Compared to olden times, people these days prefer secluded dwellings to socially active locales. Some say this is a sign of their being self-reliant while others believe that it shows their selfishness.   

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 Investigate to see how genuine these two views are.

People’s preference on where to stay in has changed well over time. Now it is more of, ‘in our own world than elsewhere’. It is both self reliance and selfishness that makes them so, I believe.

There was a time when life meant living with a lot of people, but much water has flowed down such a community bridge, and now it is ‘me and my’ all the way. In a way, it is right to say that people today can be in isolated living spaces because they can be on their own. For example, there is enough money, greater job security, and brighter future physical conditions; and obviously, the need for keeping a neighbourly attitude to people is getting diminished every passing day. So, there is no wonder, people go secluded.

Being secluded by way of being self-reliant is fine, but this sense of isolation is a bit contributed by selfishness as well.  Selfishness, actually, gets generated partly out of self-reliance. For example, a person who does not have to depend on others does not need to worry about others. Does he? To make it clearer, if you do not want me to be in touch with you socially, or I do not what you to, what we make it known is that what is mine or my family’s is much more important than what is yours or of your family. It is nothing short of selfishness.

In short, the search for the veracity of the two claims makes me conclude that being self-reliant contributes equally to secluded life as what selfishness does to it. In my opinion, this heightened attitude to ones’ personal space is not an encouraging sign.

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Ajaypeesdoc. 01.3.13

Products and services

Underutilization of finished products is a big threat to the environment. Some people say that this tendency is generated by manufacturers who bring out new products very often. Some others say it is consumerism that does the damage.

• How genuine are these two views in your opinion?

2.

Some hold the view that electronic goods manufacturers must collect the old product back when a consumer buys an upgraded version of the same product. But some believe that managing such a sold product, useable or overused, is the responsibility of the buyer. 

• Which view do you find worthwhile in an environmental point of view?
• How best can consumers extend a helping hand in managing spent products?

3.

Electronic waste as a byproduct of digital revolution is a threat to human life and ecology. Therefore, both consumers and manufactures are accountable for electronic waste management.

• Discuss the idea in an environmental and social perspective?

4.

Ajaypeesdoc. 1.2.02

Some advocates of green lifestyle claim that optimum utilization of generated energy is much more important than generating fresh energy.

• How relevant is this view in today’s global energy scenario?
• How best can people participate in energy management? 

5.

Currency management by way of credit and debit cards, ATMs and online modes has made human life much easier in several different ways.

• Look at the positive aspects of digital money management?
• Do you think paper currency going to be a thing of the past?

Jails do not reform prisoners; rather prisoners learn novel criminal ways in jails.

Being imprisoned is no big deal, for jails are not harder enough.

·         How do you see these two contrasting opinions?

·         Do you think jailing does any job at all?

Crimes and imprisonment are very much part of any  society. However, jailing criminals is viewed differently: to some, it breeds harder crimes and for some others, jails are not harder. Let me discuss these views.

Generally, jails have three purposes: reforming, rehabilitating and retribution. All these three happen in all jails, but their degrees may vary. In Indian jails, for instance, the reforming element is rather poor and fresher criminal activities get bred.  This may be either by way of the vile contacts with other chronic ones or due to the inhuman treatments meted out to them by co-prisoners or jailers.  To prove it, some one-time prisoners are found back in cells on charges of higher degrees of crime than what they had done before. Here there is neither reforming nor rehabilitating, but re-generating of crimes or criminals.

On the other hand, jails are not harder enough as well. In many cases, some prisoners find jails as comfy zones since there is scope for healthy food, great refuge and diverse engagements. For example, in my place, jails offer work with pay, recreation activities, and some are allowed to complete their education too. I think these are part of the efforts to reform or rehabilitate them. Unfortunately, some chronic criminals may take these as a blessing in disguise and cut an impression in the world outside that jails are not harder.

In short, what I feel is prisons do many jobs. They rehabilitate some, at times, breed a few harder criminals, and mostly, prison walls work as vaults of retribution. For any sane being, even the coziest jail will look nightmarish, demeaning and debilitating.

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Ajaypeesdoc.

27.2.13 demeaning

Many people opt out using several core facilities and services offered by the state, and instead they rely on private sector service providers. However, all these people are expected to pay certain statutory tax to the state.  

·         Do you think it is right to exempt such people from the state’s tax net?

·         What criteria could be used to exempt people from paying tax?

Preferring private sector services to government offered ones is a matter of choice and, in my opinion, those who resort to such practices cannot be exempted from paying statutory tax; rather there are other measures to determine who is eligible for any tax exemption.

The prime point that supports my stance is that state as such is not a funding authority to satisfy all the needs of the people; rather what the state has as its revenue is the taxes people pay. Some of such taxes are statutory and some are conditional. In this respect, all citizens are expected to contribute their due shares so that the state will have adequate funds to carry out its responsibilities. All services people enjoy come under these, and it is people’s choice to appreciate it or not to.  

Fore example, the rich may be unhappy with the state run hospital facilities, but the majority depend solely on such hospitals and these facilities need regular funding which is generated out of the taxes citizens pay. Here, no many can stay off.

However, there are certain cases wherein tax exemption can be allowed. People who are recovering from the aftermaths of calamities, either manmade or natural, could be exempted for the time being. Secondly, it is right to free those differently abled people from paying taxes, for they are the unfortunate ones among the rest, and they deserve tax exemption.

It is right to conclude by reiterating the fact that appreciating a service offered by the state is optional. But paying certain taxes is not so. Tax exemption is for a few, and they deserve it as well. Statutory tax, in my opinion, is a duty of the citizenry. 

Ajaypeesdoc

280 words. 21.2.13

With the employment environs getting diversified and embellished every passing day, many private sector employees find it alright not to attach any loyalty to their employers or their organizations. Some say there is nothing to worry about this development, whereas there are others who take it the other way round.

Take up a discussion on these two views.