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Food has been invented, consumed, modified, and evolved through the ages based on social conditions. This influence can be seen in Kerala, a South Indian state along the Arabian Sea, which has been part of the colonial expedition. The culinary heritage of Kerala is a unique blend of foreign influences from Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British who arrived on its shores. In this context, the aim of the study is to focus on the authenticity of Kerala's traditional dish, meen curry, in relation to culinary nostalgia and familial identity. The research paper will provide a comprehensive analysis of meen curry and the ingredients used in Kerala-style restaurant, studio kitchen, toddy shop, and heirloom recipes to understand how the dish is prepared in various settings within and outside the state as an agent of culinary traditions and nostalgia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants to explore the gastronomic landscape of Bangalore and Kerala with respect to the authenticity of meen curry. The qualitative data from these interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and categorized into three relevant themes. The findings of the study suggest that the authenticity of meen curry of Kerala is variable and subjective, and one single form of "authentic" meen curry that represents entire Kerala does not exist. The research will contribute to the current academic knowledge on how the authenticity of food is perceived by communities or individuals and suggests that this perspective may be applicable to other societies or cuisines for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores menstruation as a domain of kinship within and across three generations of women in central Kerala, India. Based on fieldwork, it shows that certain gendered practices of intimacy and care work in the context of menstruation produce kinship bonds among them, which the authors enunciate as 'menstrual kinship.' In the past, it was shared chiefly among consanguineal and affinal kinswomen and same-caste women, and became conspicuous only during public menarche rites and the separation of menstruating women. Presently, menstrual kinship extends to women outside the natal and marital family, often overturns the traditional perspectives of menstruation and actively contributes to maintaining the contemporary 'invisibility' of menstrual phenomena. The paper posits that regardless of its gendered nature and time-tethered transformations, 'menstrual kinship' has always existed as a realm that can release menstruation from conventional discourses of patriarchy and caste and aid in retrieving women's phenomenological experiences and voices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pteris reptans (Pteridaceae), a native fern of Sri Lanka, has its distribution in India with exclusive limited occurrence in the state of Kerala. The plants from Kerala were examined for their quantity of spores per sporangium, micromorphology using SEM, gametophyte and sporophytic developmental phases. Upon examination, it was discovered that the sporangium of all accessions contained 32 tetrahedral spores with a continuous cingulum and noticeable tubercles on both surfaces. Normal shaped spore frequencies per sporangia ranged erratically from 81% to 95%. The fern exhibited Vittaria-type of spore germination. Gametophytic development followed the Adiantum-type in early stages with further Ceratopteris-type growth. A thorough analysis of antheridial development was done, but throughout the whole investigation, no archegonium was seen. Without any gametic fusion, juvenile sporophytes were produced apogamously on the prothalli. The filamentous stage was retained until the third week after germination and the sporophytes started emerging from the 12th week. After 90–95 days no further sporophytes emerged. Developmental morphology of the sporophyte was studied by observing trends in frond characteristics. The study is the first report on detailed apogamous development of P. reptans and also describes propagation methods for ex-situ multiplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the goddess we find in the Devī Māhātmya (the debut of the Hindu great goddess within the Brāhmaṇic fold around fifth century CE) and that of the Bhadrakāḷī Māhātmya (a regional Kerala Purāṇa composed some thousand years later) to show that both texts present us with a vision of the Hindu goddess which transcends the breast-tooth binary characteristic of Western scholarship. Our analysis—resulting from a careful synchronic reading of the text of the BhadrakāḷīMāhātmya—demonstrates the extent to which the Bhadrakāḷī Māhātmya, like its pan-Hindu forerunner the Devī Māhātmya, integrates the episodic wrathful aspect of the goddess within an ultimately compassionate stance. Moreover, we draw on fieldwork on the worship of Bhadrakāḷī in Kerala to demonstrate that this ethos well transcends the realm of text to inhabit the heart of the Devī's devotees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Events that unfold in the Middle East profoundly impact the social and political environment in Kerala, India's southernmost state. This article examines the response in Kerala to the attacks and counter-attacks by the Hamas militants and the Israeli forces in and around the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, which resulted in a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Traditionally, a pro-Palestine sentiment has been prevalent in Kerala due to its geographical proximity to the Arabian Peninsula, its notable Muslim population, and its anti-imperialist political discourses under the influence of the dominant Left ideology. However, there has been an increasing appeal for Israel in Kerala recently, especially among some Christian denominations. This article considers these factors and analyzes Kerala's response to the Gaza crisis using news articles, statements by political and religious leaders, and the editorials of five prominent Malayalam language newspapers. Despite debates around the Gaza crisis in Kerala being less unequivocal, the state's social and political circles largely stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine fishing is a crucial component of the blue economy (BE), an avenue for sustainable livelihoods, and the socioeconomic development of economies, predominantly in the global south. However, marine fishing is increasingly dotted with (un)sustainability issues, including the exclusion of fisherwomen in fisheries value chains, and lucrative fisheries socioeconomic livelihoods opportunities, worsened by socio-cultural biases. This creates unsustainable futures and missed opportunities due to women’s disempowerment. Acknowledging literature gaps in documenting the potential of fisherwomen in marine fishing, we use a case study of Kerala state in India, to showcase emerging best-case women’s empowerment (WE) spaces to promote new cultures of sustainability. We demonstrate this using a scoping literature review of 60 articles on marine fishing in Kerala. Findings highlight the transformative potential of marine fishing to WE in the social, economic, political/institutional governance, and psychological domains. To our knowledge, this is one of the few in-depth review studies in India that succintly provides evidence that can change the traditional narrative (bias/stereotypes) on women’s exclusion in the fisheries sector. This paper demonstrates the possibilities for using marine fishing as a driver for WE in tropical coastal fishing communities. To facilitate the replicability of the transformative narratives and key lessons from Kerala highlighted in the study, we developed a novel pathway called, the “Transforming Cultures for Marine Fisherwomen Empowerment Pathway (TCMFEP) which has seven (7) key steps. Insights from Kerala and the TCMFEP reveal that, with the development of systematic, inclusive empowerment arenas, and robust policies/cultures, sustainability narratives in marine fishing are possible. These can unlock barriers to fisherwomen empowerment, especially in vulnerable tropical fishing countries. As there is increased realization of the co-benefits of tapping women into marine fishing livelihoods spaces and value chains, co-designing of best options for WE should be emphasized. This could further lead to comprehensive ocean sustainability narratives needed for just and sustainable future transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kerala model of development, founded on 'good health at low cost' in the 1970s, was seriously threatened by economic, social, demographic, and epidemiological transitions in Kerala, leading to 'poor health at exorbitant cost' by the early 2000s. To tackle these exorbitant healthcare costs, mainly precipitated by a reliance on private hospitals, the state government partnered with the central government to introduce various Government-Sponsored Health Insurance (GSHI) schemes. This study traces the diverse effects that the state policy might have created in Kerala by using GSHI as a mechanism to divert the GSHI-covered households towards public hospitals between 2008 and 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to understand the nature and intensity of Accredited Social Health Activists' (ASHAs) work and its gendered significance in social and healthcare contexts, specifically during the COVID-19 scenario, by critically exploring the family, community and state responses as well as the work's impact on their personal, relational and environmental levels. Employing a qualitative survey method, in-depth interviews were carried out with 52 ASHAs shortly after the pandemic. The findings reveal that while ASHAs view the altruistic, community service aspect of their work as empowering, the state must recognise the burden of underpaid community care work on women, which is exhausting and contributes to time poverty and a lack of leisure. This study advocates for policy interventions to regularise ASHAs' services and increase their remuneration from a gender justice perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current period has witnessed a tremendous alteration of the conventional strict mode of professional policing to close the gap in the relations between the police and the people. To achieve the aim of maximising public happiness by enhancing police performance, many policing initiatives have been implemented by different countries. The use of community policing as a means of public engagement has gained widespread acceptance. The purpose of community policing is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and citizens so that police are completely integrated into the communities they serve. Over the last four decades, several Indian states have come to understand the value of community policing's adaptability, which has led to its implementation in accordance with local quirks. One notable example of successful community policing initiative in India is the Janamaithri Suraksha Project, implemented in Kerala. This study investigates the definitional analysis of community policing, and how Kerala construed the idea of developing a successful Janamaithri Suraksha Project model in terms of its institutional framework, execution, and influence on Kerala society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article has, as its basic source, three royal charters of the ninth- to thirteenth-century period from Kerala. The royal need for precious metals to issue currency alone explains the rulers' anxiety to give concessions to merchants engaged in overseas trade. The article examines how this policy was conducted and how far it was successful. Inscriptions form our major source for the period thirteenth century, and these form the main source for the following study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at aspects of the economic developments in medieval Kerala such as in land use, agriculture, craft production, trade, rise of urban centres and the use of money. These resulted, among other things, in the emergence of a new sensibility and the (re)invention of media to express it. Placing them in the larger context of the peninsula, it seeks to raise questions about their implications for understanding a transition from the 'medieval' to a later formation and discuss various possibilities. It concludes with the observation that 'Whether or not one can, or has to, call what would be in store a capitalist formation, one thing is clear: changes were on the cards. The forces and processes of this transition, its character and direction as well as its causality call for detailed studies'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) have emerged as a potential solution to address the limitations of cooperatives. This study was conducted in Kerala, India, and 25 percent of the FPCs established on or before 31/03/2020 were selected as the sample. A simple percentage analysis was employed to evaluate the general profile of the FPCs. The findings indicated that FPCs are dominated by small and marginal farmers (98.92 percent) and, on average, the share capital of NABARD-promoted and CDB-promoted FPCs were Rs.19.62 lakhs and Rs. 218.88 lakhs respectively. FPCs perform multiple functions starting from marketing, processing, value addition, storage, drying, input shop, consultancy services, credit and insurance support, agency for government procurement, agro-service centers, and labor banks and exports. Consequently, FPCs address nearly all the requirements of farmers in the value chain from providing timely inputs at reasonable rates to facilitating the product's journey to the final consumers. Despite certain limitations, such as poor resource base, lack of linkages, and inadequate management, with appropriate guidance and sufficient support in terms of finance, technical, and managerial resources, FPCs have the potential to thrive and become a promising avenue for small and marginal farmers in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the perspectives and hopes of the Indian middle class regarding international migration, specifically focusing on educational mobility. It discusses the obstacles that students encounter in a fluctuating economy, their dependence on family resources and financial support for studying abroad, as well as the importance of social networks. Furthermore, it analyses how social media platforms aid migration and addresses the influence of privatisation and global mobility on student decision‐making. The paper also highlights Indian students' desires to embody ideal neoliberal characteristics to secure prestigious employment while fulfilling cultural expectations within middle‐class households. Additionally, it investigates how migration facilitation and migrants' actions contribute to new migration routes. The research contextualises these changes in students balancing conflicting pressures and ambitions across different locations with cosmopolitan migrant ideals at its core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The resurgence of Nipah virus (NiV) in Kerala, India, represents a significant public health challenge. This paper aims to explore ongoing challenges associated with NiV transmission, focusing on environmental factors, healthcare responses, and shifts in clinical manifestations. We also highlight the critical need for proactive management strategies to prevent future outbreaks, given the virus's zoonotic nature and evolving transmission dynamics. Methods: A search was conducted using keywords such as "Nipah virus," "Kerala," and "bats" in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and trusted news sources. Articles and reports were selected based on their relevance to NiV transmission, clinical presentation, and containment efforts, particularly concerning recent outbreaks in Kerala. Results: Recent outbreaks have shown atypical respiratory presentations, complicating early detection and increasing the importance of healthcare containment. The virus's clustering within specific regions and the emergence of a new genotype underscore the need for enhanced surveillance. Conclusion: The frequent NIV outbreaks in Kerala demand a multifaceted approach to prevention. Early detection systems, public awareness campaigns, and rigorous environmental management are essential. Collaborative efforts between government and public health entities are paramount to mitigate the impact of this deadly virus. Continuous research is imperative to safeguard public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extended distributional record of a threatened species of Ceropegia namely Ceropegia gardneri from Kerala is provided. This species exhibits a narrow range of distribution along the Western Ghats and in Sri Lanka. Details of four other rare species of Ceropegia are also given. Notes on taxonomy, phenology, distribution and conservation status are also provided for the better understanding of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kerala is a state in south India, appreciated for its education, better health indicators and quality of life. However, there is a proportionately high prevalence of mental health illnesses and suicides reported in the state. It is unclear if there is any disparity in the gender categories in this. With this systematic review, we aim to systematically study the gender disparity in the prevalence of mental health (MH) issues among adolescents, younger and older adults in Kerala. Methods: A search strategy was built and several databases like Pubmed, Cochrane, Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and ProQuest were used alongside grey literature to identify relevant articles. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines following a prespecified protocol. After relevant data extraction, the estimates were pooled using random effects model due to the high heterogeneity assessed by tau-squared, Cochran Q, and prediction interval. Subgroup analyses, and meta-regression were used to reduce heterogeneity. We also identified the influence and heterogeneity contributed by individual studies using influence plots, Baujat plot, clustering, and performed several sensitivity analyses. Results: Twenty articles were included in the review and meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio of mental health illnesses amongst females compared to males in Kerala was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.0 − 1.73) and falls within a prediction interval of 0.38 to 4.53. The individual studies showed high heterogeneity (I2 = 92%, p = p < 0.01) and hence, subgroup analysis was done for several prespecified subgroups based on etiology, geography, demography, study settings, and age groups. Heterogeneity was significantly reduced by subgrouping based on etiology, study setting and age (p, 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001). In etiologic subgrouping the highest pooled odds was in comorbidities associated MH issues (2.54) and least in non-specific (0.97). In age subgrouping, the highest pooled odds was in elderly (2.53) and least in adolescents (0.63). The odds was highest in health care facility (2.21) and least in educational institution (0.78) based studies. Meta-regression based on the size of the study failed to reduce heterogeneity. Interpretations: A gender disparity was evident in the prevalence of mental health issues, with a higher Odds in females especially among the elderly and adults. A Gender transformative approach in legislative, health systems and policy frameworks will be the answer to this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization Astana Declaration of 2018 sees primary healthcare as key to universal health coverage and gives further support to the goal of building sustainable models of community palliative care. Yet evaluating the benefits of such models continues to pose methodological and conceptual challenges. Objective: To explore evaluation issues associated with a community-based palliative care approach in Kerala, India. Design: An illuminative case study using a rapid evaluation methodology. Methodology: Qualitative interviews, documentary analysis and observations of home care and community organising. Results: We appraise a community palliative care programme in Kerala, India, using three linked 'canvases' of enquiry: (1) 'complex' multi-factorial community-based interventions and implications for evaluation; (2) 'axiological' orientations that foreground values in any evaluation process and (3) the status of evaluative evidence in postcolonial contexts. Three values underpinning the care process were significant: heterogeneity, voice and decentralisation. We identify 'objects of interest' related to first-, second- and third-order outcomes: (1) individuals and organisations; (2) unintended targets outside the core domain and (3) indirect, distal effects within and outside the domain. Conclusion: We show how evaluation of palliative care in complex community circumstances can be successfully accomplished when attending to the significance of community care values. Plain language summary: Where are the values in evaluating palliative care? Learning from community-based palliative care provision The evaluation of any intervention or service will inevitably involve a series of decisions on what we measure, what criteria we use to judge whether the intervention has been successful (or not), what type of data we actually collect and what methods we use to do this. When evaluating a range of palliative care interventions, we suggest that these decisions have often been taken in a concealed way and tend to favour relatively narrow quantitative measures linked to end outcomes. Our paper reports on the evaluation of a community-based palliative care intervention on Kerala, India. In it, we suggest that such complex work requires a broader approach to evaluation that: makes the values being used to assess success explicit; draws on a range of data types; is interested in delivery processes; and places the voices of participants at the heart of the assessment. The paper concludes with some broader observations on how these principles might be applied more widely within palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In examining the religious implications of printing, there is a scholarly consensus that Protestant Christianity, rather than Catholicism, played a central role in popularising print technology by disseminating religious materials in vernacular languages. This article builds upon this widely accepted hypothesis and seeks to explore the religious aspects of print modernity in Kerala, a southern state in India. The focus of this study is on the Catholic Church's engagement with printing and the development of Catholic print capitalism in Kerala, with a special emphasis on the nineteenth century until the 1870s. This paper investigates how the Catholic Church interacted with and mediated with the printing press as an agent of modernity, particularly in response to the flourishing Protestant missionary engagements in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Thermobia (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae), Thermobia smithi sp. nov., found in a library and store rooms from Kerala, India, is described and diagnosed. This is the second species in the genus Thermobia reported from India. The report presents morphological, meristic and molecular details of the species and discusses its differences with related species of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Kerala's transition from an agrarian to a service-oriented economy is widely acknowledged, discussions are most often confined to material domains, overlooking overall life satisfaction, which is critical to pursue any profession. This state-wide community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to gather data from farmers residing in three geographical zones of Kerala, India, North, South and Central, to understand their life satisfaction and how it correlates to their access to resources and social support. From each zone, we randomly chose two districts, and from each district, two panchayats. From each panchayat, we chose one ward to identify a total of 580 eligible farmers. Structured interviews were conducted using door-knock surveys to elicit information from the respondents using a set of standardized questionnaires. The results suggest that the respondents had a mean age of 54.5, with 19.8% being over 65, indicating demographic ageing in the farming sector. Only 46% chose farming as their full-time occupation. Farmers with higher levels of education who owned large plots of land experienced life satisfaction. Interpersonal relationships and social support were significant determinants of life satisfaction, as these factors were pivotal in their access to formal and informal services. With social support being pivotal in life satisfaction, it is imperative to change the social mindset towards farming. Additionally, the government should promote advanced technologies and high-yielding agricultural practises to transform the economic landscape of Kerala in favour of agriculture, which is imperative for the food security of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article highlights the facets of gender disparities in care work and emotional labour within dual earning households that have aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online qualitative survey and in-depth interviews carried out among 50 heterosexual, middle-class, and upper-middle-class working parents in Kerala, India, in the post-pandemic period, indicate that working mothers faced time poverty and additional work burden during the lockdown period, while they tussled between work from home and (care) works at home, as external support mechanisms were suspended during the pandemic. The findings illustrate that the disparities in division of labour are immense and are associated with more feminized labour such as cooking and childcare responsibilities, and that the spouses normalize such disparities. I further argue that the glorification and magnification of voluntary involvement of men in care work further problematize the dichotomy. I construe that the egalitarian gender perspectives expressed by the respondents are premised on the concept of gender equality as something to be achieved outside the family, and not within. Here, I illustrate how the working wives and mothers are compelled to over-compensate for ideas of femininity and motherliness associated with the figure of the housewife, through this imposed volunteering of care work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Food has been invented, consumed, modified, and evolved through the ages based on social conditions. This influence can be seen in Kerala, a South Indian state along the Arabian Sea, which has been part of the colonial expedition. The culinary heritage of Kerala is a unique blend of foreign influences from Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British who arrived on its shores. In this context, the aim of the study is to focus on the authenticity of Kerala’s traditional dish, meen curry, in relation to culinary nostalgia and familial identity. The research paper will provide a comprehensive analysis of meen curry and the ingredients used in Kerala-style restaurant, studio kitchen, toddy shop, and heirloom recipes to understand how the dish is prepared in various settings within and outside the state as an agent of culinary traditions and nostalgia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants to explore the gastronomic landscape of Bangalore and Kerala with respect to the authenticity of meen curry. The qualitative data from these interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and categorized into three relevant themes. The findings of the study suggest that the authenticity of meen curry of Kerala is variable and subjective, and one single form of “authentic” meen curry that represents entire Kerala does not exist. The research will contribute to the current academic knowledge on how the authenticity of food is perceived by communities or individuals and suggests that this perspective may be applicable to other societies or cuisines for future research.

Abstract In this study, a landslide susceptibility assessment is performed by combining two machine learning regression algorithms (MLRA), such as support vector regression (SVR) and categorical boosting (CatBoost), with two population-based optimization algorithms, such as grey wolf optimizer (GWO) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), to evaluate the potential of a relatively new algorithm and the impact that optimization algorithms can have on the performance of regression models. The Kerala state in India has been chosen as the test site due to the large number of recorded incidents in the recent past. The study started with 18 potential predisposing factors, which were reduced to 14 after a multi-approach feature selection technique. Six susceptibility models were implemented and compared using the machine learning algorithms alone and combining each of them with the two optimization algorithms: SVR, CatBoost, SVR-PSO, CatBoost-PSO, SVR-GWO, and CatBoost-GWO. The resulting maps were validated with an independent dataset. The performance rankings, based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) metric, are as follows: CatBoost-GWO (AUC = 0.910) had the highest performance, followed by CatBoost-PSO (AUC = 0.909), CatBoost (AUC = 0.899), SVR-GWO (AUC = 0.868), SVR-PSO (AUC = 0.858), and SVR (AUC = 0.840). Other validation statistics corroborated these outcomes, and the Friedman and Wilcoxon-signed rank tests verified the statistical significance of the models. Our case study showed that CatBoost outperformed SVR both in case the models were optimized or not; the introduction of optimization algorithms significantly improves the results of machine learning models, with GWO being slightly more effective than PSO. However, optimization cannot drastically alter the results of the model, highlighting the importance of setting up of a rigorous susceptibility model since the early steps of any research.

Abstract Background Kerala is a state in south India, appreciated for its education, better health indicators and quality of life. However, there is a proportionately high prevalence of mental health illnesses and suicides reported in the state. It is unclear if there is any disparity in the gender categories in this. With this systematic review, we aim to systematically study the gender disparity in the prevalence of mental health (MH) issues among adolescents, younger and older adults in Kerala. Methods A search strategy was built and several databases like Pubmed, Cochrane, Scopus, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and ProQuest were used alongside grey literature to identify relevant articles. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines following a prespecified protocol. After relevant data extraction, the estimates were pooled using random effects model due to the high heterogeneity assessed by tau-squared, Cochran Q, and prediction interval. Subgroup analyses, and meta-regression were used to reduce heterogeneity. We also identified the influence and heterogeneity contributed by individual studies using influence plots, Baujat plot, clustering, and performed several sensitivity analyses. Results Twenty articles were included in the review and meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio of mental health illnesses amongst females compared to males in Kerala was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.0 − 1.73) and falls within a prediction interval of 0.38 to 4.53. The individual studies showed high heterogeneity (I2 = 92%, p = p

The Western Ghat region of Kerala has abundant flora and domestic and wild animal species that provide an ideal ecological niche for the ticks. Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (KFDV), a zoonotic tick-borne virus causing Haemorrhagic fever, commonly known as monkey fever is prevalent in the area. The tick infestations have been documented in the majority of household animals in Wayanad and risks are further amplified as the majority of the animals reared, graze in the adjoining forest areas and these animals are often housed in and around farmer’s dwellings. Therefore, the farmers are at high risk of contracting deadly tick-borne diseases, and surveillance in animals can act as an indicator of disease hotspots. Even though the tick-borne KFDV is endemic to the area, the surveillance data on other significant zoonotic tick-borne viruses such as CCHFV and GANV are scanty. Overall CCHFV seroprevalence of 2.33 was reported amongst livestock sampled. Species-wise percent seropositivity was 1.01 and 5.10 in cattle and goats, respectively. The study revealed the presence of ticks belonging to 3 genera viz. Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Haemaphysalis. Despite the CCHFV seroprevalence, CCHFV and GANV could not be detected in ticks. Even though ticks were negative for the CCHFV genome, seroprevalence in adjoining taluks indicates the local virus circulation. Therefore serological as well as molecular investigation with a large number of samples collected at the peak of tick activity across the western ghat would help identify the potential hotspot for CCHFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the claim that the Kudumbashree women of Kerala, built around microfinance but now a key actor in Kerala’s economic, social, and welfare landscape, constitute a form of social capital and contributes to social cohesion. The study is based on desk research based on the existing studies supplemented by interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. An overview of Kerala’s society and politics, the rise of inclusive neighbourhood movements as precursors of the Kudumbashree and the functions that the poverty-focused and state-initiated Kudumbashree women’s program is discussed. It then discusses the communal situation in Kerala and how stiff competition between the dominant communities have operated without violence and how the sporadic communal conflicts are contained through accommodation and public disapproval. It then concludes with a critical assessment of the role of Kudumbashree as a form of social capital primarily and as a force for social cohesion.

Abstract Background Kerala has a history of achievements in health through acting on the distal social determinants, but certain communities like tribals were pushed back from the stream of social development and health achievements. Subsequently, the lifestyle and the poor living conditions of tribes make them more prone to several diseases including skin diseases. However, neither the burden nor the situation of the same in the tribal population in several parts including Kerala is seldom assessed. Main body The lack of awareness about the symptoms, complications, and management options as a part of the social backwardness has led to the concentration of certain diseases like Leprosy among the tribal community. In addition, the tribal population is under the threat of infectious diseases of public health significance like Leishmaniasis (CL). The tribal population owing to ignorance neglects the skin lesions or uses their local remedies. Tribes might have been using many local remedies for their issues, but the emerging skin diseases may not be amenable to local remedies and often impose significant public health concerns. Developing and maintaining an effectively functioning health system in these difficult-to-reach terrains is also a challenge. The pattern of skin diseases among tribals residing in environmentally sensitive localities is an indicator for the need for more social, economic and geospatial inclusion. Skin lesions of the tribal population should be kept under active surveillance activities through the integrated health information platform (IHIP) and it should follow a vigilant public health response if there are clusterings. A dedicated evidence-based system should be developed to diagnose and treat skin diseases of tribal people residing away from the availability of specialist care using local resources and community-level workers. Conclusion The rampant skin diseases among tribals are the product of their unacceptable socio-economic status and living conditions. It could only improve through interventions focusing on social determinants of health. Improvements in the living conditions of tribals are sustainable long-term solutions, but such solutions should be coupled with medium-term and short-term strategies.

Abstract Background Kerala has initiated many Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms in the last decade. The Aardram Mission launched in 2017 stands out owing to its scope, objectives, and commitments for strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) in the State. The current study proposes to explore access and financial protection through the lens of equity in Kerala especially in the context of major UHC reforms carried out during the last decade. This paper will also highlight the key lessons from Kerala’s approach towards UHC and health systems strengthening through a political economy approach. Methods Data from the Kerala state sample of 75th Round (2017-18) National Sample Survey is used for this study. Comparison is also drawn from the 71st Round Sample Survey, 2014, to measure the state’s progress in terms of access and financial protection. Logistic regression was used for the calculation. The findings were further explored through a political economy approach. Results The share of public facilities for outpatient care is 47.5%, which is a significant increase from 34.0% (in 2014) in the state. The share of public sector for out-patient care has increased for the lower socio-economic population in the state. The share of public sector for in-patient care has also increased to 37.3% in 2017-18 from 33.9% in 2014, but not to the extent as the increase shown in outpatient care. The average out-of-pocket-expenditure during hospitalization has increased more in private facilities as compared to public for both outpatient care and hospitalization. Conclusions Overall increase in the share of public facilities for both outpatient care and hospitalization is indicative of the enhanced trust among the people at large of the public healthcare delivery system in Kerala, post the launch of UHC reforms in the State. The insurance linked UHC reforms would be insufficient for the State to progress further towards UHC. Kerala with a long and successful history in ‘public provisioning’ should focus more on strengthening PHC through Aardram Mission in its journey towards pursuit of UHC.

There are 133 species of termites so far recorded from southern India and 73 from Kerala. The present study from different habitats in northern Kerala recorded two species new to southern India and one species new to Kerala, taking the total number to 135 for southern India and 76 for Kerala. The newly reported species are Heterotermes balwanti Mathur & Chhotani, 1969, Odontotermes profeae Akhtar, 1975, and Microcerotermes annandalei Silvestri, 1923. O. profeae is a new record to the termite fauna of Western Ghats. O. profeae and M. annandalei are reported for the first time from southern India. O. profeae and M. annandalei belong to type II feeding group while H. balwanti confines to type I feeding group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isachne henryi, a species reported from Wayanad district of Kerala is allied to I. miliacea which is currently a synonym of I. globosa. The taxonomic status of I. henryi collected from the type locality has been evaluated and compared with variant accessions of I. globosa. As per reports, the traits that differentiate I. henryi from I. globosa are lanceolate or linear lanceolate leaves up to 8 cm long, 8 mm long pedicels, 9–11 nerved setose hairy glumes, staminate lower floret with 1.5–2 mm long anthers, bisexual upper floret and glabrous palea and lemma. These traits were found to be overlapping with that of I. globosa. The authors explain that I. henryi reported during 1988 could be a misidentification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the subsequent restrictive measures such as lockdown/shutdown have gravely impacted everyday life by suspending regular activities. This unprecedented situation has also led to a potential reorganization of social practices. The distinction between social spaces such as work, education, entertainment and family became linear, and the superseding of public, private and leisure time was evident. As a vibrant public space that plays a significant role in the personal and social life of the public, libraries had to explore novel methods to continue their services and social role during the lockdown period. This paper discusses rural public libraries in Kerala, India, by exploring their modalities of work execution and program organization during the pandemic-affected lockdown period between 2020–2022. The paper seeks to find out how the rural libraries of Kerala managed to engage in their daily services, focusing on how these libraries utilized digital media technologies and social networking sites in day-to-day activities. Based on the in-depth interviews with eleven local librarians this study explains different approaches planned and executed by the libraries to reach out to their readers and how these attempts mobilized and integrated the public to respond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes an emergent innovation ecosystem in the southern Indian state of Kerala. In contrast to a dominant national imagination of start-ups in India as spaces for the development of novel products with high economic potential, we suggest that start-ups in Kerala exhibit a tendency towards 'social innovation', that is, start-ups that are strongly oriented by the goal of addressing particular societal needs in addition to being successful on the market. Drawing on ethnographic interviews with start-up founders and other related stakeholders, as well as media and documentary analysis, we highlight in this essay key characteristics of social innovation in Kerala, including their reliance on tech-fix approaches. We also highlight the central role of the Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM), a state-sponsored nodal agency, as a crucial enabler and shaper of the state's innovation ecosystem. We further suggest that even as this innovation ecosystem is able to address important societal concerns, it nonetheless bypasses underlying social structures that produce them in the first place. Building on the work of sociologist Cornelius Schubert, we argue that it is analytically productive to interpret social innovation in Kerala as an instance of 'disruptive maintenance'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malayalam-language newspapers published in the southern Indian state of Kerala are known for their contribution to the vernacular public sphere. However, while the popularity of commercial Malayalam-language newspapers has steadily increased over the past decades, "community-based" publications such as Deepika have experienced decline. Using the case of Deepika and drawing on the New Literacy Studies scholarship, we examine how print newspapers enter into the daily lives of people and analyze the reading practices associated with this tactile form of media in this part of the world. Our article contributes to Global South journalism studies by illuminating how literacy practices can provide an alternative theoretical framework to better understand the cultural meanings of print news media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kerala has a history of achievements in health through acting on the distal social determinants, but certain communities like tribals were pushed back from the stream of social development and health achievements. Subsequently, the lifestyle and the poor living conditions of tribes make them more prone to several diseases including skin diseases. However, neither the burden nor the situation of the same in the tribal population in several parts including Kerala is seldom assessed. Main body: The lack of awareness about the symptoms, complications, and management options as a part of the social backwardness has led to the concentration of certain diseases like Leprosy among the tribal community. In addition, the tribal population is under the threat of infectious diseases of public health significance like Leishmaniasis (CL). The tribal population owing to ignorance neglects the skin lesions or uses their local remedies. Tribes might have been using many local remedies for their issues, but the emerging skin diseases may not be amenable to local remedies and often impose significant public health concerns. Developing and maintaining an effectively functioning health system in these difficult-to-reach terrains is also a challenge. The pattern of skin diseases among tribals residing in environmentally sensitive localities is an indicator for the need for more social, economic and geospatial inclusion. Skin lesions of the tribal population should be kept under active surveillance activities through the integrated health information platform (IHIP) and it should follow a vigilant public health response if there are clusterings. A dedicated evidence-based system should be developed to diagnose and treat skin diseases of tribal people residing away from the availability of specialist care using local resources and community-level workers. Conclusion: The rampant skin diseases among tribals are the product of their unacceptable socio-economic status and living conditions. It could only improve through interventions focusing on social determinants of health. Improvements in the living conditions of tribals are sustainable long-term solutions, but such solutions should be coupled with medium-term and short-term strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theileriosis, a parasitic disease, caused by Theileria spp. and transmitted through ticks, poses a significant threat to livestock, leading to elevated morbidity and mortality rates. This study investigated the incidence trend of theileriosis in Kerala, India, over three years (2019–21). Notably, the research unveiled a substantial upsurge in bovine theileriosis cases within Kerala during this period, partly attributed to the state’s severe flooding and landslides in 2018, triggered by incessant monsoon rains. The present study envisaged pinpointing the risk factors underlying the prevalence of theileriosis in Kerala. Employing linear discriminant analysis, key environmental and remote sensing variables influencing the disease’s incidence were identified. Subsequently, these risk factors underwent climate disease modelling, leading to the creation of risk maps. To predict areas sensitive to theileriosis outbreaks in Kerala, two regression models and nine machine learning models were employed. The gradient boost and random forest models demonstrated the most accurate fit among these. The study also estimated the basic reproduction number (R0), which ranged from 0.89 to 1.8. This value indicates a high potential for Theileria spp. transmission within the study area. Consequently, the research outcomes offer valuable insights into pinpointing high risk theileriosis locations in livestock in Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kerala has initiated many Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms in the last decade. The Aardram Mission launched in 2017 stands out owing to its scope, objectives, and commitments for strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) in the State. The current study proposes to explore access and financial protection through the lens of equity in Kerala especially in the context of major UHC reforms carried out during the last decade. This paper will also highlight the key lessons from Kerala's approach towards UHC and health systems strengthening through a political economy approach. Methods: Data from the Kerala state sample of 75th Round (2017-18) National Sample Survey is used for this study. Comparison is also drawn from the 71st Round Sample Survey, 2014, to measure the state's progress in terms of access and financial protection. Logistic regression was used for the calculation. The findings were further explored through a political economy approach. Results: The share of public facilities for outpatient care is 47.5%, which is a significant increase from 34.0% (in 2014) in the state. The share of public sector for out-patient care has increased for the lower socio-economic population in the state. The share of public sector for in-patient care has also increased to 37.3% in 2017-18 from 33.9% in 2014, but not to the extent as the increase shown in outpatient care. The average out-of-pocket-expenditure during hospitalization has increased more in private facilities as compared to public for both outpatient care and hospitalization. Conclusions: Overall increase in the share of public facilities for both outpatient care and hospitalization is indicative of the enhanced trust among the people at large of the public healthcare delivery system in Kerala, post the launch of UHC reforms in the State. The insurance linked UHC reforms would be insufficient for the State to progress further towards UHC. Kerala with a long and successful history in 'public provisioning' should focus more on strengthening PHC through Aardram Mission in its journey towards pursuit of UHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the first-ever report of lichens from Sholayar 10 ha permanent plot, with a total of 38 species under 23 genera and 14 families. Of these, one species, Allographa cinerea (Fée) Lücking and Kalb reported as new to India, and nine species namely Coenogonium dilucidum (Kremp.) Kalb and Lücking, Crypthonia albida (Fée) Frisch, Enterographa divergens (Müll. Arg.) Redinger, Graphis indica J. Kalb and Kalb, Malmidea fuscella (Müll. Arg.) Kalb and Lücking, Malmidea piae (Kalb) Kalb, Malmidea subgranifera (Kalb and Elix) Kalb and Elix, and Porina subinterstes (Nyl.) Müll. Arg. as new distributional records to Kerala. The genus Crypthonia is reported for the first time in Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the educational barriers and academic challenges faced by migrant children in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Kerala's significant migrant labour population, primarily from states like West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam, faces various socio-economic hardships, impacting their children's education. Migrant children confront numerous barriers, including limited access to formal education, language difficulties, social discrimination, economic constraints leading to child labour, and the impact of frequent mobility on educational continuity. These obstacles hinder their academic performance and integration into the school system. To address these issues, the study adopted a survey methodology, focusing on five schools with substantial migrant populations. The data was collected using rating scales for teachers and observation schedules for headmasters, teachers, and students. The findings revealed critical challenges such as language barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of specialized support systems for migrant students. Teachers highlighted the difficulty in translating educational materials into the migrant language, impacting students' comprehension and engagement. The study underscores the need for systemic changes, including enhanced teacher training in multilingual education, the implementation of specialized support systems, and the development of innovative academic activities tailored to migrant students' needs. These measures are crucial for ensuring equitable access to quality education for migrant children in Thiruvananthapuram, enabling their academic success and socio-economic inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanisation is indeed a global trend that is significantly transforming societies and landscapes. India, in particular, has been experiencing rapid urbanisation in recent years, and this is fundamentally changing the country’s social and economic dynamics. However, the state of Kerala, located in the southwestern part of India, stands out for its unique pattern of urbanisation, which is closely aligned with its distinctive topography and socio-economic factors. This study offers a comprehensive examination of urbanisation in Kerala, focusing on its unique spatial and temporal characteristics. The spatial analysis of urbanisation in the state reveals that urban development is not concentrated solely within its major cities, but is widespread. These urban clusters align with Kerala’s topographical diversity, with the majority concentrated along the coastal regions in the west, while the eastern highlands of the Western Ghats exhibit fewer urban centres. The state has witnessed a substantial surge in urbanisation rates, with projections anticipating that approximately 68 percent of the population will reside in urban areas by the middle of this century. Understanding these temporal shifts and spatial variations is essential for policymakers and urban planners to effectively address the challenges and opportunities linked to increasing urbanisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several obstacles that prevent smallholder farmers in poor nations from realizing their full output potential. In order to help underprivileged communities, have access to value chain financing, researchers are studying Agricultural Value Chain Finance (AVCF). A great deal of research on AVCF has been carried out using different types of agricultural farming. Among these, cultivation of paddy was still limited. However, this topic has yet to receive considerable attention based on paddy cultivation and marketing which was limited to the Palakkad District. Thus, a study was done to analyze the effectiveness of AVCF in Paddy cultivation in the Palakkad district. By using the methodology of random sampling technique, the sample has been collected from 350 respondents in Palakkad. The result showed that the AVCF approach has a leverage chain relationship with more creditworthy chain members to attract direct and indirect finance of individuals and smallholder farmers in value chains. Further, the profitability of the farmers was highly influenced by the factor of flooding, which obtained the highest significance value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the micro-level effects of remittances on household income in Kerala, India, where significant migration to foreign countries, particularly the Gulf states, has led to substantial remittance inflows. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative data from a structured survey of 300 remittance-receiving households with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with household heads and community leaders. The analysis focuses on how remittances influence household income, consumption, savings, and investment behaviors, while also examining their effects on income inequality and overall quality of life. Quantitative findings reveal that remittances significantly enhance household income and improve access to education, healthcare, and housing. However, disparities in the distribution of remittances can exacerbate income inequality among different socio-economic groups. Qualitative insights highlight the socio-cultural transformations driven by remittances, including shifts in family dynamics and aspirations. This research underscores the importance of remittances as a stabilizing economic force, while also raising critical questions about their long-term impact on social mobility and community cohesion. The findings are expected to inform policymakers and stakeholders in designing targeted financial inclusion programs to better support remittancedependent households, ultimately contributing to sustainable development in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing entrepreneurial industry known as "agritourism," or farm tourism, offers rural communities new economic prospects while upholding agricultural customs. This study explores how stakeholder cooperation among smallholder farms in particular Keralan districts is contributing to the growth of farm tourism entrepreneurship. It highlights the crucial elements--financial assistance, governmental regulations, community engagement, and infrastructure development--that affect farm tourism's viability. The study also looks at the difficulties that farmers encounter, such as restricted access to resources, regulatory obstacles, and poor stakeholder communication. Descriptive analysis, correlation, and regression models are used in the study, which shows that government and financial support are essential for increasing farm income and drawing tourists. The results underscore the significance of cultivating robust collaborations among farmers, and governmental organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper aims to investigate the effects of a twelve-week corrective exercise program on lower extremity postural deformities, including knock-knee, flat foot, and bow leg, among high school boys in Kerala, India. A total of 22 students with lower extremity postural deformities were selected as subjects, with 12 assigned to the experimental group and 10 to the control group. The age range of the participants was between 8 and 14 years. The experimental group underwent a corrective exercise training program, while the control group did not receive any specific intervention. Prior to the administration of tests and implementation of the exercise program, a comprehensive meeting was conducted with the subjects to explain the study's objectives and procedures in detail. The study focused on three groups of selected deformities: knock knee (genu valgum), flat foot (pes planus), and bow leg (genu varum). The corrective exercise program was designed specifically to address these lower extremity postural deformities. The study employed a randomized controlled trial design, with the experimental group receiving the corrective exercise intervention and the control group acting as a comparison group. Various outcome measures, including postural assessments, were conducted before and after the twelve-week intervention period to evaluate the effectiveness of the corrective exercise program. The findings of this study are significant for understanding the potential benefits of corrective exercise in addressing lower extremity postural deformities among school boys in Kerala. By exploring the effects of the intervention, this research contributes to the existing knowledge on corrective exercise and its role in improving postural alignment and function in this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]