Informatics Publishing Limited

Subhamoy Jana ¹, William Kumar Mohanty ¹, Saibal Gupta ¹, Chirashree Srabani Rath ², Rashmi R. Behera ², Priyadarshi Patnaik ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, IN
2 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, IN

Abstract

The 13th century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, India, is believed to have been built at the mouth of an ancient river named Chandrabhaga. This mythical river figures prominently in ancient literature, although at present no river exists in the proximity of the Konark Sun Temple. This study investigates the possibility of existence of a 'lost' river system near Konark through integrated geological and geophysical exploration in conjunction with historical evidence. Landsat, Aster Terra Look and Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission images have been used to identify and delineate the channel of an ancient river. A number of thematic maps have been generated and analysed in analytical hierarchy process and later integrated on a GIS platform to delineate the most probable trace of a palaeo-channel. The existence of a palaeo-channel at some locations is further corroborated through shallow surface geophysics using ground penetrating radar. The identified palaeochannel passes north of the Konark Sun Temple, extending approximately parallel to the coast.

Keywords

Analytical Hierarchy Process, Mythical River, Palaeo-Channel, Shallow Surface Geophysics, World Heritage Sites.

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Subhamoy Jana ¹, William Kumar Mohanty ¹, Saibal Gupta ², Chirashree Srabani Rath ³, Priyadarshi Patnaik ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur - 721 302, IN
2 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur - 721 302
3 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, IN

Abstract

Puri, an ancient town located on the Odisha (Orissa) coast in eastern India, is associated with the 12th century CE Jagannath Temple. Many ancient and historical texts mention a mythical river named Saradha that flowed across the present Grand Road (Badadanda) between the Jagannath and Gundicha temples in Puri, dividing the town into two parts. This study traces the trail of a palaeo-channel beyond and within the heart of Puri town through an integrated study of geology, satellite imagery and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey. Various satellite imagery manipulation techniques – band combination, NDVI, MNDWI, linear spectral unmixing algorithm, density slice and spatial profiling – indicate the existence of water components along with vegetation bands, and the presence of a sinusoidal palaeo-channel trace with a V-shaped topographic outline. This is interpreted to represent the remnants of an extinct river valley. GPR survey also suggests that a subsurface river valley, about 128 m wide, existed across parts of the Grand Road. A large, sinusoidal water body near the sea beach at Puri, may represent the last remains of the dried-up channel. Integration of all these features suggests that a river once existed between Jagannath and Gundicha temples in Puri town. The constructed palaeo-channel trail may be that of the lost Saradha river described in ancient texts. The study develops a sequential methodology for identifying palaeo-channels even in urbanized localities like Puri.

Keywords

Ancient Texts, Lost River, Puri, Satellite Imagery.

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Rashmi Ranjan Behera ¹, Priyadarshi Patnaik ², Damodar Suar ³

Affiliations
1 Doctoral Research Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, IN
2 (HSS), Head (Rekhi Centre of Excellence foe the Science of Happiness), Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, IN
3 (HSS &Rekhi Centre) Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Relationship is identified as a key indicator of well-being. While literature from diverse fields addresses different aspects of relationship in the context of well-being, a well-articulated conceptualization of relationship, which examines its components and dimensions, hardly exists. This study critically examines the extant literature to address this issue. It identifies 27 key components of relationship that contribute significantly to well-being. It classifies them under four dimensions and proposes a conceptual relationship model that presents interactions among the dimensions and indicates pathways through which the dimensions contribute to well-being. Limitations of this study, and future directions for research are discussed.

Keywords

Components, Dimensions, Happiness, Relationship, Subjective Well-being, Well-being.

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Rashmi Ranjan Behera ¹, Junmoni Borgohain ¹, Chirashree Srabani Rath ¹, Priyadarshi Patnaik ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

The nationwide lockdown to control Covid-19 spread has rendered millions of female domestic workers in India jobless, and exposed this already vulnerable category to hunger, starvation and even death. The 250-300 odd female domestic workers dependent on residents of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur campus also found themselves in this financial predicament owning to the complete lockdown for three months. The purpose of this study is to assess mental well-being level of female domestic workers serving residents within IIT Kharagpur campus during three months of complete lockdown. This study also examines if their resilience had any impact on their well-being, and finally investigates factors that helped them stay positive and contributed to their well-being during the lockdown. This study employed a mixed methodology drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from 45 female domestic workers, aged 21-61 years. Data were collected using WHO-5, BRS and participant survey including an open-ended question. Descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression and thematic content analysis were used for data analysis. Wellbeing among domestic workers was found to be moderate. Quantitative and quantitative analysis suggested that 'spending time with family during lockdown,' 'getting sound sleep,' 'receiving help from employers' and 'personally helping someone in need' predicted well-being of domestic workers during lockdown. Age and domestic violence were negative predictors of well-being. Other determinants of wellbeing during the lockdown according to qualitative analysis included 'safety of family members,' 'relief,' 'social support,' 'social engagement,' 'generosity of employers,' 'forced abstinence from alcohol and gambling by spouses', 'rest' and 'care from family members'. While resilience correlated with well-being, it was not found to predict wellbeing. The mean well-being level of domestic workers at IIT Kharagpur, contrary to expectations, -was found to be above the critical 13 point, and they seemed to be better off than those reported in various media, owing to sustained financial support by their employers at IIT Kharagpur and relief material provided by IIT Kharagpur. This suggests the importance of supportive contexts which can significantly affect the well-being of vulnerable communities and people working in informal sector, even during lockdown.

Keywords

COVID-19, Female Domestic Workers, IIT Kharagpur, Lockdown, Resilience, Well-being.

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