Synergy: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies
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The Effectiveness of Brain Gym in Improving Cognitive, Physical, and Social Skills in Children with Special Needs in an Inclusive School: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFThis qualitative study explores the effectiveness of Brain Gym exercises in enhancing cognitive, physical, and social skills in children with special needs within an inclusive school setting. Brain Gym consists of 26 movement-based activities designed to support coordination, attention, and learning readiness. The study follows five students aged 5–11, each with varying developmental challenges, over a 10-month intervention period. A case study methodology was used, employing daily observation, lesson planning, and tracking of Individualised Education Plan (IEP) goals. Students participated in Brain Gym sessions three to five times per week, with movements tailored to support targeted academic and analysed behavioural goals. Results indicated noticeable improvements in areas such as attention, literacy, motor coordination, and social interaction. While outcomes varied across individuals, trends suggested Brain Gym contributed positively to classroom engagement and skill acquisition. Limitations of the study include the small sample size, absence of a control group, limited representation of the full spectrum of disabilities, potential influence of other teaching methods and therapies, and reliance on observational data without formal triangulation. Although informal feedback was received from teachers and parents, it was not systematically collected or analysed. These findings suggest that Brain Gym may be a valuable complementary tool in inclusive education, warranting further research with larger and more diverse samples and the inclusion of controlled variables
Dialogic Pedagogy as a Liberatory Praxis in Schooling: Challenging Power Dynamics and Neoliberalism in the Context of Schools in Kashmir
Get PDFDialogic pedagogy positions learners and their lived experiences at the core of education, reimagining schooling as a collaborative process of co-constructing, challenging, and reinterpreting knowledge within its social, cultural, and political contexts. This approach fosters critical consciousness, empathy, and democratic engagement, which are essential for meaningful education, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Kashmir. Amid Kashmir’s complex sociopolitical disruptions, digital divides, and educational inequities, dialogic pedagogy emerges as a transformative alternative to neoliberal, exam-driven, and authoritarian educational models. This paper situates dialogic pedagogy as a liberatory praxis within Kashmiri schooling, integrating foundational theories with recent policy reforms and grassroots innovations. Ten respondents were interviewed across the Kashmir Division as the effective sample to explore various aspects of socio-political narratives in consonance with the implications of dialogic pedagogy. It offers a nuanced critique that acknowledges local resilience, intersectional realities, and the therapeutic potential of dialogic engagement, enhanced by illustrative narratives that humanise the lived experiences of Kashmiri students and educators. The paper explores the post-traumatic development of various socio-political dimensions, where individuals have learnt to both survive and thrive in the face of adversity. The paper also focusses on the impact of the neoliberal and chronic capitalistic approach to present-day schooling, which imposes more exclusion on marginalised groups. The role of dialogic pedagogy is to rise against this notion and impose a strategic limitation on the privatisation and marketing of education, like other potential capitals. The paper suggests that dialogic pedagogy plays a significant role in the Indian context, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and other critical measures to promote its importance in this diverse society
The Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Academic Performance in High School Students: A Cognitive Perspectives
Get PDFMental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, significantly affect students’ academic performance. This study examines the cognitive models of David M. Clark and Aaron Beck to understand how maladaptive thought patterns contribute to anxiety and depression in high school students. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these mental health concerns, leading to increased academic struggles. Using a theoretical and empirical approach, this study highlights key symptoms, cognitive distortions, and intervention strategies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Findings emphasise the need for mental health support in educational settings to improve student outcomes
The Psychological Impact of BTS ARMY Fan Culture on Children’s Emotional Well-Being and Development in the New Millennium
Get PDFFan communities play an increasingly significant role in the social and emotional development of children and adolescents. Among the most influential global fandoms is BTS ARMY, the dedicated fanbase of the South Korean boy band BTS. This paper explores the dual impact of BTS ARMY fan culture on young individuals, examining both its benefits and potential drawbacks. On the positive side, participation in the fandom fosters a sense of belonging, encourages creative self-expression, and promotes emotional well-being through shared experiences and support networks. BTS’s advocacy for self-love, mental health awareness, and social activism further enhances young fans’ psychological resilience and identity formation. However, fan culture can also introduce challenges, including peer pressure, unrealistic social comparisons, and exposure to cyberbullying. The need to conform to community norms, financial pressures related to fandom participation, and the risk of emotional dependency are additional concerns. This study underscores the importance of a balanced approach to fan engagement, emphasizing the role of parents, educators, and caregivers in guiding youth toward healthy participation. By understanding both the positive and negative dimensions of BTS ARMY fan culture, this paper offers insights into fostering a supportive and enriching fan experience while mitigating risks to children’s emotional well-being
Women in Braj Bhakti Literature
Get PDFThe Bhakti movement’s impact on Braj was marked by gender and caste disparities. While men actively participated in devotional practices, women, especially from lower castes, were largely absent due to their socio-economic roles. Lower-caste women’s labor-intensive responsibilities limited their engagement in religious activities, whereas higher-caste women had greater social mobility, enabling their participation. Despite the movement’s egalitarian messages, patriarchal structures and daily labor demands hindered broader female involvement. The literature of Braj reflects this imbalance, highlighting selective participation based on caste and social status. This paper explores the role and position of women in various religious sects, examining the reasons behind the limited number of women saints in Braj. By analyzing these dynamics, we can better understand the complex interplay between gender, caste, and religious participation in the region
Decentralisation and the Strengthening of the State: A Case Study of the Province of Bihar
Get PDFThis paper seeks to study a case of Panchayati Raj Institutions of the province of Bihar in general and Nawada district of Bihar in particular. The qualitative and quantitative methods have been used to study it. This paper delineates the dynamics of decentralisation and the shortcomings of the functioning of Panchayats in the province of Bihar, and it further argues that democratic and substantive decentralisation can really strengthen the institution of state. A state consists of people. If we empower the people by giving easy access to services at the local level by decentralising the power of the state, which is by and large populous and larger in geographical size, accompanied with proper election management and voters’ education for a free and fair election, the state will in turn get stronger
Sorcery as Cure: Medicine in Mughal India (1526-1707)
Get PDFSorcery and its intertwining with medicine have deep roots in Indian cultural and spiritual traditions, persisting through the Mughal period (1526-1707). The Mughal rulers, who were patrons of the Unani and Ayurvedic medical systems, also indirectly acknowledged the role of sorcery in healthcare. While Unani and Ayurvedic practitioners enjoyed state support and prominence, sorcerers, operating without official endorsement, played a vital role in medieval Indian society, particularly among the rural and lower classes. Sorcerers, believed to wield supernatural powers, provided accessible and affordable healthcare, often addressing ailments thought to be caused by spiritual or supernatural forces—an area beyond the reach of conventional physicians and hakims. This study examines the dual role of sorcerers as both healers and practitioners of magic within the Mughal medical landscape. Sorcerers offered various treatments, including herbal remedies, magical spells, and rituals, sometimes involving animal or human sacrifices. Their methods, although lacking scientific validation, were perceived as effective by a populace deeply entrenched in spiritual and magical beliefs
Leather Waste Management and Possibilities of Employment Generation in India
Get PDFIndia is not only famous for its historical monuments and its diverse culture but also its traditional leather craft. The leather industry is one of the most polluting industries in India and the world as well because its production process includes the use of many chemicals and methods of processing that have a heavy impact on the environment. Having finished products, lefts lots of waste materials of leather, most of them come from organized and unorganized manufacturing units. One more interesting fact is that most people even don’t know how to decompose them properly. They usually dump it openly or dispose of it on land sited. From all the stages of making finished leather out of 100% of raw material nearly 85% is generated as solid & liquid waste like (skins, fats, trimmings, process effluents, and sludge buffing dust,). Only 15% useable material is available for making leather products. Out of which nearly 50% is generated as waste during the cutting process even in the case of some goods it may be 60-70%. All these wastes can be used for making various useful items and industrial products. Proper utilization of these wastes will give a boost to the growth and development of the nation because there are great possibilities of utilizing these wastes for the betterment of society. The purpose of presenting this paper is to understand and find new innovative methods of using these wastes for generating employment opportunities, eliminating widespread poverty, and attaining various SDG goals of the UN
Exploring Identity and Trauma: Social Realism and Object Relations in the Works of Temsula Ao and Easterine Kire
Get PDFTemsula Ao and Easterine Kire are the two well-known writers from Nagaland who provide an in-depth analysis into the emotional and sociopolitical environments of the Naga people through their literary works. Their works explore the themes of the region’s complicated history, which is highlighted by political unrest, cultural change, and the tragedy of bloodshed and displacement. This paper explores how the writings of both the writers employ the strategies of “Object Relation and Social Realism”. The concept of social realism explicitly depicts the traumatic reality of Nagaland, with special reference to political unrest, identity conflicts, and gender norms. Additionally, this paper delves into the psychological nuances in the portrayal of relationships, particularly those between family and community, with a particular focus on object relation theory. Through a close examination of important works by both Temsula Ao and Eastrine Kire, this paper aims to vividly show how these authors use literature to bring attention to both individual and collective trauma, and how their exploration of personal relationships helps us understand identity and emotional strength
Communal Tensions and Revivalist Movements in Colonial Bihar: A Historical Analysis of the Emergence of Hindu-Muslim Conflict, 1908-1924
Get PDFThis paper examines the emergence of revivalist and communal trends in colonial Bihar between 1908 and 1924, with a focus on the manipulation by the colonial state that led to the rise of these movements. The Arya Samaj movement, established in 1875, aimed to revitalize Vedic Hinduism and gained significant influence in Bihar through its advocacy for cow protection and the establishment of educational institutions, temples, and social welfare organizations. The movement’s impact was evident in the lives of Hindus in Bihar, with efforts to eliminate the practice of ‘untouchability’ and caste distinctions, promote women’s education and gender equality, and assist impoverished women and widows. However, the rise of revivalist movements and communalism led to increased tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities, culminating in violent conflicts such as the Shahabad riots in 1917