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Disaster is often seen as a "leveller" that affects everyone equally but the impact of disasters varies due to structural inequalities, access to resources, gender roles, and power relations, leading to a disproportionate effect on certain populations. This paper is based on a case study of three flood-affected districts of Assam and explores how gender is often used in a restrictive manner, confining it to a binary and neglecting non-binary gender identities, their vulnerabilities, and capacities in disaster risk reduction. These case studies illustrate that communities are vulnerable not only because of their physical nature but also due to their social positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major public health concern in India as the aetiology remains unknown in the majority of cases with the current testing algorithm. We aimed to study the incidence of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and determine the aetiology of non‐JE AES cases to develop an evidence‐based testing algorithm. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were tested for Japanese encephalitis virus by ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multiplex real‐time PCR was done for Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile, Zika, Enterovirus, Epstein Barr Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Adenovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpesvirus 6, Parechovirus, Parvovirus B19, Varicella Zoster Virus, Scrub typhus, Rickettsia species, Leptospira, Salmonella species, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Plasmodium species and by ELISA for Mumps and Measles virus. Of the 3173 CSF samples, 461 (14.5%) were positive for JE. Of the 334 non‐JE AES cases, 66.2% viz. Scrub typhus (25.7%), Mumps (19.5%), Measles (4.2%), Parvovirus B19 (3.9%) Plasmodium (2.7%), HSV 1 and 2 (2.4%), EBV and Streptococcus pneumoniae (2.1% each), Salmonella and HHV 6 (1.2% each) were predominant. Hence, an improved surveillance system and our suggested expanded testing algorithm can improve the diagnosis of potentially treatable infectious agents of AES in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landform of the region highly influences the dynamics of the flood and plays a crucial role in directing the water flow, affecting the speed and volume of runoff. Assam, located in northeast India, experiences floods yearly due to adverse climatic conditions and complex terrain features. The objective of the present study is to understand the landform classification of Assam using the topographic position index (TPI) and geomorphon-based automated classification of landform (ACL) method and its spatial distribution with slope, geology, soil, LULC, and flood inundation. The ACL method shows that gentle slopes or flat areas occupy the maximum area ranging from 56.17 to 68.10% for TPI‐based slope position classes, and for geomorphon, slope feature occupies 20.61–25.39% of the total area. The spatial distribution of TPI and geomorphon-based landform classification was different because TPI compares the elevation of a point to the average elevation of its neighbourhood, while geomorphon classifies the landscape into predefined landform classes based on terrain shape and the spatial arrangement of elevation values. In both models, valleys are the most dominant landform class and are mainly present in the Central and Barak valley of Assam. The built-up areas and waterbodies on vulnerable landform classes increase their flood susceptibility. About 38.08% of the inundated area was found in wide valleys and 31% of the inundated area lies under flat landforms. The present study can be effective in land use planning, sustainable natural resource management, disaster risk management, and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dilobocondyla (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) is an uncommon and rare ant genus with only 21 species and one subspecies worldwide. The distribution of this genus is confined to the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions and reported from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Borneo, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, China, Australia and New Guinea. There is limited information about the species and some are only known from a single specimen. The characters of all the species are comprehensively compared and presented. From India, two species of Dilobocondyla, namely D. bangalorica from Karnataka and D. gasteroreticulata from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim have been reported. We observed D. gasteroreticulata in the campus of Gauhati University, Assam solitarily foraging on the tree trunk of Delonix regia, Mangifera indica, Monoon longifolium. Dilobocondyla may have preference for specific plants as we noticed D. gasteroreticulata on three plant species while D. bangalorica earlier reported to be present on Plumeria sp. We collected 8 specimens and identified them as D. gasteroreticulata following the taxonomic keys and morphological studies using a stereo zoom microscope and scanning electron micrographs. Assam is a part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot where the presence of D. gasteroreticulata is the first report from this state. The other three states where the species exist are also part of the Himalayas region. Besides, the species has recently reported from China. The geographical and climatic conditions of the regions and physiological and evolutionary adaptations of the inhabitant species influence its confined distribution which demands further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice landraces from the fragile riverine ecosystems surrounding Majuli islands in Assam are pivotal for local livelihoods, as well as for their potential in developing flood tolerant varieties. We characterized 87 landraces from Majuli, Dhemaji, and North Lakhimpur districts in Assam by assessing 36 agro‐morphological traits, submergence tolerance, and microsatellite diversity. Multivariate analyses revealed that grain and leaf characteristics, plant height, and tillering are important traits differentiating the cultivar types. Sixty‐six SSR markers generated 271 alleles with an average of 4.1 alleles per marker with population structuring in two clusters having an allele frequency divergence of 0.124. The Bao or deep‐water landraces displayed the highest phenotypic and genetic diversity, with potential genetic links to the aus and wild species. Sali (winter rice) and bora (sticky rice) landraces were predominantly indica type. Nearly 47% of the germplasm exhibited tolerance to two‐week submergence at seedling stage. Surveying SUB1A and SNORKEL genes revealed the presence of SUB1A‐1 and SNORKEL genes in 64% and 57% of the tolerant accessions, respectively. This study highlights the untapped potential of rice landraces in a fragile ecological region, providing insights into their agronomical traits, submergence tolerance, and genetic diversity. The findings lay the foundation for improved germplasm management and developing flood‐resilient rice varieties, crucial for sustainable agriculture in riverine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the historical antecedents, character and implications of Assam’s National Register of Citizens as a socio-legal instrument. It seeks to understand how dominant nationalisms and the state produce volatile paper citizenship regimes, and use law – as a reified transcendental performance of social will – to construct the ‘minority citizen’ through categories of ‘belonging’ and ‘citizenship’. The paper does this by analysing three typologies of the law-society interaction. First, it examines what/who is a citizen from within law. Second, it critiques the mythology of law by giving an account of belonging and suffering of minority citizens without law. Third, it foregrounds peripheral subjectivities by offering an account of minority citizenship beyond law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper, based on my doctoral ethnographic research amongst the Miya community in one of the chars of Western Assam, shows how a particular category of identity documents shape their subjectivities, experiences, and aspirations. I focus on the identity documents which have errors, like mistakes in names, dates of birth or addresses, and badly angled photos. I refer to them as thin documents. Because of the thin documents, the Miyas find it difficult to assert formal citizenship rights, which they could normally assert based on accurate documentation. For the thin documents to help prove the Miyas’ citizenship, they must be further supported by an additional set of documents. The process questions the Miya’s formal citizenship rights. I present narratives of the Miya people living with thin documents to illustrate how the materiality of the identity document binds the Miya people to a state of liminal citizenship. I ask: what do these errors in the identity document or thin documents tell us about citizenship, particularly liminal citizenship with reference to the Miya community of Assam? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study makes an attempt to examine the nutritional status of the adult Bodo women of the North Guwahati area of Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam in order to understand whether there is any relation between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors with the nutritional status of the studied (18-59 years age group) Bodo women. The study participants were classified into three age groups of 18-32 years, 33-45 years, and 46-59 years to observe the variation in the nutritional status by age. The purposive sampling method was used to select participants of the sample size of 250 women. Nutritional status of the participants was assessed using Body-mass-index (BMI), Waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR), Waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR), and Mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC). Physical Activity (PA) level and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) of the participants were assessed using standard protocol. The result shows that undernourishment is prevalent in the younger ages, and overweight and obesity in the older ages. Age is found to be positively associated with body-mass-index, waist-to-hip-ratio, waist-to-height-ratio, waist circumference (WC), and mid-upper-arm circumference. On the other hand, physical activity is negatively associated with age, suggesting that physical activity decreases with age. Dietary Diversity Score shows positive and significant association with only waist circumference. Among the variables used in the study, only age and marital status appear to have an influence on the nutritional status of the adult Bodo women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body image is a multidimensional dynamic construct that involves internal biological and psychological factors as well as external cultural and social determinants. Body image concerns are connected with total poor self-concept in early adolescents, including poor physical, social, and academic self-concepts as well as low overall self-esteem (SE). Objective: The present study aims to examine the SE and body image satisfaction among primary school teachers in Sonitpur, Assam. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional in nature. A total of 60 primary school teachers who were above 18 years of age were selected from 12 schools randomly and were included in the study. Data collection was collected with the help of the following tools: sociodemographic datasheet, Rosenberg SE Scale, Body Shape Questionnaire, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items by investigators from February 2022 to July 2022 in Sonitpur province, Assam. Descriptive statistics were used to determine categorical variables, and analysis was carried out by computing percentages and the Chi-square test. Results: The results of the present study revealed that 15.0% of the respondents showed mild-to-moderate stress, 30.0% had mild-to-severe anxiety, and 1.7% had mild depression. A significant negative correlation was found between SE and stress (r = -0.421, P < 0.01) and SE and anxiety (r = -0.433, P < 0.01). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between body shape (BS) and weight (r = 0.590, P < 0.05), BS and stress (r = 0.355, P < 0.01), and BS and anxiety (r = 0.333, P < 0.01). Conclusion: People with lower SE are progressively likely to report dissatisfied with their body size or shape and irrespective of age or gender. Since body image represents a large part of a person's self-concept, it is unsurprising that SE and body dissatisfaction are related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colour aberrations are rare conditions in birds that are caused by genetic as well as environmental factors. Among the colour aberrations in birds, albino, leucism, progressive greying, brown, dilution, ino, and melanism are the best known. This report describes an observation of colour aberration in a Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis suratensis) from India. It was recorded in the Deobali Jalah (an IBA site) of Nagaon district, Assam. The recorded individual exhibited a pale plumage with normal eyes and some light brown colour in some of the feathers, indicating this to be a form of dilution. The report also represents the first photographic documentation of colour aberration in Spotted Doves from Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, India. Further research is necessary to comprehend the causes of colour aberration in Spotted Doves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the rapidly changing landscape of Majuli island, the world's largest inhabited riverine island, constantly reshaped by the river Brahmaputra. Investigating the period from 1991 to 2022, we employ Landsat imagery to analyse changes in land use/land cover patterns and their consequential impacts on the island's inhabitants, leading to significant relocation. We observed notable changes in the spatial coverage of the Brahmaputra, which increased while that of agricultural and barren land decreased. The land use/land cover change data are supplemented by population data to validate satellite data. This approach of analysing satellite imageries on population using both quantitative and qualitative data is novel and important since it not only highlights the rapidly changing land cover but also highlights the complex relationship between environmental dynamics and human responses. Our findings indicate that the population is increasingly (re)settling towards the northern and eastern stretches of the island. Since the population prediction map for the year 2051 indicates that this trend continues, our results can contribute an understanding of the human-environment relationship in the wake of climate change as an important component of planning processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agriculture sector, which continues to be pivotal to sustainable growth and development, has been recently mobilising farmers into member-owned producer organisations, or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to enhance production, productivity and profitability of agriculturists, especially the small and marginal farmers in the country. The FPCs, which have been brought in for improved transparency and access to the input and output market with higher negotiating powers leading to sustainability of the small and marginal farmers, are said to provide higher legitimacy and credibility in the immediate business environment. Though Assam too is not behind in forming FPCs, challenges and issues abound. Majority of these FPCs are in the nascent stage of their operations with shareholder membership ranging from more than 500 farmers to over 1500 farmers. It is also seen that from capacity building to taking up business operations, many issues need to be addressed in these FPCs. These FPCs are in need of support in technical handholding and provision of adequate capital and infrastructure facilities including market linkages for sustaining their business operations. The present paper tries exploring and understanding the ecosystem of the FPCs in Assam, which are focussing on small and marginal farmers, and delving into the issues and challenges faced by the FPCs in the state and the possible ways out. JEL Classification: Q13 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiders usually show Batesian mimicry with different model ant species. There are no specific study of ant mimicking spiders and their association with model ants from North-Eastern part of India. In this study, from the campus of Gauhati University, Assam, we recorded total eleven ant-mimicking spiders of which two are new records from India and seven are new records from North-East India. We noticed the model-mimic association of Myrmarachne melanocephala with Tetraponera rufonigra, Myrmarachne cornuta with Tetraponera allaborans, Myrmaplata plataleoides with Camponotus compressus, Myrmarachne acromegalis with Polyrhachis laevissima, Myrmaplata aureonigra with P. laevissima and Polyrhachis dives, Cambalida flavipes with Camponotus compressus and Apochinomma elongatum with Tetraponera nigra. Four unidentified Mymarachne sp. were found mimicking the ant species namely Camponotus parius, Technomyrmex albipes, Polyrhachis tibialis and Dolichoderus moggridgei. The work will open a new window for future studies to explore the ant's and spider's diversity and their co-evolutionary interactions for avoiding predator, deceive other individuals etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The order Boraginales of the Lamiids clade encompasses a diverse group of plants that currently has a global distribution. Its fossil record is scanty. Herein we report a fossil wood of Cordia L. of the family Cordiaceae from the Tipam Sandstone (late Miocene) sediments of Assam, northeast India. This finding not only throws light on the phytogeography and diversification of the Cordiaceae, but also provides valuable insights into the Neogene vegetation of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) are the primary means of funding healthcare costs in developing nations, and when the cost is too high, it leads to catastrophic healthcare expenditures (CHE). Aim & Objective: This study aimed to assess the proportion of households that faced CHE and also examined the associated factors that determine CHE at the household level. Methods and Material: Between September 2020 and February 2021, a cross-sectional study covering a sample of 771 households was conducted in four districts of Assam. A multistage sampling design was employed to select the sample households. Statistical analysis used: Binary logistic regression analysis has been performed to ascertain the factors that could determine household CHE. Results: 23% households had experienced CHE, high dependence on the private healthcare system. Monthly household income, duration of illness, presence of children under five years of age and elderly members, education of household head, and health insurance were the significant factors influencing CHE. Conclusions: The study identified the growing use of private healthcare services as a major concern that contributes to the prevalence of CHE. To make all healthcare services accessible and affordable and to lower OOP on healthcare, it is also crucial to improve the infrastructure and quality of the public healthcare system in rural and remote locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: VHSND, a community platform bringing health, early childhood development, nutrition, and sanitation services by community engagement was affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Aims & Objectives: To assess the process of VHSND implementation during post-pandemic period in Assam. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted as operational research in five districts of Assam, selected based on zonal representation; between Sept '2021- Aug '2022. Standard format (GOI) was used for VHSND monitoring. Descriptive analysis was done along with quarter-wise comparison of observations and knowledge of Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM). Results: A total of 370 VHSND sessions were observed. VHSND micro plan availability increased from 87.5% to 98.4% over four quarters. Displaying banners varied between 56.3% and 79.5%, and functional toilets increased from 41.3% to 77%. Height measurement improved from 58.8% to 88.5%. Haemoglobin estimation varied between 46.3% and 75.4%. Recognition of high-risk pregnancies due to severe anaemia increased from 60% to 91.8%. Regarding danger signs like bleeding from vagina increased from 50.0% to 95.1%. Conclusion: Notable progress could be documented in logistical readiness and ANM knowledge in different quarters in post-pandemic period. While service delivery and ANM counselling efforts have seen improvement, targeted interventions remain crucial for optimizing maternal and child health outcomes in the region. Keywords Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day/ VHND; Nutrition services; Assam; Antenatal Care; Supplies & Equipment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the drought characteristics in various districts of Assam using a standardized precipitation index (SPI). Assam has been traditionally affected by floods; however, in the last few decades, droughts have occurred due to erratic rainfall patterns. In this study, gridded rainfall data provided by India Meteorological Department for 70 years (1951–2020) was used. The SPI was calculated at a 3-month time scale (SPI03) using accumulated rainfall of a 3-month sliding window to reflect seasonal or, to some extent, agricultural drought. In Assam, the percentage of drought in August and September that represented monsoonal drought was about 15% during the course of 70 years. Additionally, Assam’s overall percentage of drought was at 14.5%, indicating that dryness will occur throughout the year regardless of the season. The most hit district in terms of the number of times was Bishwanath Chariali, and the least affected was Karbi Anglong. Furthermore, the Sivasagar district was found to be experiencing the highest number of droughts in the most intense category. The average drought in Assam lasted for roughly 5.2 months. Dhubri district, which had the lowest inter-arrival time (IAT) of drought, experienced drought spells more frequently. It is concluded that drought mitigation planning should be implemented in areas with a higher frequency of droughts, longer drought spells, and shorter IATs. The findings of this study will aid the efforts being made by various departments in proper planning, action, and management of multiple entities with regard to the state’s drought. Research highlights: 3-month SPI can be very effective in detecting agricultural drought. The 3-month SPI for August and September month can be used to monitor drought conditions for Kharif crops. The average inter-arrival time of drought can be used to indicate how frequently a drought spell resurfaced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role of Goddess Kesaikhaiti in the construction of the ethnic identity of the Deori community of Assam. The Deoris have successfully established their identity as followers of Goddess Kesaikhaiti. We also look at the goddess's association with other ethnic communities of Assam. There is a marked difference between Goddess Kesaikhaiti and the other institutionalized goddesses of Assam or India. Most importantly, beliefs and practices associated with the goddess that are prevalent in different parts of the state of Assam reveal some of the age-old syncretic traditions that have marked the indigenous communities and their public life for many centuries. Thus, seemingly contradictory philosophies of Vaishnavism (with its strong message against animal sacrifice) and the sacrificial rituals associated with Goddess Kesaikhaiti continue to exist together. An analysis of the figure of Goddess Kesaikhaiti thus throws light on many important aspects of the societies of Assam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of its practical value in routine tasks and transactions, mathematics is regarded as a subject of utmost importance in people's lives. The researcher used a non-experimental quantitative research design focusing on a survey design in this study. The primary objective of the investigation is to investigate the school location to indicate the rural-urban prediction regarding academic achievement in Mathematics of senior secondary level schools in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam State, India. The overall population of the study amounted to four thousand twenty eight (4028) Grades tenth and two thousand six hundred thirty three (2633) Grade twelfth learners sampled from upper secondary schools of BTR in Assam. Research hypotheses were developed and put to the test. The data was analysed by using the statistical technique like descriptive statistics and t-test to determine the nature of achievement. The findings of the result revealed that there is a substantial mean difference in academic achievement in mathematics between boys and girls, students from rural and urban schools, rural school boys and urban school boys, and rural school girls and urban school girls in the tenth grade as well as twelfth grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reveals the incoherent nature of state machinery as well as the overpoweringly humiliating effects of using identity documents as a tool of state power and identification, putting any citizen's legal position in jeopardy. Study of the National Register of Citizens in Assam indicates that any exercise in abstract documentation and its implementation through technology dependent network creates "liminal statelessness" for many people whose citizenship status remained undocumented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to decipher the digital and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns among the Ahom community in Assam's Lakhimpur district. It examines the sexual dimorphism in the dermatoglyphic characteristics of the population's fingers. Additionally, it compares current results with those from other ethnic groups previously studied to evaluate group heterogeneity. The study relies on the finger and palm prints of 100 Ahom individuals (50 males and 50 females) from Lakhimpur, using established dermatographic techniques. The male Ahom display a 'Mongoloid' ethnic affinity according to the Dankmeijer index, while the female samples slightly exceed the Mongoloid threshold. Both genders exhibit a broad variation in the pattern intensity index, characteristic of Mongoloid populations. A more comprehensive study with a larger sample size is crucial for a thorough understanding of all dermatoglyphic features related to ethnic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year around 200,000 Māyāmārā Vaiṣṇavas congregate in a small village in Mājulī, Assam, India, for the annual śevā, or worship service, to Ājali Āi, a 16th-century female figure. She was the mother of Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva, the founder of Māyāmārā Vaiṣṇavism, a religious sect originating in medieval Assam that experienced royal persecution and ethnic cleansing. Among contemporary Māyāmārā Vaiṣṇavas, veneration of Ājali Āi as the mother of the founding Guru has become popular, which is somewhat puzzling since historical information about her life is scarce. Nevertheless, as Guru-Mā, Ājali Āi today has become a symbol of holiness in Māyāmārā society with community members attributing to her mahimā, translated as a divine agency, mysterious glory, or supremacy. Guru-riṇ and Mātri-ṛin, categories that are a part of the Vaiṣṇava and the larger Hindu canon, can generally explain the holiness accorded to the mother of the Guru. In the case of the Māyāmārā Vaiṣṇavas, however, they are not sufficient to explain the power in the form of mahimā that the community ascribes to her in the present day to the degree of attributing to her the power to grant wishes. This exploratory chapter argues for a systems approach to understand the phenomenon of the mahimā of Ājali Āi in contemporary Māyāmārā society. The chapter finds that socio-economic and political forces interacted with extant legends around Ājali Āi and ideas around Āi as Devi and mother in complex ways to create the community's contemporary understanding of Ājali Āi as a holy and loving maternal figure with mahimā—one who keeps a watchful and nurturing eye over the community and grants the wishes of ardent devotees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking is a grave concern that we often choose to overlook. In India, this problem has escalated in recent years, with Assam being labelled the trafficking hub of the country in 2015. Despite a brief dip, the situation in the state has not improved significantly, and the statistics are a testimony to the failure of the government's initiatives. Human trafficking is not just about abduction or false promises; it reflects poverty, inadequate border security, unemployment, and underdevelopment, factors that make individuals vulnerable to exploitation. Eradicating this menace requires addressing the root causes and uplifting people from all backgrounds. The survival instinct of humans fuels this despicable trade, and only a comprehensive approach can bring about a significant decline in such activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This story focuses on an ordinary working day on a tea plantation in Assam from the perspective of Jiya—a tea plucker on Dolani Tea Estate. It illustrates how Jiya navigates fundamental deprivations in her everyday life structured by the company's relentless siren without losing track of the scope for confident action. The photos, the plantation, the protagonist, and the incidents described in the story are based on real places, persons, and observations I encountered during thirteen months of fieldwork on Assam tea plantations between 2014 and 2017. However, the compilation of multiple observations into one day is a work of fiction. All names of persons and places in the story are pseudonyms. Quotations in the text are my own translations from Hindi into English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the library website as an e-learning platform in the selected universities of Assam. The primary objectives of the study included evaluating the current status of e-learning in Assam's universities, gauging the level of user satisfaction, and identifying barriers and obstacles that hinder the adoption of e-learning. The research employed a survey method, distributing a total of 135 structured questionnaires through stratified random sampling to three selected libraries (n=3). Out of the distributed questionnaires, 130 nos. completed were collected resulting in a response rate of 96.29%. The collected data revealed that library websites serve as the primary source of online learning materials across all three universities of Assam. However, variations were observed in the levels of user satisfaction among the surveyed universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do survivors of violence process their experiences of trauma when they continue to live in and identify the place of the attack as their home? While narrating the 1983 Nellie Massacre, survivors create an oral map that expresses the continuation of the extreme past into their present, revealing a sense of what David Lloyd calls the 'living on' of survivors of an event of collective trauma. In the narratives, collected through snowball sampling and purposive sampling during my doctoral research, topographical features such as roads, houses and open fields constantly feature in the descriptions of the massacre today to reveal a consciousness of the survivors being 'surrounded' even decades after the attack, which also indicates the survivors' sense of their political location in the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition is a major public health problem and leading determinant of morbidity and mortality in under-five children in India. Aim & Objective: To assess determinants of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in under-five children of Dibrugarh district, to assess knowledge and practice of Infant, Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) and to assess the knowledge and practice of identification of SAM of Anganwadi workers. Settings and Design: Dibrugarh district, Assam. Mixed method study. Methods and Material: It was a case-control study that interviewed mothers of children between 6- 59 months between June 2021 to May 2022. Using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire Interviews of a total of 164 under-five children's mothers (82 cases and 82 controls)] were done. Qualitative data was also collected by in-depth interviews of Anganwadi workers (AWWs). Statistical analysis used: SPSS version 25.0. Chi-Square test, unadjusted OR for Bivariate analysis and adjusted odds ratio using Multiple logistic regression was calculated. Results: Determinants of severe acute malnutrition were joint family (AOR 3.08, 95% CI 1.02-9.31, p= 0.046); birth weight less than 2.5 kg (AOR 20.6, 95% CI 4.50-94.03, p=<0.0001); mothers with less than 4 antenatal check-ups (AOR 5.13, 95% CI 1.28-29.47, p=0.021); partial immunization (AOR 9.2, 95%CI 1.83-46.59, p=0.007); and irregular utilization of ICDS services (AOR 27.36, 95%CI 5.73-130.66, p=<0.0001). Problems faced by AWWs during service delivery were communication barriers, community resistance during home visits, and increased workload during COVID-19. Conclusions: IYCF practices need to be promoted with screening and growth monitoring for early detection and timely referral of malnutrition along referred back and linkages of services so that home-based and community-based management can be done to prevent severe acute malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Convolvulaceae) is a holoparasitic plant species with a wide host diversity. Surveys conducted in different habitats of Kamrup district of Assam, India, to have a list of host plants. Altogether 76 species representing 65 genera of 34 angiosperm families were recorded as host plants which, as per growth forms, are herbs (36), shrubs (23), climbers (9) and trees (8). These largely belong to Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lamiaceae, which constitute the Eudicots (Rosids and Asterids). Cuscuta reflexa is good in infesting the Dicot hosts over the Monocots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do we remember and write about powerful women and the impacts they have had on history? Who tells their stories, and to whose advantage are those narratives constructed? And what happens if we look carefully and acknowledge that when they enter historical narratives, many of these "women" are not adults, but actually relatively young girls? Rani Rasmani Dasi (1793–1861) and Bar-rajā Phuleshwari Kunwari (also known as Phulmati and Pramateshwari) (d. 1731) are each remembered as powerful women influencers of popular religion in South Asia, though in very different ways. These two "queens" were each remarkable women who variously defied, upended, and upheld common assumptions and narratives about caste, gender, power, and religion in Hindu society in early modern India. This study critically investigates the work of Rasmani and Phuleshwari's many chroniclers, biographers, and hagiographers, questioning received narratives and attempting to construct a glimpse of them as living girls and women. What do we actually know about them, about their activities and motivations? And what can we know, when so much of the evidence is unreliable? Thrust into unfamiliar social, political, and religious environments as young girls, they grew into deeply religious women who used their considerable influence and resources to promote their own visions of divine power. They also became full participants in and beneficiaries of problematic power structures of domination and exploitation. But with closer investigation, it appears that much of what we think we know about these women is incomplete or, in the case of Phuleshwari, completely unreliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: With the eradication of rinderpest in 1995, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), the other great historical plague of cattle, has become arguably the most important bovine disease in sub-Saharan Africa affecting cattle in over 25 countries. CBPP, caused by the small bacterium Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, is a contagious disease of cattle mainly affecting the lungs, leading to high morbidity and mortality. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it affected all cattle-rearing continents, but unlike its introduction into the USA, Africa and Australia from Europe, its origins in Asia are far from clear. This review examines the potential routes that cattle affected with CBPP may have taken, most probably from Australia into China and ultimately into the Indian province of Assam where outbreaks in the mid-20th century were unambiguously reported. An examination of reports contemporary to the outbreaks together with recent molecular analysis suggests that CBPP was introduced to India with affected cattle and buffalo from neighbouring countries, most likely China which was severely infected during this period. Evidence is discussed that CBPP may continue to plague cattle in parts of Asia. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) emerged first in Europe and then spread to Eastern Asia, including Japan and China, from the Northern Territories of Australia at the end of the 19th century. Its route to India, however, is less well known as there is little evidence for large importations of cattle from Australia. The lack of accurate diagnostic tests at this time meant veterinary authorities relied solely on clinical and pathological signs, many of which were non-specific. Consequently, any diagnoses of CBPP reported in the early 20th century must be viewed with caution. More convincing reports of CBPP confirmed by laboratory tests were made in the 1930s and 1940s in the Indian state of Assam. Eradication campaigns began in the 1940s with immunizations of live attenuated vaccines and then more comprehensively in the 1950s and 1960s, supplemented with serological screening and the establishment of quarantine centres at international borders. The last case of CBPP, reported to WOAH, was seen in 1990, but the launch of a new awareness campaign in Assam in 2002 and recent reports of the disease in Pakistan suggests the disease has persisted in the Indian subcontinent well into the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: The spread of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum ( Pf) poses a serious threat to the control and elimination of malaria. The objective of this study was to detect the molecular biomarkers of antimalarial drug resistance in Pf in patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in Assam. Methods: Malaria was first detected in fever cases using microscopy and a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and then confirmed using PCR. Pf chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), Pf multidrug resistance-1 (Pfmdr-1), and single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to delayed parasite clearance after treatment with artemisinin MAL 10-688956 and MAL 13-1718319 and Kelch-13 propeller (PfK-13) genes were evaluated by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: Sixty nine cases of malaria were found among 300 cases of fever. Of these, 54 were positive for Pf, 47 of which were confirmed by PCR. Pfcrt-K76T mutation was seen in 96.6 per cent and Pfmdr1-N86Y mutation in 84.2 per cent of cases. Mutation was not detected in MAL10 and MAL13 genes. Sequence analysis of Kelch-13 gene showed the presence of a novel mutation at amino acid position 675. Statistically, no significant association was found between the molecular biomarkers and demographic profile, clinical presentation and outcome of the cases. Interpretation & conclusions: Molecular surveillance is essential to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs against circulating Pf isolates in Assam which are found to be highly resistant to CQ. The role of the new mutation found in the Kelch-13 gene in the development of artemisinin resistance in Assam needs to be thoroughly monitored in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of certain plant species in traditional fishing for their piscicidal or stupefying effect is widespread among many fishing communities in northeast India. Plant poisoning is one such traditional method for fishing practised in the Chirang district of Assam in northeast India. This paper identifies six different species of plants (Polygonum hydropiper, Spilanthes paniculate, Parthenium hysterophorus, Alistonia scholaris, Albizia procera, Ageratum conyzoides) belonging to four different families (Asteraceae, Apocynaceae, Fabaceae and Polygonaceae) which are used as natural poison for capturing fishes in the study area. Maximum number of species (50%) was recorded in family Asteraceae while the remaining families recorded one species each. The most common mode of application was in the form of a ground paste or an aqueous extract while in some cases the raw plant itself were used. All of these plant toxins were reported to affect the swimming and respiration of the fish on application. However, detail mechanism of their toxic action needs to be evaluated fully. This study has identified some potent natural piscicidal plants which may be further investigated for widespread application in aquaculture and allied industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study includes first authentic information on the occurrence of the genus Trachycarpus and naturalization of the species T. martianus in Jatinga of Dima Hasao district of Assam. Taxonomic description, photographs and other relevant information are included in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the relationship of a migrant community with the state in a borderland. The relationship between the Indian state and Chinese-origin migrants in post-colonial Assam can be characterised by two themes: control and resilience. On the one hand, the state tried to control the community through strict bureaucratic procedures. On the other hand, the Chinese community showed resilience by adhering to or negotiating with the control mechanisms. This article also seeks to understand the nationality and citizenship issues of community members, in particular the second and third generations of migrants. In this article, I argue that ambiguities of citizenship status, and the state's reluctance or negligence in resolving their citizenship issues, had grave consequences for the community as they had to struggle for their fundamental rights. This issue of ambiguous citizenship caused severe unrest in the region in the later decades, which could also have been avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land alienation among its tribal communities has been one of the most disquieting issues in contemporary India despite existing laws for the protection of tribal land and habitat. This situation is attributed mainly to requisition of tribal land for various developmental activities undertaken by the state as well as its indifference in enforcing the existing laws. The situation in Assam clearly illustrates this. Despite the existing laws, the tribal communities have been unable to retain their ownership of the land. This paper shows that while the state-led development activities are significantly responsible for this, the various informal ways in which the transfer of tribal land takes place at a private level are also no less alarming. Explicating the dynamics behind this process, the paper divulges the multiple informal mechanisms, embedded in community network and trust at the local level to negotiate the protective land laws to facilitate the transfer of tribal land to non-tribal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an attempt to comprehend how document-based state policies open new fault lines and contradictions when it comes to citizenship claims. The study of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam indicates that any exercise in abstract documentation not only becomes exclusionary in nature but also fails in its purpose. The reliance on identity documents, as a tool of state power and identification, demonstrates the incoherent character of state machinery while also having overpoweringly humiliating effects when identity documents are nullified, jeopardizing any citizens' legal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Childhood exposure to violent conflict has lasting impact on social preferences. • Males and females have strikingly contrasting responses to more intense exposure. • Females become pro-social – higher trust, trustworthiness, public good contribution. • Males become anti-social – tendency to destroy other participants' money. • Age of exposure and intensity of riots are predictors of stronger impacts. We examine gender differences in the long-term impact of childhood exposure to violent conflict on a range of behavioral traits by conducting a large-scale field experiment in the Indian state of Assam, which witnessed fatal ethnic riots in the early 1980s. We exploit an individual's geographic location and age at exposure to riots to examine the effects of varied exposure to violent conflict during childhood and early adolescence on their pro- and antisocial behavior, as well as their risk and time preferences. The results suggest that, as the intensity of exposure to riots during childhood increases, females show more prosocial behavior, whereas males demonstrate a higher degree of antisocial behavior. Our study offers important insights into the divergent effects of conflict by gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is near consensus that early childhood education and care (ECEC) is essential to children's early development. A common corollary is that early learning will be pivotal to helping redress inequities in educational outcomes. We examine whether this is true among rural communities in the Indian states of Assam, Rajasthan, and Telangana. Specifically, we assess whether learning gains for the most disadvantaged are retained in comparison to more advantaged children who had lower initial learning levels. We find that lower-achieving, more advantaged children (as measured by mother's education) soon overtake higher-achieving but less advantaged children. In contrast, higher-achieving girls remain ahead of lower-achieving boys in Assam and Telangana, although they are caught up in Rajasthan. Given the differing patterns across the states, we explore the extent to which these may be shaped by their respective social and policy contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Consanguinity is associated with increase in the likelihood of receiving two copies of deleterious gene from parents, which brings the hidden recessive disorders. This further increases the risk of neonatal and post neonatal mortality. Some of which may also have negative effect on metrical traits of the children, thereby affecting their development and reducing their cognitive abilities. Aim: To examine the effect of parental consanguinity on various metrical traits like linear, circumferential and weight measurements among the Muslim males. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst the Muslim males living in the different river islands of Barpeta district in Assam. The study consisted 1438 males (587 inbred and 851 non-inbred). A total of 936 boys (3 years to 18 years) were measured at an interval of one year. The rest (502 adult men) from 19 to 60 years were in age cohorts of five-years age interval. They were measured for stature, sitting height, lower extremity length, body weight, waist circumference, abdominal circumference and hip circumference. Inbreeding depression on trait was calculated using average coefficient of inbreeding and % of depression in a trait. Wright's path coefficient method was used for the calculation of inbreeding coefficient. Results: The average coefficient of inbreeding was found to be 0.01637931154. A significant increase in the difference of mean values in all the linear, circumferential and weight measurements has been observed at many ages with the increase in the inbreeding coefficient during childhood and adolescence phase of life. But the difference in mean variance in the adult body parameters between the inbred and non-inbred was statistically insignificant at almost all ages (p>0.05). Conclusion: Consanguinity has not affected any of the adult body measurements. A significant positive association between consanguinity and diminution of body measurements found during the growing period needs to be correlated with the other socio demographic variables because the growing period is always more dependent on environmental variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper makes a case-study analysis of the annually flooded Dibrugarh town of the Brahmaputra valley of India’s northeast, and looks at floods as disasters in the context of how women negotiate, adapt and survive an annual phenomenon of flood. The paper has tried to interweave multiple narratives arising from differentiated gendered roles played by women in the pre-flood, during floods as well as in the post-flood periods, as collected through interviews and discussions to showcase how women use their agency to make place within as well as outside the community through dialogues, shared experiences and inter-community social capital. It discusses gendering space through the changing lived spaces of a household in the flooded and non-flooded period for four different communities united by flood. The first section of the paper looks at the City as a site for recurring disaster. The second section discuss agency of women as an emanating tool to face, adapt and survive disaster, expanding beyond herself to family and community. The third section presents the spatialities of adaptation manifested through built-form, arising as an outcome of gendered vulnerability and adaptation practices, as translated onto the spaces they inhabit, throughout the flood-cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rohi is the popular traditional rice beer of the Sonowal Kacharis, which is typically obtained by natural fermentation. The present study aims to identify the key ingredients used in the preparation of Mod pitha (starter culture cake), detail documentation of the fermentation technology and the socio-cultural and religious significance of Rohi. Participatory approach method was adopted for data collection that included in-depth interviews and discussions with key informants and personal observations. Glutinous rice (Oryza glutinosa Lour.) is the principal substrate for the beer preparation, which is mixed with starter cakes and fermented within a heat-sterilized earthen pot for 4-5 days. Rohi is indispensable during festivals and traditional sacrificial rituals and ceremonies. The entire fermentation technology is the exclusive domain of women. It is hoped that this paper will be useful for further scientific study of Rohi in order to examine the bio-chemical and phyto-chemical composition of the different plant species used in the preparation of starter culture and the final pure product that may reveal some important nutritional properties, therapeutic pro-biotics, healthy metabolites, etc. and contribute towards development of the product as a value-added drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dreams are typically described as involuntary mental events that occur during a specific stage of sleep, involving a series of thoughts, images, and sensations that manifest as a dream. Dream study in a community can promote greater understanding and empathy among individuals by creating a space where people can share their dreams and learn from one another's experiences. By fostering a sense of connection and shared experience, it can enrich the knowledge of the community's perception and psychoanalytic interpretation of the dreams and significance in that community. The present study describes the interpretation and significance of inauspicious dreams among the Mishing community of Assam. Conventional anthropological methods, such as observation, structured and unstructured interviews, and informal conversations, were used for data collection. Secondary sources have been considered for a thorough review of the available literature. The interviews were conducted at various levels, including individual, group, and detailed discussions with the villagers. In the Mishings society, dreams act as a means that foretells or predicts the future; it may be good or bad, where good dreams bring wealth and prosperity to the dreamer and their household, whereas bad dreams bring misfortunes. They also believe dreams as a mode of communication for the dead with the living, where the ancestor of a living visits them in their dreams to let them know about their well-being or displeasure. Dreams that are considered as bad are taken seriously by the members of the community as bad dreams create uneasiness within the dreamer as they have strong beliefs that the predictions of the bad dreams which they have been following as an age-old tradition bear results that can never be ignored. Accordingly, they wait for good results when they dream of something good. Certain dreams are believed to carry important messages relevant to the individual or their family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floods are frequently occurring events in the Assam region due to the presence of the Brahmaputra River and the heavy monsoon period. An efficient and reliable methodology is utilized to prepare a GIS-based flood risk map for the Assam region, India. At the regional and administrative level, the flood hazard index (FHI), flood vulnerability index (FVI), and flood risk index (FRI) are developed using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) – analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The selected indicators define the topographical, geological, meteorological, drainage characteristics, land use land cover, and demographical features of Assam. The results show that more than 70%, 57.37%, and 50% of the total area lie in moderate to very high FHI, FVI, and FRI classes, respectively. The proposed methodology can be applied to identify high flood risk zones and to carry out effective flood risk management and mitigation strategies in vulnerable areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of social exclusion refers to the processes through which some groups are wholly or partially excluded from full participation in the society in which they live. In light of this concept of social exclusion, the manuscript attempts to analyze the position of women in the north‐eastern Indian states especially in the state of Assam and Manipur. Women in the north‐eastern region of India are relatively better than their counterparts elsewhere in the country in terms of mobility, life choices, space in their lives, and so on. Various indices also give us the idea of a comparatively better position of women in the north‐eastern states of India. However, albeit the north‐eastern women incline to relish a higher status in cognation to their peers in the rest of India yet the cultural and customary traditions, discriminate against women in inordinate respect, and women in this region also face discrimination on many fronts, more so in the patriarchal societies of Assam and Manipur which has been highlighted in this manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies on community-based conservation in India, while highlighting the results and effectiveness of conservation interventions fail to engage with the underlining social processes emerging from the interactions among conservation actors. This article demonstrates conservation as a social process in which the actors interact with each other daily. We use the notion of 'Everyday Conservation' to highlight that actors use their resources, skills and limitations to create a space where conservation processes are negotiated and shaped on an everyday basis. Using ethnographic work carried out in Assam (India), this article analyzes an Asian elephant conservation project to understand the various actors involved in the project, such as project managers, staff, local community, funding organization and forest department and their interactions, resulting in 'Everyday Conservation.' The inter-actor interactions were of varying intensity, depending upon which the actors negotiated, collaborated, or came into conflict, thereby producing conservation results embedded in contextual factors. We suggest that conservation needs rethinking and the framework of 'Everyday Conservation' can provide a fresh perspective on community-based wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study to identify the use and awareness of research management software tools among the research scholars of selected university of Assam. The data was collected by using online survey method through questionnaire. A total number of 91 research scholars participated in this survey. The study reveals that most of the research scholars (80.21%) are aware about research management software, highest percentage of the research scholars( 61.6 %) are not attended courses or workshop on reference management software, most of the research scholars(46.1%) are using Mandeley for their research activities,most of the research schoolars(60.4%)are agree that their libraries are not providing reference management software tools in libraries, highest of research scholars(34.06%)are facing problem with insufficient training, most of research scholars (39.5%) are saving their time by using research management software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These days, the appraisal of the COVID-19 vulnerability has become a difficult errand for the whole world. The COVID-19 administration dynamic issue frequently includes numerous elective arrangements clashing standards. In this paper, we present a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) procedure based on the fuzzy VIKOR method to survey the COVID-19 vulnerability in the state of Assam, India. The trapezoidal fuzzy number is utilized to evaluate the rating of the loads for the set-up models. We have observed environment, social, and Medical factors after observing the spread of COVID-19. To study and to have comments, a committee of five experts has been formed from a different region of Assam to observe and comment to identify Coronavirus's weakest factors. For a better survey, we have divided the state into four areas namely Rural Area, Urban Area, Market Area in Rural Area, and Market Area in Urban Area. The current research looked at how the fuzzy VIKOR selects provinces for urgent adaptation needs differently than a traditional MCDM technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dibrugarh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Dibrugarh-HDSS), was started in the year 2019 with the objective to create the health and demographic database of a population from a defined geographical area and a surveillance system for providing technical assistance for the implementation of programmes and formulating intervention strategies for reducing disease morbidities and mortalities in the population. Dibrugarh-HDSS adopted a panel design and covered 60 contiguous villages and 20 tea gardens. Line listing of all the households was conducted and a unique identification number detailing State, district, village/tea garden and serial number was provided along with geotagging. Detailed sociodemographic variables, anthropometric measurements (subjects ≥five years) and blood pressure data (subjects ≥18 yr), disease morbidity and mortality were collected. All data were collected in pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaires using a mobile application package developed for this purpose. Dibrugarh- HDSS included a total of 106,769 individuals (rural: 46,762, tea garden: 60,007) with 52,934 males (49.6%) and 53,835 females (50.4%). The number of females per thousand males were significantly higher (1042 in tea garden vs. 985 in rural populations) in the tea-garden community as compared to the village population. More than one-third (35.1%) of tea populations were illiterate compared to the rural population (17.1%). Villagers had significantly higher body mass index than the tea-garden community. The overall prevalence of hypertension (adjusted for age) was 29.4 vs. 28.2 per cent, respectively, for the village and tea-garden population. For both these communities, males (village=30.8%, tea garden=31.1%) showed a higher prevalence of hypertension (adjusted for age) than females (village=28.2%, tea garden=25.8%). The findings of the present study give an insight into the profile of the native rural and tea-garden populations that will help to identify risk factors of different health problems, review the effectiveness of different ongoing programmes, implement intervention strategies for reducing morbidity and mortality and assist the State health authorities in prioritizing their resource allocation and implementation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA), including a site-specific amplification study, is crucial to evaluate site-specific spectra of soil sites to better understand the behavioural patterns of the soils under earthquake excitation. This paper represents the results of the PSHA for Assam state, located in the highest seismic zone of India ever delineated to date. In that sense, the study area is divided into ten areal zones concerning seismicity source modelling to represent the seismo-genesis of the Assam state in detail. The earthquake recurrence parameters of each zone are obtained from Gutenberg–Richter (G–R) recurrence relation with updated homogenized and de-clustered earthquake catalogue from 1735 up to 2021. Earthquakes with magnitude greater than 4 (M > 4) are considered using eight attenuation relationships for continental active shallow crust region, subduction zone and intraplate region. Hazard curves are obtained using a logic tree structure thus minimizing the epistemic uncertainty. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) value obtained at the rock outcrop of the Assam state for 10, 5, 2, and 0.5% probability of exceedance in 50 years with return periods such as 475, 975, 2475, and 9975 years lies between 0.24 and 0.34 g, 0.3 and 0.44 g, 0.42 and 0.59 g, and 0.56 and 0.91 g, respectively. The estimated PGA value at rock outcrop level is comparatively higher than that reported in the codal provisions. Site-specific response spectra at bedrock level (Vs = 1100 m/s) for major cities (Jorhat, Tezpur, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Nagaon) of Assam state have been proposed for different earthquake return periods of 475,2475, and 9975 years. Finally, site amplification study is performed for Guwahati city and surface level 5% damped response spectra with PGA of 0.696 and 0.924 g are obtained for earthquake a return period of 2475 and 9975 years, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease affecting livestock, leading to reproductive issues and economic losses. Despite its endemic status in India, research has predominantly focused on coastal regions, leaving the North Eastern Region (NER) underexplored. This study aims to investigate the seroprevalence and serogroup distribution of leptospirosis in livestock across Assam, a major state in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. Serum samples (n=811) from cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs were collected between 2016 and 2019 and screened using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) for 24 serogroups. The overall seroprevalence was 22.9 % (186/811), with highest prevalence in cattle (26.2 %) and buffalo (25 %), followed by small ruminants (19.8 %) and pigs (18.6 %). Notably, uncommon serovars such as Mini (28.8 %), Manhao (12.4 %), and Cynopteri (7.5 %) were identified, indicating a unique epidemiological pattern in Assam. High seroprevalence was observed in districts like Bongaigaon (66.7 %), Kamrup Metropolitan (50.0 %), and Nalbari (40.0 %), emphasizing the need for targeted intervention strategies. The presence of these uncommon serogroups, typically found in neighbouring countries and other regions, suggests potential transboundary transmission from these countries. This study provides valuable insights into the seroprevalence and serogroup distribution of leptospirosis in Assam's livestock, highlighting the need for region-specific surveillance and control measures. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the local epidemiological landscape to develop effective disease management and prevention strategies, ultimately reducing the impact of leptospirosis in the NER of India. • This study reports a 22.9 % seroprevalence of leptospirosis in livestock across Assam indicating public health concerns. • It is the first to test 24 Leptospira serogroup in Assam, revealing a diverse range of serovar prevalence in livestock. • Cattle (26.2%) and buffalo (25%) exhibited the highest seroprevalence rates among livestock. • High-prevalence districts: Bongaigaon (66.7 %), Kamrup Metropolitan (50.0 %), & Nalbari (40.0 %) need targeted interventions. • The discovery of serovars Mini, Manhao, and Cynopteri in Assam's livestock differs from patterns observed in rest of India. • This suggests potential transboundary transmission & indicates the need of region-specific surveillance and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]