This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment of recycling practices in the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber manufacturing industry in India. With the Indian EPDM market valued at approximately USD 279.4 million in 2024 and projected to grow steadily, the generation of 5 to 15% manufacturing waste represents a significant opportunity for resource recovery. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating primary industrial data, cost-benefit analysis, energy evaluation, carbon footprint assessment, and return on investment (ROI) modelling, the study quantifies the advantages of incorporating recycled EPDM into production systems.

The results demonstrate that partial substitution of virgin rubber with recycled rubber yields substantial economic benefits without compromising industrial feasibility. A 40% replacement level alone can generate national cost savings of approximately ?874 crore annually, while full replacement scenarios significantly minimize raw material costs. Energy analysis indicates a reduction of 361 kWh per ton, translating to annual savings of over 11.57 million kWh and cost savings of approximately ?104 million for a medium-scale plant. Environmental assessment reveals a marked decrease in carbon emissions, with reductions reaching up to 716 kg CO? per ton of compound Overall, the findings establish EPDM recycling as a highly effective strategy for improving cost efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and lowering carbon intensity in the rubber manufacturing sector. The study highlights that even moderate levels of recycled content can deliver significant economic and environmental gains, supporting circular economy principles and sustainable industrial development.

Keywords: Economics, Recycling, EPDM, Waste Rubber, Sustainability.

Owning the best maritime liner shipping connectivity has allowed China to become a major center for global value chains in manufactured goods, most of which are exported by sea worldwide. Using the nonlinear Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood estimator, a gravity model of exports augmented with maritime connectivity is applied to panel data for China and its 149 coastal import partners from 2006 to 2020. The results indicate that shipping connectivity has increased China’s manufactured goods exports directly by improving efficiency, and indirectly by offsetting the negative effect of distance and reinforcing the positive impacts of common borders and free trade agreements. These findings underscore the essential role of maritime connectivity for developing countries pursuing export-driven growth models.

Keywords: China, liner bilateral shipping connectivity, exports of manufactured goods.
JEL classification codes: F14, F68, O53.

This paper introduces a dynamic approach to market equilibrium using agent-based modeling (ABM), offering an alternative to classical equilibrium concepts. The paper discusses the limitations of traditional models of market equilibrium, such as Walrasian general equilibrium and Arrow-Debreu models, and introduces a novel dynamic framework where agents interact over time and learn from their environment. The model structure and setup include agent characteristics, market environment, model dynamics, and shock processes. Through simulations, the results show that, unlike the traditional models, an Agent-Based Model (ABM) ensures equal opportunities for all agents by creating a level playing field and reducing wealth inequality. It is also revealed that traditional economic models assume stable equilibrium while agent-based models challenge these assumptions through insights into market behaviour and real-world phenomena. It is suggested that hybrid modeling that combines traditional and agent-based models can better policy design and risk assessment.

Keywords: Market Equilibrium, Agent-Based Modelling, Dynamic Systems, Economic Theory and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics.
JEL codes: C63, D51 and E30.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour that is used to control or gain power over partner. It harms women’s right, families and society. Globally almost one in three women have experienced physical/sexual violence at least once in their life. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21 data analysis shows that emotional, physical and sexual violence is higher among 25-34 and 35-44 age group women in India. Bihar state has higher domestic violence among women as compared to Kerala and Maharashtra. Such violence is reported higher among illiterate women in rural areas of Bihar state. Those women have studied secondary school, the domestic violence reported higher in Maharashtra and Kerala state and vis a vis in Bihar state. All women of Hindu religion reported more domestic violence as compared to other religions. The domestic violence is higher among rural poorer women in Bihar state, but violence is very low among women of richest class. In urban areas of Maharashtra state, the violence reported among women is higher. The logit regression model shows that any type of domestic violence among women in three states is negatively reported to ownership of assets such as radio, television, refrigerator and car. It is also negatively co-related to female headed households and internet net use. Results also shows that domestic violence can be reduced with asset ownership (Television 10 percent, Refrigerator 24 percent, Radio 14 percent, Car 24 percent), the female headed households (16 percent) as compared to male headed households. Therefore, more technical education among girls required for skills and employment. Government must transfer ownership of physical assets on women’s name. More educated and employed women can take legal help to fight against the domestic violence. Such policies will certainly help women to protect human rights, live healthy and peaceful life in modern era.

Keywords: Contraceptives, Human rights, Religion.

India’s gems and jewellery sector, rooted in centuries of cultural and artisanal heritage, is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy and identity. Beyond aesthetics, jewellery in India holds religious, social, and financial significance. With a broad value chain, from sourcing to global exports, the industry supports millions through its decentralised network of production clusters in cities like Surat and Jaipur. India dominates in diamond processing and handmade jewellery, exporting to key markets including the U.S. and UAE. In 2022–23, it contributed US$38.11 billion to exports, despite facing skill and technology gaps. The sector remains resilient amid global uncertainties, benefiting from skilled craftsmanship, government support, and growing international demand. To sustain growth, India must focus on value addition, branding, digital integration, and investment in technology and training, ensuring its continued leadership in the global gems and jewellery trade.

Keywords: Gems and Jewellery, Exports, Craftsmanship, India.

Over the past approximately 30 years, many researchers have examined oligopoly models where firms endogenously select the timing of their action decisions. Therefore, this paper studies a mixed triopoly model featuring competition between a labour-managed firm, a capitalist firm and a state-owned firm. The sequence of events is as follows. In stage 0, each firm independently and simultaneously selects either ‘stage 1’ or ‘stage 2’. In this context, stage 1 denotes that a firm produces in stage 1, whereas stage 2 signifies that it produces in stage 2. In stage 1, if a firm opts for stage 1, it determines its output for this stage. In stage 2, if a firm chooses stage 2, it decides on its output for this stage. Upon the conclusion of the game, the market opens, and all firms sell their outputs. The purpose of this paper is to present the equilibrium outcome of triopoly competition where a state-owned firm, a labourmanaged firm and a capitalist firm compete in quantities. As a result of the analysis, this paper reveals that there exists an equilibrium wherein both the labour-managed
firm and the capitalist firm assume leadership roles. The paper finds that the stateowned firm is precluded from functioning as the Stackelberg leader.

Keywords: Capitalist firm; Cournot game; Endogenous timing; Labour-managed firm; State-owned firm.
JEL classification: C72; D21; L30.