Search

This paper analyses the issues and challenges of linguistically diverse English Language Teaching (ELT) classrooms in India. In India, the English language is not the first language; the majority of them speak Hindi or their state languages. Due to this concern, numerous questions are arising for teachers, such as (a) How many languages and which specific language should be used as a mode of classroom communication to convey the message/instruction effectively? (b) What should be the number of students in a particular class? and (c) Does the teacher have competency in the native language? Most of the local schools in Tribal areas do not teach in native or "Adivasi" language in ELT classrooms. Indian speaking now many languages, they are multilingual but for communicating, we have to speak in a single language. So, the question is arising for how to tackle with this multilingual classroom to teach the English language? This is a challenge for India in the twenty-first century. Thus, we need to have some ways to accept the challenge and to increase the level of students in India. This paper suggests some solutions to those challenges and seeks the answer to such problems to enhance the quality of multilingual in ELT classrooms.

Purpose: In the study, we investigated whether speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in India use practice and feedback conditions of motor learning principles (MLPs), including biofeedback, in dysphagia therapy in adults using a problem--solution approach. Method: Based on a literature review and clinical experience, we developed and validated a hypothetical case involving an adult with dysphagia (representing the problem) and a purpose-built 22-item questionnaire (representing the solution). We distributed the questionnaire electronically by sending an e-mail to 2,069 SLPs and also published a flyer on the dysphagia special interest group of India. Results: A total of 107 SLPs anonymously submitted their responses. In practice conditions, most of the SLPs reported following massed over distributed, small over large, blocked over random, whole over part, variable over constant, and internal over external practice strategies. In feedback conditions, most of the participants reported using knowledge of results over performance, high over low, immediate over delayed, and self over therapist feedback strategies. Lastly, more than two thirds of SLPs did not use biofeedback devices for dysphagia therapy. Conclusion: The findings from our study indicate that SLPs in India do not adhere uniformly to the recommended practices of MLPs for dysphagia therapy in adults.

Service-learning is a pedagogy that allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, while serving the needs of their communities. It is a recent introduction in Indian education and has faced multidimensional obstacles in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by innovatively adapting the pedagogy to suit the needs of the time students have ensured that the service-learning activities do not halt completely. The current study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of undergraduate students who engage in service-learning in an Indian educational institution during the pandemic. Data was collected via in-depth, personal interviews from six undergraduate students who are involved in the central planning and execution committee for service-learning. The transcribed data was analyzed through thematic analysis, and various sub-themes and themes were obtained were obtained under the domains of the various challenges faced while engaging in service-learning during the pandemic, the adaptational strategies employed to overcome them, and also the personal challenges and development of the students while engaging in service-learning. The results of the study allow for a better understanding of the experience of service-learning in the pandemic, paving way for institutional policies that can better equip students and allow for greater preparedness.

Information Communication Technology influences all dimensions of education. Especially in distance education, rapid change occurs. Based on the huge availability of online resources like open education resources, distance education can be accessed openly at a low cost. In the 21st century, teaching and learning, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is a new trend of learning for digital learners. MOOC is an open education system available on the web. It is a low-cost courseware, and the participants can access the learning content from anywhere and anytime. The MOOCs are categorized cMOOCs, xMOOCs, and Quasi MOOC models. India is a developing country, and it is making steps ahead to digitalization on its processes. e-panchayat, a-district, e-hospital, e-greetings, e-office, e-visa, e-NAM (National Agricultural Market), e-pathshala are the examples for India stood on digitalization. India tried to ensure access, equity, and quality education to the massive. With this aim, the SWAYAM portal initiated, and it was the milestone of Indian distance education and providing open education to massive through MOOCs. This paper portrayed on Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), its different types of MOOCs, platforms for MOOCs, MOOCs in India, and its merits.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships of service marketing mix (SMM) as service input and service output in terms of students' performance, satisfaction and referral act in context to higher and technical education (HTE) through the application of structural equation modeling. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research, conducted through a self-administered survey composed by a closed-ended structured questionnaire, was incorporated for the students who were enrolled in the technical educational institutions situated in the Khandesh region of India. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that traditional SMM is statistically linked with the performance of students in terms of skill and knowledge enhancement, satisfaction and referral act of students, which are perceptible new emerging SMM; performance, pleasure and pointing out in terms of service output. Practical implications: Integrating SMM as service input and service output are productive for HTE in enhancing growth (quantitatively) by the inclusivity of diversified students and development (qualitatively) by enhancing their performance for global standing, making them satisfied and motivating them for recommending their institution to others. This integration can be utilized as a yardstick by the institutions for staying ahead in students' market with a distinctive competitive advantage. Social implications: Growth and development of HTE will raise a society's quality of life and thereby increase a country's socio-economic status. Originality/value: The study has exhibited SMM as input and output of a service system that is useful for the growth and development of HTE. The measurement tool presented is effective in (re)framing policies on SMM as service input based on desired service output.

Purpose: Circular economy has emerged as one of the most important approaches to addressing environmental challenges. Organizations have begun to act on their abilities to enhance their sustainability management to enable a circular economy. The role of organizational learning and green human resource management in the transition to a more circular economy remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the inter-relationship between the factors of organizational learning and green human resource management, and it aims to rank the identified factors of manufacturing small and medium businesses (SMEs) based on their driving and dependency power and to detect the most substantial factors. Design/methodology/approach: This study identified 11 organizational learning and green human resource management (GHRM) factors after conducting a thorough literature analysis and consulting with experts. To investigate the interaction of the indicated factors and to build their structural hierarchy, this study used the total interpretive structural modeling method. Further, Matriced Impact Croises Multiplication Applique (MICMAC) analysis was used to establish each factor's driving and dependent power. Findings: This study discovered that factors "Green separation" and "Organizational learning culture" were found to be significant; "Green performance management" and "Green health and safety management" were observed to be extremely reliant on the remaining GHRM factors. Research limitations/implications: The recommended framework has been established in the Indian background and is restricted to manufacturing SMEs. Still, the same framework can be applied to other sectors by slightly modifying it. Also, the analysis is based on the experts' view and this may be biased. The findings of this study will help human resources managers and SME owner-managers clarify the most and least significant factors of organizational learning and GHRM and their relationships, leading to increased awareness of organizational learning and GHRM practices for enlightened environmental performance. Practical implications: The proposed framework might facilitate decision-makers and practitioners to comprehend the relations between organizational learning and GHRM factors. This will support SME owner-managers in understanding the influence of one factor on another factor in manufacturing SMEs. Originality/value: Until now, the protruding interest of researchers has been focused mostly on large manufacturing enterprises. However, manufacturing SMEs, which are much smaller when compared to large manufacturing companies, significantly contribute to the economy as well as environmental pollution. Thus, this study provides a vital contribution to the current literature by determining the suitable relationship between the organizational learning and GHRM components, as no previous studies focused on exploring the same using the total interpretive structural modeling approach in the Indian manufacturing SMEs environment. [For Part I, see EJ1354692.]

Purpose: The goal of this research is to create a conceptual model that identifies the relationship between organizational learning and green human resource management practices and its contribution to the circular economy. The focus of this research is to identify the organizational learning and green human resource factors that lead to a more circular economic transformation. Design/methodology/approach: The importance of the interaction of factors benefiting both individuals and organizations has been comprehensively explained by combining two well-known theories: resource-based view theory and organizational learning theory. As learning entails change, a climate of organizational learning combined with green human resource practices will efficiently help firms transition to a circular economy. The authors establish a conceptual model in this study, which they then apply to the small- and medium-sized manufacturing industry and report on in the second paper. Findings: This study concentrates on the factors of organizational learning and green human resource management practices that help to create a circular economy after conducting a thorough literature analysis and consulting with experts. Research limitations/implications: The conceptual model can be applied to organizations in any industry. In the second part, the authors would investigate the interaction of the indicated factors and build their structural hierarchy using the total interpretive structural modelling method for the small- and medium-sized industries and then present the findings. Practical implications: The proposed framework might facilitate decision-makers, practitioners and academicians to comprehend the relationship between organizational learning and green human resource management factors and their influence on organizations' transition into a circular economy. The study's findings will help HR managers clarify the significant organizational learning and green human resource management factors that play a vital role in transitioning organizations into a circular economy. Originality/value: This research adds to our understanding of the intricate interactions between organizational learning and green human resource management as they relate to the circular economy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the conceptual model illustrating the inter-relationship between organizational learning and green human resource management is the first of its type, and it is a novel notion because no previous research has looked into it. [For Part II, see EJ1354693.]

Purpose: Unsustainable actions have resulted in the deterioration of the environment. Higher education institutions are social entities responsible for developing future leaders who have the skills and abilities to solve societal challenges. This study aims to develop a conceptual assessment model of environmental sustainability in higher education and apply the model to test the environmental sustainability level of a higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach: The fuzzy logic method is used to develop the conceptual model, and a higher education institution in India was selected for evaluating the environmental sustainability level. Findings: The fuzzy environmental sustainability index for the higher education institution selected for the study was computed as (3.58, 4.95, 6.33). The computed value identifies the institution as "environmentally sustainable". The calculation of the fuzzy performance importance index further helped in identifying weak attributes that need improvement. Research limitations/implications: The result of this study would help the management understand their current environmental sustainability level and take corrective measures to improve the weak attributes. It would also assist the institution in reworking its processes and practices. Originality/value: This study has contributed to the literature of environmental sustainability assessment by creating a conceptual model for evaluating environmental sustainability in higher education. This model can be applied to any higher education institution.

The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, to identify and encapsulate the enablers that can facilitate curriculum agility in higher education and second, to understand the interplay between the factors. Literature review and academic experts helped identify eight factors crucial for driving curriculum agility in higher education. The total interpretive structural modelling (TISM), a widely used method in theory building, was used to develop a hierarchical conceptual framework of the curriculum agility factors. The TISM model helped comprehend the relationship between the factors and the logical reasoning behind the relationship. The cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification, also known as MICMAC analysis, was applied to rank the enablers based on their driving power into independent, autonomous, linkage, and dependent zones. The participants for the study included faculty members from higher education institutions in India. A closed-ended questionnaire and scheduled interview helped in gathering data. The TISM model revealed curriculum leader, organisational governance and teacher autonomy as the most crucial factors in driving curriculum agility in higher education. The results of this study would assist the policymakers and management of higher education institutions to understand the critical factors and work around them to add value to the curriculum.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, to identify and encapsulate the enablers that can facilitate technology integration in higher education and second, to understand and analyze the interplay between technology agility enablers. Design/methodology/approach: The study used the Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) approach to construct a theoretical model of the technology agility enablers in higher education and MICMAC analysis for ranking and segregating the enablers based on their dependence power into four categories: Autonomous, Dependent, Linkage and Independent. Findings: The study helped identify eight technology agility enablers, with the COVID-19 pandemic as the most significant enabler. The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the diffusion of technology across the education sector in India, including tertiary higher education. The study revealed government initiatives and institutional commitment as other enablers that can promote technology agility in higher education. Practical implications: The results of this study would assist the policymakers and management of universities and colleges in understanding the important enablers that can facilitate technology integration in higher education. Originality/value: Research in the past on technology adoption in higher education has looked into each enabler in isolation. This research provides a comprehensive view of the enablers and has attempted to establish a multidirectional interplay between the enablers.

Purpose: The study has a two-fold purpose--first, to identify the enablers of partnering agility in higher education, and, second, to analyze the interplay between the enablers. Design/methodology/approach: Total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) was used to construct a theoretical model of partnering agility enablers, and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis was used to rank and segregate the enablers into independent, autonomous, dependent and linkage zones on the basis of their driving and dependence power. Findings: The study helped in identifying eight enablers that can be instrumental in driving partnering agility in higher education. According to the TISM model, clarity on roles and responsibilities of partners was found to be the most crucial and vital enabler followed by resource sharing. Practical implications: The conceptual model provides a new direction on how to develop and strengthen higher education partnerships. The model has prioritized all the crucial enablers that the management can work around in order to drive partnering agility in higher education institutions. Originality/value: Studies in the past have majorly focused on academia-industry partnerships. This research has tried to provide a comprehensive view of the enablers and the multidirectional interplay between the enablers that can facilitate partnerships between academia and industry, Indian and international universities, and academia and community.

This study examines the influence of select demographic variables like Family type, Work experience and Dependent care on Work-Life Balance among the School teachers. In this Survey method, 172 Teachers from two private schools in Chennai were chosen. The tools used to collect the data were Work-life balance Scale by Udai Pareek & Surabhi Purohit (2010). For statistical analysis t-test, ANOVA and Tukey B post-hoc test were used to analyze the results. The findings show that there is no significant difference between the Family type and Work experience of teachers and their work-life balance whereas there is a significant difference between the Dependent care of teachers and their Work-life balance.

Purpose: Modern history has shown that only those countries, which could acquire capability to develop and apply science and technology, have found great success to grow their wealth and improve living conditions of their population. Technical education in India contributes a major share to the overall education system and plays a vital role in the social and economic development of the nation. There is a rapid growth of technical education in the last decade in terms of the number of institutes and intake capacity in India; however, institutes failed to attract enrollments which observed noticeable gap in between the actual number of enrollments and intake capacity. In the year 2015-16, 46% of seats were vacant in Technical Education [TE] in India. The purpose of this paper is to highlight holistic marketing approach with promotion mix on diversified enrollments to motivate enrollments in selecting institute of Technical education. Design methodology: A quantitative research by a survey (through a structured questionnaire) of students who are presently enrolled (Current-students) and those who have completed their study (Post-students) belonging to the institutes offering Technical Education situated in Khandesh region of India and affiliated to the North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. Findings: The study found that diversified characteristics of enrollments are related with the promotion mix of TE institute in selection of technical educational institute. This study investigates the usefulness of school visits, institution publications, websites, campus visits, word-of-mouth (friends, alumni, school teachers), advertisements (radio, television, magazines) and events on campus, as a tool of holistic marketing and promotion mix. Social Networking and Institute's Website are the emerging tools of promotion mix in selection of TE institute in Khandesh Region. Research limitations: The survey is delimited to the enrollments of technical education belonging to North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon and located in Khandesh region of India. Practical implications: This article provides relationship of promotion mix and diversified characteristics of enrollments on institutional choices. Different communication strategies of promotion mix can be used based on diversified characteristics (segmentation) of enrollments to attract enrollments. The paper also represents a new form of promotion mix of educational service that affects students' decision in selecting their technical educational institute.

This paper offers an ethnographic account of how Golden Harvest International School in Bengaluru branded itself as both 'International' and 'Indian', by elaborating discursive practices within the school. Drawing upon scholarship that has sought to delineate the ways in which globally hyper-mobile Indians construct a distinctive cultural identity, the paper shows how a fusion of national and international allowed the school to cater to a particular set of elite parents, who were globally hyper-mobile even as they sought to be 'appropriately Indian'. The paper pays attention to how cultural practices and resources in the school operated within a forward caste-Hindu ethos that was presented as 'Indian', while also responsibilising teachers, students, and even parents to ensure the school acquired and retained globally valued credentials such as accreditation for the Middle Years Program of the International Baccalaureate.

This article analyses the National Council of Educational Research and Training textbooks of environmental studies using critical discourse analysis to shed light on questions such as how the environment is dealt with in the text, using what kind of language are environmental concerns framed, how is the current environment crisis contextualized both in terms of ecological and social justice, if at all, and what solutions are suggested in this regard. The article finds that though the content of the textbooks exhibits strong social contextualizing of learners' surroundings, the thrust is anthropocentric, and the environment figures only as a peripheral concern. Themes such as gender, caste, hygiene, culture, equality and discrimination emerge stronger than those of biodiversity, conservation, pollution, water crisis and global warming. While the in-built thrust on conviviality in the textbooks is necessary and heartening, a better infusion of the current predicament in terms of the environment crisis and how it could be mitigated is recommended.

Towards the end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007 -2012), India catered to about 20 per cent of those in the age group 17 to 24 years. However, to achieve the threshold level of about 30 per cent by 2020, and address concerns that perpetuate inequalities in opportunities to higher education, the Government of India (GoI) formulated positive discrimination policies. Establishment of Open Universities in general and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in particular was one such positive step in this direction. Since 1987, IGNOU has been striving for inclusive education and reach to all groups to meet their educational needs. As a result of its dedicated efforts, at the end of 2012, it had reached 639 out of 659 districts in the country, including those in the red corridor (with a large concentration of Naxalite and Maoist extremists) passing through the States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal. IGNOU has been successfully imparting education and training to the socially, economically, physically and/or geographically disadvantaged, in addition to women, minorities and jail inmates. Our results show that participation of rural women is particularly encouraging in all programmes but the dropout rate of these groups is rather high and the success rate comparatively low.

Personal Pedagogical Knowledge (PPK), one of the elementary factors of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), explains how teacher personality influences his/her unique way of teaching. It is an inevitable part of the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Pre-service teachers, who are participating in the knowledge management program for sustainable development, should possess strengthened or organized PPK. The curriculum of Teacher Education should have been reconfigured to conceptualize PPK as a lens to observe various teaching competences needed for sustainability. The personality of a teacher is considered right only when he/she organizes his/her behavior in a proactive way. It means the teacher should develop an ability to be in patience on the right path even though the situation is unfavorable. Proactivity organizes PPK that means the teacher personality is strong enough to make gradual changes in the unfavorable situation and turn it into favorable. This study aims at examining the relationship between Pro-activity and PPK among pre-service teachers based on their social media usage and subject discipline in the context of ESD. The major objectives are as follows: (1) to find out the extent of Proactivity and PPK among pre-service teachers in the context of ESD and (2) to find out the relationship between Proactivity and PPK among pre-service teachers. The study adopted a normative survey method by sampling 60 pre-service teachers from science and arts/humanities discipline. The sample is also categorized based on whether the pre-service teachers are users or not users of social media for propagating sustainability. Major findings are as follows: (1) there are significant pairwise differences in the Proactivity and PPK scores of high, average and low levels in the context of sustainability among pre-service teachers; (2) pre-service teachers using social media and those from arts/humanities discipline are exhibiting high levels of Proactivity and PPK than those who are not using social media and those from Science Education; and (3) there is a substantial relationship between Proactivity and PPK among pre-service teachers in whole and relevant sub-samples based on social media usage and subject-discipline regarding ESD.

State programme management unit and District Programme Management Units (DPMU) are established under National Health Mission with an expectation to strengthen the management structures at the state and district levels, respectively. This is a major initiative to bring change in organisation structure and an effort to embrace change in working culture. The study was undertaken in a western Indian state to assess and compare the organisation culture in DPMUs. Districts of the state were divided into three strata based on the geographical and demographic features. One district from each stratum was randomly selected for the study. In-depth interview of nine key officials in each sampled DPMU was conducted with the use of standardised questionnaire—openness, confrontation, trust, authenticity, proactiveness, autonomy, collaboration and experimentation (OCTAPACE), developed by Pareek. Values of OCTAPACE were diversely distributed with significant difference in distribution of scores between these domains (p < 0.05). Pro-action and Trust scores were relatively higher and consistent in the study units. Values of experimentation were lower and inconsistent. There was no significant difference in the distribution of scores between three sampled DPMUs for openness, confrontation, trust, authenticity, pro-action, autonomy and experimentation (p > 0.05). However, the distribution of collaboration score was significantly less in DPMU of desert district in comparison to DPMU of plain and tribal district (p < 0.05). The lacuna in values of organisation culture should be addressed to strengthen the existing management structures at the state and district levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the authors report on a comparative study on the pedagogic effectiveness of printed self-learning text with face-to-face tutorial support, interactive multimedia CD-ROM and online learning in an introductory computing module at the certificate level offered at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India. The study was based on an analysis of the existing instructional practices in open universities in India in respect of difficulties faced, learner preferences, quality of support structure and services, mode of interaction, instructional and technological ingredients for success in learning. Both descriptive as well as experimental research methods were used. A web server was established for use in the experiment with the students. An achievement test and a Response to Learning Activity Scale were developed and administered on the three groups of learners. The study reports that the use of interactive multimedia CD-ROM was found pedagogically more effective with a variety of learning activities than that presented through print with face-to-face support and that presented through the web with online learner support.

In the present paper, the authors report on a comparative study on the pedagogic effectiveness of printed self-learning text with face-to-face tutorial support, interactive multimedia CD-ROM and online learning in an introductory computing module at the certificate level offered at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India. The study was based on an analysis of the existing instructional practices in open universities in India in respect of difficulties faced, learner preferences, quality of support structure and services, mode of interaction, instructional and technological ingredients for success in learning. Both descriptive as well as experimental research methods were used. A web server was established for use in the experiment with the students. An achievement test and a Response to Learning Activity Scale were developed and administered on the three groups of learners. The study reports that the use of interactive multimedia CD-ROM was found pedagogically more effective with a variety of learning activities than that presented through print with face-to-face support and that presented through the web with online learner support. (Contains 8 tables and 3 figures.)

The undergraduate science programme was launched at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 1991-92 with an enrolment of 1,210 students. The programme was well received, and enrolments increased over the years. However, the success rates have not kept pace with enrolment. In this paper, the authors report the results of an evaluation of the undergraduate physics programme at IGNOU. The evaluation, the first of its type for this programme, adapted the major tenets of the CIPP model. The findings are based on the responses from a randomly chosen sample of 509 learners across India. The methods employed for the study include records, document, and database analysis, surveys, and case studies. Although the University has enhanced access to higher science education, the attrition rate is high (73%), and the success rate is low. The authors recommend that the University review and reorient its strategies for providing good quality, learner-centred higher education in science subjects. The programme should address the concerns of the learners about the effectiveness of the student support systems, the difficulty level, and the learner-friendliness of study materials with the goal of achieving long-term sustainability while maintaining parity with the conventional system. The need for improving the presentation of the courses and simplifying the mathematical details is emphasised. (Contains 1 figure and 5 tables.)

The present study is an attempt to examine the intricacies of the growth of Private School industry in the North-Eastern Indian State of Nagaland. The study was carried out in Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland State. Data were obtained from field studies as well as from published reports of the Government. The main objective of the study was to ascertain the trends and structure of growth of private school industry. The empirical analysis was carried out by fitting the data to quadratic, cubic, logistic, and the Preece-Baines Curves. The findings revealed that over the years, the trend and structure of growth of private schools has remained positively correlated with the capacity of absorption, quality of the product and their performance and reputation. The results corroborate our hypothesis that the private school industry has emerged not only to take the advantages of the deficiencies of the market economy, but also as a profit making industry. (Contains 7 tables and 5 figures.)

Background: Health care providers must be aware of the choices in aural rehabilitation methods and assessment procedures available presently to those with hearing impairment in order to facilitate early identification and intervention and ensure quality of care to those hearing impaired individuals. The referrals from the medical fraternities for the audiological services are not uniform across India. Part of reason may be that awareness about the roles of and responsibilities of audiologist's is poor among medical practitioners. In some regions of India medical practitioners may be only grossly be aware of audiologists per se. They may not know enough to refer all individuals with hearing or balance disorders for the required audiological services. Aim: To evaluate changes in pre survey and post survey after education intervention specifically planned for medical practitioners in the state of Sikkim, India. Education intervention included awareness about hearing impairment and its assessment and management by audiologists. Method: A pre and post survey comparison research design with purposive convenient sampling technique was applied. Participants were medical practitioners working in geographical area of Sikkim at the time of the study. Inspection of demographic data of respondents showed that they were in their age range of 24 and 60 years and with work experience ranging 1- 40 years. Participants were invited for an awareness talk which included, information about hearing loss, early identification and early intervention, tests and management of hearing loss in different age groups, need for hearing aids/cochlear implants, auditory training, and the role of an audiologist in the management of hearing loss and ways to prevent hearing loss. A pre and post awareness program responses were collected from all the participants using a customized questionnaire tool. Results: Respondents exhibited, in the pre-survey questionnaire, lack of awareness in many aspects of audiology, including assessing hearing impairment, diagnosing hearing loss, and the role of an audiologist. There was an overall, statistically significant difference in the level of performance on the pre-awareness and post-awareness responses. Conclusion: Following an awareness campaign among the medical professionals in Sikkim, there was a considerable change in their level of awareness of hearing impairment, its assessment, and management by audiologists. The reach of the awareness campaign was significant as around 70% of subjects showed significant change in their knowledge and attitude towards hearing impairment, its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID - 19 (Corona Virus Infectious Disease) situations reported in 2019, declared by World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic is still a prevailing global crisis. Common regulations were implemented such as lockdown, wearing face masks as mandatory, face shields, gloves and maintaining physical and social distance in public places to reduce the spread of the virus. These pandemic induced challenges affected social communication, technical and behavioral aspects in lifestyle of people with hearing impairment. Along with medical, paramedical services, the crisis had challenged hearing, speech language pathology and therapy services too. The study aimed to explore the challenges that adults with hearing impairment had experienced during the pandemic and to suggest some practical solutions that can be implemented by audiologists. It is a questionnaire-based study with purposive sampling method employed in data collection. The questionnaire was administered on adult hearing aid users (mean age: 18 years) recruited for participation from different parts/clinical setups across India. The outcome of the questionnaire did support the assumption that availing audiological services was difficult or impossible for most of the hearing aid users. Accessing batteries was reported to be the most frequent issue. Adequate level of hearing though hearing aid was important to them and clinical services could not be availed for long period of time due to travel related issues and closure of audiological services. Also, social isolation impacted on their quality of life and effective communication. As a possible solution most of the users chose tele services as a better solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) has been used to assess working efficiency of an individual. The self-reporting MEQ is available in English language, and its applicability to Indian scenario is limited to educated/ English proficient individuals only. Since, majority in India still depend on the regional languages for communication, it is difficult to make live translation of the questionnaire while administration and results may also vary due to tester's language proficiency. The present study focused on adapting MEQ in Bengali language. Method: The English version of Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was a self-assessment questionnaire consisting of 19 questions to measure whether a person's peak alertness was in the morning, evening or in between. The translation of the questionnaire was done using forward-backward-translation method by six experts in Bengali language, and was content validated by thirty native Bengali speakers. The speakers were asked to rate the questions on a 5-point rating scale with 1 being very familiar and 5 being not at all familiar. All the questions rated as 1 or 2 were considered for the Bengali version of MEQ, while those rated as 3 or above were reframed and revalidated. Result: The Bengali version of the MEQ has good reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.74). Item analysis revealed it as a good consistent scale for estimating the circadian type of the participants. Participants were classified into 5 Circadian types based on the cut-off scores. Majority of participants are intermediate type, followed by Morningness. Conclusion: The application of MEQ will help in management of tinnitus [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transsexualism is a desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by a sense of discomfort with, or inappropriateness of, one's anatomic sex and a wish to have hormonal treatment and surgery to make one's body as congruent as possible with the preferred sex (ICD-10). There are an estimated one million Hijras, the common Urdu term for transsexuals in India, representing approximately one in every 400 post-pubertal persons born male. Despite being acknowledged over centuries as "arvanis" in India, these transsexuals live on the fringe of the society as "third gender" and are often driven to eke out a living by begging and prostitution. The stigma and anonymity have an enduring effect on the mental health of the transsexuals. However, there is also a paucity of published literature about transgender/transsexuality in mental health journals. This article presents a case report of a transsexual individual, highlighting the psychosocial issues in the Indian context.

Several surveys of India's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) undertaken during 2020 and 2021 have revealed that these enterprises which account for about 90% or more of manufacturing employment were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are data to indicate that even the formal manufacturing enterprises in India were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, using Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, we estimate that manufacturing employment grew by about 5 per cent in 2020–21 and about 8 per cent in 2021–22, reversing the previous downward trend. However, these increases in manufacturing employment based on the usual principal and subsidiary status (UPSS) concept do not correctly measure the growth in labour input. According to our estimates, labour input in manufacturing fell by about 6 per cent in FY2021 (financial year 2020–21) and rose by about 13 per cent in FY2022. Labour productivity in manufacturing rose sharply in FY2021 and fell slightly in FY2022. Analysing data on wages, tenure of job contracts, and provision of social security to workers, we find that during the two years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the large increases in manufacturing employment were not accompanied by any significant lowering of real wages, nor with a deterioration in labour standards. Instead, the evidence points towards a rapid formalisation of informal industrial enterprises, significant increases in the real product wages of regular and casual workers, and an improvement in labour standards for hired workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant literature is available on an extremely high temperature associated with mortality for cities of the developed world, but there is a dearth in the literature for coastal, desert and dry cities of the developing world, especially for India. We examined all-cause mortality and extreme high temperature in three Indian cities representing coastal, desert and dry areas for summer months (March to June) from 2006 to 2015. We obtained the data on temperature and all-cause mortality for ten years for the summer months. The city-specific effect of ambient heat on all-cause mortality was assessed through time series ordinary least square linear regression model. A total of 75,571, 122,117 and 53,042 deaths for 1,203, 1,220 and 1,180 summer days from 2006 to 2015 were analysed with ambient temperature for Jaipur, Hyderabad and Surat, respectively. There were 994 (27.6%) out of 3,603 summer days having temperature ≥40°C and 2,495 (69.3%) out of 3,602 summer days having feel temperature/heat index (HI) of ≥41°C. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) criteria for the heatwave, Surat has the maximum number of 75 days with a maximum temperature of ≥40°C, whereas Hyderabad has only 4 days and Jaipur faced 35 days with a maximum temperature of ≥45°C during the study period. The per-day mean all-cause mortality increased to 39% and 11% for Jaipur and Hyderabad, respectively, at ≥45°C and 20% for the coastal city of Surat at ≥40°C as per IMD heatwave criteria. A time-series linear regression model shows that adjusted R-squared is 0.593, 0.629 and 0.348, which explained the variation of 59.3%, 62.9% and 34.8% for all-cause mortality (dependent variable) by independent variables (maximum temperature, humidity and HI) for Jaipur, Hyderabad and Surat, respectively. The maximum temperature threshold (cut-off) for all-cause mortality for Jaipur, Hyderabad and Surat is 42°C, 41°C and 40°C, respectively. The impact of ambient heat in the rise of all-cause mortality for all study sites was evident. Hence, findings support the efforts for reducing the public health burden of high ambient temperature through developing and implementing city-specific heat action plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is trying to achieve the target of sustainable development goals of reducing maternal mortality ratio to 70/1,00,000 live births by the year 2030. The maternal mortality in Uttarakhand is 89/100,000 live birth (2015–2017), against the national average of 122. Daley in the care during the labour process, poor transport system, and inadequate health care facilities for maternal care leading to maternal and infant mortality are not well understood, including other contributing factors. In Uttarakhand, maternal haemorrhage (22.9%), eclampsia (14.6%), sepsis (10.6%), rupture of the uterus (6.2%), ectopic pregnancy (2.1%), and pulmonary embolism (2.1%) were the direct causes for maternal mortality; the indirect causes were anaemia (16.6%), jaundice (12.5%), heart diseases during pregnancy (6.2%), and other communicable diseases (6.3%). Age at pregnancy, not having health schemes, health care accessibility, presence of complications, and residing in a rural area were additional risk factors. Being multigravida adds to a higher risk for women to die (66.7%). Common causes of neonatal mortality were birth asphyxia (20.4%) and preterm birth (15.4%), whereas pneumonia (26.1%), septicaemia (12.5%), diarrhoeal and acute gastroenteritis (19%) were common causes for post-neonatal deaths. It was also reported that prematurity with respiratory distress syndrome (37.7%), septicaemia (16.8%), and perinatal asphyxia (13.9%) were the leading causes in Uttarakhand, while neonatal seizures (3.54%), congenital anomalies (3.23%), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (2.6%), and neonatal jaundice (2.3%) were fewer common causes reported. Multidirectional contributing factors had been reported for maternal and infant mortality, so it needs a multidimensional approach to address the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Medical Council of India, in the recent "Vision 2015" document, recommended curricular reforms for undergraduates. Case-based learning (CBL) is one method where students are motivated toward self-directed learning and to develop analytic and problem-solving skills. An overview of thyroid physiology was given in a didactic lecture. A paper-based case scenario of multinodular goiter was given to phase I Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students in two sessions. An attitude survey of the students and teachers was done using a Likert scale ranging from strongly disagrees to strongly agree. A pretest and posttest were conducted. The students opined that CBL helped them to better their understanding of a particular topic, gave them better retention of knowledge, helped them to relate clinical conditions to basic sciences, improved soft skills such as communication skills and group dynamics, and promoted a better teacher-student relationship. There was significant improvement in student's performance when pre- and posttest scores were compared ("P" = 0.018). Furthermore, faculty members opined that CBL promoted self-study and problem-solving abilities of the students. In conclusion, CBL motivates students toward self-directed learning and to develop analytic and problem solving skills; thus, CBL could be beneficial for students' entry into clinical departments and, finally, in managing patients.

In three socioeconomically diverse regions of rural India, we determined the optimal cut-offs for definition of overweight, the prevalence of overweight, and the relationships between measures of overweight and risk of hypertension. Villages were randomly sampled within rural Trivandrum, West Godavari, and Rishi Valley. Sampling of individuals was stratified by age group and sex. Cut-offs for measures of adiposity were compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Associations between hypertension and definitions of overweight were assessed by logistic regression. Of 11 657 participants (50 % male; median age 45 years), 29.8 % had hypertension. Large proportions were overweight as defined by body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m2 (47.7 %), waist circumference (WC) ≥ 90 cm for men or ≥ 80 cm for women (39.6 %), waist-hip ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.9 for men or ≥ 0.8 for women (65.6 %), waist-height ratio (WHtR) ≥ 0.5 (62.5 %), or by BMI plus either WHR, WC or WHtR (45.0 %). All definitions of overweight were associated with hypertension, with optimal cut-offs being at, or close to, the World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific standards. Having overweight according to both BMI and a measure of central adiposity was associated with approximately twice the risk of hypertension than overweight defined by only one measure. Overweight, as assessed by both general and central measures, is prevalent in rural southern India. WHO standard cut-offs are appropriate in this setting for assessing risk of hypertension. However, combining BMI with a measure of central adiposity identifies risk of hypertension better than any single measure. The risk of hypertension is significantly greater in those centrally and generally overweight than those overweight by a single measure. • Approximately half of adult residents in rural South India have overweight or obesity. • Having overweight is positively associated with risk of hypertension in rural South India. • The WHO Asia Pacific BMI cut-offs for overweight are appropriate for assessing risk of hypertension in rural South India. • Combined general and central adiposity is associated with twice the risk of hypertension than either form of adiposity alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In India, a national survey conducted in 2003 showed that only 40% of farmers accessed extension. But little is known of the characteristics of farmers who did not access extension. However, this understanding is needed in order to target approaches to farmers, who differ in their access and use of information, that is their information search behaviors. The main objective of this paper is to segment farmers from this survey based on their information search behaviors and identify the factors that determine farmers' information search behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: Cluster analysis is applied to the number of sources accessed and frequency of source used, to define farmers' information search behaviors. Findings: The four groups that emerged are: "no search", "low search", "moderate search" and "high search". Sixty percent of farmers had no search behavior, which means they had not accessed any extension that year. By state, the largest group of these farmers was in Rajasthan. By comparison, the largest group of high searchers was in Kerala. Using Rajasthan and Kerala as case studies, these search behaviors differ by landholding size and education. "No search" farmers had the smallest landholdings, lowest education, used fewer inputs and relied on groundwater for irrigation. By comparison, "high search" farmers had the largest landholdings, most education, used more inputs and irrigated using canals. Practical implications: The difference in search behaviors between the case study states, and within the states, shows that targeted extension approaches are needed to reach different farmers, particularly the no, low and moderate search groups, with programs customized to address their context-specific information needs. Originality/value: Using information search strategy as the basis for analysis, this paper provides additional evidence of the need to consider the context-specific situations of farmers when designing extension services. (Contains 11 tables.)

India has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Business magazines and newspapers routinely refer to India as an emerging global powerhouse along with Brazil, China, and Russia (commonly referred to as the BRIC economies). The Indian GDP has experienced a real growth of 8.9 percent from 2003-2007 and is projected to grow by 7.1 percent in 2009 and 7.5 percent in 2010. India's GDP was US$911 billion in 2007 (data obtained from Economist.com and EconomyWatch.com). The rapid economic growth rate can be attributed to the following three factors: 1) deregulation policies adopted by the Indian government in the early 1990s, 2) dynamics of globalization, and 3) ever advancing capabilities of the Internet and other forms of telecommunication. (Contains 7 tables and 1 figure.)

The purpose of the present pilot study was to evaluate the benefits of innovative teaching methodologies introduced to final year occupational and physical therapy students in Christian Medical College in India. Students' satisfactions along the long-term retention of knowledge and clinical application of the respiratory anatomy have been assessed. The final year undergraduate physical therapy and occupational therapy students had respiratory anatomy teaching over two sessions. The teaching involved case-based learning and integrated anatomy lectures (vertical integration) with the Anatomy department. Pretest and immediate and follow-up post-tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the innovative methods. A feedback questionnaire was marked to grade case-based learning. The method of integrated and case-based teaching was appreciated and found to be useful in imparting knowledge to the students. Students retained the gained knowledge adequately and the same was inferred by statistically significant improvement in both post-test scores. Vertical integration of anatomy in the final year reinforces their existing knowledge of anatomy. Case-based learning may facilitate the development of effective and clinically sound therapists.

One of the serious problems associated with Indian school education has been high dropout rate. The reasons are many and varied but the major constraints are: non-availability of adequate number of competent and trained teachers in most of the schools and separate room for each class. To overcome such problems and increase equitable access to all, it was considered prudent to use capabilities of satellite based teaching-learning. This network was also to be used for capacity building of in-service teachers. So an indigenously built, dedicated satellite for education--Educational Satellite (EduSat)--was launched on September 20, 2004, which supports one national hub and five regional hubs. This paper discusses the case study of Rajiv Gandhi Project for EduSat-Supported Elementary Education (RGPEEE) project for imparting value added education and professional development of in-service teachers. The project was implemented by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). More than 862 schools in four Hindi speaking states chosen on the basis of physical contiguity were networked through 850 ROTs and 12 SITs. In the first phase (pilot), the project focused mainly on Sidhi district, inhabited mainly (90%) by tribal population and one of the most educationally less-developed districts of Madhya Pradesh. Through ten orientation programmes, 868 teachers and functionaries associated with the project were oriented at different levels to familiarize them in imparting instruction through EduSat and their role and responsibility in facilitating child learning. They were also trained in developing content for tele-teaching; development of knowledge repositories as effective and sustainable sources of courseware. Feedback studies undertaken to judge the effectiveness of EduSat reveal that it is being well received and making steady progress towards improvement in attendance and academic achievement of children and creation of better learning-environment in schools. (Contains 5 figures and 1 table.)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to put forth a model for implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) in institutes of higher education in India. Design/methodology/approach: The authors carried out initial environmental review (IER) and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to identify the major environmental concerns in the university. This was followed by preparation of environmental policy and plan based on ISO 14001 guidelines. Findings: The key concerns in the university have been identified as energy consumption, waste generation, transportation, etc. The SWOT analysis shows that the university is doing satisfactorily in energy efficiency and water conservation while there is scope for improvement in case of waste management, transportation and landscaping. The environmental management plan has been prepared keeping in mind the gaps observed through the IER and SWOT analysis. Research limitations/implications: Carbon footprint and water footprint analysis have not yet been carried out and hence, quantifiable targets have not been included in the environmental management plan. Practical implications: Implementing an EMS at the university will help reduce the impact on environment due to various day-to-day activities. It will also lead to developing environmental consciousness in the minds of young professionals who graduate from the university as well university staff. Originality/value: There have been very few examples of environmental consciousness in educational institutions in India. There is a need for model systems for incorporating environmental management in the university set-up. This research documents the process of identification of environmental concerns followed by preparation of the management plan for an educational institution. The research also documents the need for different aspects of the environmental management plan. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)

Unfortunately, as far as the research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in India is concerned, the situation is almost the same as it was in the 1980s. Why have Indian psychologists and psychiatrists avoided researching LGB youth? And, more importantly, why does this silence continue? The first and the foremost reasons are the stigma and the negative attitudes of the larger section of the socially and religiously restrictive Hindu society towards homosexuality and homosexual behaviors. Throughout the known history of Hindu civilization, homosexuality and other associated variations have existed as the patterns of the sexual behaviors for the gratification of sexual needs. Though highly covert and closeted, homosexual behaviors exist within all socioeconomic classes and in the full range of occupations in both rural areas and urban centers of today's India. But, in the very restricted and non-liberated social, ethical, and religious environment of this country, homosexual relations are considered, by the society as a whole, anti-natural, inhuman, grotesque, and unlawful. This prejudice and the resultant homophobia have been one of the principal factors preventing Indian psychologists and psychiatrists to undertake research with LGB individuals. The negative attitudes, rampant homophobia, and the criminal statute create a practical problem in conducting research about LGB youth: how to find and where to locate the participants for this research? Under the possible fear of being exposed and discovered and the subsequent adverse perception of and reaction/punishment to their behaviors, most LGB youth consciously cultivate invisibility and most Indian psychologists and psychiatrists simply do not know who these individuals are and where to find them. Given the difficulty of even securing information about an organization, let alone gaining access to LGB youth, the author contends that researching these youth in India is still a distant dream. But, if it becomes a reality, what would be the priorities for researching LGB youth: discovering the means of empowering LGB youth to come out; studying the adverse psychological consequences on the personality and mental health LGB youth in hiding their true sexuality.

Good health and well being is one of the most essential targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper primarily focuses on Preventive and Diagnostic care of Women Health because even today, women are disadvantaged by discrimination in many societies especially in rural sectors. Two main health issues, fetal abnormality in pregnant women and cervical cancer in women are analyzed so that the doctors and patients can be given early signals to take proactive measures. As per National Health Portal of India, around 1.7 million birth defects occur in India every year. So Antenatal Care(ANC) should be given utmost importance during Pregnancy in a woman's life. Cervical cancer is another issue prevalent amongst women, especialy over the age of 30. It's critical to catch it early and eliminate any risks that come with it. Here arises the need to develop a system that can analyze and predict the aforementioned anomalies at an early stage. This work proposes approximate query processing using different dynamic machine learning algorithms to analyze and predict the abnormalities. Further, a web application is built to facilitate the stakeholders, especially doctors, to interact with the system and iteratively query the system to understand the relationships amongst the various data variables and get appropriate predictions about fetal anomaly from CTG scans as well as presence of cervical cancer from various demographic information, habits, and historic medical records. Approximate Query Processing is accomplished using Correlation analysis, linear, and logistic regression algorithms in a dynamic, interactive, and iterative manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ichthyodiversity of Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, India was assessed in the current study. The district is adorned by various rivers, feeder channels, dams, bills, ponds, reservoirs and thus contributes significantly to the aquatic productivity of the state. A field survey was conducted in randomly chosen fish markets of nine community development blocks of Uttar Dinajpur. The study found a large ichthyodiversity in the area including 76 fish species from 26 families. With 28 distinct species, the Cyprinidae family dominated. Thirteen, globally endemic, freshwater fish species were also observed during the study. Clarias magur, one of the endangered species, is also available in the district. The overall physicochemical parameters of the culture waters of Uttar Dinajpur district are ideal for freshwater fish farming. Geo-Spatial analysis discloses the fragmentation of natural water bodies in the district. The district consists of 10 registered and 7 unregistered hatcheries which are playing a vital role in the restoration of various indigenous fishes and provide accommodation to the exotic fishes. Uttar Dinajpur has many perennial freshwater bodies. Thus, the region holds a high potentiality in the aquaculture sector. Efficient management, proper knowledge, and scientific cultivation can greatly influence aquatic productivity and diversity. Simultaneously, the restoration of indigenous fishes has become a surging need of the hour. The current study pointed out the fact that the indigenous Clarias magur has often been substituted by C. gariepinus which may cause a potential threat to biodiversity. Some traders promote this banned exotic species through illegal farming. As a result, the native, nutrient rich C. batrachus is now becoming critically endangered. The existing endemic fishes must urgently be conserved to uphold the diversification of the ichthyofauna in the district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the applicability of selected technology diffusion models to the growth of literature in Indian and World physics (1900-50). Focuses on the applicability and validity of two forms of Lotka's Law and negative binomial distribution model to the cumulative author productivity data on Indian physics. Looks at linkages between inequality/concentration measures and development of Indian physics as a discipline. (Author/AEF)

While India possesses features conventionally associated with liberal democracies, it has lately been understood to suffer from "democratic backsliding". Commentators have used descriptions like "authoritarianism", "electoral autocracy", "ethnic democracy" and "totalitarianism" to understand the current moment in Indian history. The framework of "autocratic legalism" illuminates the dynamics of centralization of power but there are also elements in the Indian experience that complicate this framework and reflect potentially unique features of the country's democratic decline. These features can be attributed to the political rise and entrenchment of the Hindu nationalist ideology, profoundly facilitated by the electoral dominance of the Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014. This article argues that India's spiral towards authoritarianism is also characterized by a range of disturbing and insidious developments beyond the centralization of state power, which are more concerned with majoritarian power seeping into everyday legality. The article considers three examples of such majoritarianism in everyday legality: the use of "anti-terror" laws against minorities and political opponents, policies driving towards the dispossession of minority citizenship, and the mobilization of the mob in ways that blur the lines separating the state from Hindu nationalist actors. These examples demonstrate how in India, autocratic forces are not merely interested in undermining (meaningful) democracy--all in the name of democracy. Instead, autocracy flourishes as a diverse and relatively disaggregated set of actors undermine democracy in the name of an ostensibly truer, Hindu, Indian nationhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a well-recognised fact that child nutritional status is often associated with socioeconomic factors (SEFsj. However, little is known about 'how and when'SEFs influence child growth in different stages ofchild growth. The study examines the linear association between SEFs at birth with their nutritional outcomes at different growth stages. It also estimates the probability of being malnourished. Further, the study explores the association with longitudinal growth in early-childhood (one-five yearsj and mid-childhood (five-eight years). The study has used data from the three rounds of the Young Lives Study conducted in Andhra Pradesh in 2002, 2006-2007, and 2009. Multiple linear/ non-linear regression model has been used. The study finds that SC and ST ethnic groups are the most vulnerable. The probability of being malnourished is higher, and longitudinal growth is lower for these, than the others groups. Maternal education and Wealth Index are the most important variables determining child nutritional status. Other SEFs such as toilet, clean drinking water, safe cooking fuel and electricity positively influence child nutritional status. All these associations are more influential for children of higher age groups. Similar is the case with longitudinal growth too. SEFs positively impact skeletal tissue growth and soft tissue growth, and the impact intensity of SEFs on a child's longitudinal growth rises with children's age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure all over the world, and the demand for organs has increased as a result. Organ donation involves legal, psychological, and ethical considerations. Many countries around the world have reported that people's attitudes toward organ donation are influenced by various factors such as knowledge, education, and religion. The existing study sought to explore the awareness, attitude, and willingness of organ donation among adult population in Western Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based survey was conducted with 445 adult populations who were visiting the hospital. Self-Structured Awareness Assessment Scale for Organ Donation and Attitude Assessment Scale for Organ Donation were used. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software 22.0 version. Results: 74.61% of participants were aware about organ donation. Statistically (P < 0.001) higher odds for organ donation willingness was found among participants who were aware that organ such as eye (odd ratio [OR]: 10.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.40--24.25, P < 0.001), heart (OR: 4.71.95% CI: 2.68--8.25), P ≤ 0.001), intestine (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.41--3.6, P = 0.001), skin OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.83--4.70) P ≤ 0.001), extremities (Lower and upper) (OR: 2.46,95% CI: 1.53--3.95, P ≤ 0.001) can be donated or transplanted. 40.6% of the participants disagree that it is better to die than to receive an organ from another person. Interestingly, 35.28% of the participants agreed that organ donation is a true donation and a real service to mankind. Conclusions: This study not only echoes low awareness of organ donation among the adult population in Western Rajasthan, India but also reflects low and neutral level of positive attitude and willingness for organ donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) exhibits promising application in the biomedical sector due to its distinctive physico-chemical attributes. However, the current challenges of high expenses and low productivity associated with existing techniques for BNC production necessitate attention. Consequently, this investigation utilized marine bacteria from the Pichavaram mangrove forest for the production of BNC. Among the various marine bacterial isolates, NCB8 demonstrated a notable capacity for BNC production and was identified through 16S rRNA sequencing as belonging to the Bacillus sp. The study systematically examined the impact of carbon source, incubation temperature, and pH on BNC production, resulting in an optimal yield of approximately 9.32 g/L when sucrose was employed as the carbon source at pH 5 and an incubation temperature of 35 °C. Additionally, the strain underwent kinetic analysis using first-order reaction kinetics for BNC production rate, sugar uptake rate, and BNC conversion yield, revealing values of 0.58 g/L/day, 0.10 g/L/day, and 5.45 g/g, respectively, with an R2 value of 0.94. Characterization of the produced BNC involved Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. FTIR analysis confirmed characteristic cellulose structure peaks, while FE-SEM displayed a uniform arrangement of thin, thread-like cellulose nanofibrils that were densely packed and randomly oriented. XRD analysis identified characteristic peaks at 2ϴ values of 14.2, 16.9, and 21.6, corresponding to crystalline planes of cellulose lattice (1‾10), (110), and (200). In conclusion, the marine bacteria Bacillus sp. emerges as an excellent source for efficient BNC synthesis for possible applications including bio-packaging, wound dressing material and drug delivery system. • Marine bacteria Bacillus sp. was identified as potential bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) producer. • The optimised parameters viz., sucrose as the carbon source, at pH 5 and an incubation temperature of 35 °C result in 9.32 g/L of BNC. • The BNC production rate, sugar uptake rate, and BNC conversion yield, revealing values of 0.58 g/L/day, 0.10 g/L/day, and 5.45 g/g respectively. • The characterisation studies indicate BNC are cellulose-I, crystalline and thread-like structure. • This is the first report on the production of BNC from marine bacteria from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A considerable association between temperature and all-cause mortality has been documented in various studies. Further insights can be obtained from studying the impact of temperature and heat index (HI) for Jaipur city's all-cause mortality. The objective of this work was to assess the association between the extreme heat (daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature, daily mean temperature, relative humidity and HI) and all-cause mortality for summer months (March to June) from 2006 to 2015 for urban population of Jaipur. For summer months, we collected the data on various temperature and all-cause mortality parameters for at least 10 years. The student's t -test and ANOVA were used to analyse variations in mean temperature, maximum temperature and HI. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to study the relationship between ambient heat and lag time effect all-cause mortality. A total of 75,571 deaths (all-cause mortality) for 1,203 summer days (2006–2015) were analysed in relation to temperature and relative humidity. The mean daily all-cause mortality has been estimated at 62.8 ± 15.2 for the study period. There is a significant increase of 39% per day all-cause mortality at the maximum temperature of 45 °C and above. However only 10% rise per day all-cause mortality for extreme danger days (HI > 54 °C). The mean daily all-cause mortality shows a significant association with daily maximum temperature (F = 34.6, P <.0001) and HI (discomfort index) from caution to extreme danger risk days (F = 5.0, P <.0019). The lag effect of extreme heat on all-cause mortality for the study period (2006 to 2015) was at a peak period on the same day of the maximum temperature (r = 0.245 at P <.01) but continues up to four days. The study concludes that the effect of ambient heat on all-cause mortality increase is clearly evident (rise of 39% deaths/day). Accordingly, focus should be put on developing adaptation measures against ambient heat. This analysis may satisfy policy makers' needs. Extreme heat-related mortality needs further study to reduce adverse effects on health among Jaipur's urban population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asian soybean rust caused by Phakopsorapachyrhizi Syd. is a major threat for production and expansion of soybean in India. Understanding the nature of inheritance of rust resistance in DSb 21 will help in estimating the number of genes involved in governing the resistance mechanism and thus will be helpful in designing a suitable breeding method.  Methods: Utilizing JS 335 and EC 241778, in a long term breeding programme, a highly rust resistant variety, DSb 21 has been released from University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad, Karnataka. To study the genetics of rust resistance in DSb 21, F2 and F3 generation of two crosses involving susceptible x resistant (JS 335 x EC 241778) and resistant x susceptible (DSb 21 x JS 335) were used. Result: The F2 segregation analysis in both the crosses revealed the same segregation ratio of three resistant to one susceptible phenotype based on chi square test indicating rust resistance is controlled by a single dominant gene. In both the crosses the F2 results were confirmed by studying the F3 progenies for reaction to rust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural population of India is the main focus of this study and the impacts of the pandemic crisis in 2020 on specifically rural India are discussed in this study. A large percentage of the entire population of India is the rural population which has been suffering from unemployment. There are many schemes and policies provided by the Indian government for the financial development of the specific population but the rapid increment of unemployment is poorly impacting the economic stability of rural India. The researcher has used secondary sources such as articles, news journals and governmental sites for gathering numerical data which are evaluated quantitatively. Thereafter, SPSS software is used for generating descriptive statistics and graphs. Statistical analysis of collected objective data improved the quality of the article as well as made it more understandable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every sector in the globe is experiencing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has a significant negative impact on both the Indian and global education systems. It has imposed a global lockdown, having a highly negative impact on students' lives. All educational activities were stopped in India as around 32 crore students left their current schools or universities. We have learned that change is inevitable because to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has acted as a catalyst for educational institutions to develop and choose platforms with hitherto unexplored technology. The education industry has been working to survive the crises with a new strategy and digitalizing the difficulties to eliminate the pandemic threat. This research illustrates some of the nation's seamless educational practices. The effects of COVID 19 on the education sector, both favourable and unfavourable, are also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper intends to demonstrate how teaching and research of political communication have some inherent flaws in India. There is a huge amount of research literature available in the field of political communication in relation to communication campaigns, alternative strategies, populism, public relations, etc. But on the other hand, there is also a research gap in this literature cornering the ideological asymmetries, which makes media debates in India very complex and contradictory at the same time. Within the broad discussion about media debates and political communication, this paper confines its scope to the inquiry of political debates in print, visual and social media. Inconsistencies and irregularities in the comparison of political behavior in India, in relation to the general description of political communication are explicit in the existing research. This gives space to the formulation of research problem in teaching/research of political communication in the Indian context. The paper will investigate the questions that emerge out of the formulated research problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]