Volume 14 | Issue 2 |

 Abstract

Electronic voting has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional ballot systems; however, concerns related to voter identity verification, vote tampering, and result manipulation continue to hinder widespread adoption. This paper presents a Blockchain-Based Secure Voting System that integrates decentralized ledger technology with multi-factor authentication to enhance election transparency, integrity, and trust. The proposed system leverages Ethereum-compatible smart contracts to enforce immutability and prevent double voting, while Twilio's OTP verification bridges real-world identity with blockchain wallet authorization. A structured election state machine governs the lifecycle of voting, ensuring controlled participation and result publication. Security mechanisms such as access control modifiers, reentrancy protection, and gas-optimized data structures further strengthen the system. The architecture demonstrates how decentralized governance combined with off-chain identity verification can deliver a secure, transparent, and auditable digital voting framework suitable for institutional and organizational elections.

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 Keywords

Blockchain Voting, Smart Contracts, OTP Authentication, Election Security, Decentralized Identity, Ethereum, E-Governance, Multi-Factor Verification, Immutable Ledger, Digital Ballot

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 Abstract

The Hostel Management System is a software application developed to efficiently manage and automate hostel operations in educational institutions. It provides a centralised platform to handle essential tasks such as student registration, room allocation, attendance tracking, complaint management, and medical record maintenance. By automating these processes, the system reduces manual work and paperwork, ensures accurate and up-to-date records, and minimise errors. It also provides role-based access, allowing administrators and students to use the system securely according to their privileges. Administrators can monitor hostel activities, manage rooms, track attendance, and handle complaints efficiently, while students can register, view room availability, and submit requests or complaints easily. Overall, the Hostel Management System improves operational efficiency, saves time, and enhances communication between staff and students. It replaces traditional manual methods with a digital, organized, and reliable system, ensuring smooth hostel management and better overall administration.

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 Keywords

Hostel Management System, Student Registration, Room allocation, Attendance monitoring, compliant management and medical registration

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) introduced under the National Education Policy 2020 represents a paradigm shift in teacher education by integrating disciplinary knowledge with pedagogy and practice to prepare professionally competent teachers for different school stages. Within this framework, the Content cum Pedagogy course on World Around Us (TWAU) at the preparatory stage is an important course that integrates environmental, social, cultural, and scientific understandings through experiential and multidisciplinary learning. The preparatory stage emphasises activity-based, discovery-oriented, and contextually grounded learning processes, requiring teachers to design developmentally appropriate and inquiry-driven classroom experiences. This paper systematically analyses the professional preparedness and needs of teacher educators for the effective teaching of the ITEP Content-Pedagogy course on TWAU at the preparatory stage. Drawing upon policy guidelines, curriculum frameworks, and research insights on teacher education, the paper identifies the required competencies, knowledge domains and pedagogical orientations among teacher educators for effective teacher preparation and proposes a conceptual framework highlighting three interrelated dimensions- deeper curricular understanding, pedagogical expertise, and professional preparation of teacher educators. The paper contributes by integrating research insights with curriculum expectations and strengthening teacher education discourse by providing a roadmap for preparing competent teachers and teacher educators.

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 Keywords

ITEP, Teacher Educator Preparation, World Around Us, Content-Pedagogy Integration, Preparatory Stage, Experiential Learning, Multidisciplinary Learning

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 Abstract

This paper investigates how hard power competition and soft power initiatives influence regional diplomacy in Asia, particularly involving India, China, and Japan. It starts by defining neighbourhood diplomacy as the strategic management of relationships with neighbouring states using security, political, and developmental tools. The paper then presents hard power and soft power as complementary strategies rather than oppositional ones. The next section focuses on nuclear strategy as a key element of hard power, which helps shape deterrence relationships, convey credibility, and affect regional perceptions of threats. This is followed by an examination of health diplomacy as a means of soft power, emphasizing its role in building trust, establishing legitimacy, and fostering cooperation through medical aid, vaccine collaborations, and humanitarian efforts. The final part assesses how the combination of deterrence and diplomatic engagement influences neighbourhood relations, arguing that both coercive power and normative actions are critical to shaping regional stability and influence. The study concludes that effective neighbourhood leadership increasingly relies on finding a balance between strategic restraint and the provision of regional public goods.

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 Keywords

Hard Power, Soft Power, Neighbourhood Diplomacy, Nuclear Policy, Health Diplomacy

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Haunted by Memory: Trauma in Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Laura Purcell's The Silent Companions

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Haunted by Memory: Trauma in Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Laura Purcell's The Silent Companions

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The integrity of democratic elections relies heavily on secure, transparent, and trustworthy voting mechanisms. Conventional voting systems, including paper-based and electronic voting machines, suffer from challenges such as centralized control, limited transparency, and vulnerability to manipulation. These limitations reduce public confidence in electoral outcomes and highlight the need for a secure digital alternative. This paper introduces a blockchain-enabled digital voting system that ensures transparency, security, and decentralization through the use of smart contracts. The proposed approach records votes on an immutable blockchain, preventing unauthorized modifications and enforcing election rules such as voter eligibility and single-vote constraints. Voter privacy is preserved by allowing public verification of transactions without revealing individual identities. The system adopts a hybrid architecture that combines on-chain vote validation with off-chain user interaction to improve scalability and performance. Experimental results indicate enhanced security, reliable vote counting, and improved trust compared to traditional voting systems. CRYPTOBALLOT demonstrates the effectiveness of blockchain technology in enabling secure and transparent digital elections.

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 Keywords

Blockchain-based digital voting; Smart contracts; Decentralized elections; Secure voting systems; Transparency and integrity; Electronic voting.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The objective of the present study is to ascertain the relationship among scientific knowledge, aptitude and environmental awareness which include environmental awareness for judgement (EAJ) and environmental awareness for action (EAA). Hypotheses states that the environmental awareness is positively and significantly corelated to scientific knowledge and aptitude, i.e. knowledge and aptitude for life science and total test (H1-H4). Scientific knowledge was considered as independent variable and environment awareness was considered as dependant variable simultaneously aptitude is delineated as innate ability to acquire knowledge or to perform any task. Five ninety-three samples of class 11 standard were collected randomly from the districts of North and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal and from the district of Kolkata, undergone the same courses of study and passed out Madhyamik Examination (10+ public examination conducted by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. The tool for measuring environmental awareness consists of 48 items (EAA-27 items and EAJ=21 items) developed by Dr. Chakraborty and Mrs. Sengupta in 1999 and scientific knowledge and aptitude test of 100 items (Life Science= 30, Physical Science= 40 items and Mathematics= 30 items), developed by Mrs. C. Mukherjee and Dr. Chakraborty in 1999 used in this study. Descriptive analysis, correlational analysis, and regression analysis were the mode of analysis in this study. In Inter-correlation matrix shows that Environmental awareness was positively and significantly corelated to knowledge and aptitude in Life Science, Physical Science and total test and EAA and EAJ. However, the summary of the results showing the levels of regression by groups of rural male, rural female, urban male urban female and all groups - (rural+urban)+(male+female) on environmental awareness reveals the fact that the knowledge of life science and total scientific knowledge and aptitude test necessarily ensure environmental awareness.

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 Keywords

Keywords : Scientific knowledge, aptitude, environmental awareness judgement, action , Life science, Physical science, Mathematics, descriptive analysis, correlational analysis, regressional analysis

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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The fashion industry faces growing scrutiny over its environmental and social impacts while simultaneously experiencing rapid digitalisation of its supply chains. Sustainable and circular fashion models are widely promoted, yet consumer scepticism regarding the authenticity of sustainability claims remains high, fuelled by information asymmetries and concerns about greenwashing. This paper develops an integrated conceptual framework that links sustainable fashion practices, digital traceability technologies, and cybersecurity mechanisms to explain how these elements jointly influence transparency and consumer trust in clothing supply chains. Drawing on secondary data from academic literature, industry, and ESG reports, technology case studies, and cybersecurity studies, the analysis synthesises current knowledge on sustainable and circular fashion strategies, digital tracking and authentication tools, and security risks in digital supply networks. The proposed framework argues that secure digital traceability is essential to transform internal sustainability initiatives into credible, externally verifiable information that can reduce information asymmetry and support consumer trust. The paper outlines managerial implications for fashion firms seeking to align sustainability, digital transformation, and security agendas, and identifies directions for future empirical research to test and refine the framework. In particular, managers are advised to prioritise security-by-design, cross-functional governance, and consumer-centric disclosure to build robust, trustworthy, sustainable supply chains.

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 Keywords

Sustainable fashion Circular fashion Smart fashion Supply chain transparency Supply chain traceability Digital product passport Blockchain technology Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Internet of Things (IoT) Digital supply chains Cybersecurity Information security Data integrity Consumer trust Greenwashing Ethical sourcing Sustainable supply chain management Digital transformation Fashion industry Sustainability framework

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Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is an innovative concrete that possesses the ability to flow under its own weight and completely fill form work without the need for mechanical vibration. This project investigates the development of Self-Compacting Concrete of M20 grade by partially replacing cement with fly ash, an industrial by-product, to improve work-ability and promote sustainable construction practices. Fly ash was used as a partial replacement of cement in different proportions, and its influence on the fresh and hardened properties of SCC was studied. The fresh properties of SCC were evaluated using standard tests such as slump flow test, T50 time, V-funnel test, and L-box test to ensure conformity with SCC guidelines. The hardened properties were assessed by conducting compressive strength tests at 7 and 28 days. The experimental results indicate that the inclusion of fly ash enhances the flow-ability, filling ability, and passing ability of SCC while achieving the required strength for M20 grade concrete. An optimum percentage of fly ash replacement was observed to provide a good balance between strength and work-ability. The study concludes that fly ash can be effectively utilized as a partial replacement of cement in Self-Compacting Concrete, resulting in economical, durable, and environmentally friendly concrete suitable for structural applications.

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 Keywords

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC), Fly Ash, PPC based Cement, Flowability, Superplasticizer

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Women's empowerment through financial inclusion has emerged as a critical development priority, particularly in emerging and developing economies. Despite the expanding body of literature, research remains fragmented across conceptual, institutional, and regional dimensions. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 871 publications indexed in the Scopus database from 2000 to 2025 to map the intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and collaborative patterns in the field. Using co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and collaboration network analyses, the study identifies poverty alleviation and financial inclusion as dominant motor themes, while empowerment-related constructs remain conceptually broad. Findings reveal a clear transition from microfinance-centered research toward digital financial inclusion, gender equality, and sustainability-oriented frameworks aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. India emerges as the leading contributor, reflecting the context-driven nature of the research domain. The analysis highlights significant gaps, particularly in longitudinal assessments, digital gender divides, and the role of small finance and niche banks in sustaining empowerment outcomes. The study provides an integrated knowledge framework to guide future research, policy formulation, and inclusive banking strategies.

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 Keywords

Women's Empowerment; Financial Inclusion; Inclusive Banking; Microfinance; Small Finance Banks; Digital Financial Inclusion; Poverty Alleviation; Gender Equality; Bibliometric Analysis; Co-citation Analysis; Thematic Evolution.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition