Message from the President (Sri. H. K. Srikanta), Rural Education Society (R), Kanakapura:  It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction to note that the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), The Rural College, Kanakapura, has successfully organized the first-ever Two-Day Multidisciplinary International Conference in the history of the institution, titled “Land to Cloud – Digital Pathways for Sustainable Rural Empowerment.” This landmark academic initiative marks a significant milestone in the institution’s journey toward global scholarly engagement. Since its inception, the Rural Education Society has been firmly rooted in the belief that education is the most powerful instrument of social transformation. In an era defined by rapid digital advancement, the challenge of rural empowerment necessitates integrative, interdisciplinary approaches that harmonize traditional knowledge systems with modern digital technologies. The conference theme and deliberations aptly reflected this vision by fostering rigorous research grounded in local realities while engaging with global technological paradigms.

I am particularly pleased that selected peer-reviewed papers from this conference are published as a Special Issue in the month of February 2026 of the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews (ISSN: 2945-3135), a Peer-Reviewed, Referred,
Open Access Journal. This special issue stands as a valuable scholarly contribution, facilitating the wider dissemination of original research and enabling meaningful dialogue among academicians, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers across the
world. I extend my sincere congratulations to the organizing committee, editorial board, reviewers, and contributing authors for their academic commitment and collaborative efforts. I am confident that this special issue will serve as a significant reference point for
future research and policy discourse in the areas of digital transformation and sustainable rural empowerment.

Message from the Principal (Sri. M. T. Balakrishna) The Rural College, Kanakapura: It gives me great pleasure to present this Special Issue of the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, which features selected peer-reviewed papers from the first-ever Two-Day Multidisciplinary International Conference organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), The Rural College, Kanakapura, on the theme “Land to Cloud – Digital Pathways for Sustainable Rural Empowerment.” As an institution committed to inclusive and quality higher education, The Rural College has consistently sought to align academic engagement with societal needs. The conference and the resulting scholarly contributions reflect this commitment by bringing together multidisciplinary perspectives on digital transformation, sustainability, governance, finance, health, technology, and rural development. The research presented demonstrates how locally grounded studies can generate globally relevant insights. The publication of these selected papers as a Special Issue in the month of February 2026 of a Peer-Reviewed, Refereed, Open Access International Journal significantly enhances their academic reach and impact. It also reinforces the importance of rigorous research, ethical scholarship, and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex developmental challenges. I commend the organizing committee, editorial board, reviewers, and contributing authors for their scholarly dedication and collective effort. I am confident that this Special Issue will serve as a valuable academic resource and inspire further research and innovation toward sustainable and digitally empowered rural societies.

Message from Editors:

(Dr. Thammannagowda, Prof. A. P. Prakash and Dr. Nagabhushana S)

 The Special Issue – February 2026 of the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews brings together selected peer-reviewed papers presented at the first-ever Multidisciplinary International Conference organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), The Rural College, Kanakapura, on the theme “Land to Cloud – Digital Pathways for Sustainable Rural Empowerment.” This Special Issue represents a significant academic milestone, both for the institution and for the broader discourse on inclusive and sustainable development.
The concept of “Land to Cloud” symbolically captures the evolving trajectory of rural societies—from land-based livelihoods and traditional knowledge systems to digitally mediated economies, governance structures, and social institutions. The papers included in
this issue explore this transition through diverse disciplinary lenses, encompassing commerce and management, finance and banking, rural development, women empowerment, health insurance, digital governance, logistics and supply chain management, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, social responsibility, and emerging technologies. A defining strength of this Special Issue lies in its multidisciplinary orientation. The contributions move beyond siloed approaches and highlight how digital technologies, when embedded within social, economic, and institutional frameworks, can act as enablers of rural transformation. Empirical studies, conceptual analyses, and policy-oriented discussions collectively offer insights into the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations associated with digital inclusion and sustainable development. We believe that this Special Issue will serve as a valuable resource for academicians, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students interested in understanding the complex intersections between digital pathways and rural empowerment. It is our hope that the ideas presented here will stimulate further research, informed policy dialogue, and innovative practices aimed at building resilient and inclusive rural societies. We express our sincere appreciation to the authors for their scholarly contributions, the reviewers for their critical evaluations, and the organizing committee for their support in realizing this academic endeavour.

iNDEX CONTAINS SERIAL NUMBER, PAPER TITLES AND PAGE NUMBERING.

The rise of Insurtech has rapidly transformed the health insurance industry. This refers to the technology which streamlines the efficiency, accessibility, and affordability of insurance services. Despite the advantages, many individuals, particularly in developing nations, do not utilize these digital services. This research aims to find the reasons behind the adoption or avoidance of digital health insurance services. The study analyses survey responses from policyholders alongside industry report data, employing descriptive statistics and Garret ranking technique to identify trends and barriers towards Insurtech adoption. Awareness, cost, ease of use, and trust emerged as primary factors driving the use of Insurtech services. It also looks into major barriers such as concerns regarding data privacy, regulatory issues, and platform complexity. Participants appreciate the convenience of digital offerings, but express concern over the online security and true value of these user-friendly and cost-effective tools. To enhance adoption, we recommend improving user experience of the technology, raising awareness, better regulation, and more advanced protection against unauthorized access. Serving a broader population requires a blend of conventional and digital insurance options. The insights can inform insurers, technology firms, and policymakers on consumers’ preferences. Trust can be nurtured by resolving these challenges, which in turn can encourage more.

Arecanut is the main crop of the Western Ghats of Karnataka, as it produces well in high rainfall hilly areas. Shivamogga is one of the main districts it producing the arecanut under a multi-storeyed cropping system. This region has been earmarked as a traditional arecanut growing district since ancient. Shivamogga district is a major areca nut producing region in Karnataka, with a substantial area under cultivation and a substantial production volume. The total area under arecanut cultivation in Shivamogga district is almost 94,077.50 hectares. This represents a significant share of Karnataka's total arecanut cultivation, yielding around 52,781 metric tons. The study has been conducted to understand the cost of cultivation and profitability of arecanut cultivation in the study area. A random sampling design was employed for picking farmers and about 60 farmers were interviewed from the Shivamogga district in Karnataka. The study was conducted with the help of a pre-tested schedule through the personal interview method. The results of the study show that the total cost incurred for the establishment of a one-acre arecanut cultivation was 1091000. This figure includes expenses for land preparation, planting, planting material, fencing, and other initial costs. The annual maintenance cost including rental value of owned land was 85500 after 6 years. The gross income and cost obtained from the one-acre arecanut cultivation were 1125000 and 1091000 respectively from 10 Years. After 10 years, overall total cost incurred per acre was 85500 for matured plants. The gross and net returns obtained from the one-acre arecanut cultivation were 350000 and 2,65,000 respectively in current year. However, it can also be found that there is a negative corelation between area in cultivation and cost of cultivation of arecanut cultivation and there is a significant positive corelation between area in cultivation and income earning capacity from arecanut cultivation in study area.

This research investigates the transformative role of digital technologies in enhancing the performance and democratic vitality of Panchayath Raj Institutions (PRIs) in rural India. With the implementation of national programs like Digital India and e-Panchayat, there has been a paradigm shift in how grassroots governance is conceptualized and executed. This paper critically examines the integration of digital tools in planning, service delivery, and administrative transparency at the local level. It identifies both the opportunities and systemic barriers to digital empowerment, highlighting key challenges such as digital literacy gaps, infrastructural limitations, and institutional resistance. Through a comprehensive review of policy initiatives, secondary data, and selected case studies, the study underscores the potential of digital governance in achieving inclusive and participatory rural development. Policy recommendations are provided to strengthen digital adoption and ensure equitable access to governance mechanisms. The transformative impact of digital technologies on Panchayath Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their evolving role in India’s rural development. With the rapid proliferation of digital infrastructure and e-governance platforms, PRIs have emerged as critical nodes for bridging the developmental divide between rural and urban regions. This article analyses how digital tools— when integrated into the grassroots governance framework—have strengthened participatory democracy, improved public service delivery, and fostered greater accountability. Through a combination of institutional analysis and field-informed reflection, it also highlights the socio-political challenges to digitalization and offers policy directions for sustainable digital governance in rural India.

Performance appraisals play a crucial role in evaluating and enhancing employee performance in the IT industry. This study examines the effectiveness of the current performance appraisal system, assessing its role in motivation, career development, and organizational growth. A performance appraisal is a structured approach used to measure an employee’s contributions based on quality, quantity, cost, behavior, and time. It involves feedback from self-evaluation, peers, subordinates, and superiors to ensure a comprehensive review. This study aims to identify key factors that drive employee performance, assess awareness of appraisal techniques among employees, and analyze the expectations and necessity of a well-structured performance appraisal system within IT organizations.

The feminisation of agriculture has emerged as a significant socio-economic phenomenon in rural India, particularly in regions witnessing male outmigration and changing agrarian structures. This study explores the impact of feminisation of agriculture on the socio-economic conditions of women in Karnataka, with special reference to Mandya district. It examines how the increasing participation of women in agricultural activities contributes to sustainable rural empowerment. Drawing on primary data collected from 200 women engaged in farming across various taluks of Mandya district, the study assesses changes in their income levels, decision-making power, access to resources, and overall quality of life. The research adopts a descriptive and analytical design, using structured interviews and field surveys to gather insights, and employs percentage analysis and socio-economic indicators for data interpretation. The findings reveal that while women have increasingly taken up agricultural responsibilities—from sowing to harvesting—they continue to face significant challenges, including limited land ownership, lack of institutional support, and restricted access to agricultural technology and credit. However, their involvement in farming has led to notable improvements in household income, social mobility, and participation in self-help groups, reflecting a shift towards greater empowerment and inclusion. The paper concludes that feminisation of agriculture, if supported by gendersensitive policies, capacity-building programs, and institutional interventions, can serve as a transformative force for sustainable rural development. This study contributes to the discourse on rural empowerment by highlighting the critical role of women in agriculture and advocating for strategies that recognize and reinforce their contributions.

The concept of "Land to Cloud" symbolizes a transition from traditional rural practices to modern, technology-driven solutions. In the context of rural development, this journey aims to bridge the gap between villages and the global digital ecosystem. It emphasizes the use of digital tools to enhance agriculture, education, health, and governance in rural areas. Rural development is not just about constructing roads or providing electricity; it also includes empowering communities with the knowledge and access to digital services. Cloud-based technologies, mobile apps, e-governance tools, and digital learning platforms are changing the landscape of villages. These developments lead to sustainable growth that benefits future generations. Social responsibility plays a crucial role in this digital transformation. Governments, businesses, NGOs, and educated individuals have a duty to ensure that rural communities are not excluded from technological progress. Providing digital access, infrastructure, and education is a shared responsibility toward inclusive development.

Animal husbandry has been a cornerstone of the Indian economy, providing essential support for rural livelihoods. It offers farmers a stable income source and meets national demands for food, industrial raw materials, and rural employment. In 2022-23, animal husbandry contributed 30.23% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the Agricultural and Allied Sector and 5.50% to India’s total GVA. India also ranks fifth globally in meat production, with a total output of 9.77 million tonnes that year. This research paper explores the role, characteristics, and future potential of animal husbandry in sustaining and enhancing rural livelihoods in study area. This paper tries to study the Importance of Animal Husbandry in Socio-economic Condition and of Rural India. And also Examine the Contributions Animal Husbandry on factors, influence the Rural Livelihood in Study Area. Finally, this study explores that Animal Husbandry dose positive impact on all above Parameters influence the Rural Livelihood. It is clear that Animal Husbandry provided livelihoods support for rural people in study area.

Ethics plays a pivotal role in the field of business, guiding what is right or wrong and helping businesspeople reflect on mistakes and realign their actions based on ethical reasoning. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Where else do you think ethics are more relevant, than in business?”—highlighting the indispensable role of ethics in business practices. Successful business leaders such as J.R.D. Tata, Ratan Tata, Dhirubhai Ambani, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett exemplify the integration of ethical values into their business endeavors. This paper explores the significance of ethical values in fostering sustainable business growth and enhancing the well-being of employees. When a business fails, ethical principles often serve as a guide for recovery. Core ethical values—such as honesty, integrity, responsibility, quality, trust, respect, teamwork, leadership, corporate citizenship, and shareholder value— not only promote internal accountability but also build long-term trust with stakeholders. The paper argues that ethical conduct is foundational for enduring success and outlines how values-based leadership creates a ripple effect across the organization and society.

This research paper explores whether mentoring programs for women can accelerate the process of bridging the gender gap. Although several initiatives have been implemented to promote gender equality in the workplace and society, persistent challenges—such as entrenched social hierarchies and women's own perceptions of their roles—often hinder progress. While women’s empowerment has emerged as a critical concern in the 21st century, its practical realization remains elusive. Women's empowerment encompasses the enhancement of educational, economic, financial, cultural, social, and political status, particularly for those historically marginalized. This study analyzes the need for women’s empowerment in India, with a particular focus on rural areas, and highlights the key challenges and governmental schemes supporting this goal. Empowerment is a vital driver of social development, enabling women to engage meaningfully in economic, political, and community activities. Despite numerous governmental efforts, Indian women—especially in rural regions—remain relatively disempowered and often internalize unequal gender norms. The findings suggest that while central and state governments have introduced various beneficial schemes, sustained progress requires both structural change and a shift in societal attitudes. The paper concludes that structured mentoring and awareness programs can complement policy initiatives to foster holistic development and gender parity. This research paper focuses on exploring whether mentoring programs for women can speed the process of bridging the gender gap. Several measures have been taken in the past to ensure that gender equality in the workplace in the organization and society is practiced at the grass-roots level. However, the barriers and difficulties encountered during such an exercise may be compounded by the women’s own attitudes towards their work place in the social hierarchy and their potential as well as their assessment of other women. Today the empowerment of the women has become one of the most important concerns of 21st century but practically women empowerment is still an illusion of reality. Women Empowerment is essentially the process of upliftment of educational economic, financial, cultural, social and political status of every woman, the traditionally underprivileged ones in the society. This paper focus to analysed the need of Women Empowerment in India and highlights the challenges and schemes of Women Empowerment. Empowerment is the main process of social development which can enable women to participate, in the educational economic, cultural, political and social sustainable development of the rural area communities. Women of India are relatively disempowered and they enjoy somewhat lower status than that of men in spite of many efforts undertaken by Government. It is found that acceptance of unequal gender norms by women are still prevailing in the society. The study concludes by an observation that Central and State Government Providing Basic Facilities and Implementing Various Schemes are enabling factors to Women Empowerment.

This research investigates the factors influencing purchase decisions for home appliances, with a specific focus on the impact of the 4Ps of marketing mix— product, price, place, and promotion—on purchase intention. A sample of 234 respondents, all of productive age, residents of West Java, and earning a fixed income, participated in the study. Data were analyzed using SEM-PLS, revealing that product, price, and promotion significantly affect purchase intentions, while place does not. The findings suggest that companies should concentrate on these three elements when formulating strategies to bolster market competitiveness.

Payment options evolved as an impact of the modernization of banking transactions. The acceptance of electronic payment methods has been increasing substantially and rapidly. The probability that humans will be targeted by cyberattack such as fraud on the internet, theft of identity and harmful software or malware infections continues to rise as increasing numbers of individuals to select to make payments online. Electronic transactions have culminated in an upward trend in crimes committed online known as “cyber frauds.” The illegal practice of attackers exploiting internet pages, browsers from the internet and applications on the internet is known as cyber fraud. For every corporation which conducts digital payment activities, reliable payments are necessary. Cryptography represents one among the foremost issues confronting participants in the electronic payment ecosystem. A lack of awareness and inadequate digital payment infrastructure are the factors contributing to the rise in the rise in these cyberattacks. There are several techniques used for safeguarding from potential risks of cyberattacks. Studying the background, risks, solutions and legislative actions to cyberattack on electronic payment techniques is the primary objective of the present article.

Allowing markets to function within a suitable structure of economic policies and efficient regulations achieves sustainable development best. Banking sectors, particularly, have one of the largest impacts on industrial activity and the economy as an entire. Industries and businesses are susceptible to harsh environmental policies, lawsuits, or consumer boycotts in a globalized economy. As one of the key participants in the industrial sector, the banking industry faces the challenges of liability and credit risks. In addition, the longterm environmental impact could diminish the value of assets and the return on investment for the banks. Therefore, proactive legislative measures which incorporate environmental criteria into credit lending provisions would mitigate ecological harms, support mandated investment into reliable environmentally- friendly technologies, management systems, and appropriate systems that could turn industries green. This paper examines the case for Green Banking, International perspectives are cited, and lessons on sustainable development and banking for India are drawn.We note how the banks and other financial institutions in India, despite playing an active role in India's emerging economy, have attempted to take initiatives for this purpose. With society becoming increasingly aware of ecological issues, business organizations and corporations are trying to change the way they work to maximize sustainability. In banking, ‘green’ means blending operational enhancements, technology, and the changing habits of clients in a banking business. It entails the promotion of Environmentally Sustainable Practices.

This study explores the impact of digital banking on financial inclusion and economic empowerment in rural regions of Karnataka. With the rapid expansion of digital financial infrastructure across the state, rural populations are increasingly exposed to platforms such as AEPS, UPI, and mobile banking applications. The study employed a mixed-method approach, surveying 180 respondents from selected rural districts in Karnataka to assess digital banking usage patterns, perceived benefits, and barriers to adoption. Results indicate that digital banking significantly reduces time and travel costs, improves savings behavior, and facilitates access to government schemes through Direct Benefit Transfers. However, challenges such as language limitations, digital illiteracy, and dependence on tech-savvy intermediaries continue to hinder full participation. Chi-square analysis confirmed a statistically significant relationship between digital banking usage and indicators of financial empowerment. The findings underscore the importance of localized digital literacy programs, simplified multilingual interfaces, and targeted outreach efforts to ensure that digital banking is an inclusive and sustainable pathway to economic development in rural Karnataka.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, including marketing and communication. By integrating AI tools, companies—large and small— can streamline marketing processes and boost performance. In the realm of social media, AI supports tasks like content creation, campaign management, scheduling, and performance analysis. This paper explores how AI transforms social media marketing, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It analyzes academic findings, empirical research, and offers practical tool recommendations to enhance social media management through AI. Marketing has witnessed a dramatic evolution—from posters on electric poles to AI-driven personalized advertisements that compel users to engage with company portfolios. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in automating marketing strategies by independently analyzing data and optimizing outcomes. While there is a prevailing fear that AI will render human jobs obsolete, this is only partially true. Human cognitive ability remains unmatched, though routine and repetitive tasks are increasingly being handled by machines. As long as individuals continue to utilize their unique skills and creativity, AI will remain a tool rather than a replacement. This paper explores the evolution of marketing—from traditional methods to AIintegrated systems and social media marketing—and critically examines both the positive and negative implications of AI’s growing influence in this domain.

Conciseness: While the abstract provides valuable context, consider focusing on more specific outcomes or conclusions that you aim to draw from the research. This helps the reader understand the scope and significance of the study more quickly. For instance, mention the research methodology or key findings briefly. Connection between concepts: A clearer connection between training, development, and performance could be emphasized. For example, instead of only focusing on the individual benefits of ETD, you could also link how these aspects affect organizational growth or competitive advantage.

Karnataka, a state renowned for its technological advancements, still faces a significant disparity in digital access and adoption between its urban and rural areas. While digital technologies offer immense potential to uplift rural communities through commerce, transforming "Land to Cloud" pathways, the realization of this potential in Karnataka's diverse rural landscape is heavily dependent on the availability of crucial infrastructure and supportive policies. This research investigates the specific policy and infrastructure requirements needed to foster a robust and inclusive ecosystem for rural digital commerce within Karnataka. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, likely involving a detailed analysis of state-level digital development policies, assessment of existing digital infrastructure penetration in various rural districts of Karnataka (including internet connectivity, device affordability, and reliable power supply), and qualitative data collection through interviews and surveys with rural entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, and consumers across different regions of the state. Furthermore, the research will examine successful grassroots digital commerce initiatives within Karnataka to identify the local-specific factors, policies, and infrastructure that have contributed to their effectiveness. Key challenges such as last-mile logistics in the state's varied terrain, digital literacy levels among different demographic groups, and the accessibility of state-backed digital financial services will be explored. The ultimate goal is to provide targeted, actionable recommendations for Karnataka's policymakers and development agencies to strategically invest in infrastructure and design policies that effectively bridge the digital divide, stimulate rural digital entrepreneurship, and ensure that digital commerce serves as a sustainable engine for economic empowerment across rural Karnataka.

Digital transformation is becoming a crucial factor in rural development, providing innovative solutions to longstanding issues in agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion. This paper explores the "land to cloud" concept as a comprehensive digital framework that promotes sustainable rural empowerment. Guided by five primary research objectives, the study investigates the potential of digital tools to improve rural life, analyses the obstacles to implementation, and proposes a strategic framework for fostering inclusive and technology-driven growth. Primary and secondary data were utilized to examine the digital impacts across various sectors, with the insights derived from the analysis informing recommendations for scalable models.

With rapid economic changes and technological advancements in machinery, equipment, and infrastructure, rural lifestyles in India are also experiencing improvements. Rural populations are now benefiting from better societal structures, quality education for children, healthier lifestyles, cleaner environments, and stronger financial conditions. A key pillar for a thriving economy is a robust financial system, which plays a vital role in improving financial accessibility. However, people in rural India still face challenges in accessing basic financial services. The initiative of Postal Banks has made it possible to offer essential banking services, such as savings and deposit accounts, to individuals in remote rural areas. India Post has the largest network of branches across the country, particularly in rural areas. This study explores the role of India Post in integrating rural populations into the country's financial system and assesses the performance of its banking services for rural customers. It emphasizes the importance of creating awareness about financial services for rural communities, as their savings can significantly contribute to strengthening the Indian economy by facilitating the flow of cash from rural areas into the broader financial system.

One way in which technology has changed purchasing is by making internet shopping the preferred method of most customers. Over the past decade, this trend has come to the fore because to the extensive employment of these two tactics by a number of retail giants. The main purpose of this study is to compare and contrast the ways in which people think and behave when buying in physical stores vs online. This article delves at the trend of men increasingly preferring to shop online rather than at brick-and-mortar establishments. More individuals prefer to shop at malls when they need to make a real purchase since their payments are safe there. Even though more and more people are buying things online, most people still prefer to purchase at physical places where they can examine the goods up close. Based on our research, Flipkart and Amazon are the top two online merchants. We also found out that more and more people are favouring online buying, so it's clearly here to stay.

Quality of services is critical for the growth and development of enterprises in the service sector. In India, both public and private sector banks offer various loans. Muthoot Finance, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), functions under the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and offers a variety of financial services. The quality of service provided by Muthoot Finance significantly influences customer satisfaction and service preferences. This study, titled “Services Provided by Muthoot Finance with Special Reference to mandya District”, aims to assess the quality of services and customer satisfaction in this region.

Majority of the experts believe that customers are “God” for running a successful business or organization because they are the main factor for revenue generation, but this revenue generation can be done with the support and involvement of employees. For this support an employee attitude is very important. Employee’s morale is an attitude of an employee towards his organization. If an employee had a positive morale, then his involvement and satisfaction will generate high productivity from him. In this paper clearly views the term” Employee Morale” and the different factors used by the organization to increase the employee’s morale.

This study investigates the prevalence, nature, and impact of cyber crimes in digital banking, highlighting the growing challenges faced by financial institutions and users in the digital era. With the increasing adoption of internet and mobile banking services, cyber threats such as phishing, malware attacks, SIM swapping, and account takeovers have become more sophisticated and frequent. Using an empirical approach, primary data was collected through surveys involving 150 respondents, including bank customers and professionals. The findings reveal a concerning lack of awareness among users and inadequate preparedness among banks, leading to significant financial and reputational losses. Key contributing factors include weak security practices, user negligence, and evolving tactics of cyber criminals. The study underscores the importance of multi-layered cybersecurity frameworks, regular audits, user education programs, and stronger legal and regulatory mechanisms. It concludes that collaborative efforts among stakeholders are essential to enhance resilience against cyber threats in the rapidly expanding digital banking ecosystem.

Migration aspirations, the desire to relocate, are deeply influenced by socioeconomic factors. These aspirations are not just about moving; they are a complex interplay of individual, household, and structural factors, often linked to perceived improvements in socioeconomic conditions An ambitious person always tries to change his/her socioeconomic status upwards for the probabilities of positional changes explore their level of aspiration and as the people migrated to their aspired class at unpredictable intervals of time The advantage better then policy maker’s use to all social groups of the many policies address the consequences and impact of migration; and as such they are targeted at to promote inclusion effectively, the increase in mobility is not fully captured in larger surveys often leading to erroneous conclusions about mobility levels in India Although significant in recent years, growth has been unequal in India the three different education approaches, the technical, the intercultural and the anti-racist, need to converge to negotiate a balance between diversity and cohesion. To increase equal opportunities for all students and to foster the recognition of diversity, The resulting framework helps to understand the complex and often counter-intuitive ways in which processes of social transformation and ‘development’ shape patterns of migration and enable us to integrate the analysis of almost all forms of migratory mobility within one meta-conceptual framework.. Studies of change vary in scope, focusing at the micro-level of individuals and families the micro-level of communities and regions the same distinction between structural importance and change potential of migration flows applies to sending countries and regions for the number of instances these flows may actually strengthen or stabilize the existing socio-political order rather than transform and the macro-level of nation-states and the global economy but also effect structural change in the receiving society. In pluralist democracies, such change will not be perceived as a threat to stability but as part of the flexibility and openness of a society although several of the points made below may apply as well to long-distance domestic movement the power of migration to effect change either in sending or receiving regions and countries.

The increasing use of synthetic dyes in the textile, paper, and plastic industries has led to severe environmental pollution owing to their toxic, carcinogenic, and non-biodegradable nature. Conventional physicochemical treatment methods often fall short because of high cost and secondary pollution. Sustainable alternative enzymatic degradation is a promising strategy for dye removal. Laccases are multicopper oxidases capable of oxidizing a wide range of phenolic and nonphenolic compounds in dyes. In this study, laccase was isolated and purified from Trigonella foenum-graceum (fenugreek seeds). The extracted enzyme was characterized in terms of optimum pH-7, temperature of 350C, and time of 30 minutes. Enzymatic degradation assays were conducted using synthetic dyes such as thiazine, azo, phthalein, sulfonphthalein and triarylmethane dyes. The results demonstrated a significant decolourization efficiency with degradation rates exceeding 50%. Spectrophotometric analysis confirmed the breakdown of the complex dye molecules into less toxic intermediates. These findings highlight the potential of plant-derived laccases as eco-friendly biocatalysts in wastewater treatment and industrial dye degradation.

The global push for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions has made the adoption of electric vehicles imperative. In India, EV adoption has shown promise, fuelled by diverse product offerings and supportive government policies. However, rural India lags behind in EV adoption, despite being a significant market. To unlock the untapped potential, understanding the needs, attitudes, and barriers of rural consumers is crucial. This research conducts a study of rural Indian consumers and offers valuable design insights for automotive companies to formulate effective future strategies. Electric Vehicles (EVs) have emerged as powerful agents of transformation, particularly within the context of sustainable development. In rural India, where socio-economic advancement is closely tied to access and mobility, EVs offer a unique opportunity to bridge gaps in infrastructure, digital inclusion, and environmental sustainability. This paper explores the role of EVs as digital catalysts for rural empowerment, analysing their potential to drive change through green technology, create employment, enhance connectivity, and foster inclusive growth. Based on literature review and the secondary research, the study identifies key barriers and enablers to EV adoption in rural regions. It offers actionable insights for policymakers, manufacturers, and community leaders to accelerate the transition to clean mobility while addressing the unique challenges of rural India.

Green consumption—the intentional purchase and use of environmentally sustainable products represents a critical behavioral phenomenon in addressing global environmental degradation. Despite widespread environmental awareness and increasingly positive environmental attitudes, a persistent paradox persists: individuals expressing strong environmental concerns frequently fail to translate these attitudes into actual purchasing behavior. This comprehensive literature synthesis examines 56 recent empirical studies investigating motivators, barriers, and the attitude-behavior gap in green consumption, with particular emphasis on how demographic characteristics and contextual factors reshape behavioral relationships. The analysis reveals that environmental attitudes, internal moral norms, and health-related benefits serve as primary motivators for green consumption, while economic barriers, product availability limitations, consumer skepticism, and psychological constraints actively suppress behavior translation. Critically, demographic characteristics including age, gender, education, and professional discipline significantly moderate these relationships, creating population- specific behavioral patterns. The synthesis identifies higher education faculty as an understudied yet strategically important population whose consumption choices influence students, institutional cultures, and broader community sustainability. The review documents significant research gaps regarding faculty-specific green consumption patterns in developing economy contexts and provides empirical foundations for institutional sustainability initiatives. Integration of Theory of Planned Behavior, Values-Beliefs-Norms theory, and Innovation Resistance Theory offers comprehensive framework capturing both motivational drivers and practical obstacles shaping green consumption adoption.

The intersection of digital technology and grassroots democracy has redefined governance and women’s empowerment in India. Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs), constitutionally mandated with a minimum of one-third reservation for women, are increasingly integrating digital platforms and tools to enhance efficiency, inclusivity, and accountability. This paper explores how digital pathways—such as e-Governance platforms, mobile connectivity, digital literacy programs, and social media—are transforming the participation, performance, and empowerment of women in PRIs. A review of literature and case studies provides insight into both the opportunities and limitations of this digital transition.

Digital pathways such as, information and communication technologies (ICTs), internet connectivity, mobile platforms, and digital literacy initiatives—play a fundamental role in fostering rural transformation and empowerment. These pathways enable rural populations to access education, healthcare, governance, markets, and income-generating opportunities, thereby contributing to sustainable rural empowerment. However, inadequate infrastructure, low digital literacy, affordability, and socio-cultural challenges confine their effectiveness. This paper adopts a conceptual framework and secondary data analysis to examine the role of digital pathways in promoting sustainable rural empowerment. The study identifies key impacts and challenges and suggests strategies to augment inclusive and sustainable digital empowerment in rural areas.

Digital payments have emerged as a transformative force in rural economies by enabling a shift from cash-based transactions to digitally integrated financial systems. The concept of “Land to Cloud” symbolises the transition of rural livelihoods, traditionally dependent on land and agriculture, towards digitally enabled economic participation. From a commerce perspective, digital payment systems play a crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion, improving market efficiency, and promoting sustainable rural empowerment. This paper examines the role of digital payments in strengthening rural economic activities through improved access to banking services, government transfers, and digital markets. The study adopts a conceptual and analytical approach based on secondary data from government and institutional sources. Recent statistics indicate that digital payments now account for nearly the entire transaction volume in India, reflecting a significant behavioural shift away from traditional payment methods. The findings highlight that digital payments reduce transaction costs, enhance transparency, and support inclusive rural growth, although challenges related to digital literacy and infrastructure remain. The study concludes that digital payments constitute a vital digital pathway in achieving sustainable rural empowerment.

Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce) has emerged as one of the most disruptive innovations in the retail and e-commerce ecosystem, emphasizing ultra-fast delivery of essential goods within minutes. This article provides an in-depth examination of the concept, theoretical foundations, and business implications of Q-Commerce. Using conceptual and statistical analysis tools, the study evaluates operational efficiency, cost structures, and consumer behaviour patterns associated with Q-Commerce. The findings highlight that while Q-Commerce enhances customer satisfaction and market competitiveness, it also presents significant challenges related to profitability, sustainability, and workforce management. The study concludes with practical suggestions for achieving long-term sustainable growth in the QCommerce sector.

Financial inclusion is a key enabler of economic empowerment and poverty reduction. For women, it offers access to credit, savings, insurance, and the formal financial system—tools that are essential for autonomy and equality. In India, various government schemes have played a critical role in bringing financial services to women, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. This paper explores the evolution, scope, and impact of key financial inclusion programs like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Mudra Yojana, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), and others. It also discusses the challenges in effective implementation and offers policy recommendations to enhance women’s financial participation and agency.

Sustainable rural empowerment is a critical component of inclusive development in emerging economies, particularly in India, where a substantial proportion of the population continues to reside in rural areas. Persistent challenges such as poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, inadequate infrastructure, and institutional inefficiencies have constrained rural development despite decades of policy interventions. In this context, digital technologies have emerged as transformative tools capable of addressing structural barriers and promoting inclusive growth. This research paper examines the role of digital inclusion as a catalyst for sustainable rural empowerment in India. It analyzes how digital public infrastructure, digital financial services, e-governance mechanisms, digital education, and agricultural technologies contribute to economic, social, and institutional empowerment in rural regions. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical methodology based on secondary data from government reports, international organizations, and academic literature. A focused case study on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system highlights the practical impact of digital governance on rural empowerment. The findings reveal that while digital initiatives have significantly improved access to services, transparency, and livelihood opportunities, challenges such as digital illiteracy, infrastructural gaps, and socio-economic inequalities persist. The paper concludes that an inclusive, people-centric, and sustainable digital strategy is essential for ensuring long-term rural empowerment.

The rapid growth of internet connectivity, smartphone usage, and digital payment systems has significantly transformed consumer purchasing behaviour in India, leading to increased adoption of online shopping across urban and semi-urban regions. The present study aims to examine the buyers’ attitude towards online shopping in Tumakuru District, with a focus on understanding demographic characteristics, shopping behaviour, perceived advantages, and barriers influencing online purchase decisions. The study is based on primary data collected from 385 respondents selected through a random sampling method using a structured questionnaire. A descriptive research design was employed, and the collected data were analysed using statistical tools such as percentages, mean scores, and tabular analysis. The findings reveal that a majority of respondents exhibit a positive attitude towards online shopping, primarily driven by factors such as convenience, time savings, wide product variety, and competitive pricing. Clothing and accessories emerged as the most preferred product category, followed by electronics. However, the study also identifies significant challenges, including security and privacy concerns, delivery delays, lack of trust in product quality, and complicated return procedures, which restrict frequent online shopping. The research concludes that while online shopping has gained substantial acceptance among young, educated, and employed consumers in Tumakuru District, addressing trust-related and service-quality issues is crucial for sustained growth. The study offers practical suggestions for e-commerce platforms, policymakers, and marketers to enhance consumer confidence and improve the overall online shopping experience.

This study examines logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) through a multidisciplinary framework with specific reference to India in the contemporary global context. Using Michael E. Porter’s value chain as the conceptual foundation, the paper integrates insights from operations management, information technology, finance, human resource management, environmental studies, and public policy. Empirical evidence from the DPIIT–NCAER national logistics cost assessment is employed to analyze sector-wise logistics burdens, modal cost structures, and global benchmarking. The findings indicate that while India has achieved a significant reduction in logistics costs to below eight percent of GDP, structural inefficiencies persist in modal mix and sector-specific logistics practices. The study contributes to commerce and management literature by offering an India-centric, empirically grounded, and globally relevant framework to guide policy formulation, managerial decision-making, and future research.

Around 80% of population India relies on these systems for primary health care, Ayurveda and Indian System of Medicine (ISM) utilize a vast number of plants. The traditional Indian system of medicine includes many natural plants used for the treatment of diabetic activity. In the present study, the herbal remedies used for diabetic in Ramanagar District, which is located in coastal region of Ramanagar District. Here are discussed. A total number of around Nine plants such as Eugenia Jambolana, Ocimum sanctum, phyllanthus amarus, Pterocarpus marsupium, Tinospora cardifolia. Curcuma longa and Trigonella Foenum graecum etc, from various families used therapeutically against diabetes and relatd disorders are being coverd, which includes Biological source, gamily, parts of the plant used, regional name, local use and therapeutic action (traditional use) for all the natural plants. This detailed information will be helpful for the pharmacognosist, botanist, phytochemist and pharmacologist for the collection and identification of the plant for their research work. Key words: Ethno-medico botany, Herbal drugs, Anti-diabetic, uses at Ramanagar District. Some medicinal plants was collected from Ramanagar District are Hemigraphis colorata, Marjorana hortensis, Artemisia vulgaris. Artemisia pallens. Ocimum sanctum, ocimum basilicum, Ocimum hratissimum, Mentha Piparita, Mentha citrate, Mentha spicata. Acorus calamus, centella asiatica, Bacopa Moninierii, piper longum, piper nigrum, Clitoria ternatea, Aloe vera, Stevia rehandiana, Gymnema sylvestre, phyllanthus amarus, Coleus forskohii, Adhathoda vasica, Tinospora cordifolia, Cissus Quadrangularis. Ruta graveolens, Basella alba, Alpinia galangal. Alternanthera sessillis, Boerhavia diffusa, Costus igneous, Eclipta albha, Spilanthes acmella, Coleus amboinicus, Souropus androgynous, Tymus vulgaris, Pelarogonnium graveolens.

Scientific analysis of plant components follows a logical pathway. Plants are collected either randomly or by following leads supplied by local healers in geographical areas where the plants are found. Initial screenings of plants for possible antimicrobial activities typically begin by using crude aqueous or alcohol extractions and can be followed by various organic extraction methods. Since nearly all of the identified components from plants active against microorganisms are aromatic or saturated organic compounds, they are most often obtained through initial ethanol or methanol extraction. Substances involved in essential metabolic processes within an organism are identified as "primary metabolites". For example lipids, porphyrins, amino acids, polyacids (e.g., citric, tartaric etc.) and many others are among this class. The term "secondary metabolite" is frequently found in literature that addresses the chemistry of plant-derived natural products. The term has no real scientific basis except that over the past half century it has come to represent those products of plant metabolism that are associated with some readily detectable properties (e.g., taste, color, odor), a biological activity In present study three medicinal plants were selected for the antimicrobial activity for the fallowing medicinal plants which has curative properties which is given by the herbal practicener, Mentha piparita, Mentha citrate, Mentha spicata.

Urban expansion has become a defining characteristic of developing cities, often resulting in significant alterations to land use and land cover (LULC) patterns. This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of LULC changes in the Mysuru Local Planning Area over a 33-year period (19912024) using multi-temporal satellite imagery and geospatial techniques. The research utilizes Landsat datasets (TM, ETM+, and OLI) sourced from the USGS Earth Explorer platform, classified using the Maximum Likelihood Classification method into six major LULC categories: built-up, agricultural land, forest, water bodies, barren land, and others. The analysis reveals a 273% increase in built-up land, driven by rapid urbanization, infrastructural development, and population growth, particularly after 2001. Conversely, agricultural land declined by over 31%, forest areas by 10.6%, and water bodies by 23.3%, indicating a substantial ecological transformation. These trends underscore the pressures exerted by urban growth on natural and agricultural systems. Ancillary data, including administrative boundaries and field surveys, supplemented the classification accuracy and interpretation. The findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable land management practices and integrated urban planning to balance development and environmental conservation. The study not only provides a detailed spatial understanding of Mysuru’s urban sprawl but also offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental managers in the context of future urban development.

This study focuses on Demography changes in Tibetan refugee community. It mainly emphasizes on the trends of international migration of Tibetan Refugee in South India (Karnataka). Drawing on successive census rounds and qualitative literature review, the study combines quantitative and qualitative methods to identify shifts in international migration trends. The analysis highlights the scale and direction of international mobility, and its demographic consequences. Despite its centrality to understanding contemporary Tibetan demography and community structure, international migration remains under-researched. This paper seeks to address this research gap.

This paper critically examines the growing dependency on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment and selection processes within Bangalore’s Information Technology (IT) sector. Rather than merely enhancing hiring efficiency, AI is increasingly shaping organizational hiring philosophies, often prioritizing algorithmic logic over personalized assessment. The study explores the implications of this shift, including reduced human interaction, potential bias embedded in AI algorithms, and the marginalization of unconventional talent. By analyzing current trends and company practices, the research underscores the need for cautious adoption and stronger regulatory oversight to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and accountability in AIdriven recruitment frameworks.

The insurance sector plays a vital role in the economic development of a country by providing financial protection against risks and uncertainties. With the liberalization of the insurance industry, private insurance companies have emerged as significant contributors to the expansion, efficiency, and innovation of insurance services. This research paper examines the role of private insurance companies in the overall development of the insurance sector, focusing on their contribution to financial inclusion, risk management, employment generation, and economic stability. The study is based on secondary data collected from regulatory reports, government publications, and existing literature. The findings reveal that private insurance companies have enhanced insurance penetration, improved service quality, and promoted competition, thereby strengthening the insurance ecosystem.

Women play a vital role in the sustainable development of a nation. Because we know that basic unit of a nation is family. The women are the backbone of the society but worldwide her hard work has mostly been unpaid. Achieving sustainable development means not only reconciling economic and environmental sustainability, but also prioritizing social sustainability. Poverty and exclusion increase the amount and intensity of unpaid care work, as a result of limited access to public services, inadequate infrastructure, the lack of resources to pay for care services and time-saving technology. Unpaid care work is also intensified in contexts of economic crisis, health crises, environmental degradation, natural disasters and inadequate infrastructure and services. A just and sustainable society is one that recognizes unpaid care work by making it visible through statistics and by ensuring that policies are in place to reduce its drudgery, through appropriate public investments in infrastructure and social services, and to redistribute it between women and men within households, and between households and society more broadly. Vocational trainings are being conducted, to impart skills to undertake different vocations. In extension activities the women are now the center point and activities are being planned keeping her in view. Her enlightenment will change the face of rural India. Providing more training opportunities to women will give them ownership of assets like land, access to credit and other inputs, adoption of women- friendly technologies, involving them in planning and decision making at all labels can foster sustainable development of the society.

In literature the settings of rural areas and urban areas often represent two very different ways of life. Writers use these places as symbols to express bigger ideas. The village, or what we may call the “soil,” usually stands for tradition, strong cultural roots, and a deep sense of belonging. Life in rural areas is often shown as simple, peaceful, and connected to nature and community values. On the other hand, the city, or “skyline,” symbolizes modern progress, individual dreams, and ambition. Cities are fast growing and full of opportunities, but they can also make people feel isolated or lost in the crowd.

ಪೀಠಿಕೆ
ಭಾರತ ಮೂಲತಃ ಕೃಷಿ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ದೇಶ. ಕೃಷಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಇಂದು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಜನ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಅಥವಾ ಪರೋಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಅವಲಂಬಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇಂದು ಜಗತ್ತು ಜಾಗತೀಕರಣದ ಭರಾಟೆಗೆ ಸಿಲುಕಿ, ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಇದೇ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯ ಮಾರ್ಪಾಡಾಗುವ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದುದು. ಅಂತಹ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನಿಕ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಗಳು ಕೃಷಿಕರ ಬದುಕನ್ನು ಕಷ್ಟಕರವಾಗಿಸುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆ ಇದೆ. ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಗರಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಇರುವ ಹೊಣೆಗಾರಿಕೆ ಸಮಾನವಾಗಿದೆ.
ಇದೇ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಗಮನವನ್ನು ಮುಖ್ಯನಗರಗಳು ತಂದು, ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಭಾರತದ ಕೊಡುಗೆಗಳು ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾಗಿವೆ. ಈ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಥಿರವಾದ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಮಾರ್ಗಗಳು ಅಗತ್ಯತೆ ಇದೆ. ಮಾಹಿತ್ಯಾಂಗೀಕೃತ ಅವರ ಪರಿಕಲ್ಪನೆಯಂತೆ ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಯನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸುವುದು ಹಾಗೂ ಮಾದರಿಗಳು ಅಕರತೆ: ಸದೃಢದಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿದ ವೇದಿಕೆಗಳಾಗಿವೆ. ಗ್ರಾಮಗಳು ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯಾದರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ದೇಶದ ಸರ್ವತೋಮುಖ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯ. ಈ ಹಿನ್ನಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಮಾರ್ಗಗಳು ಸುಸ್ಥಿರ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಒತ್ತು ನೀಡುವ ನಿಸ್ಸಂಶಯವಾಗಿ ಕೊಡುತ್ತದೆ.

The biggest killer of human functioning is stress. Stress is a common and unavoidable psychological phenomenon in human life. Every individual has their own stress. There will be family life stress, occupational stress, social stress etc. Every job has its own stress factors. Nowadays in this modern scenario, teaching is considered as one of the most stressful job. Teaching in a private institution gives more stress to the faculty as it may not give a job security as a Government teacher. More over private college teachers have to satisfy not only the academic needs of the students but also the demanding needs of the management. The objectives of the study are to know various causes of stress among private college faculty in colleges and to identify the various stress management activities followed by the teachers for minimizing their stress. The data was collected from primary sources by issuing questionnaire to 100 faculty of private college and Aided college. Hence, the study concluded that faculty face stress in managing personal life with job and steps taken to reduce the stress.

This paper examines the theme of village development as seen in the famous novel Karavalo written by celebrated Kannada novelist K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi. This novel is written in the background of the Western Ghats mountain range of India. The main themes of Karvalo is the new sense of awareness among the village people because of awareness of nature and the need to protect it. The knowledge of science and technology among the younger generation of the villagers has changed their attitude and now they know that the fate of their poverty-ridden villages can be changed by making use of the knowledge of sustainable development. The central characters of the novel are a scientist called Karvalo and Ponnayya, a smart hunter. This novel shows us how village people can change their own lives by actively engaging in scientific attitudes and direct action. This novel focuses on the upliftment of the rural community with the awareness of nature and urgent need to preserve it. This paper analyses the framework of the novel and its role as an instrument of eco-criticism. The novel goes beyond the usual themes in rural fiction such as the beauty of nature or the poverty of the tribal people. This novel is written in a more democratic way emphasizing the ability of the rural youth to look into their own affairs and to give clear leadership in the field of conservation. What is important here is that ecological preservation becomes the priority of the village people not through external interference but by their own sense of awareness. They have started pressurizing for nature using methods of dialogue and communication with the outer world. They have understood the value of preserving nature from their own observation and they have applied this knowledge to protect Mother Nature which gives them food and nourishment. The respect given to nature by the village people is far superior to the same given by city people. For the village people, nature is something real with which they are associated with on a daily basis. For the city people, nature is something they learn from the text books and their eagerness for conservation comes from a high-level civic sense rather than personal experience. This paper finds out that Karvalo gives us a new insight into the theory of empowering village people because the village people uses their indigenous knowledge for understanding rather than copying from city models. This paper challenges the tradition divide between the rural people and the intellectuals. Rural people have now reached a level of awareness that makes them able to generate their own intellectuals who can contribute equally well compared to the city intellectuals. This paper also emphasizes the role of literature in reshaping village life. The villages of India have reached a level of awareness that makes them able to look at nature in a more comprehensive view which helps them to redefine their relationship with nature resulting in a greater level of conservation of our resources.