International Research Journal of MMC (IRJMMC)

Unveiling the Implications of Punctuation Marks in English Poetry

Lok Raj Sharma — 2025-06-27

Punctuation marks in poetry serve as critical tools that guide the reader’s interpretation and engagement with the poetry. The key objective of this article is to unveil the implications of punctuation in English poetry. This study employed an exploratory research design in which poetic lines from different poems by the poets were treated as the primary data, and supportive materials taken from books, journal articles and websites were considered the secondary data. A stylistic analysis was executed based on the implications of nine punctuation marks: period, comma, question mark, dash, semi-colon, colon, exclamation mark, ellipsis and parenthesis. The findings reveal that punctuation plays a prominent role in shaping the meaning, rhythm, and emotional depth of English poetry. This study depicts that the strategic use of commas, periods, dashes, colons, and other marks to create pauses, emphasize specific words or phrases, and build tension or release within the poetic narrative. Moreover, the study considers how the absence of punctuation can evoke ambiguity and invite multiple interpretations, contributing to the richness and complexity of poetic works. This article is substantial for students, teachers, and poetry lovers as it offers a comprehensive understanding of how punctuation in English poetry is not just a technical detail but a crucial element that significantly influences the reader's interpretation and enhances the overall aesthetic experience.

Exploring Unspoken Strength: The Power of Silence in August Strindberg’s The Stronger

Rajendra Bhattarai — 2025-06-27

August Strindberg's one-act play The Stronger is an experimental work that explores the complex power dynamics between two women within an unconventional dramatic form, featuring only a single speaker. This research investigates the role of silence as a form of power in this play, and analyzes the psychological mechanisms through which silence undermines spoken authority. This article based on the qualitative research examines the paradoxical strength of silence. The study sheds light on Strindberg's innovative dramatic techniques, his nuanced portrayal of gender dynamics, and his deep psychological insight into human relationships. The play’s title itself poses a provocative and enduring question that fuels the dramatic tension: Who is truly “the stronger”—the woman who speaks or the woman who remains silent? Through a close analysis of the play’s structure, characterization, and psychological depth, this study argues that Strindberg’s use of silence serves not as a sign of weakness or subordination, but rather as a powerful and deliberate expression of strength, his study reveals the thematic and structural power of silence in Strindberg’s The Stronger, showing how it functions as a tool of psychological dominance and challenges the notion that speech equates to power. It also redefines silence in literary and gender contexts, emphasizing its role as a symbol of strength, autonomy, and dramatic innovation.

Aging with Diversity: Understanding the Challenges and Needs of LGBTI Elders in Nepal

Bimala Gurung — 2025-06-27

This study examines the unique challenges faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex elders who are marginalized groups due to the intersection of age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Despite advancements in life expectancy and legal recognition of LGBTI rights, these individuals often encounter discrimination, social isolation, and healthcare barriers. The Senior Citizens Act 2006 defines "senior citizens" as those aged 60 and above, but LGBTI elders frequently experience premature aging due to factors such as inadequate diet, social isolation, and informal sector labor conditions. Mapping of 100 LGBTI elders in 2024 was conducted across all seven provinces of Nepal. mong them, 20 core respondents were selected using purposive sampling with qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with LGBTI elders and key informant interviews with experts. The study explores discrimination, access to healthcare, social support and perceptions of aging while secondary data sources include policy documents, reports, publications, media and research articles and video documentation. Findings reveal compounded challenges including economic insecurity and exclusion from social benefits, exacerbated by legal and policy gaps. The study advocates for explicit legal recognition, inclusive policies, and collaborative interventions to address these disparities and promote the rights of LGBTI elders in Nepal. It emphasizes the need to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTI elders in Nepal.

The Society 5.0 Concept: A Framework for Societal Evolution

Ananda Nepal — 2025-06-27

The study focuses on the idea of Society 5.0 as a comprehensive framework for understanding the development of human societies through various technological and socio-economic shifts. It traces Nepal's historical journey from early hunter-gatherer societies (Society 1.0) to the upcoming data-driven and AI-enhanced future (Society 5.0). The article describes key historical changes, such as the use of metal, the introduction of farming machines, the rise of factories, and advances in digital technology. It discusses the specific challenges and opportunities in Nepal and explains how technologies like Artificial Intelligence, automated systems, and smart infrastructure can help build a better society by prioritizing people's well-being and sustainable progress. This study is based on a general review used a narrative approach to analyze sources on Society 5.0 from 2018–2024, focusing on technology, social change, and policy in infrastructure, education, governance, and socio-economic development. The study emphasizes the need for strategic policymaking, infrastructure development, and inclusive technology adoption to fully harness the potential of Society 5.0, providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working to guide societies toward smarter and more resilient futures.

Role of Disaggregated Education Expenditure on Economic Growth in Nepal

Gyan Mani Adhikari — 2025-06-27

This study investigates the nexus between education expenditure and economic growth in Nepal using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach for the period 1975-2023. Employing time series data, the research disaggregates education spending into recurrent and capital components to analyze their differential impacts on real GDP growth. The empirical findings reveal a significant long-run cointegrating relationship between education expenditure and economic growth. Capital expenditure in education exhibits a positive and statistically significant coefficient (0.262), while recurrent expenditure shows a negative but statistically insignificant relationship (-0.257). The error correction model indicates rapid adjustment to equilibrium with a coefficient of -1.785, suggesting oscillatory convergence. Gross fixed capital formation demonstrates substantial short-run effects on economic growth. These results underscore the importance of prioritizing strategic investments in educational infrastructure while implementing reforms to enhance the efficiency of recurrent expenditure. The study contributes to education finance policy by providing empirical evidence for optimal resource allocation strategies to foster sustainable economic development in Nepal.

A Comparative Study of IT Integration in TU Programs: BICTE, BIM, and BCA in Nepal

Shreeraj Khatiwada — 2025-06-27

This study presents a comparative analysis of three IT-integrated undergraduate programs offered by Tribhuvan University in Nepal: BICTE, BIM, and BCA. Each program serves different academic goals, BICTE prepares ICT educators, BIM blends IT with business, and BCA focuses on core computing. The research aims to help students make informed academic choices by analyzing the IT curriculum, practical components, and career relevance of each program. A mixed-methods approach was used, involving curriculum document review and surveys with students, lecturers, and alumni. Although each program is designed with a distinct purpose, the results indicate that for building a career in diverse IT fields, BCA provides the strongest technical foundation with extensive hands-on training, BIM offers a balanced approach suitable for IT-business careers, and BICTE, while focused on theory and education, requires improved practical exposure to broaden its career relevance. Stakeholders highlighted the need for updated content and real-world skill development, especially in BICTE. The findings support curriculum improvements and offer clear guidance for prospective students and educators.

Community Colleges Mobilization with Strengthening of Youth and Local Resources Utilization for Sustainable Development: A Review

Mayanath Ghimire — 2025-06-27

To find review and study communion college mobilization with strengthening of youth and local resources utilization for sustainable development. The study employed the method of scientific review as a meta-synthesis to find a solution for the utilization of youth and local resources for the sustainable development of local colleges at the community level. In this review, the researcher primarily used deductive logical reasoning; however, the researcher’s observational experiences led to the arrangement of inductive logical reasoning during inference limited to adductive reasoning in a singular sense for achieving the completeness of the objective. Comprehensive archival analysis accompanied by a thorough review were strategies utilized during the scientific review. Provide part-time jobs during the university-level study time in Nepal. Support market-driven production, financial support for entrepreneur establishment, and link with marketing. Entrepreneurs focus on locally available raw materials. Create employment opportunities for qualified and young human manpower. Focus on learning and earning programs in each and every community college in Nepal and provide opportunities for earning, learning, and developing confidence levels. Production market-driven product and link with marketing.

Socio-cultural Practices During Menstruation Among Adolescent Girls

Muna Acharya — 2025-06-27

Menstrual health is a stigmatized but critical concern in Nepal, where adolescent girls face numerous socio-cultural restrictions despite increasing education. The study tried to analyze the knowledge level and prevalence of restrictive practices at menstruation among adolescent girls in schools. This cross-sectional study investigates the awareness levels of menstrual hygiene and the prevalence of socio-cultural restrictions among 147 adolescent girls in grades 8 to 12 at Pragati Higher Secondary School, Hetauda-9, Nepal. Using stratified random sampling, data were collected through structured questionnaires to assess knowledge, practices and restrictive traditions associated with menstruation. Findings revealed that although the majority of girls possessed rudimentary knowledge of menstrual hygiene, socio-cultural restrictions were practiced everywhere, 87.8% avoided religious events, 61.9% stayed away from kitchen activities, and 62.3% practiced food taboos. While 91.8% hated these taboos, they still existed due to social pressures. ANOVA analysis showed no statistically significant variation in knowledge levels by socio-demographic variables such as age, grade, religion, or parental education. Comparative analysis with previous studies confirmed that awareness does not necessarily lead to practice. The discussion highlighted how deep-rooted patriarchal norms shape menstrual behaviors beyond individual knowledge. The study calls for institutional reforms and culturally sensitive interventions. Further research should include male perspectives and assess long-term impacts of educational efforts.

Cybersecurity Threat Detection Through Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI): A Data-Driven Framework

Lokesh Gupta — 2025-06-27

Cybersecurity increasingly relies on machine learning models for detecting and responding to cyber threats. Many modern machine learning models for cybersecurity are opaque and mostly unexplainable to users, and therefore pose serious challenges to users adopting and trusting these models, especially in high-stakes environments. A "black box" model may output a prediction, such as reporting a threat, without this model being able to provide any meaningful or naive explanation to users. This may understandably frustrate users and security practitioners alike. The purpose of this research study is to introduce an interpretable machine learning methodology with cyber security for integrating Explainable AI (XAI) methods designed to improve an analyst's or team's ability to both operate a threat detection model, and enhance a model, in terms of performance, usability and interpretability. The research produced a data-driven XAI framework rendering decision-making by teams of cybersecurity experts interpretable using the underlying machine learning models. The supported decision-making methods of XAI included using interpretable algorithm (i.e., a decision tree, a rule-based algorithm, LIME. This study also illustrated measurable improvements in accuracy of threat detection using interpretable machine learning models, while providing human-interpretable, legible, and understandable explanations of model predictions. These benefits will aid the process of decision making, reduce response times, improve communication between data science and cybersecurity practitioners the framework uses interactive visualization tools to increase engagement, decrease reliance on black box models, and encourage informed, data-driven security behaviors.

Breaking Barriers: Sustainability of Legal Reforms in Women's Property Rights in Nepal

Drona Budhathoki — 2025-06-27

Women's property rights refer to the legal rights women have to own, inherit, and control property, ensuring equal access to assets and resources. These rights help promote gender equality and economic independence for women. The primary objective of this study is to examine the recent legal reforms in Nepal aimed at promoting women's property ownership and evaluate their sustainability. This study employed an explanatory research design to investigate how Nepali laws facilitate women’s property ownership. Data was collected in two ways: by analyzing current laws and interviewing seven experts in politics and law, including those involved in creating and enforcing these laws. The study used purposive sampling to select these participants. Article 25 of Nepal’s Constitution (2015) and the Civil Code (2017) guarantee women the right to acquire, own, use, sell, and transfer property. Daughters have equal rights to family and ancestral property, while widows can claim and separate their share. Married women can dissolve marital ties and claim property, and husbands must provide support. Various laws, like the Right to Equality and Free Education Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, the Human Trafficking Control Act, and others, aim to safeguard women’s rights. However, effective implementation needs women’s access to education, legal awareness, and leadership roles. Changing negative attitudes toward daughters and maintaining family unity are also vital for sustaining these legal protections and ensuring real equality. In conclusion, Nepal's legal landscape has undergone significant evolution toward gender equality, particularly in property rights, through key reforms such as the Constitution of Nepal (2015) and the National Civil Code (2017). These legal advancements ensure equal inheritance rights for both daughters and sons, dismantling patriarchal norms that historically marginalized women. The Supreme Court's rulings and the influence of international frameworks like the Beijing Declaration further reinforce the importance of gender equality in property ownership. Collectively, these developments foster a more inclusive, just, and economically empowered society for women in Nepal. In Nepal, women's property rights promote gender equality by ensuring women have equal access to inheritance and ownership, contributing to their economic empowerment. However, cultural and societal barriers still limit the full realization of these rights in many areas. This statement implies that women’s property rights are essential for promoting gender equality and economic independence. In Nepal, legal reforms like the Constitution of 2015 and the Civil Code of 2017 grant women equal rights to own and inherit property. However, social attitudes and a lack of legal awareness still limit their full implementation. Education, leadership opportunities, and societal change are vital for ensuring sustainable property rights and real equality for Nepali women.

Distribution and Medical Significance of Betula Utilis in Nepal

Kabita Khatiwada — 2025-06-27

This review article explores the distribution and medical significance of Betula utilis (Himalayan Silver birch) in Nepal. Across the Himalayan range, Betula utilis is found at elevations ranging from 2700 to 4500 meters. It is an important ecological component of alpine and subalpine habitats, stabilising soil and promoting biodiversity. The species is highly valued in culture and has long been used medicinally, treating infections, skin conditions, and diuretics. Its existence is, however, severely hampered by factors like habitat deterioration, overharvesting, and climate change. This review grants the investigation of the botanical description, distribution, and medicinal values of B. utilis, with emphasis on its therapeutic potential. Recognizing the plant's medicinal uses which have been in practice since years in Nepalese community could benefit drug development and conservation strategies in the Himalayan ecosystem. This review tends to focus on the miscellaneous applications of B. utilis and its possible contributions to health and leads for practices of its conservation. This paper summarizes what is now known about its pharmaceutical potential, ecological significance, distribution, and botanical individualities. It highlights the need for sustainable conservation strategies and further research to preserve this valuable species, ensuring its continued contribution to both environmental health and traditional medicine.

Exploring Student’s Attitudes towards Mental Health Problems in Chitwan, Nepal

Samjhana Acharya — 2025-06-27

Introduction

We investigated participants' attitudes towards mental health problems (ATMHP), considering demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, religion, study levels, study fields, types of academic institutions, and familiarity with mental health problems. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship of ATMHP with various demographic variables.

Methods

Using opportunity sampling, we sampled 348 participants from private, community and Government Colleges in Chitwan district. We employed Attitudes towards Mental Health Problems (ATMHP) scale, a reliable and valid tool. We employed descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationship between ATMHP and various demographic factors, as well as the differences in ATMHP across different groups.

Results

We observed an overall unfavorable attitude towards mental health problems among the respondents. No significant differences were found between/among gender, ethnicity, religion, study levels, study fields, types of academic institutions, and familiarity with mental health problems in the level of ATMHP.

Conclusion

We observed generally unfavorable attitudes towards mental health problems (ATMHP) across the study, with no significant differences between comparison groups.

Parental Involvement and Its Contribution to Students’ Academic Achievement

Ram Bahadur Bhandari — 2025-06-27

The primary objective of this study is to explore the role of parental support in enhancing students' overall academic achievement. Specifically, the study investigates parental support as an independent variable and student achievement as the dependent variable. The research adopts a quantitative approach, employing a questionnaire survey as the primary data collection method. The collected data have been analyzed using descriptive statistics to interpret the relationship between parental involvement and student performance. A total of 386 students were selected for the study using a stratified sampling method to ensure balanced representation from diverse groups. These students were from the secondary level of 20 different schools located in Makawanpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. The research utilized a cross-sectional survey design to collect data at a single point in time, capturing students’ perceptions and experiences regarding parental involvement in their education. The findings of the study reveal that students whose parents, especially mothers and fathers, remain at home and actively support their learning and personal care tend to perform better academically. Regular assistance in completing homework, engagement in academic discussions, and emotional encouragement from parents are significant contributors to students’ improved academic outcomes. The study concludes that consistent parental support, both emotional and academic, plays a crucial role in boosting students’ achievement levels. These results highlight the importance of fostering strong home-school connections and encouraging parents to be actively involved in their children’s education to ensure better academic performance and holistic development.

Exploring Smoking Habits and Influential Factors among Female School Students in Kathmandu

Kumari Basnet — 2025-06-27

This article presents a qualitative research study investigating the experiences and influencing factors of smoking among female school students in Kathmandu, Nepal. The principal author's observations prompted the research, aiming to identify why girls smoke despite societal stigma. The study utilized a descriptive narrative qualitative design, employing snowball sampling and semi-structured interviews with six students from two secondary schools in Kirtipur municipality in February-March 2024. Thematic analysis revealed key insights into the positive and negative experiences of smoking, as well as motivations such as peer pressure, relationship issues, loneliness, advertising influence, fashion, and family problems. Ultimately, the research highlights the complex interplay of social and environmental factors contributing to female tobacco use in the region. It is implied that adolescent girls are prone to smoking, therefore, they should be prioritized in tobacco cessation interventions in schools and communities, focusing on resilience, coping mechanisms, and health consequences. Easy sale of tobacco products to adolescents should be strictly monitored.