Kolkata Research Articles

Bipolar Expected Value-based MCDM Technique for Wastewater Management under Trapezoidal Bipolar Fuzzy Environment

: Kolkata is located on western bank of the Hooghly River. Wastewater from the city is discharged into this river and pollutes the river water. It causes maximum negative effects than positive impacts. Many uncertainties and bipolarity occur for this reason. Through the bipolar fuzzy concept, we can easily take the determination for this situation. A bipolar fuzzy expected is an effective tool for illustrating uncertainty and fuzziness in a decision-making problem. There-fore, in this paper, we have invented the bipolar expected value of bipolar fuzzy numbers. In addition, we have invented a few formulae and a theorem based on bipolar expected values. Using this bipolar expected value, we developed a novel MCDM technique, and it's employed for wastewater management problems in Kolkata city under a bipolar environment. Numerically, we have solved the wastewater management problem under a bipolar fuzzy environment.

Climate change impact assessment of variations in temperature trends across India: a case study

ABSTRACT Extreme weather events are becoming more severe and frequent worldwide. This study employs the Mann–Kendall test and Thein-Sen estimator for analysing the mean temperature trend in India’s four densely populated metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The trend reveals rising temperatures across four Indian regions with the change being more dominant under RCP 8.5 scenario. By the end of the twenty-first century, RCP 4.5 and 8.5 anticipate a significant rise in mean temperature of 6.0°C and 9.0°C in the Western Himalayas, 5.0°C and 7.5°C in East India and 4.0°C and 7.0°C in the Thar Desert’s south-eastern region. Spatio-temporal variation also indicated the influence of heat waves across different regions of India in the late twenty-first century. There should be relevant long-term and short-term policies to mitigate the effect of climate change and optimise the mortality rate caused by heat stress.

Pretesting of Printed Information, Education and Communication Materials among Diabetic Patients who are (30 to 80) Years Old in South Kolkata, at Ward no 144, West Bengal

Background: In India, the (IEC) Information, Education & Communication strategy is designed to enhance public awareness and disseminate crucial information about the various benefits offered under the different schemes and programs initiated by the Ministry. This strategy plays a pivotal role in guiding citizens on effectively accessing these benefits, ensuring that the intended population is well-informed and empowered to take advantage of the available resources. A brief study was conducted to pretest the IEC material related to Diabetes Mellitus in a specific ward in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Following this, we will evaluate and analyse the IEC material.  Methods: A locality‐based cross‐sectional mix method study was conducted in south Kolkata ward no 144, West Bengal from 10/05/2024 to 31/05/2024.A predesigned pretested semi‐structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative variables. Data were collected through personal face-to-face interviews using Epi‐Collect 5 and analysed using EXCEL and SPSS.  Result: Out of 20 study participants, Cent per cent(20) of study participants voted that the IEC material is attractive. The brochure is interesting enough to attract and hold the attention of the target audience, participants like it. several messages attract the most attention. 95%(19)clearly understand, almost comprehensible. Cent per cent(20) of participants accepted that IEC material is not offensive/inappropriate for the individuals or community. The brochure is perceived by individuals in the target audience. They feel that the brochure is made for themselves or made for those who are suffering from diabetic mellitus. Cent per cent(20) of the IEC material is relevant. Cent per cent(20) target audience opined that call to action regarding pretesting IEC material. The target audience is those suffering from diabetic mellitus and complications. Cent per cent(20) of the brochure can convince the study participants to undertake the desired behaviour.25%(5) target audience opined that brochures regarding diabetic mellitus should be improved.  Conclusion: In this short study, we discovered that the use of (Brochure)IEC materials was affected by a variety of factors. Therefore, essential to focus on these IEC materials and strive for enhancements in their quality. Improving the quality of brochures can lead to better comprehension and engagement among the target audience. By addressing the many specific qualitative variables that influence their effectiveness, we can ensure that these materials serve their intended purpose more effectively. This will not only facilitate better communication but also promote a deeper understanding of the information being conveyed. This brochure(IEC) material could be implemented after the improvement of quality in Kolkata 144 no ward, West Bengal.

“Transgenders are not dinosaurs!” Stigma faced by transgender women in their daily lives in India: implications for research and policy

Background Transgender women face stigma that adversely impacts their mental wellbeing. The stigma can be self-directed (internal), discrimination, violence and hatred directed towards them by others, mostly cis-gender persons (interpersonal stigma) and discrimination faced at the level of institutional arrangements (structural stigma). Methods This was an exploratory study that used qualitative methods of data collection (focused group discussions and in-depth interviews) to gather data from consenting adult trans women who lived in the city of Kolkata situated in the eastern state of West Bengal in India. Results The findings showed that trans women faced the trauma of non-acceptance and even rejection by their families when they began to express their chosen gender. Their gender non-conforming behaviour made them the butt of ridicule and harassment in school, resulting in many of them not finishing school. This made finding employment difficult. The trans women study participants also faced harassment at the hands of the police and from hospital staff, making them reluctant to approach the police for help and seek treatment from health providers for their physical as well as mental health concerns. Conclusions It is important for researchers to be cognizant of the challenges faced by trans women/transgender people while designing and conducting research. It is also important for policymakers to make gender affirming policies to mitigate and eliminate the stigma that transgender people are subject to thereby promoting their wellbeing.

Sewage Treatment by Kolkata’s Natural Wetland System

The metropolis of Kolkata stands uniquely positioned to implement a natural sewage treatment paradigm through the utilization of waste stabilization ponds, specifically within the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW). These shallow oxidation ponds harness solar irradiation and algae bacteria symbiotic processes to effectively treat incoming sewage. Concurrently, nutrient-rich effluents are assimilated through fish production, converting available nutrients into protein—a hallmark of nature-based treatment. A portion of raw sewage is used to cultivate a chunk of vegetables before treatment in fish ponds, and the reclaimed water after treatment is used for vegetable and paddy cultivation downstream. This investigation explains the delineation of a sewage flow system to EKW, a Ramsar-designated site. Substantively, it offers quantitative insights into the sewage volumes and quality undergoing treatment. The sewage flow is higher in the winter months (909.07 MLD) compared to the summer months (709.34 MLD). In general, the sewage from the Kolkata city flowing to the EKW is moderately polluted. Extensive scrutiny of sewage from pond inlets and outlets serves as a quantitative metric for evaluating treatment efficacy. EKW efficiently treats the sewage, demonstrating 59.1% Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal and a 99.28% reduction in fecal coliform. The natural treatment system excels in removing ammoniacal nitrogen (80.38%) and phosphate (90%). The treated water’s quality along the EKW boundary, culminating at the Kulti Gong River discharge point, was systematically assessed. Analytical findings indicate that all measured concentrations in the treated water adhere to prescribed inland surface water discharge standards prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board, India, barring a marginal elevation in BOD during winter. Evidently, the EKW system adeptly manages substantial sewage volumes, fostering efficient treatment while concurrently facilitating resource recovery through fish production, yielding economic dividends. Despite its substantial land footprint, preserving this inherently sustainable wastewater management paradigm is imperative.

Effect of Blended Learning Strategy on Learning Outcome in Educational Psychology of Pre-Service Teachers of B.Ed. Programme

The key aim of this study is to investigate the effect of blended learning strategy on learning outcome in Educational Psychology of pre-service teachers of 2-year B.Ed. programme. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design was employed. Only one state university located in Kolkata city was selected through simple random sampling. The sample for this study was comprised of 92 pre-service teachers available in second semester of 2-year B.Ed. programme in 2024 running under the Department of Education of that university. The two units of B.Ed. programme were assigned randomly as experimental group (N=48) and control group (N=44) respectively. For collecting the data, a learning outcome test with a reliability coefficient of 0.82 developed and standardised by the investigator was used. For analysing the data, one-way ANCOVA and 2×2 factorial design ANCOVA were applied. The findings demonstrated that the experimental group learners achieved higher learning outcome in comparison to the control group learners. Learning outcome in educational psychology of pre-service teachers was found to be independent on gender Further, findings of this study also showed that there was no significant effect of interaction between treatment and gender on learning outcome in Education Psychology, when their pre-learning outcome was considered as a covariate. Outcomes of this study can be implemented in improving the competency level of pre-service teachers in different teacher education programmes.

Police Responses to Rape in Metropolitan India

Much of the published research on police responses to rape is located in the West. This study conducted in-depth interviews with three adult victim-survivors and 15 police personnel to explore police responses to rape in the metropolitan city of Kolkata, India. Using an intersectional feminist framework, a reflexive thematic analysis indicated both sensitive and insensitive responses and showed that police responses were often based on discretion rather than being guided by the law. Police responses were also shaped by occupational culture, the socio-political environment, the police–criminal nexus and media coverage. The research sheds light on the unique cultural context of policing rape in metropolitan India. It adds to discussions regarding women’s police stations and changes in policing to address sexual violence.

Modelling the present and future scenario of urban green space vulnerability using PSR based AHP and MLP models in a Metropolitan city Kolkata Municipal Corporation

ABSTRACT Urban green spaces, despite their recognized importance for sustainable urban development, face significant challenges to their resilience and viability due to rapid urbanization and various associated pressures. The scientific problem addressed in this paper is the vulnerability of urban green spaces to various stressors, including proximity to settlement, land use and land cover changes, and proximity to roads, among others. Despite their importance, there is a lack of comprehensive assessments and frameworks to systematically evaluate and address this vulnerability. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by employing a multi-criteria decision-making framework, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework. By analyzing 10 indicators related to urban green space vulnerability through a pairwise comparison matrix, the study identifies critical factors influencing vulnerability and categorizes urban green spaces into different susceptibility levels. Additionally, the research extends its analysis to future scenario development for the years 2030 and 2040, using a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) based Markov Chain model, incorporating various parameters such as distances from built-up areas, roads, rails, streams, slopes, and elevation. Through these methodologies, the study aims to provide valuable insights to urban planners, policymakers, and environmental practitioners, enabling them to make informed decisions to enhance the resilience and sustainability of urban green spaces and urban areas as a whole.

GIS-Based Assessment of Best Route in Complex Traffic Environment: A Case of Kolkata Municipal Corporation

In an emergency like an urban fire, road accident, or critical condition of patients, the shortest possible route to reach the destination is one of the most sought-after issues in transportation studies. However, the physical distance of the shortest route becomes longer distance than the travel time distance due to traffic congestion in metropolitan cities like that of Kolkata. So, the selection of an alternative route is essential to organize the journey logically. A well-structured road network provides multiple options to road users for selection of the best route from the shortest and alternative route according to their demand. So, the present study aims to identify the structural characteristics of road networks by graph theory and the selection of the best route using the GIS technique. It has been found that the road network of Kolkata is characterized by complex structure and grid configuration of the network. Selection of the best route also ranges from the shortest route to alternative route due to spatial variation of traffic speed on different roads in peak hours. The current study identifies the optimal route in terms of travel time to reach the required destinations during peak hour duration in the city of Kolkata.

COVID-19 lockdown impact on air quality and associated health benefit in two contrasting urban cities in Eastern Indo Gangetic Plain

A key challenge in controlling deteriorating urban air quality is a lack of clear understanding of the regional emissions characteristics and their impact on human health. COVID-19 lockdown provided an opportunity to enhance understanding of background air quality. Towards this, we studied the effect of the lockdown on air pollutants level and associated health benefits in two contrasting urban cities of Eastern IGP, Asansol (industrial) and Kolkata (metropolitan), by analyzing data from 2019 to 2021. The outcomes revealed that the level of exceedance of air pollutants is usually higher in Asansol but significantly decreased in both cities during the lockdown period. Particle concentrations were reduced by 50–70 % compared to Pre-Lockdown and by 20–35 % against the same period in 2019. Kolkata witnessed a higher reduction in PM levels than Asansol. Diurnal variation comparison showed a higher reduction of particle levels during lockdown in the morning at Asansol while in the evening at Kolkata. The health benefits associated with the reduction in PM2.5 concentration were quantified using the BenMAP-CE model, which revealed that improving air quality, like during the lockdown period, would save annually 0.46 and 2.91 deaths per 100,000 persons in Asansol and Kolkata, respectively. Altogether, this study's outcomes provide essential insights to policymakers for regional factors associated to varying air quality and health benefits associated to improvement in air quality.

Significance of Socio-Cultural Relationships Between River Ghats and Local Communities in Conserving the River Ghats: The Case of Baghbazar Ghat, Kolkata

Kolkata in India has a promenade riverine system. In it, the river Ghats are promenade structures that create communications between a river and its people. The local vernacular communities living close to them have closely knitted socio-cultural relationships with the river Ghats, which help to build their identity. In fact, they act as the thresholds between the rivers and the cities. The Baghbazar Ghat, with its profound religious and cultural significance has been a hub for the traditional practices of the local communities. However, the changing dynamics of these practices, and the gradual abandonment of the Ghats pose a threat to their conservation and protection. This research examines the issue of the conservation of the river Ghats and their socio-cultural relationships with the local communities. It examines the history and different social practices associated with the river Ghats in the past and today. The study uses a mixed-method approach to reveal the socio-cultural interactions between the local communities and the river Ghats. It also employs observations and interviews with the local communities to unearth the significant role the river Ghat plays in the socio-cultural practices. Maps, drawings and charts have been created to analyze the data. The paper concludes that the river ghats play a significant role in the socio-cultural practices and identifies them as the backbone of the Kolkata city that fosters the traditional practices. They sustain the traditions, culture, social systems, history and heritage of the city. It therefore offers strategies for the conservation of the River Ghats.

Multidimensional Child Poverty in the City of Kolkata: Construction and Identification from the Perspective of 8 years old School-going Children

Multidimensional Child Poverty in the City of Kolkata: Construction and Identification from the Perspective of 8 years old School-going Children

Eating out: changing Bengali middle-class practices in Calcutta in the twentieth century

ABSTRACT Drawing on theories of consumption (Barthes 1972; Veblen 1898; Warde 2016) and taste (Bourdieu 2004), this paper analyzes the changing patterns of public consumption of food and beverages in the city of Calcutta (Kolkata) in the twentieth century. Food practices are guided by cultural traditions, geography, and social position, but are also acquired in the cosmopolitan milieu of a metropolitan city. Spaces of public consumption in the city often signify some other social practices and depending on the type of food and association concerned, specific spaces of consumption reflect the scalar taste of consumers across the social strata. While switching between different similar options, the middle class’s association with spaces of consumption shifts with the improvement of the economic condition of the consumer.

Identifying enablers for accelerated uptake of electric bus in Kolkata city in India

Identifying enablers for accelerated uptake of electric bus in Kolkata city in India

Evaluating cooling effect of blue-green infrastructure on urban thermal environment in a metropolitan city: Using geospatial and machine learning techniques

Urban blue-green infrastructures (BGIs) have a considerable cooling effect, reducing the urban heat island effect. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the cooling effects of BGIs and role of the influencing factors on urban thermal environment in Kolkata city, which is one of the largest mega cities of India. An integrated radius and non-linear regression approach was used to determine the maximum distance over which cooling is effective. Further, the relationship between cooling effects of BGIs and influencing factors was analysed using Random Forest based Explainable artificial intelligence model. The result shows that for most of the BGIs, the range of maximum cooling distance varies from 210 to 240 m from the boundary of BGIs. The average PCA value ranges from 6.12 to 16.77 hectares and PCE value ranges from 1.62 to 2.87 depending of BGIs. The results of PCA, PCE and maximum cooling distance indicate that the spatial configurations of BGIs and landscape pattern within and surrounding of BGIs sites strongly influence the cooling effects. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for the policymakers and urban planner about the intervention of blue-green infrastructures for the better urban environmental conditions and heat mitigation in mega cities and other urban areas.

Joint Estimation of Ride-Hailing Services (RHS) Adoption and Frequency: Assessing Impacts of Built Environment on Work and Discretionary Trips

In recent years, ride-hailing services (RHS) (also known as on-demand ride services), such as Uber, Ola, Lyft, Didi, etc., have transformed the urban transportation environment. RHS promises to promote sustainable urban mobility as it combines the flexibility of personal vehicles and the shared nature of public transport. In developing countries like India, research on these emerging RHS is still in its infancy, and the role of the built environment (BE) in influencing RHS choice and usage has not been explored. The current study aims to do so, for the city of Kolkata, India which has the highest modal share of ride-hailing amongst million-plus cities in India. Revealed preference (RP) household surveys were conducted, and information on 841 ride-hailing user trips was collected and a semi-ordered bivariate probit model was developed to estimate RHS adoption and usage frequency simultaneously. Model results show that BE variables like destination accessibility, bus stop density, road density, and population density significantly influence the adoption of RHS and use frequency of RHS with varied intensity for work and discretionary trips. Users residing in neighbourhoods with higher accessibility and better public transit connectivity are the least likely to adopt RHS and are also likely to be infrequent users. On the other hand, individuals living in high-density neighbourhoods are more likely to adopt RHS. Also, with increasing distances between origin and destination, commuters tend to adopt and use RHS frequently.

Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential of Kolkata City, India, Using LPI and LSN Approaches

Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential of Kolkata City, India, Using LPI and LSN Approaches

Pyro Geographic Management of Flammable Kolkata City, between 2006–2023

Pyro Geographic Management of Flammable Kolkata City, between 2006–2023

Psychological implications of unemployment among higher educated migrant youth in Kolkata City, India

Mental health issues are intricately linked to socioeconomic background, employment and migration status. However, there remains a gap in understanding the mental health challenges faced by graduate youth in India, particularly in Kolkata City. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among higher-educated migrant youth. A survey was conducted on four hundred migrant graduate youths aged 21–35 residing in Kolkata. Measures included socio-demographics and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with mental health issues. The overall prevalence rates were 54.4% for depression, 61.8% for anxiety, and 47.9% for stress. Unemployed youths exhibited significantly more symptoms of depression and anxiety than their employed counter parts. The logistic regression model showed that unemployed youth, female sex, never married, and second- and third-time migrant youths were risk factors for high scores on the DASS-21. This study showed that mental health issues were alarming in the higher educated migrant youth. The study suggests the implementation of skill-based, job-oriented, and professional courses at the graduation level to prevent graduates from being rendered unproductive and jobless. Beside these, regular psychological support should be provided to the higher educated youth by the local governments.

Indian fathers are involved in nurturing healthy behaviours in adolescents: A qualitative inquiry

BackgroundIndian adolescents exhibit unhealthy food behaviours and inactive lifestyles which increase their risk of developing obesity and associated negative health consequences. The family food environment represents a vital setting to nurture healthy lifestyle behaviours in adolescents, with parents influencing their adolescents’ dietary and physical activity behaviours. Yet, much of the existing evidence exploring parental influences predominantly focuses on mothers while fathers’ engagement in instilling healthy dietary and physical activity behaviours is understudied, more so in the context of developing economies like India. Therefore, this qualitative study was designed to understand Indian fathers’ views on instilling healthy behaviours in their children.MethodsConvenience sampling along with snowball sampling techniques were employed to recruit fathers of adolescents aged 10–19 years from Kolkata city, India. Informed by the research aim and review of literature, an interview guide was developed and pre-tested. Interviews were carried out either in person or virtually (Zoom/telephone) in English/Hindi/Bengali as per the preference of the participants. All interactions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated to English for the purpose of data analysis. The transcripts were analysed thematically using NVivo software program. Themes were identified using both inductive and deductive approaches.ResultsA total 36 fathers participated in the interviews. Seven main themes were identified: (i) Involvement of fathers in adolescent upbringing (i.e. engagement in meal preparation, food shopping, educational activities, physical activity); (ii) Family food environment (i.e. setting food rules, having meals with children, making food available); (iii) Challenges to instilling healthy behaviours in adolescents (i.e. adolescents’ sedentary lifestyle and liking for unhealthy foods); (iv) Barriers to routine involvement in adolescent upbringing (i.e. time constraints due to paid employment, poor socio-economic status); (v) Adolescent nutrition education: (vi) Dual burden of malnutrition (i.e. awareness of malnutrition, no knowledge about government-led health programs for adolescents); (vii) Paternal knowledge.ConclusionsThe emerging themes reveal that Indian fathers played a crucial role in instilling healthy dietary and physical activity behaviour in their adolescents through various parenting practices such as purchasing nutritious food, enforcing food rules, disseminating nutrition-related knowledge, and encouraging adolescents to participate in moderate-to-vigorous intensity outdoor sports. This provides strong support for the inclusion of fathers in sustainable family-focused lifestyle interventions to maximise the nurturing care required by adolescents as well as assist in normalising the representation of fathers in health and welfare policies designed for adolescents.