When the world is counting down the time to fulfill the 17 SDGs and associated 169 targets set for the Agenda @2030, countries adopt the tailored solution of SDGs localization for the faster addressal of the global risks, especially, with popular and enigmatic narratives like ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwaas and Sabka Prayaas’ in India. Thus, this paper undertakes the four selected comparative case studies of Indian districts to examine the country’s progress and loopholes in implementing SDG localization, namely, I.) North West (Delhi), ii.) Hyderabad (Telangana), iii.)Noida (Uttar Pradesh), and iv.)Kolkata (West Bengal). The paper employs a mixed methodology of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the synchronized data, i.e. National Indicator Framework (NIF) and District Indicator Framework (DIF) released by the nodal agencies responsible for the SDGs tracking in the respective locale in alignment with the Global Indicator Framework (GIF).

This article provides research and policy recommendations for AI integration and assesses its implications on the Indian labour market, creative sector and national security.

Mental Health at work place and Labor Laws Introduction Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel, and act and plays a crucial role in how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Nearly 60% of the global population is part of the workforce. All workers have the right to a safe and healthy work environment. Mental health is a key part of overall well-being, but many people still face stigma and challenges in accessing care. Issues like workplace stress, the impact of social media, and increasing anxiety among young people highlight the urgent need for supportive measures. Without effective support systems in the workplace, especially for those with mental health conditions, individuals may struggle to enjoy their jobs and perform at their best. Current Issues Mental health conditions are common. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience major depression during their lives. Around the world, 1 in 7 young people aged 10–19 suffers from a mental disorder, contributing to 15% of the global disease burden for this age group. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 29. A stressful work environment, characterized by high demands and poor management, can lead to burnout and depression. The workplace can significantly influence employee’s mental health, especially in office settings where employers can make changes. A survey called the 360 Global Wellbeing Survey found that only 35% of respondents reported having flexible working hours and locations, despite this being a top priority for job seekers. According to an article from the Times of India, 71% of employees in India feel comfortable discussing mental health at work, but nearly 60% believe their managers or colleagues lack the tools to engage in these conversations effectively. Employers who ignore mental health miss out on a chance to reduce costs. Mental health issues like depression and anxiety can make chronic health conditions harder to manage, leading to increased healthcare expenses from more doctor visits, hospital stays, and medication use. Untreated mental health conditions can worsen chronic diseases, and vice versa. For instance, diabetes can double or triple the risk of depression, while those with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes. Additionally, presenteeism, where employees show up to work but are not fully productive due to mental distress, also increases costs. Laws The WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030) outlines principles, objectives, and strategies to promote good mental health in the workplace. This includes addressing social factors affecting mental health, such as living conditions and work environments; reducing stigma and discrimination; and improving access to evidence-based care through health service development, including occupational health services. In 2022, the WHO’s World Mental Health Report highlighted the workplace as a critical area for transformative action on mental health. India’s Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (MHA) was enacted to provide a rights-based framework for individuals with mental illness, in line with India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). While the MHA represents significant progress from the Mental Health Act of 1987, numerous challenges related to mental health in the employment sector remain unaddressed. India is preparing to introduce new labor codes, expected to bring major reforms to the employment sector. However, these new codes lack clear guidance on mental health in the workplace, focusing primarily on physical safety and welfare. There are no specific provisions addressing mental health, such as guidelines for managing workplace stress, mental health awareness programs, or protocols for handling mental health issues. This absence redirects attention to existing directives, legislation, and best practices from international bodies. Challenges in Implementation of Mental Health Laws 1. Stigma Attached to Mental Health: The stigma surrounding mental illness makes it difficult for individuals to seek help and for regulations to be enforced effectively. Mental health still receives less attention compared to physical health. Efforts to reduce stigma and increase awareness can help make mental health treatments more accessible. 2. Lack of Research Capacity: Addressing the gaps in mental health care is challenging due to insufficient research facilities for implementation and policy reform. More research is needed to determine effective ways to enforce mental health laws. 3. Shortage of Professionals and Services: A shortage of trained mental health professionals can hinder the effective execution and enforcement of mental health legislation. This lack of professionals can delay access to essential mental health services. The fragmented delivery of services also complicates the implementation and enforcement of mental health laws. Integrating mental health care into primary health services can help resolve this issue. 4. Resource Constraints: Implementing and enforcing mental health regulations can be especially difficult in vulnerable areas facing challenges such as armed conflict or developmental barriers. Resource constraints, including poor infrastructure and security issues, hinder these efforts. Governments and international organizations must provide resources to support mental health law implementation in such contexts. 5. Lack of Insurance: Obstacles to accessing mental health care, such as insufficient insurance coverage, can impede the implementation and enforcement of mental health laws. Ensuring adequate insurance coverage for mental health services is crucial to improving access to care. Solutions To ensure effective implementation, mental health policies should be developed as separate entities but integrated into health, social, and educational policies and strategic action plans. Mental health should also be included in national operational plans and essential health interventions. For example, in Kenya, a project funded by the UK NGO Nuffield Trust allocated funds to train psychiatric nurses in advocacy and planning skills to improve mental health care. Mental health issues require collaboration across various sectors, including education, social welfare, and the criminal justice system. Significant contributions from the health sector are essential to address mental health challenges, including providing access to medicines and support. Many generic medications are just as effective as newer, more expensive psychotropic drugs that may have better side effects but do not lead to significantly improved health outcomes. Uganda has

Designing Gender-Inclusive Public Spaces: Lessons from Indian Cities Anmol Yadav, Divyasri SN & Nandini Singh   1. Objective of the study By Anmol Yadav The goal of the study is to investigate the design features and strategy that help Indian cities construct public areas that are gender inclusive. Public spaces are essential to urban life providing locations for social exchange, recreation, and community building. Yet, often these areas fall flat to meet needs of genders, resulting in accessibility and safety disparities. Goal of this research is to investigate these disparities and offer practical solutions that encourage inclusivity fostering secure surroundings for all, irrespective of gender.   Need of the hour is to have well-designed public places in areas that are rapidly-urbanizing, such as India. Public areas are crucial for promotion of community cohesion being centers of social and economic activity. However, still major Indian cities suffer from outdated infrastructure, poor public facilities, and hazardous surroundings, making it difficult for people of different genders to benefit from these places to their full potential.   Public areas are crucial to urban life giving people a place to congregate, socialize, and participate in activities that foster social inclusion and well-being, while accelerating people’s social, emotional, and physical well-being by providing chances for leisure, community development, and cross-cultural interaction. Additionally, they act as key touchpoints for civic involvement and participation promoting sustainable ecosystems.   Despite their importance, women and transgender people, find public areas in Indian cities to be precarious and inhospitable. Issues like violence, harassment, poor illumination, restricted access to sanitary and secure facilities, and poorly designed pedestrian walkways act as barriers to equal access leading to unequal experiences in public places, where many people areunable to fully participate.     2. Understanding Gender-Inclusive Public Spaces By Anmol Yadav Understanding that different people have varying requirements, preferences, and experiences depending on their gender, gender-inclusive public spaces are created. The goal of these areas is to ensure that regardless of gender, everyone feels appreciated, safe, and at ease. Gender inclusion can only said to be incorporated when basic necessities like lighting, access, sanitation, mobility serve all genders equally.   To achieve the same initiatives like The Safe cities by UN Women and the guidelines established by groups such as Gehl Architects prioritize inclusive development and fair access to urban areas emphasizing significance of including safety into city design while acknowledging varied gender experiences in public spaces.   Social concerns like physical and verbal harassment faced by women, poor mobility, lack of CCTV’s, poor pedestrian infrastructure exacerbate gender inequality in infrastructure created in accordance with archaic gender roles. Cities need to build spaces that are not just inviting but also inclusive for everyone by tackling these issues with careful urban design.  References: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/dba30bc0-f755-4ad5-b763-5f7a572f2b09/content https://prism.ucalgary.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/2fc1f1d5-e7f4-435b-bf41-145fea93ecb6/content https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dr-Bansal-5/publication/366717443_Assessing_Gender_Inclusive_User_Preferences_A_case_of_Urban_Public_Spaces_in_Chandigarh/links/63c2ab34d7e5841e0bc9ff72/Assessing-Gender-Inclusive-User-Preferences-A-case-of-Urban-Public-Spaces-in-Chandigarh.pdf https://escholarship.org/content/qt4ht60519/qt4ht60519.pdf?t=relm8f&v=lg   3. Evaluating Urban Design Components By Divyasri SN (3.1, 3.2) & Nandini Singh (3.3, 3.4) The quality of living in urban areas is greatly influenced by urban design. Street lighting and public restrooms are two essential components that affect accessibility, inclusivity, and safety in metropolitan areas. Urban environments can become safer and more fair by addressing these issues with creative solutions. 3.1. Lighting on the Streets Current Concerns   Street illumination is still insufficient in many Indian cities, especially in the outskirts and in informal settlements. Due to increased susceptibility to crimes like theft and harassment, poor lighting increases safety hazards, particularly for women, children, and vulnerable groups. According to a study by Jagori (2010), one of the main causes of metropolitan women’s feelings of insecurity is poor street illumination. Additionally, the use of antiquated, energy-intensive lighting systems strains municipal budgets and undermines environmental sustainability objectives.   Case Studies and Solutions To overcome these obstacles, Indian cities are implementing creative solutions. Mumbai’s Marine Drive, for instance, is a well-lit public area that has improved safety and drawn community involvement. Up to 50% less energy is used in Bengaluru thanks to the installation of motion-activated smart LED lamps (Economic Times, 2022). One example of how renewable energy can promote sustainable urban development is the deployment of solar-powered streetlights in both urban and rural regions. These programs can be expanded nationally to encourage safer and more energy-efficient streets. 3.2. Public restrooms Difficulties In India, public restrooms frequently fall short of accommodating the demands of a variety of people, especially women and transgender people. Accessibility is restricted by a lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure, and this problem is made worse by cultural stigmas. More than 70% of urban women avoid using public restrooms because of safety and hygienic concerns, according to a 2020 Water Aid India research. Inadequate maintenance also leads to unsanitary environments, which raises the risk of illnesses and infections. Recommendations To overcome these challenges, cities like Chennai have introduced gender-neutral public toilets that cater to the needs of all individuals, including transgender people. These facilities not only promote inclusivity but also challenge cultural stigmas associated with public sanitation. Additionally, incorporating self-cleaning mechanisms and touch fewer systems in public toilets can improve hygiene standards. Public awareness campaigns, such as those by the Swachh Bharat Mission, are crucial for encouraging the use of these facilities. Scaling these efforts across cities can create equitable, hygienic urban spaces.   3.3. Condition of Public Transport and Mobility   Urban mobility systems are often not designed to account for gender-based differences in mobility patterns. Women are amongst the biggest users of public transport across Indian cities.  In general, cities work better for heterosexual, able-bodied, cisgender men than they do for women, girls, sexual and gender minorities, and people with disabilities. Key aspects of the built urban environment – related to access, mobility, safety and freedom from violence, health and hygiene, climate resilience, and security of tenure – create disproportionate burdens for women, girls, and sexual and gender minorities of all ages and abilities, thus exacerbating and reinforcing existing gender inequities.    Way forward to it   Infrastructure, services, and pricing are the three key levers of gender-responsive public transport design. After forming an understanding