2.
School is no longer a place for delivering knowledge where children are mere consumers of knowledge. Rather it is a platform for transformation.

Comment on this statement.
Deteriorated noble process teachers are gurus
Knowledge market knowledge is just one identifying oneself
Must transform all round growth grooms into someone
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There is growing concern on the quality of schooling these days. I understand that this concern is genuine, and unfortunately schools are becoming supermarkets of knowledge where what happens is not transformation of students but just transportation of information.

Looking at the statement, I find it right to say that educating children is a noble process. In this process, there are several factors. Among those factors, imparting knowledge is just one. But there are innumerable other elements that make what masters of olden times used to call it, transformation or metamorphosis. This is a holistic process involving reaching, guiding, fostering, strengthening, identifying, internalizing, and so goes the list. An education that does not enable this teacher-assisted transformation is an incomplete education in many counts.

Unfortunately, today, what is happening is the other way round. Instead of grooming students into civilized human beings, they are made to be just vehicles that carry information from centres of learning to job markets. Here everything is taken in terms of money. As a result, the very purpose of education gets aborted, and children become pawns in the hands of market forces. This is deteriorating and discouraging at the same time. Teachers are no more gurus. Teaching is no longer a calling, rather it is an occupation like any other.

In short, there needs to be immediate corrective measures to bring back the old glory of teacher-assisted transformation schooling. School should never cease to be markets of knowledge; students consumers. Schools are temples of wisdom. They have to be so.

255 words

Population ageing has emerged as the greatest challenge of this century for policy makers, care providers and society as a whole.

• How is this problem getting reflected in your society?
• What do you think are the major challenges the elderly face today?

It is a matter of great concern that people live longer leaving all nations across the world at a disadvantage. This is not different in my place too, and the problems the elderly face are different though.

As per a UN demographic data, our country India is expected to house 198 million people above 60 years in the year 2030. Needless to say, this is a challenge. In this part of the world, we have nuclear family system in place in the place of joint family. This shift, from crowded families to families of a few, makes the life of the elderly really miserable. For example, now many of them are in old age homes, some are under the mercy of carers in isolated ancestral homes and some others are living miserably in the fringes of nuclear families, exposed to many challenges.

These challenges differ markedly. Still there are a few common ones. The first one is isolation and insecurity. This is due to their being left to fend for themselves. Secondly, it is the absence of emotional and physical support. For example, their grandchildren are away, children are after their lives, the milieu is one of race and changes and their health status is at the mercy of medication and paid service. Above all, all the elderly suffer from the most severe psychological trauma called the fear of the unknown. They expect the worst at any moment. Should we say they remain challenged?

To conclude, the challenge the graying population poses is manageable provided the healthy and younger ones of the world understand the fact that they are going to be elderly in the days to come. This is applicable to all the world over.

280 words

School drop out rates are much higher in poor nations, and many poor nations do not seem to be offering any kind of alternative education arrangements to see that these dropped out students are brought back to productive life.

Essay 061

• What are the causes for this gross neglect suffered by the dropouts?
• Do you think they pose any threat to the well-being of the society in general?

School dropouts are an issue in all developing nations. The fact that they are dropouts should not make them feel ignored. Unfortunately, that is the case. So the need for putting them back to tract is very important. Else, they will pose many problems to the society.

If we look at the reasons why they are left in the lurch, the major one is the fact that their number is so huge, and accommodating then in different set is far beyond the reach of these poor nations. Secondly, these dropped out ones are engaged in some activities, and they do not put in their case in front of the authorities. This is a blessing in disguise. Thirdly, these poor nations get great number of new entrants to education, and the looking after them is a major responsibility. In such a scenario, accommodating the dropouts does not come to the picture.

However, their presence in the community cannot be ignored. If we do so, there will be problems. Firstly, the human resource loss will be so huge, and it will threaten the growth of the society. Secondly, these undereducated, poorly skilled people will cause social disharmony as they remain underprivileged all though their life. Thirdly, their families will never go to achieve any social growth as they have failed to get quality education. In such a scenario, developing societies can hardly afford such a loss of human resource, and the threats they pose.

To conclude it, accommodating the dropped out is of paramount importance for all societies. Otherwise, the growth of a society will get halted, and their presence will lead to many inequalities. We cannot afford to neglect them.


280 words
Ajaypeesdoc

Divorce, though it is on the rise compared to the past, offers some advantages.
Essay 058
• What are the major ones, and why is its number is rising?


Gone are the days when marriage was considered as an event which takes place in heaven. With the developments in all walks of life, today institution of marriage has become a market. Though it evokes an outlandish feeling, it offers many advantages, and it is necessitated by several factors.

Divorce, though a painful word to hear, it offers many benefits to husband, wife, and children, if any. Primarily, the root cause of greater percentages of divorce is marital conflicts. The consequences will affect children. For children, it is always better to stay either with their mother or father than with fighting parents. In these cases, breaking of marital relation acts as a great boon for all parties. Secondly, today, in almost all families, husband and wife are financially independent. Of course, this favourable atmosphere makes both the parties think of their own ways.

On the flipside, we should focus on why this trend is more common today than it was yesterday. First of all, in the olden days, women were strictly confined to domestic areas. But the scenario has changed and now women have thrown off the shackles of domesticity and they have the power to stand on their own. In addition to this, marriage has become a commercial exercise. Many people consider marriage just as a function for social engagement and no one recognizes the value of marriage. No wonder, divorce is on the rise.

In short, the above points make it clear that, divorce rate has been increasing compared to the past, and to some extent, it offers a few advantages as well. However, as family is considered the basic social unity, it is always good to lead a happy family life.

280 Words
Ajaypeesdoc

I. Grains export from India to Sri Lanka
This table shows data on quantity of grains exported to Sri Lanka from India and the figures, given in tonnes, represent every five years starting from 1999.

Let us begin with the figures of wheat export. In 1999 the quantity was 345 tonnes, but it showed a fall by 10% in the following year. However, there was a remarkable increase in the following two periods. When 2009 had an export of 400 tonnes, export went up to 440 tonnes in 2009.

If we compare these figures with that of rise, there are striking contrasts. In 1999 the export of rise was almost two times more than wheat and so is the case with the figure of 2004, 600 tonnes. Recoding an all time high increase of 50%, 2009 figures stood at 1050 tonnes but the following period did not make much difference, it was 1100 tonnes, hardly 5% increase.

Maize is the least exported grain. The periods 1999 and 2009 recorded the same quantity,150 tonnes. Similarly 2004 and 2010 had the same figure, 200 each. And finally coming to corn, with a fall of nearly 50% in 2004, all three periods had an export of above 300 tonnes.

All together, export of grains from India to Sri Lanka show varying figures over the years with rise being the most and corn the least exported grains in the given period.
Ajaypeesdoc.18.1.011
II. Indian businessmen to neighbouring countries

The table breaks up data on number of Indian businessmen who visited India’s four neighbouring countries for four years starting from 2005.

It is clear that Sri Lanka witnessed the highest number of Indian businessmen. When 2005 saw 20000 visits, the figures kept on increasing over the years. The corresponding figures are 29, 40 and 51 thousand. Coming to visits to Bangladesh, the there was a rising trend but it was small compared to Sri Lanka. The numbers are 21, 22, 26 and 31000.

It is very much obvious that India’s trade relation with Pakistan was in very low ebb in this period. The figures stood between 5000 and 6000. But it seems that India maintained good relation with its neighbour China. When 11000 Indian businessmen went to China in 2005, in the following year, the figure went upto 16000, recording more than 5% increase. Again there were remarkable changes. Recording a three times increase from the 2005 figure, it recorded an all time high visit of 33000 businessmen.

That ends the report.


III. Businessmen from four neighbouring states to India

The table breaks up data on the number of businessmen who visited India from four neighbouring countries for four years starting from 2005.

It is very clear that Bangladesh recorded the highest number of business contingent in all four periods. In 2005 it was 21,000, but it kept on increasing over the years like 2006, 2007 recording an increase 1000 visits each, and finally 2008 touched the 30,000 mark. Closely followed by Bangladesh was Sri Lanka. The figures for all the four periods were constantly rising from 10000 in 2005 to 25000 in 2008.

Now let us look at the figures that represent Pakistan and China. In 2005 and 2007 both the countries posted 7000 business visits to India. But there was slight difference in the year 2006 and 2008. The figures for Pakistan are 6000 and 7000 respectively and for China it is 8000 each.

So it is obvious that India’s trade relation with its neighbour Bangladesh is much better than all the other three neighbours.
Ajaypeesdoc.18.1.011

IV. Air accidents in developing countries

The table breaks data on the number of air accidents happened in four developing countries for four successive years starting from 2005.

The table shows that Sri Lanka had the least number of air accidents in all the years. When 2005 and 2007 witnessed two accidents each, the remaining two years saw no accidents at all. It is followed by Bangladesh where the year 2007 went without any accidents but the preceding years, 2005 and 2006 recoded four accidents each, and in the final year 2008, there was only one.

Conversely, Pakistan had the highest number of accidents in all the years put together, say 17 accidents distributed in descending order, 6,5,4,2 representing 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. And finally China stands close to Pakistan. When the first three years had same number of accidents, three each, the year 2008 recorded only one air accident constituting 11 accidents, all the years’ put together.
In short, Sri Lanka is the only country which had two zero accident in five years. It is followed by Bangladesh, with one accident-free aviation year.

That is the end of the report. 175 words


Ajaypeesdoc.18.1.011





V. Air accidents in developed countries

Let us see the number of air accidents in four developed countries. This table breaks figure of four countries for four successive years starting 2005.

It is evident that the most developed economy, the US, had the highest number of air accidents, making it to 73 accidents distributed like 24,12, 26 and 11 representing all the four years successively. Closely followed the US is its immediate ally the UK with 46 air accidents. When 2005 and 2005 witnessed four accidents each, the remaining two years, 2006 and 2008, recorded 16 and 22 respectively, 2008 being the saddest aviation year.

Now let us see how France and Germany fared. They had relatively very few accidents compared to the other two economies. The figures are 4, 3. 8 and 2 and 2007 being the worst aviation year. And finally, Germany’s figures show an ascending pattern like 7, 8, 11 and 14 representing all four years constituting 40 accidents.

It is very clear that there is a close relating between the size and strength of the economies and the number of accidents they recorded four years.

Ajaypeesdoc.18.1.011

1.
Great numbers of people are moving into cities from villages, and they happen to live in smaller family units. Not everyone is taking this relocating as a welcome development.

• How do you look at this development?

As cities are increasingly becoming centers of opportunities, rural urban migration happens on a daily basis. This movement leaves people of different makes and potentials in different living conditions; some in smaller family units.

The lures of cities have always been a driving force for people to think of moving out of their village homes. As a matter of fact, people who are skilled and confident will surely get enormous opportunities in cities. Obviously, they will make great differences in their life. For example, they can make a lot of money and their living standards will go higher. Naturally, their children will get better education and related conveniences. This will make the second generation more productive. Therefore, it is right for many to be living in smaller setups with better conveniences.

On the other hand, when great many people, who have been living in spacious and quiet living conditions, happen to be in congested cities, they are likely to face problems. Unless these people are prepared to make the best out of the cities, they will get themselves exposed to innumerable difficulties. For example, the pangs of parting, loss of family values, absence of moral support and regular income, poor living conditions, to mention a few, will put them in abject poverty, insecurity and hopelessness. This is a problem not only for them, but this will put cities under great pressures; the pressures of the displaced.

In short, transition from spacious rural to smaller urban families is a natural development. For some, it is a great possibility, but for some others it is a problem. What I feel is that people cannot do without putting up themselves in smaller family units. These times of change - from bigger to smaller - demand it.

Ajaypeesdoc
275 words

Some people say that it is a good idea to make periodic medical check ups compulsory for all adults so that the health status of a state can be better kept, whereas some others say maintaining health status is more personal than institutional.

• Look at both the views say what you feel about it?

It is a fact that health status involves several factors. Periodic medical check up is one of them. However, coming to compulsory medical check up, what is I is feel that keeping health status is more a personal responsibility than institutional.

Let me prove that compulsory medical check for adults cannot do much to the general health status of a populace. Undergoing medical check ups is one thing and going through a medical regime subsequent to a check is something different. In a national perspective, we cannot expect the whole adult population to be strictly following what ever is medically advised. Social status, per capita income, gender difference, nature of employment, to mention a few, of people may vary and not many can stick to the instructions given after every check up.

On the other hand, if people take it as a point that being healthy is something great and, thereby, able to understand that prevention is better than cure; they will be able to keep their health status all by themselves. For example, informed people will eat right, work out well, stay away from hazardous habits, go for periodic check ups and identify health risks in time, and they will invite medication whenever needed. This will lead to better health status, of course. So health status is more personal than institutional in many more ways than one.

Therefore, looking at both the views, I find it right to conclude that health status of a population is determined more by personal interests than by institutional involvement. Compulsory medical checkup is fine, but it is fine just for the sake of checkup, not for anything else.

Ajaypeesdoc
270 words

Many media organizations find it right to give extra attention to stories which do not have much to offer for the public but for the parties involved in the story.

Some people say media cannot do without it, whereas there are others who feel that this is against media ethics.

How do you look at these two views and put in what you feel of it?

Today, there is unprecedented media growth leading to tough competition among them. Naturally, they embark on many shortcuts to augment their market share. Hyping stories of vested interests is one such ploy. This is rather inevitable today, but it is unethical.

The primary thing is that, today, all media houses are owned by media barons whose ultimate aim is profit. This eye for returns puts them in pressures to find out ways to satisfy the interests of their stakeholder, patrons and partisan interests. This ever-mounting pressure forces media houses to succumb to monitory gains, political pressures and organizational lobbying.

For example, during elections and at times of political scandals and upheavals, media are used for influencing public according to the whims and fancies of vested interests. This may look like a media responsibility, but it is against the canons of media ethics. An unbiased media can do without it, though.

When it comes to how it becomes unethical, it is right to note that media organizations are the watchdogs of democracy. So they should not be carried away by any kind of pressures or lobbying. This may be from any quarters like individuals, organizations, communities and even governments. Democratic governments should not encourage it, and real democracies cannot afford it either. It is against the very will of the demos, people.

In short, looking at both the sides, what I feel is that, as this practice is as old as media itself, there is no U turn from it. Obviously, people have to bear the brunt. However, it would be better for media not to resort to extremes; rather they need to satisfy the interests of all by being ethical, too.

Ajaypeesdoc
275 words

1.

Students in business schools in some countries are usually required to have a few years of professional work experience to enter into their graduate programs and some schools make it compulsory for students to enroll into voluntary services during the holidays.

• How best these two academic requirements serve students in gerneal?


2.

Very few students pursue internships during their college in developing economies because their educational system is focused more on marks than on students gaining practical exposure.

• How good is it to be doing internships?
• How advantageous is it for the organizations?

3.

In most of the developed countries, internships are extensively used as a tool to recruit talent, but this practice is not common in developing countries.

• Try to find why is this disparity?
• Do you think internships would make great difference in one’s career?



This provides the students an understanding about the work culture before they actually step into the professional world. It additionally provides them with the adequate soft skills as well.

Women and children are the most vulnerable ones in the events of war, calamities and tragedies both natural and man-made. This makes many people believe that lives of women and children need to be better safeguarded than men’s.

• How far do you agree or disagree with this view?

When human life is at risk, humanity tends to give more importance to the lives of women and children. This is justifiable in many counts though life as such is the most precious thing whether it is the life of a man or woman or child.

However, the fact remains that the lives of women and children are more important that the lives of men. This might be because women are the carriers of human life itself by way of pregnancy, child bearing and child rearing. So when the lives of women are saved in the events of huge tragedies, there will he hope that life will go on.

When it comes to the lives of children, it is their being children themselves that make people give more priority to their life. Children are the ones who constitute tomorrow’s population. Together with this is an attitude that makes people think that children have not seen the world and life. So they deserve more than others do. Naturally, if their lives are safeguarded, obviously, there is going to be future even after the worst of tragedies.

All these propositions on the lives of women and children notwithstanding, there is a common belief that every life is precious. This makes all civilized human societies go to any length to save the life of a fellow being; no matter it is the life of a man or a woman or a child or even an animal.

Looking at how some people consider human life at risks, I tend to endorse the view that it is more important to safeguard the life of women and children than anything else. This does not mean that other lives are not important though.

1. Five GT task one writing: letters
You happened to travel with a celebrity on a train. You had good time with him leading to discussions on many things about you and the celebrity himself.
Write a letter to him stating what impressions you had of him before meeting him and , how you felt when you met him and how the time you spent with him has influenced you.
2.
Your attempts to reach the authority, who is supposed to give you permission to raise a new building, have failed many times, and this delay in getting the permission is putting your plans in disarray.
Write a letter to the controller of planning describing your position. You may highlight the difficulty you face, the attempts you have made and the need for getting clearance for your new project.

3.
Imagine that a service provider who is supposed to give you free service for a certain period of time is trying bill you for a service, and all your requests not to bill you fail. Write a letter to the consumer rights cell presenting your case and requesting action against the service provider.
Your letter may include: particulars of purchase, duration of service like guarantee/warrantee etc.

4.
Unsolicited calls are a menace, and your mobile is increasingly is disturbed by such calls. However, it is known to all cold calls are illegal and punishable.
Write a letter to the consumer rights cell describing your position and requesting action against the tele-callers.
Your particulars may include: types of calls, frequency and your requests not to make such calls etc.

5.
Your personal mail is found to be tampered with and you have no clue as to find out how does it, but you doubt that it is the delivery man who has got such track records of wrong doing.
Write a letter to the Post Master General reporting the case. You may speak of the type of letters that get tampered, frequency your mails and the inconvenience you face due to this dirty development.

Since women are not so aggressive as men, there is a view that disputes between nations won’t be much dangerous if high seats of power are held by women.

• How far can you support or oppose this view?

Not many people would deny the fact that women are less aggressive than men. Therefore, if women are in power, international disputes may become much less damaging. All the practical difficulties notwithstanding, I am inclined to support the idea greatly.

Let me try to substantiate the view by pointing out a general proposition. It is a fact that women are the victims of all types of aggression, emanating either from domestic surroundings or from international disputes. Naturally, they are bound not to be confrontational. For example, women have the will to think in terms of consequences whereas jingoistic men have the “come what may” attitude when it comes to disputes. This is not only dangerous; rather it is devastating in today’s world of international tensions.

However, the fact remains. How many women are going to hold offices of power so that the world could be made less dangerous? Obviously, their number is very small. How about holding those highest offices of power which demand extreme will and acumen? Not many women would say ‘yes’ to it. And, finally, is an all- women-run world is going to be appreciated by all men of the world? No. All these practical difficulties cannot that easily surmounted very easily because running nations is a highly demanding responsibility.

So, looking at the view from both the angles, I tend to support greatly the idea that women diplomats are much less damaging than men in many counts. However, it is not that easy, though, to envisage such a danger-free world run by women of great calibre.

Ajaypeesdoc.
260 words

Some are of the opinion that, if the highest offices of power like Ministers’ and diplomats’ are handled by women, confrontations between nations will be much fewer.

• How far are you going to endorse this opinion?

Though confrontations between nations are of different dimensions, I tend to think that it is men who make things worse. Obviously, the number of these discords can be minimized to a greater extent if the office bearers are women of substance.

Let me prove it by citing a proposition. It is a fact world over that all the miseries of manmade calamities like war and sanctions are suffered more by women and children than by men. Therefore, naturally, when women are given the reins of power, they are likely to think twice and thrice before they go for a confrontational stand on something of international dimension. However, there are chances that some international disputes may demand women too to be confrontational. Such situations may be very few in number, though.

On the contrary, if men are in the seats of power, there would be much steam in the pot upon disputes. What would follow would be nothing but clash of male egos leading to stronger friction. This is more so when both the parties are men and are as powerful in terms of military, economy and development status. For example, let us see the dispute between the Premiers of the Koreas. It is still a burning issue greatly because both the offices are held by extremely power-conscious men. The story would be different if it is the other way round.

In short, today’s world is one of more confrontations than conforming. In such a scenario, more women of substance in power would be able to make the world a much worthier and safer place to be in. Not many men can do it, I am afraid.

275 words.
11.1.11

Five questions on women children and their lives


1.

Some are of the opinion that, if the highest offices of power like Ministers’ and diplomats’ are handled by women, confrontations between nations will be much fewer.

• How far are you going to endorse this opinion?

2.

Since women are not so aggressive as men are, there is a view that disputes between nations won’t be much dangerous if high seats of power are held by women.

• How far can you support or oppose this view?


3.

Women down the ages have shown great restraint when it comes to conflicts and confrontations. Therefore, it is opined that the world would be much safer and peaceful if women are given the reins of power.

• How far can you support or oppose this view?

4.

Women and children are the most vulnerable ones in the events of war, tragedies both natural and man-made. This makes many people believe that lives of women and children need to be better safeguarded than men’s.

• How justifiable is this belief in your opinion?


5.

The need for protecting the lives of women and children is of greater importance than anything else when it comes to a matter of life and death.

• How do you look at this view?

11.1.11. Questions on women and children: www.jpsukham.blogpsot.com

Five questions:
1.
The pressure on private and government organizations to go paperless is mounting over the years. For some people, this is more for the environment than for the organizations. For others, it is the other way round.
Which view do you support and state why?
2.
Being paperless is becoming very common in many offices, both government and private.
Do you think it is possible to have complete paperless office?
What advantages do such offices enjoy out of such system?

3.
Some advocates of environment are of the view that making offices paperless would help solve innumerable problems the environment suffers today.
How far is this view relevant in your opinion?

4.
Since paper being the most water and wood-intensive industry the world over, encouraging paperless is of greater significance today than ever.
What do you think are the environmental advantages of paperless office?
Do you think it is more advantageous to be paperless than being the other way round?
5.

Since written and printed paper being a solid document in spheres of human life down the ages, complete paperless office will remain as is a distant dream for ages to come.
How far do you agree or disagree with this? www.jpsukham.blogspot.com