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This paper offers a comparative analysis of cultural change among Scheduled Tribes in two ecologically and socially distinct Indian regions of the forested heartland of Madhya Pradesh and the deltaic Sundarbans of West Bengal. Drawing on multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork, the paper employs the conceptual distinction between ‘assimilation’ and ‘acculturation’ to trace divergent trajectories of cultural transformation, identity negotiation, and social inclusion. In Madhya Pradesh, tribal communities, including the Gond, Baiga, Bharia, Kol, and Korku, show patterns closer to acculturation, engaging with dominant social and economic systems without the complete abandonment of indigenous identity, language, or cultural practices. The state also recognises the need to protect and preserve tribal groups like the Baiga by categorising them as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). In the Sundarbans, by contrast, the combined pressures of ecological instability, economic marginalisation, institutional neglect, and the dominance of the Bengali language and culture have produced a trajectory of accelerated assimilation, manifested through language shift, identity dilution, and the internalisation of the surrounding dominant cultural system. The paper argues that this distinction is not merely descriptive but has significant analytical and policy implications. It questions the effectiveness of universal development models and advocates for region-specific frameworks that The paper questions the effectiveness of universal development models and advocates for region-specific frameworks that align with the diverse pace and nature of cultural change. The paper advocates for region-specific frameworks that align with the varying pace and nature of cultural change. The paper further situates these findings within Indian sociological traditions engaging with Ghurye (1963), Elwin (1939), and Xaxa (1999) and within global debates on indigenous rights, pluriversal development, and structural marginalisation.

Keywords: assimilation, acculturation, Scheduled Tribes, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Sundarbans, India, Gond, Baiga.

The Bhumij, an indigenous community inhabiting West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, have sustained a distinctive food culture rooted in forest ecology, traditional agriculture, and community practices. Their dietary patterns rely on rice, millets, forest greens, tubers, fermented foods, and locally brewed beverages such as handia and mahua liquor. This paper documents some Bhumij traditional foods, their preparation methods, and nutritional composition, drawing from food composition databases, ethnographic studies, and field-level observations. The analysis underscores the nutritional strengths of the Bhumij diet—particularly its richness in micronutrients and fermented foods—while highlighting emerging challenges such as deforestation, loss of millet diversity, and health risks associated with alcohol overuse.

Keywords: Bhumij tribe; traditional food culture; nutrition; fermented foods; millets; forest ecology; food security; West Bengal.

In ancient period, taxation is the central part of public finance, serving both as a source of income to the government and the policy mechanism that supports society and the economy. Kautilya’s Arthashastra, composed in the 4th century BCE integrates fiscal framework to enhance efficiency, equity and welfare in the statecraft. This study lays emphasis on a systematic literature review with PRISMA methodology to summarise the works of existing articles relevant to taxation in Arthashastra. The review highlights the major sources of revenue from agriculture, trade and artisans’ taxes, the socio-economic impacts of Kautilya’s taxation principles on peasants, landlords and artisans, and how the revenue is utilised to mitigate famine, drought, irrigation investments and defence. Through thematic analysis, the study also highlights the comparison of Kautilya’s taxation principles to modern fiscal policies in progressive taxation, public spendings and fiscal prudence. The findings indicates how the taxation serve both as a tool for administrative efficiency and state welfare. Kautilya’s policy of modern taxation aims to promote surplus budgeting, progressive tax on harmful goods and prevent tax evasion in the economy. It reminds that taxation is not just numerical, but its more than about people, efficiency and welfare of the state. By bridging ancient economic thought with modern fiscal policy, this systematic review illustrates the Kautilya’s insights into taxation principles, modern taxation and reinvestment in state welfare. By connecting these mechanisms, the study contributes to balance both economic governance and contemporary discussions on how taxation supports state spending along with social welfare in the economy.

Keywords: Kautilya’s taxation, fiscal policy, public finance, welfare economics, Arthashastra.

Aging is a natural biological process that weakens the immune system, making elderly individuals more susceptible towards health issues. Morbidity, defined as the state of being ill or having a disease, is particularly more prevalent among the elderly people compared to other age groups. This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of elderly individuals as well as to identify the common types of morbidities affecting them in Belpada block, Bolangir district. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above in Belpada block, Bolangir district. Stratified sampling was employed to select participants. Data were collected using schedules, semi-structured interviews, case studies, clinical examinations, and verification of medical reports. Socio-demographic characteristics as well as types of morbidity patterns were recorded and analysed using Microsoft Excel, with results expressed as percentages. Among150 elderly individuals, males (54.34%) had higher morbidity prevalence than females (45.65%), likely due to more consumption of alcohol, tobacco, as well as smoking among men as compared to women. Osteoarthritis was most prevalent (76%, 114), followed by hypertension (65.33%, 98), eye problems (62.66%, 94), diabetes (59.93%, 89.9), hearing loss (55.33%, 83), acidity (34%, 51), dental issues (16%, 24), mental disorders (12.66%, 19), heart disease (9.33%, 14), constipation (7.33%, 11), paralysis (6%, 9), liver disease (5.33%, 8), and respiratory issues (4.66%, 7). Out of 150 elderly, 130 seeking medical care, Allopathy was mostly preferred (26.15%, 34) and very few (3.84%,5) relied on faith healer. Among them 125 elderly using facilities, most (46.4%, 58) were choosing government hospitals whereas 20 (13.3%) sought no treatment due to unawareness (30%), lack of accompaniment (30%), distance (25%), or financial constraints (15%). This study highlights a high burden of chronic morbidities among the elderly in Belpada block, with osteoarthritis, hypertension, and sensory impairments being the most prevalent. Males exhibited a slightly higher morbidity prevalence than females. These findings indicate the urgent need for targeted healthcare interventions, including regular screening, lifestyle modifications, and accessible primary care services, to address the health challenges faced by the elderly in this region.

Keywords: Morbidity, Health, Prevalence, Illness, Elderly, Geriatric, Chronic.

There has been a fundamental modernization of the wastewaters management system in Bulgaria during the EU pre-accession and membership periods. Transition toward sustainable management of wastewaters has been associated with modern disposal of generated sludge from wastewater treatment plants and increasing agricultural utilization. Agricultural Utilization Wastewaters Management Chain emerged and gradually extended along with augmentation of the amount of produced sludge and its share effectively used in agriculture. Despite unprecedented changes in that new area there are few publications on potential and driving factors of agricultural utilization of sludge in the country. This paper tries to fill the gap and analyses the evolution and challenges of agricultural inclusion in sustainable wastewater management in Bulgaria. It is based on incorporation of the interdisciplinary New Institutional Economics methodology, official data and numerous in-depth interviews with representatives of the wastewater treatment plants, responsible authorities, farmers participating and not involved in sludge utilization, and other related agents. The study has found out that there has been a significant modernization of formal institutional environment (rules, regulations, standards, agencies) and incentives structure for agricultural sludge production, transportation, and utilization in recent years. Nevertheless, the potential for inclusion of agriculture in water treatment plants’ sludge utilization has not been entirely used and policy target in the area effectively reached due to the significant transition and compliance costs for related agents, inadequate public information, training, and support, environmental and health risks, opposition of landowners, businesses, eco-groups and residents, and uncertain directions of policies development.

Keywords: wastewaters, sewage sludge, management, agriculture, Bulgaria.