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Drug addiction among the youths of Darjeeling District: A sociological study'
(University of North Bengal, 2024) Majumdar, Pintu; Biswas, Saswati
Drug addiction has become one of the severe menaces all over the world, and India is no exception to that. In India, 26th June is celebrated as the 'Anti-Drug Abuse Day' every year, and a great awareness campaign has been organized nationally to reduce the magnitude of drug addiction. Irrespective of the government's initiatives, the extent of the behaviour is rising daily. The issue is very dynamic and complex in its existence. Thereby, a keen analysis of the subject is needed as it hampers the lives of the youth in most cases in India. The present study is an endeavor to know and understand drug addiction in the Darjeeling district from a sociological point of view. The region has been selected as a field for the study due to its vibrant activities concerning drug-related activities. The region under study is strategically significant and shares international and national boundaries which makes the region prone to cross-border smuggling and trade of illegal substances. The region is being used by the traffickers to store, traffic, and sell different drugs thereby, the region becomes prone towards drug-related activities. An attempt has been made to understand the extent and pattern of drug addiction in the region under study. The researcher has reviewed several secondary literature of the existing scholarship on drug addiction to get the basic idea of drug addiction and the way the behaviour has been perceived in society historically. A review of the literature enables the researcher to find out the specific research gap for the study.
The study continues to assess the problem comparatively as the hills area and plains area of the district. To accomplish the research on the issue, the study set off some major objectives to comprehend the dynamicity of the issue in the field. The study intends to find out the specific pattern and magnitude of the behaviour based on the major causes that countenance the problem in contemporary times. Moreover, the study tries to locate the role of different factors like religious, cultural, political, and economic, as these factors were found very crucial in different research works on addiction. In drug addiction, peer groups play a vital role in the dissemination and extension of the problem, and that remains a pertinent factor which deserves a sociological analysis. The study finds causal relationships between factors that influence the problem irrespective of age, sex, and community recognition in society. Also, the study discusses the socio-economic impact of the problem on the everyday life of the respondents. The endeavor links possible theories concerning drug addiction in contemporary times. A triangulation of theories has been employed to contextualize the present situation. Durkheim’s concept of Anomie and Merton’s idea of Strain helped to perceive the ideas relating to the major causes that push individuals toward drug abuse and addiction. Moreover, the study has made use of Social Learning Theories, Social and Self Control Theories, Differential Association, Liquid Modernity, and other theories to uncover the undermining issues relating to the problem. The theoretical background of the work helped in identifying major areas of the problem and also, analyzing the major dynamic factors along with their contribution to the behaviour. Methodologically, the study has followed a qualitative approach to comprehend and to detail the issues relating to the behavior, although the quantitative approach has been considered in some ways to represent the total respondents of the study. Both, primary and secondary data have been used in accomplishing the task. For secondary data, the study has consulted different books, journals, governmental reports, news articles, and many more to get a concrete idea. Primary data has been collected empirically with the help of different methods from the field of the study. Moreover, some methods are applied to cross-check the data and to get the actual scenario of the problem. The study has collected a total of forty case histories of the respondents from the region under study. The data of the study has been distributed in tabular form comparatively as respondents of rehabilitation centres and non-rehabilitation centres (local drug hubs). The study relied on ethnomethodological and phenomenological analysis of the behaviour of the respondents regarding drug abuse and addiction. To understand the relation between region and drug addiction, how/why regions vary on social problems from one another, the researcher discusses the basic characteristics of the region (Strategic, Administrative, Economic, Educational, Religious, Cultural) and their contribution in influencing the problem independently. An attempt has been made to discover the relationship between the region and drug-related activities and also the ways in which the very problem is increasing with the participation of youth continuously. In searching the above-mentioned statement, many factors have been found that are essential to the issue and also trigger drug-related activities in the region. Socio-economic background of the respondents has been analyzed on the basis of the empirical data which were collected from the field. Also, a critical overview has been placed concerning the basic background of the respondents in relation to the existing scholarship. Moreover, the study has identified major causes that intrigue individuals to indulge themselves in drug abuse and addiction-related activities. The study has found that although causes guide people towards drug consumption initially but, eventually, drug in-takers tend to produce new causes only for their association and continuous consumption of different drugs and to justify their activity. Contextualization of the problem shows that causes push individuals to the behaviour as a gateway but concerns (pleasures) are the main urge which takes users/abusers deep into the addiction. The findings of the thesis also say that the gendered participation in drug addiction and related activities is on the rise, and the participation of girls in the drug trade extends the path for other different crimes in contemporary times. Increasing involvement in drug addiction has a direct impact on other crimes like, sex work, murder, rape, et cetera, and they are also on the rise accordingly. An attempt has been made to assess the structural and functional analysis of the problem of drug abuse and addiction in the present situation. The researcher has prepared two complementary diagrams to denote the functional and structural operations that push individuals toward drug abuse and indulge further in the process. Major and vital factors have been identified which work severely in the process of addiction. As in the existing scholarship, the process of addiction is neglected. Thereby, an attempt has been put forward by the current scholar to portray the whole operational analysis by presenting different elements along with their contribution to the behaviour. The study suggests that during COVID-19, drug addiction and related activities increase due to the participation of people in the cross-border drug trade. The pandemic was the time when non-drug abusers (students and petty traders of goods and services) also participated on a large scale to earn easy money, which made the region available on
Politics and development of ethno-consciousness and identity : A study of the Lepchas of Darjeeling and Sikkim
(University of North Bengal, 2023) Lepcha, Pemu Tshering; Chakrabarti, Dyutis
Lepchas consider themselves to be the original inhabitants of Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills. They are known as Mutanchi Rongkup or Rongs which means ‘sons of snowy peaks’ They claim their origin from their homeland Mayel lyang i.e. ‘land of hidden paradise’. They reside mostly in the state of Sikkim and in the Hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Due to the rearrangement and shuffling of the older Himalayan kingdoms, shifting and overlapping of political boundaries, they are also found in the east part of Nepal, Illam and the western part of Bhutan. Thus, today Lepchas are scattered into three territorial nation states. This work is a study on the development of ethno- consciousness and the movement for cultural identity among the Lepchas in Darjeeling and Sikkim. It seeks to establish the point that ethnicity and ethnic consciousness are connected with the notion of identity. Today, all modern societies are undergoing a distinct type of structural change due to the emergence of ethnicity. By challenging the forces of modernisation, homogenisation, globalisation, nationalism and cosmopolitan values all ethnic groups are trying to create a distinct cultural space of their own. Even modern nation states based on the principles of equality, democracy, pluralism and republicanism has sought to homogenise all ethnic pluralities. State and its administrative apparatus also shape ethnicity and group identity, as state tends to be controlled or its policies are framed in favour of the interests of the dominant group. When a particular group take control over the institutions of government policy making, it seeks to further its own interest. This leads to disproportionate distribution of state resources and causes resentment among those who have been denied benefits. Thus, the state fails to act as an instrument pursuing distributive justice. This denial of state resources and differential treatment resulting in the marginalization of the community strengthens community consciousness. It is with this background that the study of ethno- consciousness and identity of the Lepchas of Sikkim and Darjeeling becomes pertinent.
Tribal identities have their roots in colonial policies that classified communities and ethnic groups, privileged some and discriminated against others. But the very identity that was previously enforced by the colonisers have increasingly internalised by the people themselves and has become a rallying point for identity assertion. Lepchas became colonised with the coming of Tibetans during the early 17th century, under the Gorkhas in the 18th century and the British during 19th century. The real problem of the Lepchas began with the arrival of British colonialism. Their religion, culture and tradition got eclipsed owing to their conversion into Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, with a very insignificant of them practicing animism. This has led many scholars to make the point that Lepchas are a dying race and a vanishing tribe. The work attempts to understand the political and social processes of the rise or revival of ethno- consciousness and identity among the Lepchas in Sikkim and the District of Darjeeling. The Rongs or the Lepchas as they are better known have been increasingly declaring themselves as the original inhabitants and indigenous community of Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills. The claim along with other similar claims has turned the whole geographical space and its history into a contested terrain. The study makes a historical construction of Lepcha identity through colonial narratives. It also tries to look into the historical making of a geographical space and also tries to see the relation between history and identity by making an account on the experiences of the Lepchas with different phases of colonialism. With the coming of British the condition of the Lepchas became worse. The modern governing practices initiated by the British through the establishment of a universal standardised legal system, enumeration and fixing of innumerable communities converted tribes and communities into a measurable category through census reports. In the case of Lepchas, colonial policies of encouraging immigration of Nepalese and other outsiders forced Lepchas to move to the remote and peripheral areas leading to their marginalization and vulnerable position. The post- independent state’s policy towards the Lepchas is also a continuation of the colonial state’s policies and administrative practices. State formation after independence from the British rule is characterised by some form of assimilationism and benevolent paternalism. Constitutional and legal provisions enacted for the protection and welfare of the marginalised communities led to their categorization as Scheduled Tribes by the Scheduled Tribes Order of 1950 in accordance to Article 342 of the Constitution.
Provisions like reservations of seats in legislature, employment and education, right to use one’s own language for educational and other purposes including the right to conserve one’s language and culture were enumerated as part of the state’s integrationist and developmental agenda. But what is stated in the constitutional and legal provisions on the one hand and what actually has followed on the other hand has become quite different. The rupture between the constitutional provisions and the existing ground reality is on account of the divergence in the constitutional, institutional and administrative structure of the state. State and its institutions also trigger ethnic consciousness. State may be controlled by a particular ethnic group whose interest the state chooses to favour, state policies are also shaped by the advice of the leaders of such groups. Thus, the state far from remaining neutral and egalitarian ends up promoting majority ethnicism and consistently makes distinctions by classifying people and groups and sharing resources disproportionately; benefiting some groups and causing harm and denial to some others. This denial of resources and privileges heightens community and group consciousness. In the development of ethnic consciousness, a closer look into the administrative structure and position of the Lepchas within that structure should also be taken into account. Darjeeling being a district within the state of West Bengal and Sikkim being a federal state. In Sikkim, Lepchas were accorded a special BL status with the right to political representations. Being closer to the state structure and the decision-making process, Lepchas in Sikkim have been able to accrue many benefits in their favour. Various Lepcha Associations have been successfully fighting against all kinds of injustices perpetrated against the Lepcha community and have been actively involved in protecting their socio- economic and cultural rights. Beginning with the grant of official status to Lepcha language in 1977, to its introduction into the school curriculum till the post- graduate level, they have achieved significant benefits. In Darjeeling, their situation is somewhat different. Being already marginalised due the operations of colonial capitalism under British rule, the state even after independence have somehow remained indifferent to the issues pertaining the Lepcha community. They have not yet claimed the agency of reading and writing in their mother tongue even at the primary level of education. Nepali language, which is the dominant regional language have always gained the upper hand in the region.
Promotion of Nepali by sidelining Lepcha language became evident when Government of West Bengal recognised Nepali as an additional official language of the district of Darjeeling in 1961. Further in 1975 Nepali language was accepted as a modern Indian language by the Sahitya Akademi and ultimately included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The differential treatment meted to the Lepchas of Darjeeling have further disillusioned them, which is evident from the kinds of identity assertion movements that the region has witnessed in the recent years. Development initiatives of the state with the construction of hydel power projects on rivers that are considered to be holy for the Lepchas; and upon their holy land ‘Dzongu’, their Mayel Lyang have led Lepchas from both the regions to collectively wage sustained crusades against such projects on the grounds of protecting their culture, tradition and identity. Following Barth and Smith, the work argues that through the actions of ethnic groups and their interests, boundaries are erected, dividing some people and unifying others. Thus, the emerging consciousness of an ethnic group gets accelerated when ethnic boundaries are created and maintained, when an ethnic group starts constructing their culture by reviving their forgotten pasts, myths, symbols, language, religion, memory and their ethnic history. Through a series of literary and scholastic activities, celebrations of the birth anniversaries of their heroes, celebration of traditional Lepcha festivals, customs and traditions, production of ethno- documentary films projecting the Lepcha belief in natural deities, traditions of munism and bongtheism, attempts are being made by Lepchas in reviving and restoring their historical cultural practices and thus actively involved in the politics of cultural production and cultural revivalism. Past thus becomes a resource for all ethnic groups giving them a collective identity which paves the way for ethnic political mobilization of the community. It becomes ‘political’ since ethnic boundaries are shaped not only by the members themselves but by external forces like the state and its institutions. Members from the community have been vocal in waging movements and conducting associational politics for the protection and promotion of cultural identity of the Lepchas. Thus, members of an ethnic group not only identify themselves as belonging to a particular group but are also identified by others. Ethnic identity as a constructed category also implies conscious mobilization of the people in defence of their community’s interest. The work is divided into six chapters. In the first chapter, along with the statement of the problem, an introduction to the area of study is given. With a brief theoretical insight, this chapter makes a review of all existing literature. It also gives a theoretical framework to understand the emergence of ethno- consciousness among the Lepchas of Sikkim and the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
In the second chapter titled ‘Lepchas: Their Social and Cultural Profile’ attempt is made to give an account of the origin of the Lepcha tribe, their social and cultural profile; and an insider’s account about the history of the Lepchas. Language and literature, which is considered as a repository of a community’s history and culture is the next theme of this chapter. It also focusses on the literary activism and the movement for linguistic assertion among the Lepchas in response to the dominant and homogenising impulse of Nepali linguistic nationalism with the standardisation of Nepali language and literature. The third chapter is titled ‘Lepchas in Sikkim: Experience Under Namgyal Rule till The British and After’. Any work on the Lepcha tribe becomes incomplete without taking reference of the history of Sikkim, since the establishment of Namgyal kingdom in the early seventeenth century because with this began the first phase of colonisation of the Lepchas. Coming of Bhutias laid the foundation of a kingdom with a state system based on feudal order. State formation took place in entirely Tibetan- Buddhist ethos. The Sikkimese political system based on Lamaist theocracy, had many features of Tibetan feudalism; the ruler was not only the head of the state but also an incarnate lama with the responsibility to rule the subjects in accordance with the tenets of the ‘Chhos’ or the Dharma. This helped to accomplish the task of converting Lepchas into the Buddhist faith conveniently. Establishment of the Bhutia kingdom and the spread of Buddhism colonized not only the Lepchas but the entire geographical and political landscape. The chapter also gives an account of the Lepchas in the period immediately after independence in 1947. Freedom from British rule did not give them access to democratic participation and decision making. They were sandwiched between the more assertive Nepalis and the dominant Bhutia community. Since one’s ability to influence the political process also became dependent upon numbers games. The fourth chapter is titled ‘Colonial Encounter and Experiences of the Lepchas of Darjeeling since 1835’ gives an account of the Lepchas of Darjeeling from 1835. Prior to this date, Darjeeling was an intrinsic part of the kingdom of Sikkim. Thus, the colonial history of Darjeeling begins with the Deed of 1835. With the arrival of British in Darjeeling, Lepchas were subjected to the worst forms of colonialism. Taking advantage of the backwardness of the Lepchas, European missionaries converted a large number of them into the Christian faith. The chapter also discusses how Lepchas were affected due to the emergence of Nepali linguistic nationalism. Lepchas were forced to study and communicate in a new language. Their language was considered to be backward for not being able to cope with the advancements made by Nepali literature in the 1920s and 1930s. In response to such developments, attempts were made by the Lepchas in the 1920s to work for the introduction of Lepcha language at the primary stage of education since 1925s with the formation of the first Lepcha Association. The fifth chapter titled ‘Ethnic Political Mobilization of the Lepchas: Towards a Movement for Cultural Identity’ seeks to explain how ethno- consciousness and consciousness about one’s ethnic identity is followed by a set of activities aimed at political mobilisation of the community. The chapter gives an account of the organisational activities conducted by different Lepcha ethnic associations in both Sikkim and Darjeeling including Kalimpong. The chapter discusses the different ways by which Lepchas have been able to carve their differences by the creation of boundaries and boundary maintenance process. The role of external factors i.e., the political process and the political institutions that shape and determine ethnic identity is also highlighted by locating the Lepchas within the particular political structure. The last and the concluding chapter makes an attempt to provide answers to the research questions posed at the beginning of the research work. In providing answers to the questions, a comparison is made between the state administrative structures in both Darjeeling and Sikkim, by locating the experiences of the Lepchas within this administrative structure. In doing so the chapter tries to study whether state patronage or the absence of it have a bearing on the socio- economic and political.
Darjeeling
Facile synthesis of some carbon and metal oxidebased nanocomposites and their applications in biological and environmental sciences
(University of North Bengal, 2024) Salim Ali; Roy, Mahendra Nath
By the thesis title, I aim to demonstrate my profound understanding of the fields of their developments of Nano enzyme and diverse applications of nanozyme in different area of human aspect. Since Yan and associates' groundbreaking 2007 paper was published, Nano enzyme has attracted a great deal of attention. The properties of nanomaterials that hinder the activity of enzymes, such as nanozyme, have addressed many of the drawbacks of bio enzymes, such as their high cost, poor stability, difficulty in storage, and low durability under demanding reaction conditions. These
drawbacks have seriously limited the widespread application of bio enzymes in analytical and medicinal chemistry. At that point, nanozyme entered the market to address bio enzyme’s shortcomings and rose to prominence in the fields of environmental, biological, analytical, and sensing aspects. Since then, a variety of nanomaterials have been extensively studied for their ability to mimic enzymes such as oxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in biomedical, colorimetric sensing, and electro-catalytic applications. These materials include Fe3O4 NPs, V2O5 NPs, MnO2 NS, and Co3O4 NF, as well as some noble metal nanozymes like Ir, Au, and Ag. Yet, the majority of these nanomaterials catalyzed reactions that mimicked a single enzyme. Multi enzyme mimic nanozymes, in our opinion, have a wide range of uses and superior multifunctionality, including the elimination of ROS, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Unfortunately, only a few number of nanomaterials and nanocomposites—such as Ni-Pd hollow NPs, Co3O4, Mn3O4, and porous carbon produced from biomass—have been shown to have multienzyme mimicking capabilities. Therefore, there are still difficulties in developing a robust, highly effective multienzyme mimic nanozyme. Multi-enzyme mimic nanoparticles have many benefits, one of which is that they provide exceptional defense for biological systems against ROS-mediated oxidative stress while leaving the body's natural antioxidant defenses intact. Many biological systems depend on a specific ROS level, which can be preserved by internal antioxidant defense mechanisms as SOD, CAT, and POD enzyme activity. Therefore, in situations where the body's natural antioxidant defense mechanism is ineffective or excessive ROS generation occurs, multienzyme mimic nanomaterials that particularly catalyze SOD, CAT, and POD may be used as artificial antioxidants. The characterization of nanomaterials involves the determination of size, shape, surface morphology, crystallinity, chemical composition, and other properties. Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) are commonly used for imaging and determining the morphology and size of nanomaterials with high resolution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) are employed to investigate the crystalline
structure and phase purity of nanomaterials. Chemical composition analysis is crucial for understanding the properties and behavior of nanomaterials. Energy-dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are widely used for elemental analysis and chemical bonding characterization. Spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy provide information about electronic transitions, vibrational modes, and chemical functional groups in nanomaterials. Surface properties play a vital role in determining the behavior and applications of nanomaterials. Surface area and porosity analysis can be performed using techniques like Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis and gas adsorption measurements. Zeta potential analysis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) are used to determine the surface charge and size distribution of nanoparticles in suspension. In addition to these techniques, thermal analysis methods such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) offer insights into the thermal stability and decomposition behavior of nanomaterials. Magnetic properties can be characterized using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse range of characterization techniques available for nanomaterials. By employing a combination of these techniques, researchers can gain deep insights into the structure, composition, surface properties, and behavior of nanomaterials, thus facilitating their design, optimization, and utilization in various applications.
SUMMARY OF THE WORKS
A thorough explanation of the research effort, its scope, and its relevance to contemporary science are provided in this chapter. It also discusses the significance of carbon and metal oxide-based nanomaterials, as well as the reasoning for nanozyme. All things considered, nanozymes have enormous potential in a variety of sectors, providing creative answers to problems with food safety, energy, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Continuous investigation keeps examining and broadening their uses, propelling additional developments in nanotechnology and catalysis. This chapter contains a summary of every investigation technique employed in the research project.
This chapter reviews the previous research on this subject, which was done by various scientists and researchers all around the world. This chapter also offers a thorough discussion of the results and covers the several synthetic techniques used to create the nanomaterials, such as the hydrothermal, reduction, co-precipitation, and sol gel methods. This thesis delves into the theory that underpins various investigation techniques, including FTIR, UV-visible, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Powder XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Antimicrobial study, and Cytotoxicity study. Additionally, the significance of applying these techniques to the research described is discussed. This study design to explore the anticancer potential and behavior of cerium-based nanomaterials mimicking enzymes since ceriumbased materials have great stability, nontoxicity, and a strong redox capacity. Using β-cyclodextrin as a stabilizer and neem leaf extract as a reducing agent, our research synthesized CeZrO4 nanoparticles using a green technique that demonstrated dual enzyme activity similar to those of oxidase and peroxidase. The greatest catalytic
60 0C, 1 hour FeSO4, MnCl2 solution addition Hydrothermal treatment 2 hours, 180 0C Starch 10000 rpm/min, 30 minutes Neem leave extract FeMn oxide OPD TMB PANI PANI Sun-light Sun-light TMB TMBox Live Bacteria Bacteria death activity of the enzyme was observed at pH = 4, which suggests that the tumor microenvironment is acidic and generates a lot of ROS. This is further corroborated by the Fenton-like behavior of the CeZrO4 nanoparticles. *Published in ACS Omega, 2022
In the current study, we have designed a visual colorimetric chemo sensor assay using the brilliant oxidase mimicking activity of biosynthesized FeMnO4@GQD Nanocomposite.FeMnO4@GQD nanocomposites showed excellent mimicking activity in mild acid medium pH-5, and obtained a Vmax value of 1.71603×10-6 and an important Km value of 0.0684 mM based on Hanes-Woolf kinetics. The robust nanocomposites were shown to be significant stability for detecting oxidases in a variety of conditions. As a consequence, oxidase-like activity was inhibited in the presence of fluoride ions. A linear correlation was established by the development of blue color with fluoride ions concentration and appeared at a low limit of detection of 1.2 μg/ml without interfering with other common ions. *Published in Chemistry select, 2022
Here, we discovered that a conducting polymer called Polyaniline Nanofibers (PANI NFs) mimics the action of light-activated oxidase. According to Hanes-Woodf kinetics, PANI-NFs have a unique Km = 0.087 mM and a high Vmax = 2.32 mMmin-1 value. They can also catalyze the colorless (tetra methyl benzidine) TMB to create a blue product, TMBox. These characteristics are indicative of intrinsic light-activated brilliant oxidase-like activity. In addition, we present here the comparison of PANINFs with the light-activated oxidase activity of two other well-known carbo catalysts
Crystalline white 550⁰ C, 5 ⁰ C /s, 2 hours Mn3O4 H2O2 H2O, O2 O- . H2O2 2 CAT SOD A B graphene oxide (GO) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). It's incredible that the conductive polymer has this kind of behavior. Density functional theory (DFT) is used to confirm the PANI NFs-TMB composite's stability and adsorption mode, which supports the experimental findings. Additionally, the present nanozyme showed a noteworthy capacity to eliminate biofilms and kill both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in physiological settings. We think it could serve as inspiration for future work establishing a connection between optoelectronics and biological processes. *Published in ACS Applied Bio. Mat. 2022
Here, spherical Mn3O4 has been grafted onto layered 2D g-C3N4 through the use of a solid state mixing technique. Through the use of FT-IR, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM studies, the loading of spherical Mn3O4 NPs on the surface of g-C3N4 was readily traversed. Tetragonal Mn3O4 NPs were formed on the 2D Nano layer g-C3N4, and the phases involved were identified using the powder Xray diffraction (XRD) method. Because of the composites' multienzyme mimic activity, which includes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), they exhibit the fortunate mixed valance state of Mn3O4. Mn3O4@g-C3N4 exhibited good SOD-like enzyme activity, which allowed it to effectively remove the active oxygen (O2 ·−) from cigarette smoke. A sensitive colorimetric sensor with a low detection limit and a promising linear range has been designed to detect two isomeric phenolic pollutants, hydroquinone (H2Q) and catechol (CA), by utilizing optimized oxidase activity. The new probe has outstanding sensitivity and selectivity in addition to the ability to visually distinguish between two isomers with the unaided eye.
*Published in Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023
Educational Scenario of Tribal Women in Dooars and Terai
(University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Roy, Purnima
In Dooars and Terai of North Bengal, Adivasi women have been suffering from illiteracy due to lack of proper education. The article focuses on the status and condition of their educational scenario and the hurdles faced by them in doing so. It is surveyed that the maximum number of women in tribal families are engaged mainly in tea garden. It also looked that they do not have interest in education and the Government facilities are not sufficient too to support their society. So, the gap between the general communities and the Scheduled Tribes in Dooars and Terai region in terms of low literacy may be attributed to different issues and the tribes remain illiterate in comparison to other societies.
Unearthing the Silent Narratives of Women of Darjeeling in Colonial Photography (1835-1947)
(University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Sarkar, Sourav
Photography, introduced to India shortly after its European invention, became a pivotal tool in documenting and shaping colonial life. In Darjeeling, amidst the scenic eastern Himalayas, photography captured the region's exotic appeal and socio-economic changes under British rule. This article explores the visual representation of women in colonial Darjeeling, revealing how photographs perpetuated imperialist ideologies while offering insights into women's lives and agency. By examining images of women tea plantation workers, local elites, and everyday individuals, this study highlights how photography both reflected and constructed colonial experiences, reinforcing stereotypes and justifying British rule through narratives of primitiveness and the need for a civilizing influence. Despite many exploitative depictions, some photographs also showcase women's resilience and contributions to the colonial economy and society. This research underscores photography's importance as a historical document and medium of expression, providing valuable insights into the gendered dynamics of colonialism and the broader imperialist project in Darjeeling. Through these lens, we better understand the interplay between power, representation, and identity in colonial India, appreciating the multifaceted role of women in shaping and being shaped by the visual culture of the time.