PEARL Multidisciplinary Journal

Repositioning India’s Cotton Lint Export Direction

Following the recent non-impressive performance in the export volume of its cotton lint which in turn affected its foreign exchange earnings from the sector due to bear raid by USA and China price subsidies which caused imperfection in the global trade market, the researchers conceptualized the need to identify the magnitude and effects of the key drivers of India’s cotton lint exports using Engel-Granger two-step procedure. The study used dated data spanning from 1981 to 2013 which were sourced from FAO and UNCTAD databases. The results of the long-run and short-run models showed that India’s cotton lint export is stimulated mostly by the internal economic forces. However, export growth of the product was hindered by both the domestic and external forces. In this regard, in as much as the negative impact on India’s cotton lint due to distortion induced downward pressure on world prices caused by price subsidies offered by China and USA, inefficiencies and constraints in the domestic environment would preclude India from appropriately exploiting opportunities and adjusting to unexpected market developments in the short-run. Therefore, to revitaliz the gloomy export trade of India’s cotton lint, policy makers and various stakeholders in the industry should put in place measures to address domestic inefficiencies over which the country has some control compared to inefficiencies on the global market, thus placing the country in a better position to exploit market opportunities and adjust to unexpected developments in the shortest possible time.

Colloidal Processing and Slip Casting of Mullite

Mullite an aluminosilicate ceramic due to its excellent refractory, mechanical and dielectric properties find wide applications as structural and high temperature ceramics as well as for electric and optical applications. Slip casting is a well established shaping or forming method to fabricate ceramic shapes having simple to reasonably complicated shapes. In the present study commercially available mullite powders were characterized for crystallographic phase purity, particle size distribution and morphology. The optimum dispersion condition of the powder in de-ionised water was studied through measurement of zeta potential as a function of pH. The mullite powder dispersed in deionised water with and without addition of MgO was slip cast in plaster mould. The slip cast samples were sintered at different temperatures to study the effect of MgO addition on the sinterability of mullite. The products were characterized for density, porosity and microstructure.

Care Givers’ Experiences in Families Living with Mentally Ill Patients

Family members play vital role in care of persons with sick especially with mental illness living in families. Their care is multiple in terms of taking day-to-day care, supervising medications, taking the patient to the hospital and looking after the financial needs as well as to bear with the behavioral disturbances of the patient. Thus, the family caregiver experiences considerable stress and burden, and needs help in coping with it.

The present study assessed the experiences faced by care givers in care of mentally ill patients living in their families. It is a part of UGC sponsored minor research project. The four rural areas were selected to assess around 100 participants who were taking care of mentally ill persons in their families. The Convenient sampling technique was adopted for selection of samples by making house-to-house visits, interviewing, and assessment of care giving and living conditions in the families. A Semi-Structured questionnaire was used for this study. In the process of development of the tool the investigator reviewed the secondary data on Mental Illness and the validity of the questionnaire was discussed with subject experts from the field of education and health profession and developed the tool.

Major findings were assessed based on the results of the study. According to this research there is mental illness existing in families, most of family members feel that mental illness is a burden, there is negative opinion (stigma) among family members. An unhealthy coping style is likely to adversely affect the care giving function. Hence, it is important to take care of the needs of the family caregivers. The family caregiver has remained as a neglected lot, often ignored by the mental health professionals. This key support system can’t be taken as granted and ignored. Further studies required to provide accurate information for assessment and effective care giving strategies to cope their burden and issues in care giving. 

Long Route Truck Driving – A 360 Degree Review

Truck drivers are the vital part in any economy as they help us get us the resources, be it raw materials or finished goods. These individuals risk their lives to get these products to the common man but they themselves are denied of certain facilities. They face the extreme weather conditions, uneven road paths and still deliver the goods to the destined place. They face many hurdles on the way to mention a few – robbery, bribe the police and miss their family in this long journey. They face emotional problems like loneliness, not satisfied in their relationships, depression, anxiety among others. Due to this strenuous job the health problems they face are back pain, headache and vision problems. Since they are away from home they depend on the foods that are unhealthy for the body. On the whole this article reviews the overall problems faced by the long route truck drivers. This paper is based on the research articles published on the given topic.

Livestock-population for the Sustainable Development of Kerala

 Livestock have been an integral component of the agricultural and rural development of Kerala economy. They supply energy for crop production in terms of draught power and organic manure and in turn, derive their own energy requirements from crop by-products and residues. It is a source of food, raw material and by products in the form of hides and skins, blood, bone, fat, etc. The rate of increase in the demand for animal products is increasing globally. The livestock sector is also a major livelihood provider and an important secondary source of income and employment for rural families requires sustained growth. The supply demand gap and projected demand for livestock products necessitates the growth of this sector in a sustainable way in the state.