Fatima Mata National College

The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises play a vital role in Kerala’s economic development through employment generation, industrial growth, and regional development. This study examines the growth, performance, and challenges of MSMEs in the state using secondary data from government reports, economic reviews, and research articles. The findings indicate significant post-pandemic growth in terms of enterprises, investment, and employment. However, the sector remains dominated by micro and service-oriented enterprises, reflecting structural imbalances and limited industrial diversification. It faces key challenges including financial constraints, delayed payments, high labour costs, technological limitations, infrastructure bottlenecks, and difficulties in scaling up. The study concludes that while MSMEs are central to inclusive growth, targeted policy measures focusing on credit access, technological upgradation, infrastructure, and enterprise expansion are essential for sustainable and balanced development.

Abstract In this work, multicolor and near white-light-emitting Se–Tb 3+ -doped SiO 2 is synthesized via the sol–gel method. Due to the phase shift from cubic (c-Se) to amorphous (a-Se) in Se quantum dots (QDs), the absorption spectrum of the annealed Se–Tb 3+ -doped SiO 2 exhibits a broad absorption in the lower wavelength region. Due to the combined effect of excitation-dependent blue emissions [c-Se QDs] and enhanced multiple emission bands (Tb 3+ ions), fluorescent c-Se–Tb 3+ -doped SiO 2 is color-tunable from blue to near white to green under different excitations. While Se QDs sensitize and boost Tb 3+ fluorescence in their cubic phase, they quench Tb 3+ emission in their amorphous phase. Under 340 nm UV excitation, cool white emission (0.3040, 0.4074) with a correlated color temperature value of 6426 K is obtained for c-Se–Tb 3+ -doped SiO 2 (c37). Excitation-dependent photoluminescence color tuning, shifting from blue to near white at a lower c-Se QD content and white to green at a higher c-Se QD content is observed in c-Se–Tb 3+ -doped SiO 2 . The dependence of fluorescence emission from Se–Tb 3+ -doped SiO 2 on the crystallinity of Se QDs, Se concentration and excitation wavelength is beneficial in realizing anti-counterfeiting and advanced solid color tunable lighting devices.

Global rates of biodiversity loss warrant conservation action and monitoring at large geographic scales. Conservation technologies such as acoustic monitoring in conjunction with deep learning now enable us to monitor wildlife simultaneously across space and time. However, for a significant proportion of biodiversity in tropical regions, we cannot yet rely on automated recognition approaches because we lack acoustic templates to robustly train deep learning algorithms. In this paper, we relied on a novel participatory approach, enlisting researchers, conservation practitioners, and nature enthusiasts to create a unique crowd-sourced, open-access dataset of acoustic annotations across taxonomic groups for biodiversity in India. Our dataset comprises 3311 minutes of ‘strongly labelled data’ (bounding boxes or annotations for a species vocalization) and 2504 minutes of ‘weakly labelled data’ (indicating the presence of a species within an audio file but lacking bounding boxes) for 518 species across India, spanning 25 of 36 states and union territories. We present metadata and code for data processing and highlight the strengths of a participatory approach to biodiversity monitoring. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic ecosystems is a growing global concern. This study investigated AMR profiles of bacteria isolated from hospital-, poultry-, and aquaculture-adjacent sectors of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, India. Twelve isolates (Bacillus cereus and Citrobacter freundii) were isolated and tested against ten antibiotics. Isolates from all sectors showed consistent resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, including amoxicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, and ceftriaxone. Notably, ceftriaxone resistance and intermediate resistance to imipenem were detected in C. freundii, phenotypes which correspond to WHO designated Critical Priority pathogens, raising serious public health concerns. Multidrug resistance (≥ four antibiotics) was observed in 75% of the isolates, with aquaculture strains exhibiting the highest resistance. Gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline retained full activity against all the isolates. These findings identify Ashtamudi Lake as a reservoir of multidrug-resistant bacteria and highlight the need for integrated One Health surveillance and improved effluent management.

Population ageing has emerged as one of the most significant demographic transformations of the twenty-first century. Kerala, which has completed an advanced stage of demographic transition, is witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of elderly persons. This demographic shift has led to the emergence of the Silver Economy, which encompasses economic activities,products and services designed to meet the needs of older adults. The present study examines the demographic profile, economic status and policy responses associated with population ageing in Kerala and analyses the opportunities generated by the silver economy. The study is based on secondary data collected from the India Ageing Report 2023, Economic Review Kerala 2025, Census Reports and government publications. The findings indicate that Keralas elderly population is projected to reach 8.4 million by 2036, accounting for nearly 22.8 per cent of the total population. Rising old-age dependency, increasing demand for healthcare, long-term care services, age-friendly housing and financial security mechanisms are creating substantial opportunities for economic growth. The study concludes that strategic investments in healthcare, care services, digital inclusion and active ageing programmes can transform Keralasageing challenge into a sustainable economic advantage.