Space and Culture, India
type: channel
description: Space and Culture, India (e-ISSN 2052-8396) is a double-blind, peer-reviewed international journal in Humanities published quarterly. <a style="color: #007ab2; font-family: &quot; noto sans&quot;,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="Index Coppernicus" href="https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/journal/issue?issueId=all&journalId=4595" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <a style="color: #007ab2; font-family: &quot; noto sans&quot;,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="SJR" href="https://www.scimagojr.com/journalsearch.php?q=21100814517&tip=sid&exact=no" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <a style="color: #007ab2; font-family: &quot; noto sans&quot;,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="ISSN" href="https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/2052-8396" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <a style="color: #007ab2; font-family: &quot; noto sans&quot;,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="ERIHPlus" href="https://kanalregist…
publisher: Alliance for Community Capacity Building
language: en
publication name: Space and Culture, India
issn: 2052-8396
copyright: Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
items: Institutional Gravity and the Limits of Crisis Leadership in Bangladesh
items: When Emotion Becomes Evidence: How Zubeen Garg’s Case Spiralled into a Narrative War
items: Navigating the Security Nexus: Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict in Assam
items: Life Against Deathworlds: Bangladesh’s July Charter 2025 and the Reconfiguration of Power
items: Time's Illusion in Balinese Thought: The Role of Sad Ripu and Time Management in Financial Decision-Making
items: International Security Institutions: Current Challenges and Prospects for Reform
items: Types, Patterns of Romantic Relationships and Dating Delays among Urban Indian Emerging Adults
items: From Tradition to Transition: Understanding the Driving Factors of Declining Use of Ethnomedicine for Livestock and Crops among the Indigenous Khasi People in Bangladesh
items: Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society
items: Factors Influencing Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate in the Post-Reform Period: An ARDL Approach
items: Elderly Men at Tapgol Park: Psychological Motives, Cultural Influences, and Spatial Exclusion/Segregation in South Korea
items: Refurbishing the Spirit of Patriotism as a Durable Value among Youth
items: Public Discourse on Press Freedom: Twitter’s Role in the Backlash Against Indonesia's 2024 Broadcasting Law Revision
items: Spatial Diversity and Narratives of a Decaying Culture: Jhāpān Serpent Festival of West Bengal, India
items: Value Integration amongst Students of Social Work: Challenges and Way Forward
items: The Sacrality of Space, Time, and Water: The Biggest Assembly of Kumbha Melā 2025, India
items: Social Casework: The Indian Paradigm and Practice
items: “Soft Power” and Ethnic Identity Factors in Türkiye-Kazakhstan Integration
items: Trends in the Study of Gender Issues in Central Asian Countries: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis Using the Scopus Database
items: Resurrecting India’s Struggle for Independence: Pioneering Role of Babu Jagat Singh
items: Sukha, Santosha, and Sampatti: A Holistic Indian Approach to Flourishing and Resilience
items: Adaptation of State Security to Modern Military Operations and Terrorist Risks in the World
items: I met Him I met my Destiny: A Tribute to my Teacher Professor R.Vaidyanadhan
items: Animal Cremation Based on Ritual in Banjar Nyelati Kuwum Village, Mengwi Badung
items: Reinterpreting the Play: Women’s Cultural Performance as a Subversive Site
items: Reflections on Bharat, Asia and the World: A Mosaic of Perspectives
items: A Decade of Smart Urbanism in India through the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
items: Socialisation Problems of Orphanage Children in the Republic of Kazakhstan
items: Enhancing Elderly Care through Health Data Innovation: Developing a Mobile Application for Seniors
items: Intersecting Oppressions: The Lived Realities of Dom Women in Banaras, India

Institutional Gravity and the Limits of Crisis Leadership in Bangladesh
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Editorials
  topic: section
subject: Bangladesh Politics
  topic: keywords
subject: Institutional Embeddedness
  topic: keywords
subject: Democratic Legitimacy
  topic: keywords
subject: Political Parties
  topic: keywords
subject: Transitional Governance
  topic: keywords
subject: South Asian Political Transitions
  topic: keywords
subject: Civil Society Movements
  topic: keywords
subject: International Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Political Science
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Political Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: International Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Political Science
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Political Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Jayanta Biswa Sarma
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Jayanta Biswa Sarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 5
ending page: 10
doi: 10.20896/4bgv9303

When Emotion Becomes Evidence: How Zubeen Garg’s Case Spiralled into a Narrative War
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Zubeen Garg
  topic: keywords
subject: Zubeen Garg’s Sudden Death
  topic: keywords
subject: Conspiracy Theories
  topic: keywords
subject: Assam’s Chief Minister
  topic: keywords
subject: Singapore
  topic: keywords
subject: Assam
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Jayanta Biswa Sarma
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Jayanta Biswa Sarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 8
ending page: 15
doi: 10.20896/memcq968

Navigating the Security Nexus: Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict in Assam
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Special Articles
  topic: section
subject: Climate Change
  topic: keywords
subject: Conflicts
  topic: keywords
subject: Resources
  topic: keywords
subject: Illegal Migrants
  topic: keywords
subject: Non-Traditional Security
  topic: keywords
subject: Assam
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: Migration
  topic: subjects
subject: Conflict Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Political Science
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Migration
  topic: disciplines
subject: Conflict Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Political Science
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Tayenjam Priyokumar Singh
creator: Ningthoujam Koiremba Singh
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Tayenjam Priyokumar Singh, Ningthoujam Koiremba Singh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 30
ending page: 47
doi: 10.20896/ddhd0k55

Life Against Deathworlds: Bangladesh’s July Charter 2025 and the Reconfiguration of Power
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Perspective
  topic: section
subject: July Charter 2025
  topic: keywords
subject: Necropolitics
  topic: keywords
subject: Electoral Transition
  topic: keywords
subject: Bangladesh
  topic: keywords
subject: International Relations
  topic: subjects
subject: Politics
  topic: subjects
subject: Political Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: International Relations
  topic: disciplines
subject: Politics
  topic: disciplines
subject: Political Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
creator: Rituparna Bhattacharyya
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Rituparna Bhattacharyya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 124
ending page: 132
doi: 10.20896/w0c30g89

Time's Illusion in Balinese Thought: The Role of Sad Ripu and Time Management in Financial Decision-Making
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Time Perception
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainable Financial Decision-Making
  topic: keywords
subject: Sad Ripu
  topic: keywords
subject: Time Management
  topic: keywords
subject: Behavioural Finance
  topic: keywords
subject: Bali
  topic: keywords
subject: Indonesia
  topic: keywords
subject: Financial Management
  topic: subjects
subject: Economics
  topic: subjects
subject: Sustainable Development
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Financial Management
  topic: disciplines
subject: Economics
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sustainable Development
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: IGN Oka Ariwangsa
creator: Komang Widhya Sedana Putra P
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 IGN Oka Ariwangsa, Komang Widhya Sedana Putra P https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 48
ending page: 64
doi: 10.20896/5fdy2t86

International Security Institutions: Current Challenges and Prospects for Reform
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Special Articles
  topic: section
subject: International Security
  topic: keywords
subject: NATO
  topic: keywords
subject: Nuclear Plants
  topic: keywords
subject: UN Procedure
  topic: keywords
subject: Global Warming
  topic: keywords
subject: International Relations
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Political Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: International Relations
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Political Geography
  topic: disciplines
creator: Roman Veresha
creator: Valerii Karpuntsov
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Roman Veresha, Valerii Karpuntsov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 11
ending page: 29
doi: 10.20896/jmaatx63

Types, Patterns of Romantic Relationships and Dating Delays among Urban Indian Emerging Adults
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Romantic Relationship
  topic: keywords
subject: Emerging Adulthood
  topic: keywords
subject: Late Adolescence
  topic: keywords
subject: Relationship Pattern
  topic: keywords
subject: Relationship Type
  topic: keywords
subject: First Romantic Relationship
  topic: keywords
subject: Last/Latest Romantic Relationship
  topic: keywords
subject: Urban India
  topic: keywords
subject: Emerging adulthood
  topic: subjects
subject: Romantic Relationships
  topic: subjects
subject: Urban India
  topic: subjects
subject: Geography of Love
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Psychology
  topic: subjects
subject: Public Health
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Psychology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Public Health
  topic: disciplines
subject: Geography of Love
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Pooja
creator: Shraddha Bhatia
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Pooja, Shraddha Bhatia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 81
ending page: 104
doi: 10.20896/8e19j933

From Tradition to Transition: Understanding the Driving Factors of Declining Use of Ethnomedicine for Livestock and Crops among the Indigenous Khasi People in Bangladesh
type: item
description: 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-te…
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Ethnomedicine
  topic: keywords
subject: Therapeutic Plants
  topic: keywords
subject: Indigenous Khasi Community
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative Research
  topic: keywords
subject: Bangladesh
  topic: keywords
subject: Medicinal Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Anthropology
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Medicinal Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Anthropology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Saju Bhuiya
creator: Zafrin Ahmed Liza
creator: Md. Shahgahan Miah
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Saju Bhuiya, Zafrin Ahmed Liza, Md. Shahgahan Miah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 105
ending page: 123
doi: 10.20896/da9xs853

Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Editorials
  topic: section
subject: Harambee
  topic: keywords
subject: Middle East Conflict 2026
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Work Ethics
  topic: keywords
subject: Strengths-Based Practice
  topic: keywords
subject: World Social Work Day
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Welfare
  topic: subjects
subject: World Social Work Day
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: World Social Work Day
  topic: disciplines
creator: Venkat Rao Pulla
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Venkat Rao Pulla https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-27
publication date: 2026-03-27
starting page: 1
ending page: 4
doi: 10.20896/mesg9188

Factors Influencing Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate in the Post-Reform Period: An ARDL Approach
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Perspective
  topic: section
subject: Macroeconomic Factors
  topic: keywords
subject: Foreign Portfolio Investment
  topic: keywords
subject: Crude Oil Prices
  topic: keywords
subject: ARDL Model
  topic: keywords
subject: Cointegration
  topic: keywords
subject: Monetary Policy
  topic: keywords
subject: Economics
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Economics
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Tarif Hussain
creator: Amiya Sarma
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Tarif Hussain, Dr. Amiya Sarma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 127
ending page: 140
doi: 10.20896/044c4v64

Elderly Men at Tapgol Park: Psychological Motives, Cultural Influences, and Spatial Exclusion/Segregation in South Korea
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Perspective
  topic: section
subject: Korea
  topic: keywords
subject: Korean Culture
  topic: keywords
subject: South Korea
  topic: keywords
subject: Seoul
  topic: keywords
subject: Parks
  topic: keywords
subject: Public Space
  topic: keywords
subject: Elders
  topic: keywords
subject: Spatial Exclusion
  topic: keywords
subject: Ageism
  topic: keywords
subject: Elderly Culture
  topic: keywords
subject: Korea
  topic: subjects
subject: South Korea
  topic: subjects
subject: Korean Culture
  topic: subjects
subject: Seoul
  topic: subjects
subject: Psychology
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Psychology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Youngjin Kang
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Youngjin Kang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 90
ending page: 112
doi: 10.20896/b4c0a168

Refurbishing the Spirit of Patriotism as a Durable Value among Youth
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Editorials
  topic: section
subject: Youth
  topic: keywords
subject: Patriotism
  topic: keywords
subject: Constructive Patriotism
  topic: keywords
subject: Civic Participation
  topic: keywords
subject: Critical Loyalty
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Neera Agnimitra
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Neera Agnimitra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.20896/nxs9nm40

Public Discourse on Press Freedom: Twitter’s Role in the Backlash Against Indonesia's 2024 Broadcasting Law Revision
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Indonesian Broadcasting Law
  topic: keywords
subject: Public discourse
  topic: keywords
subject: Press freedom
  topic: keywords
subject: Twitter
  topic: keywords
subject: Agenda Setting Theory
  topic: keywords
subject: Change.org
  topic: keywords
subject: Media and Communication
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Media and Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Fathul Qorib
creator: Frida Kusumastuti
creator: Saudah
creator: Samia Elviria
creator: Maielayuskha
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fathul Qorib, Frida Kusumastuti, Saudah, Samia Elviria, Maielayuskha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 16
ending page: 36
doi: 10.20896/t2pftg21

Spatial Diversity and Narratives of a Decaying Culture: Jhāpān Serpent Festival of West Bengal, India
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Cultural Transition
  topic: keywords
subject: Festival
  topic: keywords
subject: Snake Charmers
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Identity
  topic: keywords
subject: West Bengal
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Bhupal Bhandary
creator: Nayan Roy
creator: Akash Mallick
creator: Rabi Narayan Behera
creator: Sasmita Rout
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Bhupal Bhandary, Nayan Roy, Akash Mallick, Rabi Narayan Behera, Sasmita Rout https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 63
ending page: 89
doi: 10.20896/1f85s451

Value Integration amongst Students of Social Work: Challenges and Way Forward
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Values
  topic: keywords
subject: Value Integration
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Work Education
  topic: keywords
subject: Ethical Dilemmas
  topic: keywords
subject: Higher Education
  topic: subjects
subject: Education
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Higher Education
  topic: disciplines
subject: Education
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Neera Agnimitra
creator: Seema Sharma
creator: Tejaswin Sharma
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Neera Agnimitra, Seema Sharma, Tejaswin Sharma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 37
ending page: 62
doi: 10.20896/vwz3cw96

The Sacrality of Space, Time, and Water: The Biggest Assembly of Kumbha Melā 2025, India
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Editorials
  topic: section
subject: Kumbha Melā
  topic: keywords
subject: Sacred Bathing
  topic: keywords
subject: Pilgrimage
  topic: keywords
subject: Prayāgraj (Allahabad)
  topic: keywords
subject: Confluence
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Religious Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Heritage
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Rana P.B. Singh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Rana P.B. Singh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-25
publication date: 2025-09-25
starting page: 1
ending page: 8
doi: 10.20896/ajfa6291

Social Casework: The Indian Paradigm and Practice
type: item
description: 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…
subject: Book Review Commentary
  topic: section
subject: Western Paradigm of Casework
  topic: keywords
subject: Indian Casework
  topic: keywords
subject: Bharatiyakaran of Social Work
  topic: keywords
subject: Blended Social Work
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Venkat Rao Pulla
creator: Subash Sharma
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Venkat Rao Pulla, Subash Sharma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-25
publication date: 2025-09-25
starting page: 100
ending page: 108
doi: 10.20896/vtv19806

“Soft Power” and Ethnic Identity Factors in Türkiye-Kazakhstan Integration
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Turkic World
  topic: keywords
subject: Integration
  topic: keywords
subject: Academic Mobility
  topic: keywords
subject: Turkic-Speaking Countries
  topic: keywords
subject: Strategic Partnership
  topic: keywords
subject: Alphabet Harmonisation
  topic: keywords
subject: Cultural Exchange
  topic: keywords
subject: Türkiye
  topic: keywords
subject: Kazakhstan
  topic: keywords
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: International Relations
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Kanat Bazarbayev
creator: Eren Akdeniz
creator: Aidarbek Amirbek
creator: Sultanmurat Abzhalov
creator: Almasbek Anuarbekuly
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kanat Bazarbayev, Eren Akdeniz, Aidarbek Amirbek, Sultanmurat Abzhalov, Almasbek Anuarbekuly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-23
publication date: 2025-06-23
starting page: 126
ending page: 145
doi: 10.20896/fejebf61

Trends in the Study of Gender Issues in Central Asian Countries: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis Using the Scopus Database
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Bibliometric Analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Gender Issues
  topic: keywords
subject: Central Asia
  topic: keywords
subject: Scopus Database
  topic: keywords
subject: VOSviewer
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainability
  topic: keywords
subject: Gender Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Women's Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Central Asia
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Gender Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: SCOPUS Database
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sustainable Development
  topic: disciplines
creator: Stalifa Bektursyn
creator: Sholpan Abdreyeva
creator: Imanaly Akbar
creator: Alexandr Artemyev
creator: Bauyrzhan Pazylkhaiyr
creator: Inkar Kartanova
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Stalifa Bektursyn , Sholpan Abdreyeva, Imanaly Akbar, Alexandr Artemyev, Bauyrzhan Pazylkhaiyr , Inkar Kartanova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-23
publication date: 2025-06-23
starting page: 24
ending page: 41
doi: 10.20896/n682nc15

Resurrecting India’s Struggle for Independence: Pioneering Role of Babu Jagat Singh
type: item
description: 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.
subject: Book Review Commentary
  topic: section
subject: Banaras (Varanasi)
  topic: keywords
subject: Colonial History
  topic: keywords
subject: Jagat Singh
  topic: keywords
subject: Jagatganj
  topic: keywords
subject: Royal Family
  topic: keywords
subject: Sarnath
  topic: keywords
subject: Historical Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Colonial Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: History
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Historical Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Colonial Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: History
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Rana P.B. Singh
creator: Priyanka Jha
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Rana P.B. Singh, Priyanka Jha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-23
publication date: 2025-06-23
starting page: 177
ending page: 185
doi: 10.20896/8w9nn239

Sukha, Santosha, and Sampatti: A Holistic Indian Approach to Flourishing and Resilience
type: item
description: Well-being transcends individualism and constitutes a collective phenomenon, grounded in social interdependence, cultural narratives, and communal values. Flourishing is not merely a personal endeavour but fundamentally rooted in the health and harmony of communities. In times of adversity, optimism, hope, and resilience are not merely personal traits but are cultivated through shared experiences and cultural frameworks, highlighting the importance of relational resources in fostering communal strength. Embracing well-being as a relational construct mandates inclusive approaches that prioritise interconnectedness, reciprocity, and communal emotional experiences—affirming that enhancing personal happiness is inseparable from fostering collective flourishing. This study advances the theory that well-being is shaped through social interactions and communal cohesion. Drawing on the Indian collectivist tradition, where happiness emerges from group cohesion and shared experiences, it contrasts this with individualistic paradigms that emphasise autonomy and personal achievement. We investigate how a collectivist cultural framework, especially within Indian traditions, shapes both individual and communal conceptions of well-being, and examine how self-aware, purposeful individuals contribute to enhancing community harmony, engagement, and collective flourishing. We argue that individual awakening acts as a catalyst for community elevation: self-aware, purposeful individuals foster societal engagement, alignment, and forward-looking vision, thereby propelling collective flourishing.
subject: Special Articles
  topic: section
subject: Well-being in the Collective Culture
  topic: keywords
subject: Well-being and Flourishing
  topic: keywords
subject: Resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: Holistic Indian Approach
  topic: keywords
subject: Philosophy
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Indian Philosophy
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Geographical Thoughts
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Philosophy
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Indian Philosophy
  topic: disciplines
subject: Geographical Thoughts
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
creator: Yogi Srinivas Arka
creator: Venkat Rao Pulla
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Yogi Srinivas Arka, Venkat Rao Pulla https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-25
publication date: 2025-09-25
starting page: 9
ending page: 22
doi: 10.20896/xvc4xc70

Adaptation of State Security to Modern Military Operations and Terrorist Risks in the World
type: item
description: Military conflicts and terrorism are increasingly overlapping, creating complex threats that undermine both global and national security. Hostilities, terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, and radicalisation on the home front necessitate a rethinking of the functions of state security. The editorial analyses the ability of state security systems to adapt to the challenges of modern warfare and international terrorism. The relevance of the study is due to the aggravation of interstate conflicts— first of all, Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and terrorism in the world. The goal is to comparatively assess the strategies of governments for prevention, response and long-term recovery in the face of threats, as well as to develop recommendations for improving institutional resilience. The methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines the analysis of national security doctrines, counterterrorism legislation, and indicators of institutional capacity in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye. The theoretical significance of the work lies in the conceptualisation of “adaptive security” as a complex state process, and the practical value lies in the proposed recommendations for updating doctrines, crisis management procedures and interagency coordination.
subject: Editorials
  topic: section
subject: State Security
  topic: keywords
subject: Modern Warfare
  topic: keywords
subject: Terrorism
  topic: keywords
subject: Hybrid Warfare
  topic: keywords
subject: Cybersecurity
  topic: keywords
subject: Asia-Pacific
  topic: keywords
subject: Political Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Politcal Science
  topic: subjects
subject: Cyber Crime
  topic: subjects
subject: Crime Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Political Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Political Science
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cyber Crime
  topic: disciplines
subject: Crime Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Karlis Ketners
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Karlis Ketners https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-23
publication date: 2025-06-23
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.20896/e3p2jm77

I met Him I met my Destiny: A Tribute to my Teacher Professor R.Vaidyanadhan
type: item
description: Professor Rajagopala Vaidyanadhan had been a teacher like no other teacher. This tribute presents a panorama of his early and higher education, professional life and academic achievements. The sentiments expressed in this tribute are not feelings of just this author alone but are feelings of almost all his students. He joined the teaching profession not by chance but by choice. He did a commendable job as a teacher. He updated himself with the latest in the field and imparted his knowledge to all his students. As a researcher, he did a good number of seminal works. He kept himself active in his post-retirement time and served the earth science community through his invaluable contributions. At 94 years of age, he is healthy and hale because of his daily disciplined routines.
subject: Legends
  topic: section
subject: My Destiny
  topic: keywords
subject: R. Vaidyanadhan
  topic: keywords
subject: Andhra University
  topic: keywords
subject: Geology and Geography
  topic: keywords
subject: Geological Society
  topic: keywords
subject: Geology
  topic: subjects
subject: Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Tribute to a Teacher
  topic: subjects
subject: Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Geology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Koppella Narayana Prudhvi Raju
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Koppella Narayana Prudhvi Raju https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-23
publication date: 2025-06-23
starting page: 163
ending page: 176
doi: 10.20896/g7y8p608

Animal Cremation Based on Ritual in Banjar Nyelati Kuwum Village, Mengwi Badung
type: item
description: This study aims to describe the implementation of ritual-based animal cremation at Bali Animal Cremation in Banjar Nyelati, Desa Kuwum, Mengwi District, Badung Regency. The research uses a qualitative approach, drawing from both primary and secondary data. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and document study. The data were then analysed descriptively, qualitatively, and interpretatively, followed by the presentation of the research findings. The results show that the ideology behind this ritual-based animal cremation practice is based on spiritual respect for animals, belief in the laws of karma and reincarnation, and love and compassion. The cremation process starts with the preparation of offerings and burning equipment, the identification of the animal, the ritual of mapekeling (purification), the ritual of bathing the animal, and, after which, the cremation/burning takes place. Finally, the ashes are collected and placed in a container prepared by the client. We reckon the research findings will provide a deeper understanding of the relationships among tradition, religion, and culture in Balinese society, as well as their contributions to the preservation of local culture.
subject: Perspective
  topic: section
subject: Ritual-Based Animal Cremation
  topic: keywords
subject: Bali Animal Cremation
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative Research
  topic: keywords
subject: Bali
  topic: keywords
subject: Indonesia
  topic: keywords
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Religious Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Religious Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: I Made Girinata
creator: I Gede Suwantana
creator: I Putu Agus Aryatnaya Giri
creator: I Ketut Sudarsana
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 I Made Girinata, I Gede Suwantana, I Putu Agus Aryatnaya Giri, I Ketut Sudarsana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-27
publication date: 2025-11-27
starting page: 113
ending page: 126
doi: 10.20896/kfgf7z36

Reinterpreting the Play: Women’s Cultural Performance as a Subversive Site
type: item
description: This study investigates women’s performances, such as Khela-Tamasha (play-act), Nakkal (enactment/imitation), and Kajari folksongs, as potent tools for questioning the gender stereotypes and hegemonic gender ideals which subordinate women. To achieve the objectives of this study, ethnographic data were collected in 2022-2023 across Mirzapur, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Drawing on Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory and Antonio Gramsci’s theory of counter-hegemony, this study argues that rural women’s traditional play-acts and enactments, characterised by cross-dressing, theatricality, and bold speech, challenge their oppression. Through their performative expressions, these women harness the power of cross-dressing, challenge traditional masculine roles, and display their erotic desires. Further, by embracing non-conforming gender roles and expressing their desires during performance, women’s traditional performative acts display the transformative power of folk traditions in challenging dominant societal structures.
subject: Perspective
  topic: section
subject: Play-Acts
  topic: keywords
subject: Ratjaga
  topic: keywords
subject: Subversion
  topic: keywords
subject: Empowered Language
  topic: keywords
subject: Kajari Festival
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Humanities and Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Milan Chauhan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-03-29
publication date: 2025-03-29
starting page: 131
ending page: 149
doi: 10.20896/k771a215

Reflections on Bharat, Asia and the World: A Mosaic of Perspectives
type: item
description: Here is a signed editorial opinion on India’s transformational first quarter of the year 2025. During that timeframe, I spent the entire month of February observing and listening to what some would describe as a chaotic social and political landscape—a moment in which some serious controversies and significant, yet under-publicised, events emerged in India's tapestry. When I returned to Australia, I sent out a Google form to a group of discerning research professors, consulting firm founders, engineers, social workers, and retired professionals. Their views were characterised by optimism and critical introspection. They presented as nationalists and patriots. Here is a unified narrative that reflects their considered perspectives on Bharat, Asia, and the world. There were eight respondents, and the synthesis incorporates their diverse points of view, reflecting the varied perspectives of each.
subject: Editorials
  topic: section
subject: Reflections on Bharat
  topic: keywords
subject: Asia
  topic: keywords
subject: The World
  topic: keywords
subject: Bharat
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Bharat
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
creator: Venkat Pulla
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Venkat Pulla https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-03-29
publication date: 2025-03-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.20896/cygt4166

A Decade of Smart Urbanism in India through the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
type: item
description: India is at the forefront of Asia’s urban transformation, with its urban population projected to reach 814 million by 2050. The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched in 2015, aimed to modernise 100 cities by integrating smart technologies to enhance governance, infrastructure, and quality of life. Initially influenced by Western smart urban models, SCM implementation followed a top-down approach, yet over time, cities have adapted smart initiatives to local needs. At the same time, centralised projects such as Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) shaped early implementations, decentralised, community-driven adaptations have gained prominence. Cities like Bhubaneswar, Indore, and Varanasi have prioritised inclusive urban services, including transportation, sanitation, and cultural heritage conservation. Despite significant achievements, future smart urbanism must prioritise smaller cities, marginalised communities, and ecological sustainability. Emphasising participatory governance, gender-sensitive planning, and nature-based solutions can foster a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient urban future for India.
subject: Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Smart Cities
  topic: keywords
subject: Smart Urbanism
  topic: keywords
subject: Smart Cities Mission
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: Asia
  topic: keywords
subject: Global South
  topic: keywords
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Urban Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Sustainable Development Goals
  topic: subjects
subject: Urban Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Smart Cities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sustainable Development Goals
  topic: disciplines
creator: Diganta Das
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Diganta Das https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-03-29
publication date: 2025-03-29
starting page: 6
ending page: 9
doi: 10.20896/3jstx354

Socialisation Problems of Orphanage Children in the Republic of Kazakhstan
type: item
description: The study aims to address the socialisation process of children from orphanages in Kazakhstan to identify effective approaches to their adaptation and integration into society. The study examined various theoretical concepts of socialisation, including aspects of children’s adaptation to a new environment, personality development through social interaction, and the institutional environment's impact on social skills development. The dynamics of children's movement in Kazakhstan's social protection system in 2013-2022 were also addressed. The study's results included identifying key aspects of the socialisation of children from orphanages, namely adaptation to new social conditions, establishing trusting relationships, overcoming stigma and quality education. The study determined that to ensure the effective and equitable development of all the identified aspects, it is necessary to apply several approaches that, in interaction, can ensure the harmonious development of the child’s personality in all spheres of life. For this purpose, psychological, pedagogical and sociological approaches were chosen; their essence and desired effects on the orphans' socialisation process were revealed. The statistical information presented in the study on the movement of children from organisations for orphans and children without parental care in 2013-2022 showed a significant decrease in the number of children entering the protection system but also revealed a disproportionate decrease in the number of children leaving the system due to enrolment in higher education or other educational institutions. To address the problems of socialisation of children in orphanages, recommendations that include modern methods of working with orphans were developed. The results indicate the importance of using innovative programmes for the socialisation of children in orphanages and the need to consider the psychological consequences of depriving children of parental care.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Social Protection
  topic: keywords
subject: Orphans
  topic: keywords
subject: Individualised Education
  topic: keywords
subject: Mental Well-Being
  topic: keywords
subject: Adaptation
  topic: keywords
subject: Republic of Kazakhstan
  topic: keywords
subject: Child Protection
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Policy
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Education
  topic: subjects
subject: Education
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
creator: Ainur Sadyrova
creator: Zhomart Simtikov
creator: Nurlan Apakhayev
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ainur Sadyrova, Zhomart Simtikov, Nurlan Apakhayev https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-23
publication date: 2025-06-23
starting page: 104
ending page: 125
doi: 10.20896/a13rx614

Enhancing Elderly Care through Health Data Innovation: Developing a Mobile Application for Seniors
type: item
description: In an environment where the number of older individuals is increasing, innovative solutions for their independent living and improved quality of life are essential. This study assessed the health status, care needs, and technological features necessary to develop a mobile health application for the ageing population. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative data from 420 elderly respondents through structured questionnaires that covered demographic information, health conditions, and technology usage. Qualitative data were collected from 40 participants through in-depth interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the health experiences of the elderly and their concerns regarding digital interventions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The majority of respondents were female (71.4%), with an average age of 69 (61.3%), and reported their health as relatively good. Additionally, 56.8% experienced at least one health problem. Most participants expressed a need for memory training and health information, including basic routine healthcare and self-monitoring of their health. Although these elderly participants sought to engage with technologies, they had usability concerns, which were identified as a key aspect to be addressed. The qualitative information revealed that the development of mobile applications should be designed to 1) monitor daily activities, provide health parameters, and notify the users of emergencies, and 2) connect older individuals to their family members, caregivers, health experts, and the community via a user-friendly interface that prioritises user-centred design and data security. This application not only ensures the safety of the elderly but also enhances their mental well-being.
subject: Perspective
  topic: section
subject: Elderly Care
  topic: keywords
subject: Mobile Health Application
  topic: keywords
subject: Health Needs Assessment
  topic: keywords
subject: Ageing Population
  topic: keywords
subject: Self-Care
  topic: keywords
subject: Caregiver Support
  topic: keywords
subject: Technology Readiness
  topic: keywords
subject: Thailand
  topic: keywords
subject: Geriatrics
  topic: subjects
subject: Medical Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Medical Anthropology
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Geriatrics
  topic: disciplines
subject: Medical Anthropology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Medical Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
creator: Auschala Chalayonnavin
creator: Mahesh Pandurang Chougule
creator: Sorasich Swangslip
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Auschala Chalayonnavin, Mahesh Pandurang Chougule, Sorasich Swangslip https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-25
publication date: 2025-09-25
starting page: 109
ending page: 128
doi: 10.20896/7psj7r53

Intersecting Oppressions: The Lived Realities of Dom Women in Banaras, India
type: item
description: This research presents a theory-driven, qualitative account of how caste and gender work together to shape structural oppression in the lives of Dom women in Banaras (Varanasi), India. Based on fifteen in-depth interviews and approximately eighty hours of participant observation in the cremation settlements adjacent to the Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats, the research adopts an intersectional lens rooted in feminist standpoint epistemology. Inductive coding of verbatim transcripts identifies three mutually reinforcing mechanisms—affective discipline (gendered coercion through gratitude and fear), spatial stigma (postal-code proxies for ritual pollution), and metabolic inequality (unequal exposure to toxic ash, bleach, and smoke) — that lock Dom women into hazardous, low-wage niches of the informal economy. Compared with both upper-caste women and Dom men, participants experience significantly higher rates of occupational injury, wage theft and everyday humiliation, confirming that caste-gender oppression is not additive but synergistic. The findings refine intersectionality theory by specifying how “purity” logics operate as a caste-gender gearbox in a South-Asian urban context. By foregrounding the voices of one of India’s most marginalised constituencies, the study demonstrates why adequate social protection must address caste and gender simultaneously, rather than in parallel.
subject: Research
  topic: section
subject: Dom Women
  topic: keywords
subject: Intersectionality
  topic: keywords
subject: Spatial Stigma
  topic: keywords
subject: Informal Labour
  topic: keywords
subject: Banaras (Varanasi)
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
subject: History
  topic: subjects
subject: Gender Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Women's Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: subjects
subject: Sociology
  topic: subjects
subject: Human Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Social Work
  topic: subjects
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: subjects
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: subjects
subject: History
  topic: disciplines
subject: Gender Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Women's Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Sciences
  topic: disciplines
subject: Sociology
  topic: disciplines
subject: Human Geography
  topic: disciplines
subject: Social Work
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cultural Studies
  topic: disciplines
subject: Arts and Humanities
  topic: disciplines
creator: Anuradha Singh
creator: Rana Abhyendra Singh
creator: Prateek Gupta
creator: Vishal Singh Bhadauriya
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Anuradha Singh, Rana Abhyendra Singh, Prateek Gupta, Vishal Singh Bhadauriya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-25
publication date: 2025-09-25
starting page: 23
ending page: 39
doi: 10.20896/bzth8e65