Volume 5 | Issue 4 |

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Prostitution in India has been a complex and contested subject, shaped by historical practices, political regulation, and evolving human rights discourses. From the courtesans of ancient India and the devadasi system to the colonial regulation of brothels and the post-independence legal framework, prostitution has been entangled in debates over morality, law, and power. The state's regulatory approach, often driven by concerns of public order and morality, has frequently marginalized sex workers rather than safeguarding their rights. This paper examines the historical trajectory of prostitution in India, critically analyzes the politics of regulation, and evaluates the issue through a human rights lens, focusing on dignity, autonomy, and livelihood. Drawing on international human rights instruments and comparative models of governance, it explores the gaps in India's legal and policy framework. The study argues for a shift from a morality-driven, punitive approach to a rights-based framework that recognizes sex workers as agents entitled to protection, dignity, and equality.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Prostitution; Human Rights; Political Regulation; India; Sex Work

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This paper examines the judicial interpretation of religious freedom in India with a focus on constitutional provisions under Articles 25 to 28 and landmark judgments. The study traces the historical and constitutional foundations of religious liberty, emphasizing the framers' vision of a secular state that simultaneously respects faith and enables reform. It highlights how the judiciary has engaged with religious freedom through doctrines such as the essential religious practices test and the recognition of secularism as part of the Constitution's basic structure. Key decisions of judiciary illustrate the courts' efforts to balance conscience, minority rights, and state authority. From a human rights perspective, judicial interventions have at times strengthened dignity and pluralism, particularly in protecting minority beliefs, but they have also constrained religious autonomy by allowing judges to define theological essentials. The analysis underscores inconsistencies in judicial reasoning and reveals the impact of political contexts on religious freedom jurisprudence. The paper concludes that while the judiciary has played a pivotal role in safeguarding secularism and equality, reliance on the essential practices doctrine undermines autonomy and predictability. A shift toward a rights-based framework rooted in constitutional morality and international human rights standards is suggested as the way forward for a more consistent protection of religious freedom in India.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Religious Freedom, Indian Judiciary, Essential Practices Doctrine, Secularism, Human Rights

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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The study examines Indian Muslims' election behaviour and focuses on the determination of their choices using historical, political, and socio-economic drivers. It reflects on how political involvement among Indian Muslims evolved along with its implication on identity politics. The study utilizes a mixed-method design to examine patterns of votes between 2004 and 2014 with a focus on a consistent preference for secular and opposition parties, such as the Indian National Congress (INC), and local parties, such as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC). While comprising a significant minority, Muslims are disproportionately represented in parliaments, with their political choices impacted by communal myths, socio-political issues, and policy considerations. The study finds that whereas socioeconomic conditions and geographic distinctions affect voting, religious identity concerns and inclusiveness matter most in informing political decisions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to draw little support from Muslims because it is identified with majority politics. The findings emphasize the political relevance of Muslim votes and the impact this has on representative democracy. Policy suggestions involve increasing Muslim representation, strengthening anti-discrimination efforts, and promoting civic education to build political participation. Future research must examine the political conduct of young Muslim voters and the political impact of new media on their electoral choices.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Electoral Politics, Identity Politics, Muslim Voting, Political Representation, Voting Behavior.

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Environmental awareness is a foundational pillar for achieving sustainable urban development, especially in the face of rapid urbanization and cultural diversity. This study explores how environmental consciousness, shaped by cultural values, education, and public participation, influences urban sustainability across global contexts. It emphasizes that localized knowledge, media influence, and civic engagement are instrumental in fostering eco-friendly practices such as waste management, green infrastructure, and low-carbon transport. Through a comparative lens, the research highlights how Western, Eastern, Indigenous, and African environmental values guide urban planning differently, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive approaches. Public awareness is shown to be a catalyst in shaping green policies, driving behavioural change, promoting green entrepreneurship, and encouraging public-private partnerships. Education and media emerge as vital tools in embedding environmental values from a young age and disseminating information widely. Community involvement further amplifies the impact of sustainability initiatives through inclusive planning and localized actions. Government and NGO-led programs, including Smart Cities Mission and grassroots waste management efforts, are evaluated for their effectiveness in creating environmentally conscious urban spaces. Case studies such as the Auroville Foundation case and Noida Twin Towers demolition illustrate the legal reinforcement of sustainable development principles. However, the study also acknowledges challenges in bridging cultural gaps, such as differing worldviews, communication barriers, and socio-economic disparities. Ultimately, it advocates for an integrative, culturally adaptive framework that prioritizes environmental awareness as the bridge between policy intent and practical urban transformation, ensuring resilient, equitable, and ecologically sound cities for future generations.

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Environmental awareness, sustainable urban development, cross-cultural perspectives, public participation, eco-friendly policies, education, media, green infrastructure, cultural adaptation, urban planning.

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This study examines the relationship between digital literacy and academic achievement among secondary school students in the Jorhat region of Assam. Digital literacy, which extends beyond basic computer abilities in a culture that is becoming more and more digitalized, includes the capacity to evaluate, create, and distribute information across a range of digital platforms. The rapid shift to online education brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic has brought attention to both the advantages and disadvantages of digital education, particularly in places like Jorhat where significant infrastructural, device accessibility, and teacher preparedness shortages still exist. To ensure equitable representation of both genders, private and public schools, and urban and rural locations, 100 secondary students were selected by stratified random sampling for this study, which employed a descriptive survey approach. The data was gathered using a standardized Digital Literacy Scale (DLS), and the findings were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent t-tests, and descriptive statistics using SPSS software. The results, which revealed minimal differences in digital literacy levels across school types, gender, and location--with rural students marginally outperforming their urban counterparts--challenged conventional wisdom on internet availability and proficiency. These findings highlight the critical need for inclusive digital education policies that promote equitable access to technology, enhance teacher preparation, and address infrastructural deficiencies. Such measures are necessary to improve academic performance and provide students with the abilities they need to thrive in a global, digitally driven world.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Digital Access, ICT in Education, Secondary School Students, Digital Competency, and Educational Outcomes.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Over the last decades systematic Academic and administrative Reforms had been initiated in Higher Education. Following the Gnanam Committee recommendation, Conventional annual system has been replaced with Semester system. Further semester system has been reconfigured with choice based credit system. The University Grants Commission has announced that from 2015, all the Universities and Higher Education Institutions will have followed the Choice Based Credit System. The imperatives behind the initiatives are to cope with the 21" Century changing Knowledge landscape and to set at par with global standard. Many empirical studies show that even after graduation there is skill gap particularly Communication skill resulting many youthunemployable. Further syllabus of Higher Education was not up-to-date. There was not scope of flexibility in choice of courses and no scope of student mobility. Evaluation system was not continuous and comprehensive. Skill Component courses are minimal in the existing course curriculum. Against this backdrop CBCS system has been introduced with noble focus on learner-centric method, interdisciplinary approach, emphasis on skill based courses, flexibility of courses and student mobility:.This paper is an attempt to study issues and challenges that confront in practical implementation of CBCS.

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learner-centric approach, interdisciplinary approach Choice Based Credit System.

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Hawkers operates their business in informal sector in developing countries and are ignored in terms of planning and implementation of policies. Through empirical observation the sector contributions toward employment and generation of income have showed great concern. The several reviewed studies were done mostly in looking for the challenges facing by the hawkers. The study has revealed that, the central government and local government have not played their role to develop hawkers and contribute to economic development. The Paper tries to cover randomly on the route of New Coochbehar to New Jalpaiguri and Dhubri to New Jalpaiguri for the purpose of this study.In most of the cases, the temporary jobs are of low income and the job security is pitiable (Alivelu, 2008). Hawking is covering a big portion of the informal sector of Indian economy (Bhowmik, 2009). An enormous number of people undeterred by unemployment have chosen this profession who sell out all possible items on footpath, roads, bus stands even to passengers on trains and at stations.The New Jalpaiguri-New Coochbehar and New Jalpaiguri -Dhubri railway lines are connecting the railway station of Assam and rest of the North East. NJP and NCB is busiest route under Alipurduar Division. Many people of the adjacent to Railway station of these two railway route directly or indirectly maintain their livelihoods by working as a hawker in the train or opening different types of stall in the different railway station. This paper explores the realities of train hawking and the difficulties of train hawkers. This paper try to looks at the dynamics of their business and highlights their daily struggle from different angle and their survival with the situation.

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Hawkers,Train, Passengers, Business,Station,Platform.

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The shift from conventional to organic farming has gained substantial momentum in recent years, both globally and in India. This transition is driven by an increasing awareness of environmental degradation, health concerns associated with chemical-laden produce, and the growing consumer demand for sustainable, organic products. Karnataka, a state characterized by diverse agro-climatic zones and a history of progressive agricultural policies, is emerging as a significant hub for organic agriculture in India. Small and marginal farmers across the state are increasingly turning to organic farming as a means to improve long-term soil health, reduce input costs, and tap into premium markets. This paper investigates the economic feasibility of adopting organic farming in Karnataka and explores the market linkages that facilitate or hinder the success of these farmers. Drawing from a comprehensive review of literature, policy analysis, case studies from multiple districts, and stakeholder interviews, the study evaluates critical factors such as input costs, yield trends, subsidy mechanisms, certification processes, and access to domestic and international markets. Findings reveal that, while organic farming is environmentally beneficial and potentially profitable, significant barriers remain. These include high transition costs, a lack of streamlined certification systems, inadequate marketing infrastructure, and limited farmer awareness. The paper concludes by offering strategic recommendations to strengthen institutional frameworks, reduce certification burdens, enhance market connectivity, and improve farmer education for a more inclusive and viable organic farming ecosystem in Karnataka.

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Organic farming, Karnataka agriculture, economic feasibility, sustainable farming, market linkages, organic certification, smallholder farmers, traditional agriculture, eco-friendly farming, farm income diversification.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Millions of tons of non-biodegradable plastic waste are accumulated in landfill and ocean each year which causes one of the biggest sources of pollution globally. At the same time, the construction developers are under pressure to adopt sustainable materials. The survey will look at the feasibility of using recycled plastic waste material as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in concrete block production. This study uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as sand replacement in varying proportions (5%,10%,15%,20 %) for building Concrete blocks after they were tested for their strength. The results show that up to 10% replacing output comparable compressive strength to conventional concrete, but higher replacing degree reduces compressive strength due to poor interfacial soldering and increased void message The survey looked at loser mechanism, denseness variation, and mix behaviour. Microstructural analytic thinking shows that plastic atoms can reduce cleft extension. The potential welfare is offset by decreased coherence and rigidness when plastic message exceeds optimal threshold. The comprehension of recycled plastic helps address environmental concerns and contributes to lightweight building solutions. The determination supports the usage of recycled plastic as a viable constituent for non-loading-heading application and paves the manner for further inquiry into hybrid waste material integrating, long-condition lastingness appraisal and insurance policy evolution for sustainable building practice.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Recycled plastic waste, PET concrete, compressive strength, sustainable concrete, plastic aggregate, lightweight construction, eco-friendly building materials, concrete block testing, waste utilization, non-structural applications

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition