International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH

THE ROLE OF SELF-HELP GROUPS IN ADVANCING WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN RURAL ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Debia Yoyum, Tabang Mibang — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, uplifting women in various spheres has become a key priority in both developed and developing nations. As a result, the governments of different countries have placed a strong emphasis on women's empowerment. Since women constitute half of the population, their potential to significantly contribute to national development cannot be overlooked. India has adopted the Bangladesh model of Self-help Groups (SHGs), and it’s prominently operating in different parts of India, including the Northeastern states.
The core principle of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) is to empower women by enhancing their skills, promoting sustainable income generation, and providing access to microcredit, yet in the state's patriarchal structure, the condition of women remains similar to that in the rest of the country, and Arunachal is no different. Women's concerns on various issues affecting them and society as a whole have not received adequate attention. At present, only 5 out of 60 seats in the State Legislative Assembly of Arunachal are held by women, making up a very low 5% representation in state politics. Furthermore, it is widely recognized that the first step to empowering women is economic independence, which will eventually lead to social and political empowerment, which is missing in this situation. This paper will attempt to examine the contribution of SHGs in bridging the gap of gender inequalities in rural areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

REIMAGINING 21ST CENTURY SKILLS IN THE LIGHT OF NEP 2020: A TRANSFORMATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR HOLISTIC EDUCATION

Paonam Suhela Devi, Dr. Neha Rawat — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The present study aims to examine the necessary components of the 21st Century Skills framework within the context of NEP 2020 by probing its alignment with major global frameworks of 21st century skills. For this the study employed a methodology of a systematic analysis of policy documents and related literature establishing a comparative and comprehensive picture among the 21st century skills frameworks of ATC21S, OECD (2009), P21, and NEP 2020. A comparative table of identifying and giving “emphasis” on the skills from the different frameworks using a four-point scale (4 = Very High, 3 = High and 2 = Moderate emphasis) has been done. The findings show that the 21st Century Skills highlighted in NEP 2020 exhibit a strong alignment with the P21 framework. However, NEP 2020 distinguishes itself by placing a significantly greater emphasis on moral and ethical dimensions of education, extending beyond the scope of P21 and other international frameworks.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION THROUGH YOGA AND MEDITATION IN INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY

Dr. Jetal J. Panchal — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The control of emotions is one of the most important topics of modern psychology as it determines stress and resilience, social functioning, and susceptibility to mental illnesses. In recent models, emotion regulation is defined as the mechanisms by which individuals control the kind of emotions that they experience, when they experience them, and how they experience or express those emotions. Such models also differentiate rather adaptive tactics like cognitive reappraisal and more expensive tactics like expressive suppression. Indian psychology considers the same issue based on a wider and older framework. Instead of depending on the view of emotion as an independent mental event, it connects affective disturbance with desire, attachment, ego-involvement (ahamkara), ignorance (avidya), and the interaction of the three gunas sattva, rajas and tamas. The yoga and meditation in this model are not only ways of relaxation to the person but rather coordinated methods of changing the individual via morals, poses, control of breathing, control of senses, training of attention and reflection. The paper is a narrative review of the classical Indian psychological concepts versus modern scientific discoveries about yoga, pranayama, and meditation. The student, community, and clinical evidence indicate better stress, anxiety, negative affect, self-compassion, adaptive coping, emotional maturity, and cognitive reappraisal, and mechanistically supported by interoception, decentering, autonomic regulation, and neural response supporting emotional salience research. Meanwhile, the literature itself is still heterogeneous in terms of methods, and yoga is not, in general, superior to all the active controls. This paper maintains that Indian psychology has a unique and useful contribution to make the regulation of emotions can never be a matter of holding feelings back but is rather a matter of transforming oneself by means of self-control consciousness.

FINTECH ADOPTION AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION OUTCOMES IN MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS: EVIDENCE FROM KARNATAKA

Dr. B.A. Karunakara Reddy, Hema N — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Financial inclusion remains a central development objective, particularly for low-income and underserved populations who face persistent barriers in accessing formal financial services. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have traditionally played a crucial role in bridging this gap; however, the emergence of financial technology (FinTech) has transformed the nature and scope of inclusion. This study examines the impact of FinTech adoption on financial inclusion outcomes in MFIs in Karnataka. Drawing on primary data collected from microfinance clients, the study analyzes how digital tools influence access, usage, and overall inclusion in financial services. The findings indicate that FinTech adoption has a positive and statistically significant effect on financial inclusion. The results further highlight that inclusion outcomes are influenced not only by access to digital systems but also by factors such as usability, trust, and digital capability. The study concludes that FinTech can enhance financial inclusion, provided it is supported by adequate infrastructure, user awareness, and institutional responsiveness.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND AVAILABILITY OF WATER SUPPLY AMONG FARMERS IN WASHIM DISTRICT

Dr. Ganesh Eknath Bali — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Washim district is considered an important agricultural district located in Vidarbha division of Maharashtra state. Soybean, cotton, tur as well as sorghum or major pikanchi are cultivated on a large scale in the district. More than 82 percent of the total population here depends on agriculture as their main source of livelihood. However, since the required amount of credit supply is not available to the farmers class from the formal financial institutions, they have to depend on informal banks. Or due to this process, it is clearly visible that the intensity of the economic crisis is increasing due to adverse consequences on their economic situation. In the Sadar Samidhan, an in-depth analysis has been made of the current situation of financial inclusion among farmers in Washim district, availability of formal farmers and gaps in it. For the study, primary data collected from 300 farmer respondents as well as secondary information from National Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, Reserve Bank of India and District Agriculture Department is being taken. According to the revised findings, only 48.3 percent of the farmers in the district have access to formal land surveying facility. Even though 71.7 percent of the bank account proofs are satisfactory, the benefit of Kisan Credit Card Scheme has been limited to only 43.7 percent of the farmers. Lack of financial literacy, absence of authorized records of land ownership, non-availability of water and geographical remoteness of banks come to the fore as major problems.