Gujarat Research Articles

The (im)possibility of a term: ‘Pasmanda’, the (non-)addressability of the state, and the ghettoization of communication

‘Pasmanda’ is arguably the most explosive term that the more recent anti-caste discourse in India has produced. It is assembled from the Persian words pas (‘back’) and manda (‘left behind’), thus describing somebody ‘at the back’ (of society), who ‘has been left behind’. Like ‘Dalit’, ‘Pasmanda’ is essentially a political term, which means that it only comes into being and develops significance if people decide to acquire it and to identify themselves as different and as discriminated—in this case as lower-caste and ‘Dalit Muslims’. ‘Pasmanda’ is hence intrinsically reliant on being communicated and mediated so as to enable its acceptance among the signified and to normalise the creation of a respective reality through a newly collectivising identity. This essay approaches ‘Pasmanda’ as ‘a term to think with’, in tracing the very possibility, among deprived and discriminated groups, to openly communicate, negotiate, and mediate this identity that challenges claims of religious (comm)unity and demands for national loyalty. This possibility varies greatly even across north India. As I examine ‘Pasmanda’ through three different local prisms, the term thus also becomes a dialectical index for the political conditions of its realisation: the conditions of its emergence and, however increasingly precarious, its thriving (in the state of Bihar) as much as the conditions for its suppression (in the capital Delhi) and even of its complete absence (in the state of Gujarat)—i.e. of the conditions that render Pasmandas non-existent. A different form of regional comparison thus emerges.

Screening of Hospitalized Elderly Patients for Frailty and Associated Co-morbid Conditions in Western Gujarat in India.

Older patients admitted to hospitals have a greater impact on the healthcare system as the population ages. The relationship between the recovery of functional impairments and frailty status in geriatric care units is still not clear. Simple screening technologies are required in order to operationalize frailty management in this susceptible population due to these restrictions. Aim: The study aims to screen hospitalized older adults for frailty and associated co-morbid conditions in western Gujarat, India. This is an institutionally based cross-sectional study conducted on the elderly patients (aged 60 years or more) admitted at the tertiary-level government hospital of Jamnagar District of Gujarat State during the period of October 22 to December 22. The assessment was done with a structured questionnaire for FRAIL screen, the Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS), Charles Co-morbidity Index, Geriatric Depression Scale-5 (GDS-5), and Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey. The overall findings of this study reveal that of 124 participants 34 (27%) were frail, 52 (42%) were found to be a likelihood of depression by the GDS, and 29 (23%) were having dementia by RCS, respectively. In our study, we also found a statistically significant association between frailty and dementia (P value < 0.001). The present study implies the prevalence of frailty among old age elderly patients and its association with various socio-demographic and co-morbid conditions of the participants. Early identification of frailty and co-morbid conditions can help to prevent adverse health outcomes.

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

The coastal zone is an interface between land and sea. The interaction between land and sea involves physical and chemical processes, which produce characteristic shapes of coast line. Thus, in a coastal zone the terrestrial ecosystem has its influence on the sea and vice versa. Veraval is one of the important port cities located along the western coast of Gujarat in India. The Veraval coast is situated in Gujarat state and its water is polluted by the discharge of Fish processing industry effluent. The intertidal area of Fish processing industry at Veraval coast was selected for the study and the investigation was carried out at Veraval at Lat 210 35’N; Long 690 36E’. Survey was conducted during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons during the year of 2018. In order to achieve the aims of the present study, following parameters were studied to assess species diversity of seaweeds along increasing distance from the discharge point. Number of seaweed species showed a trend similar to that of species diversity was more related to species richness. Ratio of species number for Green, Brown and Red algae indicated that red algae were in greater proportion than green and brown algae. Seaweed species diversity was minimum near Chemical industry effluent discharge point during post-monsoon, pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, whereas the diversity increased as the discharge point from the outfall increased.

Prevalence and predictors of high-frequency hearing loss among mine workers in Gujarat, western India: a cross-sectional study on the need to implement a comprehensive hearing conservation program.

High-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) stands as a prevalent occupational morbidity globally, with numerous associated risk factors, some of which are modifiable. In the context of a comprehensive hearing conservation program, the initial steps involve early screening and identification of workers with these modifiable risk factors, aiming to reduce the prevalence of hearing loss. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of HFHL and determine its predictors among mine workers. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 226 mine workers in ten open-cast mines in Gujarat state, the western part of India, in November 2020. We collected data on socio-demography, addiction, occupation history and comorbidities, along with anthropometric, blood pressure, and blood sugar measurements. Audiometric evaluations using a portable diagnostic audiometer were employed to assess HFHL, defined as a hearing threshold exceeding 25 decibels (dB) at high frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000Hz). A generalized linear model (GLM) with a binomial family was performed to determine the predictors significantly predicting HFHL after adjusting for confounding variables. The prevalence of HFHL was 35% (95% CI: 29-42%) in our study setting. Office workers demonstrated a prevalence of 19%, whereas other job categories displayed a higher prevalence of 42%, resulting in a significant prevalence difference of 23% and a prevalence ratio of 2.2. The GLM analysis revealed that variables, such as noise exposure during work [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2-4.7, p=0.018)] and noise exposure duration [aPR 1.1 (95% CI: 1.0-1.1, p=0.042)], were significant predictors of HFHL. In our study setting, mine workers exhibited a high prevalence of HFHL, with exposure to workplace noise and duration being modifiable predictors. Because HFHL advances slowly and is generally undetected by the individual, we recommend periodic testing using audiometry to identify it among mine workers and, if possible, shifting them from mining activities to office. Furthermore, we advocate for the implementation of a comprehensive hearing conservation program to the extent possible.

The Study of Profile Characteristics of Agro- Input Dealers Towards Agro Services in Junagadh District of Gujarat State

Aim: To study the selected characteristics of the input dealers.&#x0D; Study Design: Ex-post facto research design.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was undertaken in Junagadh district of Gujarat state.&#x0D; Methodology: Junagadh district comprises of nine talukas out of which five talukas viz, Junagadh, Keshod, Mendarda, Vanthali and Maliya-hatina were randomly selected for the study. From each taluka thirty input dealers were selected randomly for the study. Thus, total 150 input dealers were selected randomly from five talukas.&#x0D; Results: With regard to characteristics, approximately half (49.34%) of input dealers were in the middle age group, while nearly half (46.00%) had attained a graduation/post-graduation level of education. Around half (48.67 %) of input dealers had moderate social participation, and a majority (69.34 %) reported a high to very high annual income. Approximately 60.00%% of input dealers utilized sources of information at a moderate level, while 51.34%% had a medium level of mass media exposure. Only 16.64%% of input dealers had received training, and a majority (61.34 %%) had moderate extension contact. Additionally, 58.67 % of input dealers exhibited a moderate level of risk orientation, while 62.00%% displayed a medium level of management orientation. Approximately 75.34%% of agro-input dealers had a medium level of economic motivation, and slightly over half (58.67 %) demonstrated a medium level of progressivism.&#x0D; Conclusion: It can be concluded that the majority of the respondents were from the middle age group with a graduation/post-graduation level of education. Additionally, more than half of the input dealers had medium social participation and belonged to the high to very high annual income bracket. Similarly, over half of the input dealers utilized sources of information and had mass media exposure at a moderate level. However, the data indicates that only a few input dealers received training from various institutes, while most had moderate extension contact and exhibited a medium level of risk and management orientation. Moreover, a significant proportion of agro-input dealers demonstrated a medium level of economic motivation and progressivism.

A novel approach for environmental impact assessment of road construction projects in India

The road sector is one of the basic pillars for national economic growth owing to its role in movement of goods and people and can contribute positively towards several sustainable development goals (SDGs). On the other hand, road construction using conventional methods can jeopardize the global progress towards climate action and other environmental related SDGs owing to large raw material requirements, fuel demand and pollution associated with it. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a useful quantitative tool to figure out which products and processes are responsible for majority of road's environmental impact at different stages. This information can then be used to design interventions and adopt alternative materials for improving the environmental profile of roads. However, the application of LCA in road sector in developing countries such as India has been limited owing to unavailability of funds to compile information regarding quantities of all materials used (inventory data) and their environmental characterization factors. Here we present a new approach that connects the publicly available road's bill of quantity (BOQ) and analysis of rates (AOR) documents with national construction materials environmental footprint database to calculate the road footprint. A case study on calculating the environmental impacts of a recently built 43 km state highway road in the Indian state of Gujarat is presented to demonstrate the steps involved in the new approach. The environmental impacts per kilometre of the road section came out to be 6.86 million MJ energy use, 281 tons CO2eq. GHG emissions, 0.013 kg CFC-11 eq. ozone depletion, 2.16 tons SO2eq. acidification, 0.35 tons PO4eq. eutrophication and 0.11 tons ethene eq. of photochemical oxidant formation. Among all life cycle phases, the material production stage contributes the highest to the total environmental footprint of the road section. Of the 52 materials used, bitumen, diesel, coarse/fine aggregate, galvanized iron (GI) pipe, concrete, thermoplastic paint used in road markings and steel corrugated sheet and channel post are responsible for majority of impacts. The template presented can be used in India and other developing countries to evaluate the environmental footprint of existing and future road projects.

The need for ground-up transitions: exploring the knowledge politics of agroecology in Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT Despite a plethora of emerging alternatives under the broad rubric of agroecology, sustainable transitions in Indian agriculture are caught between institutional inertia and lock-ins of its vast agricultural establishment on the one hand and a pro-active state promoting a natural farming. This push for Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), while welcome as an alternative, also raises several questions on the nature of knowledge production and dissemination. This paper explores the knowledge politics around top-down “skilling regimes” and the principles and paradigms that emphasize social learning. We explore the multiple practices, meanings of agroecology among farmers, government agencies, and civil society organizations in the state of Gujarat. The action research included a survey of practices of 250 farmers in 12 districts, interviews, and stakeholder workshops. Insufficient investments in community-based extension mechanisms and lack of collaboration between state and civil society were features of the policy implementation. The absence of innovative platforms to facilitate knowledge dialogs and learning among actors to advance agroecology increases the gap between policy goals and its actual realization in practice. Programs for upscaling agroecology, we suggest, need to embed the diversity of technical and institutional processes through creating learning alliances to facilitate knowledge dialogs across dissimilar actors.

Saviour siblings in India: A reminder of our existing challenges and biases.

Saviour babies or saviour siblings are conceived specifically to be sources of biological materials - ranging from cord blood, stem cells or even organs - to save another child, usually an older sibling, who is suffering from a disease like thalassemia that can be cured with this biological material. In 2020, the media reported about the birth of India's first saviour baby, in the state of Gujarat [1]. In January 2023, there was a report of the birth of another saviour baby, in the state of Maharashtra [2]. Ethical concerns relating to saviour siblings find a place in the western bioethics discourse. However, it is little discussed in the Indian context.

A Study of Smartphone Features as Antecedents of Brand Affect in Gujarat State in India

The Indian smartphone segment is growing at a as the device has become an indispensable part of the lives of people. Because of the important role that it plays in our daily life, it is expected that some form of attachment or feelings would be experienced by consumers with their brands. The aim of the study is to study whether the features provided in smartphones influence the development of feelings/affect towards the brands. Six features are mentioned by respondents in a pilot survey and using survey data from 215 respondents in two cities in Gujarat, it is found that some features like brand performance, brand image and design have a significant influence on brand affect formation. Marketers of smartphones can keep improving on these significant features so that consumers develop an emotional bond with their brands. Key Words: brand affect, smartphone features, smartphone, brand image, design, performance

LSTM-based Forecasting of Dengue Cases in Gujarat: A Machine Learning Approach

Objectives: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, is particularly prevalent in tropical regions like India. Gujarat State is also one of them. Forecasting outbreaks of diseases such as dengue can prove important for public health management. The purpose of this study is to predict dengue cases in ten districts of Gujarat using the LSTM machine learning model. And if people are aware of this from the beginning, the spread of dengue can be prevented. Methods: This approach uses LSTM models to predict dengue cases using a total of 10 years (2010 to 2019) of data. From this data, data from 2010 to 2016 is used for training and data from 2017 to 2019 is used for testing. To predict dengue cases, population density, average temperature, average humidity, monthly rainfall, dengue cases with lag of one, two and twelve months. Findings: The LSTM model was applied with different parameter configurations, showing the following results: The root mean square error value is 0.04, and the R-squared (R2) score is 0.84. Many machine learning methods, like ANN, linear regression, random forest, etc., have been used to predict dengue cases in different states and countries. LSTM model gives the best results in terms of accuracy. Previously reported dengue cases, population density, and total monthly rainfall proved to be the most effective predictors of dengue in the state of Gujarat. Novelty: Models have been developed to predict dengue outbreaks in many other countries and states. The LSTM model is developed for the first time in this study for the state of Gujarat. 84% accuracy is obtained from the model. This model has been prepared by collecting environmental data and registered dengue cases in Gujarat state. Keywords: Dengue Cases Predictions, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, LSTM Algorithm, Disease Outbreaks, Public Health Management

Population structure and fecundity of the Xanthid crab Leptodius exaratus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) on the rocky shore of Gujarat state, India.

The population structure and breeding biology of the Xanthid crab, Leptodius exaratus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834), on the rocky intertidal region of Shivrajpur in Saurashtra coast, Gujarat state, were examined. From March 2021 to February 2022, monthly sampling was conducted during low tide using catch per unit effort in the 500 m2 area. The sampled specimens were categorised into male, non-ovigerous female or ovigerous female. In order to estimate fecundity, the morphology of the crab specimens (carapace width and body weight) as well as the size of eggs, number of eggs and weight of egg mass were recorded. A total of 1,215 individuals were sampled of which 558 individuals were males and 657 individuals were females. The size (carapace width) of males ranges from 5.15 to 29.98 mm, while females ranges from 5.26 to 28.63 mm which shows that the average size of male and female individuals did not differ significantly. The overall as well as monthly sex ratio was skewed towards males with a bimodal distribution while unimodal in females. The population breeds year-round, which was indicated by the occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year. However, the maximum percentage occurrence of ovigerous females was observed from December to April which indicates the peak breeding season. The size of eggs, number of eggs and weight of egg mass were shown to positively correlate with the morphology of ovigerous females (carapace width and wet weight).

Growth and instability analysis of area, production and yield of groundnut in selected states of India

India is the largest producer of oilseeds in the world as oilseed sector occupies an important position in the agricultural economy of the country. The study was based on the secondary data from 2002-03 to 2019-20. Major five groundnut producing states were selected based on highest production last triennium average production. The growth rate and instability were computed by using Compound Annual Growth Rate and Cuddy-Della Valle Index. The growth pattern of groundnut witnessed a downward trend with respect to area except Rajasthan state (7.667%). Growth pattern of groundnut indicated a downward trend in respect to production in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu state. Growth rate in yield (4.442 %)of groundnut was observed highest in Gujarat state. The instability index showed that the fluctuation in production of groundnut was found to be higher in Andhra Pradesh (44.453%) and Gujarat (41.660%). Low rate of instability was observed in area under groundnut crop in Gujarat (9.690%), Karnataka (10.495%) and Tamil Nadu (11.802%).

AMMI and GGE biplot analysis of genotype by environment interaction for yield and yield contributing traits in confectionery groundnut

The global market has a high demand for premium edible grade groundnut, particularly for table use. India, in particular, exhibits significant potential for exporting confectionary grade large seeded groundnut. The environment plays a significant impact in influencing the expression of seed traits, which subsequently affects the confectionary quality of groundnut genotypes. The states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India are prominent producers of high-quality groundnuts specifically used for confectionary purposes. The current study was conducted with 43 confectionery groundnut genotypes at Junagadh, Gujarat, and Bikaner, Rajasthan, with the goals of understanding genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) effects and identifying stable, high yielding confectionery quality groundnut genotypes using AMMI and GGE biplot models. Pod yield per plant (PYP), number of pods per plant (NPP), hundred kernel weight (HKW), and shelling percent (SP) were estimated. The interplay between the environment and genotype has had a notable impact on the manifestation of confectionary grade characteristics in peanuts. The results from the Interaction Principal Component Analysis (IPCA) indicate that HKW contributed 76.68% and 18.95% towards the Global Environmental Index (GEI) through IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively. Similarly, NPP contributed 87.52% and 8.65%, PYP contributed 95.87% and 2.1%, and SP contributed 77.4% and 16.22% towards GEI through IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively. Based on the ranking of genotypes, the ideal genotypes were PBS 29079B for HKW, PBS 29230 for NPP. The genotypes PBS 29233 and PBS 29230 exhibited superior performance and stability in terms of pod yield, hundred kernel weight, number of pods per plant, and shelling percentage across various sites. These breeding lines have the potential to be developed for the purpose of producing confectionary grade groundnut with larger seeds, in order to fulfil the growing demand for export.

Knowledge Landscape and Trend Analysis of Project-Based Impact of Occupational Stress and Job Burnout on Turnover Intentions in Context of Paramedical Workers in Gujarat India

Knowledge Landscape and Trend Analysis of Project-Based Impact of Occupational Stress and Job Burnout on Turnover Intentions in Context of Paramedical Workers in Gujarat India

Habitat suitability of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) MILL. (CACTACEAE): a comparative temporal evaluation using diverse bio-climatic earth system models and ensemble machine learning approach.

A comprehensive evaluation of the habitat suitability across the India was conducted for the introduced species Opuntia ficus-indica. This assessment utilized a newly developed model called BioClimInd, takes into account five Earth System Models (ESMs). These ESMs consider two different emission scenarios known as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP), specifically RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. Additionally, the assessment considered two future time frames: 2040-2079 (60) and 2060-2099 (80). Current study provided the threshold limit of different climatic variables in annual, quarter and monthly time slots like temperature annual range (26-30°C), mean temperature of the driest quarter (25-28°C); mean temperature of the coldest month (22-25°C); minimum temperature of coldest month (13-17°C); precipitation of the wettest month (250-500mm); potential evapotranspiration Thronthwaite (1740-1800mm). Predictive climatic habitat suitability posits that the introduction of this exotic species is deemed unsuitable in the Northern as well as the entirety of the cooler eastern areas of the country. The states of Rajasthan and Gujarat exhibit the highest degree of habitat suitability for this particular species. Niche hypervolumes and climatic variables affecting fundamental and realized niches were also assessed. This study proposes using multi-climatic exploration to evaluate habitats for introduced species to reduce modeling uncertainties.

Date palm-A gift for health and nutrition: national and international scenario

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), family Arecaceae or Palmae, is cultivated mostly in the arid regions of the world. The crop has played a significant role in the economy of these countries, provides nutritional security, besides helping to mitigate the adverse effects of desertification and climate change over centuries. Date palm personifies human civilization in the arid countries. It is estimated that there are 150 million date palms worldwide, and 75% of these in the Near East and North Africa region. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the global production of dates has increased from just 1.8 million tons in 1962 to nearly 9.75 million tons in 2022. In India, commercial dates are cultivated mainly in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan which are emerging as major producers of fresh dates. Besides, local and wild dates are abound across the country. Dates are consumed fresh or in dry form and considered a complete food, providing food and nutrition security through a wide range of essential nutrients that have beneficial effects on human health. This article presents an overview of dates on nutrition and human health besides giving an insight on propagation, production, protection, processing, marketing, and associated challenges plaguing the sector.

A study on the block pattern and spatial characteristics of gara in Surat, India

Surat is a major port and trading city in the northwestern state of Gujarat, India, boasting a rich multicultural background where colonial, religious, and commercial cultures coexist. Field research conducted on the historical districts of Surat indicates that the traditional residential buildings in Surat are not havelis; rather, their planar features bear a remarkable similarity to shophouses in Southeast Asia. The urban formation, spatial pattern of historical blocks, and architectural characteristics of Surat were thoroughly analyzed at three levels: macro, meso, and micro, using methods such as the examination of historical maps, reading historical literature, gathering oral histories, and conducting field investigations. The analysis of the political culture of Asian port cities reveals that Surat has been involved in cross-cultural exchanges in Asia. Through document analysis, the study delves into the formation process of Surat City and the spatial pattern of its historical blocks. To gain a comprehensive understanding, an exploration of the types of planes and profiles of the existing gara cases was carried out, along with a study of the spatial characteristics and evolution of gara. Finally, a comparative analysis between gara and the local architecture haveli was conducted, examining the factors for gara formation from multiple aspects, such as politics, religion, and policy. It can be concluded that the formation of Surat&amp;rsquo;s city and architecture was not only influenced by the spread of Asian culture at that time but also integrated with local traditional characteristics.

Miocene (~ 14 Ma) Vertebrate-Yielding Site of Palasava, Kachchh, Gujarat State, Western India: Geoheritage-Geotourism Perspectives and Geosite Potential

Miocene (~ 14 Ma) Vertebrate-Yielding Site of Palasava, Kachchh, Gujarat State, Western India: Geoheritage-Geotourism Perspectives and Geosite Potential

Offshore wind energy potential along the Indian Coast considering ecological safeguards

This study focuses on assessing the offshore wind energy potential along the Indian Coast over a 10-year period (2005–2014) using high-resolution data from the simulation of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The predicted wind fields are utilized to identify potential sites, estimate offshore wind technical potential at different depths (ranging from 30 to 200 meters), and develop wind energy blocks within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. To ensure environmental protection, environmentally sensitive areas have been excluded from the offshore wind potential sites. The gross technical offshore wind potential was estimated to be 3941 GW within depths of 30–200 meters, excluding environmentally sensitive areas within the 0 to 30-m depth range. High-potential sites have been identified in the coastal states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The environmental offshore wind potential across these identified sites (feasible OWE sites) along the Indian coast is estimated at 432.34 GW within the 30 to 200-m depth range (at 140 m AGL).According to the report by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the predicted offshore wind power has the potential to significantly contribute to the country's total electrical power requirement for 2020–21. This study encourages exploration of offshore wind energy possibilities along the Indian coast and highlights the management challenges at suitable sites, including addressing potential conflicts between offshore wind energy development and other marine uses. The findings of this study can assist in the assessment of offshore wind resources and provide decision-makers with scientific evidence for the development of offshore wind energy in India, while also considering the management and conservation of marine ecosystems.

A study on the perception towards the impact of inflation of people of Gujarat state

&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;"&gt;Economy has various stages which have been described as economic cycle and due to that the circulatory movement observed, some have faster cycle some have longer cycle which depends on numbers of factors and from that inflation is an important segment. Various terms have been described for inflation, in simple meaning when price of different commodities have been raised compared to previous stage due to depreciation of currency having lesser purchasing power. Perception of people towards inflation and its impact is the main crux of the study, because how the people think about technical terms is vital matter. The present study is based on primary data collected from 277 respondents through questionnaire from the Gujarat state India. The perception has been analysed from four statement have been asked in Lickert&amp;rsquo;s five scale form. The one-way ANOVA has been used to test the hypotheses and it has been found from that in first statement regarding price of commodity once increase then it will not decrease due to inflation has significant difference with place, education and age of the respondents and in rest three statement no significant differences have been observed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;