Malda District Research Articles

Effect of date of sowing on productivity of black cumin

The experiment was carried out during rabi season during 2016–2017 at Malda District of West Bengal ascertain the best sowing date to get high yield and quality in nigella. The study consisted of four different sowing dates like T1-Cultivation of Black Cumin in mid September, T2-Cultivation of Black Cumin in end of September, T3-Cultivation of Black Cumin in mid. October, T4-Cultivation of Black Cumin in early November, T5: Farmers practice (October-November). The different dates of sowing had significant influence on the morphological, growth, yield and quality attributes of the crop.

Detection of land use and land cover change and land surface temperature in English Bazar urban centre

Present paper tends to capture the impact of land use land cover (LULC) on land surface temperature (LST) in English Bazar Municipality of Malda District using multi spectral and multi temporal satellite data. Seasonal and temporal LST is extracted in three phases e.g. in 1991, 2010 and 2014. Results show that LST increases 0.070°C/year and 0.114°C/year during winter and summer periods respectively and significant LST difference exist over different LULC units. Built up area retains maximum LST in all selected phases. Correlation coefficient among different deriving factors of LST with LST reveals that impervious land maximally control LST (r=0.62) followed by water bodies and vegetation cover. Even a single land use unit like impervious land water body and vegetation also create differences in LST (R2 of NDBI vs. LST ranges from 0.47 to 0.607; NDVI vs. LST ranges from 0.441 to 0.62). LST is almost co linear with aerial temperature as indicated by significant correlation value (0.44604 for January and 0.658 for April 2014) at 0.01 level of significance and the temperature gap between them ranges from 3.5°C to 6.5°C. Such co linearity validates the LST models. The estimated temperature gap is also strongly controlled by LULC. As the LULC pattern is getting changed, its imprint is reflected on LST and air temperature. So, immediate thinking about new urbanism should be adopted, started and implement to arrest the rising temperature and effect of urban heat island.

Image Based Surface Temperature Extraction and Trend Detection in an Urban Area of West Bengal, India

Abstract Rapid urbanization and change of landuse/landcover results in changes of the thermal spectrum of a city even in small cities like English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) of Malda district. Monitoring the spatio-temporal surface temperature patterns is important, therefore, the present paper attempts to extract spatio-temporal surface temperature from thermal band of Landsat imageries and tries to validate it with factor based Land Surface Temperature (LST) models constructed based on six proxy temperature variables for selected time periods (1991, 2010 and 2014). Seasonal variation of temperature is also analyzed from the LST models over different time phases. Landsat TIRS based LST shows that in winter season, the minimum and maximum LST have raised up 2.32°C and 3.09°C in last 25 years. In pre monsoon season, the increase is much higher (2.80°C and 6.74°C) than in the winter period during the same time frame. In post monsoon season, exceptional situation happened due to high moisture availability caused by previous monsoon rainfall spell. Trend analysis revealed that the LST has been rising over time. Expansion and intensification of built up land as well as changing thermal properties of the urban heartland and rimland strongly control LST. Factor based surface temperature models have been prepared for the same period of times as done in case of LST modeling. In all seasons and selected time phases, correlation coefficient values between the extracted spatial LST model and factor based surface temperature model varies from 0.575 to 0.713 and these values are significant at 99% confidence level. So, thinking over ecological growth of urban is highly required for making the environment ambient for living.

The Role of Provide Survice Small Town in Rural–Urban Linkages for Sustainable Development: A case of rural-urban linkage of Malda district, West Bengal, India

Rural–urban linkages play a fundamental role in the generation of service, development, health treatment and wealth. Yet, for various reasons the importance of such linkages is not recognized and thus unnoticed in rural economic and trade policies. The present paper investigates infrastructure problem, institutional constraints and dependency rural area on near rural service trade barriers that tend to discourage linkages between rural and urban areas and thus prevent a process of rural empowerment and economic development. The findings of our review indicate that clustering rural and urban areas into regional planning units may create the necessary enabling environment for extensive trade networks and knowledge switch over between the city and the neighbor rural-side. As such, stronger rural–urban linkages could also play a crucial role in fulfill rural areas demand in developing countries.

The Glorious Days of Silk Trade in Malda District and Its Legacy

<em>With its glorious traditional identity of Malda as a district is associated with the history of India for ages past. Malda is famous for its silk which claims credit for its familiarity in the whole India. Kautilya stated its glory in his ‘Arthosastha’. This sericulture has got its extreme in the district of Malda in the Ancient and Mediaeval times but it loses the glory due to Industrial Revolution in England. The East India Company has exported the Muslin of Malda in the entire World and made high profit that time. But the employer i.e. East India Company deprived the weavers of Malda in many forms to extract a high profit in silk trade. Eventually the weaver left the profession. As a result the production of Muslin was drastically reduced. Despite this deprivation and oppression, many weavers were engaged in that profession. Muslin weavers tried their best to make their product familiar throughout the country and outside the country. But they failed due to atrocities of the English East India Company. The Muslin was so famous that if it got its due patronage then it could be the forerunner of Industrial Revolution in India. Instead England got the Industrial Revolution in the Textile industry. The Article tries to emphasise the point and tries to explain reason behind it.</em>

Patterns and predictors of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension: observations from a poor-resource setting.

Early detection is the cornerstone of hypertension management; still majority remains undetected until complications arise, especially in poor-resource settings. Paucity of information regarding undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in eastern India thus called for a detailed investigation involving a representative sample of adults in Malda, one of the poorest districts in the region. In a cross-sectional study, between October 2013 and July 2014, using multistage random sampling with probability-proportional-to-size, 18 028 consenting adults were interviewed. Diagnosed cases were defined as uncontrolled if they still had hypertensive level of blood pressure (according to JNC-VIII criteria) while those detected during this study were defined as undiagnosed. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed using SAS version 9.3.2. Among 18 028 participants, 4695 (26.04% (95% confidence intervals: 95% CI=25.40-26.68)) had hypertension, of which 3937 (83.86% (82.80-84.91)) were undiagnosed and 548 (72.30 (69.10-75.49)) had uncontrolled hypertension. Relatively older subjects (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR)41-60 years=0.34 (95% CI=0.26-0.43) and aOR>60 years=0.29 (0.21-0.38)), who were divorced/separated/widowed/widower (aOR=0.76 (0.61-0.95)), had higher education (aOR=0.61 (0.43-0.88)), better socio-economic status (SES) (aORMiddle=0.77 (0.60-0.99) and aORUpper=0.64 (0.48-0.85)) and urban residence (aOR=0.44 (0.36-0.55)) were less likely while subjects who belonged to backward castes (aOR=1.37 (1.15-1.64)) were more likely to have undiagnosed hypertension. Odds of having uncontrolled hypertension were higher among participants aged >60 years (aOR=2.25 (1.27-3.99)). Burden of hypertension (diagnosed and undiagnosed) was high in Malda district of West Bengal. Significant predictors of undiagnosed hypertension were young age, backward caste, poor education and lower SES, while older subjects had poor control. Thus, appropriate surveillance targeting these at-risk groups might be effective in controlling hypertension in similar poor-resource settings.

Monocystis julkae sp.nov., (Protista: Apicomplexa: Monocystidae) a new aseptate gregarine species of the genus Monocystis Stein, 1848 obtain from an Indian Earthworm, Eutyphoeus kherai, Julka, 1978.

During the course of a biodiversity survey of the endoparasitic aseptate gregarines in the Malda district of West Bengal, India, seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Eutyphoeus kherai, Julka 1978 were found to be infested with a new species, Monocystis julkae sp.nov., of the genus, Monocystis Stein (Arch Anat Phys Med 181-223, 1848). The trophozoite is elongated but slightly constricted posteriorly. A tail like protrusion appears in the posterior end. Anterior end is rather wider than the posterior one. The whole body size of the trophozoite measures 102.2-184.0 (126.7±19.9)µm×40.9-81.8 (58.2±10.0)µm. Size of the nucleus ranges from 10.2 to 16.3 (11.9±1.9)µm×8.1-12.2 (8.8±1.2)µm. The gametocysts are ovoidal containing two unequal gametocytes. Diameter of it measures 61.3-98.1 (75.8±8.6)µm. Oocysts are navicular and measures 6.9-10.0 (8.7±0.9)µm×3.0-4.6 (4.3±0.4)µm.

STATISTICAL APPRAISAL OF FLUORIDE ENRICHMENT IN AREAS OF MALDA AND SOUTH DINAJPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

The present study was conducted in some randomly selected area of Malda and South Dinajpur district of West Bengal to find out the level of fluoride in groundwater and its association with other inorganic constituents through statistical modeling and chemical indices. Results revealed that the considerable variation of different parameters, among them 7.90 % sample showed F- levels beyond the WHO recommended value. Moreover, F- shows positive correlation with Na+ (p< 0.467*) and negative correlation with Ca2+ (p< -0.289) which is again well supported by factor analysis study. From the results of Multiple linear regression model and piper diagram revealed the significant relationship of F- with Na+, alkaline pH and Ca2+ and dominancy of F- due to high Na-HCO3 enrichment respectively. The higher level of F- in groundwater is the consequence of fluoride containing sedimentary rock weathering.

STATISTICAL APPRAISAL OF FLUORIDE ENRICHMENT IN AREAS OF MALDA AND SOUTH DINAJPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

The present study was conducted in some randomly selected area of Malda and South Dinajpur district of West Bengal to find out the level of fluoride in groundwater and its association with other inorganic constituents through statistical modeling and chemical indices. Results revealed that the considerable variation of different parameters, among them 7.90 % sample showed F- levels beyond the WHO recommended value. Moreover, F- shows positive correlation with Na+ (p< 0.467*) and negative correlation with Ca2+ (p< -0.289) which is again well supported by factor analysis study. From the results of Multiple linear regression model and piper diagram revealed the significant relationship of F- with Na+, alkaline pH and Ca2+ and dominancy of F- due to high Na-HCO3 enrichment respectively. The higher level of F- in groundwater is the consequence of fluoride containing sedimentary rock weathering.

Exploration of Antibacterial and Antioxidative Property of Two Natural Honey Samples from Malda District, India

Aims: To assess the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of two locally available natural honey samples, and determine the total phenolic content (TPC) of the honeys. Methods: Antibacterial activity of two local natural honey samples (citrus honey: LNH1 and mango honey: LNH2) was determined against the clinical bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 strain, by agar-well diffusion method. The antioxidative activity of the honey samples (LNH1 and LNH2) was determined in DPPH system, and the IC50 values were calculated. The bioactive components present in the test honey samples were assessed qualitatively, and the TPC was quantified. Results: The honey samples showed the presence of different bioactive components (flavonoids, steroids, phenol, terpenoids and quinone); the TPCs were estimated in LNH1 and LNH2 were 19.55 µg/ml and 33.3 µg/ml, respectively. In DPPH system, the scavenging activities of LNH1 and LNH2 ranged 43.46 – 75.18 % and 36.09 – 77. 23 %, respectively, with respective IC50 values of 3.83 mg/ml and 6.75 mg/ml. The test honey samples showed antibacterial activity both against gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (Ps. aeruginosa and S. enteric serovar Typhi) bacterial pathogens, and against the E. coli ATCC 25922 strain. Conclusion: The locally available natural honey may be used as rich source of antioxidant and can be used as effective antibacterial agent in order to combat the bacterial infection to humans.

Assessing the Educational Status of Muslim Women in West Bengal: A Case Study of Malda District

Assessing the Educational Status of Muslim Women in West Bengal: A Case Study of Malda District

Socio-religious communities and fertility patterns in West Bengal, India

ABSTRACTThis article explores the fertility differential of different religious groups across various socio-economic characteristics. The article is based on primary data collected from a field survey of 2,590 households in the Malda district of West Bengal in India. The mean number of children ever born (MCEB) is used to measure fertility. The analysis shows that there is a major variation in the impact of various socio-economic variables on the number of children ever born among different religious groups. The study findings will be helpful for policymakers regarding the planning for management of different demographic processes.

PKDL--A Silent Parasite Pool for Transmission of Leishmaniasis in Kala-azar Endemic Areas of Malda District, West Bengal, India.

Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a chronic but not life-threatening disease; patients generally do not demand treatment, deserve much more attention because PKDL is highly relevant in the context of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) elimination. There is no standard guideline for diagnosis and treatment for PKDL. A species-specific PCR on slit skin smear demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.8%, but it has not been applied for routine diagnostic purpose. The study was conducted to determine the actual disease burden in an endemic area of Malda district, West Bengal, comparison of the three diagnostic tools for PKDL case detection and pattern of lesion regression after treatment. The prevalence of PKDL was determined by active surveillance and confirmed by PCR based diagnosis. Patients were treated with either sodium stibogluconate (SSG) or oral miltefosine and followed up for two years to observe lesion regression period. Twenty six PKDL cases were detected with a prevalence rate of 27.5% among the antileishmanial antibody positive cases. Among three diagnostic methods used, PCR is highly sensitive (88.46%) for case confirmation. In majority of the cases skin lesions persisted after treatment completion which gradually disappeared during 6–12 months post treatment period. Reappearance of lesions noted in two cases after 1.5 years of miltefosine treatment. A significant number of PKDL patients would remain undiagnosed without active mass surveys. Such surveys are required in other endemic areas to attain the ultimate goal of eliminating Kala-azar. PCR-based method is helpful in confirming diagnosis of PKDL, referral laboratory at district or state level can achieve it. So a well-designed study with higher number of samples is essential to establish when/whether PKDL patients are free from parasite after treatment and to determine which PKDL patients need treatment for longer period.

Assessing flood inundation extent and landscape vulnerability to flood using geospatial technology: A study of Malda district of West Bengal, India

Assessment of flood risk zonation and landscape vulnerability to flood are fundamental aspects in flood risk management. Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and ASTER DEM data were used to assess landscape vulnerability to flood inundation and flood risk in Malda district of West Bengal state, India. Flood inundation map was prepared on the basis of water and non-water pixels on images (before and during the flood event). Flood risk map was prepared using equal interval of separation based on elevation and inundated flooded area. Flood inundation map was overlaid on the pre-monsoon land use/land cover map to produce landscape vulnerability to flood. The results revealed that 19% area of the district was flooded during monsoon flood event in 2014 and the agricultural area was most affected land use, sharing 62% of the total flood affected area, followed by river bed (21%), built up (7%) and vegetation (5%). The flood risk map of the district shows that temporary river islands, sand banks along the Ganga river course lie in low flood plain and were considered under high risk zone. The flood plain alongside minor stream drainage in southern, north-western and in between them comes under medium flood risk zones. Flood risk is low in areas which are away from the rivers. Non flooded areas were identified in high lands of eastern region of the district. Landscape vulnerability map shows that the blocks located along the Ganga river namely Kaliachak I, Kaliachak II, Kaliachak III, Manikchak, Ratua I were highly vulnerable to flood. The study suggests that efforts should be made to remove the sediments for increasing the depth of river. Spurs and bed bars should be constructed to avoid great loss of prime agricultural land, property and lives of people.

Perceived morbidity, healthcare-seeking behavior and their determinants in a poor-resource setting: observation from India.

BackgroundTo control the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in the developing world, understanding the patterns of morbidity and healthcare-seeking is critical. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the distribution, predictors and inter-relationship of perceived morbidity and related healthcare-seeking behavior in a poor-resource setting.MethodsBetween October 2013 and July 2014, 43999 consenting subjects were recruited from 10107 households in Malda district of West Bengal state in India, through multistage random sampling, using probability proportional-to-size. Information on socio-demographics, behaviors, recent ailments, perceived severity and healthcare-seeking were analyzed in SAS-9.3.2.ResultsRecent illnesses were reported by 55.91% (n=24600) participants. Among diagnosed ailments (n=23626), 50.92% (n=12031) were NCDs. Respiratory (17.28%,n=7605)), gastrointestinal (13.48%,n=5929) and musculoskeletal (6.25%,n=2749) problems were predominant. Non-qualified practitioners treated 53.16% (n=13074) episodes. Older children/adolescents [adjusted odds ratio for private healthcare providers(AORPri)=0.76, 95% confidence interval=0.71-0.83) and for Govt. healthcare provider(AORGovt)=0.80(0.68-0.95)], females [AORGovt=0.80(0.73-0.88)], Muslims [AORPri=0.85(0.69-0.76) and AORGovt=0.92(0.87-0.96)], backward castes [AORGovt=0.93(0.91-0.96)] and rural residents [AORPri=0.82(0.75-0.89) and AORGovt=0.72(0.64-0.81)] had lower odds of visiting qualified practitioners. Apparently less severe NCDs [acid-peptic disorders: AORPri=0.41(0.37-0.46) & AORGovt=0.41(0.37-0.46), osteoarthritis: AORPri=0.72(0.59-0.68) & AORGovt=0.58(0.43-0.78)], gastrointestinal [AORPri=0.28(0.24-0.33) & AORGovt=0.69(0.58-0.81)], respiratory [AORPri=0.35(0.32-0.39) & AORGovt=0.46(0.41-0.52)] and skin infections [AORPri=0.65(0.55-0.77)] were also less often treated by qualified practitioners. Better education [AORPri=1.91(1.65-2.22) for ≥graduation], sanitation [AORPri=1.58(1.42-1.75)] and access to safe water [AORPri=1.33(1.05-1.67)] were associated with healthcare-seeking from qualified private practitioners. Longstanding NCDs [chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: AORPri=1.80(1.46-2.23), hypertension: AORPri=1.94(1.60-2.36), diabetes: AORPri=4.94(3.55-6.87)] and serious infections [typhoid: AORPri=2.86(2.04-4.03)] were also more commonly treated by qualified private practitioners. Potential limitations included temporal ambiguity, reverse causation, generalizability issues and misclassification.ConclusionIn this poor-resource setting with high morbidity, ailments and their perceived severity were important predictors for healthcare-seeking. Interventions to improve awareness and healthcare-seeking among under-privileged and vulnerable population with efforts to improve the knowledge and practice of non-qualified practitioners probably required urgently.

Ethnobotany, traditional knowledge and socioeconomic importance of native drink among the Oraon tribe of Malda district in India.

Aim:Preparation of daily traditional drink by the indigenous tribes is a common phenomenon in India. Oraon tribes in Malda district of West Bengal, India are very much practiced in making of their own native brew, known as Chullu. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the whole Chullu procedure technology of the region and its socioeconomic effect on Oraon. Ethnomedicinal investigation of local plants involved in Chullu preparation was another aspect of this study.Materials and Methods:The present study was conducted from April 2012 to June 2013. Consecutive field surveys were performed to collect information from Chullu producers to focus the procedure technology of local brew by means of semi-structured individual interviews, informal interviews and group discussion. A semi-structured questionnaire process was also performed to obtain the information regarding the ethnic use of plant species involved in Chullu preparation.Results:The present study revealed that four medicinal plant species along with rice having strong local ethnomedicinal value were used to prepare this indigenous drink. Oraon prepare the brew using their unique home-made distillation process. Commercialization of this local brew represents an alternative income to develop their economic condition, especially for poor households. The index of importance value was considered to evaluate the importance, usage, and knowledge of the five studied species.Conclusion:It could be concluded that practices of Chullu preparation represent a bonding between ethnic knowledge and Oraon people of the province. Commercialization of Chullu may be considered as a source of alternative way of income for poor households in the region.

Epidemiological Investigation of an Outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Malda District of West Bengal, India

Background: An unusual outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) with high case fatality was reported from Kaliachak- I, II and III Blocks of Malda District of West Bengal in the month of June 2014 affecting 72 children with 34 deaths. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outbreak in the light of epidemiological as well as etiological determinants. Methods: The investigating team collected clinical and epidemiological data from the cases admitted at Malda Medical College and at the Kaliachak BPHC. Different clinical samples, (serum, CSF etc) collected from cases as well as control population were screened for different pathological, biochemical and microbiological parameters. Additionally, the CSF specimens were also processed for the isolation of viruses by inoculating in the chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) of embryonated chick eggs and intracerebral inoculation of suckling mice. Statistical methods included calculation of proportions (percentages), different test of significance (t-test, chi square etc). Results: All children were from age group of 9 months to 10 years (median=3, mean=3.73, SD=1.98) and belonged to low socioeconomic background of litchi growing belt of Malda. Most of the cases were male (65% approx). Case Fatality Rate was 47.2%. The main presenting features were sudden onset of convulsions (100%) in the early hours of dawn followed by rapid progression to unconsciousness (100%) and decerebrate rigidity (47%). Fever was present in around one third of cases. Hypoglycaemia and leucocytosis were two predominant features. Clinical samples subjected to molecular and serological testing, were all found negative for known viruses causing acute encephalitis. 3 out of 4 CSF samples produced demonstrable pocks in Chorio allantoic membrane of the embryonated eggs although the pock count varied from 4- 22 per CAM. Significantly low blood glucose level was found in the controls from litchi belt areas as compared to the controls of non-litchi belt areas of Malda. Conclusion: The evidence gathered so far pointed towards a viral etiology although the causative virus remained unidentified. Hypoglycaemia probably induced by litchi fruit might have aggravated the encephalitis rather than actually causing it.

Reduction of livelihood risk for river bank erosion affected villagers

Abstract. Bank erosion process of the Ganga River created a serious livelihood risk for the villagers situated on left bank of the river in Malda district of the State of West Bengal, India since last four decades. Due to the erosion of agriculture land by the river, most of the villagers having agriculture as their only means of livelihood became jobless suddenly. Presently they are living in a miserable condition. One of the main objectives of this paper is to find out an alternative means of livelihood for the victims to improve their miserable socio-economic condition. It has been found from field survey that some erosion affected villagers have started to live and practice agriculture temporarily on the riverine islands (large and stable since thirteen years) as these islands have very fertile soil. If the re-emerged land plots can again be demarcated on the newly formed islands and distributed among the landless people to practice agriculture over there, then it will be a useful alternative livelihood strategy for the victims. The demarcation of re-emerged plots can be achieved by georeferencing the cadastral maps and then overlaying the plots on the present river course. In the present study area geo-referencing process of the cadastral maps became a serious issue as the study area has been very dynamic in terms of land cover and land use. Most of the villages were lost into the river course. Thus the common permanent features, required for geo-referencing, shown in the cadastral maps (surveyed during 1954–1962) were not found in the present satellite images. The second important objective of the present study is to develop a proper methodology for geo-referencing the cadastral maps of this area. The Spatial Adjustment Transformation and Automatic Digitization tools of Arc GIS were used to prepare geo-referenced plot maps. In Projective Transformation method the geometrically corrected block maps having village boundaries were used as source file. Then the georeferenced plot maps were overlaid on the present river course and the plots covered by islands or lands were extracted. For e.g., Gopalpur village contains nearly 29% of its total area as riverine island and 36% of total plots are covered by this island area. These plots can be distributed to the land less people so that they can utilize it and reduce their livelihood risk in future.

Indigenous knowledge of plants in local healthcare management practices by tribal people of Malda district, India.

Aim:The present study was aimed at exploring the indigenous knowledge of native tribes on the utilization of wild plant species for local healthcare management in Malda district of West Bengal.Materials and Methods:Successive field surveys were carried out from July 2012 to August 2013 in search of traditional healers or practitioners who ceaselessly use their worthy knowledge to treat several ailments for human purposes. The information was collected by means of open-ended conversations, semi-structured questionnaire, group discussion, etc. Information obtained from the informants was also cross verified to check the authenticity.Results:The present study revealed that a total of 53 medicinal plants belonging to the 37 families are frequently used to treat 44 types of ailments with 88 herbal preparations. Of 53 plants, herbs possess the highest growth forms (32%) that were used in making traditional preparation, followed by shrubs (24%), trees (23%), climbers (17%), and parasites (4%). Roots comprised the major plant parts used (25%), followed by leaves (21%), seeds (17%), bark (13%), whole plant (8%) and fruits (6%) to prepare the medicinal formulations. The chief ailments treated in this province were azoospermia, diabetes, menstrual disorder, dysentery, rheumatism, etc.Conclusion:It can be concluded that the documentation of the ethnobotanical knowledge in management of local healthcare is the first step, which will open new door for the researchers in the field of modern drug development.

A comparative study on the dropout problem in Primary Education among Muslim community in relation to gender and economic status

Dropout from school hinders development as it makes human potentialities unexplored. This creates all round backwardness. Muslim communities are more backward particularly in Malda district, W.B., where the dropout rate is high. Parental decision to dropout their wards from primary education does not depend upon gender, but depend upon their economic status. Poverty influences the parents to withdraw their wards from school. Key wards: backwardness, dropout, economic condition, gender, Muslim communities, primary education,.