Journal Issues

Abstract 

This paper entitled “A Study of Women Characters in Homer’s “The Iliad” brings out the non-existence of female protagonist in the epic poem by Homer. This poem is set during the Trojan War. This poem is structured on the enemity between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles, which lasts a few weeks towards the end of the war. The female characters of this epic poem are not given much importance as the male protagonists. The prominent female characters are Thetis; a sea-nymph and devoted mother of Achilles, Athena; the Goddess of wisdom, Helen; the most beautiful woman in the ancient world and Hera; the queen of gods. The major theme of this epic is the glory of war, military glory over family life and the impermanence of human life and its creation. Keywords: Epic poem, Trojan War, Impermanence.

Abstract
The essential commodities are distributed under the Public Distribution System at heavily subsidized prices and hence anti-social elements tend to divert these commodities to the black market. An increase in prices, especially those of essential commodities hits the poor hard and substantially reduces their well-being. At the same time, the consumers are affected by some problems like being underweight, timing, and shortage of commodities. There is exploitation by workers. Therefore the performance evaluation of the public distribution system and the opinion of beneficiaries are also imperative. So, this warrants a study focusing attention on the problems affecting these vulnerable sections. Hence, the researcher has undertaken this study. The study concluded that the main objective of PDS is to provide a safety net to the poor against spiraling rise in price, the selling of non-controlled articles through PDS is not far from the scope of PDS. Above all non-controlled articles trade will strengthen the
business viability of PDS.
Keywords: Public Distribution System. Card Holders and Commodities.

Abstract
Microfinance primarily targets poor people especially underprivileged women. People living in poverty need a diverse range of financial instruments to run their businesses, build assets, and stabilize consumption. Microfinance provides loans, savings, and other basic financial services to the poor including the self-employed. The study is conducted in the Eral block in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Microfinance programmes in Tamilnadu especially in Eral block have brought remarkable changes in the lives of the poor, especially women. Therefore, this research attempts to develop an effective microfinance to uplift self-employed people with small capital. The micro-credit has been playing a very outstanding role in uplifting poor people's life conditions and balancing regional development and self-employment. In the present situation, the microfinance beneficiaries have high potential due to different microfinance programs to achieve more things but they are not using their full potential for entrepreneurial development in the region. If they make much more effort by using their full potential they can achieve new heights in the future.
Keywords: microfinance, Entrepreneurs, Empowerment, and microcredit

Abstract
Energy is an important input in all sectors of the economy of any country. The standard of living of a given country can be directly related to per capita energy consumption. The study of the rural households of the block is expected to suggest changes in pattern and level of energy use to solve the problems of scarcity. The study concludes reached is that energy consumption can be reduced using improved heating and cooking ovens with greater efficiency. Among rural households, people belonging to high-income brackets still cling to non-commercial energy sources despite their obvious disadvantages because their everyday need for heat energy to prepare feed for animals and food for men and women in their employ is always on the increase.
Keywords: Energy, Households, Cooking, and Consumption.

Abstract
In this 21st century, we have women astronauts, women prime ministers, women wrestlers, women entrepreneurs, post women, and even women drivers but still millions of women encounter gender bias at every moment of their lives. Girl children and women or often less worthy and have lower ranks in society because of gender stereotypes. Women are more likely to face restrictions on their freedom and mobility and experience rampant levels of violence and harassment across the world. The portrayal of media and literature also gives a detailed account of gender discrimination and the social vision of every society over women's gender. The root of gender discrimination is the patriarchal system. We could find the deep roots of gender equality in English literature under the pen of Anita Desai, Shashi Deshpande, Kamala Markandaya, Mulk Raj Anand, and R.K. Narayan. This paper addresses the themes of gender discrimination, gender inequality, gender bias, and gender gap with the connection to the portrayal of women in Indian English literature. This paper on gender discrimination throws light on various parameters where women are discriminated in society which is evident through the Indian writing in English.
Keywords: Women Astronauts, Women Prime Ministers, Women Wrestlers, Women Entrepreneurs.