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While promoting manufacturing growth is imperative to boost economic growth, potential adverse consequences on natural resources and ecology have created sustainability-related concerns and challenges. In India, with the reform processes deepening further and the business environment becoming more market-oriented over the years, the adoption of appropriate measures for sustainable manufacturing growth under such conditions would require a deeper investigation of the underlying dynamics, particularly to address the impacts of external shocks. This is especially true when external shocks alter market dynamics and, hence, input is used significantly in the manufacturing sector. Given this backdrop, the present paper examines how the major external shocks to the Indian economy during in the post-reform era have altered the resource use patterns in selected manufacturing industries. The paper uses secondary data collected from the KLEMS database of the Reserve Bank of India for the period from 1980–81 to 2019–20 and applies descriptive statistics and econometric techniques to address the research objective. It is found that energy intensity, vertical integration, capital intensity, and rate of growth of total factor productivity decreased over the decades, whereas labour productivity experienced an increasing trend in most industries. However, the trends are mixed in the case of material intensity. Further, the regression results indicate significant effects of external shocks on resource use, factor productivity, and structural changes. There are also industry-specific differences in the nature and extent of such changes. Hence, a deeper investigation of the underlying factors and impacts at a disaggregate industry level is necessary to draw more robust insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical progress has a tremendous potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by reducing energy consumption, a major concern across production units. However, the existing empirical literature concerning technical efficiency and carbon intensity is scanty. Thus, this paper examines the relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity for the organized manufacturing sector of two states, Maharashtra and Odisha, and the all-India level from 2001 to 2018. The paper uses data envelopment analysis to estimate technical efficiency scores. It applies the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 1 methodology for estimating carbon intensity for each 3-digit manufacturing industry in all three sample cases. The study has used static panel regression and fractional logit regression techniques to examine the deterministic relationship between technical efficiency and carbon intensity. The result shows that technical efficiency is highly sensitive to carbon intensity in the Indian manufacturing industries. The findings also addressed that the size of the industries also reduces the technical performance of manufacturing units. This paper also confirmed that increased profit could boost the Indian manufacturing industries' technical efficiency. Thus, this study addresses that carbon intensity as a proxy for the manufacturing sector's potential to affect climate change plays a crucial role in explaining the technical efficiency variations across industries. Thus, it calls for better policies aimed at reducing the emissions of industries specifically to achieve sustainable growth for the Indian manufacturing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically examines the effect of domestic monetary policy shock on external commercial borrowings (ECBs) to India for the period 2000:Q2 to 2019:Q4. The impact of domestic monetary policy shock on ECBs is assessed using two variables: interest rate differential and domestic money supply growth. The paper employs a structural VAR model and utilizes impulse response functions and forecast error variance decomposition analysis to derive empirical results. The empirical results based on impulse response functions indicate that the interest rate differential has a positively significant effect on external commercial borrowings to India, while the effect of domestic money supply growth is found to be negative. The forecast error variance decomposition analysis indicates that the interest rate differential explains about 14.6% and domestic money supply growth explains about 2% of the total variation in external commercial borrowings, implying that domestic monetary policy variables together explain about 16.6% of the total variation in ECBs to India. The results suggest that the central bank, through monetary policy interventions, can influence and manage the flow of external commercial borrowings to India. Furthermore, the study finds that the exchange rate, domestic industrial activity, domestic output growth, domestic country's creditworthiness, and domestic macroeconomic instability are other significant determinants of external commercial borrowings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All over the world, waste and its disposal are becoming a more prominent issue, as landfills swell up and growing evidence points to its contribution to climate change and environmental degradation. In the developing world, waste pickers sort through solid waste and sell it to vendors, who will recycle the product into something consumable. The work they do is vital to climate change mitigation, as well as urban cleanliness. In a way, waste pickers, especially in India, are vehicles of environmental justice, but they are often discriminated against and subjected to inhumane working conditions. In this environment, the pandemic hit, making waste pickers' already precarious life even worse. This paper attempts to fill the gap in the academic literature by compiling a systemized literature review of the impacts of COVID-19 on waste-pickers' lives using an environmental justice perspective. The review also uses a Feminist Political Ecology perspective to illuminate the double jeopardy that female waste pickers face in the era of COVID-19, which academia often ignores. Ultimately, this paper shows that COVID-19 exacerbated the preexisting injustices that the waste picker community face and created an immense burden on women. This paper will show that it is important to notice the differentiation between female and male waste picker challenges, especially at the crux of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper has important policy implications as well as research considerations for both environmental justice and feminist political ecology scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scenario of developed and developing countries nowadays is disturbed due to modern living style which affects environment, wildlife and natural habitat. Environmental quality has become or is a subject of major concern as it is responsible for health hazard of mankind and animals. Measurements and prediction of hazardous parameters in different fields of environment is a recent research topic for safety and betterment of people as well as nature. Pollution in nature is an after-effect of civilization. To combat the damage already happened, some processes should be evolved for measurement and prediction of pollution in various fields. Researchers of all over the world are active to find out ways of predicting such hazard. In this paper, application of neural network and deep learning algorithms is chosen for air pollution and water pollution cases. The purpose of this review is to reveal how family of neural network algorithms has applied on these two pollution parameters. In this paper, importance is given on algorithm, and datasets used for air and water pollution as well as the predicted parameters have also been noted for ease of future development. One major concern of this paper is Indian context of air and water pollution research, and the research potential presents in this area using Indian dataset. Another aspect for including both air and water pollutions in one review paper is to generate an idea of artificial neural network and deep learning techniques which can be cross applicable for future purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining is an important enterprise that will supply essential minerals for the country's infrastructural development. Mining is a key industry and a development engine in the Indian economy. The epidemic has had both immediate and long-term effects on the labour and industries in India. Short-term effects include the cessation of mineral production, salary loss due to absenteeism and pandemic limitations, unemployment, and the selling of minerals on the market. The reputation and economic health of industries, fresh mineral deposit exploration, and new mining complex development have all been impacted in long-term. Aside from the mining industry-specific impact of COVID-19, the social fabric of the mining workers has been impacted since they are living in an environment of fear and uncertainty. This paper attempts to analyse the effect of COVID-19 on extractive industries in India. It also focuses the steps which taken by the Indian government. The paper concluded with the negative effect of COVID-19 which disrupts the mining sector and the contribution declined during COVID-19. However, for instance from mineral rich-Odisha, the mining sector takes up by its growth in post COVID-19 period with remarkable increment from negative growth to high positive rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, India's government instituted a severe nationwide lockdown in late March 2020. In this paper, we analyze household survey data on income from an Indian state, Punjab. We analyze the impacts of the pandemic and lockdown on total household income, as well as its components, including wages, business income and transfers. This paper innovates in this area by using Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood estimation to deal with the skewed distributions of various income components, as well as quantile regressions to examine differential impacts across the income distribution. We examine the differences between rural and urban households, differential impacts on female-headed and laborer households, and the time pattern of impacts. We find that rural households experienced more persistent income declines than urban households, and their wages suffered relatively more. Households with daily laborers were most badly affected, and this was especially true at the bottom of the income distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the credit based voluntary groups in India are widely known for their potential to alleviate poverty and empower women. This research article explores a lesser-known theme. It tries to analyze the possibility of utilizing the current SHG model of the Indian Government to build and strengthen resilience of the SHG members in case of an external shock like financial stress, food insecurity, dispute in home for joining SHG, and difficulty to repay loan amidst lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article also focuses on their coping mechanisms and attitude towards these crises. By utilizing primary data collected from 320 SHG members in one of the aspirational districts in West Bengal, India, the present paper tries to fulfill its objective. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the problems faced by the SHG members by combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The findings reveal that from organizing vocational trainings to relaxing loan repayment, SHGs and its women members overcame various adversities with tenacity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the study findings, it is reasonable to conclude that the current SHG model in India presents a promising avenue for enhancing the resilience of its members in the face of external shocks. Article Highlights: Idiosyncratic stress like financial stress and systemic stress like the COVID-19 pandemic were ranked the top two crises faced by the SHG members. Recognizing financial stress and stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the top challenges faced by SHG members implies the need for immediate support (that includes access to financial resources, and assistance in adapting livelihood strategies to withstand external shocks), resilience-building efforts (by providing members with skills to diversify their income sources, creating emergency funds, and fostering community solidarity to collectively address crises), and policy attention (implementing policies that provide targeted assistance, such as social safety nets, healthcare access, and economic stimulus). The SHG members mostly had an active attitude towards the crises faced demonstrating their remarkable resilience and adaptive capacity. This highlights the most dominant role of SHGs in their ability to foster a sense of solidarity and collective problem-solving. Members often share experiences, skills, and resources, which can be invaluable during times of crisis. Additionally, the group dynamic encourages mutual support and encourages members to take proactive steps to address challenges rather than feeling overwhelmed by them. Moreover, participating in SHGs often empowers individuals to develop skills, build confidence, and access resources that enable them to better cope with crises. Thus, it implies the importance of community-based approaches like the SHGs to resilience-building. The primary role of SHGs in strengthening resilience among its members, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic was preventive measures (organizing COVID awareness programs), followed by promotional measures (organizing vocational trainings) and protective measures (distribution of food grains). By engaging in these preventive, promotional, and protective measures, SHGs bolstered the resilience of their members by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and resources to navigate challenges effectively. Overall, the implication is that SHGs have played a multifaceted role in supporting their members through the COVID-19 crisis, by focusing on prevention, promotion, and protection measures to enhance their resilience and mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on their well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India houses the third biggest Muslim population in the world but over the years it has experienced massive segregation of people based on their religious identities. This large-scale forced and systemic 'ghettoization' of Muslims is a recent trend largely ascribed to the frequent communal' violence and state's negligence towards minorities. In this backdrop, the paper discusses the communal ghettoization of Muslims and uses the Juhapura area of Ahmedabad as illustration to explain the same. This study is essentially based on field observations and literature to comprehend communal tone of ghettoization process. Muslims in India are a minority (15 percent of total population) and suffer most in case riots occur. In the last few decades, following the 1985, 1992 and 2002 riots, Gujarat emerged as a hotbed of communal tension, forcing the Muslim population to migrate from their original locations and seek refuge in other parts of the state. Residents of these newly populated ghettos such as Juhapura are forced to endure these conditions due to fear, lack of choice and state apathy. These localities are largely ignored and lack all forms of socio-economic and physical infrastructure for a decent living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical anthropologists have not paid enough attention to the variation at the level of the individual practitioners of biomedicine, and anthropological critiques of biomedical psychiatry as it is practiced in settings outside the Global North have tended to depict psychiatrists in monolithic terms. In this article, we attempt to demonstrate that, at least in the case of India, some psychiatrists perceive limitations in the biomedical model and the cultural assumptions behind biomedical practices and ideologies. This paper focuses on three practitioners who supplement their own practices with local and alternative healing modalities derived from South Asian psychologies, philosophies, systems of medicine and religious and ritual practices. The diverging psychiatric practices in this paper represent a rough continuum. They range from a bold and confident psychiatrist who uses various techniques including ritual healing to another who yearns to incorporate more Indian philosophy and psychology in psychiatric practice and encourages students of ayurvedic medicine to more fully embrace the science they are learning to a less proactive psychiatrist who does not describe a desire to change his practice but who is respectful and accepting of ayurvedic treatments that some patients also undergo. Rather than simply applying a hegemonic biomedical psychiatry, these psychiatrists offer the possibility of a more locally-attuned, context sensitive psychiatric practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exit is not an easy task for a sex worker. Academic investigations of the reasons and barriers to exit from the sex industry are lacking heavily. Sex work is a stigmatised profession, even though the workers find it difficult to exit the same. The current study attempted to understand the barriers faced by female sex workers in Puducherry, a union territory in the southeast part of India, to exit from sex work. The participants comprise 19 female sex workers (FSW) who work in Puducherry. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. All of the participants had thoughts about quitting. The barriers to exit were identified. The barriers were recognised at the individual, interpersonal (microsystem), and structural (macro system) levels within the framework of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, which are discussed in detail in the paper. The study also identified a lack of support systems for the targeted population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employee performance achievement, ensuring job satisfaction, reducing work related stress, and minimizing job insecurity are the important pressing issues in human resource management. Work stress has become a ubiquitous aspect of contemporary work environment and Indian workforce is also suffering from increased job insecurity. This research examines effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on stress, job satisfaction, job insecurity, and employee performance. It also examines the ecological validity of PsyCap construct in the Indian socio-cultural system with reference to employee performance and job satisfaction. This research was done on a sample of 300 employees working in life insurance and telecom organizations in the private sector. Findings revealed that PsyCap has a positive association with employee performance and job satisfaction but inversely related to job insecurity and stress. The paper discusses managerial implications and offers theoretical contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macro-level studies on intergenerational mobility among women in India suggests that, there is a need to further probe certain excluded communities that have a higher likelihood of persistence of educational status among women through micro-level studies. The present study investigates the extent and drivers of high/low intergenerational educational mobility among young women (vis-à-vis their mothers) belonging to the weavers' community of Varanasi, India. Using transition/mobility matrices and mobility measures, along with qualitative methods, the paper builds on a mixed-methods study conducted among 364 households of weavers' community from Varanasi. The qualitative data includes a total of 8 respondents with 5 KIIs and 3 IDIs. The study shows that the overall intergenerational educational mobility among women (vis-à-vis their mothers) from the weavers' community of Varanasi is 0.30 and there is no downward mobility. The qualitative findings further highlight various reasons enabling or preventing high educational mobility in the given context. In conclusion, the paper illustrates several micro-level issues and disparities in intergenerational educational mobility that are not clearly evident through the macro-level studies and further helps in making informed policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcome of economic growth is visualised as the well-being of citizens or human well-being (HWB). However, it has been a great challenge to measure HWB. Though there are known reasons for considering GDP and its growth as a measure of overall development and progress of nations, yet mostly it is being used as a gospel indicator to compare nations and design appropriate policies. This paper is an effort to develop a comprehensive adjusted GDP to measure HWB through secondary data for thirty years (1990–91 to 2019–20) in India. We make thirty-five adjustments to net national income (NNI) to compute the adjusted national income (ANI) index based on the system analysis approach. The empirical findings show that the gap between NNI and ANI has been growing over time, and the ANI index shows an increasing trend. Through the analysis it is suggested that economic growth should be focused only if it improves HWB (full or partial). The paper attempts to make intervention into policy shift for improving HWB vis-à-vis happiness of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Servant leadership has emerged as a novel area of Management research. One of the most debated leadership styles is servant leadership, which indicates that a person must first be a human and then a leader. This literature review comprehensively examines the historical origins of servant leadership, its core attributes, the measurements that have been developed, and the findings obtained from pertinent empirical investigations. The primary objective of the present paper is to study the leadership style using various analyses, evaluations, and research from available sources to identify proposed facts about leadership activities using bibliometric analysis of servant leadership theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting green and sustainable production practices is crucial for addressing growing environmental challenges and achieving economic and social benefits in developing countries like India. However, such approaches often involve costs, necessitating a re-examination of the relationship between corporate environmental responsibility (CER) and corporate financial performance (CFP). The existing studies on CER in Indian firms and the associated environmental regulations lack establishing an empirical relationship between CER and CFP. Furthermore, the global literature similarly lacks a decisive consensus, often exhibiting indeterminate outcomes concerning the positive impact of CER on CFP. This study systematically reviews literature published from 2000 to 2024 to examine the influence of CER on the CFP of Indian firms, focusing on the following research questions: (i) What is the relationship between CER and CFP of Indian firms? (ii) Are Indian firms prioritizing CER likely to achieve better CFP? (iii) Which specific dimensions of CFP of Indian firms are influenced by CER? Three scholarly search engines were used to identify studies based on a well-formulated search string, with the SLR guided by PRISMA following document search, article screening, and data extraction processes. The results indicate a positive relationship between CER and CFP, with significant improvements in environmental outcomes. Returns on investment emerges as a common indicator of CFP, showing a significant positive impact from CER practices. While studies have used a wide range of CER indicators, the reduction and recycling of waste are found to play a prominent role in improving CFP. This finding has important policy implications for sustainable development and the environment, as the government of India encourages firms to adopt waste-to-wealth practices. Policymakers should particularly focus on small and medium-sized firms that are either reluctant to adopt environmental measures or fear reduced financial performance due to a lack of financial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from a survey of farm households in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and employing a sequential logit model, this paper has investigated the impact of farmers' participation in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidy scheme for micro-irrigation on crop performance. The findings show that over 91% of the farmers were aware of the scheme, 61% of them registered as potential beneficiaries and two-thirds of them actually benefitted from it. Registration is the critical transition stage for participation in the DBT scheme. Our findings show that conditional upon the ownership of tube-wells and water pumping devices, several personal and household-level factors such as age, education, access to information and membership of village-level organizations distinguish the beneficiaries of DBT from the non-beneficiaries. There appears no selection bias in the scheme as neither the farm size nor the social status of potential beneficiaries appeared significant in the sequential selection process. Further, the findings show that controlling for the farm and farmer characteristics, the DBT scheme has a positive and statistically significant impact on crop yield as well as net returns, but more on the latter implying its role in reduction in the cost of production. These findings imply the need to expand DBT scheme for its greater impact on farm income and inclusiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using annual time series data for India, this research paper examines the presence of asymmetric cointegration and asymmetric causality between financial development and poverty reduction using nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model and asymmetric causality test. The empirical findings support the existence of asymmetries in the short-run as well as long-run between poverty and financial development. The asymmetry reveals that negative financial development shocks leave a more profound impact on poverty alleviation than their positive equivalents. The result emanating from asymmetric causality test reveal a unidirectional asymmetric causality between negative shocks in financial development and poverty. Moreover, expansionary policies of financial development are found to serve as catalysts to spur poverty alleviation while contractionary policies of financial sector are found to exacerbate poverty in an asymmetric and nonlinear fashion. The findings of Wald's test also confirm the presence of asymmetric effects in the poverty-finance nexus. The asymmetric cumulative dynamic multipliers used to examine the behaviour of asymmetries and adjustments with respect to time lend credence to the results calculated using NARDL estimator and therefore demonstrate their robustness. The present study divulges the need for investigating asymmetry in finance-poverty nexus in order to draw policy-relevant conclusions. The authors conclude that financial development serves as a panacea and antidote to the scourge of extreme poverty in India. We recommend regulation of informal sources of credit, financial inclusion of poor, credit boost to small and medium enterprises employing rural poor and channelization of credit to productive sectors with high employment elasticity to be persistently encouraged for poverty alleviation in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, India has been a great investment opportunity for foreigners. However, in the last several decades, the country has experienced a substantial increase in its foreign direct investment (FDI) owing to several reforms made by the government. This study analyzes the determining factors behind Indian FDI inflows from its top source countries using the augmented gravity model. The sample period of this study ranges from 2000 to 2019, thus providing an updated analysis regarding FDI inflows. To attain the objective of this paper, we employ several econometric techniques such as Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood (PPML), feasible generalized least square (FGLS), and Newey-West standard error models. The findings show that the source country's per capita GDP is a negative determinant of FDI inflows in India from selected countries of the world. Moreover, FDI openness, gross fixed capital formation, and exports are found as the positive determinants of FDI inflows in India. The results imply that more export-oriented sectors can be identified for the selected nations, encouraging inflows. The country should look forward to incorporating new elements in old bilateral investment treaties as per the new conditions of the world economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal healthcare service utilization is a pivotal indicator of a nation's progress in safeguarding the health and well-being of its women and children. In this context, women's empowerment emerges as a critical determinant influencing the utilization of maternal healthcare services. The study aims to assess the relationship between women's level of empowerment and utilization of maternal healthcare services among currently married women in India. Data and Methods: The study uses data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2019–2021 and analyzed 26,552 (15–49 aged) currently married women who had a live birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey. Additionally, univariate and bivariate analyses, multivariate logistic regression, and the SWPER index were used for the analysis. Results: Over the years, utilization of antenatal care, skilled birth attainment, and postnatal care has increased extensively in India. However, the study found that utilization of services was higher among empowered women, and it varies across the state with the extent of empowerment. State-level analysis shows that the extent of women empowerment was higher in Goa, followed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and lower in Jharkhand, followed by Tripura, so as the utilization of maternal and health care services. The extent of empowerment and utilization of services also varies by level of educational attainment, employment, and socio-economic status. Conclusion: There is a need for comprehensive strategies to enhance women's empowerment through education, employment, political participation, self-awareness, and reduction in gender-based violence and child marriages, which may improve awareness demand for better public health structure, and may ensure higher utilization of maternal healthcare services. Ultimately, these strategies may converse the higher maternal death and child mortality. Significance: What is already known about this subject? Existing literature in India mostly highlights a clear connection between women's autonomy and maternal healthcare services utilization. Women with higher autonomy, decision-making power, and mobility are more likely to use these services. However, in exploring the link between women's empowerment and maternal healthcare, some studies focus on education, employment, and media access among Indian mothers, sidelining broader empowerment dimensions. What this study adds? This study is likely the first to investigate the relationship between women's empowerment and the level of maternal healthcare service utilization in India. It covers key dimensions of women's empowerment, including Attitude to Violence, Social Independence, and Decision-making Power. Moreover, it is possibly the first Indian research paper to employ a survey-based women's empowerment index in this context. Notably, the assessment highlights Social Independence as a significant dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key objective of this paper is to emphasize the importance of acknowledging breastfeeding as an embodied social practice within interventions related to breastfeeding and lactation and illustrate how this recognition holds implications for public health ethics debates. Recent scholarship has shown that breastfeeding and lactation support interventions undermine women's autonomy. However, substantial discourse is required to determine how to align with public health goals while also recognizing the embodied experiences of breastfeeding and lactating individuals. Presently, interventions in this realm predominantly revolve around health-related messaging and the promotion of individual behaviors, often neglecting the systemic and structural factors that influence choices and practices. I closely examine breastfeeding interventions in India, in particular Mothers' Absolute Affection health promotion program, along with breastfeeding narratives. I argue that for such interventions to evolve, they must acknowledge the intrinsic embodied social nature of breastfeeding during their design and implementation. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that achieving equity and justice objectives necessitates moving beyond the confines of both conventional public health frameworks and frameworks solely centered on private choices. Instead, a more encompassing approach that embraces the concept of embodiment should be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hinduism is considered one of the most ancient religions in the world. Although the technological innovation of modernization has undermined the reliance on their traditions, Hindus may still rely on Hindu Scripture when making decisions. From their standpoint, contrary to Western medicine, human lives cannot be reduced to statistical and empirical facts. They focus more on preserving the spirit, rather than considering survival as one of the goals of medicine. Consequently, when a preterm infant is born, Hindu parents might struggle to understand the goals of Western neonatologists. This divergence may create misunderstandings when discussing end-of-life decisions. Since they value relational aspects to be of utmost importance, they may accept treatments only in the likelihood of good neurological outcomes. Being able to interact allows Hindus to act virtuously with the aim of purifying their soul toward moksa. When it comes to end-of-life decisions on behalf of newborns, Hindu parents may opt to forgo treatments and let the baby peacefully die, while praying for their soul to have a better rebirth. This paper aims to evaluate quality-of-life assessment in the Hindu tradition in comparison with the Catholic tradition. It draws parallelisms between these two different religions to investigate whether an inter-religious dialogue is possible. This work will help Catholic, and more broadly Western, doctors to have a better understanding of the Hindu end-of-life views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has a large population with the prevalence of many mental health concerns but faces a shortage of mental health professionals. This paper deals with this mental health crisis in India and how Mental Health First Aid and developing a first aid kit for mental health would help to address the issue. Mental health and mental illness in India additionally face stigma and backlash from the society. Due to this, very few people with mental ailments come forward to seek professional help. While we are aware of and trained in first aid for physical health, the concept of first aid for mental health is in its infancy. Hence, a review of literature was done to find the benefits of Mental Health First Aid and how it could benefit in solving the crisis in India. Creating a Mental Health First Aid Kit on a similar basis to its physical counterpart can also come in handy while administering mental health first aid. Results show that an individual trained in mental health first aid might act as a bridge between people with mental ailments and mental health professionals and assist in providing timely help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper focusses on evaluating the inter-state efficiency in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, using data envelopment analysis. This research focussed on two objectives: (1) to analyse the technical efficiency in MGNREGA across Indian states. and (2) to identify the reference states and targets for the inefficient states for improving their efficiency. Since MGNREGA focusses on employment generation and asset creation, efficiency is estimated across these two dimensions. The results showed that there are inefficiencies in implementing MGNREGA across major and minor states of India. The mean technical efficiency across major states was 0.76 and 0.58 for asset creation and employment generation, respectively. The mean technical efficiency across minor states was 0.83 and 0.54 for asset creation and employment generation, respectively. The inefficiencies are more in terms of employment generation compared to asset creation. The states need to put in extra efforts to improve the efficiency in implementing the MGNREGA scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to estimate long-run forecasting of Indian GDP for the post-COVID period using the factor error correction model (FECM). The model builds on a dynamic factor model that directly and indirectly captures many dimensions affecting the cycles of GDP. The availability of big data enables the extraction of a few common factors from large dimensions, which essentially produces better precision in forecasting estimates. We first extract leading factors and then add proxy policy variables to establish their long-run relationship with the GDP which produces insignificant in-sample bias. The estimated long-run relationship has been employed to predict GDP for 2022–35. We found three major dynamic factors that capture 80% of variations from 56 quarterly variables of the Indian economy. These three factors with their four lags and four exogenous policy instruments have been included in the FECM model for forecasting estimation. We find that the real GDP is expected to grow at 4–8% annually, depending upon the actual realisation of external shocks and policies. The expected rise in temperature and oil prices seems to be dampening the growth. Whereas, the institutional reforms for making more effective public investment and the currency digitalisation that reduces cash requirements could play an expansionary role. If the oil price and the temperature remain at the current level, the growth rate can go closer to approximately 8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, financial well-being has received considerable attention from researchers and policymakers as an indicator of financial health in the aftermath of financial shocks. Additionally, financial inclusion has been a priority for developing countries in their efforts towards poverty alleviation and bringing vulnerable populations into the mainstream financial system. Moreover, the shift in digital technologies and financial services has overcome access and usage barriers through the acquisition of digital financial literacy. This paper develops novel multidimensional indices and investigates the relationship between financial well-being, financial inclusion, and digital financial literacy. The study utilizes data from InterMedia's Financial Inclusion Insight (FII) 2016 Survey conducted in India. The results indicate that both financial inclusion and digital financial literacy have a significant positive impact on financial well-being. However, considering the potential endogeneity bias, instrumental variable 2SLS regression reveals that financial inclusion plays the most crucial role in defining financial well-being. Our findings help policymakers recognize the importance of demand-side financial inclusion and digital financial literacy in promoting financial well-being, which may be achieved through robust financial and digital literacy programs. Additionally, the study contributes to the financial well-being literature by incorporating essential attributes of financial inclusion and digital financial literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effort is made to understand the role of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events on the malaria transmission intensity over India during the period 1951–2020 (70 years) with the help of a realistically simulated dynamical malaria model. The results suggest that the La Nina years pose a greater threat of malaria disease, especially in the densely populated Indian states. During El Nino years, the malaria transmission intensity and distribution over India greatly reduce, except in the regions such as Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Western Ghats, parts of Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. It is found that in the positive IOD years, the malaria transmission intensity increases (decreases) over the entire central Indian region and along coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala (southern peninsular states of India and northeast India). An almost opposite behavior is seen during the negative IOD years. The malaria transmission variability over India is becoming increasingly heterogeneous in recent decades during the El Nino and La Nina years as a result of global warming. The period of 1986–2020 witnessed a substantial decrease (increase) in the malaria transmission intensity during the positive (negative) IOD years, except for a few regions of India. The implications of the results presented in the paper linking the ENSO and IOD signals with the intensity and distribution of malaria over India in a warming world are enormous, especially for the densely populated Indian states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tension (often times called “Tenshun” in Hindi) is a cultural expression used to convey feelings of distress and common mental disorders in India and among South Asia communities. This study compared the effectiveness of different intervention sequences in reducing tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV in India.This secondary data analysis paper utilized data from a randomized trial study titled “Alcohol and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence: Assessment, Intervention, and Modeling in India.” The multilevel interventions, including individual counseling (IC), group intervention (GI), and collective advocacy (CA), were conducted sequentially over three cycles at three ART centers. Additionally, another ART center, serving as a pilot site, received all three interventions simultaneously in the final cycle. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, tension, and other variables including HIV stigma, a 4-day ART adherence, HIV symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points: baseline, 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. General linear mixed models were employed to assess the intervention effects on tension.Out of 940 participants, 666 reported experiencing tension, including 54% reporting high tension. At site 1, the GI-CA-IC sequence resulted in a slope of −0.06, indicating that this sequence reduced tension from T1 to T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, the pilot site where the intervention package was conducted simultaneously had a slope of −0.06, indicating that the intervention package also reduced tension compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, the CA-IC-GI sequence resulted in a slope of 0.07, indicating that this sequence resulted in significantly higher tension levels than the control group (p = 0.008) contrary to the expectation that the sequence would reduce tension.This study contributes valuable insights on the issue of tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV. The significant reduction in tension observed at the site using the GI-CA-IC sequence, which began with a group intervention, underscores the importance of intervention order and the importance of group intervention within multilevel intervention programs for tension reduction. Further research is needed to validate these observations and broaden our understanding of effective tension management strategies among people living with HIV in diverse settings.URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT03746457.Method: Tension (often times called “Tenshun” in Hindi) is a cultural expression used to convey feelings of distress and common mental disorders in India and among South Asia communities. This study compared the effectiveness of different intervention sequences in reducing tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV in India.This secondary data analysis paper utilized data from a randomized trial study titled “Alcohol and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence: Assessment, Intervention, and Modeling in India.” The multilevel interventions, including individual counseling (IC), group intervention (GI), and collective advocacy (CA), were conducted sequentially over three cycles at three ART centers. Additionally, another ART center, serving as a pilot site, received all three interventions simultaneously in the final cycle. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, tension, and other variables including HIV stigma, a 4-day ART adherence, HIV symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points: baseline, 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. General linear mixed models were employed to assess the intervention effects on tension.Out of 940 participants, 666 reported experiencing tension, including 54% reporting high tension. At site 1, the GI-CA-IC sequence resulted in a slope of −0.06, indicating that this sequence reduced tension from T1 to T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, the pilot site where the intervention package was conducted simultaneously had a slope of −0.06, indicating that the intervention package also reduced tension compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, the CA-IC-GI sequence resulted in a slope of 0.07, indicating that this sequence resulted in significantly higher tension levels than the control group (p = 0.008) contrary to the expectation that the sequence would reduce tension.This study contributes valuable insights on the issue of tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV. The significant reduction in tension observed at the site using the GI-CA-IC sequence, which began with a group intervention, underscores the importance of intervention order and the importance of group intervention within multilevel intervention programs for tension reduction. Further research is needed to validate these observations and broaden our understanding of effective tension management strategies among people living with HIV in diverse settings.URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT03746457.Results: Tension (often times called “Tenshun” in Hindi) is a cultural expression used to convey feelings of distress and common mental disorders in India and among South Asia communities. This study compared the effectiveness of different intervention sequences in reducing tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV in India.This secondary data analysis paper utilized data from a randomized trial study titled “Alcohol and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence: Assessment, Intervention, and Modeling in India.” The multilevel interventions, including individual counseling (IC), group intervention (GI), and collective advocacy (CA), were conducted sequentially over three cycles at three ART centers. Additionally, another ART center, serving as a pilot site, received all three interventions simultaneously in the final cycle. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, tension, and other variables including HIV stigma, a 4-day ART adherence, HIV symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points: baseline, 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. General linear mixed models were employed to assess the intervention effects on tension.Out of 940 participants, 666 reported experiencing tension, including 54% reporting high tension. At site 1, the GI-CA-IC sequence resulted in a slope of −0.06, indicating that this sequence reduced tension from T1 to T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, the pilot site where the intervention package was conducted simultaneously had a slope of −0.06, indicating that the intervention package also reduced tension compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, the CA-IC-GI sequence resulted in a slope of 0.07, indicating that this sequence resulted in significantly higher tension levels than the control group (p = 0.008) contrary to the expectation that the sequence would reduce tension.This study contributes valuable insights on the issue of tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV. The significant reduction in tension observed at the site using the GI-CA-IC sequence, which began with a group intervention, underscores the importance of intervention order and the importance of group intervention within multilevel intervention programs for tension reduction. Further research is needed to validate these observations and broaden our understanding of effective tension management strategies among people living with HIV in diverse settings.URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT03746457.Conclusion: Tension (often times called “Tenshun” in Hindi) is a cultural expression used to convey feelings of distress and common mental disorders in India and among South Asia communities. This study compared the effectiveness of different intervention sequences in reducing tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV in India.This secondary data analysis paper utilized data from a randomized trial study titled “Alcohol and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence: Assessment, Intervention, and Modeling in India.” The multilevel interventions, including individual counseling (IC), group intervention (GI), and collective advocacy (CA), were conducted sequentially over three cycles at three ART centers. Additionally, another ART center, serving as a pilot site, received all three interventions simultaneously in the final cycle. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, tension, and other variables including HIV stigma, a 4-day ART adherence, HIV symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points: baseline, 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. General linear mixed models were employed to assess the intervention effects on tension.Out of 940 participants, 666 reported experiencing tension, including 54% reporting high tension. At site 1, the GI-CA-IC sequence resulted in a slope of −0.06, indicating that this sequence reduced tension from T1 to T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, the pilot site where the intervention package was conducted simultaneously had a slope of −0.06, indicating that the intervention package also reduced tension compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, the CA-IC-GI sequence resulted in a slope of 0.07, indicating that this sequence resulted in significantly higher tension levels than the control group (p = 0.008) contrary to the expectation that the sequence would reduce tension.This study contributes valuable insights on the issue of tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV. The significant reduction in tension observed at the site using the GI-CA-IC sequence, which began with a group intervention, underscores the importance of intervention order and the importance of group intervention within multilevel intervention programs for tension reduction. Further research is needed to validate these observations and broaden our understanding of effective tension management strategies among people living with HIV in diverse settings.URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT03746457.Trial Registration: Tension (often times called “Tenshun” in Hindi) is a cultural expression used to convey feelings of distress and common mental disorders in India and among South Asia communities. This study compared the effectiveness of different intervention sequences in reducing tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV in India.This secondary data analysis paper utilized data from a randomized trial study titled “Alcohol and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence: Assessment, Intervention, and Modeling in India.” The multilevel interventions, including individual counseling (IC), group intervention (GI), and collective advocacy (CA), were conducted sequentially over three cycles at three ART centers. Additionally, another ART center, serving as a pilot site, received all three interventions simultaneously in the final cycle. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, tension, and other variables including HIV stigma, a 4-day ART adherence, HIV symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points: baseline, 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. General linear mixed models were employed to assess the intervention effects on tension.Out of 940 participants, 666 reported experiencing tension, including 54% reporting high tension. At site 1, the GI-CA-IC sequence resulted in a slope of −0.06, indicating that this sequence reduced tension from T1 to T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, the pilot site where the intervention package was conducted simultaneously had a slope of −0.06, indicating that the intervention package also reduced tension compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, the CA-IC-GI sequence resulted in a slope of 0.07, indicating that this sequence resulted in significantly higher tension levels than the control group (p = 0.008) contrary to the expectation that the sequence would reduce tension.This study contributes valuable insights on the issue of tension among alcohol-consuming men living with HIV. The significant reduction in tension observed at the site using the GI-CA-IC sequence, which began with a group intervention, underscores the importance of intervention order and the importance of group intervention within multilevel intervention programs for tension reduction. Further research is needed to validate these observations and broaden our understanding of effective tension management strategies among people living with HIV in diverse settings.URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT03746457. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While previous studies have examined the influence of store atmospherics and social factors independently, limited research has investigated their synergistic impacts across cultures. In particular, the interactions between ambient scents, companionship influences, and cross-cultural shopping customs remain underexplored. Therefore, this study investigates how ambient scents influence retail shopping behaviors with a companion across cultures. Data were collected via surveys administered to customers in Polish and Indian shopping malls (N = 579), examining the impact of detected fragrances on time spent, money spent, purchase decisions, cognitive responses, and attitudes. Shopping with a companion in a scented environment has a more positive influence on time spent, money spent and impulse purchases in India than in Poland. There is no difference between these two cultures regarding cognitive responses to a scented retail environment, but there are significant differences for attitudinal responses and repurchase intentions. We found a positive association between the consumer rating of the shopping environment in terms of the ambient scent and the amount of money spent in India, but not in Poland. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for optimizing atmospheric design according to cultural customs around shopping companionships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are one of the major substantial pollutants in the environment and are stored in sediments worldwide, especially in marine environments. This study shed light on the abundance, distribution, sources and chemical composition of MPs present in the surface sediments collected from the shelf part of the southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal. A total of twenty-seven surface sediment samples were collected to study MPs pollution. The abundance and morphological characteristics of MPs were determined by counting using an Olympus SXZ7 stereo microscope. Raman spectroscopy analysis was used to identify the polymer type of the MPs. The average abundance of MPs in the study area is 460±275 MPs/kg in dry sediment. Regarding colour, transparent particles were predominant (46.42%), followed by blue, green, brown, etc. With respect to particle shape and size, fibres and 500-µm sized MPs are abundant. Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene (PS) are the polymer types characterised in the study area. The higher abundance of MPs in the study area can be attenuated to human interruptions, viz., tourism, fishing and inappropriate sewage disposal in the marine environment. In addition to this, population density also plays an important role in providing MPs to the marine environment. This study provides the most valuable data to extrapolate the research for mitigating MP pollution in oceans. It also informs mankind about their disastrous activities on the marine environment, which is expected to recuperate quickly and negatively impact human health and the functionality of the marine system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, a new species of Lepidoptera, Orthocraspeda dudgeonisp. nov., from Himachal Pradesh, India is described from 125 years old collections of Mr G.C. Dudgeon housed in the National Zoological Collections at Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. Additionally, the reporting of Thronia xizangensis (Wu and Fang 2009) represents the first record of the genus Thronia Solovyev, 2014a from India. Furthermore, Narosa erminea Hampson, 1895 and Thespea althea Solovyev, 2014a are recorded for the first time from India. Images of the adults and genitalia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam is indicative of the sharpening tensions surrounding citizenship, belonging and integration in India. Officially aimed at demarcating the "legitimate citizens", its implementation is believed to have resulted in the partial exclusion of the so-called "Doubtful Voters" and denationalisation of the "illegitimate residents". These frictions associated with citizenship identity and rights are nowhere as acute as in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, where measures of retroactive revocation, administrative erasure and withdrawal of citizenship rights have been systematically deployed against religious and linguistic minorities. Using new research with some NRC rejected applicants in western Assam and other materials, this article identifies the central aspects of the implementation gap in the crucial, albeit problematic task of locating the rightful "Assamese-Indian" citizens. Linking our work to the idea of the 'process is the punishment', we conceptualise these conspicuous inconsistencies in the NRC citizenship determination processes and their results as the "punitive gap". We have identified the distinctive contours of this gap in terms of the massive economic costs, intensification of social (including gender and religion-based) inequalities, increased control through social suspicion and unpredictable outcomes for the marginal Miya Muslim community. The article highlights how this punitive gap has constantly eroded key components of due process, of procedural and substantive protections of the rights of individuals, during the NRC determination exercise and after the release of the final draft list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have focused sufficiently on the intricate link between functional health and depression among older people aged 60 and above in India. Therefore, the current study investigates the association between functional health and depression among older Indian adults through the mediating role of social disengagement and loneliness and the moderating role of living arrangements using recent data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI: 2017–2018). Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form (CIDI-SF) for depression, the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) for functional health, and the indoor/outdoor activities, visits, and religious events for social disengagement were used. The feelings of loneliness and living arrangements were measured using single-item questions and surveys/interviews of household members. Bivariate analysis, logistic regression, and a Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Model were adopted. The results show that older persons with functional health had 1.85 times higher odds of depression; similarly, those not engaging in social activities and experiencing loneliness were more likely to feel depressed. Living with someone was negatively linked to depression. A significant moderation by living arrangements in the functional health-depression relationship was also observed. The results also indicate significant mediating roles of social disengagement and loneliness, with 22.0% and 3.08% mediation effects, respectively. Therefore, this study recommends the provision of housing and social interaction among older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing prevalence of obesity in India, body mass index (BMI) has garnered importance as a disease predictor. The current World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index (BMI) cut-offs may not accurately portray these health risks in older adults aged 60 years and above. This study aims to define age-appropriate cut-offs for older adults (60–74 years and 75 years and above) and compare the performance of these cut-offs with the WHO BMI cut-offs using cardio-metabolic conditions as outcomes. Using baseline data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), classification and regression tree (CART) cross-sectional analysis was conducted to obtain age-appropriate BMI cut-offs based on cardio-metabolic conditions as outcomes. Logistic regression models were estimated to compare the association of the two sets of cut-offs with cardio-metabolic outcomes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were estimated. Agreement with waist circumference, an alternate measure of adiposity, was conducted. For older adults aged 60–74 years and 75 years and above, the cut-off for underweight reduced from < 18.5 to < 17.4 and < 13.3 respectively. The thresholds for overweight and obese increased for older adults aged 60–74 years old from > = 25 to > 28.8 and > = 30 to > 33.7 respectively. For older adults aged 75 years and above, the thresholds decreased for both categories. The largest improvement in AUC was observed in older adults aged 75 years and above. The newly derived cut-offs also demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity among all age-sex stratifications. There is a need to adopt greater rigidity in defining overweight/obesity among older adults aged 75 years and above, as opposed to older adults aged 60–74 years old among whom the thresholds need to be less conservative. Further stratification in the low risk category could also improve BMI classification among older adults. These age-specific thresholds may act as improved alternatives of the current WHO BMI thresholds and improve classification among older adults in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India is a large and populous country where reliable data on headache disorders are relatively scarce. This study in northern India (Delhi and National Capital Territory Region [NCR], including surrounding districts in the States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan) continues the series of population-based studies within the Global Campaign against Headache and follows an earlier study, using the same protocol and questionnaire, in the southern State of Karnataka. Methods: This cross-sectional study used the Global Campaign's established methodology. Biologically unrelated Indian nationals aged 18–65 years were included through multistage random sampling in both urban and rural areas of NCR. Interviews at unannounced household visits followed the structured Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire in its original English version or in the validated Hindi version. Demographic enquiry was followed by a neutral headache screening question and diagnostic questions based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders edition 3 (ICHD-3), which focused on each respondent's most bothersome headache. Questions about headache yesterday (HY) enabled estimation of 1-day prevalence. A diagnostic algorithm first identified participants reporting headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+), diagnosing probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) in those also reporting acute medication use on ≥ 15 days/month, and "other H15+" in those not. To all others, the algorithm applied ICHD-3 criteria in the order definite migraine, definite tension-type headache (TTH), probable migraine, probable TTH. Definite and probable diagnoses were combined. Results: Adjusted for age, gender and habitation, 1-year prevalences were 26.3% for migraine, 34.1% for TTH, 3.0% for pMOH and 4.5% for other H15+. Female preponderance was seen in all headache types except TTH: migraine 35.7% vs. 15.1% (aOR = 3.3; p < 0.001); pMOH 4.3% vs. 0.7% (aOR = 5.1; p < 0.001); other H15 + 5.9% vs. 2.3% (aOR = 2.5; p = 0.08). One-day prevalence of (any) headache was 12.0%, based on reported HY. One-day prevalence predicted from 1-year prevalence and mean recalled headache frequency over 3 months was slightly lower (10.5%). Conclusions: The prevalences of migraine and TTH in Delhi and NCR substantially exceed global means. They closely match those in the Karnataka study: migraine 25.2%, TTH 35.1%. We argue that these estimates can reasonably be extrapolated to all India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many studies have documented adverse impact of multiple chronic conditions or multimorbidity on COVID-19 outcomes in patients, there is scarcity of report on how physicians managed these patients. We investigated the experiences and challenges of clinicians in managing patients with multimorbidity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Odisha state, India. To understand the factors influencing illness management and the adaptive responses of physicians alongside the evolving pandemic, we followed a longitudinal qualitative study design. Twenty-three physicians comprising general practitioners, specialists, and intensivists, were telephonically interviewed in-depth. Saldana's longitudinal qualitative data analysis method was employed for data analysis. COVID-19 pandemic initially diverted the attention of health systems, resulting in reduced care. With time, the physicians overcame fear, anxiety, and feelings of vulnerability to COVID-19 and started prioritising patients with multimorbidity for treatment and vaccination. All physicians recommended teleconsultation and digital health records to benefit chronic illness care during future public health crises. The findings underscore the transformative potential of physician resilience and adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing patients with multimorbidity, incorporating teleconsultation, and implementing digital health records in healthcare systems to enhance chronic illness care and preparedness for future public health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very high uranium concentrations of ⁓3000 μgL−1 or more have been found in groundwater held in the granitic aquifers of four villages in eastern Karnataka, India. The highest uranium concentration was 8649 μgL−1 (calculated 218.7 BqL−1) and a maximum radon activity of 101.4 BqL−1. The ingestion doses of uranium for males and females of all age groups are very much higher compared to the corresponding dose calculated for World Health Organization and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board recommended concentrations of 30 and 60 μgL−1for drinking water. It is therefore recommended that alternative sources for drinking water need to be made to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6 to ensure good health from safe drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere along with the increasing temperatures exacerbate the situation, making it one of the major issues for food security. This research aims to explore the effects of climate change on food production in India. More specifically, this study investigates the impact of temperature, rainfall, CO2, methane, and N2O emissions and energy use on food production using a time spanning from 1990 to 2019 and explores the major critical factors impacting food production in India. The study used autoregressive distributed (ARDL) estimates for long-run and short-run cointegration. The empirical results demonstrated that energy use, rainfall, and methane emissions improve food productivity, whereas temperature and N2O emissions undermine food production in the long run and short run. However, the results revealed that CO2 emissions do not affect food production. Additionally, we used the dynamic ordinal least squared approach to verify the robustness of ARDL results. The results also demonstrate that N2O emissions and temperature are critical determinants of food production, indicating that a rise in temperature and N2O emissions significantly reduces food production in India. On the other hand, the findings show that methane emissions and rainfall significantly increase food production with a coefficient of 0.19 and 0.059, respectively. The most important adaptation strategies that should be considered due to climate change are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy investment, and adopting new technologies to combat environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN), particularly the blue lights with short wavelength (450 nm) sourced from LED contributing about 72% of the total ALAN has emerged as a thriving hazard, especially to the nocturnal biotic communities. Fireflies, possessing intrinsic property of bioluminescence are quite vulnerable to the negative impacts of ALAN which threatens the natural courses of their life cycle. The present field-based research highlights the effect of the exposure of differential ALAN intensities on the occurrence of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) for the first time from the Indian subcontinent. Declining effects on the abundance of larvae and adults of three terrestrial firefly species Abscondita chinensis, Abscondita perplexa, and Abscondita terminalis were observed at sites exposed under differential levels of ALAN intensities. Microhabitat occupancy of larvae altered significantly. Availability of larval prey snails increased. The ratio of biomass of the larvae and females represented a deteriorating trend. However, site-specific entomofaunal association did not vary significantly. Cluster analysis reflected the categorization of the study specimens under 3 different assemblages according to the lowest, medium, and highest ranges of ALAN exposure. Principal component analysis indicated that the abundance of adult insects was positively influenced by Sky Quality Meter (SQM) (PC1:0.98) and Naked- eye limiting magnitude (NELM) (PC1:0.97), whereas, the artificial brightness (AB) and total brightness (TB) (PC1: 0.92 for each) had shown negative impacts. The results suggest the scope of utilization of fireflies as a potential bioindicator for light pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing concern in the social innovation (SI) literature about the tackling of grand challenges, our understanding of the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) remains in its infancy. This article examines foreign MNE subsidiaries' SI investments focusing on United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) in host countries. Using financial data from large, listed subsidiaries of foreign MNEs operating in India, along with hand-collected data from firms' disclosures of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity for five years starting in 2015, we utilise the externalities framework propounded by Montiel et al. (2021). This neatly translates the 17 UNSDGS into actionable goals to examine the efforts of foreign MNE subsidiaries in increasing positive externalities as opposed to reducing negative externalities via SI-related investment in host countries. The study also evaluates the effects of the local embeddedness of the foreign MNE subsidiaries on SI investment. We find that MNE subsidiaries tend to favour increasing positive externalities as compared to reducing negative externalities through their SI investments. Also, older subsidiaries tend to prioritize greater investments in SI projects related to reducing negative externalities and subsidiaries with higher MNE ownership tend to reduce investments in SI projects related to increasing positive externalities. We discuss possible interpretations of the exploratory results using the institutional logics perspective and conclude with implications for policy and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional weather and climate are generally impacted by global climatic phenomenon′s. Understanding the impact of global climate phenomenon′s on an atmospheric branch of the hydrological cycle is crucial to make advances in skillful precipitation forecast. The present study adopts a multiscale approach based on wavelets for unravelling the linkages between teleconnections and atmospheric moisture transport over homogeneous regions of Indian sub-continent. We investigated linkages between atmospheric moisture transport quantified as monthly integrated water vapor transport (IVT) during 1951–2022 over selected homogeneous regions and eight large scale climate oscillations using wavelet and global wavelet coherence. Our results indicate significant heterogeneity in linkages across different regions and across multiple timescales. In particular, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) influence monthly IVT at intra-annual to inter-annual scale over all regions. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have strong connection to monthly IVT at inter-annual scale whereas over west central region both IOD and ENSO strongly influence IVT at inter-decadal scale. While the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation have an impact on IVT in the north-east and southern regions, the Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic oscillation have a strong inter-annual connection to IVT, majorly in the northwest and hilly regions. Overall, the methodology offers an effective approach for capturing the dynamics of atmospheric moisture transport in time–frequency space and provide a practical reference for prediction of atmospheric moisture transport linked precipitation over different regions of Indian subcontinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the factors that influence the adoption of digital technology in rural areas of India, with a focus on the Digital India Program (DIP). By analyzing the age distribution, education levels, technology adoption rates, and utilization patterns among rural populations, this research provides insights into the effectiveness of the DIP in targeting specific demographics and promoting digital inclusion. Quantitative data were collected from 400 respondents in Kalahandi District in the Odisha state of India. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal a predominantly young population in rural India, indicating a workforce with significant economic potential and a higher likelihood of embracing digital technologies. Moreover, the study highlights the high levels of education among respondents, indicating a population well-equipped to understand and benefit from digital initiatives. Unexpectedly, the research shows a higher rate of digital technology adoption among female respondents, challenging the perception of gender disparities in technology access. This finding suggests that the DIP has played a vital role in bridging the gender gap and empowering women in rural areas. Additionally, the study uncovers a trend towards mobile-based services over computer-based services, signaling a shift in technology utilization patterns. This emphasizes the need to prioritize mobile technology and improve connectivity in rural areas to ensure wider access to digital platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the findings of a field study conducted on the purchasing intentions of ethical consumers in India. We explored how the involvement of ethical consumers with social networking sites (SNSs such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and others) affects their intentions to buy ethical products. Applying an extended theoretical lens of theory of planned behavior and social capital, we present an analysis of a rich qualitative data. We identify and describe 7 dimensions, representing the 19 factors and manifesting the informational, relational, and valuation usage of SNSs that explain their impact on the purchase intention of ethical consumers in India. We conclude by highlighting the decision-making role played by the ethical knowledge and price sensitivity of ethical consumers, reflecting the peculiarities and dynamics of ethical consumption in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial policy can play a role in India's elusive quest for jobs, particularly "good jobs," and technology upgrading as it seeks to traverse the first stage of industrialization driven by abundant cheap labor and high investment rates, to reach the second stage which requires higher productivity levels and a capacity to innovate. There are lessons to be learned from the past in the success stories of Asian industrialization—including some from India itself. Yet, the past may not be the perfect recipe for the future given a changing global landscape characterized by increasing industrial automation, rising concerns about market access, and the increasing interdependence between the manufacturing and services sectors. Going forward, the role of policy coordination in improving the effectiveness of industrial policy to spur India's industrialization will take center-stage. New policy directions that leverage possibilities of technological leapfrogging—including through the services sector—as well as the synergies between manufacturing and services will be equally important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses how the critique of the monopoly of Western liberal thought through the decolonisation movement that was intended to increase the number of voices heard has been co-opted by nationalist politics in India and Russia. The debates in higher education in these countries reflect current key questions on the nature of the Indian and Russian nations—both under respective nationalist governments—where both are advocating a cutting off from Western modernity. Using Mignolo's concept of "de-linking" that was intended to raise up non-Western ways of thinking, the article shows that India and Russia have adapted and simplified decolonial discourse to reject "Western-influenced" critiques of development, inequality, and authoritarianism. Under political pressure from these authoritarian regimes, universities have helped to embed repressive majoritarian politics through anti-Western rhetoric disguised as de-linking, enabling democratic backsliding by discrediting opposition. This is done to protect a new identity based upon state conceptions of traditional values, paradoxically erasing minority voices that do not fit neatly into the unified national narrative. When universities are branded as Western agents for being critical of local traditions and schools of thought, the space for critical thinking and democratic debate is ultimately removed, leaving those who oppose Putin and Modi with no safe way to engage with political discourse, and this actually undermines the intentions of decolonial philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study marks the pioneering use of time-series econometric techniques and methods, including ARDL, FMOLS, and CCR framework, to examine the short-run dynamic and long-run impacts of climatic change and agricultural technologies on wheat production in India. The research covers the period from 1991 to 2018, thereby spanning nearly three decades. To enhance the assessment of factors influencing wheat production, we incorporated agricultural employment, agricultural credit, and cultivated land into the empirical model. By doing so, we aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of fundamental factors on wheat production dynamics during the study period. In addition, the Granger causality test was employed to determine causational direction among the underlying variables. Results indicate that climatological factors such as precipitation pattern and carbon emissions contribute to an increase in wheat production. In addition, the results indicate that advanced technology has considerably contributed to the increase in wheat production. The ARDL method's long-term results were confirmed and validated by econometric techniques including FMOLS and CCR. According to Granger's estimation of causality, the relationship between farm equipment, agricultural labor, and wheat crop yield is bidirectional. The findings regarding causality indicate that climatological factors had a significant impact on wheat production. To mitigate this issue, the government should develop new crop varieties that are well-suited to the agroclimatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual disability in India is substantially under-reported, especially amongst females. This study quantifies the prevalence and gender bias in household reporting of intellectual disability by estimating the age-and-gender specific prevalence of the intellectually disabled by education, Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) score, place of residence, (rural/urban) and income of household head. We estimated prevalence (per 100,000) at 179 (95% CI: 173 to 185) for males and 120 (95% CI: 115 to 125) for females. Gender differences declined sharply with increased education, was higher for lower ages and low income and varied little by state development. Under-identification and under-reporting due to stigma are two plausible reasons for the gender differences in prevalence that increase with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crime is a major social problem in most developed and developing countries. It induces a social, economic, and psychological impact on the victim. Over the last few decades, India has also witnessed an increasing trend in crime rates. The majority of these crimes are property-related. This study aims to examine the relationship between online preventive searches on Google and the reduction in property crimes in the states of India. We use Poisson quasi-maximum likelihood estimation to analyze the panel dataset for four states on monthly frequency for the period 2017 to 2020. Our results indicate that preventive searches on Google are significantly related to reduced property crimes like Burglary, Robbery, and Theft. A one percent increase in preventive Google searches reduces property crimes by 0.37–0.60%. "Target Hardening" and "Formal Social Control" appear to be the highly correlated preventive inquiries, while "Surveillance" appear to be the least correlated. Our findings indicate that personal precautions are a much more reliable measure for preventing property-related crime than community-level measures. Our result remains robust for both the socially less progressive and highly progressive states. This study contributes to policy discussions by taking a new perspective, providing novel empirical evidence, and contributing to academia through its quantitative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliar application of cyantraniliprole @ 60 g a.i ha− 1 was found most effective and statistically superior to standard checks imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in reducing Diaphorina citri population in kinnow mandarin upto 14 days of treatment. Thus the nature and amounts of active metabolites of cyantraniliprole used in kinnow are set to ensure the safety of the consumers and environment. Hence residue of cyantraniliprole at effective dose i.e. 60 g a.i ha− 1 and double of effective dose i.e. 120 g a.i ha− 1. using 1000 L of water was estimated from kinnow fruits and soil. The average initial deposit of cyantraniliprole in kinnow fruits were 0.254 and 0.415 mg kg− 1 which dissipated to the extent of 95.28 and 95.15% in the respective doses after 10 days and to below detectable limits after 15 days of spray. The residue of cyantraniliprole in soil was found below detectable limits after 10 days of spray. It is concluded that cyantraniliprole can be used in D. citri management programme in kinnow mandarin and the pre-harvest interval recommended for safe consumption of kinnow fruits was observed to be 15 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined within and cross-language relations, and specifically, the role of phonological awareness (PA) skills in reading among young Hindi-speaking children (L1) who were learning to read English (L2) in Delhi, India. Data was collected from 143 children in Grades 1 and 2 using measures validated for this population. The analyses examined the associations between L1 and L2 PA and decoding, both within and across the two languages. The results showed that PA skills within each language significantly predicted decoding in that language. Furthermore, there was evidence of cross-language transfer with Hindi PA significantly predicting English word reading even after controlling for English PA. English PA also significantly predicted Hindi decoding, however, these effects decreased once Hindi PA was added to the model. These findings emphasize the important role that both L1 and L2 PA plays in reading among emergent Hindi–English bilinguals. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings on literacy instruction in India are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]