Governing Higher Education in Jammu and Kashmir
Education is the essential part of any development as it is a means of
social improvement and material wellbeing, especially for the economically
and socially backward people. Education is a powerful tool to boost the
economy of a country. India has one of the largest and diverse education
systems in the world. Privatization, widespread expansion, increased
autonomy and introduction of Programmes in new and emerging areas
have improved access to higher education. At the same time, it has also led
to widespread concern on the quality and relevance of the higher
education. Higher education In Jammu and Kashmir has also evolved over
the years. Governing higher education has assumed significance in line
with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and National Education
Policy, 2020 in India. The study attempts to examine the scenario of
higher education at the decentralized level in Jammu and Kashmir. An
attempt has been made to analyze governance, performance and quality
standards in higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. This paper also
assesses the new opportunities and challenges that The National
Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC) Assessment, Faculty development and
NEP-2020 poses to higher education system in J&K. The objective of
NAAC is to make quality assurance an integral part of the functioning of
Higher Education Institutions.
Role of Education in Building Next Generation Leadership and Youth Entrepreneurship
In this VUCA world, changes are taking place at a very high pace.
Development of new technologies has created cut throat competition
among organizations which require ever-evolving leaders to manage
disruption efficiently. With the business landscape evolving at an
unprecedented pace, there is a critical need for professionals to be equipped
with new-age skills and technologies to avoid being left behind.
Traditional approaches to executive education may not be sufficient to
handle the critical challenges. Management Development Centers or
training institutes faced a number of challenges during the COVID-19
pandemic. Before the pandemic, these institutes used to train a fraction of
middle and top-end executives in different domains. The onset of pandemic
disrupted the normal working. Hence, remote working, as well as digital
interventions, demanded out of box solutions. This paper throws light on
development of Personal learning cloud to overcome this challenge in
India. While the corporate offices worked on policy formulation, the
learning and development departments were required to train and retrain
people to adapt to the change without losing time. Leading this mission at
LIC’s Management Development Centre at Mumbai provided the author
ample opportunity to understand the role of education in building
leadership for the next generation.
Transition from Ancient Indian Education System to National Education Policy
This paper delineates the significance of education for the growth and
development of human being. Indeed, educational attainment is associated
with many diverse social outcomes. This paper highlights the transition in
education system from ancient Indian knowledge system to National
Education Policy introduced by Government of India in 2020. It explores
as to how India produced erudite scholars not only in ancient times but in
21st century as well. We are living in a world which is characterized by
volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. If Indian students are
still leading at the global level by heading some of the world’s renowned
organisations then it can be stated that we have stood the test of the times.
This paper would also throw light on important components of National
Educational Policy 2020 as well.
Role of Inclusive Leadership among Working Women with Disabilities
The concept of inclusion has transcended its status as a social construct
and has drawn significant attention from organisational practitioners and
scholars. A set of global objectives that aim to transform society are called
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 10 explicitly called on
nations to "reduce inequalities within and among countries." The concept
of inclusive leadership has great potential to foster collaborative and
humanistic workplaces.
Role of Self-Help Groups in achieving Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study Analysis
The transformation of the lives of rural women towards their betterment is
a critical issue in the development process of countries around the world.
Poverty, lack of financial awareness, minimal or no education, and women's
disempowerment are reasons for the poor condition of rural women.
Globally, microfinance has become an integral part of poverty reduction,
economic regeneration, and development. As part of India's microfinance
programs, Self Help Groups (SHGs) are utilized. The objective of this
research paper is to analyze the role of Self-help groups in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It presents case studies developed
using a mixed methods approach, including literature review and
qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and in-depth
interviews with approximately 20 key informants and women SHG
members in four districts of Rajasthan.
Strategies for increasing the contribution of Women in Nation Building
This study starts with an Indian benchmark method of the Vedic era that
was used to ensure equality and women's contribution to nation-building.
Subsequently, the existing practices and policies have been reviewed for
gaps. The life-cycle of policy formulation is discussed in detail with a case
study to give a fair idea of how the entities can be aligned in the national
contribution. Digital grids like National Women Health Grid, National
Women Learning Grid, National Women Skill Grid, National Women
Employment Grid, National Women Contribution Grid, and National Data
Grid have been explored to ensure effective monitoring of policies. Also, the
recommendations have been made in terms of social security needs, policy
formulation, implementation, regulation, feedback, data analysis, and
proactive actions to ensure gender balance and lifetime contribution by
women in nation-building.
Cycling as a bridge from Health to Environment
This paper covers the health benefits of cycling and how it has a positive
impact on the environment. It examines the Dutch model of the
development of cycling, how it may be adapted to Indian conditions, and
help to overcome the barriers to cycling, in the Indian context. In India,
urban growth is a reality fuelled by the Services Sector development, and it
impacts accessibility, liveability, sustainability, and the health of citizens.
While cycling helps to obviate these issues, it has two major barriers to
overcome in India - Road Safety and weather. Local, city, and climatespecific
solutions are required and are suggested in this paper. Keywords:
Cycling, urban infrastructure, health benefits, Dutch model, weather
impact, road safety.
Promoting Health and Happiness through Yoga
Health and happiness are valuable assets of human life. Traditional Indian
knowledge system particularly Yogic and Ayurvedic texts, elaborately
describes ways and means to live disease-free, healthy, and happy life.
Yoga is universally known to offer prevention, cure, and permanent
solutions to various physical and mental ailments of the body. A treasure
in the form of ‘Sutras’ and ‘Shlokas’ is available in abundance, promoting
health and happiness in Vedas, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, various
Upanishads, and Samhitas. The contemporary world is investing hugely in
getting evidence-based results about the impact of Yoga in the
management of physical and mental ailments of the body. Some studies
successfully established the fact that Yoga is immensely beneficial in
promoting health and happiness. The paper endeavors to evaluate the facts
mentioned in texts and scriptures embedded in various Yogic texts that
promote health and happiness.
Role of Social Support System in ensuring Good Health and Wellbeing
With the emerging global crisis of climate change outbreak of COVID-19,
it is imperative that how significant it is to maintain the balance between
ecology, environment, and human life. The paper demonstrates the
significant impact of climate change on the environment and health. A
collective initiative by all the stakeholders is essential to ensure health
security and safeguard society against natural and health catastrophes. In
addition, United Nation’s sustainable development goal (SDG 3) regarding
good health and well-being focuses on various aspects of healthy living.
Endurance Sports: Road to Fitness Consciousness and Societal Health
The Ironman triathlon is considered one of the most demanding
endurance races globally, encompassing long-distance swimming, cycling,
and running. Completing this event requires exceptional fitness and
dedication. In November 2022, India hosted its second Iron Man 70.3 race
in Goa. Participants faced a gruelling challenge: a 1.9 km sea swim,
followed by 90 km of cycling, and a half marathon, all to be completed
within eight and a half hours.
Sustainability of Public Sector Enterprises for Nation Building: An Assessment of Disinvestment Strategies in India
The Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) have contributed significantly in the
growth and development journey of India. Over the past few years,
survival and viability of some of the PSUs have posed significant
challenges before the Government. Keeping in view the declining
productivity and operational efficiency, Government has initiated
disinvestment process for the selected PSUs to make them viable and
sustainable. The disinvestment process of PSEs in India has been subject
to a number of challenges, impacting their fair valuation in predisinvestment
era resulting in not getting their fair price. Many of the
previous studies have felt the need for a fair and reasonable disinvestment
policy. This study has suggested a framework with required modifications
that will help the PSEs to receive fair price through appropriate valuation.
This will help in maintaining the sustainability of PSEs in the long run.
Drone-Based Delivery of Services and Aerial Transportation
This paper offers an integrated digital drone-based services solution for
cities & towns, controlled through an integrated smart control room
and/or where users may call in for support of required service, on a timesharing
basis; charged according to No of drones, payload, distances and
time calculations. Drone demand is digital, seamless to the user,
appropriately located and configured, through a mobile-based app; while
the drone systems ownership is distributed, making it a financially viable
option. Drone(s) is/are passed orders to take off with suitable payload(s),
through cellular/satellite backbone using AI, and/or through manual
intervention. This idea is then enlarged to include Aerial Drone Taxis
transporting humans from one place to another within a city/town, being a
natural outflow and an extension of the same concept, making expansion in
the vertical dimension, as road networks are severely constrained today for
space. Drone-based solutions address urban problems directly while
serving the larger purpose of environmental pollution and climate change
in the Amrit Kaal.
Sustainable Development in the energy Sector using Artificial Intelligence
Technological advancements in the field of Artificial intelligence (AI) are
being adopted by society at large since it has the potential to change the
way we transact. Conventional methods are being disrupted, and it has an
enabling impact in most cases. In the Energy sector, the Digitisation model
is being adopted, driven by AI technology. From Generation to
Transmission, from demand to supply, all are now managed automatically
with the help of smart algorithms that are almost human-like. These
software applications optimise operations and aid decision-making.
However, AI is yet to sit in the chair to make decisions because AI is still a
utopian concept that may conflict with the co-existence of man and
machine. This path could lead to economic downfall and have an adverse
impact on sustainability.
Contribution of PSUs in building Competent workforce for the Nation
This study analyses the current contribution of the Public Sector
Enterprises (PSEs) in building a competent workforce for the nation while
identifying the policy gaps that have led to disinvestment, privatization and
closure of these PSEs. Additionally, a practical method has been used to offer
suggestions to help Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) play a more effective
role in developing a skilled workforce for nation-building.
Role of Shared Prosperity in promoting Peaceful and Inclusive societies
India has surpassed France and the UK to become the fifth largest
economy in the world with a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
estimated to be around $ 3.12 trillion for FY22. For the fiscal year 2022-
23, a healthy growth rate of approximately 7% is anticipated. However, a
pragmatic analysis reveals a mixed bag of achievements and challenges.
Although over time poverty has decreased in absolute terms, inequality
has inversely increased significantly, with disproportionately high gains at
the top of the income distribution matrix. Some performance parameters,
such as environmental quality, gender equality, and quality of basic
education are distinctly weaker. Inequality undermines social justice and
human rights and because inequalities are interconnected, some sections of
society may have fewer opportunities as compared to others. These
inequalities may instill a sense of deprivation in the general population and
hurt society, manifesting as mistrust and unrest. Progressively, social
policies have become less distortive, more targeted, and focused on
mobilizing the weaker sections. However, India still faces several
fundamental challenges that it must overcome to realize its enormous
potential. The main challenge is to institute an enabling ecosystem duly
supported by policy initiatives to ensure all of India benefits from the gains
that have been achieved in aggregate. This paper endeavors to highlight
both the spectrum and quantum of existing inequalities and their
manifestation mechanism in society at large and recommend a conceptual
framework to mitigate this challenge.
Promoting Sustainable, Peaceful and Inclusive societies through Tourism Development: Survey findings of Cleanliness dimension
The future of tourism lies in those destinations that conserve a clean
environment and reflect natural beauty as the majority of foreign tourists
appreciate cleanliness and want full value for their money spent, with no
compromise with their health while on tour. Urban cleanliness occupies a
top slot in the parameters of attractiveness of the cities for tourists. The
cleanest cities in the world are generally termed the best tourist
attractions. The “Clean India” Campaign, launched by the government,
shows a direct association between tourism development & employment
opportunities.
Role of Fast Track Special Courts in curbing crimes against Women: An Assessment
The hallmark of any criminal justice system rests on some key robust
principles. Access to justice, being a component of justice is one of them. It
encompasses speedy and expeditious trial. Otherwise, justice loses its true
value and essence. In the wake of an alarming number of crimes being
committed against women and children, the government enacted a scheme
for establishing Fast Track Court Special Courts for swift dispensation of
justice. The pendency of cases at a mammoth level necessitates a novel
conceptualization of dimensions of justice. In light of the abovementioned,
this paper attempts to explore the dynamics of Fast Track
special courts including their evolution, their desirability, and
shortcomings. It also throws light on international practices wherein
similar mechanisms have been adopted. Lastly, the paper suggests some
improvements to strengthen the existing framework. The purpose, in the
end, is to enable a more meaningful justice delivery mechanism that
upholds the rights of vulnerable citizens and invariably allows democratic
values to prevail