Focusing on the role of symbolic homeland, this paper explores how the Indian students studying in the UK adapt to the host country’s culture. First, the paper discusses the concept of "culture" in the context of student migration. Then borrowing from the two concepts acculturation and assimilation, which are mainly used in immigrant's adaption to the host country, I identify the various acculturation strategies that the migrant students assumes during their stay in the UK. Accordingly, the paper further discusses how socio-economic background, the sense of freedom experienced, especially by female students and the development of bicultural identities help the students to adjust and adapt to the UK’s culture. The primary data for this research has been collected by using semi structured interviews. The participants for this research are Indian students who pursued Undergraduate, Masters’ and PhD programs in the UK.

Keywords: Acculturation, Adaptation, Assimilation, Student migration, Symbolic homeland.

This research paper explores the roles of sacred groves, trees and species in the lives of the Gond, Kolam and Pradhan communities of the Gondwana region of the Maharashtra state. Sacred groves have paved way to the tribal culture growth. Sacred Groves not only play vital role in the lives of tribals especially Gonds, Kolam and Pradhan but it has culturally bound these communities together. Nature and culture has significantly evolved over the period time. But as the time goes, many extraneous factors has affected the nature in terms of various political and economical changes, it can be seen that how it has negatively affected the nature and at the same time culture of tribals. There is an attempt to understand the sacred groves in terms of tribal culture, its major role in their lives. Thus, it is need to explore and documents the roles of sacred groves, trees and species in the socio- cultural and economical life of the local tribal communities.

Keywords: Sacred Groves, Socio-culture, Economical, Change & Tribe)

Since many years environmental degradation that, has occurred is marked by a large extraction of natural sources, Loss of forests, extinction of animal and plant species, depletion of the ozone layer, air, water and soil pollution, loss of marine life, and bio-diversity and so on. Protecting the natural environment for the benefit of humans is the need of the hour. In this direction the Government and NGO’S in India have initiated many programmes to protect the environment. One of the significant initiatives in this direction is the National Service Scheme implemented by the Government of India, under the “Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports” popularly known as NSS (National Service Scheme) launched in the Year 1969.

The role of NSS in protection and conservation of environment is examined in this article on the basis of available statistics and conducting an empirical study in a small city of Karnataka state. The information from 200 respondents were collected using questionnaire. Under the NSS various activities such as plantation, Construction of sanitary latrines, Cleaning of village ponds and wells, construction of Gobar Gas Plants, use of non-conventional energy, Environmental sanitation, garbage disposal & composting, Watershed management and wasteland development are organized to protect environment. The study concludes that, NSS in India has provided a platform for the students to support the best environmental practices. Involvement of student volunteers in environmental activities through NSS can contribute to the overall development of young people and develops among them social responsibility and civic sense.

Keywords: National Service Scheme, Environment Protection, Regular activities, Special camps, Programme Officers.

Like any other society Indian society, too, has been changing. However, the pace of change increased rapidly since the advent of British rule in India. British colonial rule had a profound impact on Indian society. This change took place both in its structure and functioning. Then came independence and what makes the social change in the contemporary Indian society specially significant and noteworthy is the fact that, to a great extent, it is planned, sponsored, directed and controlled by the state. Since the last decade or so Globalization has entered into the economic, social-cultural, and political spheres of Indian society adding yet another dimension to social change in Indian society.

Keywords: Modernization, Westernization, Multiculturalism, Sanskritization and Globalization.

This paper is concerned with the understanding of untouchability: practice and conditions, with special references to the Batwals, a Scheduled Caste category in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Although "Untouchability," the imposition of social disabilities on people due to their birth in certain cases, has been outlawed by law, it is still practiced in many forms across the nation, according to a report from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Untouchability is pervasive not only in its physical manifestation but also runs deep within people's minds. More than seven decades of independence later, the main reasons why untouchability persists are the main focus of this paper.

Keywords: Untouchability, Batwals, Scheduled Castes, Social Interaction, Social Participation.