A Study of Caste and Gender Barriers for the Operation of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Nepal

Micro-finance is used worldwide as an effective tool to reduce poverty through providing financial services to the disadvantaged groups such as low-income people and poor women who are traditionally excluded from such services. Nepal is one of the developing countries that is characterized by pervasive gender and caste bias. This study focused on gender and caste barriers that hinder the smooth implementation of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Nepal. Using data from semi-structured interviews of ten employees of MFIs and other financial institutions, this study showed that staff of the Nepalese MFIs were aware of caste and gender discriminations, but they were inactive in overcoming these social and cultural barriers in their routine work. The findings indicated that the disproportionate male-female ratio among the staff was a major hindrance in the smooth operation of MFIs. Lack of female staff and the passiveness of female borrowers lead to the problem of communication between MFIs’ staff and their clients. Based on these findings, we suggest that gender sensitive awareness training should be included in MFIs’ training and advocacy programs for staff and clients in Nepal. Equal opportunities should be given to females and low caste people in the process of MFIs’ recruitment.

On the Path to Forced Sobriety: The Church Spearheading the Temperance Movement

The relationship held with liquor varies from person to person; a dear friend to those habituated to drinking however, a foe to those that lost a husband, a mother, a daughter and a son to liquor addiction, be it through consumption orharm induced by another consumer(s). The case of the Mizo Christians presents a unique construct on the making of a good Christian thoroughly rooted by the British Missionaries. One necessary pre-condition to the making of a good Christian was abstention from their beloved zu implying the renunciation to the ‘thing’ that held a tread that connected them to their cultural past. Thus, making abstention the symbol of the indigenized Christian and the culture left behind. The passing of years had only increased the Church’s aversion to the drink. Government policy enforced in 1973 had caused for such varieties to be introduced in the state. Prior to the introduction of the Mizoram Excise Act, 1973, civil society had done much to curb the proliferation of country liquor. The Mizoram Presbyterian Church in particular had lobbied for ‘total prohibition’ since 1991 which resulted in the enforcement of their objective, leading the reluctant Government to implement ‘forced sobriety’ in the state.

Impact of Covid-19 Crisis on Micro-Enterprises: A Study of Lunglei Mizoram

Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the society, business and economy around the world. The present study is conducted to understand and analyse the impact of Covid-19 crisis on micro-enterprises in Lunglei, Mizoram. For the purpose of the study, 80 micro-enterprises were selected as sample. Primary data were collected by using the structured questionnaire. Secondary data were collected through journals, books and websites. The study reflected that 80% of the enterprises’ revenue were negatively impacted by the pandemic. 58.75% of the enterprises were facing the problems in making obligatory payments such as salaries, wages, rent, taxes, loans etc due to the Covid-19 crisis. The present study also revealed that 28.75% of the enterprises’ working capital were already negative to run the enterprises if Covid-19 crisis continues. Therefore, the study recommended that the government, banks and financial institutions would take steps to alleviate the impact of Covid-19 crisis on the micro-enterprises by providing low interest loans, relaxation of the loan payment, new schemes for entrepreneurs.

An Empirical Study to Determine the Role of Credit in the Betterment of the Farmers’ Life: A Study with Special Reference to Cachar District of Assam

The study focuses on the significance of agricultural credit that can bring change in the life of farmers and rural people. The rural sector is mostly neglected and lacks adequate finance that’s needed to back the sector. However, there are certain financial institutions that work for the welfare of the sector and lend credit facilities to farmers and associated people, for their wellbeing. The current study majorly recognizes the impact and benefits of these credit facilities in improving the situation of farmers at several unnoticed places, including Cachar district. The present study is exploratory in nature. It has explored the role of credit in farmer’s life. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 283farmers of Cachar district. The statistical tools applied for the study were “Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)”, and “Multiple regression analysis.” The factors identified were Economic Development, Agro Development and Family and Social Development. It was found that there is a significant role of credit in the development of all the three factors.

A Globalized Era: ICT and its Implications on Higher Education in a Pandemic Period (With Special Reference to Mizoram)

Globalization and global interdependence from a multi-dimensional perspective have generated a web of connectivity and integration across all areas of the globe. Events or outbreaks are no longer confined to any particular region but have widespread repercussions and long-lasting impacts around the world. The revolution of ICT has further intensified the nature of dependence and the commonalities in terms of practises and policies located across the globe. Education and its various connotations is a powerful tool and a process where ICT dependence and reliance are closely intertwined. This study aims to highlight the nature of changes and development brought about in the field of higher education during the Covid-19 pandemic period and the role played by ICT in the context of Mizoram.

Formation and Construction of ‘Mizo’ as Identity

This article is an attempt to understand the complex issues of identity formation of the Mizos who are presently living in the corner most region of India’s North East. Here, it is interesting to study how identity is formed, constructed and even protected. This process involves centuries of historical journey that examines how the people perceived themselves and how the outsiders constructed their identity on the conception of “difference” that would include subjugation and internalisation. It aims to understand how space and territoriality that are imagined or constructed in the psyche of the people played a significant role in identity formation. These are the products of colonial intervention affirmed by Christianity and exposure to the world beyond their isolated hills. It would also focus on the formation and development of ‘Mizo’ in the pre-colonial and post-colonial era. Further, it would also highlight how the nomenclature of the ethnonym, ‘Mizo’ has been debated by the historians. On a methodological note rich archival materials and secondary sources on Mizo identity are employed.

Agricultural Practices in Lawngtlai Rural Development Block of Mizoram

Agriculture constitutes one of the major sources of income among the people of Mizoram. The areas used for cultivation in Mizoram are usually slashed and burnt down to ashes and are abandoned for years, the land is used and the same plot is re-use after 3-5 years. More than half of the total population is either directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. However, the income from agriculture is less than 5% of the State Gross Domestic Product (State Economic Report, 2015). In the last few decades Mizoram witnessed several changes in agriculture pattern as many farmers have been shifting from cultivation to small- scale agricultural farming. This paper highlights the transformation of agricultural practices and the major factors affecting agricultural production and attempt is made to examine the prevailing socio- economic aspects associated with farmers with special reference to Lawngtlai Rural Development Block and a questionnaire method was used for collecting relevant information for the purpose. The research found that there exist major transformations of agricultural practices in the last couple of decades. The cycle of shifting agriculture period has been shortened drastically. It is also revealed that farmers are gradually adopting settled farming from shifting agriculture and that government intervention and assistance has been increasing more and more in this field. It is suggested that agricultural practice be transformed from jhuming to settled farming and from cultivating the traditional crops to cash crops with governmental and institutional support for shifting to higher income in agricultural and horticultural crops.

Importance of Sports Drinks as a Performance Prerequisites

Optimal hydration is an essential consideration for athletic performance and it involves activities before, during and after exercise. Hence, adequate hydration not only provides benefits for health but also facilitate to maintain athletic performance. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the importance of sports drinks as a performance prerequisites. The central aim of sports drinks utilization differ according to the mode of exercise regime but from a hydration point of view it depends upon rapid fluid absorption, reduction of physiological stress and faster recovery after exercise. So, proper intake of different essential macro and micro nutrients will help our body to hydrate. Sports drinks is a such a product which contain almost all the things which we lost during sports performance. Similarly, dehydration is a condition which cause negative impact on sports performance. The performance of the athlete is very much depends upon their hydration point of view, which may lead to cause both psychological as well as physiological illness. During activity the major fluid loss occurs through sweat. Thus it causes increment of heart rate, body temperature and also reduces the fluid absorption rate, making out body resistive against the minimum demand of work. All these problems can be overcome with the help of isotonic sports drinks. It helps replenish the lost fluid and also provide essential electrolytes and carbohydrates to the athletes which ultimately helped them to execute better performance output.