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Trauma and Survival in Sujata Parashar’s The Temple Bar Woman: A Tale of Danger, Deceit, and Daring
Surviving trauma from an extreme incident, such as rape, includes numerous issues. Following rape, a victim must endure several physical and mental challenges. When physical wounds are involved, the psychological suffering is doubled. This study focuses on a survivor’s struggle to get through the trauma in everyday life and the challenges she faces to cope with the trauma through the ideological lens of Judith Herman and other trauma theorists. It includes struggles due to self-blame, guilt and the societal pressure the survivors face after the rape. The study elucidates the arguments through Sujata Parashar's novel The Temple Bar Woman: A Tale of Danger, Deceit, and Daring. According to the novel’s background, Radha, a rape survivor, primarily experiences excruciating physical anguish. As the physical wound heals, the psychological battle emerges quickly. After her physical damage heals, her mind begins to focus extensively on the mental trauma. In order to comprehend, the article closely examines the text to understand the challenges Radha faces following the rape and how she overcomes the trauma.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jove Jerina S, Dr. Chithra G.K. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Steering Equality and Justice: Assam Uniform Civil Code, 2026
The Assam Uniform Civil Code (UCC) 2026 is a transformative legal experiment designed to replace fragmented personal laws with a unified civil framework grounded in constitutional principles of gender justice and secularism. It seeks to safeguard vulnerable populations—including women, children, and the elderly— by standardising marriage and divorce procedures, enforcing gender-equal succession, regulating live-in relationships, and modernising civil administration through digital record systems and specialised registrars, while exempting Scheduled Tribes to respect their customary autonomy. While proponents see the UCC as a path to equality and elimination of discriminatory practices, critics caution that it risks eroding cultural traditions and intrudes upon personal autonomy through state overreach.
Copyright (c) 2026 Madhushree Das https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Post-Poll Violence and the Spatial Politics of Power: Reflections on West Bengal in India's 2026 State Elections
The 2026 round of state elections in India—covering Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the union territory of Puducherry—produced one of the most consequential realignments in the country's recent electoral history, including the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) first-ever victory in West Bengal after fourteen years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule. Yet West Bengal once again distinguished itself in a less celebrated register: it was the only one of the five polities to descend into significant post-poll violence. This editorial situates that violence within a spatial and cultural reading of electoral power. Drawing on comparative evidence from the 2026 verdicts, it argues that post-poll violence in West Bengal is neither an incidental excess nor the property of any single party, but a recurring symptom of a political order in which territorial control over neighbourhoods, booths, and local institutions is the substance of power itself. The reversal of partisan roles between 2021 and 2026—the TMC now occupying the position of the aggrieved—exposes the systemic, place-based logic of this violence. The editorial also flags the "administrative" disenfranchisement entailed in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the federal anxieties accompanying a more centralised political map. It calls for scholarship that treats electoral violence as a geography to be mapped rather than a scandal to be deplored.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rituparna Bhattacharyya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Satirical Meme Revolution: The Launching of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in India
This article analyses the emergence and political significance of meme-driven satirical movements, particularly the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), in the context of the post-2026 Indian elections. The study outlines the reach of digital satire and examines its capacity to influence young adults' political engagement, the structural dynamics of meme dissemination, and the implications for democratic participation. It pursues two principal objectives: (1) to examine the role of memes as a distinct political language directed at young voters, and (2) to assess the effects of meme culture on political polarisation, candidate credibility, and policy discourse. These objectives are addressed through an analysis of the cockroach meme within the Indian political landscape.
Copyright (c) 2026 Venkat Rao Pulla https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Institutional Gravity and the Limits of Crisis Leadership in Bangladesh
The political transition in Bangladesh between 2024 and 2026 provides an important case for examining the limits of crisis leadership within deeply embedded political systems. This editorial argues that the trajectory of the transition cannot be adequately understood through the actions or perceived shortcomings of individual leaders alone. Instead, it reflects the enduring influence of institutional embeddedness and party dominance within Bangladesh’s political structure. Drawing on the theoretical framework of democratic legitimacy—particularly the distinction between input, throughput, and output legitimacy—the analysis explores why the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus struggled to consolidate durable authority despite initial public trust. While the transitional leadership entered office with moral credibility among segments of the protest movement, it lacked an electoral mandate and encountered structural constraints that made establishing procedural and performance legitimacy difficult. The editorial further examines the role of Bangladesh’s deeply embedded party system, including the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and the re-emergence of Islamist political actors such as Jamaat-e-Islami, to demonstrate how political institutions retain resilience even during periods of upheaval. The fate of the July Charter of 2025 illustrates the broader gap between civic aspiration and institutional capacity. Comparative references to recent political crises in Pakistan and Sri Lanka suggest that such patterns are characteristic of transitional politics in South Asia more broadly. Ultimately, the transition reveals the gravitational pull of entrenched political structures: despite widespread public disillusionment with party politics, democratic legitimacy in Bangladesh continues to flow primarily through its institutionalised party system.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jayanta Biswa Sarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
When Emotion Becomes Evidence: How Zubeen Garg’s Case Spiralled into a Narrative War
The sudden death of Assam’s cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, in Singapore on 19 September 2025, rapidly transformed public emotion into a contested narrative space. What began as collective mourning evolved into a volatile discourse shaped by speculation, digital mobilisation, political opportunism and institutional communication challenges. This article examines how emotionally charged narratives interacted with procedural constraints, reshaping governmental communication during the first week following the incident. Using qualitative content analysis of official statements, media reporting, and publicly accessible social media activity, the commentary identifies a five-stage escalation: shock, suspicion, distrust, mobilisation, and institutional pressure. The Chief Minister’s initial position—emphasising Singapore’s investigative jurisdiction and evidence-based process—was soon confronted by narrative surges that demanded immediate action. Indicators of coordinated online messaging, including synchronised hashtags and repetitive narrative frames, suggest that certain actors sought to leverage public emotion to influence institutional behaviour. The case highlights a contemporary governance challenge: in digitally mediated environments, perception often precedes fact, and narrative pressure can shape state communication even before evidence emerges. Effective crisis governance, therefore, requires anticipatory, transparent communication strategies that prevent information vacuums and limit the scope for narrative capture. Emotion must be acknowledged, but institutional processes must remain anchored in evidence and jurisdictional clarity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jayanta Biswa Sarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Luminous Trajectory of Professor Suren Talukder: A Synthesis of Cartographic Precision and Literary Erudition
This article explores the life, academic career, and literary contributions of Professor Suren Talukder. Born in rural Assam in 1943, Talukder established a distinguished career in Geography, serving for over three decades at the prestigious Cotton College (now a state university located in Assam, India). Beyond his pedagogical achievements, particularly in Cartography, he made significant contributions to Assamese literature through translation. This biography traces his journey from a nature-loving child in Batiamari to a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize, highlighting his dual legacy in academia and literature.
Copyright (c) 2026 Pranjit Kumar Sarma , Chinmoyee Talukdar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Navigating the Security Nexus: Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict in Assam
Climate change poses a significant challenge to human civilisation, and human activities continue in accelerate it. Yet, the traditionalist view of security is not ready to reformulate its military and state-centric approaches, which are confined mainly to the sovereignty, integrity, and cohesion of the nation. However, climate change can lead to multi-dimensional security threats ranging from mass migration, poverty, sectarian conflicts, xenophobia and collateral damage across nations and boundaries. This issue can affect a nation’s welfare and ecology, and even its existence. It is high time for researchers and policymakers to examine a deeper, more comprehensive theory that can comprehend contemporary security challenges beyond the traditional security outlook in International Relations. So, the study seeks to apply the Non-Traditional Security framework to critically analyse the extent to which Bangladeshi migrants and their impacts on climate change and security concerns in India, particularly in the state of Assam.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tayenjam Priyokumar Singh, Ningthoujam Koiremba Singh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Life Against Deathworlds: Bangladesh’s July Charter 2025 and the Reconfiguration of Power
The July–August 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh marked a definitive rupture in the nation’s political trajectory, culminating in the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fifteen-year tenure. In the aftermath, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus initiated a profound restructuring of the state. Throughout 2025, this transition materialised through three interconnected processes: the dismantling of the previous regime's ‘necropolitical’ apparatus of state-sponsored violence; the drafting of the July National Charter 2025 to overhaul the constitution; and the preparation for a historic joint general election and constitutional referendum. This perspective outlines how Bangladesh has navigated the transition from an authoritarian system characterised by severe human rights abuses to a nascent, reform-bound democracy, analysing the legal, electoral, and human dimensions of this ongoing transformation.
Time's Illusion in Balinese Thought: The Role of Sad Ripu and Time Management in Financial Decision-Making
In today’s fast-paced world, individuals increasingly experience time as slipping away, creating a sense of urgency that profoundly shapes financial decisions. Yet, research rarely examines how this subjective temporal perception interacts with emotional regulation and time management to influence behaviour, leaving a critical gap in understanding the psychological and cultural mechanisms underlying financial decision-making. This study investigates how time perception, Sad Ripu control—a culturally rooted framework of emotional regulation in Balinese Hindu thought—and time management jointly affect financial decision-making. Using a purposive sample of 300 financially experienced individuals in Denpasar, Bali, data were collected via structured questionnaires and analysed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings reveal that faster perceived time significantly enhances financial decision-making both directly and indirectly. Surprisingly, heightened temporal urgency improved Sad Ripu control, suggesting that cultural context can convert perceived pressure into greater self-regulation. Effective time management further amplified rational financial choices, demonstrating the synergistic role of cognitive and emotional strategies in high-pressure settings. Practically, these results offer actionable insights for individuals, organisations, and policymakers globally. Cultivating temporal awareness, strengthening emotional regulation, and promoting disciplined time management can reduce impulsivity, enhance financial resilience, and improve adaptive decision-making in volatile economic environments. Integrating cultural constructs such as Sad Ripu into financial literacy programmes offers a globally relevant strategy for fostering rational, sustainable, and context-sensitive financial behaviour.
Copyright (c) 2026 IGN Oka Ariwangsa, Komang Widhya Sedana Putra P https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
International Security Institutions: Current Challenges and Prospects for Reform
This study aims to identify problems that undermine the effectiveness of international security institutions in maintaining global peace and security, and to propose possible approaches to updating their protocols for action. The secondary goal of the study is to determine if the functions and powers of international security institutions account for modern threats to global security. The study looks into the performance of the following international organisations: the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Council of Europe (CoE), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect and The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) focusing on legal documents that have been regulating their decisions during 2014-2025. The study showed that 2014 became a turning point for the collective security system. A full-scale war that broke out in Europe exposed the lack of adequate responses from security organisations. The fact that participation in these organisations and international security agreements is voluntary and can be terminated at any time makes the entire system vulnerable. The likelihood of a strong member withdrawing not only weakens the collective security system but also disrupts the balance in global security. The existing paradoxes in the decision-making protocols contribute to the collapse of the collective security system. This problem can only be solved by completely eliminating the parties to the conflict from the decision-making process. The present findings can serve as a basis for further research in the field of collective and global security.
Copyright (c) 2026 Roman Veresha, Valerii Karpuntsov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Types, Patterns of Romantic Relationships and Dating Delays among Urban Indian Emerging Adults
Emerging adulthood is a subject of interest with changing socio-economic conditions in different sociocultural contexts. The peculiar familial arrangement and open markets in India are so intermingled that young adults’ identities seem to be a confluence of collectivist Indian and liberal Western cultures. This confluence results in the emergence of adult-like tendencies among Indian youth in late adolescence and early adulthood. This quantitative study examines the implications of emerging adulthood for the romantic relationships of urban Indian emerging adults. The participants were university students from several Indian states. The total sample size is N=510 (221 males and 289 females), unmarried individuals aged 18-25. The selection criteria include 'no romantic relationship experience' to have had 'one in the past two years of study participation.' The data are collected to study the association between socio-demographic profiles and types of romantic relationships having peculiar patterns. The typification of romantic connection by identifying underlying patterns is the most significant contribution. The study identified two categories of romantic relationship patterns: The First Romantic Relationship and the Last or Latest Romantic Relationship Pattern (whichever coincided with the time of data collection). Overall, the findings shed light on the lives of Indian emerging adults and their preoccupations beyond romantic relationships. The descriptive research design highlights areas for future research to examine the causes and effects of these relationships.
Copyright (c) 2026 Pooja, Shraddha Bhatia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Tradition to Transition: Understanding the Driving Factors of Declining Use of Ethnomedicine for Livestock and Crops among the Indigenous Khasi People in Bangladesh
For centuries, Indigenous communities have relied on plants, herbs, and shrubs as primary sources of medicine for treating illnesses in both humans and animals. Despite the development and commercialisation of modern medicine, many Indigenous groups—such as the Khasi—continue to depend on traditional healing practices. This study examined current ethnomedicinal practices and the factors associated with the decline in their use in livestock and crop production among the Indigenous Khasi community in Bangladesh. This qualitative observational study was conducted from January to December 2021 in two Khasi villages. A total of 48 informal conversational interviews were conducted initially to build rapport, gain community access, and identify potential participants. Subsequently, 15 in‑depth interviews (IDIs) and five key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted using a purposive sampling strategy. All interviews were conducted in Bangla. Transcribed and translated textual data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that the Khasi continue to use ethnomedicine for livestock and crops due to its accessibility, availability, affordability, and sustainability. The study documented a range of traditional preparation methods—including crushing, chewing, and decoction—each associated with specific livestock ailments and corresponding plant parts. However, several factors contribute to the declining use of ethnomedicine, including the extensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, depletion of therapeutic plants, the widespread commercialisation of modern medication, the adoption of modern education, and a reduction in the number of traditional healers. The study demonstrates that the safe and effective use of therapeutic plants can reduce cultivation costs, preserve natural resources, enhance biodiversity, and protect beneficial organisms essential for cultivation. Although ethnomedicine remains a vital component of Khasi cultural heritage, its long-term sustainability is at heightened risk. Revitalising these practices requires scientific validation, conservation of therapeutic plant species, and inclusive policy-making that meaningfully involves Indigenous communities. A co‑design approach with active participation of Khasi knowledge holders is crucial to the development for conservation policies. Adopting a multidisciplinary and multi‑institutional One Health approach may further strengthen shared values around ethnomedicine and optimise the use of natural and human resources in disease management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Saju Bhuiya, Zafrin Ahmed Liza, Md. Shahgahan Miah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society
In response to the current conflict in the Middle East—marked by mass civilian suffering, displacement, and technologically mediated warfare—my message is to affirm social work’s sole allegiance to humanity and to reject ideological partisanship to which we may be drawn based on our state, allegiance, and nation. I draw on the philosophy of Harambee (“all pull together”). I see strengths-based practice as moral action: centring lived experience, protecting the most vulnerable despite political inconvenience, and resisting ethical paralysis amid institutional failure. I urge social workers globally to practice solidarity across borders, sustain collective care to counter moral injury, invest in the ethical formation of future practitioners, and collaborate across disciplines, cultures, and faiths. This is a global message to professional social workers, a call to act.
Factors Influencing Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate in the Post-Reform Period: An ARDL Approach
In the era of growing global economic integration, international transactions such as trade, investment, and financial activities have become inevitable for every country, and central to these activities is the exchange rate. Nowadays, the Indian economy is more open, and hence, the stability of the rupee-dollar exchange rate (₹/$ ER) has become a crucial issue for the economy. Despite the historic 1993 reform in the Indian exchange rate management system, the rupee remained highly volatile, especially against the dollar, raising questions about the factors driving its fluctuations. The present study aims to identify these factors. The study employs the ARDL model, using annual data from reliable sources such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the World Bank for the post-reform period (1993-2023). The analysis reveals a long-run cointegrating relationship among the variables in the reference period. The estimated long-run ARDL model suggests that, among the selected macroeconomic factors, inflation and the interest rate are significant determinants of the ₹/$ ER in the post-reform period, and that, among the selected external factors, foreign portfolio investment (FPI), the current account balance, and oil prices are significant determinants of the ₹/$ ER in the post-reform period. However, the short-run dynamics highlight the role of interest rates and FPI alone, while the error-correction term confirms a moderate adjustment toward equilibrium. Identification of the significant factors affecting the ₹/$ ER would help in implementing policies to control these factors, at least to some extent, which may help to keep the ₹/$ ER more or less stable. The findings underscore the interconnectedness of monetary policy, trade dynamics, and global financial flows in shaping exchange rate behaviour.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tarif Hussain, Dr. Amiya Sarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Refurbishing the Spirit of Patriotism as a Durable Value among Youth
Characterised by globalisation, with its cohorts in rapid technological advancements, economic uncertainty, Western cultural diffusion and ever-evolving social and political landscapes, contemporary times are fraught with multiple challenges for youth. Diminution and alteration in the spirit of patriotism and civic engagement emerge as dominant and concerting traits of the times. The patriotism of today stems from a narrower and more instrumental view of what is national. Being more symbolic, selective, and issue-based, it lacks the qualities of sustainable, constructive democratic patriotism. As a nation in rapid economic and social transition, India expects its youth to play a proactive role in nation-building. To instil a sense of national pride, loyalty, and service for the nation, there is a need to revive their patriotism in them. This, in turn, entails that school and university education reinvent themselves to move beyond the mere perfunctory celebration of patriotism towards a more lasting and durable flourishing of critical loyalty, collective values, and civic participation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Neera Agnimitra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Elderly Men at Tapgol Park: Psychological Motives, Cultural Influences, and Spatial Exclusion/Segregation in South Korea
Tapgol Park and its nearby downtown area in Seoul, South Korea, have attracted a large number of elderly visitors over the past several decades despite a series of urban redevelopment projects that aimed at relocating them to so-called more elder-friendly recreational spaces. In this article, I analysed the sociocultural phenomena and issues surrounding Tapgol Park and its elderly visitors, which have long attracted national attention and debate. I introduced basic information about Tapgol Park, including its history, geography, and current condition. Then I analysed the psychological motivations of elderly visitors to find out why they visit the park so frequently. In conclusion, it appears that these elders visit the park and its surrounding areas to alleviate the psychological distress common in old age. The sacralisation project, however, has driven many elders away from the park, and this can be seen as spatial discrimination against the elderly seeking psychological well-being in public spaces. Although the urban elderly community centred around the park has some positive aspects, it is also an example of the age-segregation in South Korea reinforced by Confucian values. Referring to one local park in Incheon as an example, I suggest that the problem of age-segregation may also be addressed through the way architectural spaces are structured.
Copyright (c) 2025 Youngjin Kang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Public Discourse on Press Freedom: Twitter’s Role in the Backlash Against Indonesia's 2024 Broadcasting Law Revision
The revision of Indonesia's Broadcasting Law in 2024 sparked intense debate on Twitter. This study analyses public discourse on Twitter from 10 May to 05 June 2024, focusing on 3,872 tweets, account engagement, popular accounts and hashtags, social networks, word clouds, sentiment, and media usage in opposing the revision of the law. This research is vital for further understanding the discussions surrounding Indonesia's Broadcasting Law, which has faced significant criticism for limiting press freedom and raising concerns about the erosion of democracy. The analysis revealed that peaks in discussion coincided with journalist protests and legislative meetings on the law. Most tweets expressed opposition to the revision, with Change.org emerging as the dominant platform leading the protests, likely used by activists to mobilise support through online petitions. Interestingly, the primary influences in this discourse were not from mass media or journalism but from influential social media personalities, alongside accounts with unclear identities, which also played a significant role in spreading information. The study also highlights the application of agenda-setting theory, in which Twitter, as a digital platform, played a key role in shaping the public agenda by amplifying concerns about press freedom and democracy. This research underscores the importance for policymakers considering input from the press community when crafting laws that balance regulation and the protection of press freedom.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fathul Qorib, Frida Kusumastuti, Saudah, Samia Elviria, Maielayuskha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spatial Diversity and Narratives of a Decaying Culture: Jhāpān Serpent Festival of West Bengal, India
Folk festivals, embedded within a distinctive geographical space, reflect the socio-cultural uniqueness through their vibrant symbolic elements. West Bengal, a culturally diverse state, hosts numerous folk festivals predominantly associated with the identities of various social groups. Such a critical folk festival is Jhāpān, a long-celebrated tradition of snake charmers in Bengal. The festival never fails to echo local tradition through exhibitions of a wide range of performances, from snake charming to ethnomedicinal practices and ritualistic performances, as well as various acts of entertainment by the snake charmers. Nevertheless, it is of great concern whether the festival is gradually dying out within the ever-changing social and administrative landscape or being remoulded. The purview provided an opportunity to delve into the origins and etymological dimensions of Jhāpān, explore its cultural extent, and delineate its transition. The findings highlight that, despite constant hindrances, the festival is gradually disappearing. It questions the survival of the cultural distinctiveness that the geographical space has carried for centuries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bhupal Bhandary, Nayan Roy, Akash Mallick, Rabi Narayan Behera, Sasmita Rout https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Pivoting From Smart to Sustainable: What's Next for India's Urbanisation Beyond the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)?
India’s rapid urbanisation has intensified socio-environmental challenges that increasingly undermine urban liveability and economic productivity. While initiatives such as the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) sought to enhance quality of life through technological integration, mounting evidence suggests that pollution, urban heat, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and infrastructure deficits continue to shape everyday urban experiences. This perspective article examines the limitations of the SCM’s dominant interpretation of “smartness,” arguing that the initiative often equates technological adoption and infrastructure expansion with urban progress. As a result, economic growth priorities frequently overshadowed social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and citizen well-being. Drawing on emerging scholarship, the article highlights how top-down governance, privatisation, and digital-first solutions have produced uneven outcomes, marginalising vulnerable communities and failing to address structural urban inequalities. In response, the article advocates a conceptual shift from technology-centric smart city models towards sustainability-oriented, participatory approaches grounded in the “slow ideology” of context-sensitive development. Comparative insights from international practices, particularly Singapore’s Liveability Framework, demonstrate how integrated planning, community engagement, and nature-based urban design can align economic competitiveness with environmental resilience and social equity. Ultimately, the article argues that India’s next phase of urbanisation requires redefining smartness to prioritise liveability, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability alongside technological innovation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Diganta Das, Sheriah Peries https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analysis of Living Space Dynamics in Precarity: A Case Study of Tailors in Yogyakarta
Precarious work, marked by job insecurity and limited social protection, is a growing concern in rapidly developing Indonesian cities such as Yogyakarta, where tourism expansion and limited formal employment opportunities push many residents into informal labour. This article examines the living-space dynamics of tailors in the Terban area, who operate on land historically owned by the Sultanate and shaped by long-standing informal power structures. Using an ethnographic approach, the study explores how these tailors navigate uncertainty arising from insecure land tenure, fluctuating income, and weak institutional protection. The findings show that although their work aligns with many characteristics of the precariat, the tailors’ collective strategies, particularly their community-based organisation, informal insurance mechanisms, and reciprocal patron-client relations with land custodians, provide alternative forms of stability. Their everyday practices reveal a form of agency that allows them to negotiate with authorities, sustain livelihoods, and shape their social and spatial environment. This study demonstrates that precarity among informal workers is not equal but mediated by local social relations and urban land politics, offering insights into how vulnerability, resilience, and spatial contestation intersect in contemporary urban society in Indonesia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nurberlian, Rika Febriani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Patterns and Determinants of Rural Non-Farm Economy: Evidence from an Indian State
There has been growing evidence of the importance of the rural non-farm economy (RNFE) across the developing world, with rural households engaging in a range of economic activities apart from agriculture, including animal husbandry, casual agricultural and non-agricultural work, non-farm self-employment, and migration. This paper examines the emergence and determinants of rural non-farm employment in the Indian state of Assam. Using unit-level data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022–23, it employs binary and multinomial logistic regression models to analyse the determinants of rural non-farm employment in Assam as well as the determinants of participation in specific types of rural non-farm employment (regular, casual, or self-employed). The findings show that self-employment constitutes nearly half of total rural non-farm employment in Assam, making it the most significant form of livelihood outside agriculture. Non-farm self-employment is dominated by own-account workers engaged in low-return, petty production and informal services. Regression results indicate that younger, better-educated, and historically socially advantaged groups are more likely to transition to non-farm employment, while women and Muslim workers remain disproportionately concentrated in agriculture and non-farm self-employment. The study highlights the need for policies that improve the quality of rural non-farm jobs through skill development, support for labour-intensive sectors, and better access to credit and markets to ensure sustainable rural livelihoods.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ritwika Patgiri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Value Integration amongst Students of Social Work: Challenges and Way Forward
Values form an integral component of the social work profession. In fact, values provide the framework within which social work professionals make decisions and create meaningful and inclusive interventions for their client systems. Consequently, facilitating and promoting value integration must comprise the core component of teaching and learning in this profession. In its early stages of progression, a quest for acceptance shifted the primary thrust of professional social work to developing a scientific knowledge base and skills, at the expense of focusing on its values. Over time, factors such as value plurality, limited ‘values’ focus and pedagogical challenges in values training, and the dominance of generic, universal, and Western value sets emerged as significant roadblocks in values-based practice. The authors contend that this has led to an ongoing diminution of values teaching and integration in schools of social work, made more critical in the contemporary neoliberal context of professional practice. Based on a descriptive exploratory research study, the paper focuses on a school of social work in Delhi, India. It assumes a critical view of the value transactions that take place in the classroom and field settings and explores the manner in which values are imbibed and practised by the students; the challenges and ethical dilemmas experienced by them; and the mechanisms deployed by them to resolve such dilemmas. Centred on the perspectives of students and educators, the paper examines the nature and process of value integration. It proposes ways to consolidate the value base of social work education and practice.
Copyright (c) 2025 Neera Agnimitra, Seema Sharma, Tejaswin Sharma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Sacrality of Space, Time, and Water: The Biggest Assembly of Kumbha Melā 2025, India
The greatest of the religious events, the Kumbha Melā, is a riverside festival held every twelve years, rotating among Prayāgraj (formerly Allahabad), Nasik, Ujjain, and Haridvar. Two traditions determine the origin/location and timing of the festival. The Kumbha Melā is an extended and expanded form of the ancient Māgha Melā, as described in the Atharva Veda, dated ca. 1500 BCE. The Mahā (Great) Kumbha Melā is the largest gathering of humanity on planet Earth. The latest one, held in Prayāgraj (Allahabad) in 2025, set the world record for the largest human gathering, with 663 million bathers and visitors. The Kumbha Melā achieved a significant milestone by being inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. This recognition is a testament to the Kumbha Melā’s profound cultural and spiritual significance, as well as its unparalleled character as a massive and peaceful gathering of devotees.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rana P.B. Singh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spiritual Values and Personality Formation of Youth in the Context of Contemporary Social Transformation in Kazakhstan
The rapid transformations occurring in modern society influence all dimensions of social life, including the sphere of spirituality. This study examines the role of spiritual values in shaping personality amid processes of urbanisation, globalisation, and digitalisation, with particular attention to the declared and actual spiritual priorities of young people in Kazakhstan. Although the spiritual foundations of Kazakh society appeared to weaken between 2000 and 2025—a period marked by both a post‑independence revival of traditional values and the emergence of new spiritual orientations—the findings suggest that what is occurring is less a decline than a transformation in the forms through which spiritual values are expressed. The data reveal a potential gap between the values young people claim to hold and the ways these values manifest behaviourally in certain empirical indicators; however, this discrepancy cannot be generalised to all youth in Kazakhstan. Cultivating a system of spiritual values among young people, therefore, requires a balanced approach that integrates both traditional and emerging values, while also discouraging the mere declaration of socially approved ideals that are not reflected in practice, as such dissonance undermines the very essence of spirituality. The findings of this study can inform the development of targeted social and educational programmes and provide a foundation for future research.
Copyright (c) 2026 Gaukhar Barlybayeva, Gulnara Nussipova, Aiman Keldinova, Gulnara Koyanbayeva, Dinara Zhanabayeva, Zhanyl Madalieva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Belief, Space, and Productivity: The Cultural Economy of Mystical Illnessin Denpasar, Bali
Mystical illness beliefs—encompassing notions of witchcraft, spirit possession, and supernatural affliction—remain embedded in many societies and continue to shape health-related behaviour, work practices, and economic life. In Denpasar, Bali, where traditional spiritual frameworks intersect with an increasingly modern urban economy, such beliefs retain social relevance. However, empirical evidence on how these culturally embedded beliefs relate to economic outcomes remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationships between belief in mystical illness, work productivity, economic life, and religious education. Data were collected from 200 economically active individuals in Denpasar using a structured questionnaire and purposive sampling. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to assess both direct and indirect relationships, including mediation and moderation effects. The findings indicate that belief in mystical illness is positively associated with both work productivity and economic life, with work productivity partially mediating this relationship. In addition, religious education has been found to moderate the link between belief and economic outcomes, shaping how such beliefs translate into economic behaviour. While the moderating effect is relatively modest, it remains statistically significant. These results suggest that mystical illness beliefs do not operate solely as constraints on economic performance. Rather, within this context, they form part of a broader cultural system that can coexist with productive economic activity. The study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural and spiritual dimensions into analyses of economic behaviour and suggests that policy approaches should be sensitive to locally embedded belief systems. Although the findings are limited to an urban setting and rely on self-reported data, they offer insights into the complex interaction between belief, productivity, and economic life in culturally diverse contexts.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kadek Wulandari Laksmi P, Komang Widhya Sedana Putra P, IGN Oka Ariwangsa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Social Casework: The Indian Paradigm and Practice
This commentary builds on the discussion started in Pulla, Das, and Nikku's 2022 essay "Indigenous or Blended Model for South Asian Social Work?", which questioned the dominance of Western social work paradigms in South Asia. The authors emphasised the limitations of these models in dealing with the region's diverse socio-cultural realities, arguing for a hybrid approach that combines Indigenous epistemologies with global views. Building on this foundation, the current study examines Social Casework: The Indian Paradigm and Practice, a seminal contribution to the developing Bharatiyakaran movement—the Indianisation of social work. This emergent paradigm highlights a decolonised, culturally embedded practice model based on Indian philosophical, spiritual, and ethical traditions, such as seva (selfless service), danam (altruism), vasudhaiva kutumbakam (universal family), and concepts from the Bhagavad Gita. The book entitled Social Casework: The Indian Paradigm and Practice by Ranjana Sehgal and published by Today & Tomorrow's Printers and Publishers, New Delhi, documents efforts to create a uniquely Indian casework technique, providing empirical findings, theoretical critiques, and culturally appropriate frameworks from throughout the subcontinent. The authors in this volume delve into classical Indian notions such as karma, ashramas, purusharthas, syadvada, and Ayurvedic principles, offering them as the foundation for a holistic and context-sensitive approach to casework. This review essay emphasises the urgent need to transcend Western individualistic ideas and interact with the spiritual and community ethos inherent in Indian culture. This paradigm shift not only enhances the cultural relevance and effectiveness of social work practice in India, but it also contributes to larger worldwide efforts to diversify and decolonise professional knowledge systems. By integrating with Indian traditions, this movement encourages practitioners to reframe social work as both a professional discipline and a spiritual practice, grounded in collective well-being and ethical responsibility.
Copyright (c) 2025 Venkat Rao Pulla, Subash Sharma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
“Soft Power” and Ethnic Identity Factors in Türkiye-Kazakhstan Integration
The study explores the role of soft power and ethnic identity in strengthening Türkiye- Kazakhstan- integration, emphasising their shared heritage as a basis for modern cooperation within the Organisation of Turkic States. The study aims to analyse the current stage of integration of the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of international organisations, national institutions and government programmes that unite Turkic-speaking peoples. The study used qualitative methods to analyse historical and cultural ties, documents and cases of international institutions, as well as quantitative methods, including statistical analysis of economic indicators and comparative analysis of integration strategies. The study results showed that the integration of Kazakhstan and Türkiye is actively promoted through international organisations such as TURKSOY and the Organisation of Turkic States, which promote cultural and economic cooperation. An analysis of soft power in the policies of both countries has confirmed its significant role in strengthening mutual understanding and promoting common cultural and historical values. Economic cooperation between the two countries, although progressing, faces geographical and logistical constraints that affect the level of mutual trade. Despite the challenges, cultural and educational initiatives, such as the activities of the Turkish Academy and Ahmet Yasavi University, contribute to strengthening integration processes. The prospective significance of the study lies in the use of the data to improve the strategies of cultural and economic integration of Turkic-speaking countries, contributing to the strengthening of regional cooperation and mutual understanding.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kanat Bazarbayev, Eren Akdeniz, Aidarbek Amirbek, Sultanmurat Abzhalov, Almasbek Anuarbekuly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Trends in the Study of Gender Issues in Central Asian Countries: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis Using the Scopus Database
Recently, noteworthy progress has been made in the transition to gender equality, and the actions of several governments worldwide have been described as steps towards finding positive solutions to this issue. Ensuring gender equality is crucial in achieving sustainable development and effective economic growth at both the national and regional levels. Various articles on gender studies in the Central Asian (CA) region were retrieved using Scopus, one of the most popular databases. VOSviewer Version 1.6.20 was employed to analyse different metrics such as co-citation networks, co-occurrences, and author keywords. A total of 132 articles were extracted from the Scopus database and analysed through five bibliometric analysis units: evolution of scientific production, analysis of authors, analysis of sources/journals, analysis of countries and institutions, and analysis of author keywords. The main findings of this study can be summarised in the following three key points: (i) The scientific output of articles addressing gender issues in the societies of CA countries remains insufficient, and the commitment to achieving gender equality does not align with international and regional interests; (ii) Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are recognised as countries that devote considerable attention to scientific research related to gender in the CA region. In contrast, Turkmenistan is identified as a country that does not engage in gender research at the international level, primarily due to a lack of materials in the Scopus database; (iii) Overall, it can be concluded that the implementation of gender equality in the Central Asian region still lacks substantial support from the state, as research related to gender issues in this area has predominantly been conducted and supported by democratic and well-developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Copyright (c) 2025 Stalifa Bektursyn , Sholpan Abdreyeva, Imanaly Akbar, Alexandr Artemyev, Bauyrzhan Pazylkhaiyr , Inkar Kartanova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Resurrecting India’s Struggle for Independence: Pioneering Role of Babu Jagat Singh
Based on a five-year project (2019-2023) that investigated colonial correspondences and records held in various archives, a research document has been prepared to re-investigate the colonial history of the Banaras estate. Pradeep Narayan Singh, the representative of the Royal Family, has patronised this project through a significant grant and infrastructure. Over time, the report has been published as a research monograph, considering the role and activities of ‘Babu’ Jagat Singh, a member of the Royal Family of Banaras, who in the 18th Century led the group of revolutionaries and also led the first exploration of the Buddhist site of Sarnath; however, erroneously he was projected as a destroyer. This research has dispelled the earlier misconceptions about him, as supplemented by authentic archival sources.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rana P.B. Singh, Priyanka Jha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0