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Subsistence and settlement pattern in the course of time provides an analogy between ancient and contemporary population’s survival strategies. The subsistence and settlement economy among the primitive societies mostly depends upon their nearby surrounding ecology. Living societies gives plentiful information to understand various cultural processes and function of the ancient societies. The surrounding physiography of a given area determines ‘the limit of influence’ which design the way of living for the community within that area. The knowledge of contemporary societies helps us in interpreting the past and examining the archaeological relevance of present-day circumstances. These strategies among the current societies show some general pattern in human behavior and in their material culture, what we know from the past. Ethnoarchaeological studies on the basis of both subsistence and settlement increases our knowledge to the diverse environmental factors, which define ‘the limit of influence’ in a given geographical territory. The present paper focus is to address the subsistence and settlement pattern practiced by the Semi- Nomadic Malhar tribes of Keonjhar district of Odisha. The purpose of this study is to analyses site’s natural structure with their associated behavior and traditional subsistence strategies practices by the Malhar and how these Malhar groups organize their living space. Much of the data collected through extensive fieldwork among the Malhar population by using various methods such as- participant observation, case studies, group discussion, catchment analysis etc. Investigating various implements, technology, indigenous knowledge and division of labour in Malhar society gave us a clear-cut idea about both tangible and intangible culture persisted in the past society.

Keywords: Subsistence, Settlement, Ethnoarchaeology, Catchment analysis.

This paper examines the scale, structure, and dynamics of international labour migration using recent global estimates, primarily drawing on the ILO Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers (2019, 2021, 2024) and the World Migration Report 2024. It highlights the growing contribution of migrant workers to key sectors such as services, industry, healthcare, construction, agriculture, and care work; while underscoring the vulnerabilities they face in informal, temporary, and unprotected employment. The analysis reveals strong regional and income-level concentration, with Europe, the Americas, and the Arab States hosting a substantial share of migrant labour, and high- and upper-middle-income countries emerging as principal destinations. Gendered and age-specific patterns indicate the dominance of prime-age adults and a persistent male bias, alongside the rising participation of women in services. The paper argues for stronger labour protections, gender-sensitive policies, and coordinated global governance to ensure safe, fair, and orderly labour migration.

Keywords: International migration; migrant workers; labour markets; gender and migration.

Social transformation is shaped in large part by the interplay between religion and law, which is complicated and frequently contentious. Religion has the power to both promote social change by galvanising movements for equality and justice and to impede such change by clinging to long-held traditions and beliefs. However, religious norms and values may have an impact on the legal system, causing laws to either reflect or reinforce religious views. The power of law to create beneficial social change, such advancing equality or safeguarding rights through legislation, is in sharp contrast to this. Justice, equality, and respect for human rights are causes that religious beliefs and teachings may motivate people to fight for. Take liberation theology as an example. It stresses that the church should stand up for the downtrodden and the oppressed. Social movements can be organised by religious leaders and organisations to combat issues like poverty, injustice, and prejudice. To better comprehend societal problems and to help people make moral choices about social change, religious ethics might offer useful frameworks. Social change, especially when it threatens long-held values and conventions, can be met with resistance through religious beliefs and practices. Resistance to reforms that threaten the traditions can arise when religious organisations hold rigidly to traditional practices and interpretations of religious scriptures. A religion’s ability to both uphold and discourage non-conformist conduct makes it a potential tool for social control. We have the power to legislate against injustice, safeguard personal liberties, and advance social parity. By discouraging people from participating in damaging or discriminatory conduct, the execution of laws can serve as a potent instrument for social transformation. Problems arise when people’s religious views are at odds with established legal concepts or when people perceive that the government is trying to limit their right to freely practise their religion.

Keywords: Change, law, society, religion, belief, value, norms, behaviour, control, tradition.

Background: Menstrual health among tribal adolescents remains an underexplored area in India. In Indian tribal communities, menstrual experiences are influenced by biological factors, deep-rooted cultural beliefs, social restrictions, and limited menstrual health awareness. This study aimed to examine the menstrual characteristics and cultural food restrictions during menstruation among Santal adolescent girls in the Hooghly District of West Bengal.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over three months in 2025 across 31 Santal-inhabited villages. A total of 359 adolescent girls (aged 10–18 years) who had attained menarche participated in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual history, symptoms, and dietary restrictions were collected. Anthropometric measures were analysed using BMI-for-age percentiles, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: The mean menarcheal age was 12.30 ± 1.22 years, and the mean BMI was 18.62 ± 2.62 kg/m². Regular menstrual cycles were reported by 85.8% of the participants. Dysmenorrhea (51.8%), backache (32.6%), and headache (26.2%) were the most prevalent symptoms. Sour foods were the most frequently restricted food during menstruation. Earlier menarche was significantly associated with longer cycle length and flow duration (p<0.01). BMI showed weak positive correlations with age at menarche and dysmenorrhea.

Conclusion: Santal adolescents generally exhibit regular menstrual cycles and adhere to cultural dietary restrictions. Menstrual characteristics are influenced by early menarche and a higher BMI. This study identifies the need for culturally sensitive menstrual health education and interventions in tribal settings.

Keywords: Adolescents, Eastern India, Menarche, Rural, Santal.

Witchcraft and the practice of witch-hunting have been documented throughout history, whether it be in the prehistoric, mediaeval, contemporary, or industrial eras. Witch-hunting is often regarded as a social menace that is gradually spreading to other locations. In the Indian context, the practice has continued to thrive and is widespread across several states. This is partly due to the deep-rooted patriarchal norms and embedded superstitious beliefs that have been internalized within social structure, making it exceptionally challenging for women to get significance or status comparable to men. Killing in the name of witchcraft is where people-particularly women, are declared as witches said to possess supernatural powers to control others or cause diseases and death, and are then lynched, thrashed, or sexually assaulted across countries. Witch-Hunting is arguably among the most cruellest forms of gender-based violence in India, often resulting in severe torture and murder of those presumed to be witches. Thus this study looks at the historical perspectives of witch-hunting globally as well its specific evolution in Indian context. It also highlights the urgent need for stringent legal frameworks to monitor and prevent witch hunting across the country.

Keywords: Witch hunting; Gender hegemony; Women Rights; Superstitions; Gender based Violence.