Journal articles on the topic 'Gender nonconformity – India – Punjab'

This article examines the mutual imbrication of gender and class that shapes how some transgender women seek incorporation into social hierarchies in postcolonial India. Existing literature demonstrates an association between transgender and middle-class-status in the global South. Through an 18-month ethnographic study in Bangalore from 2009 through 2016 with transgender women, NGO (nongovernmental organization) workers and activists, as well as textual analyses of media representations, I draw on “new woman” archetypes to argue that the discourses of empowerment and respectability that impacted middle-class cisgender women in late colonial, postcolonial and liberalized India also impact how trans women narrate their struggles and newfound opportunities. Trans woman identities are often juxtaposed to the identities of hijras, a recognized (yet socially marginal) group of working-class male-assigned gender-nonconforming people. Instead of challenging stereotypes of gender nonconformity most evident in the marginalization of hijras, some transgender women are at pains to highlight their difference from hijras. These trans women are from working-class backgrounds. It is partly their similarities in class location that propel trans women’s efforts to distinguish themselves from hijras. They employ the figure of the disreputable hijra to contain negative stereotypes associated with gender nonconformity, thus positioning their identities in proximity with middle-class respectable womanhood.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on gender equality can be achieved by mainstreaming a gender perspective and promoting women's economic empowerment. Punjab has almost become synonymous with the low status of women, patriarchal society, feudal customs and values, social polarization along caste lines, high illiteracy, and poverty. The secondary status of women in Punjab coupled with an oppressive caste system and grinding poverty has robbed the women of their rights and a life of dignity, which were envisaged by the framers of the Constitution. The issue of gender equality has acquired a global character, and therefore, there is a need for the Civil Society to actively participate and enable the women to fight for their rights. The United Nations has included the issue of gender mainstreaming in the Millennium Declaration and 'promoting gender equality and empowerment of women' is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Improved gender sensitivity could be achieved by adopting a proactive approach towards achieving gender economic justice. Therefore achieving gender equality requires two complementary approaches--mainstreaming a gender perspective and promoting women's economic empowerment.

The present study was conducted during 2019 in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (GNDU); Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (PAU) and Punjabi University, Patiala (PUP), Punjab, India to investigate the gender differences and relationship between social adjustment and interpersonal support among university students of Punjab. The sample consisted of 480 university students randomly selected from three purposively selected government universities of Punjab state i.e. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Punjabi University, Patiala, India. An equal number of students distributed across both the gender were randomly selected from each university. Social Adjustment and Interpersonal Support Evaluation Scales were used for the study. The social adjustment of the university students was measured by using the Social Adjustment Scale and Interpersonal Support Evaluation scale was used to measure the peer support available to university students. Data was analyzed using t-test and Karl-Pearson’s coefficient of correlation. The results of the study revealed that male students had displayed significantly better social adjustment and interpersonal support than their female counterparts. Furthermore, correlation analysis emphasized that interpersonal support had positive relationship with social adjustment among male students whereas in case of female students, interpersonal support was found to have non-significant positive relationship with social adjustment. Because female students less likely to express their problems or emotions with their age mates as well as less involved in social activities as compared to male students. Therefore, Interpersonal support played a major role in the social adjustment of the students at university level.

For many years, the Punjab province of India has had the dubious distinction of having the worst sex ratio among all other states of India. In recent years, both the child sex ratio and the overall sex ratio has shown a marked improvement in the state. This paper analyses whether the improvement in sex ratios has narrowed down gender discrimination against the girl child in Punjab. This paper examines the intra-household gender differences in indicators of nutrition and well-being by employing logistic regression analysis on the latest available data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) for the year 2015–2016. It also evaluates the cash transfer schemes currently being implemented in Punjab for the welfare of the girl child and analyses their relative efficacy. The key results from the study reveal that gender continues to have a significant impact on indicators of child well-being and nutrition such as the average duration of breastfeeding and intra-household food allocation. The paper also finds that cash transfer schemes do not have a statistically significant impact on indicators of child malnutrition in the state.

Abstract This article examines the shifting nature of patriarchy and gender among Sikhs in Indian Punjab through the 1980s and into the 1990s in relation to the Indian state's counterinsurgent policies and practices. The authors’ research reveals that Sikh masculinities were altered during its separatist insurgency as the patriarchal state and communities both relied on violence for their own ends. Specifically, the article argues that the regimes of precolonial and colonial militarism, which constructed hegemonic notions of Sikh masculinity in service to the colonial and postcolonial state, were altered in this period, and that a dominant caste-based warrior masculinity came to be fractured to include a more securitized version. The authors see the targeting of Sikhs as part of a broader process of postcolonial nation making through militarism and security that alters the nature of its patriarchy. The article draws from interviews and fieldwork in Punjab, textual analysis of primary sources, human rights reports, and news articles to reveal the shifting nature of gender and patriarchy in the transnational security state.

Background: Obesity is recognized as a chronic disease, associated with a variety of metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological complications. Prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, more so in the developing countries. It is affecting both sexes and all age groups. Body mass index BMI along with presence and severity of obesity associated complications are used to identify, successively increasing stages of obesity. The present study aims to study prevalence of overweight, obesity (stage 0,1,2) and morbid obesity in adult residents of Punjab state in an effort to determine burden of this lifestyle disorder in different age groups and sexes, so that a comprehensive action plan can be designed to target appropriate group with specific preventive measures .Methods: 1000 subjects were surveyed and labelled as non-obese, overweight, obese or morbid obese based on their BMI, presence and severity of obesity related complications. Point prevalence amongst different age groups of both sexes were determined and compared.Results: In study population 41.5% subjects were non-obese, 15.9% were overweight, 29.4% were obese and 13.2% were morbidly obese. The prevalence of all the 3 conditions (overweight, obesity and morbid obesity) increased with increasing age in both sexes. The prevalence was more among females of all age groups than males for ‘overweight’ and ‘obesity’. But gender based difference narrowed down with increasing severity of disease, such that female to male ratio reversed (<1) for morbid obesity. Moreover, peak prevalence of overweight and obesity were attained little later in females as compared to males. However, for morbid obesity peak prevalence is seen in same age group (40-49 years) in both sexes.Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are more prevalent among females of all age groups than males with peak prevalence achieved little later in females as compared to males. However, gender based differences in prevalence decreased as severity increased and morbid obesity was more prevalent among males than females.

The purpose of this research is to investigate and understand how students are using computer. The activities that a student undertakes with the help of computers which might be fulfilling some academic or non academic purpose, is of great interest. It will help in understanding the limitations and potentials offered by the technology for use of computer in classroom. This paper brings out the three major kinds of activities that students undertake with computer; self learning activities, Information collection tasks and communication and group activities. The study further analyses the effect of demographics i.e. gender, age and faculty (department) of students on the activities with computer. The results show that gender has no impact on the activities of students with computer. The age impacts only the activities related to Information collection by using computer where as the faculty of student significantly impacts all the activities viz. self learning activities, Information collection tasks and communication and group activities. The findings from this research can be used in designing future e-learning initiatives and development e-learning tools

This paper examines the gender differences in the statements measuring ethical leadership and to explore the factors affecting ethical leadership. The questionnaire has been distributed among the various government senior secondary schools of Punjab, India. Independent t-test is applied to know the perception of males and females. The result reveals that females have higher perception in many of the statements in the ethical leadership scale as compared to male staff members. On the other hand, there are three factors that are affecting the ethical leadership showing the important correlation among them.

Rural non-farm diversification in India is taking up new roles amidst increasing agrarian distress. In this context, two issues have been examined in this paper: first, the nature of rural non-farm diversification, and second, the accessibility of households to rural non-farm employment in the states of Bihar and Punjab. The study is predominantly based on unit level data of the latest round of the Situational Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households (NSSO). Findings suggest that while non-farm activities are largely adopted by landless and marginal land households in both states, there are a few lucrative options available which are being accessed by large landholders in Punjab. Overall, caste, gender and education are dominant determinants that work as barriers to the entry for rural households. The findings recommend that institutional reforms along with public policies should be prioritised towards generating sustainable non-farm livelihood options while eliminating multi-dimensional exclusions in rural labour markets considering regional prerequisites.

Violence Against Women (VAW) is a public health concern. It affects the physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health of women. Despite rising levels of education and pro-women laws across India, VAW is a major concern in the state of Punjab. The aim of the study outlines the design and implementation of a community-developed VAW intervention. A 360° approach was used to view the complex interplay between individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors associated with VAW. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to identify community perceptions on VAW in the Fatehgarh Sahib District of Punjab. A community-based intervention named JAGO was designed and developed among a population of about 20,000 in 25 villages of Punjab. Operational meetings, IEC campaign, street plays, photography, gender sensitization workshops, painting competition, home visits, and village-level celebrations and pledge presentation ceremonies were also conducted.The results and best practices gained through this community-led intervention can serve as a model for other prevention of VAW initiatives, both in India and other like-culture communities. An important lesson learned from this initiative was that community action is more acceptable and there should be open discussion for the culturally sensitive issues.

This article aims to determine the moderating role of demographics gender, age and income on the relationship between mobile banking (m-banking) usage and loyalty towards the service. A sample of 524 m-banking users from the state of Punjab in India was used to understand the interaction of this relationship. The collected data was then analyzed through moderated multiple regression analysis using dummy variables. Results of the study reveal that among the three demographics, gender and age moderate the relationship between m-banking usage and loyalty. The study provides important implications for the banks and the academic research related to m-banking.

The potential of information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool to reduce gender inequality and strengthen the position of women in a society is increasingly recognized. However, a significant gender digital divide is also observed, which is reflected in women’s low level of access and use of ICT as compared to men due to socio-economic, structural, psychological and institutional barriers. In this context, this article aims to explore the state of Indian women with regard to access, usage and effects of ICT tools. It analyses respondents’ perceptions on ICT in relation to betterment of women’s conditions and also explores the reasons for poor access and usage of ICT among Indian women. The article is based on a study of cross-sectional survey data collected from women respondents residing in rural and urban areas of six states of India, namely Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This article argues that it is imperative to make ICT more accessible and affordable for Indian women in order for them to garner its benefits.

ABSTRACT Background: Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) are essential for diagnosing various kinds of focal and diffuse neuropathies. Due to the paucity of local NCS data, electrodiagnostic laboratories in Punjab rely on values from Western and other Indian studies. Aim: This study was conducted to provide normative data for median nerve conduction parameters (motor and sensory) in Punjabi populace. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 290 participants (150 males and 140 females), aged 17–21 years, as per standardized protocol. The data were analyzed separately for both genders using SPSS version 20. It consisted of distal latencies and conduction velocities of motor and sensory divisions of median nerve. Student's unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was no effect of gender on any of the median nerve conduction parameters. Height and weight had nonsignificant negative and positive correlation, respectively (P > 0.05), with conduction velocity in both motor and sensory median nerves. For median motor nerve, the values of distal latency and conduction velocity in males were 2.9 ± 0.16 ms and 60.25 ± 2.99 m/s, respectively, whereas, in females, they were 2.6 ± 0.43 ms and 59.83 ± 2.82 m/s. Similarly, for median sensory nerve, the latency and velocity values in males were 2.8 ± 0.56 ms and 54.81 ± 3.70 m/s, whereas, in females, they were 2.4 ± 0.33 ms and 54.56 ± 3.65 m/s, respectively. Conclusion: The data in this study compared favorably with already existing data. It would help the local electrodiagnostic laboratories in assessing the median nerve abnormalities with greater accuracy in this population subset.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of effectiveness in public colleges of Punjab (India) from the students’ perspective and the impact of these determinants on the satisfaction level of students. The study further explores the difference in the overall satisfaction of students’ toward college effectiveness on the basis of demographic variables.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a survey approach. The sample comprises of 369 students from 19 public/government general degree colleges of Punjab (India). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) has been used to explore the determinants of public colleges and structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used to analyze the impact of these determinants on the satisfaction of students.t-Test and ANOVA have been used to examine the difference in students’ satisfaction on the basis of their demographic variables.FindingsThe research instrument has been tested for both reliability and validity. The findings showed that the eight determinants of the satisfaction of students toward public colleges, namely academic environment, college administration, students support services, learning material, infrastructure facilities, placement services, extracurricular activities and financial administration. These, eight independent variables have been entered into SEM. The SEM model shows that infrastructure facilities, academic environment, learning material, college administration, extracurricular activities and financial administration have a positive and significant impact on the students’ satisfaction. On the basis of demographic variables, significant differences in overall satisfaction have been found for gender and level of education.Practical implicationsPublic higher education sector in Punjab suffers from many limitations. Students are the internal customers of educational institutions and their satisfaction toward higher educational institutions will make every learner’s mind and policymakers in the field of education think seriously about bringing reforms in the higher education sector in Punjab.Originality/valuePunjab, a well-known state of northern India is a leader in providing higher education. But, it is a fact that public higher education sector in Punjab has been facing many challenges. Student satisfaction is the central goal of any institution and this research helps to develop new insight in the quality of public higher education.

Social innovation is the search for new and conclusive solutions to social problems aimed at improving the welfare of individuals and communities. Studies on social innovation and its implementation, especially with regard to the importance of gender equality and the impact of the gendered perspective on the implementation of such social innovations, are still scarce. Based on Gabriel Tarde’s social theory, our study shows the urgency of addressing pressing social problems. The research objective is to statistically assess the implementation of social innovation in India, specifically from a gendered perspective. 400 responses were collected in August and September 2021 through a structured survey questionnaire which used simple random sampling of probability sampling method. The responses came from the northern states of India (especially Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh). The data analysis was done by means of statistical tests (using the SPSS 25 program) after validating the concepts, and was based on the results of frequency and percentage distribution of responses, one-sample t-test, ANOVA and correlation-regression tests. The study concludes that gender plays an important role in the implementation of social innovation in India, and gender equality must be incorporated into every facet of social innovation to reach its full potential and benefit everyone.

The Punjab education system has witnessed significant expansion in public higher education, both in terms of number of institutions as well as the students’ enrolment with 10 state universities and 48 government colleges. But higher education sector in Punjab still confronts various problems. The extent of various factors of higher educational institutions effectiveness depends on individual features such as demographic variables. This article investigates the difference in the satisfaction of students towards college effectiveness on the basis of demographic variables. The sample of the study comprised of 369 students from the various government colleges of Punjab, and the data was analysed using mean value, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that on the basis of gender significance, differences were found in the case of infrastructure facilities, extracurricular activities, financial administration and placement services of the colleges. In the case of level of education, bachelor’s students were most satisfied for infrastructure facilities, placement services, student support services and financial management of the colleges. On the basis of course stream, arts group and commerce group were significantly different on responding towards the academic environment. In the case of college administration, significant differences were found between commerce and science groups, and for extracurricular activities differences were found among arts, commerce and science groups. According to the location of the colleges, significant differences were found in extracurricular activities and financial administration of the colleges.

BACKGROUND: Stress relieving strategies (SRS) are quite significant to get rid of stress in engineering students. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the SRS factors in the engineering universities in Punjab state of India. This effort also aims to check the determinants of SRS. METHODS: The data is collected through a questionnaire survey conducted on engineering students of two different universities. The collected data out of 400 surveys is subjected to factor analysis and Anova. RESULTS: The factor analysis exposed various factors that influence the SRS. The study has projected the effects of SRS on gender, age, engineering streams, nature of universities. CONCLUSIONS: It is found that the SRS in students is partially influenced by engineering streams and gender of the engineering students.

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to assess the spatial distribution of nutritional status of children of less than three years through Z-scores of weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height using data collected by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2, 1998–99), India. The nutritional status of pre-school children was regressed on different socio-demographic factors after eliminating the effect of age. The data show that there are gender differences and spatial variations in the nutritional status of children in India. Gender difference is not very pronounced and almost disappears when the effects of age and socio-demographic variables are removed. The spatial difference, especially the rural–urban difference, was found to be very large and decreased substantially when the effects of age and socioeconomic variables were removed. However, the differences were not close to zero. All the variables were found to affect significantly the nutritional status of children. However, the literacy of mothers did not affect height-for-age significantly. The weight-for-age and height-for-age scores showed a dismal picture of the health condition of children in almost all states in India. The worst affected states are Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. Assam and Rajasthans are also lagging behind. Weight-for-height scores do not give a clear picture of state-wise variation. Goa, Kerala and Punjab are the three most developed states in India and also have the lowest percentages of underweight children according to the Z-scores. Along with these three states come the north-eastern states where women are well educated. Thus overall development, enhancement of level of education and low gender inequality are the key factors for improvement in the health status of Indian children.

Corporal punishment is ingrained in schools worldwide as a normal disciplinary measure despite the legal ban on it in around 125 countries and India is one of these. Studies and media reports have shown a high prevalence rate (around 40% to 99.9%) across different parts of India. The unequal rate of punishment may be associated with school contexts. Therefore, it was intended to identify those institutional variables and teachers characteristics which determine the difference in the rate of use of corporal punishment. For this, data was collected from 202 teachers from 84 schools of Punjab. Results indicate that institutional variable such as school type, its location, organizational climate and personal variables of teachers, namely, their gender, marital status teaching experience, job satisfaction of teachers cause a difference in frequency of use of corporal punishment by teachers in schools. In this paper, the probable factors associated with these variables have also been explored.

This research project explores the level of education among various economic and social groups by examining the literacy rate, enrollment rate and the attainment of education in Sekha village located in Ludhiana district of Punjab. Wide levels of disparity were seen among groups and classes in accessing education, right from the primary level to the higher level. Differences were evident in the expenditure on education incurred by parents, in the average year of schooling, expected years of schooling and even in the Human Development Index of the area. It has been argued that structural inequalities inherent in a village further perpetuate inequalities in education. More than 70 years after Independence, the village surveyed showed that not only did inequalities remain in a village's class, caste and gender structures but they manifested themselves in education, too. Nation-wide the literacy rate has improved in India, but inequalities spanning generations have remained.

AbstractThe Indian state treated the partition of Punjab as a ‘national disaster’ and training for refugee women was deemed essential to restore the social landscape; yet the kind of help it offered to refugee women rested on its clear assumptions and biases about the kind of work that was appropriate for them: women were offered training in embroidery, stitching, tailoring, and weaving, as these are associated with feminine and household-based skills. This article will reveal that the state rehabilitation enterprise was primarily masculine in focus. The state treated women refugees as secondary earners and as guardians of hearth, kith, and kin; it did not see them playing a definitive role in nation-building in post-colonial India. In the absence of state supportive policies, refugee women were compelled to take up informal jobs like petty trading, domestic service, and labouring work. This article suggests that refugee women were handicapped in the labour market at their very point of entry. It traces the history of women's informalities in Delhi. In doing so, it investigates the feminization and commercialization of urban space in twentieth-century Delhi. It urges that women made space in more than one way: identifying fragmentary livelihoods, producing small-scale capitalism, and creating informal markets.

Objective: To determine the homophobia level of ındividuals in different countries. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among 518 individuals of ages 18 years and above living in Turkey (Agri), Nigeria (Ibadan), Pakistan (Charsadda), India (Punjab), Bangladesh (Chittagong) and Nepal (Kathmandu). Using google form they completed a demographic characteristics form and Hudson and Ricketts Homophobia Scale Results: The homophobia scale total score mean was 92.97 ± 27.47. The total score means the homophobia scale was statistically significantly higher among Nigeria nationality, religious belief Christian, male, health personnel and those who do not have a homosexual acquaintance (p <0.05). A statistically significant relationship was also found between homophobia scale total score mean and age (p <0.05). Conclusion: Nationality, religion, gender, occupation, age and whether or not one has homosexual acquaintances are key demographic correlates of homophobia level. However, the study recommends that further investigation should be conducted with a larger group for a proper inference of causation to be drawn.

BACKGROUND: Academic stress is one of the active research domains in engineering institutions. As it can result in ill health of students, it is important to monitor the level of academic stress in students. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the academic stress factors in the engineering universities in Punjab state of India. This study also aimed to check the determinants of academic stress. METHODS: The data was collected through a questionnaire survey conducted on engineering students of two different universities. The collected data out of 400 surveys is subjected to factor analysis and ANOVA. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed various factors that influence the academic stress. It was also found that the academic stress in students is most influenced by Engineering Streams and Nature of Universities. CONCLUSIONS: The study projected the effects of Academic Stress on Gender, Age, Engineering Streams, Nature of Universities.

This study addresses a research gap in mobile banking (M-banking) related to post service usage consumer behavior and aims to discover the impact of electronic core (e-core) service quality dimensions on the perceived value of service in relation to three socio-economic variables i.e. gender, age and income. The study attempts to identify whether the impact of these dimensions vary as per the difference in socio-economic demographics? Further, E-S-QUAL scale representing dimensions of e-core service quality is utilized and data collection is conducted from a survey of 600 mobile banking users of the Punjab State in India. The collected data is then put to test using Multiple Regression Analysis and Cronbach's alpha. Findings of the study reveal that different customers perceive these dimensions differently depending upon their demographics. This study has important implications for academic research related to e-service quality or to any one doing research in the field of M-banking.

Introduction: Medical education requires a long duration of education and training. Medical stream is a diverse field; an assortment of clinical specialties of number of areas; clinical, psychological, surgical, field work, public health to name a few, with varied clinical environment, duties, and contact with patients. Methodology: Study was conducted in ten Medical colleges from three northern states of India (Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh). 677 final year medical students were included in the study. The study was designed as a cross-sectional self- administered questionnaire-based survey. Data were analyzed based on Frequencies, percentage, weighted scores and Chi square test. The findings were tabulated and represented with the help of suitable diagrammatic and graphical presentation. Results: revealed that around two-third were males (67.50%), majority were under 25 years, Hindus, from urban areas, joint families and 6.79% were married. Majority belonged to HIG. Statistically significant association of some demographic Characteristics (area of residence, gender, marital status and type of family) in selection of Internal medicine as specialty choice, whereas the association was not significant for age, religion and income group.

Background: Under nutrition is important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. In India burden of underweight children in under 5 years of age is still 35.7% (NFHS-4) and is 22% in Punjab which is still considered to be a major public health problem. Thus this study was planned to find prevalence and risk factors of under nutrition in under 3 children in urban Ludhiana.Methods: It is community based cross-sectional study conducted in under 3 year children in field practice area of Urban Health Centre under Department of Community Medicine, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana. Minimum sample size of 368 was calculated. Data was collected from routine surveillance by ANMs in their visits to area. Under nutrition was taken as weight for age as per standard growth chart used in India (WHO based). Statistical analysis: Microsoft Excel, Chi square test, SPSS.Results: Out of 387 children, 82 (21.2%) were underweight [17 (4.4%) severely and 65 (16.8%) moderately underweight]. Increasing age, partial immunization, low birth weight and high birth order were significantly associated, while gender, type of family, SES, mother’s BMI & literacy and exclusive breast feeding were not significantly associated with prevalence of underweight.Conclusions: Increasing age, partial immunization, low birth weight and high birth order were all significantly associated with underweight. Maternal and child health services need to be strengthened.

Objective: The present study was aimed at “assessing stunting and predisposing factors among children.”Methods: Prospective, descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted comprising children between 2 years and below 5 years age group in the city Fazilka in Punjab, India. Random, two-stage cluster sampling method was adopted. Direct observation and interview methods were used to assess physical appearance, demographic characteristics, habit of soil eating, and episodes of diarrhea (diarrheal episodes 2 weeks before investigation). Inspection method was used to assess nail beds of children to ascertain pallor.Results: Prospective, descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted comprising children between 2 years and below 5 years age group in the city Fazilka in Punjab, India. Study population was made up of total 440 children which were differentiated into 240/440, 127/440, and 73/440 children representing about 54.5%, 28.9%, and 16.6% of proportions from schools, child care, and slums, respectively. Children 55/240, 36/127, and 35/73 from schools, childcare centers, and slums suffered from stunting which amounted to about 23%, 28%, and 48% prevalence of stunting in school, childcare center, and slum children. Gender-wise characterization of study population depicted boys (260/440) and girls (180/440) with a proportion of 59% boys and 41% girls. Among the participants, about 20.5% (90/440) and 79.5% (350/440) of children belonged to illiterate and literate parents. The odds for stunting were nearly 1.6 times higher among anemic children in comparison to children in non-anemic group represented by odds 0.575 and 0.348 in former and latter groups of children with odds ratio (OR=1.65). Children (n=41) out of total children (n=80) those belonged to income (<2000 INR) per month in family, were stunted and contributed to 51% prevalence of stunting. Another group of children (n=85/360) who belonged to income (>2000 INR) per month in family, suffered from 23.6% prevalence of stunting.Conclusion: National policies should be reformed to generate employment, Maintain minimum support price for Agricultural products, Sustain food security and contribute and promote community sanitation and hygiene.

Aim. To estimate the prevalence of coronal pulp stones in the molar teeth of dental outpatients of Sunam, Sangrur district, Punjab, India, to report any association between occurrence of pulp stones with age, gender, dental arch, side, and dental status and to find out correlation between pulp stones with dental and systemic diseases. Materials and Methods. 500 routine dental outpatients within age group of 18–67 years were involved in the study. Molar bitewing of left and right side of each patient was taken with XCP bitewing instrument and size 2 film. The presence or absence of pulp stones was recorded. Chi-square analysis was used to record the prevalence of pulp stones and to compare it with demographic and systemic factors. Results. Overall prevalence of pulp stones was 41.8%. Pulp stones were significantly higher in maxilla (11.59%) than mandible (6.54%), left side than right side, and first molar than other molars. Higher numbers of pulp stones were recorded in patients with cardiovascular disease (38.89%) than with cholelithiasis and renal lithiasis. Conclusion. Pulp stones were higher in maxillary arch than mandibular arch and in females than males. Cardiovascular patients had higher number of pulp stones than other groups.

Background: Despite significant growth and change in India over the past two decades, some public health indicators have failed to keep pace. One such indicator is food insecurity. India is home to the largest number of people experiencing hunger and food insecurity. Food security is described as “a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. While there has been considerable research investigating the role of crop yields, policy interventions, and food production in alleviating food insecurity in India, there is insufficient research investigating the social and cultural influences of food insecurity, including the role of women. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the experience of food insecurity among women in India. The objectives of this research are (1) to determine the role of women in food production and its contribution to household food security; (2) to examine the gender roles within households and the decision-making processes that influence food security, and (3) to investigate household nutritional status and food insecurity experience. Methods: Participants will include women who live in a village in Punjab, India. Interviews with 100 households, drawn from a convenience sample will be conducted. Interviews will be conducted in Punjabi with simultaneous English translation, and will include: food related experiences, anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist, and hip) and dietary assessment (24-h diet recall, two non-consecutive days), dwelling facilities, agriculture related information, including household agriculture activities undertaken, food security status (via the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Scale Measurement), and demographic information. Discussion: This study aims to investigate a range of determinants of food insecurity among a rural population. It will allow for the identification of some of the components of household food insecurity among women in India and will go part of the way to understanding how and why India continues to experience food and nutritional insecurity despite growth and progress in a range of other indicators.

Purpose The undesirable effects of TV advertisements and general parenting responsibility propel mothers to monitor and control the eating habits of children through meal time actions and feeding practices. The purpose of this paper is to identify feeding practices used by Indian mothers through the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ) developed by Musher-Eizenman and Holub (2007) and to investigate differences in the use of feeding practices across demographic variables. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional design, a structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from 473 mothers of children aged four to 11 years from Punjab (India). Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and ANOVA. Findings The present study confirms the validity and reliability of the nine-factor model through CFA with 28 items in the Indian context than original CFPQ. Further, significant differences exist in the responses of mothers for feeding practices followed with children across age and gender of child, mother’s education status and monthly family income. Practical implications Parents may understand the nature of feeding practices to mediate unhealthy food consumption habits of children. The government should formulate codes or regulations to sufficiently monitor food marketing activities directed at children. The food marketing companies should also act responsibly to protect well-being of children. Originality/value This piece of research is important as no such study (to the best of researchers’ knowledge) has already been conducted in India even though dietary patterns of children are transforming tremendously.

Abstract Background As stroke is a catastrophic illness, knowing its risk factors, early signs and symptoms, and management strategies could potentially prevent morbidity and mortality among the people. Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the public cognizance of risk factors, signs and symptoms, and early treatment options available for stroke with particular emphases on thrombolysis, and its window period. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional telephonic interview-based survey was conducted in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh of North India from August 2017 to December 2017. Results Of 350 respondents those participated in the survey with a mean age ± standard deviation of 39.93 ± 13.41 years, hypertension was found to be the most common risk factor among the study participants (n = 205, 58.57%) and 28.85% of the study participants were not aware of the risk factors, whereas 46% of the participants were not aware of warning signs of stroke. The window period of thrombolysis was compared with gender, and it was found that the higher number of male participants (n = 49) adduced the right window of thrombolysis (0–4.5 hours) as compared with the female participants (n = 26). Conclusions Survey results suggested that there exists scant information about risk factors, alarming signs, and early treatment approaches among community adults toward stroke. In this regard, there is an immense need to conduct awareness camps related to stroke to educate the vulnerable public.

Generally, women’s health receives attention only during pregnancy and the immediate post-partum period. A women’s health agenda was first articulated at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. In the resulting Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a roadmap for gender equality and women’s empowerment was outlined, with a major focus on reproductive and sexual health (SRH) issues, which were the main killers of women then. Present study was carried out in order to find out the reasons of Reproductive Health and wellbeing problem in women children between the age group of 1-6 years and to provide results based remedial solutions and interventions. For this purpose, samples were selected from different villages of nine states in India which includes Assam (Jorhat), Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad), Haryana (Hissar), Himachal Pradesh (Palampur), Uttar Pradesh (Pantnagar), Rajasthan (Udaipur), Maharashtra (Parbhani), Punjab (Ludhiana), Karnataka(Dharwad) Tamil Nadu (Madurai), Meghalaya (Tura). The wellbeing of women covers five major aspects on physical, social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual. Data analysis was done using frequency, percentage distribution. Results revealed that in the maximum states, the reproductive factor was average only two state were having good reproductive health. Parbhani, and all the states were having average wellbeing of women.

Executive Summary Financial Inclusion is considered to be a critical indicator for development and well-being of the society around the globe. Providing inclusive financial services, that is, financial services affordable for all, has become a basic priority in many countries including India. G-20 Nations have emphasized on financial inclusion as a facilitator for achieving gender equality and other sustainable development goals. Women empowerment is a radical approach concerned with transforming power relations in favour of female gender and considered essential for global progress. Thus, an inclusive financial model is being adopted in developing nations to achieve fundamental to formative objectives. The current article investigates the dimensions of women empowerment, that is, social, political, and economic. It also undertakes a test to see if the dimensions change with financial inclusion. The authors draw upon literature to develop a structured questionnaire on women empowerment and financial inclusion through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) on women living in urban slums in the industrial town of Ludhiana, Punjab. The data were collected from 737 females living in urban slums with PMJDY bank accounts. The result indicated that PMJDY scheme has been quite successful especially in case of women in slums and has a positive influence on social, political, and economic dimensions of women empowerment. The study contributes to existing literature by advancing the debate on women in urban slums and identifies the substantial need for the development of formal financial system to enhance the scale of financial inclusion.

Purpose The primary objective of this paper is to identify and analyze factors that influence choice and quality of healthcare of the elderly population in two northern and two southern states in India. The purpose of this paper is to look beyond the obvious factors that influence choice and therefore the quality of healthcare and seek to find whether there are some additional indirect factors that also influence choice and quality of healthcare. Design/methodology/approach This paper utilizes data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India pilot project, which was a cross-sectional survey of men and women aged 45 and over focusing on two northern states (Punjab and Rajasthan) and two southern states (Kerala and Karnataka). In this paper the authors carry out a Probit analysis to estimate the factors that influence the elderly’s choice of healthcare. Findings The authors find that social activity via different types of social interactions outside the home and access to a phone (which is one of the cheapest and most commonly used methods of communication used by people in India) are statistically significant in influencing better quality of healthcare for the elderly. Moreover, gender-segregated results suggest that social activity is particularly important for elderly females. Relative price of healthcare is also an important determinant of the quality of healthcare sought. The authors also find some consistent regional influences on healthcare choices by the elderly. Research limitations/implications The main limitation is the data itself which is cross-sectional in nature. However, as further rounds of survey are conducted the authors hope to be able to build on the results of this paper using a longitudinal approach. A second limitation is the lack of variables available for carrying out an instrumental variables analysis. The results imply that elderly males and females are influenced by different things when it comes to healthcare choices. Thus for policy to be effective, the government needs to pursue avenues that would be most likely to succeed. Practical implications One of the most important practical implications of this research is the understanding that informal channels of knowledge transmission are important especially for the elderly in India. Traditional methods of knowledge transmission such as education, media, and income are less likely to be effective in a country where majority of the people are illiterate and poor. Social interactions appear to be most effective in influencing healthcare choices of elderly females. Social implications The most obvious social implications of this paper are the importance of social interactions via social activities outside the home and ability for social communication via access to a phone for the elderly population in India to make better healthcare choices and therefore receive better healthcare. Originality/value The literature on elderly healthcare is limited when it comes to developing countries. What makes matters worse for India is that up until recently there have been no comprehensive efforts to collect reliable data on the elderly population in India. As a result there is extremely limited availability of policy-relevant research dedicated to issues relating to the older population. Most of the existing literature looks at self-reported health and healthcare status or utilization. This paper would be among the first to address factors influencing quality of healthcare received by the elderly population in India.

ABSTRACT Background: Stroke affects large number of people worldwide resulting in disability. The people in the northern region of India follow some domiciliary practices, which include administration of opioids at the onset of stroke to retard its progression. Aim: To study the effect of opioids on the outcome and severity of stroke when used as domiciliary treatment in peri-stroke period. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study on stroke patients was carried out in Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India from March 2012 to March 2013. Data were collected in a semi-structured proforma. The variables which were studied included socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, religion, socio-economic status, and place of inhabitation. The time of opioid administration, approximate amount administered, frequency of administration, duration of hospital stay, risk factors and co-morbid conditions were also studied. The stroke severity was analyzed by comparing National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and outcome by comparing Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score in both the groups at the time of admission and at the time of discharge. Results: Out of n = 100 recruited patients, n = 44 (Group A) reported opioid intake in the peri-stroke period and n = 56 (Group B) did not. Proportions of patients from rural areas were 61.4% in Group A and 37.5% in Group B. Mean age in groups A and B was 63 ± 9.15 and 59.8 ± 13.87 years, respectively; in these groups male proportions were 70.5% and 60.7%, respectively. At admission, mean NIHSS scores in Groups A and B were 10.0 ± 4.48 and 10.8 ± 4.51, respectively; on discharge, these scores were 6.3 ± 3.83 and 7.7 ± 3.79, respectively. At admission, mean MRS scores in Groups A and B were 3.7 ± 1.14 and 3.8 ± 1.32, respectively; upon discharge, these scores were 2.8 ± 1.18, 3.1 ± 1.23 respectively. Conclusion: In this cohort, we found that the domiciliary practice of opioids administration in the peri-stroke period is more common among the elderly and in the rural areas. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean NIHSS and MRS scores at admission as well as discharge implying that the opioid administration did not improve outcome or decrease the severity of the stroke. Our findings are robust enough to propose a larger sample size and follow-up in future studies to definitively ascertain the effect of opioids as pretreatment in stroke patients.

Background and Aim: Dairy animals play an important role in the Indian economy. Knowledge of the occurrence pattern of long bone fractures in bovine may help in strategizing the possibilities of treatment and prognosis. This study aimed to find out the comparative occurrence pattern of fractures in cattle and buffaloes. Materials and Methods: A total of 278 fractures of bovine (171 in cattle and 107 in buffaloes), presented to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India, during a study of 1 year, were investigated for the occurrence pattern, in relation to species, age, body weight, gender, bone involved, type of fracture (closed or open), and the presentation of bovine as standing or in recumbent state. Results: The overall hospital occurrence of fractures in bovine was 4.24% and most of the fractures resulted from slipping and falling on hard floor. Of 278 fractures, the majority (90.28%) involved long bones (n=251; 103 buffaloes and 148 cattle). Forelimb fractures were recorded more common in buffaloes (64.08%), whereas the cattle suffered more of hind limb fractures (60.23%). Cattle also included 11 cases of bilateral fractures of metacarpal (n=3), tibia (n=1), radius and ulna (n=1), and mandible (n=6). Fracture of olecranon constituted 6.83% (n=19) and majority (n=15) were in buffaloes. The cattle had higher percent of open fractures (54.38%) as compared to that in buffaloes (17.76%). Marginally higher percentage of cattle (33.33%) suffering from fracture were recumbent as compared to buffaloes (23.36%) and femur fractures were found to be a leading cause of recumbency (100% in cattle and 75.00% in buffaloes). Conclusion: Species-specific differences in the occurrence pattern of fractures exist among cattle and buffaloes. Cattle are found to be more susceptible (1.5 times) to fractures as compared to buffaloes. The buffaloes are vulnerable to forelimb fractures while the cattle to the hind limb. As compared to forelimb, long bone fractures of hind limb are more commonly associated with recumbency in bovine. Cattle are more prone to mandible fractures and the open fractures of long bones as compared to buffaloes.

The quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is escalating at an alarming rate with every passing year alongside the modernization of our economy. Unfortunately, the majority of this waste remains uncollected or ends up in open dumping and followed by uncontrolled burning. Citing the deep-rooted consequences, open dumping should be absolutely abandoned and scientific interventions should be aggressively exercised to reclaim the municipal brownfields. The present research work undertook the judicial task of assessing the comparative feasibility of biomining and scientific capping as a technology selection for reclamation of about a decade old 120 million tons of waste chunk laying at Jawahar Nagar dump yard. Primary dump samples were collected from various locations, considering depth as a variable. While leachate and groundwater samples were collected from Malkaram lake and preinstalled borewells receptively. Additionally, the ambient air quality and noise level also been ascertained within the buffer zone. The blended representative solid sample was segregated using a 70 mm mesh size trommel into organic and inorganic fractions. The organic fraction was composted using a lab-scale aerobic static pile composting (ASPC) while the trommel reject was processed as refuse derived fuel (RDF). Evidently, the compost lagged quality and depicted nutrient deficiency. While the burning of RDF produced siloxane gas, significantly due to elevated silicon level in the primary waste. Furthermore, due to the prolonged leaching tenure and seasonal dilution, the concentration of legacy leachate was relatively weaker. Borewell samples collected from a depth of 20 feet also portrayed minor contamination up to 500 meters horizontal radius. The issue of leachability can solely be resolved with the capping of the existing dump and the end product quality derived from the biomining process is highly questionable. Thus, handling such large quantity capping is a befitting option over biomining for Jawahar Nagar dumpsite. INTRODUCTION Presently, in India due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, the generation of MSW has been increasing tremendously and also expected to continue a similar trend in the future (Scott, 1995; Bhat et al., 2017; Sethurajan et al., 2018; Sharma et al., 2018). Annually, the comprehensive urban MSW generation in India is more than 62 million tons. Metro cities are the mammoth contributor of the entire chunk and waste production had already reached an alarming figure of 50,000 tonnes/day. While the waste generation from the tier 2 cities is also rigorously escalating and presently contribute up to 20,000 tones/day (Sharma et al., 2018). A study conducted by the central pollution control board (CPCB) revealed MSW generation in India is increasing at a distressing rate of 5 % per annum with a sharp escalation in the quantities of domestic hazardous waste (Sharma et al., 2018). With major financial constraints, inefficacy of collection, treatment, and disposal incurs further reasons to worry. So far India has miserably failed to set up wholesome source segregation and collection method. Presently, the country spends more than 60% of its annual waste management budget only in collection. Besides, only 20% or less of the collected materials are scientifically handled and treated. Citing the statistics, it is evident that the majority of the MSW is simply gets dumped on the low laying grounds located somewhere on the outskirts of the cities. The precipitation, infiltration, surface water runoff, bird menace, rodent interference etc. triggers the vulnerability of waste and leads to mal odor, ground and surface water contamination, human and environmental health deterioration (Jayawardhana et al., 2016). Further, the perseverance of the inorganic and inert fractions leads to soil contamination, poses a fire threat, and also may incur carcinogenicity and acute toxicity among the animals (Mir et al., 2021). There are numerous techniques for the reclamation and remediation of the dumpsites, includes processes such as capping and closure, in-situ vitrification, sub-surface cut-off walls, and waste biomining (Chakrabarti and Dubey, 2015; Thakare and Nandi, 2016). Waste biomining is a stable way to get rid of the entire range of problems associated with open dumping and reclaim valuable land (Kaksonen et al., 2017). There are several instances including reclamation of Mumbai Gorai dump yard by IL & FS Environment, 70 – 80 years old 12,00,000 tons of dump clearance by Nagar Nigam Indore within a minute span of 3 years and many more. But the process of biomining is highly sensitive and case-specific. The success of the process solely depends on factors such as characteristics of the waste, efficacy of the effective microorganism culture, acceptability of the processed end product at the local market etc. (Jerez, 2017; Banerjee et al., 2017; Venkiteela, 2020). Contrarily, though the scientific capping is not an end-to-end solution but still advisable in the cases where the quantity of waste is gigantic, land scarcity is prevalent, no nearby industries to consume the end products etc. Mehta et al. (2018) have also supported the above claim based on the assessment of locations specific MSW dump reclamation case studies. While in another Nagpur-based case study conducted by Ashootosh et al. (2020) reported the superiority of the biominingprocess over simple land capping due to the favorability of the local conditions. Capping eliminates the environmental interference and thereby reduces biosphere contamination and leachate generation. Further, it captivates rodent and vector breeding and thereby curtails the spreading of communicable diseases and improves aesthetics. But right consolidation through compaction and execution is utmost necessary in the above case. As non-compaction and faulty sloping will easily lead to heavy settlement and slope failure (Berkun et al., 2005; Al-Ghouti et al., 2021). The present study has been pursued with the primary objective to run a techno-commercial assessment between scientific capping and biomining. While the secondary objective was to ascertain the level of contamination and propose mitigative measures. MATERIALS AND METHODStudy Area Spanning over 350 acres of a precious piece of land at the outskirts of Hyderabad city, Jawahar Nagar dumping yard was brutally utilized by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for open dumping for a prolonged tenure of 10 years. It housed nearly 12 lakh metric tons of heterogeneous solid and domestic hazardous waste and continues polluting until 2015, until the Ramky group was offered to cap the legacy dumping and scientifically handle the site. The present study has been facilitated at Hyderabad Municipal Solid Waste Limited, formerly known as Jawahar Nagar dump yard to analyze and assess the feasibility of bio-mining as handling and management alternate to the existing practice of scientific capping. The epicenter of processing and disposal facility is lying approximately on the cross-section of 17°31'24.45"N and 78°35'23.37"E. As per the contract, the comprehensive legacy dumping to be capped in three phases over about 150 acres of area and Ramky has significantly entered the phase two of the operation only within a span of five years by successfully capping more than half of the legacy footprint. Sampling Methodology The waste pile was divided into three layers namely, base, middle, and top. A uniform amount of sample was collected from the successive layers of all five different corners which cover north, south, east, west, and central of the garbage pile. Sampling inspections were performed using a manual auger besides large samples were collected using a JCB excavator. The top six-inch layer of the pile was removed to avoid any contamination while collecting the samples and 5-10 kg of sample was collected from each of the locations. Further, intermediate and bottom layer samples were collected by digging a 500 mm diameter hole through the heap. A composite was prepared by a homogenized blending of all the fifteen grub samples. The blend was distributed into four equal quadrants and the top and bottom quadrants were eliminated diagonally while the left-over quadrants were mixed thoroughly. This process was repeated until a sample of the required bulk of 20 kg is obtained. Surface and subsurface water samples from borewell were collected in and around the facility. Piezometric monitoring borewells located near the landfills were utilized for the subsurface sample collection. While a rainwater pond turned leachate lake named Malkaram was determined as the primary source for leachate collection. Buffer samples were collected from Ambedkar Nagar, the nearby colony exiting at a distance of only 300 meters. Lab-scale Experimentation The representative sample was characterized for composition and further screened through a 70 mm mesh size trommel. The trommel permeate was considered as the organic fraction while the reject was mostly inorganics and inert. The organics were subjected to ASPC. The quantity of the air required is arrived using the method delineated below (Figure 1). MSW Pile size: 2m x 0.5m x 0.5m Volume of pile: 0.5 m3 Average Density of MSW: 620 Kg/m3 Weight of pile: 310 Kg Nitrogen required for matured compost: 9300 mg/kg dry : 9300 X 310 mg : 2.88 x 106 mg : 2.88 Kg Total air required: 2.88 x 100/76 [as Nitrogen in air is 76% by weight] : 3.79 Kg of dry air : 3.79/1.225 m3 [@ 15 deg C density of air 1.225 kg/m3] : 3.1 m3 This air is to be supplied for 100 min / day for 0.5 m pile Air flow rate required: 3.1 x 60/100 = 1.86 m3/h (for practical purpose a flowrate of 2 m3/h was maintained). The maturation period was considered as 28 days and post-maturation, the stabilized material was further cured for 24 hours and screened using 12 mm and 4 mm trommel respectively to obtain the desired product quality and particle size. Whereas, the trommel reject was evenly spreader on the copper trays and dried in an oven at 1050C for 2 hours. The dried material was micronized to the size of 50 mm or below using a scissor and inert such as glass, sand, stone etc. were segregated manually (Mohan and Joseph, 2020). Concurrently, a bench-scale capped landfill prototype was built using the below-mentioned procedure to evaluate the factors such as settlement and slope stability. A 30 mm thick low permeable soil was laid on the top of the waste, followed by a 60 mm layer of compacted clay liner (CCL). Each join between successive liner material was closely monitored. A 1.5 mm thick HDPE liner was placed on the top of the CCL. A 285 GSM geotextile membrane was placed as the successive above layer followed by a 15 mm thick drainage media layer. A further layer of geotextile membrane was placed on top of the drainage media for better stabilization, grip, and strength. The top vegetative soil layer of 45 mm thickness was laid off on top of the geotextile media and St. Augustine grass was rooted (Cortellazzo et al., 2020; Ashford et al., 2000). 2.4 Sample Analysis pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Turbidity of the samples were analyzed using pH, EC-TDS, and Nephelometer of Mettler Toledo. The pH meter was calibrated with the buffer solution of 4.0, 7.0 & 9.12 at a controlled temperature. EC-TDS meter was calibrated with 0.1 M KCL having 12.8 mS/cm of conductivity. Nephelometer was calibrated with Formazine solution of 10 & 100 NTU. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), (mg/L) was performed using the gravimetric method at 1800C in the oven. Titrimetric parameters such as Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L), Total Hardness as CaCO3 (mg/L), Chloride as Cl- (mg/L), Calcium as Ca2+ (mg/L), Residual Free Chlorine (RFC), (mg/L) were analyzed using APHA (American Public Health Associations) method, 23rd Edition, 2017. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (mg/L) and Ammonical Nitrogen (mg/L) were performed through distillation followed by titration with H2SO4 as a titrant. Sulphide as S2- was done with the Iodometric method after distillation. Each titrimetric parameter was analyzed in triplicate after standardizing the titrant with required reagents and crossed checked by keeping a check standard. Sodium as Na (mg/L) and Potassium as K (mg/L) were performed using Flame Photometer. The photometer was calibrated with different standards from 10 to 100 (mg/L) standard solutions. The leachate sample was diluted enough to get the value within the standard range and cross-checked with check standards at the same time. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), (mg/L) was performed using the open reflux method for 2 hours at 1500C in COD Digestor. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), (mg/L) was performed using the alkali iodide azide method for 3 days. The samples were kept in a BOD incubator at 270C for 3 days. It was kept in duplicate to have a check on quality control. Sulphate was analyzed by the gravimetric method instead of turbidimetric or through UV-Visible spectrophotometer as its concentration was found more than 40 mg/L. Nitrate as NO3- was analyzed after filtration at 220-275 nm, while Hexavalent Chromium as Cr6+ was analyzed at 540 nm in the UV-Vis. Parameters like Cyanide as CN-, Fluoride as F-, and Phenolic Compounds were gone through a distillation process followed by UV-Vis. The distillation process ensures the removal of interferences presents either positive or negative. For the parameters like Total Iron or Ferric Iron, the samples were digested properly with the required reagents on the hot plate before analyzing in UV-Vis. For the metal analysis the water samples were digested at a temperature of 1000C using aqua regia as a media. The samples were digested to one-fourth of the volume on a hot plate. The recommended wavelengths as per APHA 3120 B were selected for each of the metals. The standard graph was plotted for each of the metals before analysis and crossed checked with the check standard at the same time. Parameters such as bulk density and particle size were performed through the certified beaker and sieve. The percentage of moisture content was estimated using the oven by keeping the compost sample for 2 hours at 1050C. C/N ratio was estimated through CHNS analyzer keeping sulfanilamide as a check standard. The analysis was performed by extracting the desired component in the desired solution prescribed in the method followed by converting the same from mg/L to mg/Kg. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION An exhaustive bench-study has been pursued and real-time samples were collected and analyzed for all possible parameters to determine the pros and cons attributed to both processes. The investigation begins by collecting the samples and concluded by impact assessment studies inclusive of the buffer zone. Both solid, liquid, and gaseous samples were precisely investigated to opt for the best solution. A detailed finding of the investigation is summarized below. Primarily, the representative solid sample was characterized through a manual separation process and the results are portrayed in Figure 1. Compost Characterization ASPC of the organic fraction has resulted in a recovery of 46.7% of the initial load. While 53.3% of the influent mass were inert and barely degradable fraction contributes to reject, the rest 4.1% is miscellaneous process loss. The processed compost was extensively analyzed including for metal contamination and the same is tabulated in Table 1. The value of C/N ratio, OC, TN, K2O, P2O5, and NPK evidently portrays the shortcoming in terms of nutrient availability. Though it is highly enriched in organic carbon and thus the same can be effectively utilized as a soil preconditioner. Ayilara et al. (2020) also reported a similar finding, where the city compost sourced from MSW lagged major plant nutrients. RDF Characterization Processed trommel rejects constitute cloth, rexine, leather, jute, paper, plastics, coir and other inert contributed to RDF. The fraction of inert was as high as 37.2% of the overall RDF mass and it mostly constituted glass and sand. The combined weight of sand and glass fragments contributed 73.5% of the total inert, while the rest was stone and small brickbats. The higher level of silicon associated with the presence of glass and sand yielded siloxane and triggered the possibility of kiln corrosion. A detailed RDF analysis report is enclosed in Table 2. The values explicitly portray the quality of RDF is moderately lower and higher salts concentration is extremely prevalent. With relatively lower NCV and such high salt concentration, the above specimen will certainly pose a corrosion threat to the kiln and shall be either neglected as kiln feed or can be utilized after dilution with Grade III RDF quality. Further, such high ash generation will also induct high transportation and landfill charges. Leachate Characterization The Malkaram leachate lake is the end result of prolonged, slow, and steady mixing of the legacy leachate through the existing fissure cracks in the sheath rock bottom profile. Apparently, the concentration of leachate is significantly lower due to the dilution. Samples were analyzed in triplicates and the mean value is tabulated here in Table 3. The metal concertation and rest of the parameter values are well within the secondary treatment influent range, except for TDS. Thus, a modular aerobic biological treatment unit such as moving bed biofilm bioreactor (MBBR) or membrane bioreactor (MBR) would be a well-suited pick. However, a reverse osmosis (RO) system needs to be installed to get rid of the high TDS content. The permeate of RO can be reused back into the system. Whereas, the reject can be converted into dried powder through forced evaporation mechanisms. The higher concentration of salts in RDF collaterally justifies the elevated TDS level in leachate. In a leachate impact assessment study performed by El-Salam and Abu-Zuid (2015) the reported BOD/COD ratio of 0.69 is greater than double the value of 0.301 reported in Table 3. Though the difference in both the values are quite high, it is relatable and justifiable by the huge age difference of the source waste. The primarily characterized data is of a fresh leachate generated from regular MSW, while the later one is from a decade old waste that barely has any unstabilized organic content. Groundwater Contamination The obvious reason for downward leachate infiltration and osmotic movement facilitates groundwater contamination. Both surface and subsurface water samples were collected within the dump yard and the buffer zone and analyzed using the standard methods. The results are portrayed in Table 4. The slightly alkaline pH of the borewell sample is an indication of the ongoing anaerobic process. The dissolved oxygen value of 3.5 mg/L further validates the correlation. Higher TDS and hardness values are self-indicative of elevated salt concentration in source waste. Eventually, the same interfered with the RDF quality. Positively in the case of all the parameters, a successive decrement in pollution concentration has been spotted from dump ground towards the buffer zone. In a similar study conducted by Singh et al. (2016) at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh the reported concentration of the parameters is significantly higher than reported in Table 4. The basic reason behind variation is the dissimilarities of the local soil profile. The sandy and clay loam soil profile of Varanasi allows a greater rate of percolation and infiltration. While the bottom sheath rock profile at Jawahar Nagar permits the only a minute to little percolation rate. The difference in percolation rate is directly correlated to the concentration levels in this case. Contrarily, Kurakalva et al. (2016) have reported much-elevated pollutant concertation both in ground and surface water for a study conducted at the same site in 2016. The higher concentration is relatable to the fact of the non-closure of the open dump back then. Capping activity had at Jawahar Nagar gained its pace 2018 onwards and capping for the primary section of 70 acres got concluded only during mid of 2019. Due to the decrement in runoff and percolation, the quality of both surface and subsurface water has improved drastically. Impact Assessment The odor and groundwater contamination are two of the primary issues that triggered a massive public agitation initially. The root causes of both the issues are identified as rainwater percolation and anaerobic digestion respectively. Eventually, the completion of the capping process would resolve both the problems effectively. Other non-tangential impacts include nausea; headache; irritation of the eye, nasal cavity, and throat; diarrhoeal diseases; vector-borne disease, cattle toxicity etc. Scientific capping can easily cater as the wholesome solution for all (Cortellazzo et al., 2020). Yu et al. (2018) had performed an extensive study to comprehend the relativity of respiratory sickness and MSW borne air pollution. The study made a couple of dreadful revelations such as gases released due to the anaerobic digestion of MSW such as methane, hydrogen sulphide, and ammonia incur detrimental impact on Lysozyme and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). While SO2 was reported as the lung capacity and functionality reducer. Further, a gender-specific study executed by the same research group revealed, air pollution impacts more severely on male children than the female and retards immune functions. Presently, the area of 351 acres has been developed as Asia’s one of the largest state of the art municipal solid waste processing and disposal facility by Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited. This ensured zero dumping and no further environmental interventions. As legal compliance, the facility monitors the quality of groundwater and ambient air quality in and around the facility on monthly basis to assure the biosafety. The variation in concentration of various monitoring parameters between 2012 to 2020 is summarized in Figure 2. The concentration of each of the parameters are showcased in ppm and a standard equipment error was settled at 3% for respirable dust sampler and multi-gas analyzer (Taheri et al., 2014). Despite all parameter values have gradually increased except for methane, the facility still managed to maintain them well under the regulatory limits. The decrement in methane concentration is directly correlated to the practice of aerobic composting and aeration-based secondary treatment that prevented the formation of the anaerobic atmosphere and henceforth methane generation. While for the rest of the parameters the increment in values is quite substantial and predictable due to the sudden escalation in MSW generation in the past decade in correlation with Gross domestic product (GDP) enhancement. The observed and interpreted impacts due to the elevated pollutant level are in-line with the georeferenced findings reported by Deshmukh and Aher (2016) based on a study conducted at Sangamner, Maharashtra. CONCLUSION The study critically analyzed and investigated every techno-environmental and socio-economic aspect correlated to open dumping. The bench-scale experimentation revealed the efficiency of the single liner scientific capping is fair enough to eliminate any further rainwater infiltration, however, it has no control over the generation of leachate due to the inherent moisture. Internal moisture related issue was anyhow compensated with pertinent compaction prior to dispose of the waste. Contrarily, both the products derived through the biomining process namely, compost and RDF lagged quality due to scantier nutrient content and higher salt and silicon content respectively. Besides, impact assessment studies concede the pollutant concentration in groundwater in and around the plant has drastically diminished post-July 2019 due to the partial completion of waste capping. It also abetted lowering the dust and odor issues relatively in the surrounding. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors would like to sincerely acknowledge GHMC, Hyderabad Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Limited, and Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited for enabling us to pursue the sample collection and other necessary onsite activities. Further, the authors would like to register profound acknowledgment to EPTRI for supporting us with the essential experimental facilities. REFERENCES Sharma, A., Gupta, A.K., Ganguly, R. (2018), Impact of open dumping of municipal solid waste on soil properties in mountainous region. 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Exclusion in education takes into account “out-of-school children” or “dropouts” as well as all those who have never been to school and also those who are not in a position to attend school regularly. This study was conducted to assess the growth of literacy and enrolment trends of children in school education in terms of gender and caste in India and Punjab with special reference to rural areas. The dropout situation was also studied among children especially girls in school education and reasons for exclusion of children were also explored. Trends in educational indicators were analysed using qualitative as well as quantitative methods. Comparative analysis of literacy rates of India and Punjab revealed that Punjab has a higher literacy rate than India though India and Punjab both show increasing trends in the literacy rate. The number of females was found to be more illiterate than the males in both rural and urban areas of India. One out of every five males and one out of every three females in the country were found to be illiterate. These differentials in literacy rates are comparatively more pronounced in the districts falling in the Malwa belt of Punjab. In terms of enrolment, it was observed that the total enrolment was found to be higher at the primary stage. Enrolment was found to be comparatively lesser at upper primary stage. The secondary level had least enrolment. The percentage of never enrolled children was found to be higher than out of school and dropped-out children. The comparison of figures of Punjab with national figures indicated that the percentage of never enrolled children was higher in Punjab than national figures. Larger number of children from urban areas (4.77%) were found to be out of school than children from rural areas in Punjab. Out of school females (3.25%) were more than males (1.58%) and the percentage was much higher for rural areas than urban areas in Punjab. These values were even more than national figures. Therefore, the study concluded that a large number of girls especially from rural areas are still excluded from school education in Punjab.

This study examined the effect of gender on perceived stress related to emotional, educational and social adjustment among Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) migrant students. Data were collected from 97 migrant students studying in ninth grade at various JNVs of Punjab state, India. Data analysis using MANOVA revealed that gender and perceived stress has significant effect on the three dimensions of adjustment (educational, social and emotional). However, combined effect of gender and perceived stress was not found to be significant. Implications for school administration, teachers, counsellors and wardens have also been discussed in the paper.

The purpose of this study was to examine consumption patterns for ready to eat foods in Phagwara district of Punjab. The study also focused to read food related lifestyle and behaviour of people towards ready to eat food products available in the markets. Defined objectives of the study were fulfilled by collecting primary data in the form of questionnaires, interviews and observations. Primary data was collected from 184 respondents with the help of 18 close ended questions. Data was subjected to statistical tools to gauze the use of ready to eat foods in specified locations. The study concluded that a major segment of ready to eat food products consumers buy these products at discounts from the super markets in the area and another rapidly consuming segment of ready to eat food products prefer these products as a part of convenience in the lifestyle. Further the results from the descriptive statistics showed the rating by the previous consumers is the most influencing factor in deciding the type and brand of ready to use food product. In order to check the impact of gender on the decision of choosing ready to eat products, data filled by the respondents was referred to independent sample t test. Results from the t test described a difference in the gender while using ratings in consumption patterns. The results of the study can be used to develop a proper ready to eat food product market in rural and remote locations of the targeted area

The objective of current research was to examine the gender differences in prosocial behaviour. Total 60 students (N = 60, 30 Males and 30 Females) participated in the current study from Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India. The Prosocial Personality Battery (PSB) consisting seven dimensions including social responsibility (SR), emphatic concern (EC), perspective taking (PT), personal distress (PD), other oriented moral reasoning (O), mutual concern moral reasoning (M) and self report altruism (SRA) has been used in the study to collect the data. The results revealed significant gender differences on two dimensions of prosocial personality battery, i.e. perspective taking (t = 2.04, p <.05) and other oriented moral reasoning (t = 2.01, p <.05), being females on the higher side. On rest of the five dimensions the differences were negligible falling far away from the probability level of .05. The results suggest that males and females are both almost equal on most of the prosocial behaviour dimensions. However, in case of perspective taking and mutual concern moral reasoning females are on higher side suggesting that they have better understanding of others’ mental state and they are more concerned about morality in the society.

This article examines the employability of vocationally trained youth and estimates their earning functions and existing wage differentials by gender and social groups in both Punjab and Haryana. Using primary data from two selected districts (one from each state) with a sample size of 914 pass-outs from 19 training institutes, we find that lack of demand and skill issues restrict vocationally trained youth to obtain quality jobs in these districts. Hence, most of them are either found in contractual jobs with a lower level of earning or remain unemployed from the time of completion of their training. Moreover, significant earning/wage differences are noted across gender and social groups. Female and Scheduled Caste (SC) workers are discriminated by getting paid lesser than their male and upper caste counterparts, despite their similar training and skill endowments. Hence, it is suggested that government intervention is necessary to lower the existing skill gap and to improve the quality of jobs for vocationally trained youth to reduce the rising unemployment problem.

Effective ICT integration requires teachers to gain proficiency in TPACK (knowledge of technology, content, pedagogy, and the intersection of these) (Mishra & Koehler, 2006; Archambault, & Crippen, 2009). TPACK is perceived as a dynamic framework representing the knowledge that teachers must confide on to design and implement curriculum and instruction while guiding their students’ thinking and learning with digital technologies in various subjects. TPACK competencies are very fruitful in making teaching learning process an ecstatic experience as it would make notable changes in the interaction pattern of educators. Even though TPACK is a boon in teaching and learning, it is a fact that the fruits of these skills are not appropriately utilized by the stakeholders. This study was aimed to evaluate the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) competencies among teacher-educators in teaching training colleges in the state of Punjab, (India). A five-point Likert scale constructed and validated by the researchers was used in the present study. Instrumental survey method was practiced as a tool for the present research. 200 teacher-educators working in different teaching-training colleges in the state of Punjab, (India) were selected through random sampling method. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 22.0 software. The findings of the study show that the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) competencies have found high in the teacher-educators of Punjab region. The study revealed that there are statistically significant differences in the (TPACK) competencies of teacher-educators with respect to gender, locality of college, stream and type of colleges.

Introduction: There are many types of coronaviruses that causes respiratory and intestinal infection in humans. Among these coronaviruses, is a group of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like bat coronavirus, including both SARS-CoV and SARS-Cov-2 that comprise a unique clade under the subgenus Sarbecovirus. The SARS-CoV-2 strains in India are more closely related to bat-CoVRaTG13 (93% homology) than pangolin CoV (83.5% homology). India reported its first case of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) on January 30, 2020. Punjab, a state in northwestern India comprises of 22 districts which are classified into three major distinct regions viz. Majha, Malwa and Doaba. Four districts of Majha region of Indian state of Punjab are Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. Aim: The present study describes the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology based on samples tested for this virus; received at Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), Government Medical College, Amritsar-Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: This epidemiological study was designed taking into consideration three main factors i.e. the gender, the age groups and the factor whether the individual has any symptoms or not. To study their context of applicability and its interpretation, a total of 3,47,418 samples from period of 01st April 2020 to 31st October 2020 were included in this study. Ribonucleic Acid amplification by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs of all individuals revealed confirmation of 17,920 positive samples. Total 2,29,310 males and 1,18,108 females were tested for the COVID-19 infection. Social science statistics online tool (https://www.socscistatistics.com/tests/) was used for χ2 test to analyse different parameters. Results: Maximum number of COVID-19 positive patients was detected in 21 to 30 years age group (p<0.05). Highest positivity ratio of samples was observed in individuals exceeding the age of 50 years. Number of asymptomatic individuals was found to be quite higher than symptomatic individuals in total population. Overall percent positivity of asymptomatic individuals was 4.81% (p<0.00001), which accounts to 4.71% of total number of tested individuals in this study. Conclusion: COVID-19 is an evolving disease and data from this study elucidates the epidemiological profile of the SARS-CoV-2 infection among population of Majha region of Punjab state of Indian subcontinent.