SOUTH INDIA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Public Health Care Services and Their Utilization by Rural People In Tamil Nadu: An Economic Analysis
This study explores the impact of public healthcare services on the wellbeing of rural populations in Tamil Nadu, India, through an economic lens. Despite significant investments in public health infrastructure, rural areas continue to face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of government interventions, the distribution of healthcare resources, and the economic factors influencing health outcomes in rural communities. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative data analysis and qualitative field research, the paper sheds light on the critical gaps and opportunities for enhancing rural health services.
Rural areas constitute a significant portion of Tamil Nadu's demographic landscape, with a majority of the population residing outside urban centers. These regions often grapple with limited infrastructure, lower income levels, and educational disparities, all of which intersect to impact health outcomes. The accessibility and quality of public healthcare services in these areas are critical for ensuring equitable health benefits across the population.
This study assesses the healthcare delivery system with special reference to three selected Upgraded Primary Health Centres in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu State. Nearly 281 samples were selected for the study and it focuses on quality, accessibility, utilisation and awareness on maternity and child healthcare related welfare schemes.
The findings suggest that while public healthcare services have improved over the years, challenges such as inadequate funding, workforce shortages, and socio-economic barriers persist. The paper concludes with policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the healthcare system to promote equitable health outcomes for Tamil Nadu's rural populatio
The Grand Indo-Pacific Chessboard: Analyzing India's Role and Its Geostrategic Imperatives.
India's position in the Indo-Pacific region is getting more and more important as it has become a crucial geopolitical arena. In light of altering global power dynamics, this study analyses India's strategic orientation in the Indo-Pacific and highlights its geostrategic imperatives. India faces both possibilities and difficulties as its security and economic goals coincide with the region's changing framework. Maintaining ties with world powers like China and the United States, developing regional alliances with countries like Australia, Japan, and ASEAN members, and demonstrating its leadership in multilateral fora like the Quad are important facets of India's role. The paper also delves into India's balancing act between strategic autonomy and alliance-building, particularly in the context of countering China's growing influence. Ultimately, this analysis underscores India's growing importance in shaping the Indo-Pacific order and emphasizes its multidimensional strategy to maintain a balanced and stable regional architecture. Through this role, India not only safeguards its national interests but also contributes to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The paper aims to analyse how India can navigate its role in the Indo-Pacific's 'Great Game' to best serve its national interests, while focusing on inclusivity, stability, security, and peace in the region
Unlocking Employee Commitment: Exploring The Nexus Between Compensation Management and Temple Staff Engagement in Malabar Devaswom Board
The paper explores the intricate relationship between compensation management strategies and employee commitment of 300 temple staff from the Malabar Devaswom Board, whose sphere of activity is in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The research objective is to identify the findings that can contribute to strategic choices or the operational effectiveness of the organization within the specific environment of religious organization systems. The research primarily relies on a mixed-methods research design, quantifying various data points with structured questionnaires and qualitative interpretations using SEM techniques. The sampling frame includes all employees of Malabar Devaswom Board temples in Kerala, using stratified random sampling that helps to account for variances in the sizes of temples. The findings have disclosed quite an unacceptable discrepancy between the key activities of the organization and employee consideration. Significantly, one of the main differences is in the nature of the accrual of benefits , recognition programs offered, and the internal powers over fair compensation. Some employees shared worry about the meagre benefits they got and the retirement packages, making the dedication of those feeling unappreciated weaken. Complements programs , which were also considered just half-hearted and inconsistent, failed to offer recognition consistently. As well , the absence of transparency and equity in the decision making process has to do with compensation issues leading to a lack of trust and commitment among employees, which directly contributes to organizational unhappiness. Based on the mentioned observations, a few important recommendations are made to handle the issues and patch the hole between moral management and staff dedication. These include re-pricing and strengthening the packages, introducing prerequisite and effective reward systems, and ensuring fair perception in the pay scheme through increased transparency and training for leaders. The advice intends to raise among temple employees a more motivated and dedicated workforce, thus eventually contributing to the long-term maintenance of a satisfied and stable workforce and. hence, the overall success of the Malabar Devaswom Board in fulfilling its divine goal
Awareness And Proficiency of Educators in Using MOOC Platforms: Analysing Engagement and Online Teaching Practices
This study investigates the awareness and proficiency of educators in utilising Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other e-learning platforms, exploring how these factors relate to their experiences with completing MOOC courses and their online teaching practices. Utilising a descriptive research design, data were collected via structured questionnaires from 167 educators in higher education institutions in Coimbatore. The findings reveal varying levels of awareness, with platforms like Coursera, Swayam, and NPTEL being the most recognised. While most educators rated their proficiency in using e-learning tools as intermediate, a significant portion identified themselves as beginners or having no proficiency, highlighting the need for targeted training. Participation in MOOCs was notable, with over half of the educators having completed at least one course, primarily ranging from one to four courses. However, barriers such as lack of interest and non-response suggest underlying challenges in MOOC adoption. The study also underscores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in accelerating the shift towards online teaching, with a substantial number of educators dedicating hours to online classes weekly. These insights suggest a growing trend in digital education, yet emphasise the necessity for enhanced professional development programmes to bridge gaps in digital literacy and proficiency. By addressing these areas, educational institutions can better support educators in effectively integrating digital tools, ultimately enriching the learning experience for students
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH STUDIES: OUR RESOLUTION
We have been experimenting with young scholars to publish in interdisciplinary areas of study that have bearing on social sciences over the last two decades. We are really pleased to notice that the receptivity of our academic patrons including senior researchers gives us strength and resuscitate our responsibility as publishers of quality research. It is also impinging on certain limitations of our resources and abilities to meet the growing demand for space to publish all the qualified and accomplished articles. Therefore, we have approached ISSN to permit us to bring out an online version of the print journal so that we can provide opportunities to more people. However, it gives little placidity given the size and number of articles that we receive for each issue. We are getting around 350-400 submissions in a period of one week when the window is opened for uploading of papers online. The range of topics is also enormous. We have also encountered some technical problems in the composition of the texts of papers and the language issues while presenting it for printing. We shall try to fix it soon. Please bear with us. It is a social sciences journal with a flair for interdisciplinary experiments to encourage young scholars to publish. We have to a large extent achieved our aim in attracting the attention of the academics to focus on unexplored issues and people to study, investigate and publish.We wish to inform our scholars that there is an increasing trend of transdisciplinary areas of work that goes beyond the boundaries of established academic disciplines. The emergence of ICT, AI and other alternative sources of knowledge are creating unlimited opportunities for scholars to reflect and write. This is happening in the area of Humanities and STEM. We are not as of now interested in STEM though we cannot deny the issues that emerge on the frontier areas of social sciences and humanities. It is here that we are encountering problems of getting the articles reviewed by experts. We have developed a process of review that is clearly mentioned in our official website. We need scholars and academics with considerable experience to voluntarily come forward to help review the articles submitted by authors in a phased manner without loss of time. This will help us to complete the process in reasonable time so that the authors get an opportunity to see the end product without abnormal delay. After considering the diversity and quality of some of the papers and the wide distribution of topics, issues and regions, we are thinking of publishing a new journal to accommodate innovative interdisciplinary subjects in humanities and social sciences. It will be an ISSN registered journal to begin with and encourage scholars to publish on varied fields of study on diversity and unique identities of our country. We hope we will be able to come out with a title of the Journal.We thank the editorial board members, patrons and young scholars who have been enthusiastically contributing to the development of the academic exercise of publication of a quality journal.
- Academy of Social Science
Newspaper Coverage and Awareness of Right to Information Act: A Case Study in Assam
Information creation, distribution, and manipulation are crucial activities in today’s society. The unrestricted dissemination of information is a prerequisite for a vibrant democracy. In 2005, the Indian Government enacted revolutionary legislation, the Right to Information Act (RTIA), a major weapon for journalists and citizens alike. The Act grants every citizen the right to seek information from the public authorities.
This paper, recognizing the crucial role of journalists in utilizing the right to information, aims to investigate the coverage of RTIA-related issues by the vernacular press. The study has employed content analysis of two select newspapers: the Guwahati editions of Asomiya Protidin, the largest circulated Assamese-language daily, and Dainik Jugasankha, the largest circulated Bengali-language daily. The newspapers have been scanned for six months, from January to June 2022, and every month has taken into account seven days in a month, starting with Monday in the first month and Tuesday in the second month.
The researcher also conducted a survey among journalists working in vernacular dailies in Assam to understand their level of awareness about RTIA. The researchers sent a structured questionnaire to 100 journalists. Of the 100, 92 journalists responded.
The study revealed that Assam-based vernacular dailies give less importance to RTIA-related content and found no correlation between the journalists’ educational qualifications and their level of awareness about RTIA.
Interconnected Realities: Analyzing Socio-Economic Ties Between India and Bhutan
Bhutan's technological trajectory, intricately intertwined with India's aid, epitomizes a paradigm shift towards innovation, resilience, and sustainable development. This paper offers an analytical exploration of Bhutan's technological evolution, elucidating the multifaceted impact of India's assistance across key dimensions of capacity building, infrastructure development, knowledge sharing, hydropower and policy formulation. Through a comprehensive analysis of case studies and examples, this study delineates the transformative potential of strategic partnerships and policy frameworks in shaping Bhutan's technological landscape. Central to Bhutan's technological advancement is the symbiosis between capacity-building initiatives and human capital development, facilitated by India's aid. Initiatives such as the Bhutan Innovation and Technology Centre (BITC) have empowered Bhutanese professionals with the skills and expertise to navigate the complexities of the digital age. Bhutan's journey towards technological modernization is underpinned by robust policy frameworks, meticulously crafted in collaboration with India. The National Technology Policy of Bhutan provides a blueprint for technological development, fostering an ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible technology adoption. Additionally, economic diversification initiatives such as Thimphu Tech Park (TTP) have catalyzed job creation and knowledge diffusion, positioning Bhutan as a regional hub for technology-driven innovation. In conclusion, Bhutan's technological transformation, propelled by India's aid, embodies a testament to the enduring spirit of partnership and cooperation. Through collective endeavor and visionary leadership, Bhutan stands poised to harness the transformative power of technology, ushering in an era of prosperity, progress, and promise for generations to come
Challenges in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation centers: Perspectives from the working professionals
Drug addiction and alcoholism are global phenomena with similar consequences worldwide, varying in magnitude based on local situations. Recently, the consumption of licit (tobacco and alcohol) and illicit (heroin, cocaine) substances has increased significantly. Rehabilitation centers are crucial to addressing and mitigating this issue. This research paper explores the challenges faced by professionals in these centers through qualitative interviews with managers, counselors, doctors, and other staff members. Key challenges include a lack of government funding, limited space, client resistance and denial, poor hygiene among addicts, violent behavior, and a shortage of well-trained staff.
The findings highlight the need for better resources, continuous staff training, and systemic support to improve the efficacy of drug rehabilitation programs. The paper discusses the implications of these challenges on the success of rehabilitation efforts and offers specific recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring better outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction and for the sustainable operation of rehabilitation centers
Envisioning A Place-Based Understanding of Vaccine Production: A Case Study of Hyderabad, India
Vaccination played an important role in curbing spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and in limiting health effects on testing COVID-19 positive. However, very few places in India produce vaccines. The of Hyderabad in India is among select places from where vaccines are produced. Four out of six places manufacturing vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 virus are located in Hyderabad. How did Hyderabad become a hub for the manufacturing of vaccines is discussed in this paper. To explicate developments in relation to manufacturing in the city of Hyderabad, the concept of Place has been applied. This paper advances an argument that multiple meanings of Place given in the literature are complimentary to each other, rather than being in opposition to each other, and therefore, has the potential to offer a richer perspective on the concept of place.
Shaping Sustainable Investing: The Carbon Efficiency Index of The World
Sustainability has emerged as an essential investing trend in the recent years. Rise of Indices focusing on ESG factors, i.e. Environmental, Social and Governance parameters signify the steady move towards sustainable investment among investors and institutions alike. Carbon efficiency indices are part of the trend towards sustainability in financial markets worldwide. The indices serve as benchmarks for firms that are showing leadership in the area of carbon management. This paper goes on to explore the critical role played by carbon efficiency performance indicators in influencing sustainable investing. This includes the Evolution of these indices and exactly how they affect corporations with their carbon management, which may lead to future opportunities The carbon efficiency indicators of the World Tops Cape have followed a path from fundamental carbon management maturity assessment indicators in the beginning stage around 2000 till post-2023. These earlier indicators have significantly influenced these technologies, including energy-efficient technology, renewable sources of power, and developments involving carbon capture. Such projects have also led to Advances in Reporting, as manufacturers are divulging more about carbon emissions and sustainability. The report further assesses the Implications of Carbon Efficiency Index on future investment trends and policy formulation, demonstrating the role these indices play in shaping strategic investments and carbon efficient-policy formulations. The paper illustrates the growing importance of carbon efficiency metrics to govern both corporate and legislative behaviour in a greener direction