Frontiers in Social Sciences Research (FSSR) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal in India dedicated to publishing high-quality and original research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge across all disciplines of the social sciences. As a peer-reviewed journal, FSSR follows a rigorous peer review process to ensure academic integrity, originality, and relevance in every published manuscript. The journal has been awarded its International Standard Serial Number (ISSN): 3108-0324 on November 27th, 2025. The journal serves as an emerging platform for scholars, researchers, academicians, and practitioners to share innovative ideas, critical analyses, and applied studies addressing contemporary social, cultural, economic, and political issues. Frequency of Publication The journal is published monthly and accepts submissions throughout the year, ensuring timely dissemination of research and scholarly dialogue. Aims and Scope Frontiers in Social Sciences Research welcomes original research articles, review papers, case studies, policy analyses, and theoretical contributions in the broad field of Social Sciences, including but not limited to Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, , Political Science, Economics, Education, History, Human Geography, Philosophy (Social and Applied), Communication and Media Studies, Law and Legal Studies, and Anthropology. The journal also considers contributions in Linguistics and Language Studies, as well as selected research in English Language and Literature, particularly where such work engages with social, cultural, educational, or interdisciplinary perspectives. As a peer-reviewed journal in India, FSSR is committed to promoting academic excellence, accessibility, and cross-disciplinary dialogue within the field of social sciences. DOI Requirement in UGC Central University Recruitment DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is now essential in academic publishing. FSSR assigns a DOI to all published manuscripts. The University Grants Commission (UGC) Samarth (CU-Chayan) portal for Central University faculty recruitment typically requires DOI for research publication entries, and submissions may not proceed without it. Assigning a DOI to every article is a standard practice in modern scholarly publishing and is adopted by all recognized and credible journals worldwide.
License Terms (CC BY 4.0) All articles published in Frontiers in Social Sciences Research (FSSR) are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Under this license, readers are free to: Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially provided that the following conditions are met: Attribution You must give appropriate credit to the original author(s), provide a link to the license, and indicate if any changes were made. Attribution should not suggest that the author(s) or the journal endorse your use of the work. No Additional Restrictions You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. License Link To view a copy of this license, visit:
Forensic Investigation and Photographic Analysis in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination: A Comprehensive Review
The assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 remains one of the most high-profile political crimes in the country’s history. This paper examines the role of forensic investigation, particularly photographic and video evidence, in the resolution of this assassination case. The study explores the significance of crime scene documentation, victim analysis, bomb and shrapnel analysis, surveillance footage, and ballistics and explosive residue in piecing together the events leading to Rajiv Gandhi’s death. Through a detailed review of these forensic methodologies, this paper highlights the critical role of photographic evidence in establishing timelines, identifying suspects, and understanding the mechanics of the attack. The analysis also provides suggestions for enhancing future forensic investigations, emphasizing the integration of advanced technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved legal frameworks for handling forensic evidence. The findings underscore the importance of forensic documentation in securing justice in high-profile cases and offer valuable insights for law enforcement agencies in future criminal investigations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. S. Rajalakshmi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Voicing the Subaltern in a Global Tongue: Reading Mahasweta Devi’s After Kurukshetra
In the contemporary literary landscape of India, Mahasweta Devi has arguably been one of the most widely translated writers in a regional language. A prominent Bengali writer, known for her social and political activism, she not only effectively voiced the struggles of the oppressed and the marginalized peoples but her works continue to draw attention to this section of the Indian society. Translations of her works into the major Indian languages, including English, not only make them widely available but also broaden their readership, thereby granting the author national and international status and recognition. While translations help mediate culture, it is interesting to note that the theory and practice of translation, as exemplified by Mahasweta Devi’s works, have become a major site of critical inquiry. In the context of postcolonial studies, especially in translation, who and what get translated are matters of debate. It is in this light that the present paper attempts to look at Mahasweta Devi’s After Kurukshetra: Three Stories, translated into English by Anjum Katyal and published by Seagull Books, Calcutta, 2005.
Mahasweta Devi, Translation Studies, Postcolonialism, Subaltern Voices, Cultural Mediation, Indian Literature, Literary Translation
Copyright (c) 2026 Sunita Murmu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Vedic Symbolism to Clinical Application: Mandala Colouring and its Health Implications – A Systematic Review
Stress and anxiety are increasingly prevalent concerns with modern health contexts, prompting interest in accessible, non-pharmacological interventions. Mandala colouring has emerged as a structured art based practice associated with reductions in psychological distress, attentional dysregulation, and perceived stress. This systematic review synthesised findings from eleven empirical studies examining the effects of mandala colouring on stress and anxiety outcomes. Following a structured search and screening process, studies were analysed for methodological characteristics, intervention structure, and reported psychological and physiological outcomes. Across investigations, mandala colouring was consistent associated with short term reductions in state anxiety and stress levels, likely mediated through mechanisms of focused attention, relaxation response activation, and mindfulness related processes. However, considerable heterogeneity in study design, sample characteristics, and outcome measures limit direct comparability and long term inference. Few studies incorporate longitudinal follow up or physiological biomarkers, leaving underlying psychophysiological mechanisms insufficiently <!-- [if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:79.65pt; margin-top:55.9pt;width:278.9pt;height:394.3pt;z-index:251659264; visibility:visible;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0; mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:margin;mso-width-percent:0; mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:margin;mso-height-relative:margin' o:gfxdata="[binary] BQESAAMAAAABAAEAAAEaAAUAAAABAAAASgEbAAUAAAABAAAAUgEoAAMAAAABAAIAAIdpAAQAAAAB [binary]
Mandala colouring, Stress, Anxiety, Psychological Distress, Mental Health, Art-Based Therapy, Mindfulness, Relaxation Response, Focused Attention, Emotional Regulation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nayonika Agrawal, Naha Agrawal, Dr. Anuj Kumari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Tat Tvam Asi for Inner Abundance: Developing a Yoga Therapy Healing Approach
The present study aims to develop a yoga therapy healing approach grounded in the Vedantic principle of Tat Tvam Asi, which signifies the essential unity of the individual self with universal consciousness. Rooted in Advaita Vedanta, this principle offers a profound philosophical foundation for understanding inner abundance as a state of self-realisation, inner fulfilment, and holistic wellbeing. The study adopts a conceptual and theoretical research design, drawing from classical Vedantic texts, yoga philosophy, and contemporary therapeutic perspectives. Based on philosophical analysis and conceptual synthesis, a structured yoga therapy healing framework is proposed that integrates yogic practices, self-inquiry, and contemplative awareness. The study highlights the relevance of non-dual understanding in addressing inner conflicts, emotional imbalance, and identity-related distress. The findings suggest that integrating Tat Tvam Asi into yoga therapy can enhance its depth by moving beyond symptom management toward consciousness-based healing and inner abundance.
Tat Tvam Asi, Inner Abundance, Advaita Vedanta, Self-Realization, Non-Dualism, Consciousness-Based Healing, Yogic Psychology, Self-Inquiry, Holistic Wellbeing
Copyright (c) 2026 Naha Agrawal, Nayonika Agrawal, Dr. Anuj Kumari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Is it Politeness or Respect? Forms of Addressing men in Matengo Society
This paper explores the forms of address used to refer to men in Matengo society, seeking to establish whether these address terms express politeness or respect. Guided by Dominance Theory and Social Identity Theory, this qualitative study uses interviews with four native speakers of Matengo from Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region, together with documentary review. The findings indicate that Matengo society is using plural forms, surnames, kinship terms, first names, nicknames, and terms of intimacy as forms of address. Plurality, the use of surnames, and kinship terms are primarily used to show respect, mainly towards male elders and socially recognized individuals, indicative of age-based and status-based hierarchies, respectively. First names, nicknames, and intimate terms are mainly used to express familiarity and social closeness among peers and close relations. This study indicates that the address terms in Matengo serve as significant sociolinguistic markers through which power relations, social identity, and cultural values are maintained. Such findings contribute to African languages' sociolinguistics studies by identifying respect at the core of the male address practices within the Matengo society and by offering insight into culturally grounded systems of social interaction.
Address terms, Matengo language, Power relations, Politeness, Respect
Copyright (c) 2026 Atanas Ndunguru (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Learning and Educational Process in Adult Education
The educational needs of immigrants are influenced by the existing social context in which they develop and are the result of the lack of both knowledge and skills, as well as the adoption of appropriate attitudes and behaviors. This specific social group of learners, due to its educational deficiencies, needs to acquire knowledge that can be effectively utilized in ensuring better job prospects and therefore better living conditions. Job opportunities help in smooth integration and acceptance that contributes to the acquisition of a positive self-image . The trainer plays a special role by cultivating conditions of mutual trust, psychological support, continuous renegotiation of the program's goals, respect for the needs of the learners without prejudices but at the same time maintaining their cultural characteristics. This fact strengthens the positive attitude of the participants in the educational process and encourages their active participation in it. Furthermore, vulnerable groups of adult learners, through respect for their particular value system and the strengthening of their self-confidence, are encouraged to review behaviors and attitudes when they become dysfunctional in their attempt to respond to the changes occurring both in their personal lives and in the broader social environment.
Educational Process, Adult Education, Adult Learners
Copyright (c) 2026 Vasiliki Markou (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
In recent years, the intensification of the migration phenomenon has become a fact, with the result that many people leave their country in search of shelter elsewhere. In this change of life, it is essential, through access to education, to acquire new knowledge, for their integration into the host country. Adult education is called upon to respond to this new reality, not only by providing knowledge and skills to this vulnerable group of learners, but also by developing critical reflection in relation to the acquired attitudes and assumptions. Adult migrants have certain special characteristics that differentiate them from other learners, very often experiencing social exclusion without being able to participate equally in public goods, such as education. In addition, the difficulties they face in terms of their integration into the labor market and the lack of professional identity contribute to their economic exclusion and their inability to live in terms of dignity. The negative experiences they have had in the past, combined with the adverse discrimination they suffer, contribute to their often negative self-image and to their strong suspicion of the majority population. It is worth emphasizing that the significant socio-economic problems they face and the feelings of disadvantage they experience are reinforced by the absence of an organized framework of protection, on the part of the state, regarding these social groups.
Immigration, Migration, Social Exclusion
A Far Cry from Africa: Conflict, Identity, and Colonial Violence in Derek Walcott’s Poetry
Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” is one of the most powerful poetic responses to the crisis of colonialism and divided identity in twentieth-century literature. Written in the context of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, the poem presents the brutality of colonial conflict and the emotional struggle of an individual caught between two cultural worlds. Walcott, himself of mixed African and European ancestry, uses the poem to explore the violence of imperialism, the tragedy of racial conflict, and the difficulty of choosing between opposing identities. Through vivid imagery, irony, symbolism, and rhetorical questioning, the poem dramatizes the psychological suffering of the colonized subject. This article examines the poem from a postcolonial perspective and argues that Walcott presents colonialism not only as a political system of domination but also as a force that fractures personal identity and moral certainty.
Derek Walcott, A Far Cry from Africa, postcolonialism, colonial violence, divided identity, Mau Mau rebellion, hybridity, African literature
Copyright (c) 2026 Gajraj Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Poetics of Transgression and Memory in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things (1997) remains one of the most influential postcolonial novels of the late twentieth century because of its experimental narrative structure, its critique of caste and gender hierarchies, and its lyrical treatment of memory. This article examines the novel through three interrelated frameworks: the politics of transgression, the aesthetics of fragmentation and memory, and the ethics of “small things” as a counter-discourse to dominant social structures. By foregrounding forbidden love, caste violence, and the intimate perceptions of childhood, Roy constructs a narrative in which the “small” becomes a site of resistance against patriarchy, caste, and state power.
Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things, caste, gender, memory, transgression, postcolonialism, subalternity, patriarchy, fragmentatio
Copyright (c) 2026 Raghvendra Gahlot (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Chakrasana Revisited: An Integrative Review of Its Effects on Spinal Flexibility, Emotional Regulation, and Physiological Function
Chakrasana (Wheel Pose), a classical spinal extension posture in traditional yoga practice, is widely regarded for its transformative physical and psychological effects. While anecdotal and experiential accounts highlight its capacity to enhance vitality and emotional openness, systematic scientific evaluation of its mechanisms remains limited. This integrative review examines Chakrasana through both traditional yogic frameworks and contemporary biomedical literature to explore its physiological and psychophysiological implications. Evidence suggests that the posture significantly engages the posterior kinetic chain, enhances spinal extensor strength, and promotes thoracic expansion, thereby influencing respiratory efficiency and musculoskeletal resilience. Additionally, the intense spinal extension and chest opening associated with Chakrasana may stimulate sympathetic activation, potentially contributing to heightened alertness and autonomic responsiveness. Emerging literature also indicates possible associations with improved mood regulation and emotional processing, although causal pathways remain insufficiently defined. Despite promising interdisciplinary insights, targeted empirical research isolating the specific effects of Chakrasana is limited. Further controlled studies are necessary to clarify dose-response relationships, long-term adaptations, and distinct neurophysiological mechanisms. Integrating classical yogic theory with modern scientific inquiry may provide a more comprehensive understanding of Chakrasana’s role in holistic health.
Chakrasana, Wheel Pose, spinal flexibility, emotional well-being, yoga therapy, physiological function, backbend
Copyright (c) 2026 Nayonika Agrawal, Neha Agrawal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AI, Algorithms, and Linguistic Bias: How Technology Shapes Language Use in the Digital Age
This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms, and automated digital systems shape linguistic practices, reinforce or challenge linguistic hierarchies, and influence communication in contemporary society. As digital platforms increasingly mediate human interaction, algorithms determine what content becomes visible, which linguistic varieties are privileged, and how users adapt their language to gain visibility and engagement. The study explores algorithmic bias in search engines, social media feeds, voice assistants, and automated moderation systems, highlighting how these technologies reproduce existing social inequalities related to class, caste, gender, and ethnicity. Drawing on sociolinguistic theories of language ideology, linguistic capital, and digital discourse, the paper argues that AI-driven communication environments are not neutral but deeply ideological. They shape linguistic norms, influence identity performance, and regulate public discourse. The findings underscore the need for critical sociolinguistic engagement with AI systems to ensure equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive digital communication.
Artificial Intelligence; Algorithmic Bias; Sociolinguistics; Digital Communication; Linguistic Inequality; Language Ideology; Machine Learning; Moderation Systems; Voice Assistants.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ravi Pawar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Language, Identity, and Power on Social Media: A Sociolinguistic Study of Digital Communities
This paper examines how language practices on social media construct, negotiate, and contest identity and power in digital communities. Drawing on sociolinguistic theories of discourse, identity performance, code-switching, and linguistic ideology, the study analyzes how users on platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and WhatsApp strategically deploy linguistic resources to signal belonging, assert authority, resist marginalization, and shape collective narratives. The paper argues that digital communication is not merely a reflection of offline sociolinguistic patterns but an intensified, accelerated, and algorithmically mediated arena where linguistic choices carry heightened social consequences. Through examples from Indian multilingual contexts, global youth culture, and influencer discourse, the study demonstrates how digital language practices reinforce and disrupt hierarchies of class, caste, gender, and ethnicity. The findings highlight the need for a critical sociolinguistic understanding of digital spaces, where language becomes a tool of visibility, virality, and symbolic capital.
Sociolinguistics; Social Media; Identity; Power; Code-Switching; Digital Communities; Linguistic Ideology; Multilingualism; Discourse Analysis.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yogesh Sarathe (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Harmony Through Breath: A Comprehensive Review of the Physiological and Psychological Dimensions of Nadi Shodhana
Nadi Shodhana, commonly referred to as alternate nostril breathing, is a fundamental pranayama technique within the yogic tradition, valued for its ability to foster physiological harmony and psychological balance. This review integrates findings from more than fifty scholarly studies to examine its broad effects on overall health and well-being. Particular attention is given to its influence on respiratory function, including improved lung capacity and breathing efficiency, as well as cardiovascular regulation through modulation of heart rate variability and blood pressure. The practice is also associated with enhanced autonomic balance, primarily through increased parasympathetic activation. In addition to its physiological effects, the review highlights the role of Nadi Shodhana in stress reduction, emotional stability, and cognitive performance, including improvements in attention and mental clarity. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies is critically analysed to assess the strength and consistency of current research. Methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in practice protocols, are acknowledged, and key research gaps are identified to guide future investigations. Potential contraindications and safety considerations are also discussed. Overall, Nadi Shodhana is presented as a promising complementary intervention that merits further rigorous clinical exploration within integrative health settings.
Nadi Shodhana; Pranayama; Autonomic Modulation; Heart Rate Variability; Respiratory Function; Stress Regulation; Cognitive Performance; Integrative Medicine.
Copyright (c) 2026 Neha Agrawal, Nayonika Agrawal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Prophecy to Precarity: Sightlessness and the Politics of Cecity in Western Cultural Imagination
Western cultural traditions have persistently represented sightlessness not as an embodied form of special ability but as a symbolic condition burdened with metaphysical, moral, and emotional excess. From ancient mythology and classical tragedy to early Christian thought, medieval allegory, modern drama, and cinema, sightless figures are repeatedly framed as prophets, moral transgressors, divine instruments, or objects of vulnerability. Such representations deny Cecity its legitimacy as a perceptual orientation and instead transform sightlessness into a narrative device that reinforces visual normativity. Drawing upon cultural criticism and critical studies of embodiment, this paper traces a chronological genealogy of sightlessness in Western myths, literature, drama, popular culture, and film. By analysing concrete characters across historical periods, the study demonstrates how Western cultural imagination consistently privileges metaphor over materiality, thereby marginalising special ability. The paper ultimately argues for a critical re-reading of Western representational traditions in order to reclaim sightlessness as Cecity—an embodied, agentive, and socially situated mode of perception rather than a condition of lack or tragedy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dalim Das (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Comparative Study of Pre- and Post-Migration Patterns among Bhil Migrants in Bhopal, India
Urban migration among indigenous populations in India is frequently examined through structural lenses of economic marginalization and displacement. Far less attention has been devoted to systematic examination of how migration reorders everyday cultural practices. This paper presents a comparative domain-based analysis of pre- and post-migration cultural patterns among Bhil migrants residing in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Drawing on survey data collected from 100 respondents, the study evaluates transformations across ritual participation, linguistic practices, dress norms, social networks, and identity articulation. Findings demonstrate that cultural change under urban transition is neither linear nor uniform. Public and institutional domains show marked adaptive shifts, while domestic and ritual spaces exhibit significant continuity. The results challenge homogenizing narratives of tribal assimilation and instead highlight selective, structurally mediated cultural reconfiguration. The study contributes to migration sociology and indigenous urban studies by operationalizing domain-specific comparative measurement within a South Asian context.
Linguistic politics in India, multilingualism, identity and nationalism, sociolinguistics, postcolonial theory, cultural citizenship, Shashi Tharoor
Copyright (c) 2026 Swejal Sharma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Transgressive Eroticism and the Politics of the Body in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things (1997) deploys eroticism as a radical political language that challenges caste, gender, and familial hierarchies in postcolonial Kerala. Rather than functioning as mere sensuality, eroticism becomes a mode of resistance against the “Love Laws” that dictate who may be loved, how, and how much (Roy 33). This article examines eroticism as a subversive force in the novel, focusing on the forbidden relationships between Ammu and Velutha, and between Estha and Rahel. Drawing on feminist theory, subaltern studies, psychoanalytic criticism, and postcolonial theory, the study argues that Roy uses erotic desire to expose the violence of caste patriarchy and to reclaim the body as a site of agency for marginalized subjects. Ultimately, eroticism in the novel becomes a counter‑discourse that destabilizes dominant social structures and redefines the boundaries of Indian English fiction.
Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things, eroticism, transgression, body politics, postcolonial theory
The Politics of Illegitimacy and Resistance in Sharankumar Limbale’s The White Paper (Akkarmashi), Dalit aesthetics
Sharankumar Limbale’s The White Paper (Akkarmashi, 1984) stands as one of the most influential autobiographical narratives in Dalit literature and a foundational text in the articulation of Dalit subjectivity. The text foregrounds the existential crisis of the Akkarmashi—the “half‑caste” born of caste‑transgressive sexual exploitation—and exposes the structural violence embedded in caste society. Through a narrative that oscillates between personal anguish and collective testimony, Limbale documents the psychological fragmentation, social humiliation, and political invisibility imposed upon Dalits by Brahmanical patriarchy. This article examines The White Paper through the lenses of Dalit aesthetics, Ambedkarite thought, and subaltern studies, arguing that Limbale transforms personal trauma into a political document that indicts caste society. The narrative reveals how caste, sexuality, and illegitimacy intersect to produce a life of perpetual exclusion, while simultaneously asserting the agency of the oppressed through the act of self‑representation. Ultimately, the text functions as a counter‑archive that reclaims dignity through testimony, making it a seminal contribution to the canon of Dalit resistance literature.
Dalit literature, Sharankumar Limbale, The White Paper (Akkarmashi), Dalit autobiography.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rajesh Shahu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of Furniture Production in Enhancing Households’ Health Services Affordability: A Case of Small-Scale Producers in Mafinga Town Council, Tanzania
This study explored the role of furniture production in enhancing households’ health services affordability among small-scale furniture producers in Mafinga Town Council. Structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and documentary reviews were used to collect data. Statistical Product for Social Solutions (SPSS) Version 27 was used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings indicate that engagement in furniture production led to increased ability of individuals to afford healthcare services. To further enhance productivity in the furniture sector, the implementation of affordable insurance plans and community health programs can provide essential services to the community. The process of improving the furniture sector will not only contribute to income growth but also promote the overall well-being of households engaged in furniture production.
Furniture, Furniture Production, Small-scale Producers, Health Services Affordability, Mafinga Town Council
Copyright (c) 2026 Deusdedit Makoti, Sosthenes Ruheza, Agnes Nzali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Echoes of the Tribe: Gender, Culture, and Identity in Fiction by Northeast Indian Women
This paper explores how women writers from Northeast India depict gender, cultural belonging, and identity through their stories. Instead of upholding simplified or outsider portrayals of the region, the discussion centers on how these authors deal with questions of home, resistance, and transformation in lives shaped by complexity and change. Focusing particularly on the works of figures like Temsula Ao and Mamang Dai, the analysis connects their writing to both the lived traditions of their communities and larger discussions about whose voices are heard or overlooked. Drawing from feminist and cultural theory, the study highlights how these authors carve out a space for themselves disrupting silences, confronting boundaries, and providing new ways of imagining what it means to live as a tribal woman today.
Women’s writing, Tribal women writers, Gender and identity, Cultural
Copyright (c) 2026 Shubhra Tripathi, Rajni Beck (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Trauma, Memory, Caste, and Political Resistance in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things (1997) is a landmark postcolonial novel that intertwines personal trauma with political history, exposing the deep-rooted injustices embedded in Indian society. This research paper examines the novel through the lenses of trauma theory, postcolonial criticism, caste studies, and feminist theory. It explores how Roy’s nonlinear narrative structure mirrors the fragmented nature of memory and trauma, how caste and social transgression shape the tragic fate of Velutha and Ammu, and how the novel critiques state violence, patriarchal norms, and political hypocrisy. The analysis argues that Roy’s novel is not merely a story of a family’s disintegration but a profound commentary on the oppressive structures that govern Indian social life. The paper concludes that The God of Small Things exemplifies the power of literature to challenge dominant narratives, expose systemic injustice, and foreground marginalized voices.
Arundhati Roy, caste, trauma, memory, postcolonial literature, Kerala, Velutha, Ammu
Copyright (c) 2026 Amit Chaturvedi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Politics of Pain, Identity, and Resistance in Sharankumar Limbale’s The White Paper
Sharankumar Limbale’s The White Paper (Shwetpatra) is a foundational text in Dalit autobiographical writing and a landmark in the evolution of Dalit aesthetics. This research paper examines the text as a socio-political document that exposes caste violence, illegitimacy, hunger, and the psychological trauma of growing up in a deeply stratified society. Using placeholder APA citations, the paper analyzes Limbale’s narrative through the lenses of Dalit theory, Ambedkarite philosophy, subaltern studies, and trauma theory. The study argues that Limbale transforms personal suffering into collective resistance, making his autobiography not merely a personal narrative but a political manifesto. The paper further explores themes of identity fragmentation, social exclusion, caste-based humiliation, and the politics of survival. It concludes that The White Paper exemplifies “art for life’s sake,” challenging traditional literary aesthetics and asserting the legitimacy of Dalit experience as central to Indian literature.
: Dalit literature, caste, identity, resistance, autobiography, Ambedkarite thought, social exclusion
Copyright (c) 2025 Sapna TIWARI (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Art for Life’s Sake: Social Aesthetics and Human Experience in English and Indian Literature
This research paper examines the principle of “art for life’s sake” and its manifestation in English and Indian literature. Moving beyond the aesthetic doctrine of “art for art’s sake,” this study explores how literature becomes a vehicle for social justice, political consciousness, and human experience. Through close readings of Sharankumar Limbale’s The White Paper, Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things, and Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa,” the paper argues that literature rooted in lived realities not only reflects society but also challenges its structures. These texts demonstrate how art becomes an ethical, political, and transformative force.
Strategic Supply Chains in the New World Order: Rare Earths, Realignment, and Resilience
The global realignment of supply chains has elevated rare earth minerals to strategic prominence in the contemporary New World Order. China’s dominance in rare earth processing has enabled it to leverage exports as instruments of geopolitical influence, compelling other nations to pursue mineral sovereignty and supply chain resilience. This article expands the existing scholarship by incorporating recent policy initiatives undertaken by the Government of India through the National Critical Mineral Mission and by the United States through procurement-backed industrial policy and strategic partnerships with private firms. It argues that rare earths have transitioned from industrial inputs to strategic assets shaping national security, technological autonomy, and global power relations.
New World Order, Rare Earth Minerals, Supply Chain Resilience, Mineral Sovereignty, Geopolitical Strategy, India National Critical Mineral Mission, United States Industrial Policy
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Sachin Rai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Pragmatics Roles of Particle Shí in Bantu: Kémunasukuma Perspectives
The paper describes the roles of Kisukuma shí particle in Kisukuma language classified zone F unit 21. The shi particle seems to have portmanteau facet as native speakers use it in different pragmatic contexts, such contextual roles be a magnet for the desired descriptions. The work applied Relevancy Theory which gears cognitive and communication inferences. The study applied pragmatic paradigm in which the communicative context housed the data, case study design designed the study from Njigami village of Geita rural district in Geita region. The envisioning of the shi gist was analysed qualitatively whereby words, phrases and sentences were constructed using Leipzig glossing roles. The study used Sukuma population in which ten (10) Sukuma native speakers aged 50-70 were selected purposively as they speak the language and are Sukuma monolingual speakers. Focus group discussion, document analysis and intuition technique were the methods of data hotchpotch. The discussion took two days, within the discussion; the researcher jotted down notice and recorded the discussion pertinent to practices done by informants in exemplifying the shi functions. The study found that the shi particle is a portmanteau morph factorizing permission, compulsion role, emotive role, lexical role, numbers, and caress role, requesting role, deverbal role, sanction role and causation. Basing on the shi envisioning, it was recommended that the same particle can be studied in the scope of its phonological manifestation domains, also other syntactic particles as in phrasal verbs, conjunction and prepositions should be investigated to see how Bantu languages contribute to the development of phonological and syntactic theories.
Bantu, Pragmatics, Relevance theory, particle sh, Kisukuma
Copyright (c) 2025 Chipanda Simon (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Art for Life’s Sake: Reclaiming the Social Purpose of Artistic Expression
This article explores the enduring relevance of the doctrine “Art for Life’s Sake,” a counterpoint to the aesthetic ideal of “Art for Art’s Sake.” Rooted in the belief that art must serve a meaningful social, moral, or experiential purpose, this philosophy emphasizes the integration of artistic expression with real-life concerns. Drawing from literary, philosophical, and cultural contexts, the manuscript traces the historical evolution of this idea, its manifestation in global and Indian literary traditions, and its implications for editorial, pedagogical, and creative practices. The study argues that “Art for Life’s Sake” is not merely a slogan but a transformative framework that reorients artistic production toward empathy, justice, and human dignity.
Art for Life’s Sake, Social Function of Art, Literary Realism, Progressive Literature, Aesthetic Philosophy, Editorial Ethics, Cultural Critique, Indian Literary Movements
Copyright (c) 2025 Kavita Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Critical Eco-Theoretical Reading of “Examining Semiotic Structures and Their Impact on Translation Equivalence in Media: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of India and the West”
This paper offers a critical eco‑theoretical reading of Examining Semiotic Structures and Their Impact on Translation Equivalence in Media: A Cross‑Cultural Analysis of India and the West by Pandey and Singh. While the original study foregrounds translation equivalence and semiotic mediation across cultural contexts, this review reinterprets the work through the lens of ecocriticism. It argues that translation functions as an ecological process wherein semiotic codes behave like organisms adapting to new cultural environments. By conceptualizing semiotic structures as ecological networks, the paper highlights how translation equivalence parallels ecological balance, cultural sustainability, and biodiversity. The analysis underscores the risks of semiotic homogenization and technological distortion while emphasizing the need to preserve semiotic diversity as a form of cultural conservation. Ultimately, the essay demonstrates that media translation can be understood as a symbolic ecosystem, extending ecocritical discourse into the domain of cultural communication and global media studies.
Ecocriticism; Eco‑semiotics; Translation equivalence; Semiotic structures; Media ecology; Cultural sustainability; Cross‑cultural analysis; India and the West; Symbolic ecosystems; Posthumanist ecocriticism
Copyright (c) 2025 Brajesh Pratap Singh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Eco-Critical Analysis of Revolutionary Ideals and Moral Dilemmas: Exploring Leftist Politics in Edward Bond’s The Bundle
This paper offers an eco‑critical reinterpretation of Edward Bond’s The Bundle, extending Sameeul Haq Nazki’s Marxist analysis by foregrounding ecological dimensions of Bond’s dramaturgy. While Nazki situates the play within revolutionary discourse and class struggle, this study highlights how ecological concerns—scarcity, survival, and environmental degradation—intersect with moral dilemmas and leftist politics. Through the lens of ecocriticism, the river motif and resource scarcity are examined as symbols of both social and ecological precarity. Bond’s critique of capitalism is thus revealed as inseparable from ecological exploitation, urging audiences to envision justice that is simultaneously social and environmental. By integrating environmental humanities into the analysis, the paper demonstrates how Bond’s theatre functions as ecological pedagogy, challenging anthropocentric revolutionary ideals and expanding compassion to include non‑human life. This eco‑critical perspective situates The Bundle as a text of urgent relevance to contemporary debates on climate change, ecological justice, and sustainable futures.
Edward Bond; The Bundle; Ecocriticism; Marxism; Revolutionary Politics; Moral Dilemmas; Environmental Humanities; Capitalism; Ecological Justice; Theatre Studies
Connecting Minds: How ICT in Teaching Encourages Social Learning and Peer Interaction
ICT tools that structure peer interaction have become a quiet revolution in shaping how people learn together. Across higher education classrooms, primary schools, and even informal learning spaces, well-designed digital platforms do more than deliver content—they create connections. Whether through scheduled peer reviews, collaborative projects, reciprocal tutoring, or structured workshops, these methods consistently spark engagement, motivation, and a shared sense of purpose. Interestingly, most studies point to the same trend: when tools like ICT-based support systems, interactive websites, and discussion forums are introduced with clarity and intent, something powerful happens. Students don’t just complete tasks—they interact, exchange ideas, and build social capital. Numbers echo the narrative. Structured ICT approaches break down barriers to participation, make feedback faster, and open doors for cultural exchange and creative collaboration. Of course, the story isn’t perfect. Unclear instructions, technical glitches, and loosely framed activities often dull the impact these tools promise. From a psychological lens, the implications run deep. Beyond academic progress, structured digital peer interactions foster belonging, mutual trust, and emotional reassurance. They lower social anxiety, encourage reflective dialogue, and strengthen motivation. Yet, without clear guidelines or a supportive framework, the momentum falters. What emerges from this synthesis is simple but profound: technology alone is never enough. It’s the thoughtful design of peer-driven tasks within ICT systems that transforms isolated learners into a community. Done right, it’s not just about learning—it’s about human connection, confidence, and well-being in an increasingly digital education landscape.
ICT in education, social learning, peer interaction, collaborative learning, educational psychology
Copyright (c) 2025 Ms. Archana Sharma, Vaibhav Murhar, Mrs. Neha Jaiswal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The GST 2.0 reforms, effective from September 22, 2025, represent the most significant recalibration of India's indirect tax framework since its 2017 inception. This report provides an exhaustive analysis of the structural, macroeconomic, and sectoral impacts of this new tax regime. The core of the reform is the rationalization of the four-tiered tax structure into a simplified two-slab system (5% and 18%), complemented by a special 40% de-merit rate for luxury and sin goods. The strategic timing of these rate cuts, coinciding with the festive season, is designed to serve as a powerful catalyst for a consumption-led economic revival. The analysis projects a significant moderation in consumer price inflation, alongside a notable boost to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On a sectoral level, key industries like Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), consumer durables, and automobiles are poised for a demand surge. “Lower prices on essentials are expected to boost consumption, with companies like Britannia, HUL, and Nestlé benefiting” (Times of India, 2025b). Concurrently, the reforms address long-standing challenges by correcting inverted duty structures, lowering input costs for manufacturers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and streamlining compliance procedures. While potential challenges such as logistical complexities and the paradoxical financial burden on the insurance sector are noted, the overall assessment indicates that the new GST framework is a strategic, structural reform aimed at bolstering domestic resilience and setting the stage for sustained, inclusive economic growth.
GST Reforms, Indian Economy, Taxation, Macroeconomic Impact, GST 2.0, Consumer Spending, Fiscal Policy, MSMEs
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Meenakshi Shrivastava (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Linguistic Landscapes and Identity Construction: A Sociolinguistic Study of Urban India
This study explores how linguistic landscapes in urban India reflect and shape multilingual identities. Through photographic documentation and discourse analysis of public signage in Bhopal, Delhi, and Mumbai, we examine code-switching, transliteration, and language hierarchies. The findings reveal how language choices in public spaces negotiate power, identity, and cultural belonging, offering insights into sociolinguistic dynamics in rapidly urbanizing contexts.
Linguistic Landscape, Multilingualism, Urban India, Identity, Code-Switching, Sociolinguistics
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Gajraj Singh Rathore (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0