West Bengal Research Articles

Through the eyes of grandparents: an in-depth exploration of the nexus between grandchild caring and the psychological well-being of older grandparents

BackgroundGrandchild caring has positive as well as negative impact on the grandparents’ psychological well-being and the findings are varied by culture and country.MethodsPresent study was intended to understand the relationship between caring for grandchildren and psychological well-being of grandparents living in skipped (SGH) and multi-generational households (MGH) in Indian demographical context. The present research involved In-depth Interviews (IDI) focusing on grandparents above 60 and grandchildren below 18, where the elder played a crucial role in caregiving. The study area was Malda, a district of West Bengal in India. Purposively 24 IDIs were selected. Psychological well-being was measured using open-ended questions. Thematic and content analyses were adopted to understand the perspective of grandparents.ResultsMost of the grandparents from SGH reported depression word frequently, while grandparents from MGH reported happy. In the content analysis, grandparents from SGH expressed tension, mental turmoil, and worry about grandchild’s future. On the contrary, grandparents from MGH expressed happy, companionship, and worry about grandchild’s future. Further, full time caring, compulsive reason behind grandchild caring, and working status were linked with living in SGH and grandchild caring, which were in turn connected with deteriorate psychological health. However, in MGH, a different scenario was observed, most grandparents were partially and non-compulsively engaged in grandchild caring and had expressed positive mental health.ConclusionsThe Findings provide an intervention implication, particularly in the context of India’s ageing population and their well-being by acknowledging the influence of household structure, caring intensity, motive behind grandchild caring, and working status on their psychological health. Understanding the importance of these key factors may help the policy maker and the individual to incorporate the most effective intervention to achieve sustainable development goal 3 and healthy ageing.

Morpho-cultural and molecular variability in Rhizoctonia solani isolates from rice-vegetable cropping alluvial zone of West Bengal

Morpho-cultural and molecular variability in Rhizoctonia solani isolates from rice-vegetable cropping alluvial zone of West Bengal

Benefits of new generation farmers’ collectives: case reflection from an eastern state of India

ABSTRACT The current study uses field survey data from members of five farmer producer companies in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and assesses the benefits of membership. The real income of member farmers increased by more than 30 per cent after joining farmer producer companies. The access to inputs like seeds, farm chemicals, and farm machines; to weather advisory and storage services; and also, to output markets, improved after joining farmer producer companies. The members were found to market 100 per cent of their produced food grains through farmer producer companies at minimum support prices. Member farmers were found to have stronger networks and greater temporal and informational efficiency. With nearly 40 per cent of members women, these farmer producer companies have emerged as instrumental in empowering them, improving their livelihood and incomes in the patriarchal and rural societal setup. However, even though these collectives are benefitting the rural economy, it was also found that more investment is needed to create local infrastructure.

Partition of Bengal: Impact on Displaced Women and their Contribution to Refugee Movement in West Bengal

Indian independence in 1947 and its consequences created a major change in the Indian administrative structure in which British India split into Hindu-dominated India and Muslim-dominated Pakistan, respectively. This division also fragmented the undivided Bengal and West Bengal and East Pakistan appeared on the world political map. These partitions played a crucial role among the inhabitants of both regions and they started to leave their country of origin. Hindus from East Pakistan especially women were one of those migrants who were displaced from their motherland and settled in West Bengal. This study deals with the situation, women faced during and after their displacement in West Bengal. It highlights their movement to achieve rehabilitation benefits from the government and their struggle to be financially independent individuals. Several archival reports, books, newspaper articles, etc. helped provide information regarding refugee women’s conditions from East Pakistan to West Bengal.

Performance of Enriched Organic Manures on Head Quality, Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Sprouting Broccoli (Brassica oleracea Var. italica)

The present field experiment was carried out to study the performance of enriched organic manures containing farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure on head quality, nutrient uptake and economics of sprouting broccoli during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at UBKV, West Bengal, India, which comprised of 8 treatment combinations in randomized block design with 3 replications. The results of the field experiment showed that the use of Azophos biofertilizer enriched vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha along with Azophos biofertilizer enriched poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha as basal + top dressing of Azophos biofertilizer enriched vermicompost @ 0.5 t/ha along with Azophos biofertilizer enriched poultry manure @ 0.5 t/ha each (T7) significantly improved the head yield (20.47 t/ha) and superior head quality in terms of the maximum TSS (8.14°Brix), vitamin A (288.97 IU/100 g) and vitamin C (90.00 mg/100 g) of organic broccoli. The greatest benefit to cost ratio (1.93) was also obtained from the treatment T7. Hence, the treatment T7 can be recommended for sustainable production of organic sprouting broccoli under terai region of West Bengal.

An integrated multi-criteria decision analysis and geographic information system-based assessment of groundwater potentiality and stress zones for sustainable agricultural practices: a case study of agriculture-dominating Koch Bihar District, West Bengal

An integrated multi-criteria decision analysis and geographic information system-based assessment of groundwater potentiality and stress zones for sustainable agricultural practices: a case study of agriculture-dominating Koch Bihar District, West Bengal

Motivation, work experience, and teacher performance: A comparative study

This research study investigates the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on employee performance, with a specific focus on the moderating role of employees' work experience. This investigation utilizes a proposed framework, focusing on higher educational institutions in West Bengal, India. It contributes to the human resource management field by comparing teacher performance in private and government academic institutions based on their motivation levels. The study employs a quantitative approach, collecting data from 250 teachers in West Bengal, India, using a structured questionnaire. The dataset underwent analysis employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) due to its inherent capacity to accommodate smaller sample sizes while delivering precise and insightful outcomes. The results indicate a strong positive relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and teacher performance in both types of institutions. Work experience moderates the connection between intrinsic motivation and performance in both sectors but has no significant impact on the relationship between extrinsic motivation and performance in private academic institutions. This study links a gap in the literature by empirically exploring the impact of teacher motivation on their performance and provides valuable insights into the complex interplay among motivation, work experience, and performance. Practically, it emphasizes the importance of employee motivation and accumulated work experience in enhancing performance. This study attempts to underscore the role of work experience as a moderating variable, thereby contributing to the novel discourse in the educational landscape of the post-pandemic era. The findings demand to identification of diverse organizational developmental drivers as work experience does not exhibit a strong mediation effect. However, limitations such as potential response bias should be considered in future research in this area.

A study on factors responsible for delay in diagnosis of breast cancers among a tribal community in a low resource district in West Bengal, India

A study on factors responsible for delay in diagnosis of breast cancers among a tribal community in a low resource district in West Bengal, India

Correlation Studies on Growth, Yield Parameters and Yield of Maize as Influenced by Conservation Tillage Practices and Site-Specific Nutrient Management in Maize (Zea mays L.)

To meet the ever increasing needs of the growing human population ensuring sustainable use of natural resources, maintaining the standards essential for competing in the global market especially in case of major cereals like rice, wheat and maize is a never ending challenge. Keeping this in mind, to increase the productivity of maize by resource conservation techniques with different nutrient management practices, an experiment was laid out at a farmer’s field of Chella, Kamarapara, West Bengal, during pre-kharif season of 2022. The treatments consisted of 2 levels of tillage practices and 7 levels of SSNM treatments. The experimental finding revealed no significant difference between grain and stover yield with different tillage treatments. Whereas significantly higher grain and stover yield `was seen with SSNM through NE, lower grain and stover yield was recorded with control. Correlation studies revealed that plant height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, cob girth, cob length, number of grain rows per cob, and number of cobs were highly significant and positively correlated with grain yield.

Economic Importance of Hidden Child Labour among Poor Rural Families of West Bengal, India: An Investigation through Field Experiment

This article investigates whether school-going children’s participation as ‘not directly paid’ family labourers in domestic chores and/or economic activities helps their families to improve their livelihood in rural West Bengal. The findings indicate that the likelihood of hidden child labour is greater when the child’s father is old, the child is not an infant, the household possesses positive operational assets and the child’s mother is part of a self-help group. Parental positive attitude towards their child’s education can also reduce the incidence of hidden child labour within the family. The evidence from the two-step treatment effect model further suggests that hidden child labour helped their family earn a higher family income than households without hidden child labour during the reference period.

Prevalence of different gallbladder pathologies and usefulness of mucin histochemistry in early diagnosis of metaplasia and carcinoma of gallbladder

Prevalence of different gallbladder pathologies and usefulness of mucin histochemistry in early diagnosis of metaplasia and carcinoma of gallbladder

Sexual dimorphism of dermatoglyphic features in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of West Bengal: A cross-sectional study

Sexual dimorphism of dermatoglyphic features in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of West Bengal: A cross-sectional study

CBE based population screening program in breast cancer in West Bengal India: A data analysis between 2020 and 2023

CBE based population screening program in breast cancer in West Bengal India: A data analysis between 2020 and 2023

OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL EDUCATION INTO SCHOOL EDUCATION IN WEST BENGAL

This paper investigates the integration of Digital Education in school education in West Bengal, assessing its opportunities, challenges, and future directions. The study is significant for modernizing and diversifying education in West Bengal, aiming to enhance learning outcomes and bridge socio-economic disparities.Introduction: The integration of Digital Education in education is pivotal in the digital age. In West Bengal, initiatives like "Digital West Bengal" highlight the importance of technology in education, promoting student engagement and collaborative learning environments. The study aims to bridge knowledge gaps about Digital Education in West Bengal schools through a descriptive survey method, collecting data from teachers across West Bengal on their utilization, perceptions, and suggestions regarding Digital Education.Objectives: The objectives of this study are to analyze effective strategies for integrating Digital Education, identify opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning, assess challenges hindering successful integration, and propose future directions for maximizing Digital Education benefits in West Bengal school education.Methodology: A descriptive survey method was employed, using a self-constructed questionnaire distributed to a diverse sample of teachers in West Bengal. The questionnaire, designed on a 5-point Likert scale, aimed to gauge perceptions and opinions on Digital Education integration of digital education among teachers. The study involved stratified sampling across urban and rural, public, and private schools at the higher secondary level.Findings: The research found significant disparities in Digital Education integration between urban and rural public schools, with urban schools having a higher level of integration. However, the study found no significant difference between urban and rural private schools. Challenges in Digital Education integration were similar across all schools, emphasizing the need for unified strategies. Opportunities for Digital Education integration did not significantly differ between urban and rural schools, indicating an equitable landscape for Digital Education integration across different school environments in West Bengal.Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to bridge the digital divide in rural areas and ensure equitable access to technology-enhanced learning. The findings suggest a need for comprehensive strategies encompassing infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum development, and policy frameworks to support sustainable Digital Education integration efforts.

Effects of Constant Training Method and Variable Training Method on Football Dribbling Ability in Indian Tribal Boys

Abstract: Purpose: The effects of a six-week constant training programme and variable training program on the dribbling ability of Indian Tribal football players. Methods: Forty-five Tribal boys football players (age:15.45 ± 0.75 years) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: constant training method group (CTMG, N=15), variable training method group (VTMG, N=15), and control group (CG, N = 15). The constant training method group (CTMG) and variable training method group (VTMG) trained six sessions per week for 6 weeks. All football players were chosen from Bankura Football Academy, Bankura, West Bengal, India. Both before and after the intervention, dribbling efficiency was assessed. Football dribbling and passing skills were studied using a two-time repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on the constant training group, the variable training group, and the control group. All of the aforementioned abilities were evaluated using the Mor-Christian soccer dribbling ability skill test both before and after the 6-week training programme. Conclusions: According to this study's findings, both constant and varied training methods significantly improved a youngster from an Indian tribal community's dribbling skills compared to the control group. The improvement of dribbling ability was greatly influenced by variable training methods.

HYPTISCAPITATA JACQ. (HYPTIDINAE: LAMIACEAE) NEW RECORD FOR FLORA OF MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Hyptis capitata Jacq. reported here first time from the Southern Konkan region of Maharashtra. Previously, this species was recorded from Andaman and Nicobar Island, Kerala, Tripura, West Bengal and Goa. In the present article brief description, photographs, and relevant notes are provided to facilitate its easy identification.

Accuracy in placing oral cuffed endotracheal tube to correct depth in Indian adults based on conventional guidelines

Background & Aims: Precise positioning of oral Endotracheal tube (ETT) anytime is difficult however if attained will ease complications of its misplacement. The accuracy in positioning oral cuffed ETTs to the correct depth in Indian adults following conventional guidelines was sought for. Methods: This study was conducted upon 240 adults ageing 20 to 60 years of both sex, who required endotracheal intubation at operation rooms or already intubated due to any reason admitted in CCU of BSMC&H, Bankura, West Bengal, excluding patients with hemodynamic instability and upper airway deformities. Oral ETT intubation was performed and ETT fixed at incisors following conventional guidelines. ETT tip to Carina distance was measured with fiberoptic bronchoscope thereafter. The power of study was kept at 0.95. Obtained data were evaluated with descriptive and inferential statistical tests by Microsoft Excel 2016. Results & Conclusions: Only 60% (n=144) of ETTs were found to be accurately positioned. In the rest 40% (n=96) of misplaced ETTs, the majority (91%, n=87) were placed too deep. Predetermined fixing the ETTs at 21 cm and 23cm mark in females and males respectively leads to deep placement in 36% of them. Hence, we can declare that securing ETT at midline according to the conventional guidelines doesn’t match our Indian people.

Assessment of Various Substrates for Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes) Cultivation in the Agro-Climatic Conditions of West Bengal

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different substrates on various stages of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) cultivation to optimize growth and yield. Study Design: A Completely Randomized Design with three replications for each treatment was employed to ensure statistical reliability. Duncan's multiple range tests were utilized at a significance level of 5% to evaluate differences between treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at the Mushroom Research Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), located in Sriniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal, throughout the year 2023. Methodology: Different substrates including lentil husks, rice straw, wheat straw, sawdust, and mustard pods were evaluated for their impact on spawn run completion, mycelial bump formation, and sporocarp formation durations. Each substrate's performance was assessed in terms of sporocarp production and biological efficiency. Results: Across the three strains (LE-01, LE-02, and LE-03), lentil husks consistently exhibited the shortest spawn run duration, averaging 34.59 to 37.00 days. Following closely, wheat straw displayed favorable performance with durations ranging from 39.20 to 41.23 days. Sawdust also proved efficient, albeit slightly longer than lentil husks and wheat straw. Conversely, maize cobs and sugarcane bagasse exhibited longer spawn run durations, averaging from 57.80 to 64.90 days. For mycelial bump formation, lentil husks again showed the shortest duration, averaging 42.67 to 45.77 days across the strains. Wheat straw followed suit with durations ranging from 48.93 to 50.20 days, while sawdust demonstrated favorable times albeit slightly longer. Conversely, maize cobs and sugarcane bagasse exhibited longer mycelial bump formation times, ranging from 68.11 to 74.40 days. For sporocarp formation, lentil husks and sawdust emerged as top performers with the shortest durations, averaging 76.66 to 81.52 days. Conversely, maize cobs exhibited the longest sporocarp formation time, averaging 97.43 days. In terms of sporocarp yield, rice straw yielded the highest, averaging 27.67 sporocarps per bag, followed by wheat straw with 24.33 sporocarps per bag. Lentil husks, while efficient in other aspects, produced an average of 21.78 sporocarps per bag, trailing slightly behind rice straw and wheat straw. Regarding yield and biological efficiency, sawdust displayed superior performance, yielding an average of 384.57 grams per 750 grams of substrate with a biological efficiency of 51.18%. Lentil husks and rice straw exhibited comparable performance in yield and biological efficiency, with lentil husks yielding 367.81 grams and rice straw yielding 333.09 grams per 750 grams of substrate, both with biological efficiencies around 47-48%. Conversely, mustard pods exhibited the lowest yield and biological efficiency, averaging 269.02 grams per 750 grams of substrate with a biological efficiency of 35.91%. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of substrate selection in optimizing various stages of L. edodes cultivation. Lentil husks emerged as a promising substrate choice for rapid mycelial growth, but its sporocarp production lagged behind other substrates. Sawdust proved to be the top-performing substrate in terms of yield and biological efficiency, indicating its efficacy in supporting robust mushroom growth.

Impact of industrial hotspots on Tamla nala and Nunia nala confluence - a tributary of the Damodar river.

Clean water is essential for drinking, household use, and agriculture. Researchers studied 39 sites near Tamla nala and Nunia nala channels in Durgapur and Asansol City (West Bengal) to assess the deterioration level of water due to industrial discharge. During the first phase out of three, the researchers conducted a spatial representation of various physicochemical parameters, such as temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Hardness (TH), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), significant anions such as chloride (Cl-), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO4-3), sulfate (SO42-), cyanide (CN-1) and fluoride (F-), as well as heavy metals/metalloids such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As). As observed the parameters at various sites along the stream exceeded threshold limits majorly due to industrial discharge: highest pH, TDS, TH, EC, Cl-, SO42- at site 26; Fe at site 1, TSS, COD, CN- at site 33, 31, 2 respectively; Cd, Ni, Cu at site 19; Hg and Pb at site 3 and As at site 20. Contaminated areas were marked in red and secure areas in green. Additionally, the HMPI (Heavy metal pollution index) was estimated for eight locations to understand the impact of heavy metal pollution in the second phase of the study. An extremely high HMPI indicates heightened toxicity and health risks for both residents and outsiders. The Canadian Water Quality Index (1.0) was calculated for eight sites in the third phase based on seventeen parameters. The resulting WQI value was below 44, indicating poor water quality at the sites. Due to the poor quality and critical heavy metal toxicity, the authors recommended continuous monitoring, strict regulation enforcement, increased treatment capacity, Zero Liquid Discharge implementation, and raising awareness among residents.

Nutritional and Medicinal Property of Jaggery: An Overview

Abstract The oldest sweetener jaggery made from sugarcane (Saccharum officinalis) juice. It is a yellowish concentrated form of sugarcane juice which contains nutritional and medicinal properties. The good quality jaggery is golden yellowish in color, texture is hard, sweet taste with low moisture content. About 70% jaggery is made in India by various processes, in month of November to April which is a suitable climate for preparation of jaggery. Today the jaggery is available in three forms solid jaggery, liquid jaggery and granular jaggery of which solid jaggery is broadly used. The liquid jaggery has commercial value and widely used in West Bengal and Maharashtra while the granular jaggery is also most popular in rural diet. Sugarcane jaggery contains highly nutritive value with medicinal values. The jaggery contains vitamins, proteins and minerals which are essential constituents of body. Today the ayurvedic industry prepares therapeutic formulation with jaggery for the treatment of various diseases and disorders. Keywords: Jaggery, Sugar cane, Antioxidant, Cough, Arthritis.