Journal of Multidisciplinary Hill Research

Abstract: Soil is a living, dynamic matrix and soil microorganisms are an integral part of the ecosystem as they are crucial for soil activities that impact plant heath and productivity. Microorganisms are crucial for the breakdown of organic matter, the removal of contaminants, the creation of soil structure, and the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur. Agriculturally important microorganisms are therefore used for a variety of purposes, including nutrient delivery, biocontrol, bioremediation, and the restoration of degraded soils by both natural and artificial inoculation. Increasing crop stress tolerance, yield, and reducing pesticide input in a sustainable and eco-friendly way requires an understanding of root microbiome processes.

Abstract: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium homeostasis, bone health, immune function, and overall metabolic regulation. High-altitude environments, characterized by increased ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation due to thinner atmospheric layers, provide a unique context for vitamin D synthesis. Despite higher UVB exposure, vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent among high-altitude populations due to factors such as limited sun exposure, seasonal variation, dietary insufficiency, and genetic differences. This review synthesizes current literature on the relationship between high-altitude living, vitamin D status, and associated health outcomes.

Abstract: Electronic Chirality is a fundamental concept in chemistry and biology, describing molecules that are non-superimposable on their mirror images. One individual molecule of the pairs of molecules that are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed is called enantiomer. These enantiomers, while sharing identical physicochemical properties in achiral environments, often display vastly different biological and pharmacological activities. The ability to separate and produce enantiomerically pure compounds is therefore critical in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science. This article discusses the scientific basis and importance of chiral separation.

Abstract: Life Skills are abilities that help in promotion of mental and social wellbeing, and competence in young children to face the realities of life. The ultimate aim of education is the overall development of a child’s personality which cannot be achieved without exposing to various components of life skills. The purpose of conducting this study was to find out the attitude of higher secondary school teachers towards life skill education in relation to some personal variables. A sample of 120 higher secondary school teachers from Siliguri were selected. The findings revealed significant variations existed based on rural/urban settings, age, and academic streams.

Abstract: Time keeping has been important to any developed society. Agriculture requires knowledge of changing weather, which can be understood only by knowing the solar cycle. The growing of trees, taking care of animals, rearing children and other activities require an idea of the passing of days. In the sphere of religion, it is required to fix days and hours for different rituals. Calendars are developed in every society from such requirements. Different societies developed different ways to calculate time and accordingly designed their calendars. This article attempts to concentrate on the Lepcha, the Limbu and the Rai calendars from the Sikkim Darjeeling hills.

Abstract: Sikkim lies over a fragile geo-environmental condition, in a tectonically active area and spring discharges in this region are decreasing day by day, resulting in scarcity of drinking water in several areas. With global warming, climate change, and receding glaciers, the water budget of the state has become a matter of concern. Accordingly, the study is aimed to investigate the reasons for drying up of the lakes, water resources, and the methods to revive such dried-up lakes in the Himalayan region. Uttarey Lake is a natural lake within a depression formed either by block faulting or glaciation. Detailed geo-physical investigations have been carried out by 2D-electrical resistivity tomography method.

Abstract: This article offers a comprehensive review and critical analysis of Mahatma Gandhi’s political thought, focusing on his concepts of non-violence (ahimsa), satyagraha, the moral foundations of politics, and his vision of an ideal state (Ram Rajya). Drawing upon Gandhi’s own writings and major secondary sources, the paper explores his conviction that politics must be rooted in ethics, spirituality, and service to humanity. Gandhi rejected the realist conception of politics as a struggle for power and instead proposed a model grounded in truth, moral discipline, and self-sacrifice. The analysis concludes that Gandhi’s political philosophy continues to offer a timeless ethical framework for rethinking democracy, development, and justice.

Abstract: In the background of the UN resolution regarding language endangerment, indigenous languages and peoples, the linguistic scenario in Sikkim and Darjeeling is discussed in the light of linguistic vitality under biocultural diversity. It is followed by an assertion that the politics and ethics of language-script endangerment are to mitigate the endangerment and vitalise the linguistic ecology. Following biopolitics and its extended disciplinary institutions, other collateral and detrimental factors that affect the linguistic vitality of Sikkim and Darjeeling are discussed and addressed as dossiers invoking stable, constructive, perpetual activism for diversity and dignity.

Abstract: Graph connectivity helps us to understand how strong and reliable a network is. This project introduces the concept of cycle free vertex-connectivity of graphs which represents the minimum number of vertices that should be removed to make the graph cycle free and either it is K1 or K2 or it has at least two components. It is denoted by K_fc(G) for a graph G. The cycle free vertex-connectivity number has been calculated for graphs such as cycles, complete graphs and trees and also identified graphs G for which K_fc(G) = n, for a given positive integer n.

Abstract: This study explores the automorphism groups of recursively constructed cactus graphs and their algebraic structures that emerge from their symmetries. For the family of Iterated Cycle Cactus Graphs (obtained along the outer layer), the automorphism group is calculated where the wreath product is iterated k-1 times. Thus, a Wreath Cycle Decomposition is introduced, and a hierarchy of invariants, such as Territory, Yade-Class, and Load, leading to the Load-Orbit Graph, is established. Further, a Load Character Table is constructed that organizes irreducible character values along wreath-cycle components, and preliminary spectral applications to Cayley graphs are discussed.

Abstract: Despite the rapid transformation of the Indian education system, it has been criticized for overtly emphasizing specialization, rote learning, and being alienated from the traditional ancient wisdom often referred to as the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in common parlance. IKS, presumably as documented in many studies, offered complete knowledge that addressed the holistic development of learners. Recognizing the potential of ancient wisdom in responding to the need of creating well-rounded individuals, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has outlined several measures for revitalizing Indian education, including the modalities of integrating the IKS into the modern education system. The paper highlights the possible challenges and discusses essential reconsiderations for accommodating IKS into the modern curriculum.

Abstract: We investigate the temperature dependence of magnetic order in oxides doped with p-block elements and transition metals to create dilute magnetic semiconductors. This helps us determine the existence of room temperature ferromagnetism and thus feasibility in spintronic applications of similar systems. From ab-initio studies in existing literature, we obtain the energy difference between magnetic configurations at 0 K to create the Heisenberg spin model for the system. By treating this system atomistically, we evolve it in temperature using the Monte Carlo metropolis method. The transition temperature from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state that is the Curie temperature is thus obtained giving information about the temperature up to which ferromagnetism exists. For the current study we focus on two oxides viz. TiO2 and SnO2 as the base materials.