Weaker Sections Research Articles

Impact of gender inequality on teacher's Psychological well-being at the workplace

Gender inequality is certainly a matter of concern in the workplace. Gender inequality has existed in India for centuries. Gender inequality means inequality with women on the basis of gender. Traditionally, women are seen as a weaker section in our society. Inequality in the workplace is analyzed by discrimination in decisions regarding wages, termination, promotion, hiring, leave, benefits etc. The presented research paper is an attempt to investigate the impact of gender inequality in the workplace on the psychological well-being of teachers. In the study, data has been collected using the psychological well-being scale developed by Sisodia and Chaudhary (2012). Gender Inequality in the Workplace Gender Discrimination Inventory developed by Azim, Azimi, Asraf and Rehman (2005) has been administered to the respondents.

Exploring Male Chauvinism and Gender-Based Violence in Someone Like Her: A Psychoanalytic Feminist Critique

This study examines Awais Khan's novel Someone Like Her (2023) from a psychoanalytic feminist perspective. It focuses on themes of male chauvinism, gender-based violence, and societal stereotypes. Male chauvinism is a superiority complex that violates a woman’s dignity, and equality and subjugates her both physically and psychologically. It is based on the notion that men are regarded as superior gender to women. It is a concept that has been passed down through centuries and celebrated by society which creates a patriarchal system. Women have long been considered the ‘weaker section’ of society and subordinate to men. Man has perpetuated patriarchy through his physical force and used it for his own gain. Due to this inevitable superiority and subjugation of women, men tend to abuse them both physically and emotionally. The study adopts a qualitative method of analysis to explore how male chauvinistic attitudes lead to gender-based violence against the protagonist, Ayesha. It explores misogynistic maltreatment and examines the societal stereotypes that affect women's portrayal and treatment. Using Nancy Chodorow’s and Juliet Mitchell’s works as a theoretical framework, the research sheds light on how patriarchal structures and gender-biased norms merge to give rise to oppression and gender inequality. This study contributes to understanding the impact of literature in reflecting and challenging societal norms, advocating for gender equality, and empowering marginalized voices.

PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN PURULIA DISTRICT OF WESTBENGAL

Panchayat systems have been playing an important role in order to monitor these rural development programmes. These institutions have been helpful in identifying real beneficiaries in order to get maximum benefits out of these schemes. Under these schemes priority has been given to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, women, weaker sections and the upliftment of backward areas. A number of hurdles and constraints and deficiencies are also responsible for failure of these rural development programmes. In this paper, an attempt has been made to examine various issues, aspects and dimensions related to Panchayat system in Purulia district of West Bengal. It has been sought to analyze changes in the rural society and its impact on socio-economic transformation due to panchayat, political participation, and political mobilization etc. There are number of factors responsible for created hurdles in performing the role of PRIs. These are castism, groupism and factionalism, which resulting to bitter infightings, allegations and counter-allegations, mutual suspicions and rivalries etc.

A Study of Digital Financial Inclusion in Developing Countries and Emerging Economies

Around the world, high inflation, slow economic growth and food shortages are hurting the poor the most. To address this, the World Bank is committed to expanding financial inclusion through digitization. The rapidly expanding sector of digital finance has the potential to help poor nations in a variety of ways with long-term growth. Expanding people's access to financial services in developing nations is one of these methods, which can also increase economic development and tax income. In order for underprivileged individuals, particularly women, to participate in the contemporary economy, it is crucial that they have access to digital financial services. Global poverty has greatly grown as the unequal consequences of Covid phase have come to light and the present numerous crises have already drastically reversed growth. Positively, the Covid crisis has sparked unheard-of transformation, particularly in sectors with a significant digital component. Digital technology can be a game changer in tackling the multi-decadal challenge of achieving universal financial inclusion. The financial services that are available and used in developing economies have risen as a result of the digital revolution. The fast adoption of digital technology in the countries over the past 15 years has served as the basis for a number of success stories among the members. With great success, the emerging economies have taken important steps to promote financial inclusion online in their countries. Universal financial inclusion has been one of the major developmental priorities for the developing countries over the last few decades. Governments and central banks of the developing countries have undertaken several initiatives to ensure access and affordability of financial services to all sections of the society, especially the weaker sections and low-income groups.

Examining the effect of removing banknotes and implementing Goods and Services Tax on access to healthcare in India

This paper explores the effect of the banknote ban and GST, which were implemented within a span of 8 months in 2016-2017, on self-reported illnesses and healthcare consumption in India. The findings show that the increasing trend of self-reported illness from 1995-96 to 2014, reversed in 2017-2018. The reduction in healthcare consumption between 2014 and 2017-2018 is primarily within the private care sector rather than public care, indicating economic duress induced by the banknote ban and GST as its cause. The reduction in self-reported illness and healthcare consumption is more prolonged among the occupationally vulnerable. The reduction in reporting of illnesses, healthcare consumption, and out-of-pocket expenditure on health continued even after one-and-half years of the banknote ban; this may also have been exacerbated later by the implementation of GST. Data indicate that the condition of public healthcare deteriorated between 2014 to 2018. As a result, even though the weaker sections’ access to private healthcare diminished, they could not turn to public healthcare either, resulting in a reduction in overall healthcare consumption. The findings of this paper call for a robust, functioning, affordable public healthcare system in India for greater crisis resilience.

Technology for Financial Inclusion

Financial inclusion is one of the top most policy priorities of Government of India. The actual agenda is social inclusion of which financial inclusion is an integral part. Financial inclusion is "the process of ensuring access to financial services, timely and adequate credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income groups at an affordable cost.” In today’s rapidly changing and competitive industry, most institutions are looking hard at the potential benefits to be derived from Information and communication technology. More than 50% of the adult population in our country is excluded from the financial sector, It is not just people in rural areas, Many of the lower income categories of the urban population are also excluded because of transaction costs of financial services to the poor, financial illiteracy. With the use of latest information & Communication technology it is to reduce transaction costs, improve awareness, provide access of information in all forms to excluded group and also to simplify the transaction time, Simplify the transaction processes, increase the security improve other transaction facilities for the included group. The present paper makes an attempt to pave the way for achieving financial inclusion to the maximum by Proper use of the Technological innovations to the optimum possible extent.

Pricing information asymmetry in healthcare: stakeholder analysis and research insights

PurposeThis study aims to map and analyze health-care pricing information research. This work highlights current gap in pricing information research in health care and proposes future research avenues to academia and industry professionals.Design/methodology/approachA bibliometric method was adopted to analyze extant literature on pricing information asymmetry. Semistructured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in health care to triangulate the findings.FindingsPricing information is crucial for all stakeholders including health-care consumers, providers and regulators. The popular research areas were the rising health-care cost, cost-saving, outcome-based pricing, price based on service supply and demand, insurance and out-of-pocket spending. Cost–quality perceived linkages, cost–demand correlation in health-care service and cost–price interlinked drivers were the dominant themes in extant literature. The study highlighted that pricing information asymmetry pushed patients from weaker sections into a debt trap due to unplanned out-of-pocket health-care expenses. The study suggests areas of research to minimize this pricing information asymmetry.Practical implicationsThe emerging themes in health pricing asymmetry will help key stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and take remedial actions in the health-care domain.Originality/valueThis study is a pioneering effort to summarize extant literature published in the health-care information pricing domain and analyze it from a bibliometric perspective. The study also triangulates the finding with primary data from key stakeholders and highlights emerging research areas.

Effects of integrated process of flattening and densification on the gradient structure and properties of Moso Bamboo

Bamboo is an appealing source of engineering materials due to its renewability and sustainability. However, the traditional method of processing bamboo splits using four-side planing leads to a very low utilization rate of bamboo materials. Additionally, the non-uniform structure of the bamboo culm wall results in a concentration of higher density towards the outer part and a gradual decrease towards the inner part. To address these issues, this study proposes an effective and environmentally friendly method that combines flattening and densification to modify the heterogenous structure and enhance the properties of natural bamboo. Natural bamboo splits with a moisture content of 70 % were compressed by 44 % along the radial direction of culm wall for 20 min at temperatures of 170 °C and 190 °C, respectively. The gradient characteristics of modified bamboo including microstructure, density, and mechanical properties were investigated for the first time to explore the effect of flattening and densification on the heterogenous bamboo material. After modification, the parenchyma tissues were collapsed, the fiber bundle fraction increased, and the differences in lumen size and fiber fraction between the outer and the inner parts of bamboo splits decreased. The density of the inner part of bamboo splits was tremendously increased to over 1.0 g/cm3 and was consistent with that of the outer part. The tensile and bending properties across the gradient were significantly improved, and the weaker section was reinforced and possessed a strength equivalent to the sturdy part of natural bamboo. Furthermore, the tensile and bending properties of full-thickness bamboo splits were improved, and the change in stress distribution led to a stable structure replacing the previously vulnerable structure.

Rape as a tool of political mobilisation: The experience of Indian muslim

The use of rape as a tool for political control and mobilization has been seen throughout history, particularly in times of conflict and war. Rape is used to exert power and authority, with the intention of oppressing and dehumanizing a particular group of people. In many cases, rape is used to assert dominance and control over a community, to exert social, political and economic control, and to further marginalise and silence the victims. The motivations behind the use of rape as a tool in politics can vary, but they often stem from a desire to maintain power and control over a population, to spread fear and destabilise a community, and to assert dominance over a particular group. The consequences of rape used in this manner can be far-reaching, including physical, psychological, and emotional trauma for the victims, as well as a long term impact on their communities. This paper is an attempt to explain how rape has been used as a tool of political mobilisation for committing violence against women in general and the weaker sections in particular especially the Muslim women in India.

HIGHER EDUCATION İN INDIA AND UTTARAKHAND: ROLE OF CONVENTIONAL VS OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEMS

This research study aimed to review the status of higher education in India and in depth analysis of higher education particularly ODL in one of its State – Uttarakhand. As far as the GER of India is concerned, it is still below the global average and it is a major issue of concern for a country having second largest population load in the world. Although, the gross enrolment as well as male-female enrolment increased continuously during the study period (2012 to 2020) but the contribution of female to gross enrolment is still lower than the males. Similar was the case with the weaker sections. Among weaker sections, highest contribution was of OBCs followed by SCs and STs, respectively. Muslim minorities that has share 14.2 percent in the population of the country, there share in gross enrolment was only more or less 7 % during the study period. Therefore, if India has to reach a target of 50% GER by the year 2035 as laid down in the National Education Policy, then the weaker sections, minority groups and far-flung remote regions need to be focused and here the role of ODL can be crucial. In order to understand the role of ODL, a case of Uttarakhand State was analyzed in depth. It was found that the contribution of ODL in gross enrollment has increased significantly from 7.27 % in 2015-16 academic session to 16.52 % in 2020-21 session and male to female enrolment ratio for ODL system in Uttarakhand is <1 which is indicative of presence of more female participant in ODL system. Uttarakhand Open University, the only State Open University in the State of Uttarakhand, has established its LSCs in distant remote locations and this has helped to an extant in meeting its mission towards taking ‘education to the doorsteps of learners’. The study also highlighted the problematic and prospective areas in terms of enrolment and in terms of regions with poor performance. Hilly regions of the state need comparatively more attention. This way ODL has definitely played a significant role in making it easy for marginalized population to be able to pursue their higher studies. If the country has to achieve the target of 50% GER by 2035 as reflected in National Education Policy (2020), then the potentials of ODL should be utilized to its fullest.

A comparative study on enrolment of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe learners in bachelor of social work programme of IGNOU in Assam before and after implementation of IGNOU fee exemption scheme under SCSP/TSP Grant

Education is a very important determinant of overall development of a community or a society. It is the responsibility of a state in democratic country like India to provide equal opportunity of qualitative educational development to all sections of the society. Distance education is mainly focused on democratization of higher education by providing a platform to disadvantageous section of people due to some unavoidable circumstances. It facilitated them; get the hands on training through distance mode without hampering the daily social responsibilities and activities of learners. IGNOU BSW programme is one of the important professional based programme for learners dealing with professional training/degree in Social Work. India’s Northeast region is popularly celebrated for its cultural diversity with sizable number of Schedule Tribe (ST) community as inhabitant of this region. Social Work Education in the Northeast region of India began only in the year 1992. The present study is carried out on 620 learners of BSW programme enrolled at IGNOU RC, Guwahati in last ten years from 2010 to 2019 with an intention to assess the impact of IGNOU fee exemption scheme in admission of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) learners in undergraduate programmes. This will enable us to know and assess the participation/ involvement of SC/ST learners in free admission scheme of IGNOU under SCSP/TSP Grant in Assam by examining their percent shares in annual admission. Apart from that we have also examined the overall general trends of admission on the basis of Area (Urban, Rural & Tribal), Gender, the age profile, and marital status of learners enrolled in this programme. This study is undertaken to determine and access the fulfilment of University’s motto “reaching the unreached” in weaker section and scheduled communities of our society.

The Role of Banks in Ensuring Financial Inclusion

Financial inclusion is the method of guaranteeing access to financial services and timely and adequate credit for vulnerable groups such as weaker section, low income people. In contrast to traditional banking and financial services, it has adopted new generation banking systems and online financial transactions for client satisfaction; financial inclusion provides financial products and solutions economically at the door step of the clients quickly. It is seen that over 40 per cent of the population now utilises financial inclusion to have access to financial services and timely and adequate credit for vulnerable groups. Economically weaker communities face challenges like irregular job, inadequate resources, unemployment, lack of education, paucity of identity proof and because of this condition of bank procedure, many people are deprived from accessing bank facilities and hold abundant cash at home or investment in some private schemes..

ACCESSIBILITY OF CUSTOMERS – A STUDY ON HOW FAR THE BANKING SECTOR COULD ACHIEVE THE SPREAD AMONG RURAL POPULATION

Indian economy in general and banking services in particular have made rapid strides in the recent past. However, a sizeable section of the population,particularly the vulnerable groups, such as weaker sections and low income groups, continue to remain excluded from even the most basic opportunities and services provided by the financial sector.To address the issue of such financial exclusion in a holistic manner,it is essential to ensure that a range of financial services is available to every individual.The present study attempts to analyse the accessibility of banking products and services to customers of commercial banks

A Study on Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Sonitpur District of Assam With Special Reference to Rangapara Development Block

Women play a vital role in the development of the society. For the growth of economy, women entrepreneurs are considered as important source. They were treated as the weaker section with less leadership role, but with changing times, now people have started accepting the leading role of women in society. The objective of the research paper is to find out the problems of rural entrepreneurs and motivating factors which influences them to become entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs face many problems such as lack of access to formal finance, gender based barriers, cultural and social barriers, limited resources, and access to information etc. Rural women entrepreneurs are an integral part of the economy as they can generate employment and reduce poverty and contribute towards empowerment of women.

Laws on Economic Security: An Analytical Study of Some Ancient Indian Law Books

The king or the master of a Nation did not want to see any kind of misery for his subjects. It may be thought that if people are in a problem then they will go to the king as if a son goes to the father for the solutions. Then the king will be the part of the problem and he has to pay attention to it. But if there is less or no problem in his state then the king also can think about the prosperity of the state. This can be experienced in the history of medieval India. There was continuous fighting between the Indian Kings as well as the wars between Islamic invaders and indigenous Hindu Kings. During this period almost all kings deviated from the developmental agenda and as a result, the common man, as well as the weaker section, became weaker and India became economically backward. This paper intends to through a fresh light on the so called dark side of the Hindu social system.

Issues and challenges of women in career advancement in higher education

Since times immemorial we have been hearing about the women empowerment in discussion forums and events. Much hype is created on Gender equality in education, career and society. Much of it reflects upon the point that women is the weaker section who needs special attention right from education to career advancement. Government has imposed Equal opportunity laws to favour equal treatment of women at employment and avoid exploitation of women by the employer. But much of the issues are pushed under the carpet and much of it go unnoticed and submissive. Literacy, socioeconomic status and family support has been major challenges for women to overcome the issues faced in the society. Present study focuses on exploring the obstacles coming in way of career advancement of women. Study relies on secondary data gathered from various sources to arrive at findings. Possibilities of overcoming the hurdles are explained as an outcome of the research. Emphasis is on throwing light on the pain points of the women in career advancement

Demystifying the Myths Associated with Caste-Based Reservation

Affirmative action of the State policy (caste-based reservation) was essentially inserted into the Constitution of India to bring historically exploited, discriminated and marginalized scheduled castes and schedule tribes into the mainstream public life by ensuring the dignity of life through better representational opportunities in public employment. Contrary to its professed aim, it has, in practice, ensured only a skewed representation of people from reserved castes. The conscious attempts are being made to slowly eroding it by vilifying it on various pretexts such as reservation is a compromise with merit, efficiency and the most deserving candidates suffer and so on. The underlying objective of such disparaged attempts is to replace caste-based reservation with an economic-based reservation which evidently defeats the very purpose of caste-based reservation. The introduction of 13-points roster system and 10% reservation are twin attacks on caste-based reservation in recent times apart from the otherwise ‘normalized’ attacks like privatizing the public sector, recruitment on contract/ad-hoc basis and tardy implementation of reservation policy apart from attempts to weaken and demonise SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. These demonising and casteist attacks on caste-based reservation are clearly not isolated and disconnected but obvious manifestations of the interests of select castes. It defeats the essence of affirmative policy of the state. It is clearly a travesty of social justice. This article tries to explore and demystify different facets of reservation policy like the basis of reservation, flawed merit logic, the impact of privatization on reservation, newly introduced reservation for economically weaker section (EWS) and the way ahead to annihilate the caste system.

Loss of Livelihood, Wages, and Employment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Districts of Chhattisgarh in India, and Its Impact on Food Insecurity and Hunger.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing food insecurity in developing nations. The cumulative effect of restricted mobility to curtail the spread of the infection, loss of livelihood and income, worst affected the economically weaker sections. Our work examined the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food during the first wave of the pandemic using the FAO, HFIAS questionnaire, in a random sample (N = 401) from Kanker and Narayanpur districts in Chattisgarh, an Empowered Action Group state, in India. Total food security scores were derived by summing the individual scores. Percentages above and below the median scores were used to assess food insecurity. Proportion Z test was used to compare settings and a generalized linear model was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Of the 63% non-tribal population, a greater percent experienced income loss (13.4%) and worried about not having sufficient food (40%). A significantly higher proportion from the non-tribal regions reported food scarcity in the household (34%) and experienced hunger (15%). Non-tribal participants (77%) scored ≤ median (score 8) demonstrating high food insecurity. The odds of poor food access increased in the non-tribal settings (B: 0.024, 95% CI: 0.011–0.051, P < 0.001), income between Rs. 10,000–29,000/- per month (B: 0.385, 95% CI: 0.146–1.014, P < 0.05) and among those experiencing total or partial income loss (B: 0.505, 95% CI: 0.252–1.011, P < 0.05). Urban residence increased the odds of poor food availability (B: 15.933, 95% CI: 3.473–73.096, P < 0.001). Being male (B: 0.450, 95% CI: 0.208–0.972, P < 0.05), and not experiencing income loss (B: 0.367, 95% CI: 0.139–0.969, P < 0.05) decreased the odds of poor availability and affordability (B: 0.153, 95% CI: 0.067–0.349, P < 0.001). Non-tribal setting increased the odds of poor affordability (B: 11.512, 95% CI: 5.577–23.765, P < 0.001) and hunger (B: 19.532, 95% CI: 7.705–49.515, P < 0.001). Being male (B: 0.445, 95% CI: 0.277–0.715, P < 0.05) and higher age (B: 0.936, 95% CI: 0.936–0.906, P < 0.001) decreased the odds of food insecurity as per the total food security score. While India is likely to experience multiple waves, actions urgent and targeted toward the needs of the vulnerable sections be prioritized to endure and overcome the impact of the pandemic.

Predicting Universal Healthcare Through Health Financial Management for Sustainable Development in BRICS, GCC, and AUKUS Economic Blocks.

The majority of the world's population is still facing difficulties in getting access to primary healthcare facilities. Universal health coverage (UHC) proposes access to high-quality, affordable primary healthcare for all. The 17 UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) are expected to be executed and achieved by all the 193 countries through national sustainable development strategies and multi-stakeholder partnerships. This article addresses SDG 3.8—access to good quality and affordable healthcare and two subindicators related to societal impact (SDG 3.8.1 and 3.8.2) through two objectives. The first objective is to determine whether health expenditure indicators (HEIs) drive UHC, and the second objective is to analyze the importance of key determinants and their interactions with UHC in three economic blocks: emerging Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); developing Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) vis-à-vis the developed Australia, UK, and USA (AUKUS). We use the WHO Global Health Indicator database and UHC periodical surveys to evaluate the hypotheses. We apply state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) models and ordinary least square (traditional—OLS regression) methods to see the superiority of artificial intelligence (AI) over traditional ones. The ML Random Forest Tree method is found to be superior to the OLS model in terms of lower root mean square error (RMSE). The ML results indicate that domestic private health expenditure (PVT-D), out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPS) per Capita in US dollars, and voluntary health insurance (VHI) as a percentage of current health expenditure (CHE) are the key factors influencing UHC across the three economic blocks. Our findings have implications for drafting health and finance sector public policies, such as providing affordable social health insurance to the weaker sections of the population, making insurance premiums less expensive and affordable for the masses, and designing healthcare financing policies that are beneficial to the masses. UHC is an important determinant of health for all and requires an in-depth analysis of related factors. Policymakers are often faced with the challenge of prioritizing the economic needs of sectors such as education and food safety, making it difficult for healthcare to receive its due share. In this context, this article attempts to identify the key components that may influence the attainment of UHC and enable policy changes to address them more effectively and efficiently.

A Study of Investment Behavior of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Investors

While investing, it is most important for an investor that he/she understand and follows the basic principles of investing to gain maximum advantages out of it. The present study analyzes the investment behavior of 190 economically weaker section (EWS) investors and rank their preferences and reasons using Garret ranking. The study observes that investors prefer to invest in traditional investment avenue over modern avenue due to lack of awareness and ease of investing across demographics. Results of ANOVA inform a small shift to mutual funds and change in perceived risk and return behavior in selected age, income, and education category. The study recommends for opening of dedicated small financial planning centers/branches/kiosks, etc. to increase their awareness level and participation so that they can gain maximum advantages from their investment.