Volume 14 | Issue 3 |

 Abstract

Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) play a vital role in enhancing the teaching competency and professional effectiveness of faculty members in higher education institutions. In the contemporary academic environment, rapid changes in pedagogy, technology integration, and learner expectations have increased the need for continuous faculty development. The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of Faculty Development Programs in improving teaching competency among faculty members. The study focuses on key dimensions such as pedagogical skills, subject knowledge enhancement, classroom management, use of innovative teaching methods, and adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching. The findings of the study reveal that Faculty Development Programs have a significant positive impact on teaching competency, particularly in enhancing instructional delivery, student engagement, and assessment practices. The study also highlights the need for regular, need-based, and practice-oriented FDPs to ensure continuous improvement in teaching quality. The results of the study provide valuable insights for academic administrators and policymakers in designing effective faculty development initiatives. The study emphasizes the importance of regular, structured, and need-based FDPs in promoting academic excellence. The study concludes that well-structured Faculty Development Programs contribute significantly to teaching excellence and overall institutional effectiveness.

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 Keywords

Faculty Development Programs, teaching, competency, innovation, commitment.

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Atmospheric visibility is an important indicator of air quality and is strongly influenced by aerosol loading in the atmosphere. Over the past few decades, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and increasing vehicular emissions have significantly contributed to aerosol pollution, leading to substantial visibility degradation across many regions of the world. Aerosol particles interact with solar radiation through scattering and absorption processes, which reduce the transparency of the atmosphere. Numerous studies have demonstrated strong relationships between atmospheric visibility and particulate matter concentrations, particularly fine particulate matter (PM?.?). Recent advances in satellite observations, ground-based monitoring networks, and atmospheric reanalysis datasets such as ERA5 have improved our understanding of the complex interactions between aerosols, meteorological conditions, and visibility. However, challenges remain in accurately quantifying aerosol contributions to visibility reduction due to regional variability, meteorological influences, and limitations in observational datasets. This review summarizes recent developments in aerosol-induced visibility degradation, discusses the key mechanisms involved, and highlights major research gaps and challenges for future investigations.

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Visibility, Aerosol, PM2.5, Solar radiation.

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The making of the Indian Constitution is often localised to the singular genius of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar; however, historical records and parliamentary proceedings reveal a more intricate, collaborative, and sometimes contentious process. This article examines the historical study of the Constitution's drafting, highlighting the foundational role of Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, who prepared the initial draft after researching sixty countries. While Dr. Ambedkar is celebrated as the "Father of the Indian Constitution," he personally described himself as a "hack" and admitted to performing tasks against his will due to the rigid framework set by the Objectives Resolution and British-imposed conditions. The study explores the divergence between the resulting document and the decentralised, village-level autonomy envisioned by M K Gandhi, noting that the final structure heavily mirrored the British Government of India Act of 1935. The narrative further delves into the disillusionment expressed by key figures, including Dr. Ambedkar's later assertion that he would be the first to burn the document. By analysing Constituent Assembly debates and the challenges faced by the Drafting Committee--where the primary burden often fell solely on Ambedkar--the article underscores that the Constitution was a product of colonial inheritance, technical drafting by bureaucrats like Rau, and the political boundaries of the Cabinet Mission Plan. Ultimately, it calls for a deeper investigation into the historical forces that shaped India's supreme law.

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 Keywords

Indian Constitution, Constituent Assembly, Drafting Committee, Objectives Resolution, Government of India Act 1935

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The swift expansion of E- Commerce has changed how shoppers engage with online shopping platforms, connecting physical and digital retail environments. This research examines the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on consumer habits in the e-commerce industry, particularly targeting the inhabitants of Kukatpally, Hyderabad. The goal is to evaluate the overall effect of virtual reality technology on consumers purchasing choices in online shopping. Data collected through a Google Forms survey that captures current experiences, utilizing survey responses from 120 participates. Through rigorous statistical analysis of this primary data, research clarifies the substantial effect of Virtual Reality , with findings showing a strong positive correlation between VR characteristics and purchasing decisions (R= 0.743). The regression findings show that around 55.26% of the fluctuations in purchasing choices is accounted for by VR--related factors. The research finds that Virtual Reality technology greatly improves the online shopping experience, resulting in better purchasing decisions.

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 Keywords

Virtual Reality, online shopping, consumer buying decisions, product comparison, engagement, correlation, regression, satisfaction, E-commerce, VR enabled features, Kukatpally.

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Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) facilitate infrastructure-less, multi-hop communication among mobile nodes, proving valuable for emergency response, disaster recovery, military operations, and temporary IoT deployments. However, broadcasting for route discovery and control messages often suffers from the broadcast storm problem in traditional flooding, causing redundancy, congestion, high energy consumption, and degraded performance. Optimized approaches like Fixed-Load Based Broadcasting (FLBB) mitigate some overhead through static rules but fail to adapt to node heterogeneity in residual energy, mobility, and link stability. This paper proposes the Supervised Machine Learning-Based Reliability Routing Protocol (MLRP), employing lightweight logistic regression to predict node forwarding reliability. Nodes are evaluated using normalized features--residual energy, inverse mobility, and link stability--with an adaptive probability threshold selecting reliable forwarders only. A stochastic probabilistic network model enables scalable MATLAB simulation. Comparative evaluation against flooding and FLBB across 50-200 nodes shows MLRP achieves higher throughput and Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), lower end-to-end delay and routing load, with classification accuracy improving from 84% to 91% in denser networks. MLRP offers a computationally efficient, intelligent broadcasting solution for dynamic MANETs.

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Mobile Ad Hoc Networks, Broadcast Storm Problem, Supervised Machine Learning, Logistic Regression, Node Reliability Prediction, Adaptive Broadcasting, Packet Delivery Ratio, Routing Overhead

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing rural planning and development in India by enabling data-driven decision-making, optimizing resource allocation, and addressing longstanding challenges in agriculture, infrastructure, and governance.AI-powered analytics identify underserved villages and predict development needs through satellite imagery and machine learning, facilitating targeted interventions in areas like precision farming and water management. Tools such as AI sowing apps and crop disease diagnostics, like Plantix and KisanGPT, boost farmer productivity by providing real-time insights on soil, weather, and pests in local languages. Smart infrastructure solutions optimize energy, transportation, and irrigation, as seen in villages like Satnavari near Nagpur, where AI-driven drones and solar grids enhance sustainability and reduce urban migration. These technologies promote economic growth for small enterprises and improve access to education, healthcare, and government services, fostering inclusive development. Infrastructure deficits, digital divides, and limited AI skills in rural areas hinder widespread adoption, necessitating policy support for equitable access and training. Despite these hurdles, strategic integration of AI promises long-term self-sufficiency and resilience in India's rural landscape.

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Artificial intelligence, Rural Development, Precision Agriculture, Smart Infrastructure, Digital Divide, Sustainable Development

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This paper presents the design and development of "CoolKart", a solar-powered portable evaporative cooling system intended for roadside vendors and primary healthcare centers such as Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Anganwadi units. Many small vendors and rural health facilities lack access to affordable refrigeration, leading to spoilage of fruits, vegetables, tablets, and liquid medicines. The proposed system utilizes the principle of evaporative cooling through a honeycomb pad structure integrated inside the cart. Ambient air is drawn through the honeycomb cooling media using a DC fan, where moisture absorption reduces the air temperature before circulating inside the storage chamber. A humidity sensor regulates airflow to maintain effective cooling performance. The system operates using solar energy supported by a battery and charge controller, with an additional adapter-based charging provision for hybrid operation. The developed prototype was tested with local vendors, and feedback confirmed its effectiveness in maintaining freshness and extending shelf life. The CoolKart provides a sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional refrigeration systems, especially for rural and semi-urban applications.

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Evaporative Cooling, Solar Powered Cooling System, Portable Cooling Cart, Honeycomb Cooling Pad, Humidity Sensor, Sustainable Cooling, Rural Storage System.

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Abstract This study investigates the historical development of Tamil classical dance from the seventeenth to the twenty-first century, focusing on structural evolution, socio-cultural transformation, and aesthetic continuity. The research traces the transition from early Tamil dance traditions and the Sadir performance practice to the modern Bharatanatyam repertoire. Using a historical and analytical approach grounded in literary documentation, performance traditions, revivalist discourse, and structural examination of the Margam format, the study highlights key moments of transformation in the dance tradition. Evidence suggests that the Maratha period contributed significantly to narrative expansion and compositional refinement, particularly through the introduction of Nirupanam elements that later influenced the codified structure of the repertoire. These developments were further organized by the Tanjore Quartet, whose contributions shaped the Margam framework that continues to guide Bharatanatyam performances today. Twentieth-century socio-cultural reform movements, including the abolition of the Devadasi system, redefined the institutional context of the art form while simultaneously enabling its reinvention within new pedagogical and performance spaces. Contemporary Bharatanatyam thus reflects a balance between preservation and adaptation, evident in evolving performance durations, pedagogical milestones, and expanded interpretative practices. Within this evolving tradition, the varnam occupies a central position in the Bharatanatyam repertoire as a composite form that integrates melody, rhythm, and poetic expression. Particularly significant for dance is the pada varnam, whose lyrical orientation enables an extended interplay between nritta (pure dance) and abhinaya (expressive interpretation). Structurally organized through sections such as pallavi, anupallavi, muktayi, and charanam with successive ettugada passages, the pada varnam provides a broad interpretative space where rhythmic sequences and sahitya alternate to support narrative expansion. Historically, varnams were embedded in diverse ritual and performance contexts, including temple processions and ceremonial events, and earlier Sadir performances sometimes featured multiple elaborate varnams within a single recital. The thematic content often explores devotion, longing, and the symbolic relationship between the jeevatma and paramatma, expressed through nuanced gesture, text, and musical phrasing. The rhythmic sophistication of the form, shaped by nattuvanars through intricate jathi patterns and strategic eduppu placements, challenges dancers to maintain technical precision while conveying layered emotional meaning. As the central and most demanding item of the Bharatanatyam Margam, the pada varnam continues to exemplify the synthesis of musical structure, choreographic design, and expressive depth that defines the classical identity of the tradition.

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 Keywords

Tamil Classical Dance; Bharatanatyam; Sadir; Varnam, Maratha Period; Tanjore Quartet; Devadasi System; Margam; Sanchari Bhava; Dance Revival; Performance Tradition

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ABSTRACT The historical trajectory of India's insurance sector encapsulates one of the most profound macroeconomic and jurisprudential transformations in the nation's post-independence history. This exhaustive research report undertakes a meticulous doctrinal and empirical investigation into the structural, legal, and economic metamorphosis of the Indian insurance industry, charting its evolution from a state-controlled monopoly to a dynamic, liberalised, and stringently regulated financial market. Rooted in the socialist economic planning paradigms of the mid-twentieth century, the nationalisation of life and general insurance under the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972, sought to mobilise domestic capital and eradicate widespread market abuses prevalent under the archaic Insurance Act, 1938. However, subsequent decades exposed inherent systemic inefficiencies, stagnant market penetration, and a pronounced deficit in consumer-centric product innovation. The paradigm shifted irrevocably following the sovereign macroeconomic crisis of 1991, necessitating the formation of the R.N. Malhotra Committee in 1993. This report provides an exhaustive legal analysis of the Committee's landmark 1994 recommendations, which functioned as the architectural blueprint for dismantling entrenched state monopolies, sanctioning private and foreign direct investment (FDI), and instituting an independent statutory regulator. The subsequent enactment of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act, 1999, revolutionised the legal framework, empowering the regulatory authority to delicately balance market expansion with rigorous prudential norms and uncompromising policyholder protection. Through a hybrid methodological lens, this study evaluates the empirical impact of privatisation on insurance penetration, density, and market competition. Furthermore, it scrutinises contemporary legal challenges, including consumer protection mechanisms, the evolution of obligations in the rural and social sectors, and the legislative horizon shaped by the Insurance Amendment Bills of 2021 and 2024/2025. By synthesising historical jurisprudence, statutory mandates, judicial trends, and contemporary empirical data, the research proposes strategic legislative and policy recommendations to mitigate the persistent insurance protection gap and achieve the regulatory vision of "Insurance for All by 2047."

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Insurance Jurisprudence, Privatisation, R.N. Malhotra Committee, IRDA Act 1999, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

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This paper explores the contradictions within postfeminist culture in The Devil Wears Prada (2003) by Lauren Weisberger and Normal People (2018) by Sally Rooney. Postfeminist discourse often presents the contemporary woman as autonomous and capable of combining professional success with romantic fulfillment and personal authenticity. But these novels complicate such narratives by showing emotional strain and identity fragmentation under shadow of apparent freedom. Using a postfeminist cultural theoretical framework and especially drawing on the works of Angela McRobbie and Rosalind Gill, and through close textual analysis the study argues that both texts depict female agency as negotiated and conditional rather than absolute. Professional ambition and sexual autonomy do not result in a coherent sense of self but create tensions between independence and intimacy. By situating Andrea Sachs and Marianne Sheridan within environments that reward ambition and self expression, the novels expose the emotional and psychological costs associated with contemporary expectations of empowerment. Finally, the narratives suggest that the promise of having it all is unresolved and empowerment is an ongoing process characterized by ambivalence and not closure.

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 Keywords

postfeminism, female agency, identity, ambition, intimacy, contemporary fiction

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