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The present paper tries to bring out the Santals relations with the forest and critically analyses their ceremonies, festivals, beliefs and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). The Santals are the ‘major’ (most populated) tribe in the State of Odisha as well as the major tribe in Mayurbhanj. As the 21st century is an era of global warming, technological advancement and environmental deterioration in which it discussed about the significance of traditional form of knowledge for conservation of environment. To understand the belief and practices of the Santals, the paper is critically look into the vernacular sources, folk-lore, statistical reports, published government records and other secondary sources.

Keyword: Santals, traditional knowledge, ecology, festivals, culture.

The scale or parameter to measure a village size is varied and non-uniform across the globe. Hence, it is difficult to arrive in agreement to determine the largest village or give it a ranking. The size of the village can be determined in terms of area, population size and household size. Lack of common platform or organisation to determine their ranking makes it impossible to arrive at common agreement. Also, the vagueness to determine a village size hinders its calculation. In such scenario there is possibility for birth of myths and misconception in explaining a village size where people may proclaim or anoint ranks to a village without considering authentic data.

Keywords: Myth, misconception, largest village, household size, population size, village rank.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) have emerged as a transformative force in the field of reproductive health, offering new possibilities for individuals and couples experiencing infertility. There is a duality in the role of ARTs as both a medical blessing for infertile couples and a source of ethical, social, and legal dilemmas, particularly within the Indian context. While ARTs have proven invaluable in granting the opportunity for parenthood to those previously unable to conceive, their rapid development and accessibility have also paved the way for concerns surrounding exploitation, the commodification of reproduction, and potential violations of human dignity. Against this backdrop, India has responded to these challenges through the introduction of legislative reforms aimed at regulating ART practices and safeguarding the interests of all parties involved. This article aims to examine the legislative reforms in ARTs in India, particularly the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. It aims to assess how these legal provisions shape, enable, or restrict women’s reproductive autonomy and agency. This article compares India’s regulatory framework with the established ART laws in the United Kingdom, aiming to identify gaps, strengths, and areas that need further policy attention. Findings from this critical review suggest that while legislation is a significant step towards ensuring ethical standards and accountability, there remain gaps related to enforcement, transparency, and the prioritization of women’s rights and well-being. The article highlights the need for future empirical research to evaluate the actual outcomes of these legislative interventions, paying particular attention to the voices and experiences of women, surrogate mothers, and donors. In conclusion, the regulation of ARTs in India must be continually reassessed considering evolving feminist perspectives and empirical evidence. Efforts should focus on creating an environment where reproductive autonomy, ethical practice, and social justice are at the forefront of reproductive healthcare policy and practice.

Keywords: Reproductive Health; Human Dignity; Infertility; In-vitro Fertilization (IVF); Motherhood