Woxsen School of Business

Abstract Ahmedabad, a city that is layered with centuries of traditional knowledge systems, showcases a unique adaptation to socio-environmental and economic challenges. One such system is the Tanka, a traditional , low-tech underground rainwater harvesting structure that is typically lined with lime and embedded beneath domestic courtyards in the historic city. These structures, maintained through ritualistic cleaning and seasonal preparation, reflect a sustainable legacy of self-reliant water management. In this paper the potential of reviving Tanka as a decentralised water infrastructure for climate-resilient urban management is investigated. In this study, climate resilience refers to a city’s ability to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and recover from climate-driven extremes particularly water scarcity, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. Tanka systems contribute to resilience by enabling decentralised water storage, reducing pressure on centralised infrastructure, enhancing microclimate regulation, and serving as emergency reserves. Focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ahmedabad, where nearly 10,000 Tanka are believed to exist, the study examines resident’s perceptions and institutional challenges in integrating privately owned Tanka for broader public utility. Drawing from qualitative methodologies, the research employs a triangulated approach: in-depth interviews with 25 residents of historic houses, a critical review of urban water governance and municipal policy documents, and focused group discussions (FGDs) involving both community members and domain experts. The findings highlight a promising 90% willingness among residents to reintegrate Tanka water into the urban system. However, the current top-down governance framework dominated by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) lacks mechanisms for incentivising citizen participation and heritage-based water reuse. This study advocates for a co-governance model that combines state capacity with citizen agency to address urban water stress while reinforcing heritage conservation. Furthermore, it proposes a scalable planning framework rooted in traditional practices, adaptable to other Indian cities and new settlements. Repositioning Tanka within a broader discourse of sustainable development, the paper suggests that reviving such vernacular systems offers a low-carbon, culturally embedded solution for managing urban resilience in the Anthropocene.

BackgroundAgricultural laborers, particularly women in rural India, are exposed to prolonged postural strain due to repetitive and ergonomically hazardous tasks. These conditions contribute significantly to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).ObjectiveThe present study assessed the efficacy of Postural Management Guidelines (PMG) designed to enhance ergonomic awareness among female farm workers.MethodsA field-based intervention study involving 30 purposively selected farm women was conducted in Girwa Panchayat Samiti, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The participants received training based on a researcher-developed PMG that covered body mechanics, lifting techniques and optimal postures. A 25-item structured knowledge checklist was administered before and after. Statistical analysis included Descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests and effect size (Cohen's d) were computed to determine the significance of the knowledge gain.ResultsPostural knowledge scores improved significantly from a pre-test mean of 7.8 (SD = 1.81) to a post-test mean of 22.83 (SD = 1.63), with a t-value of 4.77 (p < 0.001), Cohen's d = 9.05. The coefficient of variation decreased from 21.67% to 8.13%, which indicates an improved consistency. Thus, the findings affirm the impact of ergonomic education on awareness enhancement.ConclusionThe PMG proved effective in increasing ergonomic knowledge among rural female agricultural workers. These guidelines offer a practical and scalable intervention for reducing occupational health risks related to posture. The integration of this kind of training into agricultural extension programs may yield long-term health benefits in rural areas.

Energy efficiency and resource management are essential for tackling complicated environmental and economic issues in the age of globalization and fast industrial development. Effective management lowers expenses and promotes sustainability. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology improves resource management and energy efficiency by automating processes, improving forecasts, and analyzing data more quickly. Even with advancements, problems like imprecise forecasts of energy consumption and wasteful resource use still exist. The use of AI in agriculture, waste and energy management, biodiversity conservation, supply chain management, and natural resource management is examined in this chapter. With an emphasis on automation, optimization, and prediction through Deep Learning techniques like Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, this chapter also examines AI's potential to increase the effectiveness of energy and resource management. This chapter examines the benefits and risks of applying AI to the creation of political and legal frameworks that guarantee the safe and efficient deployment of technical systems as well as long-term control over their operation and development patterns. This chapter offers important insights into the present and future directions of AI-driven sustainable resource management through a combination of theoretical understanding and applied research.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein clumps, primarily composed of a protein called Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn). Under physiological conditions, α-Syn exists as a dynamic, intrinsically disordered protein that resists aggregation through transient intramolecular interactions. However, under pathological conditions, this protein can misfold and stack into rigid, fibrous structures known as amyloid fibrils. These fibrillar deposits accumulate within neurons and are central to PD pathogenesis. This review focuses on understanding what keeps monomeric α-Syn in its innocuous form and what causes it to shift into a disease-associated state. In particular, we explore the role of subtle, often-overlooked intramolecular forces, like cation-π, π-π, and CH-π interactions, that may help stabilize the protein and prevent aggregation. We also examine how genetic mutations linked to familial forms of PD influence these internal interactions and drive the formation of partially folded intermediate forms that can trigger fibril growth. Some familial mutations accelerate α-Syn aggregation, while others slow it down, but the reasons behind these different outcomes are not fully understood. By analyzing how these mutations alter the protein's early structure and behavior, this review aims to shed light on the first steps of α-Syn misfolding. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms could support the development of new therapies designed to stabilize the soluble form of monomeric α-Syn and slow or prevent disease progression.

Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework that links the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) to sustainable entrepreneurship. It addresses the overlooked role of inner capacities such as empathy, systems thinking and resilience in driving systemic invention. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a conceptual approach. This paper uses heuristic vignettes. This paper synthesizes socioemotional wealth theory, entrepreneurial identity theory and institutional work to construct a behavioral model of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship. Three illustrative vignettes provide pattern-based insights to clarify theoretical constructs. Findings The proposed framework posits that entrepreneurs with high alignment to IDG dimensions are more likely to pursue sustainability-driven ventures. It is also expected to exhibit stronger cross-cultural ethical sensitivity and translate institutional contexts into prosocial innovation strategies. IDGs function as mediators between internal motivation and external impact. Research limitations/implications This is an early-stage theoretical contribution. While grounded in existing literature, the framework requires empirical testing using longitudinal, cross-cultural and psychometric approaches. Practical implications The findings inform the design of incubators, accelerators and educational programs by encouraging the integration of IDG-aligned training into entrepreneurship ecosystems. Policymakers may also use IDGs to reframe invention metrics toward internal capacities for sustainability. Social implications Embedding internal development into entrepreneurship can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals by aligning personal transformation with global systems change. Originality/value This paper introduces a values-based, microfoundational model of sustainable entrepreneurship that emphasizes that scalable sustainability begins within the entrepreneur. It positions IDGs as a span between human development and systemic impact. It contributes original insight to innovation and sustainability studies.