Volume 13 | Issue 8 |

 Abstract

Abstract: In the changing landscape of digital healthcare, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of accurate results depend on the quality of medical imagery becoming increasingly important. Watermarking in medical imaging serves as a robust technique to embed critical patient related information through medical imaging to confirm the integrity of medical content, verify ownership, and detect tampering. It is presented as a multi-format watermarking system, capable of digitally marking medical images types: DICOM, PNG, and JPGand also maximizing the trade-offs of watermark capacity and image quality. We executed and evaluated three popular techniques: A tool to separate important features from a dataset, a method to convert image data into frequency components and principal Component Analysis (PCA). The research incorporated the invisibly watermarking the part of non-Interest, allowing the diagnostic integrity of the relevant area to be preserved and retained. The approach consists of preprocessing the images, watermark embedding and extraction using the different algorithms, and evaluating the results using objective measures such as Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), and Mean Squared Error (MSE). The results of the experiment indicate that SVD performs better than both PCA and DCT for most cases in terms of imperceptibility and robustness, meaning SVD showed higher PSNR and SSIM across all image formats. PCA showed similar performance to SVD but slower computation time and DCT showed a faster computation time but more distortion. The comparison across different methods indicates strengths and weaknesses in how each method performs on variations of different image formats and watermark payloads. This research provides a complete and scalable system to protect medical images watermarking along with guidelines for implementation in telemedicine, cloud-based electronic health record systems, and medical archives. The approach minimizes visual degradation while addressing concerns related to secure data storage and the security, authenticity, and traceability of images in digital healthcare systems.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Medical Image Watermarking, SVD, DCT, PCA, Multi-format Images, PSNR, SSIM, Image Security, Region of Non-Interest (RONI), DICOM, Robustness, Imperceptibility, Digital Healthcare, Telemedicine.

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The structure of rural marketing in Assam and the wider North-Eastern belt of India shows distinct variations from the rest of the nation, largely because of the difficult geographical features of the region. In Assam, the rural marketing framework mainly revolves around three categories: periodic markets (including traditional fairs), everyday bazaars, and itinerant sellers. Among these, the weekly markets stand out as particularly significant within the agricultural exchange system, especially in a state where almost 80 percent of the territory is identified as countryside. Nearly three-fourths of the inhabitants remain dependent on agriculture, either directly through cultivation or indirectly through allied activities, making these markets vital. Close to 85% of cultivators in the state are marginal or small-scale farmers, who rely heavily on weekly haats not only for disposing of their agricultural produce but also for acquiring farm necessities and household items that they cannot produce on their own. For them, reaching nearby haats is both more convenient and less costly compared to traveling to urban trading centers. These markets thus serve a decisive role in determining the commercial value of agricultural surpluses and in sustaining the livelihoods of rural farming families. The present study tries to analyze the scale and form of farmer participation in weekly markets within Assam, with special reference to the Sonitpur district. The researcher employs a descriptive methodology, making use of information collected from both firsthand surveys and secondary references.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Periodic market, farmers, agricultural marketing

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The present study investigates the viability of replacing some of the coarse material in concrete with coconut shell and incorporating coconut fiber as an additive to produce lightweight aggregate concrete. This strategy tries to alleviate the high price of traditional building materials. and the excessive exploitation of natural resources. The research objectives involve assessing the properties of coconut shell for use in reinforced concrete, evaluating the workability and strength of concrete with varying proportions of coconut shell and fiber, and analyzing the cost implications of producing eco-friendly concrete. The results of the experiments show that adding coconut fibre to concrete increases its strength by a certain amount, beyond which it decreases. Furthermore, replacing coarse aggregate by 10% coconut shell reduces the density and breaking strength of the concrete, while increasing its slump. These findings suggest that using coconut shell in place of certain coarse aggregate may result in a lightweight concrete material that is less strong and less dense. The study also identifies an optimal amount of coconut fiber that can be added to the concrete mix to maintain its strength. Overall, this study offers insightful information about using coconut shell and fibre to produce concrete, highlighting the need for careful selection and optimization of these materials to ensure the desired properties of the concrete.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Course Aggregates, Coconut Shell, Coir Fibers ,Cement, Fine Aggregates

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

India's reservation policy, rooted in colonial-era practices and constitutional commitments to social justice, has expanded through legislative and judicial milestones to address historic exclusion. Yet in higher education, quota-based admissions are increasingly criticized for distorting merit allocation, incentivizing category competition, and failing to target present-day deprivation. This paper argues that reservation in admissions now functions as an obstacle to optimal educational outcomes and social mobility. We propose a shift from category-based admission quotas to robust need-based fee concessions and support services, while retaining narrowly tailored safeguards against discrimination. The analysis traces India's reservation history and jurisprudence, evaluates recent developments (EWS, Maratha case), and compares international approaches (United States, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka). We outline a policy blueprint that preserves equality of opportunity through means-tested financing, academic bridges, and anti-bias enforcement rather than blanket quotas.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Reservation; affirmative action; higher education; EWS; Indra Sawhney; Students for Fair Admissions; fee concession; merit; equity; India; comparative policy.

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The Indian economy has been witnessing a profound transformation in its payment landscape, driven by the rapid adoption of digital payment systems. Over the past decade, technological innovations, policy initiatives, and behavioural shifts have accelerated the move from cash-based transactions to digital modes. Digital payments encompass a variety of platforms such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), mobile wallets, Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AePS), point-of-sale (PoS) transactions, debit and credit cards, internet banking, and QR code-based payment systems. This paper examines the evolution of digital payments in India, the drivers of their adoption, and their impact on economic growth, financial inclusion, transparency, and cost efficiency. Using secondary data from RBI reports, NPCI statistics, and global studies, the paper analyse the correlation between digital transaction volumes and macroeconomic performance indicators. The findings indicate that while digital payments have led to significant improvements in efficiency and transparency, challenges remain in the form of rural infrastructure gaps, cyber risks, and uneven digital literacy. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for strengthening the digital payments ecosystem to maximize its contribution to the Indian economy.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Point of sale, Platforms, Financial inclusion, Transparency

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Social welfare is a dynamic process that addresses social problems and how society responds to them. These problems stem from unmet individual needs, such as food, shelter, dignity, status, and affection. When these needs are not fulfilled, they lead to issues like poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, loneliness, and crime. Social welfare includes both curative and preventive services aimed at assisting the disadvantaged, creating a supportive infrastructure, and promoting overall societal development.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Social Welfare Administration

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The Indian digital payment ecosystem has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, particularly after the government's Digital India initiatives and demonetization. Among various platforms, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016, has emerged as a key driver of retail digital transactions. This study examines the growth, opportunities, and challenges of UPI as a digital payment service in India. Using secondary data from RBI, NPCI, and other published sources, the paper applies a SWOT analysis to assess UPI's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Findings reveal that UPI has experienced exponential growth in both volume and value of transactions, owing to its simplicity, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness. It has significantly enhanced financial inclusion by enabling small businesses and individuals, even in rural areas, to adopt cashless transactions. However, challenges such as cybersecurity risks, transaction failures, limited awareness in rural areas, and dependency on banking infrastructure persist. Opportunities lie in expanding internet penetration, government policies supporting a cash-lite economy, and the widening scope of services such as bill payments, insurance, and overdraft facilities through UPI 2.0. Despite threats from fintech competition and consumer reliance on cash, UPI continues to dominate retail digital payments, contributing over half of India's total digital transactions. The study concludes that UPI is not only a technological innovation but also a strategic instrument to advance financial inclusion and India's transition toward a digital economy.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

UPI, SWOT, Cashless Economy, NPCI

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Corruption is a widespread occurrence in postcolonial nations. The detrimental effects of European colonialism on Africa have been clear through corruption that affected every part of life. Corruption in Nigeria is regarded as a representative case of other African nations. As a result, literary works became important for showing the truth and depicting African communities during and after colonial times. This dissertation examines the issue of corruption in Africa during the post-independence era through Chinua Achebe's African novel, No Longer at Ease (1960). It analyses the author's portrayal of corruption as a postcolonial issue and the postcolonial elements inside his novel. He has not depicted an idealised Africa; rather, he presents a sympathetic yet candid perspective of a nation characterised by its own casualties. Achebe has endeavoured to convey a truthful picture of his society through this book. It focusses on the relationship between the coloniser and the colonised, as well as the main character's struggle within Nigerian society following independence. The book reveals how Achebe thinks that English culture is better than others and how colonialism and western orientalism create false impressions of Nigerians and Obi Okonkwo as corrupt. As a result, these traits have a big effect on the minds of Nigerians, which leads to feelings of inferiority. Achebe uses the problems of the main character, Obi Okonkwo, to show the problem of corruption in this book.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Corruption, Achebe, Postcolonialism, No Longer at Ease

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times, playing a crucial role in healthcare. Approximately 70% of the population in developing countries relies on herbal medicines. Plant-derived compounds are considered safer and non-toxic compared to synthetic products. Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurveda) and Traditional Chinese Medicine contribute significantly to the global knowledge of therapeutic plants. The World Health Organization identifies 21,000 medicinal plants globally used for medicinal purposes, with 2,500 species in India, 150 of which are used commercially. Herbal medicines are complex mixtures that require understanding of pharmacokinetics to identify bioactive compounds. Medicinal plants are crucial in developing anticancer drugs, with the National Cancer Institute screening about 35,000 plants, 3,000 of which show anticancer activity. Indigofera aspalathoides, widely used in India, possesses anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. This plant's decoctions are traditionally used to treat cancer, leprosy, and other ailments, demonstrating its significant therapeutic potential.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Herbal Medicines, Indigofera Aspalathoides, Anticancer activity, Secondary Metabolites & Chemoprevention.

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

This paper has been tried to examine various aspect of the Inter-relationship between educational level and Political awareness among Dalit women in Bihar. Political participation is also an important factor for individual development. Dalit women are traditionally untouchable and depressed class in India According to Verna system they are bottom on the line and are excluded from educational system and property. before independence Dalit women are also excluded from political participation. After Independence; Indian traditional society has undergone a change due to various factors, e.g., urbanisation, changing occupational structure, rising literacy, democratic value system, Constitutional and legal measures for protective discrimination. Government started socially desirable and economically viable developmental measures to protect equality of opportunity of every individual. But all social groups have not benefited equally in last seven decades. Scheduled Castes (Dalit, used in exclusive sense of the term) is designated as 'disadvantaged group' even today. In Bihar, Dalit women are kept away from traditional political process as well as from modern political institutions. The paper is descriptive and analytical in design, based on primary and secondary both sources of data.

Licence: creative commons attribution 4.0

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Education, political awareness and Dalit women

  License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition