Dr. Shivani Shah, Ms shubhlakshmi Mishra, Dr. Swati Modi

Purpose- The rapid growth of digital technologies has significantly transformed marketing practices, with social media emerging as a powerful tool for influencing consumer behaviour. This study examines the role of social media content in shaping consumer engagement and purchase intentions in the cosmetics market. The research focuses on understanding how demographic factors such as age and educational qualification relate to social media engagement and purchasing decisions, as well as evaluating the impact of different types of social media content on consumer behaviour. Methodology- A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 144 respondents using a convenience sampling method. The data were analysed using statistical tools such as descriptive statistics and ANOVA to examine relationships between variables. Findings-The findings reveal that social media platforms, particularly Instagram, play a dominant role in influencing consumer engagement and purchase decisions. A majority of respondents actively engage with cosmetic-related content and perceive social media as an essential medium for brand communication. The study also highlights that product reviews, influencer endorsements, and user-generated content significantly impact consumer purchase intentions. However, the results indicate no significant differences across demographic variables such as age and educational qualification in influencing engagement and purchasing behaviour. Overall, the study concludes that social media content is a crucial determinant of consumer engagement and purchase decisions in the cosmetics industry. The research emphasizes the importance for marketers to focus on authentic, interactive, and visually appealing content to effectively connect with consumers and enhance brand value.  

Asmuda Khatun

This study explores the role of proxy warfare in shaping the strategic rivalry between Iran and Israel and its implications for regional security dynamics in the Middle East. In contrast to conventional interstate warfare, both states increasingly rely on indirect strategies involving non-state actors to advance their geopolitical objectives while avoiding the risks of direct military confrontation. Iran has developed an extensive network of proxy groups, most notably Hezbollah and Hamas, which function as key instruments of its regional strategy. In response, Israel employs a combination of military, intelligence, and deterrence-based approaches to counter Iranian influence. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from realism, proxy war theory, and the security dilemma, this paper argues that proxy warfare constitutes the primary mechanism through which both states conduct their strategic rivalry. While this indirect form of conflict enables both actors to manage escalation and reduce the costs of direct engagement, it simultaneously contributes to persistent instability and complex security challenges across the Middle East.  

Dr. A. Sajitha Qadir, Sharon Ghetsy. A, Zahida Jabeen

The present study examined the influence of home environment on the physical and mental health care of pregnant women. A sample of 120 pregnant women was selected through random sampling from Urban Primary Health Centres, comprising 60 women below 25 years and 60 above 25 years. Each age group included 30 pregnant women in their first pregnancy and 30 in their subsequent pregnancies. The tools employed were the Home Environment Questionnaire for Pregnant Women and the Physical and Mental Health Care Inventory for Pregnant Women, both developed by the investigator (2025). A pilot study was conducted to ensure feasibility, and the tools were tested for validity and reliability. Statistical analysis included mean, standard deviation, t-test, and Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation.The findings revealed no significant differences in home environment and physical and mental health care based on age and pregnancy status, except among women above 25 years, where those in subsequent pregnancies reported better home environment. A significant relationship was found between home environment and physical and mental health care, except among women below 25 years in their first pregnancy and women above 25 years in their subsequent pregnancies.  

Yuttasha Nehra, Monojit Majhi

Paediatric diarrhea, which ranks second in terms of epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, management, and prevention in children, continues to be a serious worldwide health concern. extending dangers to children between the ages of five and nine. Ten to twenty percent of infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are caused by bacterial diseases such as Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp (non-typhoidal). With an emphasis on comparative perspectives, this review summarizes recent research (2020–2025) on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, hazards, management, and prevention of this illness in children under the age of 10. Salmonella spp. causes watery diarrhea with systemic hazards, but Shigella spp. is more commonly associated with dysentery-like presentations. Due to dehydration, malnutrition, and growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), these pose serious risks. Global incidence trends indicate a reduction, although these regions continue to be hotspots in Africa and Asia. Salmonella spp. causes secretory diarrhea with the possibility of bacteraemia, while Shigella spp. causes dysentery and colitis by producing Shiga toxins. The main risks include mortality (~81,000 under-5 deaths annually from Shigella spp..; ~50,000 from Salmonella spp.), complications such as haemolytic-uremic syndrome (Shigella spp.) or sepsis (Salmonella spp.), and long-term effects like growth stunting and cognitive impairments, which are more severe in children who are malnourished or HIV+. Rehydration and targeted antibiotics are key components of management; however, MDR strains (up to 80%) make treatment more difficult. To reduce mortality in vulnerable groups under ten years old, prevention through WASH, hygiene, food safety, and new vaccinations (such as trials for Shigella spp. and control of Salmonella spp. via animal research) is essential. 

Sreelatha Thallapally

Black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) is a very significant pulse crop that is produced a lot in South Asia. It is valued for its high protein content, essential amino acids, and health benefits. Black gram output is still low, even though it is important for food and nutrition security. This is because it is sensitive to biotic and abiotic stresses, there isn't much genetic variability, and conventional breeding methods have their own problems. The tissue culture technique has become a practical biotechnological approach for overcoming these limitations and accelerating crop growth. Cotyledonary nodes, shoot tips, hypocotyls, and cotyledons have been successfully utilised to establish in vitro regeneration systems for black gram. Cotyledonary node explants have exhibited significant regeneration potential when cultivated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media enriched with suitable concentrations of cytokinin’s, including 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin, frequently in conjunction with auxins such as naphthalene acetic acid. These regeneration methods are great for micropropagation, genetic transformation, and quickly multiplying the best genotypes. Tissue culture techniques may also assist create superior cultivars that can better handle biotic stresses like virus infections and insect pests, as well as abiotic stresses like drought and salt. Also, methods based on tissue culture make it possible to save germplasm and create soma clonal variation, which may subsequently be utilised to choose superior plant lines with better nutritional and agronomic qualities. Using tissue culture, contemporary molecular breeding methods, and genome editing technology together provides a lot of potential for making black gram varieties that yield a lot, can handle stress, and are better for you. Consequently, tissue culture techniques are essential elements of contemporary crop improvement programs, significantly enhancing sustainable agriculture and food security.  

Dr. Bindu T

Brand experience is conceptualized as sensations, feelings, cognitions, and behavioural responses evoked by brand-related stimuli that are part of a brand's design and identity packaging, communications, and environments. When a customer has positive experience with a particular brand, he is positively satisfied with the brand and to a great extent customer satisfaction leads to Brand Loyalty. Also, a good Brand Experience could make a customer loyal to that particular brand, so that could also be interpreted as Brand Experience directly leads to Brand Loyalty. To get an in-depth information on the study of Brand Experience, Customer Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty, also how they affect each other, the best way would be study them with some particular brands. The main object of this study is to study the relationship between brand experience and customer loyalty.  For collecting primary data questionnaire is used to collect samples of 120 consumers were selected through purposive sampling. Hence to ascertain the above-mentioned relationship between Brand Experience, Customer Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty and also to conduct a comparative study the Fast Track brand of watches was used. Fast Track is brand well accepted by the youth coming from the house of Titan. Since the study has included majority of young users the brand that would connect with this population would be Fast Track watches, hence that have been taken into the study in order to get a better picture in the context of the study. It can also be noted that watches are products which are very personal in nature and lead to experience in the user. The study arrived at the conclusion that Brand Experience affects Brand Loyalty to a large extent directly as well as through a mediating effect of Customer Satisfaction between them.  

N. Amirtha Gowri, Dr. R. Nandhakumar

Sustainable agricultural productivity requires intelligent decision-making systems capable of handling complex interactions among crops, resources, and environmental conditions. Multi cropping systems, though beneficial for yield stability and risk reduction, present significant optimization challenges due to high-dimensional and nonlinear relationships. This paper proposes a Neuro-Evo Swarm Optimizer (NESO), a hybrid optimization framework that integrates Deep Learning (DL), Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for optimal multi cropping strategy selection under varying irrigation conditions. Deep learning models capture complex yield–resource relationships, GA explores diverse crop combinations, and PSO fine-tunes solutions toward global optima. Experimental results demonstrate that NESO outperforms standalone and pairwise hybrid models in terms of yield maximization, water-use efficiency, and convergence speed.  

Vignesh R and Dr X Mary Genila

The review paper explores the ways in which the politics of Dravidianism in Tamil Nadu has transformed the relationship between caste, development, political communication, and urbanization from the mid-twentieth century to the contemporary digital age. Through the use of literature pertaining to the politics of the Dravidian parties, the world of Tamil cinema, caste-based politics, and welfare-based development, the review argues that the “Dravidian model” of development in Tamil Nadu, which combines identity-based politics and welfare-based development, has led to a more inclusive model of human development and a dispersed model of urbanisation that is spread out across the state and is not restricted to a single metropolitan centre. It demonstrates how cinema, and later television and digital media, serve as a key site of political communication that helps to embed the ideology of Dravidianism, normalise populist welfare, and create a new Tamil identity, while also creating new forms of fragmentation and division based on caste, gender, and region. It also explores the economic impact of caste-based politics and mobilisation on issues of social exclusion, poverty alleviation, and employment, and how this has led to a new kind of empowerment through reservations and welfare, but also to a new kind of discrimination and patronage. Lastly, the review argues that contemporary trends such as the rise of Hindu nationalist politics, the use of digital media in political communication, and the aspirations of youth and the urban electorate represent a new challenge to the sustainability and adaptability of the Dravidian model of development and its capacity to deliver a new kind of social justice and deepened democracy.  

Dr. Manoj Kumar Saurabh

Inclusive excellence integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion with institutional performance in higher education. Faculty recruitment in medical colleges significantly influences educational quality, research productivity, and health system outcomes. Diverse faculty improve cultural competence in medical training and help address disparities in patient care [1,2]. However, representation gaps persist in academic medicine globally due to structural barriers in recruitment systems, implicit bias, and unequal educational opportunities [3]. This literature review examines inclusive excellence in faculty hiring across government medical colleges, private institutions, and institutes of national importance. Special emphasis is placed on the regulatory environment in India, including policies of the National Medical Commission (NMC) governing faculty recruitment and qualifications. Evidence from international and Indian literature suggests that transparent recruitment procedures, holistic candidate review, and mentorship pipelines are essential for improving faculty diversity and academic excellence [4,5]. The review concludes that inclusive hiring is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategi?c approach to strengthening medical education systems.  

Prasenjit Mukherjee

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) outlines a radical transformation of India's education system, emphasizing not only academic knowledge but also the development of students' moral and constitutional values. The primary objective of this research paper is to analyse the role of NEP 2020 in promoting human rights awareness from the grassroots level to higher education in India. This study identifies that the policy integrates fundamental human rights concepts- justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity directly into the pedagogical framework. The goal is to cultivate a rights-aware future generation by instilling empathy, social responsibility, and an understanding of gender equality in children from the primary level.  Furthermore, the policy's commitment to inclusive education and special provisions for socio-economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs) is a cornerstone in ensuring the right to education for all. This analytical study demonstrates that NEP 2020 aims to move beyond theoretical discussions and cultivate human rights as a way of life. However, its successful implementation depends on teacher training and infrastructural development.  Finally, this research evaluates the importance of human rights education and the effectiveness of this policy in strengthening India's democratic framework.  

Saritha D, Akhila Rupesh, Jency Lal

Freshwater rivers play a vital role in meeting domestic, agricultural, and ecological demands. Continuous monitoring of river water quality is essential to ensure public health and sustainable water resource management. The present study evaluates the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the Kadayal River water, Tamil Nadu, India, to assess its suitability for drinking purposes. A single water sample was collected and analyzed following standard procedures prescribed by IS 3025 and APHA methods. Parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, major ions, nutrients, trace metals, turbidity, and microbial indicators were examined. The results were compared with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drinking water limits. Most parameters were found to be well within permissible limits, indicating good water quality. Microbiological analysis confirmed the absence of total coliforms and E. coli, signifying minimal contamination. Microplastic analysis revealed a low abundance of predominantly fiber-shaped particles, suggesting limited anthropogenic influence at the sampling location. The study concludes that Kadayal River water at the sampling location is suitable for drinking after conventional treatment and highlights the importance of periodic monitoring to safeguard water quality.

Mayank Garg

Education: From the earliest times, learning was considered sacred and was closely connected with moral values, social responsibility, and spiritual growth. The educational systems of Ancient and Medieval India developed according to changing social, political, and cultural conditions, yet they retained a strong emphasis on knowledge, discipline, and character formation. A study of education during these periods helps us understand the intellectual foundations of Indian society and its long-standing respect for learning. In ancient India, education was deeply linked with religion and philosophy. Knowledge was transmitted mainly through oral traditions under the guidance of a teacher or guru. During the medieval period, the coming of Islamic rule introduced new institutions such as maktabs and madrasas, along with new languages and curricula. Despite differences, both systems contributed significantly to India’s intellectual heritage and influenced later developments in education.   

Mr. Ajay Jyotiram Kawar, Mrs Sarika Pramod Satpute, Mrs. Ashwini Amol Patil

Background: - As per the WHO statistics (2019) an estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries. In 2015, 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women had hypertension. Fewer than 1 in 5 people with hypertension have the problem under control. Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide. One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025. Problem statement: “Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karad”. Objectives:  To assess the blood pressure among the hypertensive. Methods: A quantitative approach was used to conduct among 60 patients which were selected by simple random sampling technique. 30 samples were allotted in Experimental group and 30 in control group at Medicine ward and ICU in Krishna Hospital, karad. The experimental group received Foot Reflexology Once a day for Five Days and each session lasted for 20 minutes where control group followed hospital routine management. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Pretest the mean and SD of SBP was 164±16.30 in the experimental group and 164.87±16.97 in the control group. Pretest the mean and SD of DBP was 100.73±6.46 in the experimental group and 101.53±7.68 in the control group. Among the Experimental group in the pretest, the Mean and SD of SBP was 164±16.30 and DBP was 100.73±6.46. In post-test, the Mean and SD of SBP was 155.47±15.96 and that of 101.53±7.68. The test of Significance was calculated using paired “t” test. The calculated “t” value for SBP was 2.116(P=0.0430). And that of DBP was 2.305(p=0.285) were greater than the table value. It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in reducing the high blood pressure among the patients with hypertension. The Mean post-test value of SBP was 155.47±15.96 in the experimental group and 154.2±10.35 in the control group. The Mean post-test value of DBP was 96.33±8.26 in the experimental group and 92.67±5.10 in the control group. The calculated paired “t” value for SBP is 2.305 in the experimental group. And DBP was 5.972in the control group. These values were greater than the table value. It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in controlling the Blood Pressure among the patients with Hypertension. ix Among the experimental group, in pre-test, the Mean and SD of Headache were 4.67±1.97 and in the post-test the mean and SD of Headache were 2.27±2.13. The test of significance was calculated using paired “t” test. The calculated “t” value for Headache was 4.079(P=0.003) were greater than table value. It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in reducing Headache among hypertensive patients. Among the experimental group, in the pre-test, the Mean and SD of fatigue were 28.77±5.41 and in post-test the Mean and SD of Fatigue were 27.7±6.79. The test of significance was calculated using paired “t” test. The calculated “t” value is 4.013(p=0.004). It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in reducing the level of fatigue among Hypertensive patients. Conclusion: Reflexology helps overall circulation in the body and it helps to reduce the blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the conditions purported to be improved by complementary therapies such as Foot Reflexology. The investigator conducted studyto determine the effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Blood pressure, Headache and Fatigue in Hypertensive patients in tertiary care hospital, karad.  

Anamika Yadav

This report examines the administrative reforms introduced by Sher Shah Suri, one of the most capable rulers of medieval India, who ruled from 1540 to 1545. Although his reign was short, his policies laid a strong foundation for an efficient and organized system of governance. The study highlights his major reforms in central administration, revenue system, military organization, judicial structure, currency, and communication network. Sher Shah Suri established a highly centralized administrative system. He divided his empire into provinces called sarkars, which were further divided into parganas and villages for better management and supervision. Efficient officers were appointed at each level to ensure accountability and reduce corruption. His land revenue reforms were particularly significant. He introduced systematic land measurement and classification based on fertility. Revenue was fixed at a reasonable rate, generally one-third of the produce, and peasants were given written agreements to prevent exploitation. In the military sphere, Sher Shah introduced branding of horses and maintained descriptive records of soldiers to eliminate fraud. He also strengthened law and order by establishing an effective police system and ensuring strict justice. His judicial system treated all subjects equally, regardless of religion or social status. Furthermore, Sher Shah improved trade and communication by constructing roads, most notably the Grand Trunk Road, connecting major regions of his empire. He built inns, wells, and planted trees along highways to facilitate travel and commerce. His introduction of a uniform silver coin, the Rupiya, stabilized the economy and promoted trade. Overall, Sher Shah Suri’s administrative reforms demonstrated foresight, practicality, and fairness. His innovations greatly influenced later Mughal administration, especially under Akbar, and left a lasting impact on Indian governance.

Varsha

The reign of Emperor Ashoka occupies a central position in the political and administrative history of ancient India. While he is widely remembered for his moral transformation after the Kalinga War and his patronage of Buddhism, his administrative reforms deserve equal scholarly attention. The rock and pillar edicts issued during his reign serve as primary historical sources that reveal not only his ethical ideals but also his practical governance strategies. These inscriptions provide valuable insight into provincial administration, bureaucratic organization, judicial policies, welfare measures, and mechanisms of public communication. This paper examines Ashoka’s administrative reforms through a close reading of the edicts and historical interpretations by modern scholars. It argues that Ashoka’s governance was neither weak nor purely religious; rather, it represented a structured attempt to integrate morality with statecraft. His emphasis on accountability, supervision of officials, welfare-oriented policies, and transparent communication through inscriptions reflects a mature and organized administrative system. By analysing these reforms, this study highlights Ashoka’s contribution to the development of ethical governance in early Indian political thought.  

Afreen Khanam

One of the most elaborate and academically complex inscriptions of early historic India is the Prayag Prashasti of Samudragupta, which was written by the court poet Harishena and written on the Allahabad Pillar. The inscription presents an in-depth knowledge of empire, royalty, and political order in the fourth century CE; it is by no means a straightforward royal praise. The Prayag Prashasti is examined in this essay as a political text as well as a historical source. It examines its linguistic choices, diplomatic tactics, religious beliefs, military categories, and narrative structure. This study contends that the Prashasti suggests an empire model based on flexible power rather than strict centralization by placing the inscription within larger historiographical discussions on the establishment of Gupta states. (Sharma 2005; Thapar 2002).  

Sana Aamir

The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate represents a profound watershed in South Asian history, fundamentally altering the political, architectural, and cultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent (Eaton, 2019). This paper examines the critical transitional period of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, focusing specifically on the role of Qutb al-Din Aibak in laying the groundwork for the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty. Through a comprehensive historiographical analysis and evaluation of geopolitical, military, and administrative strategies, this study investigates how Aibak transitioned from an enslaved military commander to a sovereign ruler. The central argument posits that Aibak was not merely a caretaker of Ghurid conquests but a pragmatic state-builder whose calculated severance of political ties with Central Asia, combined with diplomatic manoeuvring and architectural patronage, forged an independent Indo-Islamic state (Kumar, 2007). By analysing primary source accounts alongside modern historiographical debates, the research demonstrates that Aibak’s brief reign was characterized by acute political realism rather than mere militaristic expansion. Ultimately, the paper concludes that while his successor Iltutmish institutionalized the administrative apparatus of the empire, it was Aibak’s deliberate geopolitical reorientation that made the survival and permanence of the Delhi Sultanate possible.  

Aditi Joshi, Dr Shachee Agnihotri

This report examines the significant contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to social reform in India, focusing on three major areas: the eradication of untouchability, the upliftment of women, and the transformation of rural society. Gandhi believed that political freedom would be meaningless without social justice and moral reconstruction. His approach to reform was rooted in truth, nonviolence, equality, and self-reliance, making social change a central part of the Indian freedom movement. In the struggle against untouchability, Gandhi treated it as a moral crime that weakened Indian society. He referred to the oppressed castes as Harijans (children of God) and worked to restore their dignity. Through campaigns, fasts, public speeches, and personal example, he encouraged people to reject caste discrimination and accept social equality. His efforts led to greater awareness and opened the path for legal and constitutional safeguards for marginalized communities. Gandhi also played a crucial role in the empowerment of women. He challenged traditional restrictions placed on women and encouraged their participation in public life. By involving women in national movements such as Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience, he helped them gain confidence and visibility. Gandhi emphasized education, self-discipline, and economic independence for women, viewing them as equal partners in nation-building. Rural development formed the foundation of Gandhi’s vision for India. He believed that the soul of the nation lived in its villages. Gandhi promoted self-sufficient village economies through khadi, cottage industries, sanitation, basic education, and local governance. He encouraged people to depend on local resources and reduce exploitation. Overall, Gandhi’s social reforms were not limited to laws or institutions; they aimed at transforming individual attitudes and social values. His holistic vision continues to inspire efforts toward equality, dignity, and sustainable development in modern India.  

Vikash Kumar

This study examines the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni (1000–1027 CE) as a coherent programme of imperial expansion rather than a series of isolated raids. Situated within the broader framework of Ghaznavid state-building, the campaigns combined military strategy, economic extraction, political control, and ideological legitimation. Mahmud’s early confrontations with the Hindu Shahi rulers, particularly Jayapala and Anand apala, were central to his objectives, as the destruction of this frontier power opened Punjab to sustained intervention and provided a base for deeper penetration into North India. His army’s mobility, cavalry-centred tactics, and logistical planning gave it decisive advantages over regional forces reliant on infantry and elephants, while winter campaigning reflected calculated adaptation to climatic conditions. Economic motives were fundamental: the plunder of wealthy urban and temple centres such as Mathura, Kanauj, and Somnath financed the Ghaznavid military apparatus and transformed Ghazni into a major political and cultural capital. Yet Mahmud rarely pursued territorial annexation beyond Punjab, preferring tributary arrangements that ensured dominance without administrative burden. Religious rhetoric, reinforced by Abbasid recognition, functioned largely as political legitimation rather than the primary cause of invasion. The socio-political consequences in India were significant. The collapse of frontier states destabilised regional authority, accelerated political fragmentation, and exposed weaknesses in military organisation. Punjab became a militarised frontier integrated into a wider imperial economy, while economic disruptions affected urban centres and temple-based patronage networks. At the same time, new cultural interactions emerged through the spread of Persian administrative practices. Overall, Mahmud’s campaigns reshaped the political landscape of North India and created conditions that facilitated later Turkish expansion. 

Mushirul Haque

The Partition of British India in 1947 remains one of the twentieth century’s most defining geopolitical and humanitarian cataclysms. While traditional historiography often focuses on the high politics of the transfer of power, this paper shifts the analytical lens to the Punjab province, where the bifurcation precipitated a unique and unprecedented demographic rupture.  This paper interrogates the Partition not merely as a constitutional event, but as a prolonged human tragedy characterized by genocidal violence, mass migration, and a complex, often exclusionary, process of state-led rehabilitation. By synthesizing secondary historical literature with analysis of oral histories and literary representations, the paper argues that the "Long Partition" was a process rather than a discrete event, one that fundamentally reshaped notions of citizenship and belonging. It examines the bureaucratic mechanisms of rehabilitation, revealing how the state’s drive for order often marginalized vulnerable groups, particularly Dalits and women. Furthermore, the paper explores the lingering trauma embedded in social memory, contrasting official state narratives of successful resettlement with the affective histories found in literature and survivor testimonies. Ultimately, this study concludes that while the physical rehabilitation of Punjab was a logistical triumph of the post-colonial state, the psychological and social fissures remain unhealed, continuing to influence the region’s socio-political landscape.  

Rinkal Vinzuda, Dr. Dhara R. Doshi, Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh A. Jogsan

The present study aimed to examine attitudes toward home, family, and cultural values among youth. A total sample of 240 youths was selected using a factorial design. The sample comprised 120 males and 120 females. Each gender group was further categorized according to birth order: first-born, middle-born, last-born, and single child, with 30 participants in each birth-order category. Thus, a 2 × 4 factorial design was employed, with gender (male, female) and birth order (first-born, middle-born, last-born, single child) as independent variables. Attitude towards home and family were assessed using the Attitude towards Home and Family Scale developed by Saraswat and Jain. Cultural values were measured using the Cultural Value Scale developed by Bajpai. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine the effects of gender and birth order on the study variables. Pearson’s product–moment correlation was also computed to assess the relationship between attitudes toward home and family and cultural values. The results indicated a significant effect of gender and birth order on attitudes toward home, family, and cultural values. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between attitudes toward home and family and cultural values among youth.

Saloni Singh

This essay uses straightforward language to explain the beginnings, development, governance, and fall of the Maratha Empire. The Bhakti movement's influence, the Marathas' strong geographic heritage, and their resistance to Aurangzeb's political and religious policies all contributed to their rise. Shivaji’s leadership was crucial in establishing the framework for a powerful and autonomous Maratha kingdom. He established efficient revenue systems, developed a disciplined army, and established a well-run government. Shivaji's successors, particularly the Peshwas, extended Maratha authority throughout much of India after his passing. The Marathas were once among the nation's most potent political forces. But the empire was weakened by internal strife among the Maratha chiefs, poor leadership following powerful rulers, and the loss at the Third Battle of Panipat. The British East India Company took advantage of this circumstance and fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars before defeating the Marathas in 1818. With this, the Maratha Empire came to an end and British political domination over India began.   

Aditi Panwar

One of the most significant and ancient institutions in human society is marriage. The marriage system has evolved significantly throughout time in response to social, political, cultural and economic shifts. Historically, marriage was associated with survival, procreation, and maintaining the unity of the family or group. Marriage grew increasingly structured and began to be impacted by property, religion, conventions and family traditions as cultures advanced. The majority of weddings in the medieval era were arranged by families. They were associated with social status, caste and class. Because of the patriarchal nature of the society, males held more authority and women had fewer privileges in marriage. Polygamy, child marriage, and prohibitions on widow remarriage were widespread practices. Many damaging behaviors were questioned throughout the colonial era. New laws and social reform movements tried to improve the condition of women and children. Western education introduced ideas such as equality, consent, and personal choice in marriage. In modern times, marriage has changed even more. Love marriages, inter-caste and inter-religious marriages, divorce right and property rights for women are more accepted today. Overall, the marriage system has slowly moved from strict traditional rules to a more flexible and individual-based institution. However, traditions and cultural values still play a significant role in shaping marriage practices today. 

Md Nadimul Haque

This paper investigates the systemic economic dismantling of the Indian subcontinent under British colonial rule, positing that the trajectory of India’s economy from the mid-eighteenth to the mid-twentieth century was defined not by benign neglect or accidental stagnation, but by an active, predatory restructuring designed to serve metropolitan interests. By employing a revisionist historiographical lens, this study examines the transition from the mercantilist plunder of the East India Company to the institutionalised extraction of the British Raj. The analysis scrutinises the imposition of rigid land revenue systems—specifically the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari frameworks—which commodified land and pauperised the peasantry. Furthermore, the paper explores the forced commercialisation of agriculture, the calculated deindustrialisation of indigenous handicrafts through discriminatory trade tariffs, and the controversial role of infrastructure projects like the railways, which are re-evaluated here as efficient conduits for resource extraction rather than tools of domestic development. Central to this inquiry is the "Drain of Wealth" theory, analysing the mechanisms by which capital was siphoned from the periphery to the core. This paper concludes that the British imperial project in India constituted a comprehensive system of economic retardation, replacing a self-sustaining pre-colonial economy with a dependent, agrarian satellite, thereby structurally engineering the famines and poverty that characterised the era.

Biplab Dasadhikari

The introduction of the None of the Above (NOTA) option in India in 2013 marked a significant moment in the evolution of Indian electoral democracy. Recognized by the Supreme Court in People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2013), NOTA institutionalized the “right to reject” and expanded the expressive dimension of the franchise. Yet, more than a decade after its implementation, debates persist regarding its substantive relevance. Is NOTA a meaningful expansion of electoral choice, or merely a symbolic reform without institutional consequence? This article examines the democratic significance of NOTA through a theoretical and empirical lens, with special reference to the State of West Bengal between 2013 and 2024.The study adopts a mixed-method descriptive-analytical approach. Secondary data from the Election Commission of India covering Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections (2016, 2021, and 2024) are analyzed through margin comparison, cross-tabulation, and turnout correlation. Particular attention is paid to constituencies where NOTA votes exceeded the margin of victory, thereby raising questions about representational legitimacy. The analysis is grounded in democratic theory, drawing upon John Stuart Mill’s defense of dissent and minority voice, as well as contemporary scholarship on protest voting and institutional design. The findings suggest that NOTA in West Bengal functions primarily as a conscious act of political dissent rather than apathy or confusion. In several constituencies, the number of NOTA votes surpassed the winning margin, indicating a structured pattern of dissatisfaction. However, the absence of enforceable institutional consequences renders NOTA largely symbolic. While it strengthens expressive democracy by recognizing negative choice, it fails to translate voter rejection into accountability or reform. The article argues that this tension reflects a broader contradiction within Indian electoral democracy: symbolic inclusion without substantive responsiveness. The study concludes that NOTA has normative and diagnostic value but limited transformative impact. For NOTA to contribute meaningfully to democratic legitimacy, institutional reforms-such as threshold-based re-election provisions or mandatory party accountability mechanisms-must be considered. West Bengal’s electoral experience demonstrates that the debate on NOTA is not merely procedural but central to the future of representative democracy in India.