The Multidisciplinary Research Journal is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research across diverse academic disciplines. It serves as a platform for researchers, scholars, and practitioners to share innovative ideas, methodologies, and findings that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in various fields. The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, fostering collaboration between different domains of study. With a strong commitment to academic excellence, the Multidisciplinary Research Journal welcomes original research articles, review papers, case studies, and short communications from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including Science, Engineering, Technology, Management, Social Sciences, Humanities, and more. Submission of Article: Authors can register and submit their manuscripts by online submission. If any difficulty during the online submission, please submit your manuscript along with a cover letter to editormrj@tezu.ernet.in
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Effects of Interleaving on Indian Adult ESL Learners’ Oral Interaction in English
The mixing and spacing technique used in interleaving has been described to facilitate memorization and transfer of learning more effectively than blocking. The principal objective of the present study was to examine the difference in the effect of interleaving and blocking on interaction performance in English during a three-month-long L2 training programme. The study measured the difference in the effect of the two methods at various stages of the training programme. Two groups of 44 Indian undergraduate English as L2 learners practised interaction in English using interleaving and blocking. One interaction test for the distribution of the participants into interleaving and blocking groups and three interaction tests to measure the difference in the effect of the two methods on the interaction performance of the participants at various stages of the training programme were taken to collect data for the study. The p-value of the comparison calculated using a repeated measures ANOVA test was 0.81 reflecting a similarly low F-value of 0.061 and effect size of 0.003. Although no significant positive effect of interleaving and blocking on interaction performance in English was observed in the study, blocking demonstrated a slightly better interaction performance than interleaving.
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Algorithmic Anklets: A Case for Electronically Monitored Bail (EMB) in India
The Supreme Court of India in the case of Satyendra Kumar Antil’s judgement opined that the subordinate courts are reluctant to grant bail even in cases where bail is the norm. The primary reasons for the subordinate court in not granting bail is that the accused on bail cannot be monitored effectively by the law enforcement agencies; and the subordinate courts do not want to be a mere scapegoat at the hands of the High Court and Supreme Court if they turn fugitive or tamper with evidence or manipulate witnesses. In the case of Frank Vitus judgment, the Supreme Court held that an accused released on bail is not required to share their Google live location with the investigating agencies. This vacuum of an institutionalized setting, under which the undertrial prisoners can be allowed to be released from prison is addressed here. Adopting a doctrinal research methodology based on secondary sources, it is contended that sharing the live location of the accused while on bail with the investigating agencies is an age-old concept. If not with Google PIN location service, the mechanism of Electronically Monitored Bail (EMB) can be developed with the help of Artificial Intelligence to monitor the accused while on bail. It discusses the implications of deploying this mechanism and reasons that it is grounded on a prison abolitionist stance and upholds the rights of the undertrial prisoners.
Psychological Empowerment of Socially Challenged Women Groups in Relation to Some Demographical Parameters: A Case Study in Some Selected Districts of West Bengal (India)
Psychological empowerment enhances confidence, agency, and decision-making abilities among socially challenged groups of women, fostering social and economic inclusion. The central focus was to measure the psychological empowerment of such groups of women (SC, ST and OBC) based on their residence (rural vs. urban) and different age levels. Relevant data of 649 women belonging to socially challenged groups were collected using multistage random sampling from Murshidabad, South 24 parganas and Midnapore districts in West Bengal (India). The study revealed a significant difference in psychological empowerment between rural and urban areas. Furthermore, psychological empowerment among women remained consistent across different age groups and social categories (SC, ST, and OBC), indicating that age did not play a decisive role in shaping their psychological empowerment. Further studies in this area extending to other regions and considering more relevant parameters are expected to be useful for the welfare of these socially challenged groups of women.
Post-Intervention Awareness on India's National Education Policy 2020 Among Higher Education Teachers: A Case Study Among Some Teachers of HEIs
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India aimed at substantial educational reforms and the promotion of indigenous knowledge systems. This study focused on evaluating the post-intervention awareness of higher education institution teachers regarding the vision of NEP 2020. Three online sessions of 90 minutes each on 'Higher Education and NEP 2020' were conducted in January 2025 as an intervention. A questionnaire with 20 items was developed to gauge awareness, and a quasi-experimental design with a final sample size of 197 higher education teachers from different universities and colleges was employed. Data was found symmetrical. Data revealed majority of the teachers were having average awareness, while highly aware teachers are in lower proportion. Notably, the female teachers exhibited greater awareness than their male counterparts, suggesting a gender disparity. Additionally, the university teachers demonstrated higher awareness levels than the college teachers, with a statistically non-significant mean difference. These findings contribute valuable insights into the ongoing discourse on the implementation and impact of educational policies in India, highlighting a trend towards a new era of more informed and empowered female teachers in higher education.
DNA Damage Induced by Alcoholic Beverages and Repair Mechanism Pathways: A Review
Alcoholic beverages contains ethanol as the main component. Ethanol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a Group 1 carcinogen, and other reactive by-products such as ROS and hydroxyl radicals. These metabolites can interact with DNA to form adducts and interstrand cross-links, leading to mutations and genomic instability, which are key contributors to alcohol-related cancers. Ethanol metabolism is mediated by critical enzymes - Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH), Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), Catalase, and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH), which regulate both the generation and detoxification of these harmful intermediates. Every cell in our body owns a toolkit with which it can repair different types of DNA lesions. This review highlights the enzymatic pathways of ethanol metabolism, the formation of genotoxic by-products, and the cellular mechanisms that maintain genomic integrity. Understanding these processes provides crucial insights into the molecular basis of alcohol-induced carcinogenesis and may guide strategies for prevention and therapeutic intervention.
Effect of Pour Point Depressant (PPD) for Efficient Transport of Waxy Crude Oil: A Critical Review
The transportation of waxy crude oils is often challenged by high pour points and wax deposition, which significantly increase pipeline viscosity, energy consumption, and operational costs. Pour point depressants (PPDs) have emerged as effective chemical additives to modify wax crystallization behavior, reduce pour point, and improve crude oil flowability. In this study, the role of PPDs in enhancing pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil is discussed with emphasis on their mechanisms of action, such as adsorption on wax crystal surfaces, inhibition of crystal growth, and modification of crystal morphology. Various classes of PPDs, including ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers, polymethacrylates, and comb-like copolymers, are evaluated for their efficiency in lowering pour point and mitigating wax deposition. Laboratory assessments and field applications demonstrate that optimized PPD formulations can reduce pour points by more than 10-20°C, ensuring uninterrupted transportation under sub-ambient conditions. This literature review summarizes the importance of molecular structure, crude oil composition, and operating parameters in determining PPD performance, providing insights for the design of next-generation flow assurance additives.
Base Substitutions in Genomes Due to Deamination and Oxidation of DNA Bases, Favoring Genome Compositional Biases
The genome G+C content of bacteria varies widely, from 13% to 75%, which is influenced by both environmental and internal mutation pressure; however, the precise determinants of this variability remain unresolved. Mutation-based models, such as Sueoka’s directional mutation hypothesis, suggest that G+C content arises from mutational pressures within an organism without providing any specific advantage to it. Though there are several advantages associated with genome G+C%, there is limited evidence, favoring any selection mechanism for G+C% evolution. Hence, the genome G+C% in organisms is largely studied under the neutral theory of evolution. Cytosine deamination and guanine oxidation are recognized as major contributors to A/T mutational bias, producing frequent substitutions such as C→T transitions and G→T transversions, respectively. While these mechanisms leading to A+T enrichment have been well studied, counteracting processes that promote G+C enrichment in organisms are comparatively less understood. This review mainly highlights adenine as an underexplored contributor: its deamination and oxidation yield A→G and A→C substitutions, respectively, both biased toward increased G+C content. We further consider how the efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms may shape G+C content across evolutionary timescales. Together, these perspectives address a gap in the current understanding of the mutational forces influencing genome composition.
Financial Inclusion in Arunachal Pradesh (India): Examining Credit Access
Financial inclusion has been recognized as a critical driver of equitable economic growth and poverty reduction, particularly in developing economies. The study explores the extent of financial inclusion in Arunachal Pradesh, focussing on the accessibility and distribution of credit among rural and urban households. Using secondary data from the All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS) report conducted in 2019, this research explores deposit accounts, AOD, IOI and cash outstanding at various rate of interest to evaluate variations in access to credit across rural and urban sectors, social categories, and different lending institutions. The findings suggest that account holder, AOD, and household indebtedness are more in urban areas of Arunachal Pradesh. However, reliance on non-institutional credit, particularly in urban areas, is highest in Arunachal Pradesh among the North Eastern Region (NER). This shows that the current efforts of financial institutions are inadequate to satisfy the urban credit requirements to achieve financial inclusion. Moreover, the lesser share of deposit account and indebted households in rural areas of Arunachal Pradesh reflects a poor outreach and accessibility of official financial institutions among rural households. The study highlights the need for targeted policy measures to promote equitable access to credit in Arunachal Pradesh.
Institutional and Non-Institutional Sources
Understanding Psychological Crime Drama: An Analysis of the Netflix's Series Adolescence
Web series are transforming the entertainment sector in India and the world. The Internet is a boon forthe information technology industry. By circumventing restrictions, online shows are changing the entertainment industry by offering a varied range of fresh content. The web series“Adolescence” explores the thoughts of a 13-year-old regarding females, his involvement in criminal activities, and the influence of social media content on him. “Adolescence”is one of the most-watched shows globally on the OTT platform Netflix, used as a case study. The BBC reports that Netflix's series “Adolescence”attracted over 120 million viewers worldwide in its inaugural month of 2025. This series examines adolescent psychology, sexual behaviour, familial relationships, and societal reactions to the murder of a female student who had bullied the protagonist online, despite his continual denial of involvement. Crime occurs as an exceptionally impartial phenomenon, ignoring the victim's age, class, race, social status, etc. The research investigates toxic masculinity, the influence of social media on the accused, and familial involvement in adolescent cognitive development, among other factors. The study also analyses the impact of social media on modern adolescent behaviour, the repercussions of cyberbullying, and the rise of online misogyny. In the contemporary context, adolescents experience accelerated maturation, partly due to the influence of social media and the internet.
Exploring the Invisible Trade: A Case Study of an NGO's Anti-Trafficking Efforts and Challenges in Assam’s Cachar District
Human trafficking has become a global issue, affecting millions of individuals, and forcing them to labour, sex, and other forms of abuse. In India, the Cachar district of Assam has emerged as a critical hotspot for trafficking, functioning as both a source and a destination due to its economic vulnerabilities, open borders, and socio-cultural disparities. This study examines the work of an NGO which is at the forefront of anti-trafficking efforts in the district. Using focus group discussions and interviews, the study explores the NGO’s efforts and its challenges in delivering anti- trafficking services. Findings reveal the NGO’s holistic approach, including raising awareness, providing counselling, vocational training, and collaborating with governmental and non-governmental entities, covering prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, restoration, and reintegration in addressing the multifaceted nature of trafficking. Despite these commendable efforts, the organisation experiences significant barriers, including inadequate funding, lack of support, limited cooperation from law enforcement and government agencies, and social stigma. These challenges hinder the effective delivery of services. This study underscores the need for a robust, multi-stakeholder approach that fosters collaboration between NGOs, government agencies, and local communities. It recommends strengthening local and institutional cooperation, expanding funding and resources, enhancing trauma-informed intervention, and promoting community engagement.
Integrating Molecular Evolution and Computational Biology: Bridging Disciplines for Future Research
Molecular evolution, conventionally rooted in classical evolutionary theory and comparative biology, has entered a transformative era driven by advances in genomics, bioinformatics, and computational modeling. This review traces the conceptual foundations of molecular evolution, beginning with the central dogma and codon degeneracy, and explores how variations such as single nucleotide variants (SNVs) shape protein structure and function. It highlights the evolutionary implications of codon usage bias, substitution models, and the mutation and selection balance in across genomes. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, biostatistics, and mathematical modeling have revolutionized our understanding of molecular evolution. AI-driven approaches and mathematical algorithms enhance analyses of genetic variation, protein evolution, and evolutionary dynamics. Updated computational platforms such as IQ-TREE 2, RAxML-NG, BEAST 2, PAML, and HyPhy, along with R and Python-based pipelines, have revolutionized evolutionary studies by enabling accurate modeling of mutation dynamics, phylogenetic reconstructions, and selection analyses.Additionally, the chemistry of amino acid exchangeability introduces new perspectives in evolutionary studies. This convergence of computational biology with mathematics, chemistry, and data science has transformed evolutionary biology into a multidisciplinary and collaborative research area to solve long standing biological queries. This opens up opportunities for a successful career in multidisciplinary research in evolutionary biology.
The Historical Evolution of Food Science: A Comprehensive Review
Food Science has a rich history intertwined with scientific advancements that have impacted food safety, quality, productivity, and shelf life, thereby shaping the modern food industry. Over time, food science has grown focusing on allied disciplines like environmental health sciences, geography, sociology, and anthropology, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of food systems science. Food science as a career reveals the need for a tailored curriculum, research programs, and teacher training to grow the next generation of food scientists. The evaluation of food science can be interpreted as a dynamic story of scientific progress, interdisciplinary, educational initiatives, and a commitment to a sustainable and innovative food industry. Hence by digging into food science's historical roots, scientists can extract knowledge to inform current practice, drive future innovation, and tackle the changing challenges in food systems and nutrition. This comprehensive review emphasizes the importance of integrating historical insights with contemporary advancements to foster a sustainable and forward-thinking food industry.
Flood Governance in the Flood-Prone Districts of UpperAssam, India: An Analysis of Flood Management Policies
Flood is a recurring hazard in Assam, India, particularly in Upper Assam, which causes widespread damage to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. This study investigates the flood management of this region by analyzing secondary data from government reports and disaster management plans, focusing on five flood-prone districts: Dhemaji, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, and Sivasagar. Despite the presence of a multi-tiered institutional framework, including the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), coordination gaps, poor policy enforcement, and inadequate maintenance of flood mitigation infrastructure remain persistent issues. Initiatives such as the Aapda Mitra volunteer program, Flood Early Warning System (FLEWS), and the inclusion of indigenous knowledge reflect steps toward resilience, yet the focus remains largely on short-term emergency response. The study highlights the urgent need for a more integrated and sustainable flood governance model that strengthens coordination among agencies, enhances community participation, and invests in capacity-building. Raising disaster awareness through education, improving communication systems, and involving local stakeholders in decision-making are essential to bridging the gap between planning and implementation. Strengthening grassroots preparedness and ensuring timely, actionable information can significantly reduce flood vulnerability and foster long-term resilience in the Upper Assam region.
Understanding Adoption of Customer Relationship Management in Small Businesses
The study assesses the adoption of customer relationship management techniques by the small business entities. Interviews are conducted with thirty small retailers on six variables namely, use of digital marketing tools, methods of customer information handling, incentive-based retention practices, feedback mechanism, personal relationship efforts and communication channels. It can be concluded from the analysis that the female participants use e-marketing and formal communication methods more than the males. It is also found that the newer firms use e-marketing tools for promotion. It is seen that participants have used discounts as the most preferred technique to retain profitable customers. The findings confirm that the participants of this study also believe that by offering services to the best of customer’s expectations and taking care of the customer’s welfare have helped the entities in the development of good social bonds.
Temporal Variation of Non-Methane Hydrocarbons in the Ambient Atmosphere of Tezpur Region of Assam
The non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in the atmosphere are important pollutants to study as they are precursors to several secondary pollutants including ozone. This study addressed the temporal variation of NMHC over Tezpur region of Assam. Continuous data of NMHC retrieved by GC-FID based analyzer for the year 2014 were analysed and have been reported in this study. The highest monthly mean NMHC concentrations of 355.0±128 ppb was found in the month of November. In addition to the source strength, atmospheric reactivity and dispersion played a crucial role in the concentration of NMHC in Tezpur region. While the lowest monthly mean NMHC concentration of 73.6±45 ppb was found in the month of February. The monthly polar plots showed that the sources affecting the NMHC concentration in Tezpur region were mostly local; but there was also long-range transport to the area in the month of March and April. The lowest weekly concentration of NMHC was observed on weekends due to lower anthropogenic activities like vehicular movement. The mean concentration of NMHC on Sunday is 143.6±88 ppb. The lowest diel concentrations of NMHC were observed during the afternoon 14:00 and 15:00 hours which were indicative of enhanced reactivity in the atmosphere and high atmospheric dispersion, and the peak NMHC concentration was observed during evening hours.
Microtoponyms and Oral Tradition: A Toponymic of Nagas of Khamsom (Kisumai) Village
Toponyms serve as a historical depository of settlement, culture, habitation, ecology, belief systems and topography. They contain a wealth of socio-cultural information about the inhabitants and the geographic realities of the landscape. Place names function as descriptions and references to the physical environment, reflecting the interactions of the name-givers with their locale. Consequently, toponyms are filled with meaning and values, acting as a window into the world of the people who inherit them. Furthermore, the study of microtoponyms, which primarily exist in oral tradition and are often unknown to outsiders, offers rich insights into the socio-cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts of specific communities. This paper employs ethnographic methods to explore microtoponyms of Khamsom (Kisumai), a Poumai Naga village in the Senapati district of Manipur, as a significant aspect of its cultural and geographical environment. By deciphering naming patterns as reflections of how people engage with their social and geographic realities, this study aims to enhance understanding of worldview of the village’s inhabitants and the Poumai Naga community more broadly.
A Mental Health Support Platform Powered by Artificial Intelligence
Mental health has an important role in our overall well-being leading to a balanced, healthy life and contributing meaningfully to society. However, mental health problems are quite common with the World Health Organization reporting an increasing trend in mental health disorders; yet, many people avoid treatment options due to stigma associated with mental health issues in society, long wait periods, as well as limited access to timely and personalized support. Therefore, it is essential to steer towards an Artificial intelligence (AI) based innovative, accessible and personalized solutions to mental health disorders. This paper introduces an AI-powered mental health platform designed to provide comprehensive mental health assistance through several key features: a conversational chatbot, educational content, self-assessment tools, emotion tracking and counselor recommendations. The AI chatbot, built by fine-tuning Llama 3.2 (3B) on mental health conversations, engages users in real-time, offering relevant guidance. Users can gain insights into their mental state through validated surveys, while the emotion detection module uses natural language processing and sentiment analysis to track mood patterns over time. The emotion classification attained an accuracy and F-score of 88%. The platform aims to close the mental health support gap by leveraging AI to promote self-awareness, proactive management and ongoing support.
A case study on healthy weight loss in a diabetic male by an integrative approach of diet, yoga asana, and Dhauti
Obesity is a lifestyle challenge, and over a period of time, it gets tagged by other diseases, e.g., blood pressure, diabetes, etc. This case study is of a 41-year-old male suffering from obesity and diabetes having high blood sugar level (Fasting -160 mg/dL, PP-420 mg/dL) as well as high glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c – 9 %). As suggested by an endocrinologist, the person approached the health consultant to reduce weight without any specific medicine. After going through the history of the health aspirant, a detailed approach was recommended with a combination of high fiber, low calorie, low-fat diet, yoga san, and Dhauti called an integrative approach. Dhauti is a yogic cleansing technique that includes ViV(Voluntary induced vomiting) after drinking enough water in the early morning on an empty stomach. Interesting results were found, with a reduction of 22 kg of weight in 12 months from 87 (body mass index; BMI: 29) to 65 kg (BMI: 22) (Height 1.727 m). Dhauti seems to have considerable intervention to reduce cravings for food during this rejuvenation. Further, along with the weight loss reduction of blood sugar levels was also observed without medication (HbA1c – 5.2 %, Fasting 92 mg/dL and PP 100 mg/dL). There was a positive change in psychological factors such as increased positivity, feeling light and cleanliness of the stomach, rejuvenation, increased enthusiasm, and reasonable control over food craving and consumption. We believe an integrative approach might play a potential role in healthy weight loss among people.
The salutogenic approach in community mental health: A single case study of Schizophrenia remission in Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam, India
The salutogenic approach encompasses a broader perspective of health and well-being in a mental healthcare scenario. This approach extends beyond treating mere illness, emphasizing a holistic framework through a proper health system governance. This needs to be inclusive and should include all the stakeholders, including the patients, their caregivers and their surroundings; as the factors supporting human health and well-being are important in case of mental health scenario. These factors cannot be adequately explained in the negative framework of Pathogenesis, which traditionally focuses on disease characterization in the community. In defining, explaining, assessing and managing the mental health of community-dwelling patients, the salutogenic approach has been propounded in recent times. The conventional biomedical emphasis on pathogenesis has been replaced by the perspectives of salutogenesis. In this approach, more emphasis has been laid on the positive aspects, namely enhancing the sense of coherence, promoting health-promoting behaviours, enhancing coping skills, teasing out Generalized Resistance Resource (GRR), constructing and maintaining a social network, strength-based intervention and factors affecting mental health. In this manuscript, a case is being reported that highlights the critical interplay in the lens of salutogenesis with a person living with Schizophrenia in the Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam, India.
Technique of Synthesis of Anisotropic Shaped Plasmonic Nanoparticles
Anisotropic nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention for their distinctive shape-dependent optical, electronic, and catalytic properties, making them valuable across diverse applications, including medicine and nanotechnology. This abstract presents an overview of synthesis techniques used to produce anisotropic nanoparticles with controlled shapes, sizes, and compositions. Various methods, including chemical reduction, seed-mediated growth, and template-assisted approaches, are discussed in terms of their efficiency, reproducibility, and scalability. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of surfactants, reducing agents, and reaction conditions in driving anisotropic growth. Additionally, recent advancements in green synthesis methods highlight the shift towards environmentally friendly procedures. The review provides insights into how precise control over nanoparticle anisotropy enhances their functional properties and enables their targeted applications in photonics, biomedicine, and catalysis. The findings underscore the potential of these techniques to advance the design and fabrication of next-generation anisotropic nanomaterials.
Nano-composites based on Chitin for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater: A Mini Review
Water pollution, mostly due to industrial discharge, is considered to be one of the significant challenges globally. There are various industries like leather tanning, electroplating, textile and dyeing units which heavily contribute to the pollution of aquatic system by heavy metals. These heavy metals being non-biodegradable and toxic assemble in the living beings, leading to severe health issues and damage to the environment. Among various water treatment mechanisms, adsorption is considered as one of the most effective ways to treat waste water, offering advantages such as simple design, non-toxicity, cost effectiveness, and better efficiency in discarding pollutants in spite of very low concentrations. In thepast, natural polymer based composites for adsorption process has gained significant popularity. In this context, chitin-based nanocomposites have shown great potential on account of their renewable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly traits, making them ideal candidate for the elimination of heavy metals. Chitin, owing to its built-in antibacterial properties, functional versatility and biodegradability, is utilized to fabricate composites and nanocomposites that effectively bind the metal ions and remove it from wastewater. The unique structure of chitin, with numerous functional groups, provides effective chelation sites that facilitate excellent binding of metal ions. This review highlights the extraction, properties and modification of chitin. Further it deals with the development of chitinbased composites as effective adsorbents in heavy metal ions eradication out of the contaminated water.
The British policy towards the Lushai Hills: A case study of the Lushai Expedition 1871–1872 in light of colonial historiography
This paperstudies the lesser-known British expedition into Mizoram during the latenineteenth century on the eastern frontiers of British India. The Lushai country lies between the Bengal province and Burma. The article seeks to counter the misconception that the Lushai Expedition of 1871–1872 was primarily meant as punishment for a few Lushai chiefs who had participated in recent raids into the British protectorate. It argues that the expedition had to happen for a number of reasons andwas a reflection of the colonial government’s astute politics. It makes an effort to shed as much light aspossible on the colonial government’s covert objectives. It spans the early years of Lushai-British relations up till the country’s annexation.
Reclaiming Nature and Womanhood: An Ecofeminist Reading of Mitra Phukan’s The Collector’s Wife
The paper explores Mitra Phukan’s (1953-) The Collector’s Wife (2005) through an ecofeminist lens, examining the interconnections between women's oppression and environmental degradation. It is set against the political unrest in Assam during the 1970s and 80s, and analyses how the novel intertwines the female character Rukmini’s internal conflict, infertility, and identity crisis with the exploitation of nature, reflecting broader themes of resilience and oppression. The paper employs Indian environmental activist and ecofeminist Vandana Shiva’s (1952-) ecofeminist theory, and highlights the spiritual and empowering link between women and the environment, positioning Rukmini’s journey as one of resilience and transformation. Additionally, the paper employs literary analysis alongside cultural ecofeminism and incorporates Samkhya philosophy’s prakrti- nature as a dynamic feminine principle symbolising regeneration and resistance to explore Rukmini’s transformative journey. Through her journey, the novel suggests that women’s resilience and nature’s regenerative power are deeply intertwined. By examining these intersections, the paper critiques the patriarchal structures that perpetuate parallel disempowerment of women and ecological oppression and advocates for the recognition of their shared strength and regenerative potential of women and nature, and emphasises the need for ecological harmony and gender equality.
Enhancing Digital Literacy as an Imperative Necessity for Academic Excellence and Lifelong Learning
The paper aims to present the necessity of enhancing digital literacy for academic excellence, lifelong learning and growth among college students in Nagaland. It is conducted to discover their awareness of digital literacy, accessibility to digital tools, availability of facilities, and usage of e-resources and digital platforms for academic purposes among students in the state’s capital Kohima and students in Phek district with less accessibility to advanced facilities. It is found that there is no stark difference between them. However, there are a few variations in aspects regarding their preference for using e-resources and digital platforms, hands-on experience with digital tools, and computer skills. It is ascertained that students exposed to more facilities and opportunities stand a better chance of learning, growing and excelling in life. Students are increasingly demanding to install more digital tools in the classrooms and incorporate them in curricular activities. Thus, the students feel that enhancing digital literacy is an imperative necessity for academic excellence, lifelong learning and growth in all aspects of life.
The historical significance of the Ache lhamo performance of the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh
This paper is a historical examination of the Ache lhamo performance, a vibrant tradition of the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Ache lhamo performance is enacted through the medium of dance. The performers are royal, celestial and symbolic figures, representing the human and divine.The Monpas have successfully preserved this performance, which continues to resonate with the Tibetan performing arts today. The performance becomes is an integral part of the Monpa culture of the state. However, the Ache lhamo faces numerous challenges that threaten its preservation are influence of modernization and urbanization that has led to a decline in the number of skilled performers. Despite the challenges, Monpas have contributed in preserving Ache lhamo till to this date. This study sheds new light on the historical connection between the Ache lhamo of Arunachal Pradesh and ancient Tibet, contributing to our understanding of cultural exchange and heritage preservation in the region. Ethnographic method was employed to understand the social aspects of Ache lhamo in this paper.This study was conducted mainly in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, and utilised participatory observation to explore the Ache lhamo tradition.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Machine Learning for Non-Destructive Estimation of Ageing of Komal Chaul
Komal Chaul is a traditional form of a parboiled rice product from rice varieties indigenous to the state of Assam and it constitutes a culturally significant dish served during the auspicious occasions. Ageing impacts its rehydration properties diminishing its value as a no-cooking rice product. To empower the consumers in selecting Komal Chaul of desired rehydration qualities, this study focused on developing a non-destructive tool based on near-infrared spectral data coupled with machine learning (ML) algorithm for distinguishing the aged Komal Chaul. An NIR spectral library of KomalChaul samples was created, covering the spectral range of 740–1050 nm for samples stored for a period up to one year under ambient conditions. The methodology involved spectral preprocessing to enhance data quality, followed by partial least squares (PLS) regression modeling to predict storage time. Statistical metrics, including regression coefficient (R²), relative error percentage (REP), and root mean squared error (RMSE), were used to validate the model. Feature selection based on coefficient weightage was performed to identify key wavelengths contributing to time prediction. Classification models, including LDA, KNN, CART, Naïve Bayes, SVM, and Random Forest, were employed to categorize samples into aging periods of 1, 3, and 6 months. Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression models predicted the ageing time with a validation score R2 of 0.897 and RMSE of 19.41 days. Optimized with wavelength selection, the PLS regression model achieved significant accuracy in estimating the ageing time, with a prediction score R2 of 0.89 and RMSE of 2.01 days. Similarly, using the same approach for cooking quality prediction resulted in satisfactory performance, achieving a validation R² of 0.79. Classification models further enhanced prediction accuracy, with the Random Forest model attaining the highest accuracy of 92% for six-month interval classifications. These results underscore the potential of integrating NIR spectroscopy and machine learning for efficient, non-destructive quality assessment of Komal Chaul, supporting its commercialization as a value-added traditional food product
PredictiveControl BasedMPPT for Solar Boost Converters to Optimize Performance Under Fluctuating Irradiation and Loads
In this study, a hybrid maximum power point tracking (MPPT) approach is proposed by integrating a Current Tracking Perturb and Observe (CT-P&O) algorithm with Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) for solar photovoltaic (PV) fed boost converters. The method aims to improve MPPT accuracy, transient performance, and efficiency under dynamically varying irradiance and load conditions. The CT-P&O algorithm generates a reference current for FCS-MPC, while an enhanced cost function is designed to minimize inductor ripple and ensure smooth converter operation. Unlike conventional approaches that focus solely on resistive loads, the proposed system is validated under both resistive and resistive-inductive (RL) loading, as well as step load changes and irradiance fluctuations. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate high tracking accuracy, ripple minimization, and robustness, achieving a peak efficiency of 97.8%. The proposed control strategy offers a practical solution for real-world PV applications demanding high performance under uncertain operating conditions.
Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC)