Volume 14 | Issue 8 |

 Abstract

Toy-Based Pedagogy has emerged as an innovative and child-centred teaching approach that promotes experiential, activity-based, and joyful learning among young learners. In India, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) 2022 advocate the integration of toy-based learning to enhance children's holistic development. The present study aims to examine teachers' perceptions towards the implementation of Toy-Based Pedagogy in preparatory classes, identify the challenges faced by teachers, assess their preparedness and professional training, and suggest measures for improving its effective implementation. The study adopts a descriptive research design based entirely on secondary data. Relevant information was collected from policy documents, including NEP 2020 and NCF-FS 2022, the NCERT Toy-Based Pedagogy Handbook, books, peer-reviewed research articles, government reports, and other authentic academic sources. The collected data were analysed through thematic analysis.

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 Keywords

Toy-Based Pedagogy; Teachers' Perception; Preparatory Classes; NEP 2020; Experiential Learning.

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Migration has become an important demographic and economic process in Uttarakhand, especially in its Himalayan districts. Large-scale temporary and permanent out-migration has changed rural livelihoods and settlement patterns. This study looks at the patterns, causes, and social and economic effects of migration in the state using secondary data from census records, government reports, and existing literature. The findings show that migration mainly happens because of limited job options, low agricultural productivity, land fragmentation, insufficient education and health services, poor infrastructure, and growing human-wildlife conflict in the hills. Meanwhile, urban centers attract people due to better job opportunities. Migration has led to rural depopulation, an increase in partially abandoned villages, labor shortages, and more women taking on agricultural roles in the hills. At the same time, remittances from migrants are important for supporting household incomes and reducing economic risks. The study points out that migration in Uttarakhand highlights long-standing regional development gaps. It stresses the need for specific development strategies for the hills to tackle the root causes and encourage sustainable economic growth.

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livelihoods , migration

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This critical study evaluates the status of inclusive education for rural girls at the primary education level in India (Classes I-V) in direct relation to Sustainable Development Goal 4.5 (SDG 4.5). Utilizing secondary quantitative data from Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) reports covering 2021-22 through 2024-25, alongside national educational policy frameworks, this paper analyzes national performance trends across three core indicators: primary level enrollment, Gender Parity Index (GPI), and dropout rates. The empirical analysis reveals a gradual decrease in overall primary enrollment from 12.18 crore in 2021-22 to 10.44 crore in 2024-25, primarily driven by demographic transitions and enhanced student tracking under UDISE+. Concurrently, the Gender Parity Index consistently remained above parity (1.03 to 1.05), reflecting substantial structural progress in girls' educational access. However, dropout rates exhibited temporary fluctuations (peaking at 7.8% before stabilizing near 0.0%-0.3%), underscoring persistent socio-economic, infrastructural, and cultural vulnerabilities in rural areas. The study concludes that achieving complete inclusion under SDG 4.5 requires sustained, targeted interventions, including gender-segregated sanitation, financial incentives, community engagement, and gender-responsive pedagogy.

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Inclusive Education, Rural Girls, Primary Education, SDG 4.5, Gender Parity Index

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This paper explores the social life of the Nagas as depicted in the Nilamata Purana, focusing on their evolving relationship with humans and their role in shaping the cultural and social foundations of early Kashmir. Rather than viewing the Nagas as purely mythological entities, the study examines their active participation in the region's sacred geography and community development. Through narratives involving figures such as Jalodbhava, Candradeva, and King Nila, the text reveals how the Nagas mediated between divine will and human need, gradually enabling a shift from conflict to coexistence. The paper also investigates the social organization of the Naga community, as evidenced by extensive genealogical records and leadership hierarchies, suggesting a structured and functioning society. Themes of hospitality, spiritual authority, and cosmic regulation emerge throughout the text, reflecting the Nagas' significance beyond myth. The research highlights the Nilamata Purana not only as a religious text but also as a valuable source for understanding the cultural memory and early societal imagination of Kashmir, where the Nagas served as both symbols and agents of social order, environmental guardianship, and ritual continuity.

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Nagas, Nilamata Purana, Early Kashmir, Naga-Human Relations, Mythology

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In Comprehending the essence of Humanity believed to be transpired into the Cyborg world. This paper will establish the social construct of evolution in humans which has been pictured, believed and assimilated in today's world of Technology. By exploring the Cyborg world presented by Donna J. Haraway, in her works such as 'A Cyborg Manifesto', 'Simians, Cyborgs and women' and 'when species meet', these works will elicit the reality of a future we are living in now, wherein we are perceived and identified as Cyborgs. This reality enabled by scientific advancements entail all realms of our existence, such as political, social, religious and cultural, that can be influenced and affected by this approach. My argument gravitates towards the optimistic approaches along with philosophical notions in order to salvage the possibility of a humane Technoculture in today's world and the future. Donna J Haraway's essay is pregnant with hypothetical question of a world of Cyborgs and in the ways it's going to blur the boundaries between man and the machine and man and animal. And hence, essentially breaking these boundaries could be the solution to a humane Technoculture.

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Humanity, Cyborg world, Technology, Optimistic, philosophical, humane, Technoculture, Boundaries.

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Keywords: Basic Life Support, Video-Assisted Teaching Programme, Fourth-Class Workers, Knowledge, Hospital Support Staff, Rajasthan

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Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, Structured Teaching Programme, Fourth-Class Workers, Hospital Support Staff, Knowledge, Rajasthan

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ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Breast milk is the perfect food for human infants. It is markedly different from, and uniquely superior to, artificial baby milk. Superiority of human milk is due to its superior nutritive and protective value. It provides total nutrient requirement for the first six months of life. It also prevents malnutrition and allows the child to develop fully. But when there is not enough mother's milk available due to some reasons like mother has insufficient milk glands, has had past breast surgery or is taking medication (eg: chemotherapy for cancer) and has an infection that could spread to her baby through breast feeding. For these babies an alternative must be sought. Breast milk is the main source of food for the baby, which is necessary for its growth and development. every mother looks forwards for a healthy baby. Breastfeeding also allows mother and baby to bond emotionally. WHO Recommended exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months and continue till two years of age along with weaning. Background of the study: - Breast milk that has been expressed, pasteurized and stored in sterilized conditions is safe and healthy for babies. The milk in the human milk bank is collected from donor mothers on the third day after giving birth, if they fulfil certain safety criteria that have been set by the hospital. The milk bank has one refrigerator, one sterilizer and two pasteurizers. The steel containers are washed and sterilized in the sterilizer. The containers are then sent for collection of milk. The technician washes her hands, and labels the containers. The milk is pasteurized in the pasteurizer for half an hour at the prescribed temperature. A sample is taken and sent to microbiology department for testing for infections. After the report comes the milk is stored in the freezer at -20 degrees C. Milk thus collected can be stored for 3 to 6 months in prescribed conditions. Objectives of the study: - To assess the pretest knowledge regarding Human milk Banking among the postnatal mothers at selected rural area. To assess the effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge regarding human milk banking among the postnatal mothers at selected rural area. To determine the association between post-test knowledge scores & demographic variables among the postnatal mothers at selected rural area. Methodology: - A study was conducted on 60 among postnatal mothers a Quasi- experimental, one-group-pretest-post-test research design at selected area rural areas and the samples for the study were selected by using convenient sampling method. A tool was prepared to assess the effectiveness of informational booklet on knowledge regarding human milk banking among postnatal mothers which was divided into two parts i.e., Part 1 of demographic data and part 2 of structured questionnaire regarding knowledge on human milk bank. The content validity was done by various experts and the reliability of the tool was obtained by using Parallel Form method of reliability. A pilot study was conducted on 06 samples to check the feasibility of the study, and it was found to be feasible to conduct main study. The final data for main study was collected over 60 samples. Result: - in this study, At the time of pre-test, 35% of the postnatal mothers had poor knowledge, 61.67% of the mothers had average knowledge and 3.33% of them had good knowledge regarding human milk banking. Then post-test, no one of the postnatal mothers had poor knowledge, 28.33% of the mothers had average knowledge and 71.67% of them had good knowledge regarding human milk banking. Which, signifies the positive difference between the pretest and post-test. Conclusion: - This Study concludes that informational booklet is helpful to improve knowledge regarding human milk banking among postnatal mothers in selected rural areas.

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Human Milk Banking

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Spiritual care has always been central to pastoral ministry, yet pastoral leadership today also includes increasing organisational and administrative responsibilities. This study examines whether Spiritual Care and Growth functions as a marker of effective pastoral leadership by exploring the perceptions of pastors and congregants regarding ministry effectiveness. A convergent mixed-method design was used, involving 28 pastors and 336 congregants through structured questionnaires, together with semi-structured interviews with retired senior pastors. The analysis indicates that Spiritual Care and Growth emerged as the strongest indicator of ministry effectiveness. It also received the highest rating from the congregants and was the only leadership dimension in which congregants rated pastors higher than pastors rated themselves. Taken together, the findings suggest that congregants understand pastoral leadership primarily through spiritual care, guidance, pastoral presence and relational involvement rather than through organisational responsibilities alone. The findings further suggest that spiritual care remains central to effective pastoral leadership, while organisational and administrative responsibilities fulfil their purpose when they support the church's pastoral ministry of nurturing, guiding and caring for God's people.

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Pastoral leadership; Spiritual care; Ministry effectiveness; Pastoral ministry; Shepherding; Pastoral presence.

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