The Communications

Directorate of Distance Education

University of Kashmir

ISSN: 0975-6558

Mathematics is an indispensable tool of all scientific research. Besides, the impact and influence of Mathematics on data sciences, social sciences and other allied subjects is as bright as daylight. Given that, on one hand, technology is influencing every part of human life, and on the other hand, the scare of epidemics such as that of COVID-19 has the potential to barricade traditional classroom teaching, we may view technology as having the potential to not only revolutionize the ways we teach and learn but also in giving access-from-distance and self-paced learning options to the learners. Teaching and learning online is gaining momentum and has picked up both pace and popularity during the ongoing pandemic. Whereas online learning may be more suitable in some subjects, the fact remains that learning Mathematics online efficiently is not as difficult as many would view it. This paper reviews and discusses the various aspects associated with teaching and learning Mathematics online. The paper elucidates how Mathematics can be taught effectively at various levels. It also demonstrates how the revolution of MOOCs is impacting education, in general, and Mathematics, in particular. The paper also discusses both the opportunities we have and the challenges we face in opting for online teachinglearning

This research paper critically examines the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, exploring its objectives, key provisions, implications, challenges, and opportunities for the Indian education system. Through a comprehensive analysis of NEP-2020 and a review of existing literature on education policies, this research paper aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators and stakeholders. It discusses the potential impact of NEP-2020 on educational outcomes, socio-economic factors and marginalized communities. Additionally, the paper identifies challenges in implementation, such as infrastructural limitations and sociocultural barriers and offers recommendations to address them, including leveraging technology and enhancing teacher training. Overall, it underscores the transformative potential of NEP-2020 in shaping the future of education in India.

The present study has been carried out to explore the research scholars’ perceptions regarding the importance of electronic resources to their work and the adequacy of information located in them. Besides, this study has been carried out with the help of the descriptive research method. The sample for the present study consisted of 200 respondents. After executing the sampling frame, the required sample was selected with the help of a random sampling technique. In context to the same, it has been found that a maximum number of research scholars perceive that electronic resources are very important and information available in them is adequate.

In the wake of the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the imperative of ensuring the right to education has become increasingly salient, particularly in countries with vast and diverse populations like India. This paper aims to comprehensively explore the multifaceted landscape of implementing measures to safeguard the right to education in India amidst the ongoing pandemic. By examining the intricate interplay of socio-economic, technological, and policy dimensions, it seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the strategies adopted by governmental and nongovernmental entities to mitigate disruptions in education delivery. Furthermore, the paper critically evaluates the efficacy of these measures in addressing the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups, shedding light on the persisting disparities exacerbated by the pandemic. By identifying both successes and challenges, it contributes to the ongoing discourse on the global imperative of adaptable frameworks to safeguard fundamental rights amidst unprecedented crises, thereby advocating for a more inclusive and equitable education system in India and beyond

‘’I may help me until others come to rescue” Human beings are one of the most wonderful creations on earth. God says, I created man and woman from a single pair i.e., from Adam and Eve and neither made them into nations and tribes for the reason that they may recognize each other (The Holy Quran), But living in coordination on the earth can never be imagined nor be easy under any law. Human beings by nature desire to rule over each other which ultimately brings the system into Might is right. To dilute that greed, the law has provided certain mechanisms whereby the interests of its citizens are secured irrespective of caste, creed, religion sex etc. Therefore, every law-abiding citizen has been bestowed with the right to protect his person and property against the aggressors which in legal parlance is called Self-help, the first rule of criminal law. This principle is incorporated in chapter four of the Indian Penal Code falling from sections 96- 106 generally known as the right of private defence or general exceptions. Section 96 excuses any act which is done in the exercise of the right of private defence (Indian Penal Code, K.D Gaur ).

The issue of women's empowerment is a global concern. Worldwide studies have revealed that education is the most potent instrument for the empowerment of women. It is only through education and training that they prepare to play their roles in the nation’s social, economic and political spheres as equal members of society. Open and distance learning (ODL) system has emerged as a tool with immense potential for creating widespread access to knowledge for women. It has been instrumental in lowering the illiteracy rate, and dropout rate, and creating accessibility and immense opportunities for Women. Women from all walks of life have continued to seize the opportunities of ODL programmes to improve their education, get better jobs and improve their standards of living. The ICT-enabled ODL System allows women to overcome the barriers of time, space and socio-economic constraints and to bring a variety of learning resources to meet their educational needs. Saudi Arabia ranks 4th lowest in terms of political and economic empowerment of women and 5th lowest in terms of women's labour force participation in a group of 115 countries which were ranked in 2012. Saudi women are still found to be the most under-utilized resource for the Saudi economy even though 65 per cent of the Kingdom’s college graduates are women 60 per cent of new stock investors and 40 per cent of new real estate investors are women. Despite being highly educated, they make up only about 5% of the labour force. Women's unemployment is estimated at 28 per cent. Without empowering women the country cannot develop, compete internationally and witness any real national economic growth. A comprehensive, modern and open educational system is fundamental to the empowerment and prosperity of Saudi women who have limited access to formal education and training. Full-time housewives can pursue the much-craved training, skills development and education through ODL. It is a viable alternative to a large number of working women in Saudi Arabia who cannot leave their families and work to pursue better education which will enhance their career progression.ODL system has the potential to educate and train them while preserving their Islamic identity as it does not take them out of their social environments. It allows them to pursue qualitative education that will improve their sense of self-esteem without jeopardizing either the important family relationship or the relatively responsible position in their place of work.The present paper is based on an exploratory study conducted at the Arab University (AOU) on a sample of Saudi distance education students enrolled at five branches of AOU in Saudi Arabia. The study examines the place of ODL system in Saudi Arabia, the features of ODL system that make it particularly suitable to Saudi women, its role as a tool for women empowerment and various forms of ODL media to suit the conditions of women in Saudi Arabia. The results of the study would provide Saudi practitioners, policymakers and academicians with useful insights into integrating women in to the economy; upholding deeply rooted social, cultural and ethical values of the Arab-Islamic heritage.

This research paper presents a comprehensive study on user perspectives of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms in Kashmir, based on a quantitative analysis of data collected from a diverse sample of respondents. The study reveals significant insights into the current state and potential future of OTT platforms in the region. The data analysis unveils key trends and preferences among the respondents concerning their usage of OTT platforms. Among the various platforms available, Netflix emerges as the most preferred, with over half of the users selecting it as their favourite, followed by Amazon Prime and Hotstar. The majority of respondents spend 1-2 hours daily on OTT platforms, indicating significant engagement with the services, while a notable proportion watches content for less than an hour per day. The preferred time for content consumption on OTT platforms is during the early night, indicating users' preference for unwinding and relaxing with digital content during this time. Most users access OTT platforms for free, but a considerable proportion are willing to invest in content consumption, with a majority spending between 201 to 400 rupees per month. Movies are the most preferred content type, suggesting that cinematic experiences remain popular among the audience, followed by web series and live sports events. Urdu is the most preferred language on OTT platforms, highlighting the importance of regional language content to cater to the linguistic diversity in Kashmir. The study identifies ease of use as the most compelling reason for watching content on OTT platforms, followed by on-demand content convenience and cost-effectiveness. The majority of respondents believe that OTT applications are changing their television and movie-watching habits, showcasing the disruptive influence of these platforms on traditional media consumption. Additionally, a substantial proportion of users believe that OTT applications are changing the Indian television and film industry, reflecting the transformative effect of digital streaming on content production and distribution. Respondents express optimism about the future of OTT platforms in Kashmir, attributing this belief to factors such as smartphone penetration, digital quality, cost-effectiveness, and international collaboration. Overall, this research provides a valuable resource for industry stakeholders, content creators, and policymakers seeking to understand user preferences and capitalize on the growing digital entertainment market in Kashmir. The study offers important implications for the future development of OTT platforms and media consumption patterns in the region. As the landscape of OTT platforms evolves, this research lays the foundation for further investigations into the dynamic and ever-changing media consumption habits in Kashmir.

Access to justice is an essential element of rule of law and therefore of democracy. To ensure the realization of rights, it is necessary. A person requires a mechanism that can provide him with relief or allow him to right the wrong when his rights are violated. Without access justice is merely an illusion. To ensure that everyone has access to justice, the state must set up institutions that can administer justice. The Supreme Court of India in various cases as well as Law Commission of India in its 186threport highlighted the need to establish a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. To serve this purpose the National Green tribunal was established courtesy of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to fulfil the long felt need of alternative forum to deliver speedy and inexpensive justice.(1) The philosophy of public interest litigation is echoed in the legislation, a welcome direction for the class of victims who are unable to knock the doors of judiciary.This article tries to critically assess the working of National Green Tribunal in its decade of existence and how it has revolutionized the adjudication in environmental matters. Also, it tries to analyze year wise details of institution, disposal and pendency of cases at the principal bench, Delhi and other zonal benches.

The objective of this research is to analyse the legal framework surrounding marital rape in India. The study aims to examine the existing laws, judicial decisions, and legal discourse related to marital rape, with a focus on understanding the gaps and challenges in addressing this issue. Most of the legal Scholars in India consider marital rape as one of the most heinous crimes. It presents a distinct form of rape and poses a significant obstacle to achieving gender equality. This problem has persisted in Indian society for a long time, causing unrest. Historically, marital rape has not been acknowledged as a pressing issue in India, and opposition to addressing it is not uncommon for various reasons. Even the Indian Legislature, responsible for enforcing laws for the safety and development of the Country, has shown little interest in eradicating this problem. While Judges in India offer some hope, their ability to address the issue is limited as lawmaking is within the legislature’s Jurisdiction. Currently, India lacks specific laws that address marital rape.

In present times, technology has cast its control in almost every field. If we talk about the educational field, here is also a very important role of technology as such we can say that nowadays education is almost impossible without the latest technology. Keepinginviewalltheaboveimportancewehaveconductedafieldsurveytoknow to how many schools are using technology during the teaching process and how many schools have proper facilities to provide teaching integrated with technology, especially mathematics subject. This study will talk about Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This study is based on secondary schools in which we tried to find out how many schools use ICT in teaching mathematics at the secondary level. The data was collected by observation and questionnaire methods. The study is based on secondary schools of Kashmir division, district Budgam. The researcher has selected 22 secondary schools by simple random sampling method. In these schools, there were 49 mathematics teachers. The data was collected from these schools and these mathematics teachers. Findings indicate that only27%secondaryschoolsindistrict Budgam have ICT facilities properly. It was also found that 61% of mathematics teachers are aware of ICT. Also, the important finding was that no one of the mathematics teachers was using ICT for teaching mathematics subjects in secondary schools.

This paper aims to provide an overview of the inclusive concept of education in Islam in the light of Sura al-abasa. It will highlight the formal and informal ways of educating disabled people. How and why Islam emphasises the education of these people. Its significance is also to be highlighted in the present educational system around the Globe. Islamic inclusive education is to eliminate discrimination based upon race, colour, sex, region, religion, mental retardness, socio-economic status etc. As mentioned in Sura alabasa on one side the Prophet (PBUH) gave dawah to a Non-Muslim and on the other hand, was a specially disabled Muslim.