Jai Maa Saraswati Gyandayini An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal

Impact of School Environment on Children’s Holistic Development

Rimpalkumari Rajeshbhai Patel — 2026-07-30

Holistic development refers to balanced development in children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical aspects. In today’s education, it is not enough to focus only on academic achievement, but also the development of every aspect of the personality of children is also important. The school environment plays an important role in the holistic development of children, because school is a medium where children spend as much of their day and gain various educational and social experiences. A positive school environment contributes significantly to increasing the interest in learning, increasing self-confidence and developing social values in students. Facilities like school resources, cleanliness, educational instruments, games and co-curricular activities increase the physical and mental development of children. Moreover, the classroom environment, the teacher’s teaching method, positive teacher-student relationships and interaction between school friends, affect the emotional and social development of students. This thematic paper analyses various factors of the school environment and the impact it has on the holistic development of children. It promotes how school culture, discipline, cooperation, inclusive education and student-centred teaching methods help develop creativity, leadership, cooperation and moral values in children. The paper shows that a supportive and inspiring learning environment created by teachers and school management is very important for the development of qualities such as children’s academic performance as well as their emotional well-being.

Yog Parampara Mein Dhyan Ka Swaroop: Darshanik Aur Vaigyanik Pariprekshya

Sandeep Kumar — 2026-07-30

In the Indian yogic tradition, meditation is an important practice, which involves an attempt to keep the mind constantly and evenly on one single object or on one aim of concentration. Generally, to consider meditation as simply the process of concentration of the mind on a specific point is not enough since the unique feature of meditation is that the modifications of the mind (chitta-vritti) should be continuous and uninterrupted. In Yoga philosophy (as taught by Patañjali), meditation (Dhyāna) is considered to be a higher level of concentration (Dhāraṇā) where the mental modification is created upon a particular locus or object and continues as uninterrupted flow. The nature of meditation is described in detail in the Gheraṇḍa Saṁhitā in three different ways: gross meditation (Sthūla Dhyāna), luminous meditation (Jyotir Dhyāna), and subtle meditation (Sūkṣma Dhyāna). In all of these, the meditations seem to evolve from the image of a large visual object, or a deity, to the meditation on inner light, and then subtle spiritual principles.
Meditation is no longer seen as purely religious or spiritual practice from the point of view of modern science. Several studies have explored how the brain, attention, cognitive functions, emotional intelligence and neurological processes change during meditation. Some studies have also indicated the possibility of improvements in cognitive abilities and changes at the biological level associated with regular meditation practice. Comparative studies of Dhāraṇā and Dhyāna also indicate that the activities of the mind while in Dhāraṇā and Dhyāna are not the same. Thus, first an understanding of the philosophical perspective on meditation as found in Indian yogic literature, and second, the psychological and neuroscientific impact of meditation as explored by contemporary science, can be gained together with a more comprehensive understanding of meditation. The aim of the present study is to try to find some correlation between the philosophical character of meditation, the way it is practiced, and the results claimed by the current scientific research based on the above.

Soft Power and it’s Dimensions: A Review

Vagmi — 2026-07-30

The term soft power was coined by Joseph S. Nye, Jr., who felt that an incomplete understanding of national power was the reason for the term. The traditional realist perspective focused on the military power, economic strength, control of territory and strategic alliances as the main factors in determining international influence. States that use soft power are promoting cooperation because the other societies consider their ideas, institutions or values legitimate and worthy of emulation. Attraction is thus an important source of influence. In the Indian context, Yoga, Ayurveda, Buddhism, classical arts, cuisine, democracy and the Indian diaspora have been linked to the notion of ‘soft power'. These sizes certainly have a part to play in India's image abroad. But cultural symbolism is not the only facet of India's soft power, its intellectual traditions, educational institutes, scientific accomplishments and knowledge networks have their own meaning which is not given due consideration. The present research, therefore, calls for Indian Knowledge Systems to be comprehended not only as cultural resources but also as knowledge diplomacy systems that can be a part of knowledge systems for education, research, innovation, public policy and sustainable development.

Representations of Spirituality: Saints and Ascetics in Mughal Visual Culture (16th–17th Centuries)

Dr. Abdul Munim — 2026-07-30

Mughal miniature paintings played a significant role in the study of the spiritual and cultural history of the Mughal era, particularly during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. While Mughal paintings are known for their depictions of court life, royal ladies, field scenes of battle, and ceremonies, they also evolved a visual tradition of depicting saints, ascetics, mendicants, and spiritual teachers. Representation of religious group, Sufi Saints, Faqeers, Bairaghi, Hindu Yogis, Yoginis, Sannyasis, Sadhus, group of religious and Jain monks gives an important source of knowledge for the religious life of Medieval India. The current study focuses on the portrayal of religious and spiritual personalities in the miniature paintings of the Mughal era during the reign of Akbar, Jahangeer and Shah Jahan. Paintings of meditation, devotional gathering, spiritual exercises, pilgrimage, travel and meeting with rulers and princes by holy men provide a valuable insight into religious life of the time. In Akbar’s reign, the depictions of religious community paid attention to greater religious dialogue and interaction. During Jahangeer's tenure, artists started depicting saints and ascetics as individuals and their unique looks and characteristics. During the reign of Shah Jahan, painters began to show greater respect and importance to the spiritual persons and often depicted groups of saints and learned men along with princes and other court members. The study reveals that the religious images played a significant role in Mughal painting and provides a greater insight into the religious and cultural life of Medieval period. The paintings of the Sufi and Hindu religious traditions depict the life of various communities and the interaction between them. Thus, Mughal miniature paintings can be applied to the analysis of the themes of spirituality, pilgrimage, religious observance, and common cultural features of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in India.