Saturday, August 31, 2019

Realism and Its Role in US War Against Iraq Essay

Presence of biological warfare, inhumane leadership, anti-democracy; these were the reasons which were proclaimed in the past explaining US war against Iraq. I believe that US spearheaded by then President Bush played Realists in their decision-making vis a vis the issue at hand. Tony Blair himself admitted few months after US won Iraq over their Head of State, Saddam Hussein, that there were no biological warfare proven to be under the custody of the latter’s government. Moreover, most nations believe that despite Hussein’s dictatorial means, he was nonetheless feared hence was able to maintain peaceful coexistence between two Islamic yet conflicting groups- the Sunni and Shi’ite. As regards, the question of the absence of democratic government in Iraq, isn’t the establishment and sustainability of any government dependent on its constituents/nationals? Who is the United States to take away the chance from Iraq’s own people to deal with their own government and its leader should there be a question of legitimacy? Perhaps, guided by Realist perspective of International Relations, the following reasons are more truthful; security, statism, and self-help. Military power according to Realism is a measure of political power relations among states alongside economic power. States are rational and unitary actors whose decisions are always based on a calculation of survival and national security. There is the absence of universal principles while the only guide of states in an anarchic set-up is pragmatic assessment of other state’s actions in solving problems. How then are these helpful in the analysis of US intentions toward Iraq? US seeking to maintain its global dominance would have to sustain military power. While Liberals and Idealists thought world peace could be attained and that no more wars shall ever exist, US apparently showed that war is still a solution and a means to furthering state gains. Oil is Iraq’s source of wealth and power. If that was the only missing link to US’ superiority, by all means, US would get hold of it. Oil promotes military and economic power. It also gives US security against threats from North Korea. Hence, for me, it was the desire of the Bush administration to retain hegemonic status- free from external threats of every form that made US enter into a catastrophic war.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Biodegradable Plastics from Cassava Starch

EWB-UK Workshop Guide Make your own Bio-Plastic Description A workshop focusing on the problems of plastics made by fossil fuels and a look into making your own bio-plastic. At a glance Total time: 1 hour Learning Styles: Visual, auditory, practical, participatory, teamwork Objectives: To learn about the challenges facing fossil fuel plastics and how to make your own bio-plastic Audience: Anyone Max/Min no. of participants: N/A (Dependant on amount of materials) Timetable Time| Activity| Equipment| 5 minutes| Welcome | | 15 minutes| Introduction| | 30 minutes| Practical| See material and tools list| minutes| Closing| Sign-ups for email| Materials Per batch of bio plastic (Ideally per person): * 100g of potato * 300cm3 of distilled water * 25ml of water * 3cm3 of hydrochloric acid or vinegar * 2ml pure glycerol * 3cm3 sodium hydroxide * Food colouring Tools * Grater * Pestle & Mortar * Strainer * Beaker/Jars * Measuring cylinder/jug * Weighing scales * Indicator Paper * Portable hob P reparation * Prepare equipment, tools and materials * Prepare sign-up sheets for new members Room requirements * An area suitable for doing hands on work and mixing liquids * Kitchen for source of heat.Use portable hobs if this isn’t possible Welcome (5 minutes) Introduce yourself: * Your Name * Position/Job/Organisation * Your role in the workshop * Relevant experience to the workshop (University, projects, work etc. ) Explain the learning objectives of the workshop to the audience: The purpose of the workshop is for participants to learn about the problems surrounding plastics made by fossil fuels. This is done in the introduction presentation. Afterwards, participants get to make their own bio-plastic in a hands-on practical. Participants will be able to take the plastic home with them at the end of the workshop.Introduction (15 Minutes) A presentation on the challenges facing fossil fuel plastics. Plastic is the common term used for a variety of synthetic or semi syntheti c materials used in manufacturing. Plastics are traditionally made from polymers and normally created from petroleum products. Plastics have become so popular to do their advantageous features. They are malleable, versatile and very cheap compared to other materials. The problem with plastics is their dependency on petroleum, i. e. oil. Currently about 8% of the world’s oil is used to make plastics.This is compared to 4% for raw materials and 4% for energy. The other major problem is waste; currently about 35% of litter is a plastic based product. Bio plastic currently offers one solution to the problem. Bio plastic is formed from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oil or corn starch. Like conventional plastics; all bio plastics are biodegradable given enough time. However also like conventional plastics; some bio plastics take so long to degrade they are considered non-biodegradable. A significant number of bio plastics will only biodegrade given very specific condi tions.Most people assume the term bio plastic means it will biodegrade; it actually refers to its biomass source. This leads to the advantages and disadvantages of bio plastics: Advantages: They are made from plant based sources so don’t use any fossil fuels. Disadvantages: The majority of bio plastic manufacturing plants use oil or fossil fuels to power them. Currently there is still a need for fossil fuels for a large scale plant. When growing resources for bio plastic it can create large scale mono-cropping problems. This can lead to the destruction of areas like the rain forest.The solution is to produce bio plastic on a small scale with biodiversity in mind. The crop should be sustainable and the process should renewably powered. One method for doing this is to produce bio plastic from locally grown potatoes. The chemistry bit: Potato starch is made from two carbohydrate polymers, amylose and amylopectin. To make bio plastic the amylopectin needs to be broken down. This way the starch can be plasticised. For a more technical audience you may choose to extend this section and continue further with the science behind the process. Further reading will be required however.Practical (30 minutes) The step by step instructions for making the bio-plastic For making bio-plastic highly accurate measurements are not required 1. Grate about 100g of potato into a pestle & mortar 2. Add 100cm3 distilled water to the potato and grind in a pestle and mortar 3. Strain the liquid off, and repeat adding distilled water, grinding and straining twice more. 4. Leave to settle for 5 minutes 5. Strain the water off, leaving the starch behind. 6. Put 25ml water into a beaker and add 5g starch (10g wet) and 3cm3 hydrochloric acid (Use vinegar if you can’t get hold of it) and 2ml pure glycerol. 7.Bring to the boil for 15 minutes, ensuring it doesn’t boil dry 8. Using indicator paper and sodium hydroxide to neutralise the solution (probably about 3cm3). 9. Add a few drops of colouring to the mixture and mix in. 10. Pour the mixture out, and mould into your preferred shape. 11. Leave to dry out and set. Once the mixture sets the plastic is complete. The amount of glycerol used affects the stiffness of the mixture. The less glycerol used the stiffer the plastic will be. Closing (5 minutes) Final few words: * Announce next event or meeting * Distribute sign up lists (If applicable) * Open the floor to questions

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Hotel Computerized Reservation and Billing System Essay

The earliest evidence of technological progress in the India is to be found in the remains of Harappan civilization (4000-3000 BC.). Archaeological remains point to the existence of well planned urban centres the boasted of private and public dwelling laid out in orderly fashion along with roads and drainage systems completing them. The drainage systems are particularly remarkable for the times since they are built underground and constructed in a manner to allow for regular cleaning. The small drains from privates homes connected to the larger public drains while the larger dwellings are invariably multi-storied and all homes were constructed from standardized fired and provided for separate cooking areas and toilets. Storage facilities for grains and goods for trade were built as a public baths and other building intended for various public function. And the urban centres planned riverine or sea-ports with accurate weights and measures were in use and ports such as lothal were developed as export centres of early manufactured products form smelted copper and bronze. Kilns for smelting copper ingots and casting tools were in existence as were metal tools such as curved or circular saws, pierced needles and most significantly, bronze drills with twisted grooves. The drill enabled the production of items with unparallel precision for the times and could be regarded as an ancient precursor of the modern machine tool. There is also evidence of planned irrigation systems and it’s appears that fire and flood control measures to protect farms and villages were also in decorated in a variety of colours and design. Cotton was grown and used to produce textiles. LEARNING INSIGHT: In their technology they well planned what they needs or priority. They choose what they much needed or uses, and every technology they think if that technology can contribute them a lot. Like they created a drainage system that very useful for their regular cleaning, I learned in their technology that every uses is important so that we don’t waste a money, time to create a particular technology and effort. Definition and boundary India is the second most populous country in the world. It is also sometimes called Bharat, its ancient name. India’s land frontier stretches from the Arabian Sea on the west to the Bay of Bengal on the east and touches Pakistan, west China, Nepal and northeast and Myanmar, east. New Delhi is India’s capital and Mumbai that formerly Bombay its largest city. The southern half of India is a largely upland area that thrusts a triangular peninsula into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west and has a coastline; at its southern tip is Kanniyakumri (Cape Comorin). In the north, towering above peninsular India, is the Himalayan mountain wall, where rise the three great rivers of the Indian subcontinent-the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra. The Gangetic alluvial plain, which has much of India’s arable land, lies between the Himalayas and the dissected plateau occupying most of peninsular India. The Aravalli range, a ragged hill belt, extends from the borders of Gujarat in the southwest to the fringes of Delhi in the northeast. The plain is limited in the west by the Thar (Great Indian) Desert of Rajasthan, which merges with the swampy Rann of Kachchh to the south. The southern boundary of the plain lies close to the Yamuna and Ganges river; where the broken hills of the Chambal, Betwa, and Son rivers rise to the low plateaus of Malwa in the west and Chota Nagpur in the east. The Narmada River, south of the Vindhya hills, marks the beginning of the Deccan. The triangular plateau, scarped by the mountains of the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats, is drained by the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers; they break through the Eastern Ghats and, flowing east into the Bay of Bengal, form broad deltas on the wide Coromand el Coast. Further north, the Mahanadi River drains India into the Bay of Bengal. The much narrower western coast of peninsular India; comprising chiefly the Malabar Coast and the fertile Gujarat plain, bends around the Gulf of Khambat in the north to the Kathiawar and Kachchh peninsulas. The coastal plains of peninsular India have a tropical, humid climate. The republic is divided into 28 states: Andhra Pradesh; Arunachal Pradesh; Assam; Bihar; Chhattisgarh; Goa; Gujarat; Haryana; Himachal Pradesh; Jammu and Kashmir; Jharkhand; Karnataka; Kerala; Madhya;Pradesh; Maharashtra; Manipur; Meghalaya; Mizoram; Nagaland; Orissa; Punjab; Rajasthan; Sikkim; Tamil Nadu; Tripura; Uttaranchal; Uttar Pradesh; and West Bengal (see Bengal). There are also seven union territories: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Chandigarh; Dadra and Nagar Haveli; Daman and Diu; Delhi; Lakshadweep; and Puducherry. Kashmir is disputed with Pakistan. In 1991, India had 23 cities with urban areas of more than 1 million people: Ahmadabad, Bangalore (Bengaluru), Bhopal, Chennai (Madras), Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur,Koch, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Madurai,Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Surat, Vadodara , Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam. LEARNING INSIGHT: I learned that India is one of the biggest countries in the world. They most blessed country because they compass the biggest and the three great rivers in our world. I learned also that India is the second most popular country; other said that they are second popular because of their largest boundary and their popular rivers. Distinct culture The ethnic composition of India is complex, but two major strains predominate: the Aryan, in the north, and the Dravidian, in the south. India is a land of great cultural diversity, as is evidenced by the enormous number of different languages spoken throughout the country. Although the constitution forbids the practice of â€Å"untouchability,† and legislation has been used to reserve quotas for former untouchables (and also for tribal peoples) in the legislatures, in education, and in the public services, the caste system continues to be influential. LEARNING INSIGHT: I learned also India is rich and popular in their particular culture. They composed of two major grouped, the Aryan and Dravidian. Even though they are divided into two they also one in terms of sharing and continued influencing of their distinct culture. They are also the land of great cultural diversity that even though the Filipinos admired their cultures. Economy India often like two separate countries: village India, supported by traditional agriculture, where tens of millions live below the poverty line; and urban India, one of the most heavily industrialized areas in the world, with an increasingly middle-class population and a fast-growing economy (and also much poverty). Agriculture makes up some 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 60% of the Indian people. Vast quantities of rice are grown wherever the land is level and water plentiful; other crops are wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, pulses, sorghum, bajra (a cereal), and corn. Cotton, tobacco, oilseeds, and jute are the principal non food crops. There are large tea plantations in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The opium poppy is also grown, both for the legal pharmaceutical market and the illegal drug trade; cannabis is produced as well. Fragmentation of holdings, inefficient methods of crop production, and delays in acceptance of newer, high-yielding grain s were characteristic of Indian agriculture in the past, but since the Green Revolution of the 1970s, significant progress has been made in these areas. Improved irrigation, the introduction of chemical fertilizers, and the use of high-yield strains of rice and wheat have led to record harvests. The subsistence-level existence of village India, ever threatened by drought, flood, famine, and disease, has been somewhat alleviated by government agricultural modernization efforts, but although India’s gross food output has been generally sufficient for the needs of its enormous population, government price supports and an inadequate distribution system still threaten many impoverished Indians with hunger and starvation. India has perhaps more cattle per capita than any other country, but their economic value is severely limited by the Hindu prohibition against their slaughter. Goats and sheep are raised in the arid regions of the west and northwest. Water buffalo also are raised, and there is a large fish catch. India has forested mountain slopes, with stands of oak, pine, sal, teak, ebony, palms, and bamboo, and the cutting of timber is a major rural occupation. Aside from coal, iron ore, mica, manganese, bauxite, and titanium, in which the country ranks high, India†™s mineral resources, although large, are not as yet fully exploited. The Chota Nagpur Plateau of S Jharkhand and the hill lands of SW West Bengal, N Orissa, and Chhattisgarh are the most important mining areas; they are the source of coal, iron, mica, and copper. There are workings of magnesite, bauxite, chromite, salt, and gypsum. Despite oil fields in Assam and Gujarat states and the output of Bombay High offshore oil fields, India is deficient in petroleum. There are also natural-gas deposits, especially offshore in the Bay of Bengal. Industry in India, traditionally limited to agricultural processing and light manufacturing, especially of cotton, woolen, and silk textiles, jute, and leather products, has been greatly expanded and diversified in recent years; it employs about 12% of the workforce. There are large textile works at Mumbai and Ahmadabad, a huge iron and steel complex (mainly controlled by the Tata family) at Jamshedpur, and steel plants at Rourkela, Bhilainagar, Durgapur, and Bokaro. Bangalore has computer, electronics, and armaments industries. India also produces large amounts of machine tools, transportation equipment, chemicals, and cut diamonds (it is the world’s largest exporter of the latter) and has a significant computer software industry. Its large film industry is concentrated in Mumbai, with other centers in Kolkata and Chennai. In the 1990s the government departed from its traditional policy of self-reliant industrial activity and development and worked to deregulate Indian industry and attract foreign investment. Since then the service industries have become a major source of economic growth and in 2005 accounted for more than half of GDP; international call centers provide employment for an increasing number of workers. LEARNING INSIGHT: Sometimes when we heard the country of India, we come in our mine the most poverty country, because sometimes that the way we recognized the country, but the truth India also is rich in the other products that we have, but sometimes even though we are plenty in that particular products we don’t avoid to have a two kinds of people, the poorest and riches. The India also is most rich in oil, that even though our country importing them because of their great three rivers. So India has also a big possibility to be one of the riches countries someday because of their products and the contribution of the people there. History The people of India have had a continuous civilization since 2500 B.C, when the inhabitants of the Indus River valley developed an urban culture based on commerce and sustained by agricultural trade. This civilization declined around 1500 B.C., probably due to ecological changes. During the second millennium B.C., pastoral, Aryan-speaking tribes migrated from the northwest into the subcontinent. As they settled in the middle Ganges River valley, they adapted to antecedent cultures. The political map of ancient and medieval India was made up of myriad kingdoms with fluctuating boundaries. In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D., northern India was unified under the Gupta Dynasty. During this period, known as India’s Golden Age, Hindu culture and political administration reached new heights. Islam spread across the Indian subcontinent over a period of 500 years. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans invaded India and established sultanates in Delhi. In the early 16th century, descendants of Genghis Khan swept across the Khyber Pass and established the Mughal Dynasty, which lasted for 200 years. From the 11th to the 15th centuries, southern India was dominated by Hindu Chola and Vijayanagar Dynasties. During this time, the two systems–the prevailing Hindu and Muslim–mingled, leaving lasting cultural influences on each other. The first British outpost in South Asia was established in 1619 at Surat on the northwestern coast. Later in the century, the East India Company opened permanent trading stations at Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta, each under the protection of native rulers. Learning insight; India started also in small things, they start nothing like us, but the leaders find the way that India is to be the one most popular country, but later on they recognized second of the most popular after the China. They recognize in terms of their achievements, invention and discoveries. They also develop their country and protect their country and what they have to reserve for the new generation. Languages and literature The language and literature of India has age-old tradition. Language and literature in India, in the present times is a wonderful mixture of various regional, national and international influences. However, the discussion about language and literature of India never completes unless they talk about the Rig Veda manuscript in Devanagari, during the early 19th century. According to the historical evidences, the Rigvedic Sanskrit is one of the oldest attestations of any Indo-Iranian language. Sanskrit is also regarded as one of the earliest language of the Indo-European language family, which includes English and most European languages. However, when it comes to spoken language, Hindi, always deserves a special attention. It is the â€Å"Sanskritized register† of the Khariboli dialect. In addition to all modern Indo-Aryan languages, Munda languages and Dravidian languages have derived a lot of words either directly from Sanskrit, or indirectly via middle Indo-Aryan languages. Sa nskrit is the mother of all the literary forms of (Dravidian) Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Part of the Eastern Indo-Aryan languages, the Bengali language took its form from the eastern Middle Indic languages and its roots can be traced to the 5th century BC Ardhamagadhi language. Tamil also is one of the leading classical languages in India, which has its source in the Proto-Dravidian languages. It was the spoken medium around the third millennium BC in peninsular India. And the literary pieces in this language are in existence for over two thousand years. The earliest epigraphic records in Tamil language were found in the third century BC. Another major Dravidian language, Kannada is in existence since the mid-1st millennium AD. It was highly flourished during the 9th to 10th century of Rashtrakuta Dynasty. It was also popular in the Satavahana and Kadamba periods. The language and its history existed for over 2000 years. The Ashoka rock edict found at Brahmagiriis known to be inscribed in Kannada. Indian epics are considered to be forming a significant part of country’s literature . The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are known to be the oldest preserved epics of India. Versions of these great literary pieces have been adopted as the epics of Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Ramayana consists of 24,000 verses in seven books and 500 cantos , which narrates the story of Rama (an incarnation or Avatar of the Hindu preserver-god Vishnu) and his wife Sita, who is abducted by the demon king of Lanka, Ravana. In fact, this epic is considered the primary one to establish the role of dharma as the guiding force of living a life. The epic Mahabharata is the earliest of all. It dates back to 400 BC and is estimated to have reached its final form by the early Gupta period. Other regional variations of these, as well as unrelated epics include the Tamil Ramavataram, Kannada Pampa Bharata, Hindi Ramacharitamanasa, and Malayalam Adhyathmaramayanam. Many other epic literatures, written in classical languages are also popular in India. LEARNING INSIGHT: In terms of language and literature in India also influences of regional, national or international. They have greatest language like us that we can give a special attention or we can be proud when we speak in that language. The India also is has a popular people in terms of their literature, they also popular because of their greatest contribution and controversial literature that they written even though it is maybe old other can mark in their heart and mine. Beliefs The Indian society is fast progressing, there are many people who are still superstitious and have a strong faith in the local beliefs. While some of them are quite hilarious, few others are really interesting, as many aspects of life are linked to them. Few beliefs even find their way into the Indian religious texts and scriptures. The standard viewpoint is that most of the Indian beliefs and values have sprung with an objective to protect from evil spirits, but some were based on scientific reasoning. With the passage of time, the reasoning part behind the origin of these cultural beliefs and superstitions got eroded. That is exactly why most of these beliefs appear unsubstantiated and false. However, in reality, there are many such beliefs in the Indians culture which are absolutely absurd and have no logic behind them. Superstitions are deemed as pertinent in India because these, generally, hint at future occurrences and can be either good or bad. Thus, anything from the call of a bird to the falling of utensils is considered an omen in India. Many of the traditional superstitions in India are connected with animals, birds and reptiles. For instance, seeing an elephant when one is leaving for a journey is considered lucky. This is because an elephant represents Lord Ganesha, the Indian God who is the harbinger of good luck and removes obstacles. Similarly, other auspicious signs could be cawing of a black crow in one’s house, as it forecasts the arrival of guests. Seeing a peacock on a journey is also considered lucky, but hearing its shrill sound is bad. Indians feel happy if a sparrow builds a nest in a new house because it signals good fortune. A very old belief is that if you kill a cat, you have to offer one in gold to a priest. This belief or superstition was concocted by the priests to protect the cats, which are useful in killing the rats in people’s houses. Leaving one’s home after wedding or for some other important task is a significant occasion. Thus, Indians often consult astrological charts to fix an auspicious time for this. Again, it is considered lucky to see cereals, paddy, cotton, hay or a newly wedding before embarking on a journey. In India, you may also come across or hear about people who help in interpreting other’s dreams. Even the daily life of Indians is governed by beliefs and superstitions. For example, Monday is not an auspicious day for shaving and Thursday is a bad day for washing one’s hair. LEARNING INSIGHT: A particular country even though they have a fast progressing we don’t avoid or omit to believe in our belief. We don’t have the right to control their self to beliefs, because sometimes in their beliefs they find the goodness but if there is good their also bad. Sometimes the country also recognized in their beliefs so we need to respect them. Religion India is the birth place of four of the world’s major religious traditions; namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Religion has been an important part of the country’s culture. Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by law and custom. A vast majority of Indians associate themselves with a religion. According to the 2001 census, Hinduism accounted for 80.5% of the population of India. Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%) and Sikhism (1.9%) are the other major religions followed by the people of India. This diversity of religious belief systems existing in India today is a result of, besides existence and birth of native religions, assimilation and social integration of religions brought to the region by traders, travelers, immigrants, and even invaders and conquerors. Zoroastrianism and Judaism also have an ancient history in India and each has several thousand Indian adherents. India has the largest population of people adhering to Zoroastrianism and Baha’i Faith anywhere in the world. Many other world religions also have a relationship with Indian spirituality, like the Baha’i faith which recognizes Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna as manifestations of God Almighty. The Muslim population in India is the third largest in the world. The shrines of some of the most famous saints of Sufism like Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya are in India and attract visitors from all over the world. India is also home to some of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture like the Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar. Civil matters related to the community are dealt with by the Muslim Personal Law, and constitutional amendments in 1985 established its primacy in family matters. The Constitution of India declares the nation to be a secular republic that must uphold the right of citizens to freely worship and propagate any religion or faith. The Constitution of India also declares the right to freedom of religion as a fundamental right. Citizens of India are generally tolerant of each other’s religions and retain a secular outlook, although inter-religious marriage is not widely practiced. Inter-community clashes have found little support in the social mainstream, and it is generally perceived that the causes of religious conflicts are political rather than ideological in nature. LEARNING INSIGHT: I learned also that India known or recognized because of the big contribution of the religion. That all of us know that religion is one the biggest part of the culture of one country. They are also known because many of other religions in the world have a relationship in the Indian spiritual; Even though our country has a relationship to the Indian spirituall y. Form of government India is a federal state with a parliamentary form of government. It is governed under the 1949 constitution. The president of India, who is head of state, is elected for a five-year term by the elected members of the federal and state parliaments, there are no term limits. Theoretically the president possesses full executive power, but that power actually is exercised by the prime minister and council of ministers, who are appointed by the president. The ministers are responsible to the lower house of Parliament and must be members of Parliament. The federal parliament is bicameral. The upper house, the Council of States, consists of a maximum of 250 members; the great majority are apportioned by state-each state’s delegates are chosen by its elected assembly-and 12 members are appointed by the president. One member represents the union territory of Puducherry. Members serve for six years, with one third retiring every other year. The lower house, the People’s Assembly, is elected every five years, although it may be dissolved earlier by the president. It is composed of 545 members, 543 apportioned among the states and two chosen by the president. There is a supreme court consisting of a chief justice and 25 associate justices, all appointed by the president. Administratively, India is divided into 28 states and seven union territories. State governors are appointed by the president for five-year terms. States have either unicameral or bicameral parliaments and have jurisdiction over police and public order, agriculture, education, public health, and local government. The federal government has jurisdiction over any matter not specifically reserved for the states. In addition the president may intervene in state affairs during emergencies and may even suspend a state’s government. LEARNING INSIGHT: Like us, the India also has a state organization that composed of president that they has a power to the country; but the different is the power is from their prime minister that we don’t have. The president have a big obligation for their country, they have also for the small places organization to help the president and the prime minister. Traditional health care approaches India is a country of 1.2 billion people; India contains extremes of wealth and poverty, with state-of-the-art hospitals and areas devoid of any formal healthcare services. This newly-launched program examines traditional approaches to healthcare in India and how such systems fit into the country’s overall health and development. Coursework will cover the theoretical and practical aspects of traditional health systems, particularly Ayurveda, yoga, and Siddha. Students will engage with a diversity of practitioners and healers through lectures and site visits to highly regard traditional health institutions. Students will be able to situate these practices within larger Indian socio cultural and economic contexts. While modern allopathic healthcare is highly regarded across South Asia, local and traditional medicinal systems continue to be valued and regularly practiced. With the recent establishment of the new government department AYUSH (Ayurveda, yoga, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy), under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, traditional medicine has gained new ground. The program is designed for undergraduates studying health sciences or liberal arts. Indian civilization is one of the oldest heritages of mankind. It is comprehensive having multi faceted cultural aspects. Ayurveda the mother of all traditional health care sciences is the part & parcel of Indian culture but in spite of this it has a separate identity & status. Ayurveda is co-existed since the emergence of humanity about 3 to 5 thousand years B.C. In Ayurveda ancient mega texts it is mentioned that, the Brahma creator of universe has recollected memorized the Ayurveda and advised for the welfare of the humanity. Ayurveda is the most pragmatic & progressive health care science, in span of time, it is enriched with many new practices, procedures & materials assuming the present status, the existing documented Ayurveda are the meager part of delivered ancient Ayurveda.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

UK Mobile Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

UK Mobile Industry - Essay Example In recent years however, the number of potential new customers have fallen drastically therefore customer base has become the most critical resource for mobile operators for sustained profitability. As the scope for acquiring first time users decreases, operators increasingly rely on luring customers who choose to switch networks while at the same time minimizing their own churn rates. The UK telecom market is one of the most dynamic and competitive market in the world. Mobile penetration rates hover around 76%, there are four players operating in the market vying for almost the entire UK population. The key players besides Orange are: Vodafone: The global telecom giant is the largest company in Britain, in terms of market capitalization. It poses strong competition for Orange, as its market share of 25% is marginally less than that of Orange. Recent developments at Vodafone Plc, like the tie up with Google for introducing search and mapping services on phones should be especially taken note of by Orange. One2One: One2One forayed into the UK market in '93.It has a substantial market presence, as 20% of the total mobile users are One2One users. In terms of network coverage, it has the lowest coverage among the four operators. A huge proportion of its subscribers are "pay as you go". Virgin: Although a separate service operator, Virgin uses the One2One network. It offers only "pay as you go" packages. Briefly, the characteristics of the UK telecom market are: 1. UK mobile services prices are relatively cheap compared to other OECD countries. 2. Consumer satisfaction levels with the key mobile players are high. 3. Competetion based on quality is another characteristic of the UK mobile market. 4. Penetration rate is 76% which indicates less scope for growth. Challenges faced by mobile operators in UK. 1. Formal regulation of the mobile sector is proposed to be reduced to minimum. 2. Consumer awareness of different packages and tariffs remains low. 3. Prices of "off net calls" between different networks and international roaming rates remain particularly high. 4. Full benefits of mobile number portability are yet to be realized, as the practice of locking handsets to SIM cards inhibits the consumer's ability to switch networks. 5. Massive investments in 3G services have been made but the prospect of return on investment remains uncertain. Orange The largest of UK's four mobile operators, Orange UK has been a success story. It has defended the top slot in one of the most dynamic marketplaces of Europe, despite being the fourth entrant. The main drivers have been-clear and comprehensive pricing policies, attractive service plans and excellent customer service.Also, Orange UK is one of the most recognized brands in England possessing a lot of leverage. Product Range and Service Portfolio In the voice services segment, two main types of services are available from Orange. "Pay as you go" is a scheme in which no monthly rental or obligation has to paid, customers are only billed for their call

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The London Economy Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The London Economy Tourism - Essay Example The success has also been attributed to the deregulation of the market and exchange controls. London remains a pre-eminent global city for doing business and attracts millions of tourists every year round, but this has come under threat not only from the economic upheavals but also from the emergence of new business and tourism hubs such as Dubai and Mumbai. London is ranked as the most popular city in the world and attracts millions of tourists every year who travel to London to see and admire the impressive monuments, exploring the vibrant and diverse culture of the inhabitants of the city or pay a visit to the historical sites in London (LDA 2009). Tourism is a key driver of the economy of London attracting 15 million visitors of overseas visitors who were staying and 11 million domestic visitors staying in the year 2008 alone. In addition, several surveys estimate that about two hundred million visits by tourists are made to London either within the capital or within the outskirt s for the numerous attractions, art exhibitions, historical sites and other tourist attractions. Tourism and related activities helped support 253, 000 employment opportunities and resulted in expenditure by visitors amounting to U. K. ? 22 billion which consisted of U.K. ? 8 billion is generated by staying overseas visitors. While much of the tourism takes place at the capital city at the inner sections, the significance is felt as a whole including the boroughs. The London’s visitor economy grew steadily in the leisure market in the period 2002 to 2007, making a quick recovery from the adverse effects of the terrorist act of September 11 characterized by a reduction in the number of staying tourists. Nevertheless, the number of visitors to London from overseas declined from 15.3 million to 14.7 million in the year 2007 while that of domestic visitor numbers rose from a figure of 10.1 million to 11.3 million. In terms of the economy, the revenue generated from tourism toward s the economy of London comprise about 10 percentages of the gross value added income of London and the projections is that the amount spent by tourists in London costs about U.K. ? 15 million per year. The statistics also show that about 13 per cent of the people who work or are employed in London are in the tourism sector alone and is predicted to rise dramatically due to the marketing strategies that have been put in place to position London as an ideal tourist destination (LDA 2009). Some of the famous tourist attractions in London include Buckingham palace that attracts about 15 million tourists per year, Green Park and St. James Park, the Victoria and Albert Museum the leading museum of its category globally, the British Museum, the Tower of London along River Thames, the Tower Bridge and the Big Ben. However, the cultural sector of London is the major contributor to its economy in terms of the income and the jobs it generates to the citizens as many tourists comprising 70% ci te it as the major reason for their visits. This is achieved from the high number of overseas visitors who flock into London to see and visit its numerous attractions and the central as well as the management of London has played a key role in the provision and support of the cultural heritage of London to ensure fair access. When viewed as a cultural metropolis, tourism contributes to the employment of about half a million

Healthcare tourism Dubai versus London Research Paper

Healthcare tourism Dubai versus London - Research Paper Example Market Penetration Market experts have predicted a massive projection in the market share of Dubai in the global medical tourism market. It has been reported that in 2010, the total value of the medical tourism industry was to shoot up seven percent in comparison with 2009. It was expected that the total value of the market by the end of 2010 would be Dh 6.1 Billion. Further, in 2014, the government approved the Dubai Medical Tourism Strategy. This suggests the dedicated aggressive marketing done by the industry to have increased presence in the market. It is interesting to note that in the initial years of establishment of the concept of medical tourism, UAE was considered more as a consumer than a service provider. The paradigm shift in the scenario suggests market penetration as an intensive strategy. â€Å"The healthcare services market in the GCC is expected to grow from AED 66 billion (US $18 billion) in 2008 to AED 175-202 billion (US $47-55 billion) by 2020† . Market Development It has been reported that in 2010, Dubai Health Authority entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Medical Tourism partners across the globe to fortify Dubai’s presence as major medical tourism destination. Dubai hosted the Medical Tourism Congress in 2011. These steps could be analyzed as market development intensive strategies of the Dubai medical tourism industry. There has been substantial improvement in healthcare infrastructure and technology and focused changes in the policies and regulations so as to comply with the market development strategies. Dubai has an investment friendly environment. It has established Health Care Free Zones (Tax free trade zones) and Health Cities.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Electronic Surveillance at Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Electronic Surveillance at Work - Essay Example A section of the report is dedicated to assessing the positive and negative impacts of using the electronic surveillance technique in the public. The positive implications of using the electronic surveillance technique in workplaces are also mentioned. the conclusion is of the report is framed by evaluating the need for the electronic surveillance techniques and assessing how the employer groups can use the system in the most value-adding manner. There may be two types of surveillance that can be employed in an organization. These are covert surveillance and covert surveillance. Electronic surveillance is a common type of overt surveillance used by organizations to monitor the activities and behaviors of employees in the workplace. Electronic surveillance at work refers to the use of different kinds of technological devices like computers, Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) systems and other devices for the monitoring, recording, and tracking of the employee activities in their workplaces (Fuchs, Boersma, Alrechtslund and Sandoval, 2012). The electronic surveillance can be employed in real time as well as a record maintaining system. There are a number of electronic surveillance techniques that are used in the contemporary organizations. These include the use of computer and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems and telephone loggings, GPS tracking, mystery shopping, electronic recruitment and drug testing (Foster, 2011). T he developments in the electronic surveillance systems employed in the corporate world include the use of accelerometers in cell phones to monitor the activities of the employees, enterprise-wide computing device applications which are used to compile and monitor the information in the company that are posted by the employees in the social media applications and which are also used by the management of the firm and the facial recognition applications developed by Microsoft Corporation for assessing the mood of the individual.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Business Writing Class Members Respond to Postings Assignment

Business Writing Class Members Respond to Postings - Assignment Example Backing up any claims made using facts and statistics or visuals also help in assertive writing, therefore giving a reader confidence as to the accuracy of the information. Writing involves assertiveness rather than aggressiveness which is rude or passiveness which comes out as inaccurate/doubtful. I think that this is a good idea. An on-site daycare would also give assurance to the employee that their child is in safe hands since they will be close to them throughout the day. Offering learning opportunities and free health checkups is also an extra benefit to the employees. The daycare will eventually improve on the company’s productivity since employees will focus on their daily work knowing that their children are well taken care of. However, I feel as though a proper organizational review must be conducted before the commencement of this research. This is in order to know the demographics of the employees working there. For example, their age, marital status, number of kids and age of kids. By so doing the researcher is able to ascertain whether most employees are married, have kids and whether the kids are below 5 years old. Such a research may not be feasible in an organization where most employees are single, do not have kids or if they have children they are above 5 years old. A daycare may not be of help in such an organization and it may end up being a waste of resources. I absolutely concur with you, showing credibility is significant in a research. It is important that your work is supported by credible examples, illustration, visuals or even expert opinions and all these be properly cited as a reference.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Forms of goverment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Forms of goverment - Essay Example The United States occasionally infers this unique trait from the nature of political foundations characterized by the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the constitution. Public purpose is any decision or policy enacted by the government in favor of the nation as a whole. Public purpose often requires the government to justify ethical and unethical means for establishing distinguished domain over domestic and sometimes international property. The public sector is the section of an economy that offers primary government amenities (Dickerson et al., 2009). The government controls and finances this section. The rule of law is important in controlling how governments and other public organizations exercise their powers (Dickerson et al., 2009). Under this importance, the rule of law addresses the concept of supremacy and sovereignty of the constitution. The rule of law further ensures that the law applies to all people equally while providing even protection without bias. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act is a policy that set up a value-based system of choosing government officials and overseeing their work (Benedict, 2011). President Chester Alan Arthur signed this act in January 16, 1883. President Arthur named this act after its main sponsor Senator George Pendleton, an Ohio democrat in 1882. Even so, renowned lawyer and campaigner for civil service improvements, Dorman Bridgman Eaton, wrote it. According to Eaton, this act would award work based on value analyses and a civil service committee would oversee the entire procedure (Benedict,

Friday, August 23, 2019

Music Industry in US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Music Industry in US - Essay Example music market. Accessing the U.S. distribution channels is incredibly difficult. These channels involve four elements: the process of promotion (to break into the market), the system of licensing and distributing, the role of retailers, and the restructuring of the United States market's priorities which is currently going on. The production, innovation, sales, and distribution of music involves a complicated network. This network is controlled by large global firms, known as "the majors" that have complete control over the sourcing, creating, industrializing, distributing, and retailing of music. There is also a very big group of "independent" music companies that work in the same way as the majors which keeps the difficulty of accessing the U.S. distribution channels very tough and expensive. The U.S. has been the leader in music industry innovation and has a huge effect on the other music markets throughout the world. Along with world domination, from the U.S. comes some of the biggest names, i nnovations, and record labels in the business. However, the country is the least internally-oriented market partly because of the media. ... In order to "create a buzz", or the initial testing process, much money is spent on independent record companies to promote the campaign, set up performances, and pay for the airplay as being played on the radio many times over is the key to success for breaking in. It has been suggested that $500,000.00 is required to test a record. Labels and distribution is also very difficult as there are three main categories in which these can be handled: by going through a major record company that has its own distribution network, independents that distribute under a major company, and independents that uses other independents to get the items distributed. 85% of the music that gets to retailers is distributed by the major record companies. Independents use major companies because of the high costs in building and maintaining nationwide warehouses and distribution centers. Bigger companies can handle the legal and bridging costs as well as slow payments. U.S. laws also require that imports pay mechanical royalties although the country of origin has already charged these. This means that royalties have to be paid twice. It simply is too expensive doing business any other way in the U.S. The distribution of products to retailers is controlled by distributors and these distributors are the key to promotion. These major distributors have teams of people who have developed strong relationships with the top buyers such as Wal-Mart. Product priority lists are created by the major distributors as fees are paid to them. The higher up's of the major distribution companies, who are considered to be all powerful, prefer this "monopoly" type of doing business. New music must go through

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Ethical Systems Essay Example for Free

Ethical Systems Essay Ethical systems form the basis of moral beliefs; they are the moral philosophies that order moral principles systematically. (Thomson and WardSworth, 2005) Ethical systems can be broadly classified into deontological and teleological ethical systems. A deontological system concerns itself with the nature of an act that is under judgment, if an act is good but results in bad consequences than if it still considered a good act. Teleological systems judge consequences of an act, if an act is bad but results in beneficial consequences then it is considered moral. Ethical formulism judges the intent of the author thus, it is a deontological system. If a person performs an action from goodwill and it results in bad consequences, it is a moral action. This system also uses predetermined principles to judge goodness: that people should not be used as a means to an end, that behavior is moral when it is freely chosen and autonomous (someone worked to do a good thing is not really moral. ) and that actions should be based on behavior being universal. Utilitarianism is a teleological system whose goal is judged by consequences of an action. In this case when an action contributes much to the good of majority it is moral, regardless of the individual or minority who may have suffered because of the action. Following this system, Winston Churchill by allowing Coventry to be bombed in World War II so the Germans would not know the Allies had cracked their military code did a moral thing even though hundreds of English people were killed, when they might have been saved had they been warned. A smaller group was sacrificed for the sake of the greater good in this case, ending the war earlier and saving thousands more. Religion is a frequently used ethic system based on a willful a rational God. For believers there is no reason to question the authority of God’s will. The controversial issue is the interpretation of God’s will. According to Barry when is a dilemma; God’s will can be found in 3 ways; if one feels uncomfortable about a certain action, it is probably wrong. Religious authorities can provide guidance on right and wrong and thirdly the scripture provides answers to moral dilemmas. (Thomson and Wadsworth, 2005) The natural law ethical system proposes that ‘what is good is natural and what is natural is good’. These are innate instincts for example self-preservation is inborn, natural and basic and all actions related to it such as self-defense, prohibition of murder are moral acts. The basic problem with this system is where it is difficult to identify what is consistent and congruent with human nature. Focus on basic inclinations make this a teleological system because an action like killing may be wrong but if it is done in self-defense then it is considered a moral act since it is line with the self-preservation instinct. The ethics of virtue is a system that focuses on defining a good person as opposed to a ‘good action’. Here reason cannot be used to find out what is good. This system is teleological as it conserved with achieving a good end and more specifically happiness. One does good because of one’s character, if one has a bad character they will usually choose the immoral path. For example, a person who is broke and sees a stranger drop money without realizing calls the strangers back and gives him his money, he has performed a moral act because he has a habit of integrity. Someone else would steal because it is in his or her character to do so. The ethics of care system emphasizes human relationships and needs. It has been referred to as a feminine morality as it is founded on the natural human response to care for unborn child, ill and hurt. Some Eastern religious like, reject a rule-based form of ethics preferring instead to lead an individual in caring for needs. Braswell et al, 2002). The ethic behind rehabilitation is another illustration of ethics of care system. (Thomson and Wardsworth, 2005) This system is in line with teleological system of ethics because it does not simply classify action as wrong or right, rather it is concerned with the needs of others and effects of the actions on them, which learns more towards judging consequences corporations rather than the actions themselves. Egoism proposes that what is moral is what is good for one’s survival and personal happiness. This premise in its extreme directs that people should do whatever is beneficial to them. This disregards other people, using them as means to ensure happiness and in effect it means they have no meaning or rights (Thomson and Wadsworth, 2005) Egoism, sees an individual who performs a completely selfish act as immoral even impossible as it is not in line with true nature of human beings who like all other species have instincts for survival, self preservation and self in trust which is merely part of this natural instinct. This position is neither logical nor flexible single it would be in support of exploitation of the weak by the strong, which by all other systems is wrong. The system that closely matches my own beliefs is the religious ethical system. This is because the basis for ethics provided is rational since it can be identified wit a perfect God-figure. In addition, the similarity of the principles of these ethics in most of the religious are an indicator that they are acceptable to a wide majority hence they cover the needs of most of mankind adequately. In addition, scripture provides answers to ethical problems in all circumstances, something that most other ethical systems do not. The issue of say the birth contradicting only comes up when there is failure to understand the context of scripture. Belief in a God means that we do not have the responsibility of determining what is right, or wrong, since an unquestionable authority has determined them already.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Soft drink - Coca-Cola Essay Example for Free

Soft drink Coca-Cola Essay Nowadays, a lot of people drink soft drinks every day not knowing how bad they are for our health. Even doctors and experts report that soft drinks are bad for us. In this essay, I will tell you some facts about soft drinks that prove that they are not good to drink them. That some of the people even call drinking soft drinks as drinking poisons. Firstly, soft drinks are bad for our health because they contain lots of sugar and they prevent our body from absorbing water. These affect the circulation of our blood in a bad way and also, they contain high calories which will make us gain weight. Secondly, soft drinks contain a high acidity (ph). It is bad because it causes teeth to erode. It is because the strong acid contained in the drink causes corrosion on the enamel, the thick layer that covers our teeth’s surface to protect our teeth. Professor Gwon Ho Geun (2012. 02. 01) reported that if the acidity in our mouth drops to less than 5ph, calcium in our in our enamel escapes out. And this is one of the reasons that people go to hospital with acid erosion teeth caused by drinking soft drinks. These types of drinks, such as Coca-Cola and Sprite, are ‘poison’ for the people who have liver/kidney problems. To make it easier to absorb in the body, people include sodium in sports drinks which affects badly to kidney/liver. And health drink in pharmacy contains caffeine so if we take or drink it for a long period of time, it is possible to become addicted. And I have another story. One of the elementary students conducted an experiment. He observed as he placed a fish bone into soft drink and tap water. After 4 days, the fish bone in the soft drink was soft and had turned into a lump. Drinking lots of soft drinks causes our bones weaker and it affects growing as well. As it gets weak, there is a bigger percentage of breaking our bones. In conclusion, I really want to say that it is awful to drink soft drinks and stop drinking it! I hope you understand why soft drinks are bad for you and realize not to drink it anymore.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Recruitment and Selection Process in Wipro

Recruitment and Selection Process in Wipro Wipro is Indias largest IT services provider with gross revenue of $6.03 billion in the past financial year. The company is into integrated business, technology and process solutions at a universal basis. The company employs more than 115000 people and is headquartered in Bangalore, India (Web 01). The company is also in other sectors like consumer care, lighting, engineering and healthcare. The company was established in 1945 by M.H Premji. But it was his son and current chairman, Azim Premji who transformed the company into one of the most reputed brands in India. Solely due to his efforts, the company now has more than 40 Centers of Excellence and operates in 4 continents. Like every successful company, Wipro also gives high importance to Human Resource Management. The company is Indias 6th top employer. But the company is not even in the top 20 best employers of the country while their competitors like TCS, Infosys etc. are always in the top ten (Web 02). Therefore it can be judged that the HR functions in the company need to be thoroughly reviewed. In simple terms recruitment can be referred to as the process of searching and attracting competent employees for a particular job (Aswathappa, 2005). Companies invest a lot on recruitment process in order to avoid inappropriate selection. The recruitment process of Wipro is also structured in a detailed manner and involves three rounds: Round 1- Written test 1. Verbal: This is the first section of the written test where 15 questions will be asked to the candidates to test their proficiency in English language and include questions related to synonyms, opposites, similes, prepositions etc. A comprehension passage also might be included for the candidates to read. 2. Aptitude: This section also have 15 questions that are concerned with aptitude topics like Time Work, Time Distance, Puzzles, Calendars, Ratio proportions, Ages, Pipes etc. 3. Technical: This is quite an important part of the written test and involves 20 questions which are meant to test the technical knowledge of the applicant in C, C++, Java, Linux, UNIX, DBMS, SQL, Programming fundamentals, Hardware, Software Engineering, Micro-Processors etc. The questions will be mainly based upon the technical aspects studied as a part of university syllabus. Round 2: Technical Interview The second round is the most important elimination stage in the recruitment process. In this stage the candidates must have through knowledge in the basic technical skills in order get them cleared from t here. Therefore the candidates are asked to get prepared on their academic subjects before sitting for this round. Round 3: HR interview This is found to be the hardest part of the recruitment process. This round is found to be a real test for even the most competent candidates. The most common questions that re asked in this round include speak about oneself, why should the company hire the candidate, why did he wish to join Wipro, etc. The emotional quotient of the candidate is tested in this round in order to check whether he is able to withstand the pressures of the job. The other aspects that are being tested here involve communication and vocabulary of the candidate. Round 4: Placement Once the candidate is selected, he will be provided with an employee code number by the HR manager and a joining form will also be handed over to him which he has to fill up. This turns him from a candidate to an employee. Almost 40% of the employees of Wipro are selected directly from campus recruitments. Another source of recruitment is through the NSR (National Skill Registry). Wipro training model The above figure illustrates the Wipro training model which involves seven stages. These stages happen in a consecutive process. The main stages are: Identify training requirements Define the learning goals and objectives Conceptualize the training program Develop training content Reviews by stakeholders Pilot training content Rollout training content This model helps in identifying the exact training needs of the candidates and provides them with the most appropriate training. The company is also not behind in development initiatives. The Leadership Quality Survey of the company started in 1992 has immensely contributed in nurturing Wipros best business leaders. Wipro now has 8 qualities for leadership which are formulated on the basis of Wipro vision, values and business strategy. As a part of this development initiative, the company has introduced a 360 degree survey process which would enable in improving the competencies and skills of their business leaders. This process begins with receiving feedbacks from related people and finishes when every member frames a Personal Development Plan (PDP) on the basis of the responses received. This Personal Development Plan develops on the basis of a seven-step program that would help the individual to understand his strengths and weaknesses as well as determining the action steps. This program named Wings of Change to symbolize that it would bring up change or transformation in the individual. The Leadership Development Framework of Wipro is also a critical component for improving the leadership qualities of its employees. This framework is given below: This framework would help in understanding the major areas that form in relation to a leader in Wipro. Leadership Lifecycle Programs: The Company has formulated a strategy for Life Cycle Stage Development Plan. This program has been developed in order to frame distinct job profiles and map the competencies needed for each job role. The required competencies determine the success of each job role. The different programs under this LSDP are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Entry-level program (ELP) This program as the name suggests is for entry level employees and intends to improve their managerial qualities. The main target group for this program is campus recruits and also candidates who entered through lateral entries. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ New Leaders Program (NLP) This is the second level of the LSDP. This level is higher to Entry-level program and is oriented for potential candidates who are most likely to be the leaders of company in the future. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Wipro Leaders Program (WLP) This program is intended for medium level managers with the capability of being a leader in the near future. Through this program, the managers are expected to improve their way of handling employees, operations, business development and project management tasks. The managers who come up from this program become the forerunners of Wipro values and Wipros business operations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Business Leaders Program (BLP) This is the program designed for the real leaders of the company i.e the senior level executives who hold highly responsible positions. At this level, these executives need not be trained for basic skills and hence it focuses on techniques for revenue generation. The other areas covered in this section involve sales orientation, CRM, team building and performance management. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Strategic Leaders Program (SLP) This is the top level program and is developed for the already existing leaders or top management employees of the company. The key areas included in the program will be Vision, Values, Strategy, Global Thinking, Customer Focus etc. Wipro has ties with many pioneer management institutions inside and outside India to conduct this leadership program for the leaders of the company. 1.3 Custom Content Development (CCD) This is a unique program offered by the company that provides new and economical learning content solutions. This service would help in meeting customer requirements as well as help them get a strategic advantage. Wipros CCD Service undergoes a thorough development cycle to make sure than the client gets quality solutions at precise time. Custom Content Development Service includes: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Application Training à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Process Training à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Compliance and Regulatory Training à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Product Training à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Rapid Training Solutions. 1.4 Human Resource Planning Wipro is the first company to implement many strategic HR and IT services globally. Some of them include People Capability Maturity Model (PCMM) Level 5, SEI Capability Maturity Model (CMM) Level 5 and version 1.1 of CMM. The people processes in the company are the best in the industry and involves most accepted practices in HR, knowledge management and OD so that the employees are equipped with the right skills to face the needs of dynamic business environment. 1.5 Capability Maturity Model (CMM) The expertise in Six-Sigma methodologies has been put to use to modify the prevailing processes in the organizations so that the decisions are made on the basis of metrics and measurements. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The fundamental concept behind Six Sigma is that if you can compute how many defects you have in a process, you can systematically figure out how to reduce them and get as close to zero defects as possible. It begins with the application of numerical methods for translating information from clientele into specifications for products or services that are being developed or manufactured. Hence this can be considered as a business strategy and a philosophy of one working smarter not harder. Wipro is Indias first company to adopt the Six Sigma methodology and at present it has the most mature programs in the country. This makes sure that 91% of the works are completed on schedule which is quite above the industry average of 55%. Since they have over 10 years experience in this field, the company has made considerable efforts in order to improve the process. Apart from that the company has also scaled Six Sigma ladder which helped over 1000 project to reach completion. The main feature of this program is that it spreads exactly through the verticals and hence is able to influence a number of areas including project management, market development, resource utilization etc. 1.6 Conclusion Thus it is evident that Wipro is giving high importance to recruitment of employees. But even then the HR functions have certain flow which is the main reason why the company is not able to get into the best 10 employers in India. Hence it is the duty of the HR department to bring about a change in the processes so that better employees are hired and maintained. TASK 2 2.1 Introduction Performance management is a key HR function of any company. Oxford English dictionary has defined performance as accomplishment, execution, carrying out, and working out of anything ordered or undertaken. Performance is also defined as A matter that not only people achieve, but also how they achieve it (Armstrong and Baron, 2005). Hence it can be considered as a multidimensional concept and cannot be measured on the basis of a single factor. A common and accepted concept about performance is that it is not merely concerned about final outcomes but also with the actions performed for attaining these targets. 2.2 Performance management in Wipro Performance management is also a hard to define concept. The main reason behind this is the ignorance over performance measure issues. But a clearer definition to this concept was given by Armstrong (2000). In his words, performance management is A strategic and integrated process that delivers sustained success to organizations by improving the performance of people who work in them, and by developing the capabilities of individuals and teams. Wipro has a completely integrated end-to-end Performance Management Solution on its own for carrying out this critical HR function properly. This solution is formulated based upon the universally accepted HR processes adopted in the best organizations and thus helps them to update as well as restructure their performance evaluation processes. The above figure depicts the performance management solution adopted in Wipro. This solution helps the companies in many ways. It not only assists them in adopting the most suitable technique of performance management to that particular company but also reduces the time taken for the completion of Performance Management cycle. The unique feature of Wipros solution is that it does all this without compromising on the operations of other HR sub-functions like Work Planning Conference, objective setting, interim reviews, feedbacks, overall evaluation and rating, recording and documentation etc. Once the HR department makes a review of the organization, the assistant of the HR manager will update and record the score obtained by each employee in the database of the company. 2.3 Importance of performance appraisal in Wipro Performance management or appraisal holds considerable significance in Wipro since its success depends on the performance of employees to a large extent. Before explaining in detail about its importance in Wipro, it is advisable to understand its purpose. The main function behind PA is to make an employee differentiate between his actual performance and the expected performance (Boice Kleiner, 1997). But this holds a one-sided view since only the rater is benefited out of this. A more balanced view of performance appraisal states that only if both the parties i.e appraiser and appraise gets benefited can the process be considered as positive (Fletcher, 2006). Performance management on the other hand can be considered as use of interconnected strategies and techniques with an aim to enhance the performance of individuals, teams and organizations. An appropriate performance management can be regarded as the prime factor in achieving the business goals from the point of view of organization. Therefore performance appraisal is seen as the chief component or tool of performance management in Wipro. Hence the company must make sure that the performance management system adopted must be capable of meeting the needs of organization and the stakeholders (Humphreys, 2008). Thus performance management becomes a core component in promoting corporate governance (Bach Sisson, 2000). Since corporate governance is an issue of great relevance in todays business scenario, performance management becomes quite critical in Wipro. It forms a vital component of the corporate governance framework which helps the management or boards to direct, observe and react to the way the company reacts to the goals, mission and results that is expected from it. Performance management can be helpful to the company in three areas namely: Enhancing the individual productivity Identifying the training needs Allocating the precise rewards An effective method of performance management must inculcate a framework involving both corporate and individual performance planning. Therefore the HR must ensure that the framework involves: Clarification of performance objectives to the employees. This must include communicating the specific tasks, outcomes, behaviors, and other value systems related to ones job. The HR must make sure that these performance objectives are in alignment with the business objectives. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Individual or teams undergo periodical appraisals in order to evaluate their performance against the objectives set for them. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The employee or appraise is provided with the feedback about his/her performance from this appraisal. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Proper recognition or reward is provided to the appraises for their performance as well as any improvement in their pay or salary based on the performance. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ There will be team and individual development so that the skills and abilities of the team as well as members are building. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In case there is poor performance, the employee is given proper counseling in order to guide him to the right path. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ To establish a connection between the progress of capabilities with corporate and business planning. That means there will not only be coming down from the results of business planning but also owning a system which feeds back up. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Having the ability to evaluate the contribution made by individual, team and organization for attaining its objectives. Performance management system can also be used in variety of purposes like auditing, evaluation, training, succession planning etc (Randell, 1994). Thus an effective system can be helpful for the employees and teams to understand their objectives and the business goals as well as enables to recognize how effectively they are achieving the corporate goals. This approach thus helps these parties to identify and clearly define their performance expectations which are an essential part of their job. If the people, processes and performance are integrated with the business goals, it would lead to developing the abilities of the individual as well as organization thus leading to their better performance. It is the performance appraisal process which expresses the work standards expected out of a specific job and the norms, values and behaviors that are associated with that job and finally communicating this with the concerned people. Performance management thus results in better performanc e which is more closely directed to the objectives and needs of organization. Performance appraisal and its feedback help the employees to understand the level of their performance and find out ways to improve them. Thus studies reveal that some researchers focus on achievement of business goals as the most important reason behind implementing performance management system while some others view it as a scale for improving performance of one. In an organization like Wipro, it is suggested that a system which fulfills both organization as well as individual needs must be followed. 2.4 360 degree feedback This is a widely accepted technique of performance appraisal adopted by many companies. This method can be used in obtaining both qualitative and quantitative data about an individuals performance. Thus it involves a more holistic approach and here the person is rated based on the feedbacks obtained from people who work close to him i.e peers, superiors, subordinates etc. Apart from that the individual has to undergo a self-rating process also. This method of appraisal is quite suitable with the work environment and job nature in Wipro and can yield positive results. 2.5 Uses of Performance Appraisal System in Wipro: Wipro can have numerous benefits out of the performance management system if implemented properly. The major benefits derived out of it are: Performance management is more concerned about the outputs rather than mere activities or behaviors. Thus enacting that one person is busy would not help him get an appraisal or promotion. He has to achieve the predetermined results in order to get appraised. Performance Management helps in aligning the business processes and operations to the objectives of the organization. There is a chain process in PM which exists in order to make sure that they are in agreement with the organizational objectives. Nurture an organization-wide long-term view of the organization. An effective method of performance management should adopt a system-based approach which aims at the results or outputs of the business processes (Swanson, 1999). In other cases, the result is bound to have certain faults. Performance management would result in meaningful measurements which can be applied in numerous areas like benchmarking, framing standards for comparing the companys practices with the most industry accepted standards. They point out outcomes during development efforts, such as employee training, management development, quality programs, etc. Thus performance management makes sure that employees are equally treated and they receive rewards based on true performance. This way the employees will be able understand their strengths and weaknesses (Brets et.al. 1992). It would help them to be aware about the duties they have to bear and thus act according to his superiors expectations (Rees Porter, 2008). 2.6 Conclusion Thus performance management system in Wipro can help the employee to have a deep knowledge about the corporate objectives and effort required to attain them. This would help him to realize his present position in comparison to the expected level of performance so that he can try more to get to that level. This again leads to overall development of the employee.

Symbols and Symbolism in A Clean Well-Lighted Place, By Hemingway Essay

Symbolism in A Clean Well-Lighted Place    Symbolism, may be defined as a non-superficial representation of an idea or belief that goes beyond what is "seen."   Earnest Hemingway's "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" uses symbolism to help convey the theme of Nihilism, the philosophy that there is nothing heavenly to believe in.   It discusses that there is no supernatural reason or explanation of how the world is today.   Three symbols: the soldier, the cafà ©, and the shadows of the leaves, found in Hemingway's short story clearly displays this Nihilistic theme.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first clear display of Nihilism by the use of symbols is the brief passage description of the soldier passing the cafà © with the prostitute.   This imagery symbolizes that love and romance has been degraded to a level of "anonymous" sex.   Nihilism ties into this fact that since there is no longer any form of pure love, why should a person believe in it?   Hemingway uses an excellent form of symbolism to help convey this thought in referring that the street light shone on the brass number of the soldier's collar... Symbols and Symbolism in A Clean Well-Lighted Place, By Hemingway Essay Symbolism in A Clean Well-Lighted Place    Symbolism, may be defined as a non-superficial representation of an idea or belief that goes beyond what is "seen."   Earnest Hemingway's "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" uses symbolism to help convey the theme of Nihilism, the philosophy that there is nothing heavenly to believe in.   It discusses that there is no supernatural reason or explanation of how the world is today.   Three symbols: the soldier, the cafà ©, and the shadows of the leaves, found in Hemingway's short story clearly displays this Nihilistic theme.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first clear display of Nihilism by the use of symbols is the brief passage description of the soldier passing the cafà © with the prostitute.   This imagery symbolizes that love and romance has been degraded to a level of "anonymous" sex.   Nihilism ties into this fact that since there is no longer any form of pure love, why should a person believe in it?   Hemingway uses an excellent form of symbolism to help convey this thought in referring that the street light shone on the brass number of the soldier's collar...

Monday, August 19, 2019

Canada Should Sell Water to America Essay -- Argumentative Essays

Since more than 70% of the Earth is covered with water, one would assume that there is enough water for everyone. However, this statement would be incorrect. Only 3% of that water is considered usable and 2% of the usable water is locked in the polar ice caps. This leaves 1% of that water for the use of humans. Canada possesses a substantial amount of this water, while other countries are less fortunate. One of these countries is the United States of America, the biggest users of water in the world. They are looking for a new source of water and have been hoping Canada can be this new source. The Canadian government should accept the proposal to sell water in bulk to the United States due to the availability, the safety and the economic opportunities it would bring. Water is easily available to Canadians. According to Report Newsmagazine, Canada possesses 20% of the world’s Fresh Water. Report also states that Canada possesses only 0.5% of the world’s population. This means that on a per capita basis, Canada has more water than any other nation. Furthermore, water is a renewable resource, which means that once it is used, it may be used again after the water cycle. Many other materials Canada sells to the United States are not renewable. Dennis Owens, the senior Frontier Centre analyst says, â€Å"Here we are giving non-renewable oil and gas to the U.S., then water falls from the sky and goes into the ocean and we won’t give it to them.† In Newfoundland, Gisbourne Lake has the potential to drain 500,000 cubic meters of water per week. This drainage would only lower the level of the lake one inch and this would naturally be replenished within ten hours. Canada has cut down trees that will take 100 years to grow back a nd sold them. S... ...e-not’ province related to others† Manitoba could now have the potential to become just as industrialized and important as a province such as Ontario. The whole of Canada would benefit economically from water schemes. Selling water to the United States would be possible, safe and would create numerous economic opportunities, which Canada can not afford to pass up. Canada has access to more fresh water than any other country, which the Canadian citizens will not use. Sharing this water with the United States, and getting something back in return, would be safe to the ecology and Canada will still have enough water for themselves. The water will always be waiting there, however the economic opportunity is one that would have to be taken advantage of now. The United States will not wait forever for Canada to make a decision. The Canadian government needs to act now!

Sunday, August 18, 2019

The Agricultural Adjustment Act :: essays research papers

The Agricultural Adjustment Act   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During World War I, England’s agricultural economy was badly damaged. This inconvenience for the English was a blessing to American farmers. Since the invention of the combine, and various other mechanical harvesting machines, American farmers could increase their crop yield. In turn they could export the extra crops to England for more money. Once England got back on it’s feet, American farmers could not find any exports for their crops. As they continued to produce more than the American people could consume, the prices of agricultural goods dramatically dropped. By the 1930’s many farmers were in serious need of help, with heavy farm loans and mortgages hanging over their head’s. Nothing had been done to help the farmer’s during The Hoover Administration. So in 1933 as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Secretary of Agriculture, Henry Wallace devised a plan to limit production and increase prices. Which came to be known as the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, also known as the AAA. The AAA was established on May 12, 1933 it was the New Deal idea to assist farmers during the Great Depression. It was the first widespread effort to raise and stabilize farm prices and income. The law created and authorized the Agricultural Adjustment Administration to: Enter into voluntary agreements to pay farmers to reduce production of basic commodities ( cotton, wheat, corn, rice, tobacco, hogs, milk, etc..), to make advanced payments to farmers who stored crops on the farm, create marketing agreements between farmers and middlemen, and to levy processing taxes to pay for production adjustments and market development. Basically the AAA paid farmers to destroy their crops and livestock in return for cash. In 1933 alone cotton farmers were paid $100 million to plow over their cotton crop. Six million piglets were slaughtered by the government after they bought them from farmers. The meat was canned and given to p eople without jobs. In order for this new bill to work there needed to be money to pay the farmers, this money came from the companies that bought farm products in the form of taxes. While it seemed like a good idea to pay farmers to cut back on crops to lowering the surplus and boost the economy, The Supreme Court found the Act unconstitutional in 1936.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

The Two Fridas

Below is a free essay on â€Å"Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas† from Anti Essays, your source for free research papers, essays, and term paper examples. Frida Kahlo was one of the most influential and well-known Mexican artists during her time. Her popularity was probably so large due to her ability to instill intense and bold emotions into her paintings. People responded to her style very well, and her work spread throughout Mexico, America, and the world. Kahlo’s bold style came from her strong personality and her interactions in the world.She often included her own life struggles or emotions in her artwork. The Two Fridas, or Las Dos Fridas, shows Frida Kahlo’s bold style and her use of it to communicate intense personal emotions. The first step in any art criticism is to observe and analyze the visual facts. The visual facts, in this particular case, are in the actual painting The Two Fridas. The painting is a self-portrait containing two women that are symbolic of Frida Kahlo. The women have completely different appearances, but are linked in this picture.The women are sitting side-by-side in identical sitting formation. The two are also physically connected through the connected vein. The surroundings and accessories of the women look to be that of separation and each respective woman’s (or physiological side’s) style. The sky behind the women displays a dark and eerie sky. The woman on the left is wearing a formal white European-style dress. The dress is very proper and has the characteristics of sophisticated attire. The dress is very frilly and has an eloquent pattern on the upper portion of the dress.The dress covers the majority of her body and the woman’s skin is paler than that of the second woman. Both attributes listed above point in the direction of a high-class individual. Another high-class and proper property shown by the woman on the left is her hair and make-up. She has very neat and tied down hair. He r make-up is very accurately and crisply put on. Overall, the woman on the left is very presentable in high-class society. The woman on the right has a very different appearance. This woman†¦

Friday, August 16, 2019

Operational Plan

Operational Planning What is it? The organisation has an operational plan that clearly states the actions to implement goals and strategies identified in the strategic plan. Your organisation has completed the strategic planning process. An operational plan details the actions required to implement each strategy, assigning responsibilities, setting timeframes, identifying resources required and indicating what difference the specific actions will make.When developing your operational plan, ensure it is clear and able to be understood by all members of your organisationDeveloping the Operational Plan ·You will need to have at least one workshop to develop your operational plan with someone who will drive the process. This person is called a facilitator.  ·A facilitator is a person who has experience or training in running work groups. He or she guides the operational planning process, ensuring the actions and timeframes are pitched at the appropriate level. Your facilitator could be: (1) an outside specialist facilitator (2) a prominent member from your community who has experience facilitating developing plans in the past, or (3) a member of the Management Committee or staff member to facilitate the process.  ·It is very important the facilitator is trusted by the group. Each participant must feel comfortable to express their opinions. The most successful plans are those where all participants feel they have fully participated in the planning sessions and own the actions.Picking a good facilitator is the first step in successful planning.  ·The organisational plan is primarily the responsibility of staff, representatives from the Management Committee and community will help ensure it reflects the intent of the Strategic Plan. Goals and strategies from Strategic Plan to action  ·Goals and strategies that were identified in the strategic planning process will now be used for the operational or action planning process. Who is going to do what? When will they do it?What resources will they need and how will you know when the action has been completed successfully?  ·The strategic plan provides a framework for the operational planning process, but how do you turn your goals and strategies into actions and then into results to achieve these goals?  ·Make sure the actions are realistic. Does the organisation have the resources (personnel, physical facilities, training, equipment, funding, etc. ) required to do this activity? If not, how will we obtain them and if additional resources can’t be obtained, how o we adjust the activity in line with the resources available.  ·For each of the actions you need to identify the way to measure its success or otherwise. What differences will you see as a result of these activities? These are sometimes called outcomes or performance measures. These outcomes need to be measurable, preferably by numbers or timelines.  ·Finally, you need to have someone to be responsible to ensure the a ctivity occurs and the outcome is achieved. Who will do it?  ·A table can be one good way of recording this process.An example follows:Goal: Healthier people in our communityStrategy|Action/Activity|Who|When|Resources| Community awareness activities relating to health promotion|Open Day held on a quarterly basis to promote health issues|Indigenous Health Project Officer|June 2007|$ advertisingPromotional materials| Children are informed of health issues |Information sessions on health promotion at the local school on a monthly basis|Indigenous Health Worker|July 2007|Resources|  ·What has been described is the operational planning process.The results are made into either a booklet or a poster which is called the operational or action plan. This can then be used by the members of the organisation to follow the goals, strategies and proposed actions outlined in the operational plan.  ·It provides the organisation with a guide that can be monitored, reviewed and evaluated at regu lar intervals to ensure the organisation is implementing its strategic plan. Related Documents Strategic Planning Topic Guide [->0]Strategic Plan Template [->1]Operational Plan Template ->2] References Business Plans for Dummies – Paul Tiffany & Steven Peterson IDG Books World Wide Inc 1997 Developing Your Organisation For Queensland Incorporated Associations Queensland University of Technology, 2005 Monitoring Performance Improvement – M Tovey Prentice Hall 2001 Strategic Planning the Murri Way Kit – HACC Resource Unit 1997 Websites used for examples of Mission Statements and Goals Ernabella Arts from Powerhouse Museum web site http://www. phm. gov. au/hsc/paperbark/contemporary. htmWal-Meta The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Public Sector Employment Development Unit http://www. wal-meta. qld. gov. au/aboutus/mission_statement. htm Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education http://www. batchelor. edu. au/public/documents. html [->0] – h ttp://www. qld. gov. au/ngo/documents/VOICE/gov_accountability/topicguide/StrategicPlanning. rtf [->1] – http://www. qld. gov. au/ngo/documents/VOICE/gov_accountability/templates_samples/StrategicPlan. rtf [->2] – http://www. qld. gov. au/ngo/documents/VOICE/gov_accountability/templates_samples/OperationalPlan. rtf

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Assumption Paper

Rio Salazar Professor Kampa English composition 122 August 15, 2012 Assumption Paper Music history is the easiest way to appreciate the craft no matter genre, instrument, sound, or origin. It also gives one a chance to get an understanding of what life is like in a different country by the way they dance to their music, or how they react when their music comes on. One thing that should be learned in music history is the appreciation of music.The second thing that should be learned is how music influences people all over the world no matter the language, whether it is an instrumental or acapella, all people will react different. The last thing that should be learned is the different time periods of all music to see how it has changed over the years. Clearly you can understand that these are the main points of music history. Music appreciation is an important aspect because it allows one to gain knowledge about many genres of music. It teaches the origins of different types of music. I t shows one how to expand their range of music.Music appreciation also allows one to find out the origins of the genres. In many ways music appreciation allows people to expand their taste in music. Music history will teach people how music influences people all over the world. It will help people understand how the music people listen to makes them feel in everyday life, and how it influences the way they dance to the music they hear. Lastly how the different regions influences the music and its style. All in all this is how it would teach the music’s influences on people in their everyday lives.The different styles that have been developed over the years would be the next thing taught in music history. First off there would be so many different styles of music as the years go on because, things tend to expand, and music expanded quickly. Also as the years went by music expanded and so did the use of different instruments. Lastly this is how music has changed due to new styl es developing over the years, and the use and construction of new instruments. Music is the sauce of life and without it would be bland and very boring with nearly nothing for entertainment.

Emily Dickinson’s Poem Review

I applaud Emily Dickinson’s choice of art over â€Å"real† life although I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. While I cannot presume to know whether she had doubts about this herself or whether she had other problems that prevented her from living â€Å"real† life, I can clearly see that her life inside her mind was very rich. By choosing art, Emily Dickinson has left us with a wealth of succinct poems with very important themes. Particularly stunning is â€Å"Much Madness is Divinest Sense. † In that poem, she perfectly recaps the idea of majority rule.If one agrees with the majority, one is sane. If not, one is dangerous and wrong. This is such a short and simple poem that covers so many times in our lives and current events. There are so many examples of the majority doing the wrong thing, like slavery. Another important theme is contained in â€Å"If You Were Coming in the Fall. † This poem discusses the difficulty or utter tortu re of waiting for some uncertain future. One can wait much more easily if there is some kind of certainty or date at the end. â€Å"But now, all ignorant of the lengthOf time's uncertain wing, It goads me, like the goblin bee, That will not state its sting. â€Å" (Dickinson) The longer one waits, the more painful it becomes. It stings as Dickinson says. However, Dickinson says that waiting without that certainty is nothing but torture. This theme is universal. And yet, another important theme is contained in â€Å"Hope is the Thing with Feathers. † Dickinson gives herself and everyone else the claim that hope is always present in life. Hope is always with us; it â€Å"perches† in our souls.It never asks anything of the reader just remains in our hearts to keep us warm. â€Å"Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me† (Dickinson). Again this is a very profound lesson contained in a brief poem. Who knows what the effect would have been if Dickinson had c hosen to have a husband and family or an active social life? The point is that the choice was hers, and she made it. Personally, I relish her choice as I think she gives us so many words to live by. For those who don’t like poetry all that much, she is simple and straightforward and yet, very profound.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Causes of Unrest in Middle East and North Africa

Causes of Unrest in Middle East and North Africa Historians and philosophers, political scientists, economists, and sociologists are trying to identify the root causes of social unrest and their implications in the Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa in the end of the first and the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century. There are quite a lot of factors serving as the foundation for social unrest in the ME and NA. They are both objective and subjective. The bases of social revolutions are mainly domestic factors, though not without external assumptions. The root causes of the revolutionary upheavals in the Arab world and the Middle East and North African crisis lie in the limited model of modernization, which has led to a disproportionate, extensive and slow development of the region. [1] In January 2014, the Arab world has noted the fourth anniversary of the event, which journalists dubbed as the â€Å"Arab Spring â€Å". Indeed, at first, the world started to witness â€Å"iconic† events occur ring in the region, where the resignation of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who ruled the country since 1987, on January 14 2011, launched the cascade known as the domino effect. Later, on the 11th of February 2011 the fall of Tunisian president was followed by the most sensational resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled the country since 1981. In combination with the removal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (who ruled from 1969) on the 20th of October 2011, events of the â€Å"Arab Spring† began to be perceived and interpreted as signs of radical changes in the entire Arab region, and more broadly within the whole Islamic World [1] . The nomination of main slogans demanding the democratisation of public institutions of government had a dual effect on the countries of the region. Firstly, the â€Å"spring tide† having swept away a number of Middle Eastern regimes, still failed to overthrow the most powerful outposts of authoritarianism w ithin the region [2] . These authoritarian outposts are personified by Arab Monarchies of the Persian Gulf [3] , who happen to be traditional allies of the USA. Reluctance to initiate the reforms for the liberalisation of the regime led to them being discredited in the eyes of the global community as well as the indigenous peoples of the region. And secondly, the events of the last decade, beginning with the US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq [4] have led, in combination with crisis of power in Egypt and Syria, to the elimination of the political culture and institutions of the Middle East, by knocking out the traditional â€Å"heavyweights† of the Middle East: Iraq, Egypt and Syria. All of these events together resulted in the emergence of activity of those labelled as â€Å"outsiders† by the Arab world. These non-Arab â€Å"outsiders† are primarily Iran and Turkey. The failure of the revolutions to lay foundation for new Political, Economic and Social instit utions has been replaced by simple â€Å"reshuffling of spheres of power and influence. And in Iran, a â€Å"green movement† has been chosen as an alternative path [5] . Throughout the course of the revolution, there were strong expectations that the Middle East was entering a period of democratic development [6] , which was said to achieve all of the attributes of a free civil society, which had for so many years existed in Western countries. However, further advancement of the situation in the region has led to an increase in the influence of supporters of critical perception of the nature and probable consequences of this rebellious movement not only for countries of that region, but also for the whole system of modern international relations. Western experts have increasingly highlighted the ambiguity of this phenomenon for the fate of the entire region, by agreeing on the fundamental reshaping of the entire system of â€Å"balance of forces†. This choir is partic ularly dominated by the notable work of Efraim Inbar, an Israeli expert and his work â€Å"The Arab uprisings and national safety of Israel.†According to Inbar, all what is happening in the region, will not deliver any positive outcomes in terms of stability and regional security† [7] . Despite the secular influence of Western culture, none of the Arab States managed to build a stable, democratic society, based on the ideas of civil liberties, political rights, a system of universal education, gender equality and economic development. The â€Å"democratic† elections in Lebanon in 2005 and Palestine in 2009 brought to power of the Islamists, indicating that the imperfection of the civil society in the Arab world. The most dangerous version of the situation under the influence of the â€Å"Arab Spring† and according to Inbar, there will be an emergence of nuclear Iran, who may ultimately win some time to complete work on its nuclear program and put the globa l community fait accompli. This may result in a â€Å"chain reaction† when other countries region will aim to commence the development of their own nuclear programs, seriously complicating the national security of Israel, which as of now is the only nuclear Power in the conflict-laden region. Activation of Iran on the foreign policy arena after the uprisings is not accidental. Behind its activation lies the influx of huge amounts of Petrodollars, rising anti-American sentiment in the region caused by frankly failed policies of the United States, the rise to power of an ambitious and eccentric leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s implementation of its own â€Å"nuclear program†, which turned into a personification of Iran’s power revival [8] . Hence the interest of specialists and politicians on foreign policy doctrine of modern Iran, where it states that it is based not on the principles of national interest but rather the principle of Islamic solidarity, r ooted in the teachings of Imam Khomeini, in relation to the Islamic revolution. Thus, consideration of ideological concepts of Imam Khomeini in interpreting the current leader of the Islamic Revolution (Rahbar) Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, should help understanding and explaining the steps taken by Iran during the reign of the current President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad [9] . The analysis of these concepts will help to forecast future foreign policy initiatives of Iran with its aim to resolve the intra-regional problems.