Bharat, Hindustaan and India - The politics of naming is part of the social production of the nation. Its processes are shaped by broad socio-political conditions and can be studied from several angles. In the 19th century the name Bhārata was used to refer to the geographical, political and administrative entity that the colonial power called 'India'; Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam: Career scientist and Science administrator - Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was the 11th President of India (2002-2007).

Considered as one of the most auspicious festival for Hindus, Indians all across the world celebrate 'Navaratri' with full fervor and great enthusiasm. On each of these nine days, Hindus worship Goddess Durga and her nine different manifestations. Not only this, each day of Navaratri is associated with a specific food and color. Here are the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga that are worshipped during Navaratri:

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: LIGHTS AND LEGENDS OF DIWALI - THE MANY STORIES BEHIND THE GRAND OLD FESTIVAL - The festival of Diwali in India is celebrated over a period of five days. The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triyodashi or Dhanteras. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari, the god of medicine, came out of the ocean with the science of Ayurveda for mankind. The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdashi. The third day is for Lakshmi Puja. INDIA'S AND ASIA'S FIRST NEWSPAPER - THE STORY OF HICKY'S BENGAL GAZETTE - Once upon a time in 18th century Ireland, there was a man named James Augustus Hicky.....

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: DEEPAVALI - "THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS" -THE CELEBRATION OF THE VICTORY OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS - Deepavali—"the Festival of Lights"—is one of the most significant, joyous and popular festivals of India. In Sanskrit, deepa means "lamp" and avali is "row." Thus, the name Deepavali refers to the rows of small clay lamps, known in Hindi as diyas, that are lit in homes, temples, and streets during this festival; SOUTH SIKKIM, INDIA: THE BUDDHA PARK OF RAVANGLA - Ravangla is situated at an elevation of 8000 ft. The small picturesque semi town is on the Gangtok-Gaysiling highway.

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: WHY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS MATTER MORE TODAY THAN YESTERYEAR - Have a list of wishes for yourself, and turn them into action. Piles of research show that just dreaming about what you'd like to do, including making resolutions and setting goals, actually reduces the odds that you'll achieve them. When done correctly, setting goals and making resolutions can shape our behavior for the better; THE STORY OF A FAMINE THAT KILLED TEN MILLION INDIANS, AND BRITAIN'S GRIP ON THE NEW WORLD - The story of how India helped shape America's destiny. A story that started with tea and ended with Hyder Ali.

Elections often have to be held in emergency situations. The Covid-19 pandemic was one of the most serious emergency situations that the world has seen. The rapid spread of the virus presented a huge humanitarian threat—but also an unparalleled challenge to electoral stakeholders globally seeking to protect electoral integrity during times of uncertainty. This volume identifies how the pandemic affected electoral integrity, what measures were put in place to protect elections and what worked in defending them. It brings together a comprehensive set of 26 country case studies to explore how elections were affected on the ground, what measures were put in place and what worked. These case studies are of elections which took place in the eye of the storm when practitioners and policymakers were operating under uncertainty and without the benefit of hindsight. To learn lessons in a more systematic way, this volume also provides a thematic analysis of electoral integrity during the pandemic using crossnational studies. This provides the big picture for policymakers, practitioners and academics looking back at the crisis. The volume therefore seeks to contribute towards the future development of policy and practice. However, it does so by using academic research methods and concepts which enable greater confidence in the policy lessons, as well as contributing directly to the scholarship on democracy, democratization and elections. The volume includes 11 areas of recommendation based on the evidence collected in this volume to protect electoral integrity in any future emergency situation.

From the Editor's Desk: 2024 Vijayadashami - Vijaydashmi, or Dusshera is the 10th and the last day of Durga Puja; this year it’s October 12. All over India Hindus celebrate this auspicious day in many different ways. In some parts, it’s the day Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur. After nine days of Navratri, the festival culminates with the immersion of the idol of Durga. This was also the day King Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, killed Ravana, the 10-headed demon; Raksha Bandhan: A festival of Provide Love and Security to Women - Raksha-Bandhan is unique religious - cultural - traditions festival. The thread of Rakhi is not just a thread of sacred love and protection of a sister.