Research Cell

A Research Cell  functions in the College with the aim of promoting research culture among the faculty and students.  The committee meets:

•   to discuss various aspects of research programme on a timely basis.
•   to encourage teachers to take up major and minor research projects.
•   to monitor timely submission of proposals.
•   to inform them about various funding agencies.
•   to evaluate proposals before forwarding the same to the University for approval.
•   to co-ordinate the publication of the research journal Aureole.

Composition of the Research Cell

Status of The Faculty Involvement In Research

1.      Guideship – 2

2.      Ph.D  – 7

3.      M.Phil – 6

4.      Registered for Ph.D  – 12

5.      Minor Research Project completed / submitted : 13

Endowments / scholarships

Research cell constituted best project award in association with PTA of the college to the outgoing students of UG and PG of all the departments from 2017-18 onwards.

DST/ FIST Grant

Rupees 50 lakhs sanctioned to strengthen the research and teaching facilities in all science departments of the college as DST-FIST grant in September 2016. DST-FIST lab and network resource centre was established in the college.

RUSSA

Rupees 2 crores  (Rs. 2,00,00,000/-) sanctioned to the college under RUSSA II as per the GO No. 149/2019/RUSSA –SDP, Thiruvananthapuram Dated 18/01/2020 for construction/ renovation / purchase.

Seminars / workshops on Research conducted in 2018-19

1. Three days State Level Workshop on Data Analysis in Social Sciences in association with MG University was on 28th, 29th & 30th  June.
2. On 11th & 12th July 2018, National Seminar on “Innovative Trends in Insurance” in association with Insurance Institute of India and M.G. University.
3. Two day Workshop on Research Methodology for Second year P.G Students of commerce on 18th and 19th January 2019.
4. National Level Paper Presentation Competition was held on 14th August 2018

Aureole

AUREOLE is an annual journal published by St. Stephen’s College Uzhavoor which publishes research articles in three languages viz. English, Malayalam and Hindi. ISSN numbers of the journal are 2249 -7862(Print).  The purpose is to develop research culture among young scholars. We welcome research articles in all the disciplines. The papers are published after thorough review by experts. All submitted manuscripts  contain original work neither published previously nor under consideration for publication elsewhere.

DETAILS OF ONGOING/COMPLETED minor PROJECTS AND GRANTS RECEIVED

Summary of Minor Project : Sri. Prince Joseph, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Economics

Topic: IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 (With Special Reference to Kottayam District of Kerala)

 INTRODUCTION

The term ‘tourism’ is now widely known phenomenon around the world, and different people define it differently. Some define it as a way to go out to explore nature and its beauty, while others define it as a way to get relaxed, and to escape from their busy, tidy, and monotonous life schedule. But in real sense, it has much wider scope. Thus tourism is a business activity connected with providing accommodation, services and entertainment for people who are visiting a place for pleasure, recreation, leisure, business, and so on. It has become an integral part of today’s life style.

Tourism plays an important role in the Indian Economy. In India, tourism has created direct and indirect employment for some seventeen million people. It generates earnings for hoteliers, travel agents, taxi drivers, crafts men, souvenir- sellers, transporters, airlines, tourist guides etc.

Ecotourism is now defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment sustains the well being of the local people and involves interpretation and education”. Ecotourism plays a great role towards socio- economic changes. There is an immediate impact on the host environment due to the direct contact of visitors and also an indirect impact on the local economy and the society.

The origin of ecotourism lies in nature and outdoor tourism. Environmental aesthetics is the most significant pull factor innate in any ecotourism destination. Ecotourism is a form of tourism that is inspired primarily by the natural history and the environment of an area. Ecotourism projects are less capital intensive. Ecotourism has recently come to be regarded as the panacea that enables us to aggressively seek tourism dollars with no obvious damage to eco systems, since wild resources are not being harvested and there is no apparent associated development.

The entire Kerala is an ecotourism hotspot. Kerala is a green strip of land in the South West Corner of Indian Peninsula. Backwaters, hill stations, wild life sanctuaries, and cultural festivals are the major ecotourism attraction in Kerala. Eco tourists are mostly interested in trekking, hiking, bird watching, nature photography, wildlife safari, camping, mountaineering, angling, surfing, river rafting, kayaking, and botanical study and all these are easily done in the ecotourism destination in Kerala.The main ecotourism attractions of Kottayam are backwaters, Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Vembanad Lake, Illaveezhapoonchira hill station etc.

 Statement of the problem

The government of Kerala views ecotourism as one of the alternative to develop the economy especially in the context of limited prospects of the manufacturing sector, problems in the agricultural and traditional sectors and uncertainties in faming expatriate employment in the gulf recording to 10th five year plan document ecotourism has emerged as the vital sector for generating employment and income. It is no longer possible to ignore the vital role that ecotourism is destined to play in the economy of Kerala. We need a careful management to get maximum benefits and minimum negative impacts. In this developmental stage of ecotourism a study on this field is pertinent. In this study focus on importance, performance and problems of ecotourism development in Kerala can be explained and understand through the study of ecotourism projects in Kottayam district. In study of ecotourism destinations in Kottayam district provide a picture about the economic impact and trends of ecotourism and hence the study stated “Impact of Ecotourism in Economic Development”.

Significance of the study  

In Kerala tourism has become one of the major sectors of the economy contributing to a large proportion of income and generating huge employment opportunities. Ecotourism is a growing area in the tourist friendly state of Kerala. Kottayam is a land of striking beauty with long backwaters and sprawling paddy fields. Kumarakom back water in Kerala attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world various eco tourism promotional programmes are taking place in Kottayam district.

Objectives of the study

1.     To identify important ecotourism destinations in Kottayam district
2.     To analyses trends in the field of ecotourism in Kottayam district.
3.     To examine the role of ecotourism on the standard of living and economic growth in an economy.
4.    To understand the problems, performance, growth and economic significance of ecotourism.
5.     To make an evaluation of ecotourism destinations in Kottayam.

Summary of Findings

The main ecotourism attraction of Kottayam is Backwaters, Kumarakom Birds sanctuary, Vembananad Lake, ilaveezhapoochira hill station, Ayyapara etc. Foreign exchange earnings of Kerala from tourism are Rs. 6398.93 crores in 2014. This is a highest figure compared to the foreign earnings of last ten years. Total revenue generated from tourism (Direct and Indirect) in Kerala is Rs. 24885.44 crores which is highest revenue compared to last ten years. Majority of eco tourists to Kottayam are belonging to Kerala itself (63%). 26% tourists are Foreigners. Tourists are generally highly educated. There is fairly good representation of both men and women. Out of the total respondents most of the tourists come from within Kerala. Majority of the respondents selected Kottayam as they wanted to pleasure (89%). More than 37% of the tourists were satisfied with this destination as it is nature based.  Eco tourists have good opinion about the tourism centres. So 89% of the tourists are satisfied. They are satisfied due to three main reasons. They are tourism places are qualitative, informative and natural based. They also satisfied due to convenience of the tourism place.  According to tourists roads and other infrastructure are good and properly maintained in the tourism places.  Star hotels are the attractive accommodation facility.  Boating is the attractive tourism programme in Kottayam. Behaviour of local people with tourists is in good manner. About 75% tourists are satisfied with the amenities provided to them. Medical facility and shopping and communication facilities are good in tourism destination. 75% of the tourists believe that the security measures provided to them are good.    Costs of visiting the eco tourism place are moderate. Above 50% opined that there are some pollution problems exists in the tourism destination. According to tourists’ more ecotourism activities can be seen in tourism destinations during the regular visit.  Tourists suggest that plastic should be removed from the tourism destination and thereby reduce pollution in the area. 100% local people opined that their standard of living has been improved due to ecotourism development. 57% local people believe that there is pollution related problems in the tourism places. 79% local people enjoy the employment opportunities due to ecotourism development. 36% gets permanent employment status from the tourism development. 93% of local people say that there is infrastructural development due to tourism. 86% local people get direct and indirect economic benefits from ecotourism. It consists of improvement in acquisition of assets and housing. 93% of the local people benefited in income and employment due to ecotourism development. 100% foreign tourists prefer ecotourism to general tourism. 67% respondents reveal that involvement of private sector in ecotourism activities leads to exploitation of natural resources. It also says that globalization discourages ecotourism. Government policies are adequate for the promotion of ecotourism development. Main aim of Home Stay operators are profit. They opined that their business is always profitable. Food, accommodation and boating facilities are provided by home stay operators. Testing of hypothesis revels that ecotourism leads to economic development.

Suggestions of the study

Suggestions for Improvement of Facilities for Ecotourism Development are as follows:-

• The government should plan to build world class infrastructural facilities to attract foreign visitors.
• Tourism can be promoted in a big why by establishing tourist resorts at strategic locations proper accommodation centres with modern amenities suitable for stay of the international tourists must be constructed. Construction of day shelter is another step for ecotourism development.
• There should be some improvement in marketing facilities for eco tourism promotion. Steps should be taken to market tourism potentials of Kottayam district in India and abroad.
• There should be provision for proper security to the tourists’ visit. Also implementation of security measures during boating should be a must.
• Waste management is an important aspect for promoting ecotourism. The tourist spots should be plastic free adequate waste boxes should be kept in all tourist areas to keep the surroundings clean. These wastes should be collected and disposed in a scientific manner.
• This is concerned with assessing the predicted effects of development upon the environment and thereby providing decision makers with information on the likely consequences of their decision to proceed with development.
• Provide more quality services at reasonable rate.

Conclusion of the study

 Tourism in ecologically sensitive area needs close monitoring. In short tourism in nature based areas should be ecologically sustainable. There should also be provision for learning process for a visitor. Ecotourism could be a tool for environmental conservation local empowerment poverty alleviation and so on. So it requires well planning on the basic of regulations. This study reveals that tourism has a positive impact on the economic impact on economic development as it provides more and high quality services. Ecotourism enjoys a significant superiority over general tourism with regard to tourist arrivals and economic social and environmental benefits. It can be concluded that ecotourism development and protection of environment can be made possible with the careful planning and execution by the government departments’ tourist officials along with the cooperation of the public in future ecotourism will continue to grow in several parts of the world as a profitable way of life.

Summary of Minor Project : Smt.Ambili Catherine Thomas, Dept. of Commerce

Topic: THE IMPACT OF PILGRIMMAGE TOURISM IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KOTTAYAM DISTRICT

INTRODUCTION

Tourism is travel for recreational leisure or business purpose usually of a limited duration. Tourism is commonly associated with international travel but may also refer to travel to another location within the same country. WTO defines tourists as “people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes”. There are various types of tourisms such as Backwater tourism, Beach tourism, Eco tourism, Pilgrimage tourism and several others.

Pilgrimage tourism has emerged as an instrument for employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable human development. Pilgrimage tourism promotes international understanding and gives supports to local handicrafts and cultural activities. It is an integral part of the country’s economy, especially in terms of its contribution towards foreign exchange earnings, generation of additional income and creation of employment opportunities. The foreign exchange earnings from tourism during the year 2000 were estimated at about Rs.14,408 crores with an estimated direct employment of about 15 million, which is about 2.4% of the total labour force of the country.

With rapid advancements in Science and Technology, tourism has acquired the status of an industry in all industrialised countries. The high inflow of foreign tourist traffic has accelerated demand for certain economic production and distribution activities. The economic liberalisation in India and consequent foreign investment opportunities, developments of tourist facilities including expansion in air-line services etc. provide an impetus for a spurt in tourist arrivals as in South Asian regions.

Domestic pilgrimage tourism plays a vital role in achieving the national objectives of promoting social and cultural cohesion and national integration. Its contribution towards generation of employment opportunities is also very high. In recent years pilgrimage tourism has become very popular among people. Pilgrimage tourism to various shrines constitutes an important component of total tourism and has contributed efficiently to the growth and development of those places. Every year around 7 million pilgrims visits the shrines in India which influencing the socio-economic environment of the region. There for analysing, identifying, and making good use out of the same is inevitable.

Recently business houses and public organisations are increasingly interested in the economic impacts of tourism at national, state and local levels. One regularly hear claim is that, tourism supports X jobs in an area or that a festival or specific event generated Y million dollars in sales or income in a community. Claims of tourism’s economic significance give the industry greater respect among the business community, public officials and public in general.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Tourism as an integral part of service sector plays an important role in the overall development process of the nation. Thus pilgrimage tourism also contributes towards the socio-cultural and economic development of the nation. Therefore understanding the various roles and impacts of pilgrimage tourism on the development of the domestic economy is having a greater importance. The study titled “A Study on the Role of Pilgrimage Tourism in Economic Development of Kottayam District” is about to review these specifications and make conclusions.

SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Pilgrimage tourism helps in giving manifold economic benefits. The present study will be designed as a conceptual one: a few places of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala had identified as places where there is a high positive effect of pilgrimage tourism on income, employment and standard of living of local residents exists and had been analysed here in this study. By studying this project it is possible to bring out the various strategies required for making the pilgrimage tourism in Kottayam a better destination in economic dimension. Further this study may be useful to other districts also for tapping their pilgrimage tourism potentials.

Pilgrims visiting various pilgrimage destinations in Kottayam spend money on travel, accommodation, shopping, food and snacks. They also come with some kind of determination about their approximate proposed offering to the holy Shrines. All the expenditure incurred by pilgrims goes towards generation of income and employment of the people of Kottayam district and ultimately for the peoples of State of Kerala. Hence it is highly significant to carry out a study on the role of pilgrimage tourism in the economic development of Kottayam district.

 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 1)     To identify the important pilgrimage tourist destinations in Kottayam district.

2)     To identify the effect in economic development of Kottayam district through pilgrimage tourism.

3)     To examine the role of pilgrimage tourism on the standard of living of the society.

4)     To know about the development of basic facilities in pilgrimage tourist centers.

5)     To identify the positive and negative impacts of pilgrimage tourism.

Tourism today has become a mass and highly complicated phenomenon, because of its economic, socio-cultural and political ramifications. Thus, this study tries to analyze the impact of pilgrimage tourism in particular destinations on the socio-economic aspect of the region. To assess the role of pilgrimage tourism on socio-economy is not an ordinary process, as it is based on certain parameters. These parameters include tourist influx, status of women increased, employment generated, standard of living increased etc. These parameters directly or indirectly have an impact on the economy of a place as the spending of pilgrims becomes income for the people who are associated with the shrine.

On the basis of various objectives like identifying the famous pilgrimage tourist destinations, identifying the socio-economic impact of pilgrimage tourism, analysing the effect of pilgrimage tourism in development of basic infrastructure facilities, to identify the positive and negative impact of pilgrimage tourism etc.

Summary of Findings

Pilgrimage tourism has contributed directly as well as indirectly to the socio- economy development of Kottayam District of State of Kerala. Every tourist (pilgrimage) activity, whatsoever small may it is, it generates some income and that results into some sort of economic developments. Thus the main findings of the study can be revealed as under:

• There are numerous renowned pilgrimage destinations situated in the district of Kottayam. They are identified and examined effectively for the purpose of the study.
• The study made it clear that there exists a clear connection with the increase in pilgrimage tourism activity with the economic development of the region. And it holds a positive correlation that one increases in accordance with the other and vice versa.
• 70% of respondents opined that there is increase in the standard of living of people with the increased tourism activities.
• The study found that pilgrimage tourism has played positive role in the development of women, development of infrastructure beautification of the area and the overall development of the basic facilities in pilgrimage destinations.
• From the study the researcher also found that pilgrimage tourism posses various positive as well as negative impacts on the economy and socio-natural environment. The main positive impacts can be found as the increased business activities, economic developments, cultural integration, increased standard of living etc. where the negative impacts includes increased criminality, exhaustion of natural resources, pollution, increased inflation etc.
• Another finding of the study was the pilgrimage tourism has increased the annual growth rate of various business activities around different destinations where the statistic shows the majority of respondents quoted 11-20% annual growth rate in their business due to pilgrimage tourism.
• The study also revealed that more than 60% of people are in an opinion that the pilgrimage tourism has increased the economic status and standard of living of the regions.
• Based upon the result of the hypothesis testing it has been found that pilgrimage tourism is major source of earnings. It has also been evident from above analysis that majority of family members are engaged in this business activities, average of them are entirely depends on this income as they have not any other source of income. Another important result of the above analysis was majority of the respondents agreed that there is an increase in business activities and standard of living of the people around various pilgrim destinations in Kottayam district. Thus based upon this, it can be said that tourism has made significant contribution to the economic development and upliftment of social status of people living in the vicinity of various pilgrim centres.

Suggestions of the Study

             Based upon the findings following suggestions/recommendations are strongly advocated below with adequate reasons if any:

• Replacement of obsolete practices and procedures in the administration of various shrines and modernisation is recommended.
• Development of basic facilities and infrastructures are highly recommended.
• Development and implementation of action plans to protect and preserve the natural environment around various shrines are recommended.
• Prices of goods and services at these selected pilgrimage sites are relatively high. So, there is dire need to formulate a regulatory authority to regulate the prices of goods and services at these sites.
• Activities, plans and policies for various pilgrimage destinations from the governmental authorities like DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) and State Tourism Department etc. must be increased.
• Promotional and marketing activities to enhance the tourism and economical traits of pilgrimage can be improved.

Conclusion of the Study

Based on the summary of findings, tourism has made significant contribution to the economic development and upliftment of social status of people living in the vicinity of different pilgrimage destinations in Kottayam district. It is evident therefore that pilgrimage tourism presents great scope and offers ample opportunities for socio economic transformation of the region. The study can be very helpful in the growth of Tourism industry in Kerala in general, and pilgrimage tourism in Kottayam in particular. Consequently, the growth of pilgrimage tourism would contribute largely for the overall sustainable growth of the tourism industry in India.

 Minor Project by Sri.Biju Thomas , Zoology Department

Summary of Minor Project : Dr. Merly K. Punnose, Dept. of Hindi

Pinjarai Ki Maina Aur Shikanja Ka Dard Ek Vishleshan

Dr. Merly K. Punnose

Dept. of Hindi

 SUMMARY OF PROJECT REORT

 In Contemporary Hindi Literature Autobiography has developed into a powerful form of prose. Autobiographies were not in Vague in the ancient days. But now a days Dalit and Women use autobiography as a powerful weapon to shatter male chauvinism and the supremacy of the forward Cast and thus give a right direction to their fight. The independent decisions taken by writers like Chandrakiran sonraxa and Sushila Takbhaure in their lives is an illustration to this. They have succeeded in building upon identity of their own. Autobiography is being used as a weapon to fight against the injustices and evil customs prevailing in society. The readers also are being induced to do it and also enabled to think so. The in equalities and injustices prevailing in Culture, Literature, Heredity, Humour, Law and Film Industry are being raised in the form of questions before the reader.

The above writers expressed their protest through their works. In their works the tone of opposition is lucid. No where in these works do we see an iota of disappointment. They are proud of their achievements. Over and above the level of writers they also have succeeded at the level of motherhood. Sushila Takbhaure is the writer who through her works has revealed the bitter experiences of the life of a women along with the realities of Dalit life. In addition to the curse of being a women she also lived bearing the curse of being a Dalit. Sushila Takbhaure and Chandrakiran Sonrixa were compelled to stay at the lower strata of Society for the single reason that they are women. Along with the performance of all the roles entrusted to them by society they went ahead with their works.

Summary of Minor Project : Smt. Lijiyamol Thankachan, Dept. of English 

 An Analysis of Ecoliterature in the Universities of Kerala

Executive Summary

In this era of engrossing environmental discussions and growing environmental consciousness, the study of literature and ecology is of great relevance. Since it is an interdisciplinary branch which integrates, psychology, feminism, politics, mathematics and so on, the subject turns out to be sui