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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]

Groundwater is one of the most precious natural resources in the densely populated regions of the world. The ever increasing population in the developing countries like India and the concurrent growth of industrial and urban centres along with modern agricultural systems have caused tremendous pressure on groundwater. In the present day context of groundwater depletion and degradation, it is necessary to identify and map the groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) of an area to manage and utilize them sustainably. The present study is, therefore, an attempt to employ the GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) techniques to derive the GWPZs in Nagaon district of the middle Brahmaputra valley agro-climatic region of Assam, India. Here, ten multi-influencing groundwater potential factors, including geology, lineament density, geomorphology, slope, soil texture, LULC, rainfall, drainage density, NDWI, and TWI are considered for the delineation of GWPZs. These criteria are assigned weightages using AHP wherein geology has been given the highest weight, followed by lineament density and the others. Based on these techniques, the GWPZs of the district are classified into four zones, namely, low, moderate, high, and very high which include 20, 301, 218, and 392 villages, respectively. The results are validated with the groundwater levels of 28 tube wells and 5 ring wells distributed throughout the district, and as such, an area under the curve value of 86.9% is found. The results, thus, validated imply that the methodology adopted in deriving the GWPZs is highly reliable, which can help in sustainable utilization, development, and management of groundwater resources in the district. Besides, the identification and mapping of village-wise GWPZs are very essential for the planning of water resource management and water risks mitigation which ultimately help in sustainable rural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tea is a valuable economic plant grown extensively in several Asian countries. The accurate mapping of tea plantations is critical for the growth and development of the tea industry. In eastern India, tea plantations have a significant role in its economy. Sonitpur, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia are major tea-producing districts in Assam. Due to the rapid increase in tea plantations and the burgeoning population, a detailed mapping and regular monitoring of tea plantations are imperative for understanding land use alteration. Objectives: The present study aims to analyse the dynamics of tea plantations from 1990 to 2022 at a decadal scale, using satellite data, such as Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2. Methods: A supervised classifier called Random Forest (RF) was deployed in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to classify tea plantations. Results: The results showed significant growth in tea plantations in the district of Dibrugarh (112%), whereas the remaining districts had a growth rate of 45–89%. During 32 years (1990–2022), about 1280.47 km2 (78.71%) of areas of tea plantations expanded across five districts of Assam. Precision and recall were used to measure the accuracy of tea plantations classification, which exhibited considerably high F1 scores (0.80 to 0.96). Conclusions: This study helps to demonstrate the application of remote sensing techniques to evaluate the dynamics of tea plantations which can help policymakers to manage the tea estates and underlying changes in land cover. [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]

The greater one-horned rhinoceros or Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) faced extinction in British India at the end of the nineteenth century. In 1908, the Government of Assam established the Kaziranga Game Reserve (KGR, now Kaziranga National Park) to preserve the vanishing rhino. As the twentieth century progressed, creating wilderness -- by demonising the presence of the peasants and graziers -- became a global panacea for protecting wildlife. Contrary to that belief, this article will show how the rhino population revived amidst human existence dictated by agro-ecological interactions and bureaucratic expediencies. The rhino's ethology and its place in the imagination of rural people minimised its enemies. Moreover, in fluvial geography that constantly transformed the KGR's boundaries, peasants and graziers creatively negotiated their usufruct rights and supported rhino preservation. Locating the KGR in the historical analysis of fluvial agro-ecology, this study illuminates how a critical interaction between different actors, i.e. human and non-human and coloniser and colonised, accentuated the cultural and material contestations amidst which the rhino eventually survived. [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]

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]

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]

The North-Eastern region of India is a biodiversity hotspot and home to many endemic and rare spices. The spices endemic to this region has vast scope in the national and international market owing to their uniqueness and organic quality. Geographical Indication (GI), a tag that recognises the unique intrinsic attributes of a product arising from specific geographical origin, is yet to be explored in its truest sense by the farmers of the region togain visibility and product differentiation in the market. Importance of GI tag is extremely high for the native farmers of the region to gain recognition in foreign markets. The paper discusses the scope of using GI as a tool for brand building by the spice sector of this region of India. It also examines a few instances where endemic spice varieties from the region have successfully undergone value addition and have been effectively marketed to create a promising presence both domestic and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on fieldwork in Tinsukia district of Assam, this article examines the interplay of Ekal, ideology and education among the Adivasis in the tea gardens. The Ekal schools are one-teacher, informal schools operated by the Sangh Parivar in the underprivileged regions of India and Nepal. Considering the backward status of Adivasis in these tea gardens, the official narrative of the school is to reduce the literacy gap among the community, impart sanskar and empower them with entrepreneurial skills. I argue that Ekal's organisational structure and funding are corporate, and its conception of 'empowerment' is neoliberal. This works as an effective model for Hindutva as the Sangh seeks to bring popularly Christian-dominated tea gardens into its Hindutva fold. This is done by practices both inside and outside the school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective is to find out the impact of the Tax Credit (ITC) in the GST structure on the utilitarian capacity and liquidity of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Using a coordinated survey to gather information on working capital stocks and GST consistency, 200 MSMEs in Assam, India, were selected to conduct a quantitative assessment. The results show that there are significant areas for the relationship between better working capital conditions and the use of ITS. This suggests that MSMEs can have greater financial flexibility and fewer pay restrictions if they do register ITC claims. According to the practical implications of the assessment, policymakers should deal with the ITC system and offer additional assistance to ensure that MSMEs can fully benefit from the GST. This study is novel because it is uniquely relevant to the state of Assam, offering alternative, progressive views on the specific impact of the goods and services tax on small businesses in that state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early decades of the twentieth century in colonial Assam, the standardisation of language, the expansion of regional literature and literary circles, and the challenges arising for linguistic communities led to the formation of Asam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) that intended to work for the advancement of Assamese language in the interest of the public. Implicit in its model of association was the notion of collective identity that gradually set the pace for assertions. The ASS's motivations cannot be discussed in isolation. The historical junctures of colonial India must be taken into account that had set the stage for revolutionising the literary spaces. This article has two key aims, first to discuss the events of ASS's activism during the colonial and post-independence periods and observe the relevant transitions. Second, to look at the mobilisation agendas pursued by the ASS in contemporary times and whether there are alternative inspirations. To place the key issues of the present, the insights from ASS members, who were interviewed, are included. Overall, this article looks at the associational form of the language assertion in Assam, years earlier and the roles adopted with the changing times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North East Region of India, comprising Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram, is characterized by a distinctive blend of ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. Connected to the rest of the country via the Siliguri Corridor, also known as Chicken’s Neck, this paper delves into the historical context of conflicts in the region. It assesses various contributing factors such as ethnic diversity, migration patterns, resource allocation, and political interests. Given China's proximity through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the Siliguri Corridor, India's attention to this area becomes crucial. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the socio-economic impact of these conflicts and proposes potential strategies for conflict resolution and peace-building efforts. Specifically, it focuses on analyzing border disputes between Assam and neighboring Northeastern states, identifies primary causes of conflict, and offers actionable recommendations for resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract 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.

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.

In India, human-elephant conflict has been on the rise for the last few decades. The situation is worse in the state of Assam, where 5719 elephants are present, and the density of elephants is greater than that of other areas. Most of the elephant habitats in the state are fragmented or intermingled with human-used lands. As a result, human-elephant conflict (HEC) has been increasing in the state. Each year, an average of 80 elephants and 70 humans die in the state because of HEC. Most of these conflicts occur during the paddy harvesting season. At that time of year, the elephants come out from their habitats and take refuge in forest patches and tea gardens near agricultural fields and raid crops at night. Different methods have been adopted to identify conflict-affected areas, but none of the studies have tried to identify all the HEC-affected areas in the state. Here, we provide a rapid appraisal approach for identifying HEC hotspots in the state by using published news information as the primary source of data. A total of 216 villages were identified as HEC-affected areas in Assam. The identified areas can be used to understand site-specific problems and for HEC mitigation practices, as these areas are currently limited to only a few areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the outbreak of the Rice Swarming Caterpillar (RSC) in India and the potential use of drones for early detection and management of the pest. The article highlights the importance of synchronized ecological factors in the occurrence and sustenance of the outbreak. It suggests that drones can be used to survey rice fields, identify RSC hubs, monitor insectivorous birds, sample insects, assess the infested area, and assess crop damage. The article emphasizes the need for further research on optimizing drone parameters and determining the spatial scale for reliable forecasting. The use of drones in RSC outbreak management can help farmers save time, reduce labor, and make timely decisions to minimize crop damage. The document also includes references to studies on the use of drones in pest management and surveillance in agricultural fields, covering topics such as monitoring insect populations, scouting for pests, and applying insecticides. It discusses the challenges and advantages of using drones in pest management. [Extracted from the article]

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]

Suicide is a leading cause of mortality among young people in many countries, making it a serious global public health problem. It is estimated that around 20% of global suicides are due to pesticide poisoning. This study was conducted with an objective to find out the commonest suicidal poison and its demographic distribution. This study was designed on victims of suicidal poisoning brought for medicolegal autopsy at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, Assam between 15th October 2017 and 14th October 2022. Required information for the study was gathered from inquest reports, autopsy reports, chemical examiner's analysis report of viscera and available documents in the departmental records. The collected information was statistically analysed using Microsoft excel version 2019. Out of 64 cases, poison was detected in 33 Cases. Male victims surpassed females with highest number of victims from age group 21-30 years. Most common poisoning agent was organophosphorus compounds. Educational and awareness programs regarding usage and storage of pesticides can become an important step for the prevention of deaths due to poisoning. However more research is needed to better understand suicides involving pesticides in their cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: On January 30, 2023, 26 acute diarrheal disease (ADD) cases and a death were reported from a village in Dibrugarh, Assam, India. We investigated and described the outbreak by time, place and person, identified the potential exposures, and formulated recommendations. Methods: We defined a case of ADD as the occurrence of loose stools (≥3 episodes) between January 27, 2023 and February 11, 2023. We conducted a door-to-door case search, calculated attack rates by age and gender, drew an epidemic curve, and plotted cases by residence. We performed a case-control study to identify possible exposure variables, calculated odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI), and collected stool and water specimens from households and schools for laboratory testing. Results: We identified a total of 55 cases, with an overall attack rate of 5.6 % and one death (case fatality rate of 1.8 %). School-going children exhibited a higher attack rate of 39 %. Shigella flexneri was isolated from one of the stool specimens. Furthermore, the water obtained from households' tube wells exceeded the permissible limits of E. coli for consumption. Consuming prasadam (Sacred food) at a school religious event (OR = 6.2, 95 % CI = 2.6–15.2) and not washing hands after defecation (OR = 8.2, 95 % CI = 1.7–38) were associated with ADD. Conclusion: The results indicated that the food served during the school religious event could potentially be the source of the ADD outbreak. The food served during the event likely acted as a medium for community transmission, possibly due to unhygienic practices and contaminated drinking water.

The main objective is to find out the impact of the Tax Credit (ITC) in the GST structure on the utilitarian capacity and liquidity of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Using a coordinated survey to gather information on working capital stocks and GST consistency, 200 MSMEs in Assam, India, were selected to conduct a quantitative assessment. The results show that there are significant areas for the relationship between better working capital conditions and the use of ITS. This suggests that MSMEs can have greater financial flexibility and fewer pay restrictions if they do register ITC claims. According to the practical implications of the assessment, policymakers should deal with the ITC system and offer additional assistance to ensure that MSMEs can fully benefit from the GST. This study is novel because it is uniquely relevant to the state of Assam, offering alternative, progressive views on the specific impact of the goods and services tax on small businesses in that state.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood physical disability, which often leads to secondary conditions and affects the quality of life (QOL) of the children suffering from it. This study measures the QOL of children with CP using Children with Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire (CP-QOL) and the factors affecting it. Methods: This cross-sectional study covering 140 purposively chosen caregivers of children with CP aged 4–12 years was conducted in Assam, India, 2023. Subscale scores of CP-QOL were computed to determine the overall QOL score. Cronbach's α assessed the subscales' reliability and interval consistency. Bivariate analysis was conducted to present the socio-demographic variation in QOL, and logistic regression revealed the determinants. Regression model diagnostics were performed, which included the Omnibus test, the Hosmer–Lemeshow test, a classification table showing the model's sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy, and a ROC curve displaying the model's overall accuracy in predicting the outcome variable. Results: The overall QOL score was 44.94 ± 16.28. QOL scores varied significantly with children's age, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels, special school enrolment, mother's education, family structure, and the behaviour of relatives and neighbours. Nearly three-fourths of the caregivers perceived a poor QOL of their children with CP. Children's CP type, GMFCS level, associated conditions, and religion were significantly associated with their QOL. Conclusion: The QOL of children with CP are significantly lower, the primary factor being the GMFCS level. Efforts to educate caregivers and customized policies and programs will help improve CP children's QOL.

Background: The entire concept of aging gracefully involves maintaining the independence and quality of life among the older adults, with a particular emphasis on the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The number of older adults in the country has grown subsequently, with their dependence on care-givers which has also increased. Objectives: The study attempts to understand the prevalence and determinants of the limitations of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) among older adults aged 60 and over living in Indian state of Assam. Methods: The study use the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI, 2017–18) Assam data, and information was sought from 816 older adults aged 60 years and above. An index of ADL was created on a scale of two levels, having no levels of ADL and having ADL limitation. Results: Around 18 % of the older adults reported ADL disability. Females had higher prevalence of ADL than males (22 % v/s 14 %). Those aged 70 plus were also more likely to have ADL functional limitation (OR = 1.78, CI = 1.61–1.96) than those aged 60–69 years. Older adults not involved in any physical activity were more likely to report ADL limitation (OR = 1.50, CI = 1.34–1.68) than their counterparts. Conclusion: The findings of the study call for action to have geriatric care centres as the need of the hour, to promote exercise and other recreational activities that will help the old keep physically active and increase social-participation.

Abstract Background Operational large-scale flood monitoring using publicly available satellite data is possible with the advent of Sentinel-1 microwave data, which enables near-real-time (at 6-day intervals) flood mapping day and night, even in cloudy monsoon seasons. Automated flood inundation area identification in near-real-time involves advanced geospatial data processing platforms, such as Google Earth Engine and robust methodology (Otsu’s algorithm). Objectives The current study employs Sentinel-1 microwave data for flood extent mapping using machine learning (ML) algorithms in Assam State, India. We generated a flood hazard and soil erosion susceptibility map by combining multi-source data on weather conditions and soil and terrain characteristics. Random Forest (RF), Classification and Regression Tool (CART), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) ML algorithms were applied to generate the flood hazard map. Furthermore, we employed the multicriteria evaluation (MCE) analytical hierarchical process (AHP) for soil erosion susceptibility mapping. Summary The highest prediction accuracy was observed for the RF model (overall accuracy [OA] > 82%), followed by the SVM (OA > 82%) and CART (OA > 81%). Over 26% of the study area indicated high flood hazard-prone areas, and approximately 60% showed high and severe potential for soil erosion due to flooding. The automated flood mapping platform is an essential resource for emergency responders and decision-makers, as it helps to guide relief activities by identifying suitable regions and appropriate logistic route planning and improving the accuracy and timeliness of emergency response efforts. Periodic flood inundation maps will help in long-term planning and policymaking, flood management, soil and biodiversity conservation, land degradation, planning sustainable agriculture interventions, crop insurance, and climate resilience studies.

Background: Operational large-scale flood monitoring using publicly available satellite data is possible with the advent of Sentinel-1 microwave data, which enables near-real-time (at 6-day intervals) flood mapping day and night, even in cloudy monsoon seasons. Automated flood inundation area identification in near-real-time involves advanced geospatial data processing platforms, such as Google Earth Engine and robust methodology (Otsu's algorithm). Objectives: The current study employs Sentinel-1 microwave data for flood extent mapping using machine learning (ML) algorithms in Assam State, India. We generated a flood hazard and soil erosion susceptibility map by combining multi-source data on weather conditions and soil and terrain characteristics. Random Forest (RF), Classification and Regression Tool (CART), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) ML algorithms were applied to generate the flood hazard map. Furthermore, we employed the multicriteria evaluation (MCE) analytical hierarchical process (AHP) for soil erosion susceptibility mapping. Summary: The highest prediction accuracy was observed for the RF model (overall accuracy [OA] > 82%), followed by the SVM (OA > 82%) and CART (OA > 81%). Over 26% of the study area indicated high flood hazard-prone areas, and approximately 60% showed high and severe potential for soil erosion due to flooding. The automated flood mapping platform is an essential resource for emergency responders and decision-makers, as it helps to guide relief activities by identifying suitable regions and appropriate logistic route planning and improving the accuracy and timeliness of emergency response efforts. Periodic flood inundation maps will help in long-term planning and policymaking, flood management, soil and biodiversity conservation, land degradation, planning sustainable agriculture interventions, crop insurance, and climate resilience studies. [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]

The current study compared the achievements of higher secondary level students before and during the COVID 19 pandemic in five subjects-English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. This study was conducted on higher secondary level students from Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam, India. Dichotomous variables like rural and urban, tribal and non-tribal are considered for sample collection. A stratified random sampling technique is used for data collection. When five subjects are considered as a unit, the Mahalanobis Distance (MD) is used to measure the difference in dynamical character of achievements. There is a significant difference in the achievement of students between pre-COVID 19 and during COVID 19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What drives insurgent groups to negotiation? The paper examines the conditions that facilitate insurgents to negotiate with governments. It examines the case of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), in Assam, India's northeast. Factors that may have contributed to the process of negotiation were change in relative costs and capabilities of insurgents. The paper argues that state's unwillingness to concede to the insurgent demands of territorial separation affect the outcomes of insurgencies that further contribute to the fragile peace process. Drawing on qualitative interviews of former insurgents, civil society organizations and government officials, this article contributes to studies on peace negotiations. [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]