Memory, genealogy, and the custodians of time: a study of pilgrimage ledgers in North India

Interest in strategic rhythms, which represent temporal patterns of ongoing strategic activities, is surging rapidly. The importance of rhythms has also been widely recognized for firms competing in dynamic environments. This is particularly relevant in the digital economy. The advances in digital technologies lead the world towards a new era of business by redefining firm interfaces with consumer, firm, and environment. Firms competing in the digital economy must deal with novel challenges, which impel firms to develop a new playbook of temporal rhythms. First, firms’ engagement with customers has transformed from discrete events to a continuous process, which require firms to develop new temporal strategies. Second, the digital environment is changing rapidly, moving beyond firms’ capabilities to keep up. Therefore, firms have to develop their own rhythms by selectively entraining to important environmental conditions. Third, firms competing in the digital economy thrive in an ecosystem, where their success is highly dependent on coordination with diverse partners. To align the timing of their strategic moves with multiple partners, they have to enact temporal rhythms on their partners. The challenges of the digital economy push firms to arrange strategic activities in a temporal rhythm Such unique aspects of digital economy require substantial advance of extant temporal frameworks in strategy, technology and entrepreneurship. Our panel aims at catalyzing the discussion on the intersection of temporal rhythms and emerging phenomenon of digital economy to explore some novel venues for extending current research in a digital context.

This chapter explores how the documentary films Tokyo Ga (1985) by Wim Wenders and The Korean Wedding Chest (2009) by Ulrike Ottinger engage with temporal rhythms. Wenders and Ottinger probe the connections between the new and the old in Tokyo and Seoul respectively, especially in the way that images—through films and photography—mediate the relationship between the two. The two directors investigate this relationship in their films by evoking different aspects of temporality. Wenders highlights the acceleration of work and life rhythms as well as the circulation of images that mark life in Tokyo, while simultaneously harkening back to the spaces and figures familiarized through Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu’s (1903–63) films. Ottinger focuses instead on the rhythms of lifecycle rituals and their intercalation with the rhythms of the wedding industry, through her portrait of a Korean wedding in Seoul. This chapter examines how both films illustrate the importance of temporality to considerations of space, underscore the polyrhythmicity of urban spaces, and call attention to the link between cinematic rhythms and representations.

Background:Numerous methods of age estimation have been proposed. The Demirjian method which was first applied in a French-Canadian population in 1972 is the most frequently used dental age estimation method. However, a constant over estimation using this method has been reported by numerous researchers. The Willems method is a modification of the above and was first applied in a Belgian Caucasian population in 2002. Several studies in the recent years found Willems method to be more accurate than the original Demirjians method.Objectives:The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of Willems method for dental age estimation in 6 -15-year-old North Indian children.Methods:The sample for this cross sectional study consisted of 390 OPGs of (215 boys and 175 girls) randomly selected from the patient records of a post graduate training dental college in North India. Exact chronological age of the subjects (in years and months) was calculated. The OPGs were used to score the seven mandibular teeth and dental age was estimated using the tables proposed in Willems method.Results:Significant correlation between the chronological age and dental age estimated using Willems method was observed in both males (r = 0.90) and females (r = 0.87). The mean difference between estimated DA and CA for males was 0.004 ± 1.08 years (P = 0.94). While for females, it was 0.031 ± 1.18 years (P = 0.72). The results showed no statistically significant difference between chronological age and dental age estimated using Willems method in the study population.Conclusion:Willems dental age estimation method without any modification can predict the chronological age of 6-15 year old North Indian children with good accuracy.

Rural markets serve as pivotal economic and social hubs in developing economies, facilitating the exchange of goods and services, particularly agricultural commodities, and playing a crucial role in rural transformation. This geographical inquiry delves into the genesis, growth, and spatio-temporal distribution of these vital market systems within the context of North India. Drawing upon established theories of central places and market geography, coupled with empirical insights from various regional studies, this article analyzes the historical evolution of rural markets, their spatial organization, and the temporal rhythms that govern their operation. The findings highlight the complex interplay of historical, economic, social, and geographical factors in shaping market landscapes, demonstrating both adherence to theoretical models and unique regional adaptations. Understanding these dynamics is essential for informed rural development planning and enhancing the economic well-being of agrarian communities.

Different temporal rhythms may be distinguished among the coordinated physiological processes that take place in the brain. The phenomenon of time consciousness is intimately connected with the dynamics of the brain’s different states of consciousness. The theory of complex systems far from thermal equilibrium has been used to formulate explanations for the emergence of consciousness. Consciousness is acordingly understood as a macroscopic, global-ordered state of neural switching patterns that result from microscopic local interactions in the complex networks of the brain. Time consciousness is not contradicted by physics but it can be explained as resulting from a complex neural interaction process. From the point of view of computer science, the question arises about what connections exist between computer machine time and human time consciousness.

Background: Pregnancy is not a disease, but a normal physiological process; still it is associated with certain risk to the health and survival of both the mother and the child. Oral health is an essential component of the overall health status of a pregnant woman. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude about the association between periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes among pregnant women in Modinagar, North India. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted, which comprised of pregnant women visiting for Antenatal checkup at a public health care (Community Health Care) system in Modinagar, a North Indian city. A self-administered validated questionnaire in local language (Hindi) was used. This 30-item closed ended questionnaire consisted of different domains of oral hygiene practices, importance of periodontitis obstetric outcomes and demographic information. A 5 – point Likert scale was used to assess the attitudes of pregnant women. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Mean, Standard deviation, and Independent t-test were used to compare the knowledge and attitude about the association of maternal periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes between the two groups of women: Prima gravida and Multi gravida. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Two hundred pregnant women participated in the study (50% each of Prima gravida and Multi gravida). The mean age of participants was found to be 32.88 ± 0.86 years. Most of the study population had poor knowledge (33%) and attitude (18.4%) about the association between maternal periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes. For knowledge, a mean difference of 0.23 (P ≤ 0.05) between the two groups, which was found to be significant regarding whether visiting a dentist during pregnancy is necessary. First time pregnant (Prima gravida) has less knowledge compared with Multi gravida women regarding poor oral health which can lead to any complications during pregnancy. Conclusions: There is a knowledge deficit about pregnancy-induced periodontitis symptoms, prevention of complications and about the impact of obstetric outcomes among the mothers. Health-care providers should implement the focused health education programs during antenatal visit.

Objectives:Bullying among adolescents is one of the important but neglected health concerns, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of bullying among Indian adolescents.Study Design:This was a cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:The prevalence of self-reported involvement in any kind of bullying was assessed among sixth to tenth class students (n = 667, mean age 13 years), across government (n = 359) and private (n = 308) schools using Olweus Bully-Victim Questionnaire in Chandigarh, a North Indian union territory. Self-esteem and emotional and behavioral difficulties of the participants were measured by using standard Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression was done to determine the predictors of bullying.Results:Prevalence of any kind of bullying was 25.6% (16% victimization, 5.2% perpetration, and 4.3% being bully-victim). Verbal bullying was the most common (55.1%), followed by physical (32.7%) and relational (25.2%) bullying. The prevalence of cyberbullying was 2.7%. Around 44% of students reported that adults in school never did anything to stop bullying. Bully-victims had the highest mean difficulty score (16.07). Significant predictors of bullying were being male (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5 [1.5–4.2], P < 0.001); studying in government school (OR = 0.63 [0.41–0.99], P = 0.048); having abnormal emotions (OR = 2.24 [1.1–4.7], P = 0.035); and poor peer relations (OR = 2.77 [1.44–5.35], P = 0.002).Conclusions:One in four adolescents experience some form of bullying in schools in a North Indian city. Bullying perpetration and victimization is associated with gender, type of school, and abnormal difficulties (emotional and behavioral problems).

Obesity has already been a global epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. Its increasing prevalence has implications on the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which, in turn, could impact the health system and thereby the society in an adverse manner. Lack of community-based screening programs can lead to missed or late detection of CKD. The current study aims to estimate the prevalence of CKD in overweight and obese general population attending a screening camp in a tertiary care hospital in a North Indian city. In this cross-sectional study, 103 overweight and obese people from a community attending a health camp were screened for serum creatinine, urine analysis, random blood sugar, and uric acid. Demographic and anthropometric parameters were noted. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to find the predictors of CKD in these patients. The median age of the participants was 43 years with a male predominance (68%). More than half (58.4%) of the participants were obese and the remaining 41.6% were overweight. The overall prevalence of CKD was 17.5%. Individuals with obesity and diabetes were more prone to develop CKD (odds ratio = 4.868 and 7.941, respectively). CKD was prevalent in individuals with obesity. Obesity and diabetes were the significant predictors for the development of CKD. All the overweight and obese individuals should be periodically screened for kidney diseases.

Impact of brick kilns on land use/landcover changes around Aligarh city, India

India is a signatory to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and also enacted cigarettes and other tobacco products Act (COTPA) in 2003. To undertake a comprehensive assessment (Section 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 under COTPA) of legislation against tobacco products in a North Indian city. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at 108 public places which included educational institutions, offices, health institutes, transit sites, and hotels/restaurants. Structured checklists with compliance indicators for various sections under COTPA were used. Different brands of tobacco products were observed for pictorial warnings. No active smoking was observed at 80.5% public places, while 54.6% places had displayed "No smoking" signage. About 68.5% public places were found free of evidence of smell/ashes of recent smoking, and 86.1% places had no smoking aids. Merely, one-third public places (36.1%) were complying with all Section 4 indicators. Around 42.3% point of sale had advertisements of tobacco products, and 73.1% had a display of tobacco products visible to minors. Around 60% educational institutions displayed signages as per Section 6b of COTPA, and 32.5% had tobacco shops being run within 100 yards of institution's radius. There was minimal smoking activity within the campus. Health warnings were present in 80.8% of tobacco products, more with Indian brands as compared to foreign brands. The city of Chandigarh, which was declared the first smoke-free city of India, showed poor compliance with COTPA.

Banaras, a city located in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, offers its residents many types of schools for pre-university education. This article argues that only some schools, those bifurcated by a distinction between ones that utilize Hindi and ones that utilize English, cater to those people who belong to what a large number of media venues and scholars call India's "new middle class." By using the growingly salient notion of language ideology, this article explores the ways in which particular constructions of the Indian nation and state emerge from discursive reflection on schools in Banaras. When reflecting on the language in which classroom practice occurs in a school, people in Banaras foreground the nation as an organizing idiom, whereas when reflecting on school practices such as the collection of school fees and the affiliation of a school with an administrative board, people in Banaras foreground the state. By tracing the very different parameters of moral judgment that emerge within the two domains, this article calls for the study of constructions of the nation and state that illustrate the possibilities of their conceptualization in tandem.

Context Childhood obesity is defined based on body mass index (BMI) criteria. Asian adults have more abdominal adiposity as compared to Western people for an equivalent BMI. Similarly, children who are non-obese/overweight by BMI criteria may have abdominal obesity. It is important to identify and target this population to reduce future cardiovascular risk. Objective To evaluate and inter-relate the prevalence of obesity subtypes (generalized and abdominal) in school going adolescents. Methods A randomized cross-sectional community based study was conducted, which was carried out in 13 schools of Chandigarh, a North Indian city. 10,037 school going adolescents of age 10-18 years were evaluated. Results The prevalence of overweight and generalized obesity in present study was 9.3 and 4.9% respectively. Generalized obesity was observed in 4.2% of males and 5.7% of females (p-Value=0.001). The abdominal obesity was noted in 5.4% of children and its prevalence increased progressively with age. The prevalence was highest in 16-18 years age-group (7.6%, p<0.001). 39.3% of abdominally obese subjects were not obese by BMI criteria, while prevalence of abdominal obesity in nonobese adolescents was 2.24%. It was more prevalent in females (3.7%) than males (3%, p=0.025). Prevalence of obesity was 7.9 and 1.8% in private and government schools respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions Abdominal obesity is more prevalent than generalized obesity and shows increasing trend with age. Interestingly, over one third of centrally obese adolescents are not obese by BMI criteria. This underlines the importance of waist circumference measurement in addition to BMI while assessing obesity.

The complexity of the situation in an Indian village as regards law and the process of settling disputes can be only briefly catalogued in this paper. To start, let me briefly summarize the social system of a particular region in India. Senapur is a large, multicaste village in Jaunpur District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, 1 and my remarks, unless otherwise specified, relate to Senapur and the immediately surrounding locality, which is called Dobhi Taluka or Tuppah. Dobhi Taluka is an area of forty square miles with roughly one hundred

With the mandate of the Indian Government to improve health services for the population, improving patients' satisfaction with outpatient department (OPD) services is vital. Many scales developed in Western societies to assess patient satisfaction may not be appropriate to the Indian health care system. The aim of this study was to develop and conduct initial psychometric testing of a satisfaction questionnaire for patients attending OPDs in North India. The North India Outpatient Department Satisfaction Scale (NIOPDSS) was initially constructed based on a Delphi consensus among experts. After pretesting on a small number of patients, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 942 outpatients in Chandigarh, North India. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire in terms of content validity, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and reliability were assessed. Eighty items were generated from the Delphi exercise. After assessing the content validity, data quality and construct validity of the questionnaire, a final instrument with 17 items representing six dimensions of patient satisfaction was developed. The internal consistency ranged from 0.72 to 0.93 and intra-class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.52 to 0.80. NIOPDSS appears to be a reliable and valid measure of patient satisfaction for patients attending OPDs in North India. Further research should be carried out with different outpatient populations to assess the wider performance of the questionnaire.

Abstracts: The distinction between “ folk” and “classical” is frequently invoked in discourses about North Indian music. This article investigates drumming traditions in the North Indian city of Banaras (Varanasi) to explore the nature of this distinction. Drawing on historical, ethnographic, and formalist methodologies, it proposes a dialectical approach to the study of drumming in North India. Particular attention is given to the structure of hereditary musical labor, the intertwined history of dancing and drumming, and the relationship between folk and classical drumming traditions in Banaras.