Authors: Gopichand Dandimeni, Srishti Semwal, Mark Philip Jayan, Rashi Bhowmick, Afreen, Akanksha Verma, Zarrin Amroliwala, Saumya Pandey Abstract The Strait of Hormuz stands out as one of the most crucial maritime chokepoints in the world, acting as a vital passage for global oil, liquefied natural gas, and commercial shipping. Nestled between Iran and Oman, this strait has consistently played a key role in global energy security. However, persistent tensions between the United States and Iran have raised alarms regarding potential disruptions, military escalations, and legal uncertainties in this essential waterway. This paper delves into the broader strategic importance of global maritime chokepoints, focusing specifically on Hormuz and its role in international security and trade. By employing qualitative policy analysis and reviewing sources related to international law and energy security, the study evaluates the military, legal, and economic risks tied to the strait. The findings reveal that Hormuz is particularly vulnerable due to its narrow geography, the concentration of energy flows, and its susceptibility to coercive tactics from both state and non-state actors. Additionally, the paper highlights that any disruptions in the strait can have immediate repercussions on oil prices, shipping costs, and the stability of global supply chains. Ultimately, the study suggests that establishing a multilateral maritime security framework, bolstered by diplomatic efforts and clear legal guidelines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is the most effective way to mitigate risks and ensure freedom of navigation

Authors: Alok Pratap Singh, Jashan Sood, Rituraj Saraf Abstract In today’s world where every geopolitical conflict and economic uncertainty reaches smartphones within seconds, staying informed has become easier than ever-but disengaging has become increasingly difficult. With constant updates surrounding Operation Sindhoor to growing debates on artificial intelligence and job displacement, young people today are exposed to an unprecedented stream of information that demands constant attention. Although social media and digital platforms have led to increases in the level of awareness and connectivity across society, they have also led to the creation of the phenomenon known as doomscrolling, which describes the compulsively consuming of negative or distressing online content. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics, causes, and effects of doomscrolling behaviours among members of Generation Z (Gen. Z), who were born into a digitally-connected world where smartphones, social networks, and readily-available real-time flows of information originate from different locations around the globe. The study uses relevant contemporary case studies and examines how people’s engagement with social media has been influenced by uncertainty-driven digital engagement and how this has changed their patterns of information consumption and impacted their overall well-being. Keywords: Doomscrolling, Generation Z, Wellbeing, Digital Addiction, Digital Dissociation, Psychological distress.

Authors: Trisha Dhar, Bhavya Anand, and Precious Ajie Esq ABSTRACT The communities of artisans and indigenous peoples in the developing world contribute to the global fashion industry, valued at USD 1.7 trillion a year, with their design language, weaving practices, and motif traditions, yet they obtain less than 5 percent of the retail value of their culture. This essay explores how these structural factors lead to the creation and perpetuation of economic inequalities within the exploitation of traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) within the global fashion industry, particularly through the example of Indian textiles. It addresses the following research question: How does the global supply chain contribute to unequal economic benefits derived from traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS)? Through doctrinal analysis of existing laws, including the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, the Copyright Act, 1957, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and international legal obligations of India in relation to the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) negotiations and the Nagoya Protocol; through a value analysis of the supply chain, and engagement with existing academic literature to date, the essay outlines four mechanisms of economic marginalization: the limitations of the Geographical Indication (GI) approach, the intellectual property vacuum created by the idea/expression divide, the dominant structure of the supply chain, and the absence of benefit-sharing arrangements for TCEs. Another shortcoming identified in the existing literature on TCE exploitation is the notion that it should be considered under the category of legal classification rather than that of governance of supply chains. From the analysis of empirical evidence drawn from published studies and reports on the weaving clusters of Banaras, Chanderi, and Kutch, it is evident that the economic marginalisation of weaving communities is a policy-induced problem. The conclusion to this paper provides a comprehensive multi-perspective policy approach to TCE exploitation that comprises TCE-specific legislation, mandatory benefit sharing in supply chains, GI democratization, and constitutional approaches. Keywords: Traditional Cultural Expressions, Fashion Law, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Inequalities in Supply Chains, WIPO IGC, Cultural Misappropriation, Benefit Sharing, Indian Textiles, Weaving Communities.

Authors: 1. Hemangi Singh, Tata Institute of Social Sciences 2. Manoj Yellaiah Vallam, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mysuru Campus 3. Shrawani Ganesh Bokshe, KDK College of Engineering 4. Pratishtha, Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology 5. Saqeef Bayezid Ahsan, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh 6. Aruhi Jain, JSS Science and Technology University 7. Shaik Sameeruddin, Vignana Bharathi Institute of Technology 8. McDonald Julius, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi, Africa 9. Asfia Hasan, Jamia Millia Islamia Abstract Rapid urbanization, population growth, and inadequate environmental governance have intensified ecological degradation across cities in the Global South, particularly through the erosion of urban green spaces and the collapse of functional waste management systems. This study examines the intersecting roles of urban green infrastructure and solid waste governance in sustaining ecosystem health, with a focus on India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria as representative developing-nation contexts, benchmarked against European nations, notably Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Employing a qualitative comparative methodology, the study draws on peer reviewed literature, government policy documents, and international organization reports to conduct thematic and comparative policy analyses across four dimensions: urban green space distribution, solid waste management systems, public health and environmental inequality, and governance effectiveness. Findings reveal that urban green spaces deliver critical ecosystem services, including air purification, urban heat island mitigation, and biodiversity conservation, while simultaneously supporting physical and mental well-being among urban populations. Escalating waste generation in cities such as Lagos, Dhaka, and Mumbai overwhelms underfunded collection and disposal systems, generating severe environmental pollution, waterborne disease burdens, and disproportionate health risks in low-income communities. Comparative analysis confirms that European cities achieve superior sustainability outcomes through binding regulatory frameworks, integrated green-waste urban planning, advanced recycling and waste-to-energy technologies, and structural advantages largely absent in developing-country governance contexts. The study concludes that urban ecosystem sustainability cannot be achieved through isolated interventions; it requires the deliberate integration of green infrastructure planning, equitable waste governance, and strengthened institutional accountability. Policy recommendations include enforceable urban green space mandates, formalization of informal waste economies, increased environmental budget allocations, and community-centred governance frameworks. This research contributes a cross-regional comparative perspective to the urban sustainability literature and provides evidence-based direction for policymakers in rapidly urbanizing nations. Keywords: Urban green spaces; solid waste management; ecosystem sustainability; environmental governance; urbanization; developing countries; comparative urban policy.

Authors: Asmi, Phalguni Bhardwaj, Mrityunjay Pal, Bhawana, Rohit, Srinika Mahato, Bharti Yadav, Akshita Paul Abstract Over the past decade, India’s Digital Revolution- marked by the Jandhan Aadhar Mobile Trinity, the UPI ecosystem and Direct Benefit Transfer, has fundamentally transformed citizen-state interaction. However, this shift hasn’t been gender neutral. The very infrastructure that was designed to guarantee benefits has gradually become another place of marginalization for millions of women, particularly those who live in rural and low-income households. This study explains that the Digital Gender Gap limits Indian women’s regular use of online government services and social welfare programs. Applying mixed-methods research methodology, a structured primary survey of 101 individuals from urban, semi-urban, and rural contexts is combined with a thorough analysis of government publications, scholarly literature, and policy materials spanning the years 2019 to 2025. The findings show a troubling situation. Even though more people have smartphones and digital skills are improving, women still face many challenges. The main problems are not having enough devices, social and cultural obstacles, worries about online safety, and relying on men to help. The study argues that when equal access to digital technology is assumed, India’s digital welfare system ends up reinforcing gender hierarchies in how it is designed. Therefore, policy responses must shift from infrastructure provision to feminist digital design, emphasizing affordability, gender-disaggregated accountability frameworks, local-language interfaces, and community-based support.

Authors: Prakriti Gupta, Shehrebanu Pipewala, Sneha Sarraju, K.P. Manoranjan Abstract This study examines the perpetuation of the digital divide in India despite the continuous efforts of the government to fix it. Using qualitative research methods and a review of existing literature, it is found that the digital divide goes beyond the access of having devices or internet and is deeply linked with socioeconomic inequalities, educational disparities, and other forms of social exclusion. The Marxian and Weberian schools of thought throw light on how class, status and power influence digital access and power. Through a close evaluation of case studies and current government initiatives, this paper highlights how current policies prioritise connectivity over digital inclusion. This study concludes that bridging the digital divide in India requires a peoplecentric approach that penetrates beyond developing connectivity and Infrastructure and advocates for a more sustainable digital Inclusion that can only be achieved by focusing on building digital literacy, affordability, capability, and a meaningful skill set amongst Individuals, which enables them to use the existing resources optimally. Index Terms– Digital Divide, India, Urban, Rural, Gendered differences, Digital divide and literacy rate

Authors: Gatik Garv Anand, Karuna Tandon, Nandini Lohia, Shreya S, Jui Kuche, Chirag Arora Abstract This study investigates the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing the digital economy by enhancing productivity, innovation, and economic performance across the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. Employing a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed sources from 2018 to 2025, the analysis explores AI’s economic impacts, qualitative organizational transformations, and sectoral adoption variations. Findings reveal that AI significantly boosts productivity, operational efficiency, and decision-making through automation and data analytics, while also driving innovation and improved service delivery. However, sectoral disparities in adoption arise from differences in technological readiness, infrastructure, and digital maturity. Challenges such as skill-biased labor market shifts, uneven digital access, and organizational preparedness hinder equitable benefit distribution. The study proposes an integrated cross-sectoral framework for understanding AI-enabled economic transformation and emphasizes the need for effective governance, workforce reskilling, and inclusive digital infrastructure to realize sustainable and equitable growth in the digital economy. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, Economic Growth, Productivity, Digital Transformation, Innovation, Sectoral Analysis, Automation, Workforce Reskilling, Sustainable Development.

Authors: Sakshi Dayal, Avishikta Basu, Srijanti Chandra, Abhinanda Roy Chowdhury, Zoya Akhtar,Sudiksha Kumari Abstract This study examines consumer preferences between online and offline shopping in Kolkata, a metropolitan city in India that perfectly balances its rich retail roots with a fast growing digital landscape. It analyses the factors influencing shopping preferences, including convenience, product variety, pricing and trust, along with the impact of demographic variables such as age, gender and income. Primary data were collected via a survey-based methodology targeting different types of consumers in Kolkata, covering various ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This study investigates the balance between online and offline shopping and the growth of omnichannel behaviour, where consumers use both channels together. The findings offer ground-level insights to how people in Kolkata make their shopping decisions, and give practical relevance for retailers in other large Indian cities. To read full paper, download below…….

Author: Fariha Akter Lucky Abstract Background: College students of Bangladesh and India face immense levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout due to the competitive academic culture. Lack of awareness and legal negligence have made the situation problematic. This research studies the prevalence of stress, anxiety, burnout, and legal awareness as well as stressors among college students in both countries. According to the findings, it is evident that mental health issues are on the rise, making this study significant. Method: This study used a quantitative survey among the students of Bangladesh and India, with a cross-sectional analysis using both open and closed-ended questions. It focused on cities such as Dhaka, Munshiganj, Kolkata, Jaipur, etc. The participants included adult students of both nations.The data was analyzed using statistical tools named SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Result: The outcome highlighted that a large number of students face moderate to high levels of mental pressure in college. Primary stressors such as academic pressure, peer pressure, and unsupportive faculty are identified with a lack of mental health support. There is a lack of awareness about the importance of mental health among students. Limitations: As we received only 52 responses, the result may not represent the state of the entire countries of Bangladesh and India, so we cannot generalize the result for all. Conclusion: The study shows that the college academic structure negatively affects the mental health of students. Also, there is a significant gap in awareness about Legal Policies Regarding Mental Health. To read full paper, download below…….