Environmental pollution is a global as well as a national concern at the present time, as it harms the ecosystem and humans. It causes different minor to critical diseases that may lead to death. Dhaka City’s environment is being heavily polluted regularly. People are aware of it and face different health issues. City dwellers are mainly affected by air, water, soil, and sound pollution. Light pollution is also seen in the city, but people are not informed or aware of its negative impact. This study presents the types of pollution present in Dhaka City and how they are affecting human health. Government initiatives and changes in city dwellers’ attitudes and activities can change the scenario.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the structures and processes of governance and transforming the domain of cybersecurity, thereby redefining the conceptual and practical foundations of national security policy. Unlike earlier waves of digitalization, AI introduces algorithmic decision-making, predictive analytics, and autonomous systems into core governance functions, including policy formulation, service delivery, surveillance, and cyber defense. This paper examines the intersection of AI, governance, and cybersecurity from an interdisciplinary perspective grounded in political science, governance studies, and national security studies. It argues that AI constitutes not merely a technological instrument but a transformative governance force that reconfigures state capacity, sovereignty, power relations, and security practices. Drawing upon classical and contemporary literature from Indian and international scholars, the study adopts a qualitative, analytical methodology based on documentary analysis of academic texts, policy documents, and national cybersecurity strategies. The paper contends that national security in the digital age must be reconceptualized beyond military paradigms to include digital infrastructure resilience, information integrity, algorithmic accountability, and institutional legitimacy. It concludes that effective national security policy requires integrated governance frameworks that embed AI within ethical norms, legal safeguards, and democratic oversight mechanisms.
The present paper examines the New Public Service (NPS) paradigm’s application in the Indian scenario to ascertain whether it replicates the Western governance model, reaffirms the values-laden governance approach of ancient India, or provides a new direction for its contemporary governance system. Based on a review of available literature, related government policy documents, and reports, the study indicates that the core principles of the NPS are profoundly embedded in India’s philosophical and constitutional ideology. The NPS paradigm reconstructs the public organizations to uphold collaborative and democratic governance. It also reconsiders the role of civil servants as the tender facilitators of citizen-centric service delivery, not just policy implementers.
Urban transport systems in India are undergoing rapid transformation due to accelerated urbanization, population growth, and increased economic activity. Effective governance plays a crucial role in managing these complex transport networks to ensure efficiency, sustainability, accessibility, and inclusiveness. Governance in urban transport involves the coordination of multiple stakeholders, including central and state governments, urban local bodies, transport authorities, and private sector participants. However, the sector often faces challenges such as fragmented institutional structures, overlapping responsibilities, inadequate policy coordination, and limited financial resources. In recent years, policy initiatives and national missions such as the National Urban Transport Policy, Smart Cities Mission, and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation have emphasized integrated transport planning, public transport enhancement, non-motorized transport infrastructure, and the adoption of intelligent transport systems. These initiatives aim to strengthen institutional mechanisms, promote multimodal integration, and encourage sustainable mobility practices in Indian cities. Effective governance frameworks also highlight the importance of data-driven decision-making, public participation, transparency, and regulatory reforms. Despite these initiatives, urban transport governance in India continues to face issues such as weak metropolitan transport authorities, inadequate coordination between land use and transport planning, and uneven implementation across cities. Strengthening governance requires institutional restructuring, capacity building of urban local bodies, improved financial models, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration. The adoption of digital technologies, integrated mobility platforms, and public-private partnerships can further improve service delivery and operational efficiency. Thus, robust governance mechanisms are essential for creating a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban transport system that can meet the mobility needs of India’s rapidly expanding urban population while contributing to environmental sustainability and economic development. Against this backdrop, the present paper purports to examine urban transport governance, sustainable mobility, and the current status of urban public transportation in India. The paper is based mainly on secondary data and a critical review of literature.
Women constitute nearly half of the population, yet empirical data consistently reveal persistent inequalities in their access to opportunities across social, economic, and political domains. Consequently, gender disparities exist in employment, wages, asset ownership, education, and other areas. Such inequalities lead to broader patterns of deprivation and exclusion. The government at the Union level, as well as at the State level, formulates policies and programs to address these inequalities. The governments of India have consistently focused on multiple strategies to reduce poverty and work on sustainable livelihood strategies. DAY-NRLM was introduced to abolish rural poverty by enhancing self-employment and skilled-wage employment opportunities for vulnerable people. DAY-NRLM is a Centrally-sponsored scheme. The allocation of funds under the scheme has been shared between the Centre and the States. Secondary data analysis clearly depicts that the credit accessibility of rural women through SHGs covered under DAY-NRLM has increased. It has been noticed from the allocation pattern that financial allocations in the budget are not proposed as per the country’s requirement. There is a continuous reduction offunds in revised estimates, and this must have negatively affected the targets to be achieved under this program.
