन से भी कश्मीर क्षेत्र में बौद्ध धर्म की लोकप्रियता सत्यापित हो जाती है। Keywords: कश्मीर, बौद्ध धर्म, कुण्डलवन, आर सी काक, हरवान गार्डन, चतुर्थ बौद्ध संगीति
Mapping the Concept of Karma and Ethical Reciprocity in Dollar Bahu of Sudha Murty
Sudha Murty’s Dollar Bahu (2001) is a social critique of the materialistic outlook of the middle-class Indian families. The novel is often read and analysed from the prism of feminism and globalization; this paper tests the novel on the well-known tenet of Indian philosophy, i.e. Karma and the social principle of Ethical Reciprocity. Through a detailed study and analysis, the paper states that material wealth (dollars) may overshadow temporarily but can’t replace the ethical wealth (ethical reciprocity) in the longer frame of time.
Paang: Dormitory Tradition of the Ollos of Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh
Among the Ollo community of Tirap District, the Paang (dormitory) has long stood as more than a physical space it has functioned as a living institution through which masculinity, discipline, skill, and collective identity were shaped. Traditionally, boys entered the Paang at around ten years of age when they were considered physically fit, beginning a phase of life marked by training, instruction, and social responsibility. Drawing on fieldwork, interviews, participant observation, and available secondary sources, this paper traces the historical role of the Paang, its continuing relevance, and the gradual decline of its earlier functions. The Paang once operated as a centre of indigenous education where young boys learned basketry, wood carving, and the making of bamboo mats, alongside wrestling, war techniques, games and sports, folk songs, and folk dances. Under the supervision of the Paangsoongvang, the dormitory also transmitted customary laws and maintained discipline, ensuring that knowledge was not merely taught but lived through daily practice. In contemporary times, however, the Paang has increasingly shifted from a training institution to a ceremonial and administrative space, used mainly during festivals such as Worang and Dongshot, and for community announcements and decision-making. This paper argues that the changing role of the Paang reflects broader transformations in Ollo society, where modern social influences have altered traditional systems of learning while leaving behind institutions that continue to carry cultural memory and symbolic authority.
Social Organization of the Birhor Tribe in Purulia District, West Bengal
Tribal communities in India have historically remained socially and economically marginalized despite gradual exposure to modern civilization. Among such communities, the Birhor tribe is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) due to its low literacy rate, forest-based livelihood, and socio-economic backwardness. This paper examines the social organization of the Birhor tribe residing in the Purulia district of West Bengal. Focusing on their traditional leadership structure, kinship system, religious authority, and community governance, the study highlights how indigenous institutions such as the Tanda, Naya, Diguar, and Mati regulate social life. The paper is based on secondary sources and aims to contribute to anthropological and historical understanding of tribal social systems in eastern India.
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Credit Scoring for Financially Excluded Groups: An Indian Perspective
The swift growth of financial technology (FinTech) in India has significantly transformed the credit distribution landscape, especially for marginalized and unbenefited communities. Traditional credit scoring methods depend largely on official credit histories, assets, and consistent income proof, which leaves out informal workers, low-income families, and new borrowers. Credit scoring models based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) have become a revolutionary approach, utilizing alternative data and machine learning methods to evaluate creditworthiness. This research explores the impact of AI on credit scoring for marginalized financial groups in India. Employing original survey data complemented by secondary information from regulatory and institutional entities, the study examines the impact of AI-powered credit evaluation on enhancing credit access and promoting financial inclusion. The results indicate that credit scoring using AI greatly improves access to credit, shortens processing duration, and enhances risk evaluation. Nonetheless, issues regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, and regulatory oversight remain. The research ends with suggestions for the ethical and inclusive use of AI in India's financial framework.
The Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Work Performance: A Study on Employees in Forwarder Companies in Vietnam
This study investigates the impact of Emotional Intelligence (EI) on employee work performance in freight forwarding enterprises in Vietnam, a sector facing increasing competitive pressures and rising service quality demands yet remaining underexplored in prior empirical research. Adopting a quantitative research design, data were collected from 297 employees through structured questionnaires. The study is grounded in Cherniss & Goleman’s (2001) Emotional Intelligence competency framework and the work performance model proposed by Koopmans et al. (2014). The empirical results reveal that EI has a positive and statistically significant effect on work performance, with self-awareness, self management, social awareness, and social skills demonstrating the strongest predictive power. Moreover, the strength of EI’s impact varies across different job position groups, indicating contextual differences within organizational roles. These findings suggest that freight forwarding firms should integrate EI development into recruitment, training, and performance management systems to enhance workforce effectiveness. By providing empirical evidence from Vietnam’s freight forwarding industry, this study contributes to extending EI research within the logistics sector of an emerging economy.