Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities

Disability Perspectives: Empowerment and Capacity Utilisation in Kerala

Linchu Elizabeth Samuel — 2026-07-01

The study examines disability in Kerala through the dual lenses of empowerment and capacity utilisation, combining theoretical frameworks from the Social Model of Disability and Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach with empirical evidence from the Census of India (2011), the NSS 76th Round (2018), and the Kerala Disability Census (2015). Using a quantitative-descriptive design, the study documents the paradoxical nature of Kerala’s disability profile: higher survival and reporting of disabilities alongside persistently poor economic and educational outcomes for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Key findings show that Kerala records a marginally higher disability prevalence than the national average, a distinctive category mix (notably higher shares of locomotor, mental illness, and multiple disabilities), a high dropout rate (43%) in education, and extremely low employment participation (over 80% non-employment). District-level analysis reveals modest spatial variation but uniformly weak labour-market absorption and concentrated household burdens. Policy review indicates progressive legislation (RPwD Act, 2016; Kerala Rules, 2020) and numerous welfare schemes, yet implementation gaps, an emphasis on palliative transfers, and inadequate workplace accommodations impede the transition from protection to participation. The study argues for a reorientation from welfare-based responses toward rights- and capability-enhancing strategies, inclusive infrastructure, enforceable employment provisions, skill-to-job linkages, and district-tailored interventionsto convert Kerala’s human capital into meaningful social and economic participation.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Writing Pedagogy: Opportunities and Challenges

Mukesh Soni — 2026-07-01

The integration of Artificial Intelligence has brought a notified improvement in writing pedagogy, creating both challenges and opportunities for educators and learners. This study examines the key role of AI in writing instruction. This study is based on a thematic analysis of the literature (2020-2026). The present study mentions that the integration of AI with writing instruction cannot be considered an individual cognitive activity. However, it can be viewed as an interactive, collaborative, and computational process. This article focuses on the main benefits of such collaboration, such as continuous feedback, personalized learning, and creative engagement. At the same time It also explores challenges such as over-reliance on technology, data privacy, algorithm bias, academic integrity, and decreasing creative thinking. The present study proposes a novel pedagogical framework for AI collaboration with writing integration to address these issues. It also emphasizes the leading role of educators in implementing AI efficient and ethical implementation of AI. The study concludes that writing instruction can be enhanced effectively if it is integrated with sound pedagogical practices, timely ethical guidelines, and empirical classroom-based research across different educational contexts.

Twin-Fish Symbolism and Transcultural Interpretations: Reassessing the Motif at the Royal Tomb of King Suro, Gimhae

Iruthayapandi Selestin Raja — 2026-07-01

This study investigates the cultural and symbolic meaning of the twin-fish motif depicted on the ceremonial entrance gate of the royal tomb complex of King Suro at Gimhae, South Korea. Researchers frequently connect this motif to Queen Heo Hwang-ok and her proposed South-Asian origins. Although the motif is visually prominent, it has not yet been examined in a systematic comparative and historical framework, leaving an important gap in discussions of early transregional cultural interactions. This study adopts a qualitative, interdisciplinary approach, bringing together archaeological, textual, linguistic, and iconographic evidence to trace the evolution of fish symbolism from the Indus Valley Civilization into later history. The analysis revealed that the fish motif bears significance across multiple domains, including trade, kingship, religion, cosmology, duality, auspiciousness, fertility, and protection. A closer examination suggests that the curved twin fish facing a central pagoda-like structure align more closely with religious and auspicious symbolism than with dynastic emblems. Furthermore, this motif represents a secondary symbolic addition from a later period rather than the original material from the Gaya period. While certain parallels with South Asian traditions can be observed, there is no conclusive evidence of direct transmission. Future research combining systematic iconographic comparison, archaeological investigation, and historical linguistic analysis of fish motifs will be crucial for clarifying these connections and reassessing early cultural interactions between the Korean peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.

Nutritional Transition: A Qualitative Study on the Socio-Cultural Dynamics and Perceptions Associated with Food Practices Among the Angami Naga Tribe, Nagaland, India

Rüguozenuo Suokhrie — 2026-07-01

Food habits and food intake are changing on a global scale and pose a triple burden of obesity, malnutrition, and cardiovascular conditions among Indigenous people who experience high morbidity due to socio-economic and cultural circumstances. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the sociocultural dynamics and perceptions associated with food practices among the Angami Naga tribe of Nagaland. The local settings were investigated based on qualitative research, and data were collected from 57 participants across three focus group discussions. The population under research consists of voluntary participants from the Angami Naga tribe living in Kohima district, Nagaland, aged between 20 and 59 years. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview schedule was used, and recruitment continued until thematic saturation occurred. Both verbal and written consent were obtained, and the FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. The data show that although the traditional diet consists of large amounts of rice, meat, and unique indigenous cuisines with very little use of oil, the population is experiencing a dramatic change towards the consumption of highly and ultra-processed foods because of the convenience of meals, growth in the market, availability, and lack of time. At the same time, many community members admit to deliberately changing their dietary habits to overcome certain health conditions, including weight problems. Despite the fading of food taboos and a change in dietary habits between generations, there is still a great emphasis on the cultural meaning of food, its identity function, and its importance for celebrations. The study concluded that the Angami tribe is struggling with the dual burden of malnutrition and emerging diseases related to modern lifestyles in an obesogenic environment. This highlights the necessity of culturally sensitive nutritional interventions that promote traditional healthy food practices and portion control. Future research should evaluate community-based, culturally tailored interventions and longitudinal dietary changes among Indigenous populations.

Extracurricular Activities and Employability Skill Perception

Gawde Vijay Maruti Subhadra — 2026-07-01

This study attempted to find university students’ perception of their employability skills, such as personal, interpersonal, and administrative skills, through their participation in extracurricular activities. After comparing the perception of students participating in extracurricular activities with those not participating in extracurricular activities for personal skills, this research paper found that there was a significant difference reported with reference to self-confidence, integrity, commitment, adaptability, independence, willingness to learn, overcoming stage fear, positive attitude, and adjustment with others. However, with reference to self-discipline, presence of mind, and character, no significant differences were reported. The researcher then compared the perception of students participating in extracurricular activities with those not participating in extracurricular activities for interpersonal skills and found a significant difference in communication, team spirit, leadership, public relations, networking, persuasion, listening, and collaboration. No significant differences were found for conflict resolution, empathy towards others, mediating, and negotiation. Finally, the researcher compared the perception of students participating in extracurricular activities with those not participating in extracurricular activities for administrative skills and found that there were significant differences reported with reference to critical thinking, initiative, resource management, organizational, prioritization, patience, and flexibility skills. However, no significant differences were reported with respect to planning, time management, and problem solving. Overall, it was observed that students participating in extracurricular activities had a high perception of their employability skills. However, the effect sizes showed limited practical influence on personal, interpersonal, and administrative skill enhancement. To enhance the generalizability of the findings, future research should extend this study to different universities across India. A longitudinal study can also be conducted to determine the influence of sustained participation in extracurricular activities on employability skills and career outcomes.

Inclusive Maternal Welfare and SDG Alignment: A Comparative Policy Analysis of PMMVY and TNMRMBS

R. Laavanya — 2026-07-01

Public health outcomes in the future will be significantly influenced by maternal health, particularly in developing countries, where systemic inequity prevents equal access to adequate care. To support its commitment to achieving external goals specified in the UN Millennial Plan for Sustainable Development by 2030, India has implemented many Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs to improve access to prenatal care, promote institutional births, and encourage healthy child nutrition through maternity benefit payments. Two key maternal programs in India have similar objectives but are organized differently: (1) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a central government initiative that operates under “Mission Shakti (Samarthya)” and (2) Tamil Nadu Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme (TNMRMBS) the first state-led maternity cash transfer scheme to be established in India. Using a second data analysis approach based on official departmental policy guidelines, national household data collected via the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5), and peer-reviewed research literature, this study compares and analyses differences in how each maternal welfare program was designed and implemented, including design elements, eligibility criteria, benefit levels (amounts and eligibility), sustainability, and global strategy alignment (focused on aligning with SDG 3 -Reduce maternal Mortality ratio and SDG 5 -Achieve Gender Equality). The findings show that Tamil Nadu has substantially reduced its maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from 73 per 1,000 live births in 2020-21 to an estimated 39.4 per 1,000 live births in 2024. Gujarat has already achieved the SDG target (MMR of less than/equal to 70) by 2030 and is one of the eight Indian states that have reached SDG targets and will do so by 2030.PMMVY has a broad scope, reaching more than 53.76 lakh recipients in FY 2023–24 and distributing 17,984 crore since its inception. In contrast, TNMRMBS has a higher benefit amount of 18,000 and strong community engagement/collaboration. The Discussion section also indicates that there are ongoing inequities across both informal sector workers and lower caste workers. The conclusion provides evidence-based recommendations for an integrated and equity-sensitive approach to designing policies to facilitate Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In the future, effective implementation of health schemes necessitates a primary focus on the role of frontline workers, specifically ASHA and AWW personnel, whose field-level engagement is vital for program success. To gauge real-world effectiveness, longitudinal impact assessments must be conducted to link cash transfer disbursements directly to maternal and neonatal health outcomes using robust coverage cascade frameworks. Furthermore, comparative analyses of central and state scheme integration models across various Indian states are essential to identify the best practices for co-branded initiatives. Central to this discussion is the critical task of digital exclusion mapping, which identifies the proportion of eligible women sidelined by Aadhaar non-availability, banking access limitations, and technology gaps faced by frontline workers, ensuring that digital infrastructure serves rather than hinders vulnerable populations.