Module participants' are required to produce a structured reflection Essay

Module participants' are required to produce a structured reflection on their own personal group experiences. A structured ref - Essay Example And it is generalisations that allow new situations to be tackled effectively.’(Gibbs 1988) The following essay presents a reflection of my experiences in a group assignment undertook as part of a Cross Cultural Issues module. On reflection I realise that, during the project, our group went through Tuckman’s (1965) four stages of group development. namely Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. During the formation process, several issues arose which resulted in lack of critical analysis on the research, and unsystematic decision making within the group. In this report I am going use Gibbs’ (1988) model of reflection in order to look at the issues and to find solutions to overcome the problems in future. This evaluation is the first step in ascertaining how my beliefs and assumptions as well as my background and experiences may impact on my future organisational functioning as I search for a career in management. I will use cognitive complexity (Bieri 1955) by utilising a wide variety of theories of practice to support my reflection. Figure Gibbs reflective model 1 Contents Page 1 Abstract.....................................................................................................2 2 Contents page...........................................................................................3 3 Introduction...............................................................................................4 4 Problem & context....................................................................................4 5 Self-awareness..........................................................................................5 6 Evaluation..................................................................................................6 7 Analysis......................................................................................................9 8 Conclusion............................................................................................ ....10 9 Action plan................................................................................................11 10 Appendix...................................................................................................13 11 Bibliography.............................................................................................14 12 Reference list...........................................................................................17 1 Introduction Diversity in the workplace has taken on new importance (Thomas 2004) as changing economic circumstances prompt many companies to downsize and restructure themselves into flatter, more decentralized entities. The result is that today's corporations are built around groups that must find answers to novel and complicated business issues. These teams bring together diverse groups of people who incorporate a variety of backgrounds, ideas, and personalities. A reflection on my study would provide important bearing for me in prep aration for workplace dynamics. 1 Problem & context As part of the Cross Cultural issues module, we had to prepare a group presentation based on a critical analysis of the cross cultural issues a UK based firm would encounter establishing an Indian subsidiary. My diverse group of six comprised of three females: one British (X), one Polish (Y) and one Brazilian (Z). and three males: two British (J and A) and one Zimbabwean

Essay on a current Health and Safety issue Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

On a current Health and Safety issue - Essay Example For example, statistics indicates that in the 2002-03 periods, 71 of the 226 workers that were fatally injured during the course of their jobs in the UK were construction workers (Akintoye et al., 2000). The figure represents an astonishing 31 percent that is the highest proportion of all the sectors of the UK economy. Other than the fatal injuries reported, a myriad of other minor injuries were reported by more than 4780, which is over three times higher than the average reported by other sectors of the economy. Even though the incidental risks are still high, all signs indicate that there are significant improvements in the industry particularly in the conditions at the site of the construction. The positive signs are backed by the report undertaken by Lord Youngs for the government that espouses the issues related to the health and safety of the construction industry. The report published on 20th of October 2010 asserts that the working conditions in the construction sites have been on a radicle improvement when the last 20 years are taken into consideration. For instance, these improved working conditions have resulted in over 5 percent reduction in the numbers of the reported injuries and deaths in the construction industry since 2001 (Hale et al., 2012). Despite the significant improvements in the conditions of the construction sites, the raging debate has always focused on who should shoulder the responsibility for the health and safety in the construction industry. The paper critically appraises and evaluates three statements that aim at establishing where such responsibility should lie. The critical appraisal of each statement is aided by the information that is cons trued from the Acts of Parliament of the UK and other health and safety regulations in the UK that are deemed appropriate for each case. The first quote to illustrate is the National Audit Office (NAO) report that is entitled Improving Health and Safety in the Construction

Energy Conversion Is The Conversion Engineering Essay

Energy Conversion Is The Conversion Engineering Essay Energy conversion is the conversion of one type of energy into another. This principle is used every day in our lives. For instance, a battery uses chemical energy to create electrical energy to power an electric starter motor. Steam engines change heat energy into mechanical energy and an electric bulb uses electrical energy into heat and light energy (Freeman, Ph.D., M. Ira, 1957, p. 20). According to Tega Jessa (2012), fossil fuels are a finite, non-renewable resource. Fossil fuel is any carbon-based substance that is used by humans as a source of energy. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are considered as fossil fuel. Fossil fuel is a primary source for the production of electricity. In the Distributed Generation Education Modules, it states that chemical energy is released because of the combustion of these fuels. This produces heat to power steam turbines. The steam turbines rotating electric generators produce power, and this kinetic energy turns into electricity. Another attraction is that natural gas and petroleum is big business. According to Natural Gas.org, natural gas is a valued resource and the natural gas industry generates a lot of commerce in the United States and worldwide. Wind power and solar power are two alternatives to using fossil fuels. Wind power is a great source of energy. Wind power has great potential as an energy source. The environmental impact is small and it is renewable. According to John C. Ayers, at higher altitudes and areas without obstructions, wind is stronger. Hilltops are good sites for wind turbines. Ground-based turbines in cities are not as efficient. Wind strength also plays a big part. Wind varies by region and season. This means that it is not a great source of energy in all areas. A disadvantage of this energy source is if the wind is low; you have to supplement it with another source of energy. Energy is produced by using wind turbines. Wind turbines are usually horizontal with blades are mounted on a rotating axis. The electricity produced can be immediately used. In addition, it can be stored in batteries for use when the wind is low. The advantage of using wind power is that it has less of any impact on our environment. It is a clean alternative energy source. According to John C. Ayers, new wind farms produce electricity at costs competitive with oil- and coal-powered plants, and more cheaply than nuclear reactors. Another advantage is that they release no greenhouse gases. David Frum (2013) states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“wind energy continues to flunk the market test. Ontario buys wind energy at a price 50% higher than it would have to pay for electricity from natural gas. (A new natural gas facility can make money selling electricity at 7-8 cents a kilowatt-hour. Ontario buys newly installed windpower at prices of about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour.)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  A disadvantage of wind power is the cost. Acquiring ground underneath the turbines is a big cost, as well as the cost of wiring turbines to the grid. Another cost is maintaining the wires. According to Windustry.org, commercial turbines installed are $3-$4 million installed. Wind turbines under 100 kilowatts run approximately $3,000 to $8,000 per kilowatt of capacity. A 10 kilowatt wind turbine (used to power a large home) approximately cost $50,000-$80,000. The cost could be more depending on the tower type. Even though this may be a disadvantage to some, the advantage is the tax incentive that can help reduce the cost. Solar power is another alternative to fossil fuels. Passive solar and active solar are the two types of solar energy. According to Jennifer Claerr, a building on the east-west axis uses passive solar. Silicon solar cells capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. Direct current is generated and is converted into alternating current before it can be used to power household devices. Passive solar is used to keep a home warm in winter and cool in summer. An advantage of solar power is the cost savings. Many people are installing solar systems to protect the environment and to conserve fossil fuels. Another advantage of using solar energy is to become self-sufficient by providing for all of the own energy needs. A home can be built using passive solar for about the same price as a conventional home. For an existing home, active solar is a good alternative. Both passive and active solar are beneficial to the environment. Passive and active solar can prevent carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. The disadvantages of using solar power is that it doesnt work at night without a storage device such as a battery, and cloudy weather can make the technology unreliable during the day. They can be expensive and require a lot of land area to collect the sunà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s energy.

Computational Linguistics :: Essays Papers

Computational Linguistics Computational linguistics is a discipline between linguistics and computer science which is concerned with the computational aspects of the human language. This area of computer science overlaps with the field of Artificial Intelligence. Basically, computational linguistics is a series of programs that interprets human speech into words and actions. There are a couple of different areas of computational linguistics and those areas are theoretical computational linguistics and applied computational linguistics. Each one of those areas are divided up into more areas. Theoretical computational linguistics is composed of theoretical linguistics and cognitive science. This particular area deals with formal theories about the linguistic knowledge that a human needs for generating and understanding language. This area has advanced so much, and has become so complex that it can only be managed by using computers. With these computers computational linguists develop formal models simulating aspects of the human language and then incorporates that into programs. These programs that they write constitute the basis for the evaluation and further development of their theories. Along with these theories there is another part that plays a big role in theoretical computational linguistics and that part is cognitive sciences. What I mean by that is that part of these programs interprets what is being said and then it matches it up to what is in its programming. The other part of computational linguistics is called applied computational linguistics which focuses on the practical outcome of modeling human language use. The methods, techniques, tools, and applications in this area are often subsumed under the term language engineering or (human language technology. The current computational linguistic systems are far from achieving human ability of communicating they have numerous applications. The goal for this is to eventually have a computer program that will have the same communication skills as a human being. Once this is achieved it will open doors never thought possible in computing. After all the major problem today with computing is communication with the computer. Today’s computers don’t really understand our language and it is very difficult to learn computer language, plus computer language doesn’t correspond to the structure of human thought.

Sejanus

SejanusLucius Aelius Sejanus (20 BC – October 18, AD 31), commonly known as Sejanus, was an ambitious soldier, friend and confidant of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. An equestrian by birth, Sejanus rose to power as prefect of the Roman imperial bodyguard, known as the Praetorian Guard, of which he was commander from AD 14 until his death in AD 31.While the Praetorian Guard was formally established under Emperor Augustus, Sejanus introduced a number of reforms which saw the unit evolve beyond a mere bodyguard into a powerful and influential branch of the government involved in public security, civil administration, and ultimately political intercession; changes which would have a lasting impact on the course of the Principate. During the 20s, Sejanus gradually accumulated power by consolidating his influence over Tiberius and eliminating potential political opponents, including the emperor's son, Drusus Julius Caesar.When Tiberius withdrew to Capri in 26, Sejanus was left in contr ol of the entire state mechanism as de facto ruler of the empire. For a time the most influential and feared citizen of Rome, Sejanus suddenly fell from power in 31, the year his career culminated with the consulship. Amidst suspicions of conspiracy against Tiberius, Sejanus was arrested and executed, along with his followers. | Marcus Vipsanius AgrippaMarcus Vipsanius Agrippa (23 October or November 64/63 BC – 12 BC) was a Roman statesman and general.He was a close friend, son-in-law, lieutenant and defence minister to Octavian, the future Emperor Caesar Augustus and father-in-law of the Emperor Tiberius, maternal grandfather of the Emperor Caligula, and maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero. He was responsible for most of Octavian’s military victories, most notably winning the naval Battle of Actium against the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII of Egypt. | Seneca the YoungerLucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca; ca. BC – AD 65) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to Emperor Nero. While he was later forced to commit suicide for alleged complicity in the Pisonian conspiracy to assassinate Nero, the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors, he may have been innocent. His father was Seneca the Elder and | Vipsania Agrippina Vipsania Agrippina (36 BC-20 AD) was the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa from his first wife Pomponia Caecilia Attica, granddaughter of Cicero's friend and knight Titus Pomponius Atticus.Her maternal grandmother was a descendant of Marcus Licinius Crassus. By marriage, she was a great-niece to Quintus Tullius Cicero. Octavian and her father betrothed her to Tiberius before her first birthday. In 20 BC or 16 BC she married Tiberius. Their son Drusus the Younger was born in 13 BC. Agrippa died in March, 12 BC. He was married to Julia the Elder, daughter of Augustus. Augustus forced Ti berius to divorce Vipsania and marry Julia. Tiberius reportedly loved Vipsania and disapproved of Julia.Vipsania was at the time pregnant, and from the shock lost the baby. | Livia (30 January 58 BC– 28 September AD 29), after her formal adoption into the Julian family in AD 14 also known as Julia Augusta, was an empress of Rome as the third wife of the emperor Augustus Caesar, as well as his adviser. She was the mother of the emperor Tiberius, paternal grandmother of the emperor Claudius, paternal great-grandmother of the emperor Caligula, and maternal great-great grandmother of the emperor Nero.She was deified by Claudius who acknowledged her title of Augusta. After Mark Antony's suicide following the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian had removed all obstacles to his power and henceforth ruled as Emperor, from 27 BC on, under the honorary title Augustus. He and Livia formed the role model for Roman households. Despite their wealth and power, Augustus's family continued to live modestly in their house on the Palatine Hill. Livia would set the pattern for the noble Roman matrona.She wore neither excessive jewelry nor pretentious costumes, she took care of the household and her husband (often making his clothes herself), always faithful and dedicated. In 35 BC Octavian gave Livia the unprecedented honour of ruling her own finances and dedicated a public statue to her. She had her own circle of clients and pushed many proteges into political offices, including the grandfathers of the later emperors Galba and Otho. |

Cultural Influences on Rite of Passage B

Cultural Influences on Rite of Passage Beliefs and Rituals Cultures throughout the world honor the passing from childhood into adulthood with special celebrations and rituals that coincide with religious or social traditions. World civilizations pay homage to this rite of passage differently, ranging from jovial and lighthearted galas to the barbaric rituals frequently associated with remote African tribes. There are also other sects of the population where their youth enter a transitional phase that lasts from months or years, such as the Amish and the Aborigines.Their youth use this time as a period of learning to think and act as adults and for decision making about their future. Amish or plain people as they are also known migrated from Europe in search of religious freedom. They were originally part of the Mennonite religion and follow many of the same practices today. They are governed by the unwritten rules known as the Ordnung. They live by principles of simplicity, reject ar rogance, embrace humility and socialize only within their community and avoid other parts of society as much as possible.Amish children only attend school until they complete 8th grade and higher education is discouraged or forbidden. At the age of sixteen, Amish teens are given the choice of participating in Rumspringa, a German term that translates into run around in English. During this time Amish adolescents are free to explore life among modern American society. It is believed that at this age that they have reached a maturity level where they can act responsibly as well as having the skills for making rational informed decisions.This time of reflection is for the youths to decide if they want to remain in modern society or return to the Amish community where they are baptized as adults and are expected to follow the church for the rest of their lives without question. Wargny 2 Rumspringa is also a catalyst for Amish teens to socialize and meet prospective marriage partners. Th ey congregate with other young men and women of Amish faith, experiment with alcohol, drugs, premarital sex, automobiles, cell phones, and video games. (Welcome to Lancaster County)Studies of rumspringa have concluded that approximately 85% of teens willingly return to Amish life and forfeit all conveniences of technology and English ways of life. The small percentage of those choosing to remain in modern society, do so with the understanding that they are shunned by all Amish people including their immediate family. There is no further contact or connection to their past and must live the rest of their lives as though they were strangers or non-existent to everyone they ever knew.The Australian Aborigine tribes are believed to have migrated from Asia more than 20,000 years ago and are native to the barren outback land of Australia. In ancient aboriginal culture, the rite of passage into manhood started at age 12 with a series of ceremonies and rituals held over a course of a few ye ars. The Alkira Kiumi as it is called, started at age 12, and involved the boy being repeatedly tossed into the air and caught by their male relatives of the tribe. Next was the circumcision procedure, which took place by a fire ring.The chief of the tribe sat on the boy’s chest and cut the foreskin of the penis off with a sharp stone or knife. The boy was given a boomerang to bite on for the pain. After the circumcision, the boy was made to kneel close to the fire so that the smoke would rise up and purify the wound and then the elders of the tribe fed the young man his severed foreskin to symbolize the devouring of boyhood. Wargny 3 Months after the initial circumcision, a fireside sub incision ceremony was held. A stick was inserted into the urethra to brace the knife as it cut from the urethra to the scrotum.The boy then rose and allowed his blood to drip into the flames of the fire. The second circumcision made it necessary for the boy to thereafter assume a squatting po sition in order to urinate. Anthropologists theorize that this ritual was performed so that young males would better understand and sympathize with a females’ menstrual cycle. After the circumcisions came a ceremony in which a chisel was used to knock out the front tooth of the young man as it was believed it made him more physically attractive. The next step toward manhood was to serve as a test of his courage by having him walk barefoot across a bed of fire.The final phase of the rite of passage into manhood was known as a walkabout and is also noted as a time for dreaming hence the name Dreamtime. â€Å" According to Aboriginal belief, all life as it is today is part of one vast unchanging network of relationships which can be traced to the Great Ancestors of the Dreamtime† (Rose Marina) It involved young men leaving the safety of their childhood homes to roam about in the barren desert to live on their own for a period of up to 6 months. During the walkabout; the t een boys were only permitted to rely only on nature and the spiritual guidance of their ancestors for their survival.As they roamed through the uncivilized land it was believed that if they followed the guidance of the spirits they would return to their tribes safely and would from then on be considered men. And if they succumbed to the deserts elements, then it was believed that they failed the test of manhood and died shamefully as a boy. Wargny 4 Due to contact with the modern world, the ancient rituals of the aborigine tribes have disappeared or have been replaced by more civil ceremonies that merely symbolize the original rite of passage practices for becoming a man.As validation for becoming an adult, Rumspringa and Alkira Kiumi differ vastly. Rumspringa offers the opportunity to live carefree and seductively in what the Amish refer to as The â€Å"devil’s playground† without reprisal upon their return. Alkira Kiumi was a painful and grueling experience that serv ed to prove a boy’s loyalty and faith in his heritage. Despite the overwhelming differences in these rites of passage, the completion of either of these ritualistic practices indicates a true allegiance to their respective religions and as paying homage to their ancestry.

How to Reduce Road Accident Essay Example

How to Reduce Road Accident Essay Example How to Reduce Road Accident Essay How to Reduce Road Accident Essay Steps to be taken for Preventing Road Accidents Most important method to bring down accidents is strict enforcement ofspeed limits. 90 % of accidents can be avoided by strict enforcement ofspeed limits. Heavy Penalty should be imposed on ALL those who cross speed limits. Ifthis is strictly implemented, nobody will dare to go at high speed. Existing speed limits should be brought down further. Heavy penalty should be imposed for those who cause accidents. Tamper proof speed controllers should be made mandatory for all heavyvehicles. New heavy vehicles should have built in tamper proof speedcontrollers. Two wheeler manufacturers should be asked to design two wheelers with adesigned maximum possible speed of (say) 50/60 kmph. This limit may bedecided based on the conditions of each country. New gadgets are to be developed for collision prevention and should befitted on all vehicle. Research organizations should be asked to developsuch gadgets on a war footing. For example, gadgets can be developed toautomatically slow down the vehicle, if safe distance commensurate with thespeed of the vehicle in front is not maintained. Gadgets can be developedfor warning the driver, if the driver sleeps. Diving tests for issue of Driving license is to be made more stringent andfoolproof. Lower age limit for two wheeler and Heavy Vehicle license should be raisedto 21. Helmet should be made compulsory by law in all countries, OR impose alower speed limit for those who do not use helmet. Issue of Helmet shouldbe made mandatory with the sale of each two wheeler. Helmet should be made compulsory for back seat riders also. Ensure that all Helmet users are fixing the Chinswill not help during an accident. Ensure that ONLY good quality Helmets that meet standard specificationsare available in the market. Existing traffic rules should be strictly enforced. Law should be modified such that the person who makes the accident has tobear (say) 0 to 10 % of the insurance claims, depending on severity ofnegligence. Also the compensations should be made very huge, makingaccidents unaffordable so that everyone will be very vi gilant. All those who do not maintain the safe distance for the speed should bepunished Safety awareness should begin from childhood, as it is difficult to mpartawareness to a grown up a human. If safety awareness is imparted atchildhood, safety will be a habit. Video and Computer games that simulate Motor Racing should be bannedby Government OR discouraged by parents as it will develop racing habit inchildren. All sorts of Motor sports, especially racing should be banned by government. Telecast of Motor Sports and Racing also should be banned. Racing, over speed / highly risky riding, driving by Heroes should not befilmed in cinemas and TV serials. Children are likely to imitate the same. Statutory warning will no help. Government should censor such scenes. Advertisements by automobile companies which include scenes ofdangerous and risky riding or driving should be banned. Youngsters arelikely to imitate the same. Statutory warnings will not help. Such ads willresult in irreparable character formation regarding riding and driving in kidsand children. Such children may make accidents in future. Children below a certain age should not be permitted to do cycling in busyroads and in roads where heavy vehicles are plying. Refreshment parlors should be made available at every 50 / 100 k. . on all highways and important roads. Truck, Heavy vehicle drivers should beforced to refresh by having a face wash or by having a cup of tea or coffee. The practice of keeping the traffic signals in standby mode during nights andon holidays is to be reviewed and discontinued. Advertisement boards and other items that may obstruct visibility at junctions, curvatures and other parts of the roads should be removed imm ediately. Ensure that the money recovered as Road Tax is fully utilised for the construction and maintenance of roads. Time Punching of Private buses practiced in some regions should bed is continued as it is forcing the drivers to go at high speed, after traffic blocks. Newspaper, Television and other media should be effectively used for Public Safety Awareness. Major accidents and accident prone areas should be analysed scientifically. Speed should be restricted at accident prone areas. More stringent traffic rules should be enacted. License of those who are involved in accidents should be suspended immediately, at least until they prove that they are not guilty. License of those who make serious accidents should be cancelled immediately.

Actual film Essays

Actual film Essays Actual film Essay Actual film Essay Arthur Miller uses characters and action to explore ideas about a number of different qualities and emotions. He uses John and Elizabeth, for example, to show the love that can break through if you try really hard at a relationship. He uses honesty, through Proctor to show the good and the bad consequences that can arise out of telling the truth and out of lying. He uses betrayal through Proctor also; by Proctor having an affair with Abigail. This shows how betrayal can rip apart a marriage with one stupid mistake. He shows greed and power through Danforth, by Danforth saying no postponement to the hangings just so his reputation wouldnt be lost. He shows honour, through Giles, because Giles didnt answer aye or nay to being a witch. His final words were more weight and then he died. He kept up to his reputation as being funny and by living up to his name.  Another way Miller connects through to the audience is by using a number of dramatic devices. I am now going to have a look at some of the different techniques and how he does this. Miller uses a number of different techniques to build and release tension. One of these techniques is leaving you on cliff hangers. He did this with Acts 1,2 and 3! With Act 1 Abigail and Betty had just made accusations of whom they had seen with the devil, Act 2 Elizabeth had just been taken away, and Act 3, Proctor has just confessed and Hale had quit the court! He uses short staccato sentences to build up tension, like in Act 4 Elizabeth says, Giles is dead so it is short and powerful. That way we feel more of an impact. Also in Act 2 where John and Elizabeth first start talking, they are saying only what they need to, not going into any detail. Proctor says are you well today? And Elizabeth says, I am whereas she could have gone into more detail such as yes Im fine thanks, it was probably just a passing cold, and you? She kept it as short and sweet as possible, almost telling the audience that they couldnt have a long flowing conversation because she suspected him. However, I found that having watched the film, seen it performed and having read the play script, the most dramatic was the actual film. I think this is because you can use devices such as camera shots and angles and music to increase the tension. There were also a lot of different scenes in the film that I hadnt seen in the play. I think this is because it would be too hard in an actual play to move the scene props around in such a small space of time! In the film I also thought that it made it more dramatic by making them say the lords prayer just before they were hung and the number of voices gradually decreasing as one by one they got pushed off. I really didnt like, however, the fact that John didnt get to say Amen. I think that links back to the unfairness and cruelty of the time. At the end of Act 3 Miller has left us on the edge of our seats, but as we enter Act 4, Miller uses the humour of Tituba and Sarah to make our tension decrease again. In act 4 our tension goes up and down like a yo-yo with Proctors indecisive mind, we can never relax! By the end of Act 4 our tension is at its climax, especially with the stage direction the final drum roll crashes, then heightens violently, Hale weeps in frantic prayer, and the new sun is pouring in upon her face, and the drums rattle like bones in the morning air. Another technique Miller uses, is dramatic irony. He uses this to create huge amounts of tension, such as the affair between Proctor and Abigail. When John and Elizabeth were alone together for the first time in Act 2, tension was high because we knew, and John knew what he had done, but Elizabeth didnt. He uses pauses to create a sense of someone finding it hard to say something; they might be scared, or even nervous.  Arthur Miller uses language with layers of different meanings. I am now going to have a look at some of the sentences he has put together and whether or not they have more than one meaning. In Act 1, John and Abigail are left alone. They use words referring to hot and cold and animals to talk about sex indirectly. This is because it just wasnt a thing you would talk about! For example sweated like a stallion this could also mean just sex and no love, like animals.  Abigail says, You are no wintry man this could mean he is not emotionless and frigid, he is hot blooded and passionate. Unlike Elizabeth who she says is a cold, snivelling woman. Abigail is trying to say that John is the complete opposite to Elizabeth. She is wondering why John would want to be with her? She is so different and doesnt satisfy him like Abigail does.  Throughout the play Miller uses metaphorical language. In Act 2 John says I will fall like an ocean on that court I think this means that the court will be overthrown and will have a small amount of power compared to what John will have.  Arthur Miller uses this language for a number of different reasons. It may be to enliven ideas, or by making a link through language to another context and most of all to make the audience use their imaginations and think about the play, rather than just sitting down, watching it and never thinking about it again.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions These resolutions were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. These resolutions were the first attempts by states rights advocates to impose the rule of nullification. In their version, they argued that since the government was created as a compact of the states, they had the right to ‘nullify’ laws that they felt exceeded the granted power of the Federal government. Four Measures of the Alien and Sedition Acts The Alien and Sedition acts were passed while  John Adams  was serving as Americas second president. Their purpose was to fight against criticisms people were making against the government and more specifically the Federalists.  The Acts consist of four measures designed to limit immigration and free speech. They include: The Naturalization Act  - This act increased the residency time for individuals applying for U.S. citizenship. Immigrants would have to live in the US for 14 years in order to be eligible for citizenship. Previous to this, the requirement was 5 years. The reason for this act was that America was in danger of going to war with France. This would give the president the ability to better deal with suspicious foreign nationals.  The Alien Act  - Following the passage of the Naturalization Act, the Alien Act continued to give more power to the presidency over foreign nationals living in the U.S. The president was given the ability to deport aliens during peacetime.The Alien Enemy Act  - A little less than a month later, President Adams signed this Act into law. The purpose of the Alien Enemy Act was to give the president the ability to expel or imprison aliens during times of declared war if those aliens had ties to Americas enemies.  The  Sedition Act  - The final act, pass ed on July 14, 1798, was the most controversial. Any conspiracy against the government including riots and interference with officers would result in a high misdemeanor. This went so far as to stop people from speaking in a false, scandalous and malicious manner against the government.  Newspaper, pamphlet and broadside publishers who printed articles aimed primarily at his administration were the intended targets. The backlash to these acts was probably the main reason why  John Adams  was not elected to a second term as president. The Virginia Resolutions, authored by James Madison, argued that Congress was overstepping their bounds and using a power not delegated to them by the Constitution. The Kentucky Resolutions, authored by Thomas Jefferson, argued that states had the power of nullification, the ability to nullify federal laws. This would later be argued by John C. Calhoun and the southern states as the Civil War neared. However, when the topic came up again in 1830, Madison argued against this idea of nullification.   In the end, Jefferson was able to use the reaction to these acts to ride to the presidency, defeating John Adams in the process.

Classroom Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Classroom Environment - Essay Example This supports the school philosophy where it states that â€Å"Creative Care Preschool provides a clean, safe and nurturing environment. It offers rich, age-appropriate learning materials/ experiences for children, carefully planed and prepared by teachers each day. Creative Care Preschool is a place where children free to explore, touch, experiment and ask many of their questions, supervised by adults in school so that they can discover the answers to these questions themselves.† (Creative Care Vision, Mission and Philosophy, 2010, p. 1) In general, the classroom environment should reflect the goals and expectations of the teacher. It will also dictate somehow to the children how they will behave (Brewer, 2001). Space allocation reflects the priorities of the curriculum. According to Boulton-Lewis & Catherwoods (1995), when the quality of the physical environment declined, teacher restriction and control increased, the teacher’s behavior became less friendly, the students became less interested and involved, classroom rules increased, and conflict among children increased. Likewise, Kepler (1995) observed that the learning environment influences, and directly contributes to, children’s behavior and levels of learning. It seems teachers at Creative Care Preschool are well aware of this, as they have structured the physical environment in such a way that children feel free to be themselves. The environment is one that is open and stimulating in order to encourage children to participate, explore, and learn. A stimulating environment provides the teacher with many opportunities to observe where a child’s interests lay as well as those areas the child may be tentative in (Danoff, Breitbart & Barr, 1977). The environment should also be flexible and spontaneous to accommodate children’s play that is essential in a preschool classroom, and is

Methodologies for the water quality and eutrophication potential Article

Methodologies for the water quality and eutrophication potential assessment in Lakes (Melen Reservoir) and application of water quality models (WASP, PAMOLARE) - Article Example The quantitative nature of assessment refers to the precise information on different pollutant parameters , usually undertaken based on detailed sampling followed by laboratory analysis (Mantas et al, n.d.). The quantitative investigations on water quality is assessed on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. The physical parameters refers to those assessed by physical means like visual appeal, odour and taste. The high turbidity, mixing with colored wastewater, high water temperature, odour generated from the dead and decayed matter are some of the changes that are noticed through physical means. But chemicals parameters are those that require detailed chemical analysis to understand the characteristics. The dissolved oxygen that measures the amount of oxygen molecules present in the dissolved state , biochemical oxygen demand to give the measure of organic impurities in water, nutrients like nitrates and phosphates are the major chemical parameters that mus t be monitored continuously. The bacteriological quality refers to the various biological organisms that are present in water like phytoplankton, bacteria, protozoa and variety of small plants. In the case of lakes and reservoirs, high influx of nutrients into the water body results in the indiscriminate growth of green plants like phytoplankton and small sized floating weeds termed as eutrophication. In order to estimate the long term impact of the current pollution trends on the water quality , model and simulation studies become very essential. The models usually proposed are theoretical models, empirical models or statistical models. They are very essential to understand the changes in the water quality of streams and hence to propose appropriate means for the restoration methods. The mechanisms behind the fate and transport of contaminants/pollutants are mostly based on mass balance calculations that incorporates different processes

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 5

Strategic Management - Essay Example The story of the ‘Subway’ is an indication of just what organizations need to do in an increasingly globalized environment. Winning customer confidence and remaining true to organization’s policies and priorities lies at the heart of just what has to be done. To achieve this, an organization has to have a strategy that delivers capabilities which enable the firm to cope with challenges from within the organization itself as well as outside of it. In the case of Subway, this is what enabled the company, small as it was, to be able to stick it out in a market dominated by global players such as the McDonald’s and Burger King. However, once opportunities in the domestic market shrink, it may no longer be tenable to continue pumping resources in such a market. Expansion outside the domestic market becomes the only option for growth. Having a strategic capability ensures that the company’s competitive edge can be sustained into the long run. In the current globalized environment, firms need to grow in order to survive in the market. This growth is difficult to attain due to intense competition. Therefore, organizations need to develop clear strategies that earn them competitive advantages. Otherwise, they will not survive the competition. Organizations need to understand their resources and use them creatively to attain competitive advantages that ensure they brave the competition. It, therefore, calls on the management to come up with sound priorities and strategies which can be achieved in light of resource constraints.

Treatment Of Diabetes During The Ramadan Fasting Time Essay

Treatment Of Diabetes During The Ramadan Fasting Time - Essay Example Current study examines the methods that can be used for the treatment of diabetes during the Ramadan fasting time. Regarding this issue several other themes – related with the specific subject - are going to be presented and evaluated. Under these terms, this paper is going to extensively refer to its main subject – as stated above – presenting at the same time the main aspects and the particular characteristics of a series of issues, which could be summarized to the following ones: a) What is diabetes and which are its main types? b) which are the most known – and the most developed – methods for the treatment of diabetes, c) is there any relationship between the development of diabetes and the nutrition habits of the population, d) the nutrition followed during fasting periods, especially the Ramadan, has been proved to have any impact on the progress of the treatment of diabetes and if yes, which are the main aspects of this impact? e) is the med ical staff prepared and trained appropriately in order to handle effectively the treatment of diabetes? A special reference to the competence of medical staff to adapt the diabetes’ treatment to the nutrition ‘ethics’ of the Ramadan fasting period is going to be made at this point, f) which are the prospects for the development of diabetes’ treatment during the Ramadan fasting period (reference to experiments made in the relevant field).

Should colleges have male female quotas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Should colleges have male female quotas - Essay Example There are many reasons why colleges should have male and female quotas. For example, it gives students ample time for academic studies in the school. This is because they are able to make personal studies in the room and complete assignments without wasting time. Similarly, the establishment of male and female quotas accords students easy access to school facilities such as books, classes and the library (Franceschet, et al 145). Additionally, quick acquisition of such college materials helps students to cope well in class especially during the time of exams. Alternatively, there is the provision of security for students when both male and female quotas are found within the college. In other words, there is the essence of students enjoying their learning without the hassles of being mugged and robbed outside the college compound. Another fundamental reason why colleges should have male and female quotas is to encourage interaction of both sexes to improve on maturity. In other words, it is imperative for young people as they outgrow their hormonal and adolescent energies to practice how to cohabit with the members of the opposite sex without comprising their morals and virtues. Therefore, it solidifies the morals of the male and female students especially as they learn various youthful activities (Engelstad & Teigen 123). ... In other words, this is cemented by the ability to strike long term friendships that help even outside the college quotas. Similarly, the constant interaction leads to broadening one’s perception about life and its pitfalls. Another fundamental reason is the need to create both male and female quotas to attain proximity of college materials and facilities (Franceschet, et al 157). Moreover, this reduces the expenses of transportation that could be apportioned in other areas. Moreover, when the college establishes both male and female quotas together, students are able to seek extra comfort such as buying of kitchen facilities, laundry services and TV set. Others include purchasing of Wi-Fi systems for male students where they are safe within the college. In the same context, when there are quotas for both genders within the college one can make meals using the electricity without any interference. Quotas also accord the students the privilege of having private lockers that the y can use for personal items such as books, clothes and shoes among others (Engelstad & Teigen 114). On the same context, rubbing shoulders with students of different customs and cultures in the college quotas expands the minds of the students to think in different perspectives. Furthermore, quotas established within the college provide both the male and female students with the ability to prolong their stay as long as they are students in the school. This is unlike if there were quotas outside hence forcing students to hire rooms outside the college compound. Another crucial reason for colleges establishing male and female quotas is to deter students from falling to the temptations of the

What Most Influenced You To apply To George Washington University Essay

What Most Influenced You To apply To George Washington University - Essay Example shington University and the only possible knowledge and information that I have received about the business degree and the alma mater is through some friends and acquaintances. These friends have been studying at the George Washington University and thus their help and assistance is something that I am banking upon in a large manner. More than their advice and facilitation is the input that I have received from the school counselor who has gone out of his way at establishing a touch point between George Washington University and me and hence there do not seem to be any ambiguities related with the George Washington University as such. Their suggestions with regards to the George Washington University have only raised my confidence endlessly and have thus helped me to visualize my own personality within the realms of the university more than anything else. Furthermore I have never visited Washington DC but with the passage of time I have been visiting some states within United States of America which has given me the insight and understanding of the American culture, traditional values and norms. The reason as to why I want to pursue my educational career within USA is because I feel it is a new place that I have not visited as such and more so because USA has so much more to offer, not only to a student but also to a foreigner. It has so many opportunities available within it which only excites me as a student nonetheless. Another reason that can be accredited to the US region is that I have got a lot of friends over there and with them being on my side my educational journey would surely improve and be a blessed one at the same time. Another one of the significant aspects which comes under the US factor is that the George Washington University is a good and reputable institution, one on which I can bank my future upon and think of my life progressing along in a fine manner when I look back down the lane say about 10 years from today. As I would be away from my

Should colleges have male female quotas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Should colleges have male female quotas - Essay Example There are many reasons why colleges should have male and female quotas. For example, it gives students ample time for academic studies in the school. This is because they are able to make personal studies in the room and complete assignments without wasting time. Similarly, the establishment of male and female quotas accords students easy access to school facilities such as books, classes and the library (Franceschet, et al 145). Additionally, quick acquisition of such college materials helps students to cope well in class especially during the time of exams. Alternatively, there is the provision of security for students when both male and female quotas are found within the college. In other words, there is the essence of students enjoying their learning without the hassles of being mugged and robbed outside the college compound. Another fundamental reason why colleges should have male and female quotas is to encourage interaction of both sexes to improve on maturity. In other words, it is imperative for young people as they outgrow their hormonal and adolescent energies to practice how to cohabit with the members of the opposite sex without comprising their morals and virtues. Therefore, it solidifies the morals of the male and female students especially as they learn various youthful activities (Engelstad & Teigen 123). ... In other words, this is cemented by the ability to strike long term friendships that help even outside the college quotas. Similarly, the constant interaction leads to broadening one’s perception about life and its pitfalls. Another fundamental reason is the need to create both male and female quotas to attain proximity of college materials and facilities (Franceschet, et al 157). Moreover, this reduces the expenses of transportation that could be apportioned in other areas. Moreover, when the college establishes both male and female quotas together, students are able to seek extra comfort such as buying of kitchen facilities, laundry services and TV set. Others include purchasing of Wi-Fi systems for male students where they are safe within the college. In the same context, when there are quotas for both genders within the college one can make meals using the electricity without any interference. Quotas also accord the students the privilege of having private lockers that the y can use for personal items such as books, clothes and shoes among others (Engelstad & Teigen 114). On the same context, rubbing shoulders with students of different customs and cultures in the college quotas expands the minds of the students to think in different perspectives. Furthermore, quotas established within the college provide both the male and female students with the ability to prolong their stay as long as they are students in the school. This is unlike if there were quotas outside hence forcing students to hire rooms outside the college compound. Another crucial reason for colleges establishing male and female quotas is to deter students from falling to the temptations of the

Severn Suzuki Article Essay Example for Free

Severn Suzuki Article Essay WE are responsible for our Planet Our planet Is getting more and more dirty. The earth Is full of waste and the temperature Is getting higher and higher. Would n It be nice to live on a clean and comfortable planet, where you can feel the nature with all its beatiful sections. Earth Summit, that is the name of a UN conference in 1992 met in Rio de Janeiro to consider the urgent need for development in developing countries. They are planning, not to destroy the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Earth Summit wants all people to fix the lifestyle, maybe only a little bit, and save the orld. A girl named Severn Suzuki paid for the trip to Rio herself and wanted to let people think about our Situation with the earth and talked In a public speech to all people. She wants to change the habits of adults and children. Severn says, that she found fish with cancer. Is this the way we want to eat fish? We really have to think of what we can make better in waste seperation. So if for instance plastic is thrown in the sea, the fish will eat the plastic, and we eat the fish. Horrible! Another problem is the buying of unnecessary things. We buy and throw away. Why don t we think of what we really need? In my oplnlon the arguments from Severn Suzuki are still a big problem nowadays. Actually the problems got worse. If the society does not change their lifestyles, maybe we are all killer. Because we killed our children or grandchildren. Firstly the production of plastic and other nonbiodegradable waste increases. And secondly the waste seperation is not important for the people any more, because they do not realize the danger. To sum up we all have to work and clean our planet, f we want to live on the beatlful earth. We can not only use and use and giving nothing back to regenerate, so It Is on our planet.

A Character Analysis Of Harry Potter English Literature Essay

A Character Analysis Of Harry Potter English Literature Essay In J. K. Rowlings novel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, readers see Harrys character develop and build upon the person Rowling introduced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets shows Harry further mature as a wizard and as a person. Though he is still young, Harry learns many important lessons in this novel that help him learn about life and himself. By the end of the novel, readers can see Harry as a bit more developed, but not as a completely different person. The second novel in the Harry Porter series isnt too different from the first in that it enforces many of the characteristics readers have already learned about Harry from the first novel. For example, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone readers learn that Harrys deepest desire is to be with family. In the very beginning of the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets readers learn that he cant wait to go back to Hogwarts and see his friends, who are his new family. Readers also see in the second novel that Harry has many doubts in himself, he still lacks confidence; likely caused by years of abuse by the Dursleys. Readers can also see that Harry is still kind, witty, honest and brave person. These can be seen when Harry treats Dobby as an equal in a kind manner, when Dobby asks him about his friends not writing and he immediately questions Dobby about how he knows that, when he refuses to lie to Dobby in order to get him to put down the cake, and finally when he uses the floo pow der without much hesitation. Readers also see that Harry is just as righteous in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as he was in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. This can be seen in his distaste of people like Lucius and Draco. Another characteristic which Rowling builds on is how Harry deals with fame. In the first book readers see Harry discover that he is famous for the first time, however his new found fame doesnt really seem to impact him. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets readers see that Harry actually dislikes his fame. Harry seems to be the exact opposite of Lockhart. Though, Lockhart is oblivious to this and ends up offending Harry by assuming that he seeks fame the same way he does. Rowling clearly shows readers how Harry feels about his fame when tries to refuse to take a picture with Lockhart and even more so when his image in the picture refuses to stay in the image; leaving Lockhart to pose alone. Two major themes Rowling writes about in the novel are class and prejudice. From the very beginning of the novel readers can see that Harry treats all beings equal; seen when Dobby shows up. However, readers can also see how young and naÃÆ' ¯ve Harry is in this novel. For example, when Draco calls Hermione and a filthy little mudblood Harry has no idea what that means (112). Through this readers can see how innocent Harry actually is. He doesnt know how evil the world can be and this is something he learns during his time at Hogwarts. In addition, Harry lies to Dumbledore about what he knows and then turns to Riddle for help with figuring out what is happening. This shows how young Harry is and that his judgment still needs more developing. Eventually readers can see Harry gaining better judgment with regards to who he should trust. The voice that Harry hears also helps readers identify some of his characteristics. When Harry hears the voice say that it is time to kill (Rowling 137), his instinct is to follow the voice in hopes of preventing it from doing anyone any harm. This is a characteristic that Rowling continues to build upon with Harry. His instinct is to always do good things and prevent evil from occurring; however Harry does not understand the source or nature of the voice. This lack of understanding becomes the source of frustration and doubt for Harry. He later deals with this by confiding in his friends, but rejects help from a more mature and experienced people, such as Dumbledore. The fact that he seeks help from his friends shows some maturity in Harry, but because he doesnt seek help from Dumbledore readers can see that he has some growing up to do. Throughout the book Rowling enforces many of the characteristics she has already given Harry. For example, Harry doesnt look down on Filch for being a squib, he throws a firecracker into a cauldron while in potions class, so that Hermione may get the ingredients for the poly juice potion, and finally his performance during the Quidditch game versus Slytherins. These show that Harry treats all beings equal, that hell break the rules for the greater good, and the Quidditch match shows his bravery, loyalty, determination, and teamwork. The Quidditch match a very example for describing Harry because of how intense it is. Oliver tells Harry, get to that snitchà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦or die trying and that is exactly what Harry does (167). In addition, he tells George and Fred to leave him alone, so that he can find the snitch while leaving himself defenseless to the rogue bludger. This shows that Harry is even willing to sacrifice himself if his friends benefit. Readers can see further development of Harrys character when the Riddles diary goes missing. Harry decides that he and Ron must talk to Hagrid about the situation even though he cant believe its him this time (259). Harry is willing to break rules because he is interested in protecting his Hogwarts as well as preserving it. This is an important scene in the novel because Harry does not generally do bad things. Harry never really has a problem discerning right from wrong. However, there are certain circumstances when he must break rules in order to achieve the greater good; this is yet another trait which Rowling is building upon. Readers can see that Harry does not accept status quo and will do whatever it takes to do whats right. Readers can see examples of this when Harry goes into the forbidden forest and makes Ron come with him. Even though the last time he went in the forbidden forest he saw Voldemort, Harry does not hesitate to go and even when he stands in front of Aragog Harr y keep his cool. In these passages readers can see that Harry truly is a brave person of action. Harrys bravery is also enhanced by the fact that he has to rely on his own instincts and himself for help; Hermione has been petrified and Rons wand is broken, rendering him useless. Another example of how Harrys character develops can be seen in how he handles being blamed for petrifying Hermione. Even though so many horrible things are going on around him, he doesnt explode or over react. In fact, when Ernie apologizes for suspecting him, Harry does not hold a grudge. Hermiones character actually players a major role in the development of Harry. Her condition leaves her confined to the infirmary and leaves Harry to solve problems hed leave to Hermione on his own. Without Hermiones knowledge, Harry must approach every dangerous encounter while relying on his own instincts, bravery, and loyalty. For example, when Ron suggests that they go speak with Lockhart, the Rowling tells the reader that Harry agreed because he couldnt think of anything else to do, and because he wanted to do something (296). Also, when they go to see Lockhart and realize that he intends on running away, it is Harry who challenges Lockharts and stops him. He tells Lockhart, Youre the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher . . . You cant go now! (297). These scenes show readers that Harry is becoming more independent and can rely on his own abilities. Even without anyones help Harry is capable of making his own decisions and doing what he believes is right. In the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, readers see Harry take part in a conflict similar to the ending of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. In this final conflict, Harry shows immense bravery and loyalty. He also learns an important lesson with regards to his good nature and trusting other people. Harry wanted to believe that Riddle wanted to help him, but he soon discovers that he is doesnt. In fact, he learns that Riddle is Voldemort and Harry shows courage in trying to fight him. Harry also shows how loyal he actually is when he tells Riddle that Dumbledore is the greatest wizard in the world (314).Because of his loyalty, Harry is rewarded with the phoenix and even though Harry doesnt know exactly what to do, he is still brave enough to fight. The end of the book also foreshadows what is to become of Harry. Harry using his wit to trick Lucius into freeing Dobby shows that in the future hell have combat evil with his intelligence in addition to his actions. Even though many readers many have grown a dislike for Dobby because of what he has done to Harry; Harry sees that his actions were to help him, so Harry tries to help him in return. This kindness is a characteristic Rowling also builds upon in Harry and is essential in his personality. Harrys character evolves throughout the novel. In the end readers are presented with a character that is different, but not completely. Readers can see that Harry is not an exceptional hero. In fact he is more of an average person that is aided by those who care for him and are genuinely concerned for his well being. Harry is a good person and this would be true even if he wasnt a wizard. While magic adds to the novel, it does not entirely make up Harrys personality. In fact, it is Harrys human characteristics that allow Harry to shine as a hero in this novel. He is a hero, but this fact is not based solely on him being a wizard. In conclusion, Harrys development teaches readers many things and gives them some insight of what is to become of Harry. One theme of the novel is that people will always encounter obstacles. Harry learns that even as a wizard, he will always face difficult times. To overcome his endeavors Harry must continue to grow as a person and continue to live fully aware that dangers are present. The best Harry can do is keep using his strong character traits such as honestly, bravery, wit, loyalty, and finally what is probably most important to his character vigilance. Work Cited Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic Inc. 1999.

Athol Fugards drama, Master Harold :: Athol Fugard Master Harold Essays

Athol Fugard's drama, "Master Harold" . . . And The Boys, was written during a time of great conflict in South Africa, where he was raised. Fugard was torn between his mother, who was "Afrikaaner," (1291) and his father, who was "of English decent" (1291). These differing influences caused Fugard to use the discussions between Sam and Hally to demonstrate the religious, racial, and political tensions of his lifetime in South Africa. The discussion between Sam and Hally about who was "a man of magnitude" (1300) represents the religious tensions of Fugard's lifetime in South Africa between the growing belief in evolution and Jesus Christ's teaching of Creation. Hally says that Charles Darwin was "a man of magnitude," (1300) because he was "somebody who benefited all mankind" (1301). He admires Darwin "for his Theory of Evolution" (1301), which according to Hally, proves "where we come from and what it all means" (1301). Sam totally disagrees with Darwin's "Theory of Evolution" (1301) because evolution is in contrast to the Bible's teaching on Creationism, and he says that just because it is in a book it "does not mean [he's] got to believe it" (1301). Sam believes that "Jesus Christ" (1302) was "a man of magnitude" (1300). Hally is obviously against Sam's suggestion of Jesus Christ, because Hally makes it clear that he is "an atheist" (1303). This disagreement between Sam and Hally is really just an example of the religious tensions in South Africa during Fugard's lifetime between the "Theory of Evolution," (1301) which was becoming more accepted, and Christianity, which was taught by Jesus Christ. A second discussion between Sam and Hally that occurs after Hally learns that his father has gone home demonstrates the racial tensions of Fugard's lifetime in South Africa. When Sam starts lecturing Hally about how he treats his father, Hally becomes angry and tells Sam that he is "treading on dangerous ground" (1321). Hally also tells Sam that his "mother is right"(1322) about "warning [him] about allowing you to get to familiar" (1322). The climax of the argument is when Hally tells Sam that he is "only a servant" (1322). This is the first noticeable statement that Hally makes that demonstrates the racial tensions experienced in South Africa. The next racial statement Hally makes is when he tells Sam that his father is his boss because "he's a white man and that's good enough for [him]" (1322).

Victor Frankenstein’s Obsession in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Essay

The most prevalent theme in Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein† is that of obsession. Throughout the novel there are constant reminders of the struggles that Victor Frankenstein and his monster have endured. Many of their problems are brought upon by themselves by an obsessive drive for knowledge, secrecy, fear, and ultimately revenge. From the onset of Victor’s youth, his earliest memories are those of â€Å"Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember† (ch. 4) This is the first example of obsession that we see in the novel. This drive to learn the ‘hidden’ laws of nature is the original driving force that sets the plot in motion. Without this, Victor would have never embarked on his unholy quest to overcome mortality, thus leading to his creation of his monster. â€Å"Dr. Victor Frankenstein feels uncontrollably compelled to create animation in the lifeless body† (Storment) this obsession with the creation of life alienated him from his loved ones. His impending marriage to Elizabeth was one aspect of his life that he sacrificed. In chapter 22, Elizabeth writes to him â€Å"Tell me, dearest Victor. Answer me, I conjure you by our mutual happiness, with simple truth-- Do you not love another?† Elizabeth’s concern about his faithfulness is based on his neglect of their relationship. He simply did not allow any other aspect of his life to impede his goal. Victor Frankenstein is ultimately successful in his endeavor to create life. This, however, does not stop the underlying theme of obsession. Shelley’s shift from Victor’s never-ending quest for knowledge is replaced with an obsession of secrecy. â€Å"I had worked har... ...his mental strength, taking its toll, leaving him incapacitated for months on end. The final compulsion to destroy his daemon takes him to the end of existence. Exhausted from his relentless pursuit, he dies without ever obtaining the closure that he was searching for. â€Å"Victor Frankenstein’s life was destroyed because of an obsession with the power to create life where none had been before† (Moring) Shelley leaves us pondering the question, when does obsession cross the line into insanity? Works Cited Moring, Patrick. Who is the Monster? California State University, Northridge. n.d.Web. 31 Oct. 2014. Storment, Suzanna. Frankenstein Commentary. Washington State University. n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2014. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Page By Page Books. Read Classic Books Online, Free. n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2014.

Conformity Paper Essay

Conformity affects one’s behavior. There are two primary reasons why individuals conform. First, people conform due to informational social influence. What this means is that people rely on others’ judgment about an ambiguous situation and use such judgment in choosing a particular course of action. The second reason is normative social influence. This refers to conforming simply to be accepted. Conformity is a big issue in most people’s lives. In my case, there has been numerous times wherein I relied on other people’s judgment to make a certain decision. The very simple example is determining what hair style would suit me best. I have consulted and asked for advice from my friends and family for this very simple matter. I could not decide for myself and I had to rely on their judgment. Another case wherein informational social influence was a factor for me was when I was deciding which course to take. To me, such decision seemed very confusing. There were too many options. Thus, I needed to consult my parents. I asked them their opinion and ended up following what it was they advised me to do. Informational social influence is very evident in society particularly in advertising. Companies use advertisements wherein they promote their product by showing surveys conducted that show their product as the preferred choice of the majority. This is meant to influence consumers to follow suit. Most people would think, â€Å"If most people choose this, then it must be the best choice.† In other words, they leave their judgment to other people. This is a very good demonstration of how informational social influence affects the decision making and behavior of individuals. In the case of the second reason for conformity, normative social influence, I have had several experiences wherein it played a factor in my behavior at the given time. This was especially true during my teenage years. When I was a teenager, I felt the need to fit in. I wanted to be among the popular kids at school. In order to be among the popular crowd, I tried to do everything that the popular ones did. I dressed as I saw them dress, I talked and acted as they did. However, I noticed that the more I tried to be like them, the more they seemed to be distant. More importantly, my real friends and my family began to question me as to why I was doing things that were unexpected of me. As I grew older and matured, I began to realize that not only were my attempts in vain, they were ridiculous and unnecessary. Nowadays, every time I look back on those days, I cannot help but to laugh. â€Å"Fitting in† is a big problem for most teenagers. That is why most teenagers get into various kinds of trouble. Some teenage girls get pregnant at a very early age simple because they thought that losing their virginity would make them more welcomed in the popular crowd. On the other hand, boys end up joining gangs as they search for a sense of belongingness. Drugs and alcohol also are common problems that teenagers face because of their wanting to fit in and be accepted by their peers. Basically, this is where the concept of peer pressure comes in. Peer pressure is simply the result of normative social influence. Teenagers feel the pressure from their friends to do certain things. They feel that if they do not do as what their peers do, they will end up being scorned and laughed at. For a teenager, humiliation is a big drawback. This is the reason why teenagers end up changing their behavior simply to be accepted by others.

Adr: Village Panchayat in India

INTRODUCTION The present village Panchayat is a kind of local self-Government. The system has three objects. One is to make the villagers better habituated with the exercise of franchise. The second is to relieve the Government from the details of the local affairs. The third is to let the people manage their own affairs. The Panchayat system has been integral part of the Indian village system through ages. A village is self contained microcosm, a composite peasant society representing different communities and cultural hues.It does not have irritant elements but represent an integrated culture, free to a greater extent from the penetrations of urban cultural patterns into the village life. The importance of village with its head man, called Gramani, could be traced to Rig Vedic times and this head man figures in later Vedic literature as one of the jewels or Ratnas of the administration. The Decimal system of classifications of village into units of 10, 20 or 100 or 1000 is well kno wn. According to Vinaya, heads of the villages (Gramikas) are stated to be meeting in an assembly of their own.Narada supervised the appointment of five officials in each village. The state took full responsibility of rural development, particularly by constructing roads, setting up of markets etc. There were also references to village elders — Gamma- vriddhas and Grama mahattaras – the prominent persons in the village being associated with village administration. An account of the Panchayat system comparing five persons (official and non official) in districts as well as in sub divisions is afforded by the inscriptions of the Gupta period.At the districtlevels, the Vishayapati or its head had a non official advisory council representing different interest in the locality. These included the Nagara- sresthin- the chief banker representing the commercial interests; the Sarthavaha or carvan – the chief of the leader of the trading community; the Prathama kulika â €“ the chief of the head of the families or the community head; and the Prathama kayastha – the chief scribe or the official administrator. The assistance of the council was sought in matters of alienation of lands and other allied matters of the community interest.At the subdivision (Vithi) and village level, there was a council of non officials consisting of the Vithi- mahaattaras and the kutumbins, representing the elders and agricultural house holds, respectively. The kulikas represented the non official elements in an advisory capacity. At the village level, the Gramika or the head man and his council settled land disputes by fixing boundaries and they also mentioned law and order. His advisory council constitutes the mahattaras – the village elders and the Astha – kuladhikarans – the eight head of the families and other leading men of experience and status.The village elders in southern India were known as Mahajans and they regulated the socio-e conomic life of the village and assisted equally in administration. The Panchayat system was prevalent in the urban context as well. The local body was called Uttarasabha, Goshthi, Panchakula and a board of Sauvayika. The Panchakula signified a body of five persons who were appointed by provincial head. They deliberated in the town hall called Mandapika. The committee looked after proper realization of grant and rent from the endowed property.On May 15, 1989, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced a constitutional amendment bill in Lok Sabha. This was introduced to make Panchayat Raj in India a truly representative and effective system. The bill could not become law as it was not passed by Rajya Sabha. The bill was again introduced in the new parliament by Narasimha Rao government. This bill, the seventy third amendment act, 1992, passed by parliament, was bought into effect on April 24, 1993. Madhya Pradesh was the first state in the country to comply with the spirit and letter of the act. Presently, there are 2. 0 lakhs village Panchayats, 5500 Samities and 375 zila parishads. These institutions have been granted statutory authority in many states for raising funds through taxation, cess, land and fairs. The 11th Five Year Plan has ambitious plans for Panchayati system reforms. These bodies will take into account local aspirations, resources and would recommend programmes and methodologies to match them. The concept of Panchayati Raj is nothing new. It was the dream of Gandhi, the father of the nation, its need was stressed by Pandit Nehru, and it was repeatedly and forcefully advocated by Late Shri Jai Prakash Narayan.But, unfortunately, for various reasons, not much headway could be made for the realization of this ideal. Ever since Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi came to the helm of affairs in the country he repeatedly stressed the importance of Panchayati Raj. He formed his views on the subject by under-taking whirlwind tours of rural India to familiarize himself with the realities of rural life, by holding frequent workshops of District magistrates all over the country, and thus assessing their views and understanding their difficulties.As a result of this interaction with the people and the administrators, his views on Panchayati Raj gradually evolved, his thoughts ware clarified and he could from his own plan of Panchayati Raj and place it before the parliament with perfect self-confidence and case. He also sought to give it constitutional sanction by proposing to add a fresh chapter to the Indian constitution in the form of the 64thamendment, through the Bill which he moved in the parliament on the 15th of May, 1989.As a result of his clarity of thought and powerful advocacy, the bill was passed with near unanimity, with only five M. P. ’s voting against it. Late Shri Gandhi forcefully and clearly unfolded the concept of Panchayati Raj, the urgent need of constitutional sanction for it, and the salient features of his scheme for making it a reality. He pointed out that Panchayati Raj means taking democracy to the gross roots, it means transfer of power, in the real sense of the word, to the people living even in remote villages and bringing even the weakest sections of society into the national mainstream.He told the honorable members of parliament that, â€Å"Democracy was the greatest gift of our freedom struggle to the people of India. Independence made the nation free. Democracy made our people free. A free people are a people who are governed by their will and ruled with their consent. A free people are a people who participate in decisions affecting their lives and their destinies†. Gandhiji believed that democratic freedoms have to be founded in institutions of self-government in every village of India. He drew his inspiration and his vision from the Panchayats, the traditional ‘village republics’ of India.Panditji established the institution of Panchayati Raj as the primary instr ument for bringing development to the doorstep of rural India. Indiraji stressed the need for the people’s participation in the processes of economic and social transformation. † Yet, there can be no denying the fact that in most parts of the country, elections to the Panchayats have been irregular. The Bill seeks to put an end to such delays and difficulties. The essence of democracy is elections. But elections to Panchayati Raj institutions have been most irregular and uncertain.A mandatory provision in the constitution is therefore necessary. A statutory provision in the state law does not quite have the same sanctity. The Bill provides for regular periodic elections of Panchayati Raj institutions. In the absence of any compelling provision to reconstitute Panchayats within a reasonable period of time, by democratic elections, suspended Panchayats have remained suspended for years and dissolved Panchayats have remained dissolved for up to a decade or even more. Their existence has depended less on the mandate of the people then on the whim of state Governments.The bill leaves it to the state to determine the grounds and conditions on which Panchayats may be suspended or dissolved. The state Legislatures are to specify the grounds on which the Governor may suspend or dissolve a Panchayat. That is a matter for the Governor, acting in accordance with the constitution on the advice of the state Government. But dissolved Panchayats must be reconstituted within a reasonable period of time. It is the people who will determine, within a matter of months, the shape of the reconstituted Panchayat.The Bill will ensure that Panchayati Raj has a democratic character similar to the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies and Constitutional protection for their functioning as representative institutions of the people. â€Å"The single greatest event in the evolution of democracy in India was the enactment of the Constitution which established democracy in Parliam ent and in the state Legislature. The historic, revolutionary Panchayati Raj Bill takes the place alongside that great event as the enshrinement in the constitution of democracy at the grassroots†.Once democracy is accorded to the Panchayats the same sanctity as is enjoyed by parliament and the state Legislature, the doors will be opened for the participation in democratic institution to about seven lakh elected representatives. In this way the power-broker, the middlemen, the vested interests will be eliminated. For the minutest municipal function the people have to run around finding persons with the right connections who would intercede for them with the distant source of power.The system has been captured by the power-brokers who have established their vice-like grip on it, only because democracy has not functioned at the grass-roots. Once the people have their own elected representatives from electorates as small as a hundred persons, the source of power will lie only as far away as the Panchayat Ghar, not in some distant state capital or even the more distant capital of the country. There will be direct elections to Panchayats at all levels. Every voter will have his own representative in the Gram Panchayat, the mid-level Panchayat. The representative will be responsible to small and recognized electorate. It hey fulfill the mandate of the people the re-elected; otherwise the people will throw them out of office, power of the vote. In establishing the institutions of democracy in Parliament and in the state Legislature, our founding fathers gave particular recognition to the disabilities suffered by the Scheduled Castes and tribes. Provision was made for the reservation of seats for the total electorate. This is a principle which has not been incorporated in most of the Panchayati Raj legislations enacted by the state Legislatures. The democratic rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes cannot be secured by good intentions alone.It has t o be secured in the first instance, by reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions on the same basis as reservations are given in the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies. The Bill makes it mandatory for the state legislatures to ensure reservation for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in the relevant Panchayat area. Also, there will be reservations in Panchayats at all levels of 30% of the seats for women. The presence of women in large numbers in the Panchayats will not only make the Panchayats more representative but will also make them more efficient, honest, disciplined and responsible.It is the strength of moral character which women will bring to the Panchayats. The Panchayats will have the power and authority to draw of plans within the framework of guidelines and conditions to be laid draw by the state Government. These plans will constitute the basic inputs for the planning process of higher levels. This will ensure that the voice of the people, their needs, their aspirations, their priorities become the building blocks of the edifice of planning. The second major responsibility of the Panchayats will be the implementation of development schemes assigned to them by the state Governments.These schemes should cover the major economic concerns of rural India, commencing with agriculture and land improvement and going on to irrigation. They must comprise the diversification of the rural economy into animal husbandry, dairying, poultry and fisheries. They must incorporate industrial activity in rural India. They must look to the day-to-day concerns of rural India, housing, drinking water, fuel and fodder. The panchayats will also have the major responsibility for the administration of poverty-alleviation programmes.They would have to look to the education and culture, to health and family welfare, and to women and child development. Social welfare programmes for the weaker and handicapped sections would be the re sponsibility of the Panchayats. It is also proposed to give to the Panchayats the responsibility for the public distribution system which is so crucial to the survival of the weakest and the poorest, as also to the general health of the rural economy. In this way development will be taken to the grassroots in rural India.The same concern must be extended to the growing urban and semi-urban population of the country. To this end, a new chapter has been added to the constitution. Urban Municipalities and corporations have been brought within the two major questions have been raised repeatedly. Most reservations become a parliament feature of the Indian economic, educational and political scene? Must social disability, with the attached stigma of being a Harijan and hence being disallowed to enter the places of worship etc. continue for all times, privileges as their counterpart in the rural areas?Efforts have also been made to recast revamp and rejuvenate the cooperative movement, whi ch Pundit Nehru always regarded as the essential compliment to Panchayati Raj. Our democracy has reached the stage where the full participation of the people brooks no further delay. Those who decry Panchayati Raj as an election stunt are only those whose feudal interest will be overthrown by the power reaching the people. The late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said, â€Å"We trust the people. We have faith in the people. It is the people who must determine their own destinies and the destiny of the nation.To the people of India let us ensure maximum democracy and maximum devolution of power. Let there be an end to the power-brokers. Let us give power to the people. Salient features enumerated were: 1. Panchayats shall be constituted in every state at the village, intermediate and districtslevels. At intermediate level population should exceed 20 lakhs. 2. All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by persons chosen directly through the elections from the territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area. 3.The legislature of state may, by law, provide for the representation of chairpersons of the Panchayats at various levels – district, intermediate and village. The chairpersons may or may not be chosen directly from election from territorial constituencies. They shall haveright to vote in Panchayat meetings. 4. There shall be proportionate representation according to the total population of Panchayat area reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. One- third of the total number of seats shall be preserved for women. The office of the chairperson shall also be likewise be reserved. . Term of each Panchayat shall be 5 years unless it is dissolved earlier. This will apply to Panchayats constituted before the 73rd amendment act. 6. The legislature of a state may, by law, endow the Panchayats with the power to prepare plans for economic development and authorize them to levy, collect appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees and the power to provi de for grants-in-aid from the consolidated fund of the state. 7. The governor of a state, after every 5 years, will constitute a finance commission to review and audit the financial position of the Panchayats.He will also determine the principles for the distribution of the net proceeds of the taxes and tolls between the state and the Panchayats and will measure for the improvements of the financial positions of the Panchayats. 8. The governor shall appoint a state election commissioner whose tenure and service conditions will be decided by the state legislature. The state election commissioner will be responsible for the preparation of the electoral rolls and for the conduct of all elections. 9. The provisions mentioned above shall apply to union territories as well.The administrators shall be empowered in the same manner as the governors of the state. 10. None of the afore-mentioned provisions would be applicable to scheduled and tribal areas, to the hills area of Manipur, to the states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, to the district of Darjeeling in west Bengal to the Darjeeling Gorkha hill council. 11. Finally, the 73rd Amendment Act provides for the addition of Eleventh schedule – Article 243 G. This includes 29 areas like agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, women and child development etc. OLD SYSTEM OF THE VILLAGE PANCHAYAT AND ITS DECAYIn the pretty old time there were village Panchayats in India. They were very powerful organizations. They were virtually ruling over the village according to the customary laws. During the Mughal period the village Panchayats remained unaffected. Because the Mughal Emperors and the Mughal Chiefs were satisfied with the collection of revenue and taxes. They did not trouble about the local administration. But during the British period the Indian village Panchayats were completely inactive and runied. Because the British administration was very strong and was penetrating into every nook and corner of the country.The British Government founded the system of union-president to know the view of the public. But the union presidents played into the hands of the thana officers. Hence the old panchayat system was completely ruined. Panchayati Raj in Pre British Period. The word panchayat is derived from the word pancha panchasvanusthitah, has references in to the existence of Grama Sanghas or rural communities. The institution of Panchayati Raj is as old as Indian civilization itself. It was in existence since ancient periods, having an effective control over civil and judicial matters in the village community.The Rigveda, Manusamhita, Dharmashastras, Upanishads, Jatakas and others, refer extensively to local administration, i. e. the panchayat system of administration. In the Manusmriti and Shantiparva of Mahabharata, there are many references to the existence of Grama Sanghas or village councils. The earliest reference to panchayat is derived from the word Pancha, that refers to an institution of the five (pancha panchasvanusthitah) is found in the Shanti-Parva of Mahabaratha, pancha and panchavanustitah are semantically close to panchayat.A description of these village councils are also found in Arthashastra of Kautilya who lived in 400 B. C. Arthashstra gives a comprehensive account of the system of village administration prevailing in his time. During this period, the village administration was carried under the supervision and control of Adyaksha or headman. There were other officials such as Samkhyaka [accountant], Anikitsaka [veterinary doctor], Jamgh karmika [village couriers], Chikitsaka [physitian]. The village headman was responsible for ensuring the collection of state dues and controlling the activities of the offenders.In Ramayana of Valmiki, there are references to the Ganapada (village federation) which was perhaps a kind of federation of village republics. Self-governing village communities characterized by agrarian economies existed in India from the earliest times. It is mentioned in Rigveda that dates from approximately 200 B. C. The village was the basic unit of administration in the Vedic period. The most remarkable feature of the early Vedic polity consisted in the institution of popular assemblies of which two namely ‘Sabha’, and the ‘Samiti’ deserve special mention. A Samiti was the Vedic Folk Assembly that in some cases njoyed the right of electing a king while the Sabha exercised some judicial functions. Both the Samiti and Sabha enjoyed the rights to debate, a privilege unknown to the popular assemblies of other ancient people. The office of the village head man (Gramani) indicates the emergence of the village as a unit of administration. In the later Vedic period, the Samiti disappeared as a popular assembly while the Sabha sank into a narrow body corresponding to the kings Privy Council. In the course of time, village bodies took the form of panchayats that looked into the affairs of the village.They had the powers to enforce law and order. Customs and religion elevated them to the sacred position of authority. Besides this there was also the existence of caste panchayats. This was the pattern in Indo Gangetic plains. In the south, the village panchayats generally had a village assembly whose executive body consisted of representatives of various groups and castes. These village bodies, both in the north and south India, had been the pivot of administration, the centre of social life and above all a focus of social solidarity. In the Mouryan period, the village was the basic unit of administration.Villagers used to organize works of public utility and recreation, settle disputes, and act as trustees for the property of minors. But, they had not yet evolved regular councils. The village council appeared to have evolved into regular bodies in the Gupta period. They were known as Panchamandalas in central India and Gramajanapadas in Bihar. These bodies negotiated with the government for concessions and settlement of disputes. The inscription of Chola dynasty shows the construction and functions of the village assembly and their executive committees.The village administrations were performed by the elected representatives forming village council. During the medieval and Moghal periods, village bodies were the pivot of administration. In the Moghal period, particularly in the regime of Sher Shah, the villages were governed by their own panchyats. Each panchayat comprised of village elders who looked after the interest of the people and administered justice and imposed punishment on defaulters. The head man of the village, a semi government official, acted as a coordinator between the village panchayat and the higher administrative hierarchy.Akbar accepted this system and made it an indispensable part of civil administration. In this period, each village had its own panchayat of elders. It was autonomous in its own sphere and exercised powers of local taxation, administrative control, justice and punishment. The Moghals introduced elaborate administrative machinery with a hierarchy of officials, particularly in the field of revenue. The Moghal local administrative system lasted over centuries. It was with the collapse of the Moghal strong hold, the British established their hegemony in India. British PeriodThe British came to India as traders, and before long established an inroad into the cultural nexuses of the land. The primary focus of the British Raj was much to do with trade and little to do with governance and development. The local governments were hardly their first priority. In fact till the advent of the British rule in India, the rural republic had flourished and thrived. With the emergence of the British Raj in India, panchayats ceased to play a role that it once played. But, local self government as a representative institution was the creation of the British.In the initial days, the inter est of the British was limited to the creation of local bodies with nominated members. These bodies were built around trading centers. Thus in the year 1687, a municipal corporation came to be formed in Madras. Set up on the British model of town council, this body was empowered to levy taxes for building guild halls and schools. As time passed, similar bodies were set up in other major towns and this model became prevalent, helping the British widen their taxation power. This model continued to comprise nominated members with no elected elements what so ever.It was Lord Mayo, the then viceroy of India (1869 to 1872), who felt the need to decentralize powers in order to bring about administrative efficiency and in the year 1870 introduced the concept of elected representatives in the urban municipalities. The revolt of 1857 that had put the imperial finances under considerable strain and it was found necessary to finance local service out of local taxation. Therefore it was out of f iscal compulsion that Lord Mayo’s resolution on decentralization came to be adopted. The Bengal Chowkidar Act of 1870The Bengal Chowkidar Act of 1870 marked the beginning of the revival of the traditional village panchayati system in Bengal. The Chowkidar Act empowered district magistrates to set up panchayats of nominated members in the villages to collect taxes to pay the chowkidars or watchmen engaged by them. Ripon Resolution (1882) Lord Ripon made remarkable contribution to the development of Local Government. In 1882, he abandoned the existing system of local government by the officially nominated people. According to his local self government plan, the local boards were split into smaller units to achieve greater efficiency.In order to ensure popular participation, he introduced an election system for the local boards. The government resolution of 18th May, 1882, stands as a landmark in the structural evolution of local governments. It provided for local boards consist ing of a large majority of elected non-official members and presided over by a non-official chairperson. This is considered to be the Magna Carta of local democracy in India. This resolution proposed the establishment of rural local boards where 2/3rd of whose membership was composed of elected representatives.He brought in the concept of self-government in urban municipalities. He is treated as the founding father of urban local government. Ripon’s resolutions followed a series of Committees, Commissions and Acts in this line. The Royal Commission on Decentralization in 1909 elaborated further the principles of Ripon resolution. But this remained merely on paper. Ripon’s scheme did not make much progress in the development of local self government institutions. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 In this backdrop, Montagu Chelmsford reforms were passed in the year 1919.This reform transferred the subject of local government to the domain of provinces. The reform also r ecommended that as far as possible there should be a complete popular control in local bodies and the largest possible independence for them, of outside control. By 1925, eight provinces had passed village panchayat acts. However, these panchayats covered only a limited number of villages with limited functions. But this reform could not get much result as far as democratization of panchayats was concerned and lead to a lot of organizational and fiscal constraints. Government of India Act (1935)This is considered as another important stage in the evolution of panchayats in British India. With popularly elected government in the provinces, almost all provincial administrations felt duty bound to enact legislations for further democratization of local self government institutions, including village panchayats. Although the popular government in the provinces governed by the Congress vacated office following the declaration of Second World War in 1939, the position as regards local gov ernment institutions remained unchanged till August 1947, when the country attained independence.Even though the British government did not have interest in the village autonomy, they were forced to do so, in order to continue their rule in India and moreover to meet financial necessities. The Indian rural republic had flourished till the advent of British. It received a set back during the British rule. Self contained village communities and their panchayats ceased to get substance. They were replaced by formally constituted institutions of village administration. In the highly centralized system of British rule, village autonomy seems to have lost.PANCHAYATI RAJ IN INDEPENDENT INDIA The task of strengthening panchayati raj system fell on the Indian government formed after independence. It was clear that India a country of villages had to strengthen village panchayats to strengthen democracy. Mahatma Gandhi who strongly believed in Ggrama Swaraj pleaded for the transfer of power to the rural masses. According to him the villages should govern themselves through elected panchayats to become self sufficient. But surprisingly, the draft Constitution prepared in 1948 had no place for Panchayati Raj Institutions.Gandhi severely criticized this and called for immediate attention. It is thus, that panchayat finds a place in the Directive Principles of the State Policy. Article 40 of the Directive Principles of the State Policy states that ‘the states shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them function as units of self governments’. The most important aspect to strengthen grass root democracy was neglected by the Constitution makers as Directive Principle of State Policy is not legally binding on the governments.The first organized effort to tackle the problem of rural India was made through Community Development Programme in 1952 and National Extension Service in 1953. The programme was based on an integrated approach to the various aspects of rural development. The objectives were to promote self help and self reliance among the rural people, to generate a process of integrated social, economic and cultural change with the aim of transforming social and political life of the villagers. Community Development Programme was launched in 55 selected blocks.The programme was based on an integrated approach to the various aspects of rural development. The programme made provisions for appointing Block Development Officers [BDO] and Village Level Workers [V. L. W]. This programme was intended to bring socio economic development of the rural masses on democratic lines, but failed to take off along the expected lines due to the absence of an effective instrument for people’s participation. Balwantrai Mehta Committee Balwantrai Mehta Committee was the first Committee set up in 1957 to look into the problems of democratic decentralization in independ ent India.The Committee was asked to report on community development projects. The Committee made far reaching recommendations in the direction of democratic decentralization and rural reconstruction. It pointed out that the community development program was not successful because it failed to evoke local initiative and that in the absence of local initiative and local interest, development would not be possible. The committee laid down five fundamental principles. 1. There should be three tier structures of local self government bodies from village to the district level and these bodies should be linked together. . There should be genuine transfer of power and responsibility to these bodies to enable them to discharge their responsibility. 3. Adequate resources should be transferred to these bodies to enable them to discharge their responsibilities. 4. All welfare and developmental schemes and programmes at all three levels should be channeled through these bodies, and 5. The three tier system should facilitate further devolution and disposal of power and responsibility in future.The committee envisaged three tire system of panchayats known as Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayat and recommended encouragement of peoples’ participation in community work, promotion of agriculture and animal husbandry, promoting the welfare of the weaker sections and women through the panchayats. For the first, time the Committee made recommendations for co-opting of two women who are interested to work for women and children. However, like the rest of the male members, women were not to be elected but were to be co-opted.The recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee came into effect on 1st April 1958. Rajasthan was the first state to implement it on 2nd October 1959. By mid 1960s, panchayat had reached all parts of the country. More than 2,17,300 village panchayats covering over 96% of the 5,79,000 inhabited villages and 92% of rural population had been established. There was enthusiasm in rural India and people felt that they had a say in the affairs affecting their daily life. These were considered as the promising days of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India.The report of the Ministry of Community Development had stated in 1964-65 that younger and better leadership was emerging through Panchayati Raj Institutions and there was a fairly high degree of satisfaction among the people with the working of the panchayats. The recommendations of Balwantrai Mehta Committee were implemented by many states in the country. Till the mid sixties, Panchayati Raj system flourished in India. But there was decline in Panchayati Raj Institutions after the mid sixties mainly because of centralized tendencies of functioning all over the country.The elections were not held regularly and the participation of people weakened in these bodies. Inefficiency, corruption, favoritism, uncertainty and irregularity led to their decline. Most of the devel opment programmes were kept out of their preview. Centrally sponsored schemes were initiated; parallel administrative bodies were created and government reduced funds considerably. During the period of national emergency, bureaucracy got the upper hand and these institutions lost their significance. The village panchayats were made subordinate units of government to implement its programmes.Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) In this backdrop in 1977, the Janata government appointed a Committee with Ashok Mehta as chairman and was entrusted with the task of enquiring into the causes responsible for the poor performance of Panchayati Raj Institutions. It was also asked to suggest measures to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions. The committee suggested two tire system of Panchayati Raj consisting of Zilla Parishads at the district level and Mandal Panchayats at the grass root level as against three tier system suggested by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee.The committee recommended constitut ional protection to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and further decentralization of power at all levels. THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF VILLAGE PANCHAYAT The present system of village Panchayat has been introduced by the Government of India. It is according to the Directory Principles of the Indian Constitution. Accordingly, a Panchayat organized for every group of villages. This Panchayat consists of a President or Sarpanch, Vice-President or Naib-Sarpanch and some members. The Sarpanch is directly elected by the voters. The Government has assigned certain local taxes to Panchayat for its maintenance.The Government bears the deficit. The Government does many of its welfare schemes through the village Panchayats. The Government is encouraging the Panchayats to work better. The best Panchayat is awarded a rich cash-prize to found an industry in the Panchayat area. These village Panchayat elect some Panchayat Committee. They are connected with adalat Panch and the Zilla Parishad. The Village P anchayats are elected once in every three years. DUTIES The Panchayat is to look after the village and its welfare. It works out the Government welfare schemes. It collects taxes from the villagers.The village Panchayat has a Secretary to help the Panchayat in its work. The Secretary is a Government servant. The Panchayat manages some village institution. THREE TIER SYSTEM It envisages Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samitis at the block level & Zila Parishad at the district level. a. Village Panchayat †¢Consists of elected representatives of the people. †¢Membership varies from 5 – 31. †¢Seats reserved for SC, ST, women, etc. †¢Chairman is elected from among its members, known as ‘Sarpanch’. †¢The Panchayat is accountable for all its actions to the Gram Sabha, the general body of villagers. Gram Sabha consists of all the adults residing within the jurisdiction of the Panchayat. †¢It exercises general supervision over the w orking of the Panchayat & lays down necessary guidelines for its working. b. Block & Panchayat Samiti †¢The block, consisting of 20 – 60 villagers is administered through a Panchayat Samiti, consisting of indirectly elected members of village panchayat. †¢The chairman of Panchayat Samiti is called ‘Pradhan’. c. Zila Parishad †¢It is the top level of the 3 – tier structure. †¢Elect its chairman from amongst its members who is known as the District Collector CONCLUSION The system of Village Panchayat is a good thing.It is an elected body. The villagers can vote out the Panchayat office-bearers if they do not work satisfactorily. But the villagers should co-operate with the Panchayat in working out all their welfare programmes. BIBLIOGRAPHY WEBSITES: www. greenwood. com www. wikipedia. com www. legalserviceindia. com www. westlaw. com BOOKS: †¢Law Relating to ARBITRATION and CONCILLITATION IN INDIA, by Dr. N. V. Paranjape †¢Law R elating to ARBITRATION and CONCILLITATION IN INDIA, Lexis Nexis †¢Law Relating to ARBITRATION and CONCILLITATION IN INDIA, by C. K Takwani †¢Law Relating to ARBITRATION and CONCILLITATION IN INDIA, by Avtar Singh