Climate change is often associated with future generations, distant geographical locations or long-term environmental consequences. When climate change is perceived as something remote and affecting society collectively, individuals may be more incli... ned to approach it through philanthropy whereas when climate-related consequences are perceived as immediate, personally relevant individuals may begin to consider climate exposure as part of their own investment and wealth-management decisions. A person may support environmental causes, donate to climate-related initiatives or prefer environmentally responsible companies without necessarily adjusting their investment portfolio because of climate risk. Conversely, an investor may consider climate exposure even without being motivated primarily by environmental philanthropy, simply because climate-related events and the transition to a low-carbon economy may influence future returns and portfolio risk. This study therefore proposes a shift in perspective from "philanthropy to portfolio protection." The phrase captures a potential transformation in the psychological framing of climate change: from seeing climate action as primarily a contribution towards a collective environmental objective to viewing climate-related risk as an issue that may require individual financial protection.Read More...Read Less...

Urban slums in Kolkata face multiple deficits in social infrastructure, including childcare, early education, healthcare, and spaces for vocational skill development. Women in these settlements face the dual burden of contributing to household income... while managing unpaid caregiving responsibilities. This paper presents a conceptual framework for modular community infrastructure-flexible, multi-purpose facilities designed to support women's economic participation, child development, and community cohesion. Drawing from feminist political economy and evidence from similar urban interventions in India and globally, the paper explores how such facilities could address structural inequalities and enhance social inclusion. The framework emphasizes integrated approaches to childcare, skill development, health, and community engagement, and discusses critical policy considerations for planning, governance, and sustainability. This study provides a reference point for policymakers, NGOs, and urban planners considering multi-purpose interventions to promote inclusive development in low-income urban settlements.Read More...Read Less...

Context of the Study: Digital transformation has emerged as a vital driver of competitiveness and sustainability among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), especially in the post-COVID-19 era. Aim of the Study: This study evaluates the impac... t of digital transformation on the business activities of micro enterprises in the selected districts of West Bengal and compares the extent of digital adoption between the pre-COVID-19 as well as post COVID-19 eras. Data and Tools: The study is based on primary data collected from 409 micro enterprises in Kolkata and Howrah using a structured questionnaire and employs a descriptive research frame. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship and association between digital transformation variables—online funding, digital payment, and online taxation—and the age of micro enterprises. Outcome of the Study: The regression results confirmed that the model was statistically significant and free from multicollinearity. The study exhibit that enterprises running for less than one (1) year are significantly more likely to adopt online funding, digital payment, and online taxation than enterprises operating for more than five (5) years. Among enterprises aged one (1) to five (5) years, only online taxation depicts a statistically significant association. Concluding Remark & Policy Suggestion: The study infers that younger micro enterprises have embraced digital technologies more extensively than older enterprises, showing the accelerated digital transformation following the COVID-19 situation. It recommends fostering digital awareness, modifying digital infrastructure, and widening access to digital financial services and training programmes to encourage wider digital adoption and strengthen the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of micro enterprises.Read More...Read Less...

The increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as an alternative investment avenue has transformed the financial decision-making landscape, particularly among young professionals with exposure to capital markets. This study examines how risk perceptio... n influences cryptocurrency investment decisions among young finance professionals employed in stock broking firms in Kolkata. As these professionals regularly engage with financial instruments and market information, they provide an appropriate context for understanding behavioural responses to high-risk digital assets. The study employed a quantitative research design using primary data collected through structured questionnaires administered to 50 male finance professionals aged between 25 and 35 years. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and independent sample t-tests were used to analyse the relationship between perceived investment risk and cryptocurrency investment behaviour. The findings indicate that participants generally possess a high level of awareness regarding cryptocurrencies; however, investment decisions differ considerably according to individual perceptions of risk. While many respondents recognised the potential for substantial returns, concerns regarding market volatility, price uncertainty, and regulatory ambiguity resulted in cautious investment practices. Conversely, participants with greater tolerance for financial risk demonstrated a stronger willingness to include cryptocurrencies within their investment portfolios. The study also found that social media, peer networks, and global market developments significantly influenced investment decisions alongside personal risk preferences. The findings contribute to the growing literature on behavioural finance and digital asset investment by demonstrating that professional financial knowledge alone does not eliminate the influence of perceived risk on investment behaviour. The study offers practical implications for policymakers, financial institutions, fintech companies, and investor education programmes seeking to promote informed and responsible participation in cryptocurrency markets.Read More...Read Less...

Using 36 monthly observations, this study empirically examines the relationship between company confidence and the Indian government budget from January 2021 to December 2023. Several econometric tests, including the Self-Exciting Threshold Autoregre... ssive (SETAR) Model, the quantile regression model, and the Phillips-Perron unit root test, are employed in aggregation with descriptive statistics to satisfy the study goal. While the stationarity of the Indian government budget value (IGBV) is confirmed at both levels and at the first difference, the Phillips-Perron unit root test verifies the stationarity of the Indian business confidence (IBC) at the first difference. Using the quantile regression model, which shows a positive correlation between IBC and IGBV over the course of the study period at various quantiles, the non-normal behavior from the Jarque-Bera test is examined. The entire study period is divided into three regimes by the SETAR model, and it is found that as the study period moves toward later regimes, the coefficient value of the self-exciting term rises. Furthermore, during the study period, there was a significant positive correlation between IBC and IGBV, which enables us to verify that IBC experiences a positive shock that raises its value as IGBV rises.Read More...Read Less...