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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Essay on the Impact Of Cinema On Social Life

When man comes home after day’s work, he needs some sort of entertainment and relaxation. Cinema has proved a wonderful and forceful means of entertainment and amusement. A young man of today can go without food but not without a film. The cinema is the cheapest and the most popular form of amusement. Laborers can afford to miss their evening meal, not their evening show.

Students prefer films to reading books. Thus, cinema exercises a very powerful effect on society.

Cinema is a universal teacher. It educates the people in different branches of learning. Our film producers have made very purposeful films to collect public opinion against some of the social evils as dowry system, the labour exploitation. It can teach us natural history, geography, botany, chemistry etc. Documentary films lead us to a street in New York are to a park of Tokyo.
These films increase our knowledge, broaden our outlook. Social pictures throw light on social evils as untouchability, casteism, unemployment and the curse of widowhood, etc. These films ripen our eyes and create in us an urge for improvement.

Cinema has a great commercial value also. It is itself a great industry, Lacs of men and women are directly or indirectly employed in this industry. It is a good and easy means of advertisement. Things and articles can be shown in practical use through the films.

Most of the modern Indian movies ignore higher ideals. It is wrong to say that the public wants vulgarity. Too much cinema going is injurious to eyesight, health and purse. Bad films leave a very vitiating effect on the minds of youth. They give rise to different kinds of crimes. The vulgar obscene pictures should not be allowed to be exhibited. They cause morality in society.

The films which make the people gamblers, dacoits, etc. should totally be banned. The traders of film industry should not be ill owed to profit by showing sensual scenes and physical demonstration of love. These films effect the moral character of young boys and girls badly.

Cinema, on the whole, is a powerful means of recreation as well as of education. It is not itself bad. The film producers should select good stories classical mythology, historical subjects and Indian literary master-pieces. Documentary films on scientific, historical and literary subjects should be shown to students. The producers are misusing cinema for making huge profits.

It should be moral duty of producers to produce noble and inspiring films. The Government should take care of this. If cinema industry produces noble and inspiring films, the cinema would be a true friend, philosopher and guide of the masses.

Essay on Work-Life balance minimizes Stress

Here are a few tips for finding a work-life balance:

You own your time

It might sound crazy, but if you're one of those people who can't seem to stop despite feeling run-down or overworked, the first step toward reclaiming your time and sanity is to force yourself to relax by making it part of your to-do list. Instead of eating your lunch at your desk, take a break and have it with your colleagues in the canteen or go for a walk after lunch. Avoid being chained to your cubicle. Before you start dinner, spare around 15 to 20 minutes for yourself. No cleaning, no yelling at the kids for tracking mud into the house and no putting a pot on the stove. On weekends, read, watch a movie, call a friend or go for a hike the point is to do what you enjoy.

Prioritize (meaning: to decide which of a group of things are the most important so that you can deal with them first) your tasks

Take a look at your to-do list (if you don't haveone, make one), take a pencil and start trimming your task list. Separate your weekly tasks into must-dos and want-to-dos. Must-dos are things you absolutely have to get done. Want-to-dos are things you can work on later. Things like organizing the company picnic or baking a cake for your colleague's birthday. Shave off the extras you don't really need to be doing it to give yourself some breathing room.

Recharge yourself

Working out whether it's hitting the gym, going for a walk or spending some quality time doing yoga, is extremely essential in both your physical and mental health. Even if you only have time for a 20-minute walk after dinner or during your lunch break, make moving a priority. It will help minimize stress, boost your energy and allow you time to recharge while not staring at a computer screen.

Take short breaks

Finding a work-life balance doesn't have to mean taking extended breaks or having endless hours of alone time. You can also recharge and de-stress with shorter breaks. Get up from your desk and spend five minutes stretching, walk to a colleagues desk instead of emailing her or treat yourself to a midday coffee, anything to carve a little bit of time and space that's just for you.

Don't bring your work at home

It can be so tempting to continue working or even taking work calls once you're at home, we all do it, but that doesn't mean it is right. If the scales are tilted heavily towards work, leaving you no time for other important things in life, taking work home will only cause more anxiety. Give yourself 30 minutes before or after dinner (never right before bed) to check and respond to any important messages and then call it quits get your partner/spouse to hide your phone if that's what it takes.

essay on A Terrorist is Made Not Born

 This is not a complete essay: Just only for your idea

A terrorist is made not born. No new-born baby comes from the womb with the desire to kill innocent people and create terror in a population. It is the programming of a system of beliefs, or ideology, into the subconscious of that child that forms the mind of a terrorist, and all ideologies have that horrible potential. The danger of believing is hardly understood, because we have been conditioned to accept that it is a good thing, but it rarely is. In fact, all belief systems are potentially deadly, especially in the new world we are now living in that requires nations to live with evaporating borders and in tight relationships in which our mutual survival is determined.

We can all see how fast our world is getting smaller, how quickly we are becoming a global community, like it or not. Blending a family isn't easy, because the most critical piece of putting together a blended family or global community is our personal belief systems and how they affect our relationships with individuals and nations.
Belief systems are such an integral part of who we are that they are barely visible on the conscious level. Every belief system is alwaysconnected to some degree of emotion. Because of this, every belief system contains the seed of violence. There is no such thing as an innocuous one, just as there is no such thing as an innocuous gun or can of gasoline. Under the right circumstances, they can all destroy.


What are beliefs, and how do they affect ones mind?
1) A belief is the acceptance of someone or something solely based on the word of another who is seen as having more authority.

2) A belief system is a cohesive, fixed set of beliefs that has a life of its own within a group and gives life to that group.

3) A belief system is not based on proven fact otherwise it would be
considered knowledge; and so, by its very nature, it must be systematically defended and protected.
4) A belief system, at best, can only tolerate non-believers, because to do
more would jeopardize its own integrity and existence.
5) By its nature, then, any belief system is potentially divisive and volatile.

Religions, nations, and other ideologies have very different systems of beliefs that guide and govern their daily live and have often clashed with each other throughout recorded history. Because of this, the possibility that the peoples of the earth can actually develop a working relationship in the intimacy of the small space in which we are increasingly finding ourselves is very limited without a fundamental change in how we view our beliefs.

Points for Adaptability

What is adaptability?

Adaptability means being flexible when things change. An adaptable person is one who is open to new ideas and concepts, to working independently or as part of a team, and to carrying out multiple tasks or projects. Someone is regarded as adaptable if they are able to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and/or work assignments.


What is flexibility?

An agile mindset allows us to evaluate and then adjust to the different roles, responsibilities and jobs that we have each day. Adopting a flexible approach to study, work and life is more likely to enable us to achieve success than maintaining a rigid outlook or set of beliefs.  People who are flexible are open to change and are able to adapt and adjust continuously to changing circumstances. Mental agility of this kind enables us to be more effective as problem solvers and problem finders - flexibility and creativity often go hand in hand. 

Flexibility is extremely important for negotiating and communicating. The ability to acknowledge another’s point of view, and perhaps modify one’s own accordingly, is essential for effective teamwork. As the term suggests, the ability to adopt a flexible approach is not static, it fluctuates according to mood and the circumstances that we find ourselves in. We can enhance our flexibility by deliberately adopting some of the following strategies:
  • Changing the context;
  • Trying something new;
  • Questioning our thoughts and words;
  • Planning to be spontaneous;
  • Deliberately trying to think in different ways.
Limited flexibility may cause difficulties with the following: 
  • Solving problems creatively and adapting to novel situations or dynamic/changing situations; 
  • Dealing with uncertain, unanticipated or unpredictable work situations;
  • Learning new tasks, technologies, and procedures;
  • Interpersonal adaptability: for example adapting interpersonal behaviour to work effectively with a new team;
  • Cultural adaptability which requires the ability to perform effectively in different cultures and environments; 
  • Demonstrating physically oriented adaptability which involves adapting to various physical factors such heat, noise, uncomfortable climates, and difficult environments

essay on Environmental Protection

In recent years mankind's consciousness has been aroused very strongly about the need for environmental protection and ecological preservation. It is of utmost importance that the people should be aware not only of the problems involved but also of the role to be played in protecting the environment.
Along with the peoples participation at the grass root level, the formal education programmed should be provided and implementing various environ­mental protection projects. In addition it is also very essential to develop environment friendly technologies and renewable energy sources following the principle of conservation.

While developing technologies for the benefit of man, it is also essential to study simultaneously their impact on the environment so that cyclic processes, which the nature has devised for conservation of resources is not affected.

Air, water and land are the basic amenities of life. But over population and rapid industrialization have created a state of decadence in the environment. Man has continuously tampered with the nature. As a result a threat to his life has been increased, due to the lack of healthy air and potable water and the imbalance established in the biosphere.

Earth is, perhaps, the only planet endowed with an environment and we all share it. One dy we would pass it on to our future generation as their legacy. But if they will inherit such a polluted environment, life will be misery for them. Men has improved the technologies and other means necessary for higher production of wealth and exploited nature for his benefits, but without any foresight as to what to implications of his actions would be. Indiscriminate industrialization has resulted in urban migration and slum development, which in turn resulted in degradation of environment.
Before the advent of modern civilization man lived and flourished amidst the nice balance of multiple biological process. As the most intelligent being on earth man has constantly tampered with the nature making use of his inventive genius and disturbed the ecological balance. Thus, air, water and soil, all have got polluted and posing threat to the substance of mankind. The result in numerous health problems.

Air pollution is due to the direct implication of industrialization. The chimneys of industries emit smoke and vehicles have fumes, which directly contribute to air pollution. Any gaseous material not considered a a normal constituent of air or excess of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, dust etc. in air cause air pollution in fact. Air pollution also occurs when forests catch fire, rubber plants are gutted or plastics are burnt along with the household garbage. This danger of pollution has been aggravated today due to atomic explosions in some advanced countries. Some hovering over the cities in they early morning is also the result of air pollution. The depletion of ozone layer, which is very essential for life to protect from dangerous ultraviolet light, is also due to air pollution and it may result in skin diseases.

The emission of greenhouse (GHGs) like carbon dioxide in increased concentration has led to climate changes. Although it does not have toxic effect, it is largely responsible for green house effect and thus for global warming.

Most of the air pollutants directly affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Nitrogen dioxide and ozone also effect the respiratory system, irritate the eyes, nose and throat and in addition ozone can cause headaches. Carbon monoxide is able to displace oxygen in the blood which in turn can result in cardiovascular and neurological effects. Lead affects bone narrow, impairs liver and kidney function, causes neurological damage and limits metal development in children.

Although earth is surrounded by water in its three fourth area yet drinking water has a scarcity. All main source of portable water like rivers, lakes, ponds, even wells have been polluted by various dangerous chemical and biological wastes. The coagulated mixture of dirt, sewage and industrial waste pollutes the river water on whose bank the factories are established. increased use of fertilizers and insecticides also pollutes the drinking water of ponds and wells. The harmful fertilizers and insectices even seep through the earth and pollute the ground water. The polluted water supply results in epidemic like cholera, jaundice and gastroenteritis etcs.
Soil is also being polluted in various ways. Soil pollution usually results from the disposal of solid and semisolid wastes from agricultural practices and unsanitary habits. Excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers and manures resulting in both biological and chemical contamination. Rapid industrialization and urbanization has disposed various solid and semisolid wastes at different places polluting soil as well as air and water. Apart from this, direct pollution of land by pathogenic organisms is also a of major importance. Thus, soil is getting heavily polluted day by day by hazardous materials and micro-organisms which enter food chain or water and are consequently ingested by man. As a result, there are numerous health problems like dysentery, cholera and paratyphoid fever. Increased use of plastics, politeness and other non-degradable products has led to the problem of their disposal.

Besides air, water and soil pollution, today we face noise pollution. The constant din and bustle of city life, frequent playing of loud speakers even in odd hours, constant playing of radios and televisions, ceaseless loud sound of vehicles deafen us in day time. Research has shown that noise pollution is capable of causing ulcers, abortions, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension besides several mental disorders.

Food pollution is another problem we have been facing everyday. We suffer from several diseases because of the polluted food items that we take. After the advent of nuclear weapons the exposure level of ionizing radiations has been increased which is hazardous to people. The ill-effects due to radioactive pollution are cancers, genetic damage and mutations leading to abnormal birth.

Checking of environmental pollution has been absolutely necessary. if it is not checked, the earth will become a graveyard. So we must give due attention to protect it from our own abuses. We must have balanced and planned industrial growth in order to check thin pollution. Towns and cities should be planned very carefully and stress should be given on planting of more trees.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Essay on Female Education


There was a time when very few women received proper education. But now girls are receiving the highest education. Some people insist on having educated girl as their wives. Others are strongly against this. Let us here consider, in brief, the advantages and disadvantages of having an educated wife.
We can easily recognize, even by her appearance, a girl who has received western Education. She is fashion loving. The greater part of her time is wasted in dressing her hair. She changes the style of her hair so-often. She is too fond of using cosmetics. She puts on costly dresses of the latest fashion. She is often seen going on the roads with a hand bag in her hand or shoulders.
But there are many advantages also of having an educated wife. Being educated, she can manage her home more efficiently. She can look after the work of the servants. She can maintain accounts. Thus, by keeping the family budget, she helps the family in making the best of its income. She keeps her kitchen in hygienic condition. In short, she is of definite help as a successful manager of the household.
An-educated girl understands her duties well. She proves a source of great comfort to her husband in times of trouble. She can amuse and entertain her husband in different ways. Thus she cam keep his away from various vices. Besides this, as a mother also an educated wife is very useful. She can teach many things to her children. She can given them elementary education. She can keep them neat clean. The become healthy. Thus, both the husband and the children are benefited.
Not only this, an educated wife can also help her husband in his office work. When an author writes a book, she can help him in revising the script. She can work as a typist. by checking accounts, preparing draft, and by her personal suggestions, she can help her husband in his business.
Ups and downs come in life. If the husband is out of employment, his educated wife can be a great help to him. The husband may be ill or he may meet with some accident. In such emergencies an educated wife can get some job for herself. An unfortunate widow, if she is educated, need not remain at the mercy of others. She can stand on her legs. She can support herself and her children.
But this is only one side of the picture. A modern, educated wife, due to her love for fashion and expensive habits, is often a financial burden. She puts the poor husband often in difficulty.
An educated girl is not always obedient and faithful. She has her own friends. She does not like to observe family traditions and customs. She goes to her club, whatever may be the condition of her family. She wants to dominate her husband. In her pride and sense of superiority, she does not care for his likes and dislikes. At times, her actions put him to shame.
She likes to live in her own independent way. She does not like interference in her affairs. She wants to have her own way in every matter. Often she looks down upon the less educated or uneducated members of the family. Her independent outlook, ill-temperament and haughty nature make the home a hell.
We can safely conclude that female education is not always a blessing. Only if a girl has been educated properly at home, she can remain unaffected by the evil effects of modern education. There are girls who have received the highest university education, still they do all the domestic work. This is very important, for this promotes love, affection and harmony among the family members. An educated wife can be a great asset to her husband and her family, if she is good and respects the traditions of the family and co-operates to run it smoothly.

Essay on Co-education


Co-education is a system of educating boys and girls together. In ancient times, co-education was prevalent in Greece. Today, this system of education is there in almost all the countries of the world. It is economical. It generates a spirit of comradeship between boys and girls.
The problem of shortage of trained teachers can be dealt with by this system. Boys overcome their curiosity and girls, their shyness. They learn to respect one another. Though a few conservative people are against this system, their views do not hold ground. Co-education generates harmonious relationship, a sense of co-operation, and thus, helps in the progress of the nation.
Co-education is a system of educating boys and girls together. In ancient times, co-education existed in Sparta in Greece. There was no discrimination between boys and girls. They studied and played together. Along with academic education, physical training was also given to both the sexes.
Plato, the Greek philosopher, believed that co-education helped in the development of personality of both men and women and created a feeling of comradeship among them. He felt that co-education was the only method to make both men and women useful members of society. Hence, in the west, the importance of co-education has been felt since ancient times.
In early Vedic Society (Ancient India), co-education was prevalent in a few places. But gradually female education began to be ignored. Moreover, the system of education was quite different from that of today. The boys stayed in Gurukuls, for the whole educational period. There they received both in academic education and physical training. The former included the study of the scriptures and the latter, training in warfare. Girls were not sent to the Gurukuls, and thus were deprived of the benefits of education.
In medieval India, those belonging to lower castes and the womenfolk were not allowed to attend schools or study the scriptures. Raja Rammohan Roy, great social reformer and scholar, fought against this practice and succeeded in his mission. His job was further carried on by other social reformers.
Today, co-education is prevalent in almost all the countries of the world. In India, there are a number of co-educational schools, colleges and universities.
There are a number of advantages in the co-educational system of education. It is economical. Poor countries cannot afford to open separate schools for boys and girls. If boys and girls are taught together in the same school, then there will be no need to open separate schools for them. Thus, the cost to be incurred on building infrastructure, furniture, stationery, personnel recruitment, etc. will be saved.
There is a shortage of good trained teachers in developing countries like India. If there is co-education, same staff can teach both boys and girls at the same time in the same class, and the problem of shortage can be dealt with. Establishing more of co-educational schools can help in spreading literacy even with the limited teaching staff and infrastructure. Thus, it will be beneficial for both boys and girls and the nation as a whole.
Co-education helps the boys and girls to intermingle and understand each other well. They become more broad-minded and tolerant towards the opposite gender. They interact freely with one another, thereby overcoming hesitation and shyness. Thus, co-education leads to a healthy and harmonious relationship between boys and girls.
In a co-educational school, boys are free to meet and talk with girls. They develop a feeling of friendship among themselves. Boys then, usually don't indulge in eve-teasing. Co-education contributes to the balanced development of the personality of boys and girls.
A new study has revealed that the co-educational schools are better as the presence of girls in classes restrains boys from indulging in unruly behavior and improves their academic performance. Infact, a higher percentage of girls not only lowers the amount of classroom disruption but also fosters a better relationship between students and their teachers. The researchers found that classes with more than 55% of girls resulted in better exam results and less violent outbursts overall. Boys with more female peers in their classes showed higher enrolment rates in both advanced mathematics and science classes, but overall benefits were found in all grades for both sexes. They conclude that this effect is due to the positive influence, the girls are adding to the classroom environment.
Infact the study found that primary school classrooms with a female majority showed increased academic success for both boys and girls. In the middle and high schools, the classrooms which had the best academic achievements overall were consistently those that had a higher proportion of girls enrolled. The researchers suggest that boys and girls may learn differently, but it is better not to send them to sex-segregated schools.
Boys become conscious of their dressing habits, behavior and the style girls. They work hard to remain ahead of one another. Co-education reduces gender bias in the society. It generates a feeling of equality between both and sexes. The feeling of male dominance may be wiped out from the society if this system of education is given importance.
However, some people are opposed to the system of co-education. According to them, this system is against the Indian culture and tradition. It is also argued that girls feel more free in an institution which is meant only for girls. As such they have greater scope of developing their personality. They also participate in sports, dramatics and debates more freely.
Teachers of some subjects like Biology also find it easier to explain some chapters more thoroughly if only girls or only boys are sitting in the class. Sex education has also been introduced and in co-educational schools even teachers find it difficult to discuss such topics in the class.
It is also felt that since students (especially teenagers 13-19 years of age) are of impressionable age, the possibility of their going astray is much more in co-educational institutions, where they enjoy more freedom of intermingling with the other sex. They also do not remain focused on studies.
It should be acknowledged that in the fast changing society of twenty first century co-education has to become the order of the day. Today girls are entering all professions in large numbers. Many of them are heading big organizations. Co-education will help young boys and girls to mix freely and understand one another better. Today's children are tomorrow's citizens. We must encourage them to develop their personality in a free healthy atmosphere. Girls no more have to remain confined to the four walls of the house. Co-education will help both sexes to learn and work together for the progress of the country.

Essay on the Value of Games and Sports


Games and sports keep one physically and mentally fit. They keep one away from diseases relating to heart, obesity, mental stress an sleeplessness. They instill in the player a spirit of self-confidence, self-reliance, discipline, justice, fair play and patriotism. games provide us with recreation and enjoyment.
Games are very essential for students but they are neglected in schools. Even parents do not have high opinion about games and they want their children to devote more time to studies. India lacks funds, and proper training facilities are not provided to the players. Sports bring rich dividends to sportsmen. The government has formulated a New National Sports Policy. Effective measures should be taken to popularize, and encourage participation in games and sports.
We all are familiar with the maxim 'Health is wealth'. According to the World Health Organization, 'Health is a state of complete physical, the absence of disease.' Academics serve the purpose of nourishing the mind. But a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. One can develop and maintain a healthy body by actively participating in games and sports.
Games keep our body alert, active, youthful and energetic. They instill in us a spirit of adventure. Games increase the circulation of blood, boost metabolism, burn calories and improve the respiration and digestive system. A healthy person can work hard cheerfully for a long period of time, and can face dangers boldly. Games also instill in the players the spirit of self-reliance, self-confidence, justice, and fair play. They enable him to follow other virtues like discipline, honesty, integrity, loyalty and patriotism.
While playing games various exercises are performed automatically and one need not join a gymnasium to exercise. Brisk walking, running, cycling, skipping, swimming and yoga are common activities to keep fit. They also tone up the body of both the young and the old. Mild exercise are beneficial for patients recovering from heart attacks and those who suffer from obesity, diabetes, blood pressure etc. Exercise invigorates the mind and the body and helps to keep fit.
Games provides us with recreation and enjoyment. Soccer, cricket, lawn tennis or wrestling are watched by millions of fans all over the world. When we watch and play games, we forget all our worries and anxieties. They enable us to divert our mind fro the nasty thinking.
A player develops team spirit, he learns to adjust with other person's shortcomings. A player respects and follows the rules of the game he plays. He, thus, becomes a man of principles. Sportspersons display punctuality, diplomacy and self-discipline. Sports help us to face the challenges in life bravely. One would not be deterred by failures as they are the stepping stones to success. Such an approach would help one reorganize one's skills and work harder with renewed vigor, to achieve one's goal.
Games generate a feeling of sportsmanship and broaden one's outlook. They are very essential for the students. In our schools, however, games and sports are not given much importance. A period of half an hour or forty five minutes is dedicated to games everyday in schools. Some schools dedicate this timing for games only once a week. Children find it difficult to pursue a game in the specified period. Some schools cannot afford funds for sports equipments while most schools do not have a playground. Many schools do not employ any physical instructor to guide the children in various games. Even parents want their children to complete their home assignments after school hours rather than play games. They fail to realize that games make children strong both mentally and physically. Many school children become obese due to lack of participation in games. Obesity puts them in the high risk category of contracting diseases like diabetes, heart ailments etc. The education system needs to be reformed, and equal importance needs to be given to sports and games.
Lack of concern of the general public and authorities is evident from out country's poor performance in international sports events. In Beijing Olympics, India's best-ever performance by winning one gold and two bronze medals is a 'historic break through' for the country. It is very disappointing that our players win few medals at the Olympic Games. Even players from small countries like South Korea, Romania etc. are able to win a large number of medals. We are far behind other countries in a number of games. Moreover, in the absence of funds and facilities, the players are unable to use their talent and energy in an organized way. For example, hockey is mostly played on grass courts in India. There is also a lack of training of international standards. The players lack motivation. They are unaware of the diet they should follow to keep it. Cricket is the only game which is given some importance. But accusations of match-fixing and faulty selection procedures have harmed the image of cricket in India.
Sports bring rich dividends to sportsmen. Whether it is the matter of getting admission in institutions or getting jobs, sportsmen receive preference everywhere. Sports also bring fame and reputation.
No doubt sports have plenty of advantages but they also have drawbacks. Some sportsmen lose their limbs, fracture their legs or get permanently disabled while playing games. Many students take more interest in games and ignore their studies.
The government has formulated a New national Sports Policy. It promotes a liking for sports among public at large. It aims at development of infrastructure and provision of better coaching facilities.
Seventy percent of our population lives in villages. To popularize games and tap hidden talent in rural areas, Rural Sports Programme was launched in 1970-71. The scheme has been revised recently. Grants to sports has been increased. Sports scholarships are given to talented boys and girls.
Effective measures should be taken to ensure people's active participation in games. The government should evolve a long-term national sports policy. Children should be informed about the advantages of games. They should be made to play games regularly. Training facilities for various games should be introduced. The existing training facilities should be upgraded and expanded. Selection of players for national and international games should be fair. Participation in sports and games will improve the overall health of the nation and its citizens.

Essay on Should ragging be banned?


The accurate meaning of the word 'ragging' is to 'tease', but even the dictionary says it is an archaic meaning.
The main objective of ragging is to 'break the ice' between the senior students and the new entrants. By means of an interaction, they get close and know each other. But in practice, it is noting but a kind of torture.
Ragging is any disorderly conduct whether spoken or written or by an act which causes annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or raises fear or shame in a student. It is generally committed by 'senior' students, upon the first year students.
Ragging generally takes place in colleges and hostels. They are many tales of torture and humiliation that are associated with ragging. The new students feel that they are in for a series of practical jokes at the hands of the senior students. Once they fall into the clutches of the latter, they don't find a way to escape. There are a few senior students in every hostel who don't take enough interest in studies. They indulge in ragging, bullying etc. They create an image of themselves as rowdies. No one dares to interfere with their ways.
Ragging originated in the west. But today, it has reached the Indian society too. For an estimated sis million young students enrolled in approximately India's 335 universities and 17,000 colleges are contaminated by ragging. At the start of every academic session, the media brings the news of suicides by new entrants, who no longer can bear the disgrace, ignominy and dishonor inflicted on them by their seniors. Ragging has caused intense fear and shattered the trust and ability of the new students to make sound judgment about the people (seniors) around them.
Some people feel that it is a socio-cultural problem. The truth is that in some cases, ragging has occasionally, ended in fighting, serious injuries, and even deaths, leading to the ruin of some brilliant careers.
Senior students tease the new students about their looks and manners. The tall and the short, the fat and the lean, all become easy targets. Students wearing glasses, have their glasses snatched away and are made to read without them. Few of the, are made too bow before the senior students and forced to greet them with folded hands. Sometimes the eatables brought by the new students are eaten by the seniors in the formers' presence.
Ragging is a short of mock interview of the new entrants. The senior students take the position of the interviewers, while the new students become the interviewees. Sometimes, there are probing and indecent questions about the minutes details that hardly matter.
A new student who resists becomes a target for harassment. He might be falsely accused of stealing a thing or things from a senior. He would be put on a mock-trail. During the trail, he might be forced to admit his guilt, he is pressurised by physical threats and humiliation. After the trail, the accused asked to polish the shoes of his senior students. He could be asked to clean the clothes even. If the new entrants complains to the warden or any other authority, he becomes a target of regular harassment.
As students come from different backgrounds, ragging can have different effects on different individuals. Sometimes, senior students indulge in smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse that compels the new students also to initiate in bad habits.
Ragging has some positive effect too on the new students. It influences the new students to behave in a socially acceptable way. It makes one change one' eccentric behavior. It creates self- awareness. Those who endure it get emboldened. They become courageous. They get used to facing hardships in life. They learn to face unpleasant situation boldly. Many a time, it is seen that the juniors and the seniors become very good friends after the ragging period.
In the beginning, 'ragging' was an amusing practice. it has degenerated into an evil. It has become a synonym for 'torture'. It should be banned. The supreme court of India has defined it as. "Any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken, or written or by act which adversely affect the physique or psyche of fresher or a junior student is an act of ragging." But if through ragging the decency and morals are violated, one's body gets injured, if any wrongful restraint and criminals intimidation is involved in it, then ragging becomes a legal offence. For such cases, there are certain punishments in UGC's anti-ragging guidelines which includes a fine upto RS 25,000, cancellation of admission, with holding scholarship, debarring from appearing for exams, suspension or expulsion from hostel ad rustication from a period of one to four semesters.
Even the institutions where ragging is prevalent could be punished by withdrawing of affiliation or other privileges and debarring from awarding any degree and withholding grants. Most authorities have tackled the problem with an iron hand. More effective steps need to be taken to deal with the evil. Institutes should arrange counseling session for fresher so that they can speak their mind. Anti ragging cells should also be established. A fresher party should be organized by the institutes itself within town weeks of the academic session so that junior and senior can easily interact with one another.

Essay on The Status of Women in India


Women in ancient India were held in high esteem. The position of a woman in the Vedas and the Upanishads was that of a mother (maata) or goddess (Devi). In the Manusmriti, woman was considered as a precious being o be projected first by her father, then by her brother and husband and finally by, her son. With the passage of time, the status of woman was lowered. Muscle power and money power dominated the societies. Since men fought the wars and ran the enterprises of industrial production, they considered themselves superior to woman.
In the early Vedic age, girls were looked after with care. They were given the facilities of education. Remarriage of windows was permitted. But in the later Vedic period, daughters were regarded as a source of misery. The practice of polygamy deteriorated the status of woman. Women in the later civilizations were not allowed to go to schools. In the Gupta period, they were allowed to listen to the scriptures. In the medieval period, the practices of purdha system, dowry and sati came into being. Sati and PolyGram were glorified.. It is thought that the right place for woman ins the home. Her main duty is to cook to all other menial jobs. They are considered fit for producing and bringing up children. Thus, women have been deprived of their rightful place in society and exploitation. has been going on for centuries.
The inhuman practice of sati where the wife burns herself alive in the funeral pyre of husband existed through the centuries. Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought against this evil practice and it was finally abolished by Lard William Bentinck in 1829. After the development of science and technology, female foeticide is being practiced on a large scale. This has led to a drop in the female ratio. According to the census 2001, the sex ratio in India is 927 females to 1,000 males. Dowry have become common. The more educated and well employed a groom, the higher is the dowry demand. The birth of a girl child is, therefore, considered inauspicious. In many parts of India, women are viewed as an economic liability despite contribution in several ways to our society and economy. Early marriages lead to teenage pregnancies which often prove risky to both the mother and the child.
Rape, sexual harassment, molestation, eve-teasing, forced prostitution, etc are a common affair today. The crime graph against women is increasing at an alarming rate. The condition of an Indian widow is quite deplorable. At home, the woman's contribution towards home as a housewife is not recognized. Sexual harassment at work places is also a common affair.
It is a shame that even after over sixty years of independence women are still exploited. The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments have provided 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj System. Women have now started demanding their rights. They want to work side by side with men and contribution towards the social, economic and political development of the society. Swami Vivekananda has rightly remarked, "It is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is impossible for a bird to fly on only one wing."
Women themselves should come forward and unite in the march towards improving their status. They should g\draw inspiration from empowered women like Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of India; Vijayalakshmi Pandit, the firs woman President of the UN General Assembly; Kiran Bedi, India's first woman IPS officer; Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-American woman astronaut, Pratibha Devsingh patil, the first woman President of India, and many others. Some of the great women of the pre-Independence periods are Rani Laxmi Bia of Jhansi, Chan Bibi, Ahilya Bai, Razia Sultan and others.
Today modern woman is so deft and self-sufficient that she can be easily called superwoman, as she juggles many fronts single handedly. Women are now fiercely ambitious and are providing their metal not only on the home front, but also in their respective careers, education in the society.
Women represent 48.2 percent of the country's population. Several developmental programmes have been implemented by the Five Year Plan. In 1985, a separate Department of Women and Child Development was set up. The major programmes include Support to Tanning-cum- Employment Programme (STEP) for women, Mahila Kosh, Women's Development Corporation, etc. The Supreme Court has made a ruling that a other has the right to act as the guardian of her minor child. It has made sexual harassment at workplace as an offence.
The Indian Constitution has bestowed equal rights on women. They enjoyed all social, political and economic rights. For equal work, both men and women are eligible for equal wages. Women in Indian are coming up in all spheres of life. They are joining the universities and colleges in large numbers. They are entering into all kinds of professions like engineering, medicine, politics, teaching, etc. A nation's progress and prosperity can be judged by the way it treats its women folk. Men must recognize and accept the fact that women are equal partners in life.

Essay on Child Labour


"The child is the father of man." This famous line quoted by William Wordsworth refers to the importance of the child for the development of society as well as for the all-round development of the human race. Childhood is the time to garner the best physical, intellectual and emotional capacity to fulfill this duty towards the nation and to one's own self. However, this simple rule of nature has been crippled by the ever-growing menace of child labour. If one conceives the idea of child labour, it brings before the eyes the picture of exploitation of little, physically tender, illiterate and under-nourished children working in hazardous and unhealthy conditions.
About 250 million children between the age of five and fourteen work in developing countries. At least 120 million of these children work on a full-time basis. In India the conservative estimate is about 11.3 million (according to the 1991 censure), but the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated it at 23.2 million 1996. Both estimates include full-time and marginal child workers. Most working children in rural areas are found in agriculture; many work as domestic labourers; urban children work in the trade and services sector; while some other work in manufacturing and construction. Such children range from four-years-old doing petty jobs to seventeen0years olds helping out on the family farms. Denied education and a normal childhood, some children, confined and beaten, are often reduced to slavery. At times they are denied freedom of movement - the right to leave the workplace and visit their families. Some are abducted and forced to work. Instances of human rights abuses in such practices are clear and acute.
Child agricultural workers frequently work for long hours in the heat, haul heavy loads of grains, are exposed to toxic pesticides, and suffer high rates of injury from sharp, dangerous tools. Children working in factories often work near hot furnaces, handle hazardous chemicals like arsenic and potassium, work in glass blowing units where the work harms their lungs, damages their eyes and causes disease like tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis. Some are injured in fire accidents. They become unemployable at the age of 20. if injured or incapacitated, they are mercilessly discarded by their employers. Child domestic workers, mostly girls, work for long hors for little or no pay. They are subjected to verbal and physical abuse, at times even sexual abuse. They may be fired from their work, losing not only the job but their place of shelter as well. Millions of children are involved in work that, under any circumstances, is considered unacceptable for children, including the sale and trafficking of children into debt bondage, serfdom, and forced labour. It includes the forced recruitment of children for armed conflict, commercial sexual exploitation, and other illicit activities, such as drug trafficking.
The prevalence of child labour is a slap on the conscience of society. It harms not only the present generation but also the posterity. The origin of the problem of child labour can be traced to some complex social vices illiteracy, poverty, inequality, failure of social welfare schemes, population explosion, etc. The root cause lies in the economic insecurity of families that results from job loss, natural calamities, and sickness of parents in poor families that are often in debt and have no savings. Children of the poor have become an expendable commodity. The children either supplement their poor parents' income or are the only wage earners in the family. Discrimination based on gender, race or religion is also responsible for the problem of child labour. Domestic employers often compel poor children to work for minimal wages. Also, work is relatively easy to get in households. Thus, the household sector employs the largest number of children labourers. Sometimes, child labour is deliberately facilitated by vested interests to get cheap labour. Employers justify this with the logic that it saves children from starvation and prevent them from being sucked into the world of crime. The "nimble finger theory" holds that children are better producers of certain products such as knotted carpets and other such kinds of goods. Hence, poor children are hired, exploited and made to work and produce such types of goods.
The government says that it is not easy to completely end child labour. it, therefore, has only tried to improve their working conditions--reducing working hours, ensuring minimum wages and providing facilities for health and education. It can be said that the government measures have three main components legal action focusing on general welfare, development programmes for child workers and their families, and a project-based action plan.
The present Factories Act 1948 prescribes prohibitory actions for employment of children below 14 years of age in any factory. Indian Mines Act 1951 prohibits employment of children below 16 years in the any underground mines.
The main instrument for the regulation of child labour in India was launched in the year 1986. This was the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986. It came to being due to the requirement of ILO convention and foresee ability of the National Seminar on Employment of Children in 1975, to prevent exploitation of children. The Indian government felt a need to enact a single law to deal with the prohibition of Child Labour. In 1979, Gurupadswamy committee was set up to study the problem of child labour and evolve measures to sort it out. This committee also agreed to enact a single law to govern child labour. The Committee examined the problem in detail and made some far-reaching recommendations. it noted that any attempt to abolish it through legal means would not be a practical proposition. The Committee felt that in such circumstances, the only alternative left was to ban child labour in hazardous areas and to regulate and ameliorate the conditions of work in other areas. It recommended that a comprehensive policy approach was required in dealing with the problems of working children. based on the recommendation of this Committee, the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation( Act was enforced in 1986. The Act prohibits employment of children in certain specified hazardous occupations and processes and regulates the working conditions in others. The list of hazardous occupations and processes is progressively being expanded on the recommendation of Child Labour technical Advisory Committee constituted under Act. Further, Article 24 of the Indian Constitution also prohibits employment of children below the age of fourteen in hazardous works.
The Conventions of the ILO, the 1926 and 1656 Slavery Conventions, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are the major tools used for regulation of child labour. The other potent instruments used for the eradication or regulation of child labour are: Article 32 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which holds, "State parties recognize the right of the child to be protected form economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, mortal or social development."
Successive governments have been aware of the need for release of these children from hazardous work and their rehabilitation through education. With this end in view, the National Policy on Child Labour was formulated in August 1984. The National Child Labour Projects were conceptualized and launched around the same time. Later on, it was further strengthened for the total liberation of all children in the age group of 5 to 14 employed in hazardous work and for their physical and emotional rehabilitation through a composite package under the National Child labour Projects which are to be administered under the Societies Registration Act, 1960. Many other organizations (both governmental and NGOs) are stepping forward for the upliftment of these children and regulation and eradication of child labour. Recently, the Parliament's adoption of the right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2009, has also ushered in a new ray of hope for the deprived children of India.
The problem of child labour must be recognized as a human rights problem, both directly (e.g. slavery) and indirectly (e.g. compulsory labour that results in denial of the right to education). It embraces not only "the rights of the child" per se, but also the broad panoply of entitlements across the whole spectrum of rights through which, at least civil, political, social, cultural and economic rights. The policymakers as also the ordinary citizens must understand that the future of children would not be secured unless their rights are clearly identified, redefined and restored. Seen from this perspective, it becomes a mandatory duty of all governments across the world to take all possible steps to put and end to the problem of child labour once and for all. Today's children will constitute the backbone of tomorrow's society. Hence, it is the obligation of every generation to bring up children, who will be citizens of tomorrow, in a proper way.