9782 research outputs found
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Hindutva in Punjab: Appropriation and Resistance
This chapter aims to study how Hindu nationalism has historically and presently tried to take root in East Punjab, a Sikh-majority state, and how these attempts have been met by Punjabis, most notably by Sikhs. After tracing the historical roots of Hindutva in colonial Punjab, it discusses the Hindu nationalist current strategy vis-à-vis Punjab and the Sikhs, trying to forcibly incorporate them, particularly through a rewriting of Sikh history that projects the Sikhs as the sword-arm of Hinduism. However, when met with resistance, it aggressively projects Sikhs as anti-nationals. Finally, the Sikh responses and anti-Hindutva activism in Punjab, particularly during the Indian farmers’ protest in 2020-2021, are addressed
Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature Modulates the Arctic Oscillation: A Multi-Model Assessment Using CMIP6
The Arctic Oscillation (AO) is a dominant mode of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric variability; however, its teleconnections with the Indian Ocean are not yet fully understood. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of how sea surface temperature (SST) variability across four Indian Ocean subregions—the Arabian Sea (AS), Bay of Bengal (BoB), Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO), and Southern Indian Ocean (SIO)—modulates the AO, using outputs from 35 CMIP6 models and observational datasets (ERA5, NOAA) for 1985–2014. The AO index, constructed via Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis of Northern Hemisphere sea level pressure anomalies, reveals a complex, regionally and seasonally dependent relationship with Indian Ocean SSTs. Notably, the SIO exhibits a robust and significant negative correlation with the AO during boreal winter (DJF; r = −0.53) and on an annual scale, indicating that positive AO phases are associated with cooling in the SIO, likely due to enhanced mid-latitude westerlies that increase ocean mixing and upwelling of cooler subsurface water. In contrast, the AS and BoB show weaker, positive correlations, suggesting that AO-driven atmospheric changes may enhance warm SST anomalies in these northern basins, possibly through alterations in monsoonal wind patterns and ocean–atmosphere heat exchanges. The influence of TIO is minimal, likely due to strong coupling with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The CMIP6 multi-model ensemble broadly captures the observed AO-SST teleconnection patterns, but there is considerable inter-model spread, reflecting differences in the representation of atmospheric teleconnections, ocean dynamics, and feedbacks. These findings highlight the critical importance of Indian Ocean SSTs—especially in the SIO—in shaping AO variability, and emphasise the need for improved representation of tropical-extratropical interactions in climate models to enhance the accuracy of seasonal-to-decadal climate predictions and to better anticipate future changes in Northern Hemisphere climate dynamics under ongoing Indian Ocean warming
When Wildfires Close Borders: Tatopani, Trade and Climate Risk
The temporary closure of the Tatopani border following a massive wildfire in China’s Nyalam-Khasa corridor may seem like an isolated environmental incident. However, it exposes deeper vulnerabilities in Nepal-China trade. With the Rasuwagadhi crossing already closed after the July 2025 floods, Tatopani had become the main overland trade route, leaving hundreds of containers stranded and supply chains disrupted. The closure highlights Nepal’s heavy reliance on a few fragile Himalayan corridors and the power asymmetry in border management, as decisions on reopening are largely controlled by the Chinese side. Beyond immediate disruptions, the incident also highlights how climate volatility is becoming a structural factor in Himalayan connectivity, complicating trade diversification efforts and revealing the absence of institutionalised Nepal-China mechanisms to manage cross-border environmental risks
Opinion: Forgotten behind bars — India’s jails are failing mentally ill undertrial prisoners
In March 2021, the Calcutta High Court released a Nepalese citizen who had been detained for 41 years without a conclusion to his trial. During this period, he was denied adequate care for his mental conditions. His case was not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a deeprooted crisis in India’s criminal justice administration
Strategic Non-Monetary Reward Integration in the European Event Sector: Enhancing Employee Engagement and Organizational Agility
This study aims to explore how non-monetary investments influence productivity in the European event sector. The study uses panel data collected from Eurostat across 26 European countries from 2008 to 2020, with a total of 338 observations. The methodology applied is a two fixed-effect regression along with a system GMM estimation to examine the relationship between investment per employee and labor productivity, considering personnel costs and company size. The results show that investment in technology, training, and workplace improvements contributes positively to productivity. However, the effect is reduced over time as these practices have become common across the sector. The findings suggest that competitiveness now depends less on financial investments and more on how organizations use their resources to sustain learning and innovation. The study provides insights for managers in the industry and policymakers and emphasizes the importance of capability building as a long-term investment in competitiveness rather than a cost
Rewind Arrested on a screen — Inside India’s digital arrest fraud
In recent months, thousands of citizens have been ‘arrested’ without even stepping into a police station. A video call flashes a uniform and a forged warrant on screen, accompanied by a stern voice warning of immediate detention unless the victim cooperates. What unfolds is not law enforcement, but fraud, a sophisticated cybercrime now commonly known as ‘digital arrest’
Identification and prioritisation of strategies to mitigate the impact of greenwashing on sustainable supply chain management: an empirical research and a case study
Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) aims to address all environmental, social, and economic issues at different levels of the supply chain to achieve sustainable development goals and reduce adverse impacts on the environment and society. Greenwashing is a misleading practice that severely threatens businesses’ sustainability. Greenwashing refers to the practice in which businesses intentionally mislead their customers about their environmental responsibilities. The present study aims to analyse, prioritise, and mitigate ways to reduce the impact of greenwashing on SSCM. The applied integrated Fuzzy Pythagorean Delphi-AHP approach evaluates 40 strategies identified through literature and by 20 highly experienced professionals. Contingency planning in case of disruption within the supply chain, ways of reporting and investigating charges for greenwashing, promoting environmentally friendly goods, imposing penalties in non-compliance cases, and completing circularity lifecycle assessments are identified as important strategies. The findings of the study will help supply chain and logistics managers build their SSCM for ethical, accountable, and transparent practices
Psychological Research Among Transgender Individuals: An Indian Case Study
This book offers a comprehensive and transformative journey for researchers, aimed at fostering inclusive, ethical, and impactful research practices in collaboration with Indian transgender communities. The book begins with a compelling personal reflection by the author, offering readers a relatable entry point. This reflection highlights the profound influence of one's background on their research approach, setting the stage for a more introspective and empathetic exploration of the subject matter. Secondly, this book would address crucial aspects of researching with Indian transgender individuals. From understanding the complexities of transgender identity to understanding ethical considerations, designing inclusive research, and advocating for change, this book offers a holistic perspective that benefits both research scholars and experienced researchers. Moreover, drawing from authors' own real-world experiences, the book not only identifies ethical dilemmas but also provides practical solutions and guidance on how to respect privacy, obtain informed consent, and uphold ethical responsibilities to transgender participants. This book places a strong emphasis on collaboration and trust-building. It will offer strategies for researchers to evolve from passive observers to active collaborators, fostering genuine partnerships with transgender individuals in the research process. The book explores how to translate findings into meaningful action and policy change. By sharing authors' own journey in effecting change, it may empower researchers to become advocates for social justice and inclusivity. Lastly, the inclusion of appendices featuring research tools and sample interview protocols enhances the practical utility of this resource, making it a go-to reference for researchers
Cross-Cultural Management in AI-Augmented Workplaces: Opportunities and Challenges
The contemporary global business environment is being simultaneously reshaped by two powerful forces: the deepening integration of cross- cultural teams and the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI). This chapter examines the intersection of these trends, exploring the opportunities and challenges of managing culturally diverse, AI-augmented workforces. We argue that AI is not culturally neutral but, when guided by cultural competence, can strengthen global collaboration, decision- making, and inclusion. Conversely, if implemented without regard for cultural nuances, AI risks amplifying biases, eroding trust, and creating new forms of digital exclusion. This chapter begins by establishing the theoretical foundations of cross- cultural management and AI augmentation. A framework for culturallycompetent AI integration is proposed, focusing on managerial strategies and tool selection. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the social, ethical, and managerial implications, calling for a more inclusive and critically aware approach to AI-augmented workplaces
Risk Perception and AI-Driven Financial Decision-Making: A FinTech Perspective
Considering the changing future of digital finance, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and machine learning (ML) have transformed how financial decisions are made, credit- risks are assessed, and mechanisms of inclusion are applied. Irrespective of these improvements, user trust, perceived risk and behavioral biases remain influential to the usefulness and use of FinTech innovations. The proposed paper constructs a behavioral- technological conceptual model, which analyzes the mediating role of perceived risk between the relationship between AI-based FinTech adoption and the result of financial decisions, in which algorithmic trust acts as a moderator. The paper connects psychological and technological aspects of financial behavior by relying on various theoretical underpinnings including Prospect Theory, Bounded Rationality, Signaling Theory, Expectancy- Violation Theory, Emotional Contagion Theory and the Algorithmic Bias- Trust Framework