Population ageing has emerged as the greatest challenge of this century for policy makers, care providers and society as a whole.
Essay 044
• 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, thanks to developments in the field of medicine, diagnostics and healthcare, people live longer leaving all nations across the world at a disadvantage. This is not different in my place, and the elderly face different problems.
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 for all across the nation. In this part of the world, we have nuclear family system in place. 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 servants in isolated ancestral homes and some are living miserably in the sidelines of nuclear families, exposed to many challenges.
These challenges differ markedly. Still there are a few common ones. The first one is isolation. This is due to their being alone even when they are in crowds. Secondly, it is the absence of emotional and physical support. For example, their children and grandchildren are after their lives, the milieu is one of race and their health status is at the mercy of 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.
275 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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
• 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
Task No. 18
The chart below shows the amount of money per week spent on fast foods in Britain. The graph shows the trends in consumption of fast foods.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
Model answer:
The chart shows that high income earners consumed considerably more fast foods than the other income groups, spending more than twice as much on hamburgers (43 pence per person per week) than on fish and chips or pizza (both under 20 pence). Average income earners also favoured hamburgers, spending 33 pence per person per week, followed by fish and chips at 24 pence, then pizza at 11 pence. Low income earners appear to spend less than other income groups on fast foods, though fish and chips remains their most popular fast food, followed by hamburgers and then pizza.
From the graph we can see that in 1970, fish and chips were twice as popular as burgers, pizza being at that time the least popular fast food. The consumption of hamburgers and pizza has risen steadily over the 20 year period to 1990 while the consumption of fish and chips has been in decline over that same period with a slight increase in popularity since 1985.
The chart below shows the amount of money per week spent on fast foods in Britain. The graph shows the trends in consumption of fast foods.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
Model answer:
The chart shows that high income earners consumed considerably more fast foods than the other income groups, spending more than twice as much on hamburgers (43 pence per person per week) than on fish and chips or pizza (both under 20 pence). Average income earners also favoured hamburgers, spending 33 pence per person per week, followed by fish and chips at 24 pence, then pizza at 11 pence. Low income earners appear to spend less than other income groups on fast foods, though fish and chips remains their most popular fast food, followed by hamburgers and then pizza.
From the graph we can see that in 1970, fish and chips were twice as popular as burgers, pizza being at that time the least popular fast food. The consumption of hamburgers and pizza has risen steadily over the 20 year period to 1990 while the consumption of fish and chips has been in decline over that same period with a slight increase in popularity since 1985.
Health consciousness among people is on the rise thanks to education and free access to medical information of all types. Some people feel that it is a welcome development, whereas there are others who feel that it is dangerous.
Essay 003
• How good or bad is rising health consciousness in your opinion?
Information is both powerful and dangerous. This is more so when it is a matter of access to medical education which keeps people’s health consciousness on the high. What I feel is that rising health consciousness is good, but, unless it is wisely managed, it will be dangerous.
Compared to olden times, people today are well informed of health and the risks involved in following unhealthy lifestyle practices. This is thanks to the availability of medical information and access to the same. Actually, it is a welcome development, because many people are prepared to go for periodic medical check ups and follow diet and fitness regimes in order to lead a healthier and longer life. For example, the number of those who spend time and money for health is much higher today than it was in the past. This is really encouraging.
However, there is another side to it. Rising health consciousness at times keeps people more anxious than conscious of their health. For example, access to information on diseases, medicines and treatments makes people worry too much about their health. As a result, some people go for self medication, whereas some others go for over medication or poor medication. There are others who go doctor shopping and demand for diagnostic procedures and treatments. This is the dangerous side of rising health consciousness.
In short, any information is good if wisely made use of. This is more so with medical information and health consciousness. Needless to say, it is a blessing to be rightly aware of health and wellness, but it is dangerous too, if not properly managed.
265 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
Essay 003
• How good or bad is rising health consciousness in your opinion?
Information is both powerful and dangerous. This is more so when it is a matter of access to medical education which keeps people’s health consciousness on the high. What I feel is that rising health consciousness is good, but, unless it is wisely managed, it will be dangerous.
Compared to olden times, people today are well informed of health and the risks involved in following unhealthy lifestyle practices. This is thanks to the availability of medical information and access to the same. Actually, it is a welcome development, because many people are prepared to go for periodic medical check ups and follow diet and fitness regimes in order to lead a healthier and longer life. For example, the number of those who spend time and money for health is much higher today than it was in the past. This is really encouraging.
However, there is another side to it. Rising health consciousness at times keeps people more anxious than conscious of their health. For example, access to information on diseases, medicines and treatments makes people worry too much about their health. As a result, some people go for self medication, whereas some others go for over medication or poor medication. There are others who go doctor shopping and demand for diagnostic procedures and treatments. This is the dangerous side of rising health consciousness.
In short, any information is good if wisely made use of. This is more so with medical information and health consciousness. Needless to say, it is a blessing to be rightly aware of health and wellness, but it is dangerous too, if not properly managed.
265 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
GRAPH ON THE POPULARITY OF MODES OF TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK
The graph breaks up data on different modes of transport people of a European city used to travel to and from work in three periods, 1960, 1980 and 2000.
To begin with, in 1960, 20% people traveled by bus. This figure went above 25% in 1980. But, when it was 2000, the percentage came close to 15%. When it comes to car users, in 1960, hardly seven percent people used it. In 1980, it showed more than three times increase, 25%, and in 2000 it went past 35%, recording a seven fold rise.
Coming to bike, its popularity declined over the years. When more than 25% people biked to work in 1960, the corresponding figure for 1980 was 20%. The biggest fall was recorded in the year 2000; hardly seven percent. The percentage of those who walked stood at 35% in 1960. In the following two periods, it stood slightly above 15% and below 10% respectively.
In short, bus had been very popular in all three periods whereas car’s polarity kept on increasing. But walking and biking turned unpopular over time.
175 words; jaypees
GRAPH ON THE POPULARITY OF MODES OF TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK
The graph breaks up data on different modes of transport people of a European city used to travel to and from work in three periods, 1960, 1980 and 2000.
To begin with, in 1960, 20% people traveled by bus. This figure went above 25% in 1980. But, when it was 2000, the percentage came close to 15%. When it comes to car users, in 1960, hardly seven percent people used it. In 1980, it showed more than three times increase, 25%, and in 2000 it went past 35%, recording a seven fold rise.
Coming to bike, its popularity declined over the years. When more than 25% people biked to work in 1960, the corresponding figure for 1980 was 20%. The biggest fall was recorded in the year 2000; hardly seven percent. The percentage of those who walked stood at 35% in 1960. In the following two periods, it stood slightly above 15% and below 10% respectively.
In short, bus had been very popular in all three periods whereas car’s polarity kept on increasing. But walking and biking turned unpopular over time.
175 words: jaypees
The graph breaks up data on different modes of transport people of a European city used to travel to and from work in three periods, 1960, 1980 and 2000.
To begin with, in 1960, 20% people traveled by bus. This figure went above 25% in 1980. But, when it was 2000, the percentage came close to 15%. When it comes to car users, in 1960, hardly seven percent people used it. In 1980, it showed more than three times increase, 25%, and in 2000 it went past 35%, recording a seven fold rise.
Coming to bike, its popularity declined over the years. When more than 25% people biked to work in 1960, the corresponding figure for 1980 was 20%. The biggest fall was recorded in the year 2000; hardly seven percent. The percentage of those who walked stood at 35% in 1960. In the following two periods, it stood slightly above 15% and below 10% respectively.
In short, bus had been very popular in all three periods whereas car’s polarity kept on increasing. But walking and biking turned unpopular over time.
175 words; jaypees
GRAPH ON THE POPULARITY OF MODES OF TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK
The graph breaks up data on different modes of transport people of a European city used to travel to and from work in three periods, 1960, 1980 and 2000.
To begin with, in 1960, 20% people traveled by bus. This figure went above 25% in 1980. But, when it was 2000, the percentage came close to 15%. When it comes to car users, in 1960, hardly seven percent people used it. In 1980, it showed more than three times increase, 25%, and in 2000 it went past 35%, recording a seven fold rise.
Coming to bike, its popularity declined over the years. When more than 25% people biked to work in 1960, the corresponding figure for 1980 was 20%. The biggest fall was recorded in the year 2000; hardly seven percent. The percentage of those who walked stood at 35% in 1960. In the following two periods, it stood slightly above 15% and below 10% respectively.
In short, bus had been very popular in all three periods whereas car’s polarity kept on increasing. But walking and biking turned unpopular over time.
175 words: jaypees
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Flexibility versus challenging working environments
Flexi-time in the working environment is being perceived as a better option to pool in the otherwise productive talents of mothers, housewives and retirees that go waste because of industry-specific times for profession.
• Do you think flexi-time is an idea worth pursuing?
• How, in your opinion, will the growing challenges of profession react to it?
The body is a download from ciliconindia.com
A recent survey done on 10,000 company head by Regus, a workplace solutions provider, said that 56 percent Indian companies have plans to recruit mothers as part-time workers this year. Many businesses are already using flexible work arrangement to integrate these assets, providing a family friendly and at the same time more productive work environment simply by allowing employees to work alternative hours or closer to home. But many a times, people are seen wrestling with a puzzling question - Will flexibility hurt the challenging nature in work?
According to another survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, "flex-time is the most popular alternative work schedule offered by the responding companies, with two-thirds of the companies offering such a benefit." In case of employees, most of them enjoy having flexible work schedules. Many employers have discovered that providing flexible work schedules helps increase productivity, and attract and retain employees. But how far the productivity could be retained?
In most cases, we have seen that employees opt for flexibility at the cost of their professional edge. Sometimes, they are offered job which doesn't match their qualification, and in such cases, they decide to sacrifice flexibility for the sake of a stimulating job. But that isn’t always necessary.
A surprising survey result was that few managers in high-stress jobs take advantage of flex jobs, while less than one-third of interested men and only one-half of interested women have ever used flex. Across all age groups, the number of individuals who have used or currently use flex is significantly low. Among various reasons, the most interesting one was that flex options signal a career dead end. Why? Well, somewhere or the other there is a feeling in people's mind that flexibility does hurt the challenging nature in work, which is very important to learn and grow in career.
Here, two suggestions from the global management consulting firm Bain & Company for effective flex job implementation can be key ones. Firstly, the companies must tailor flexible programs to meet specific employee needs. As individual employees do look for many different things, one size does not necessarily fit all. They need to segment employees by their varying needs and then develop a meaningful set of flex work options from which employees can pick and choose.
From those employees who are considering stepping down in their career to gain flexibility, how much productivity and commitment can we expect? Or what would be the solution for those who very often wrestle with career vs. flexibility puzzle? These are the few questions that make the puzzle even more puzzling. Perhaps a good flex work model with carefully tailoring job requirements to the various age and career-goal segments of a company's talent pool may provide the suitable answer.
Flexi-time in the working environment is being perceived as a better option to pool in the otherwise productive talents of mothers, housewives and retirees that go waste because of industry-specific times for profession.
• Do you think flexi-time is an idea worth pursuing?
• How, in your opinion, will the growing challenges of profession react to it?
The body is a download from ciliconindia.com
A recent survey done on 10,000 company head by Regus, a workplace solutions provider, said that 56 percent Indian companies have plans to recruit mothers as part-time workers this year. Many businesses are already using flexible work arrangement to integrate these assets, providing a family friendly and at the same time more productive work environment simply by allowing employees to work alternative hours or closer to home. But many a times, people are seen wrestling with a puzzling question - Will flexibility hurt the challenging nature in work?
According to another survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, "flex-time is the most popular alternative work schedule offered by the responding companies, with two-thirds of the companies offering such a benefit." In case of employees, most of them enjoy having flexible work schedules. Many employers have discovered that providing flexible work schedules helps increase productivity, and attract and retain employees. But how far the productivity could be retained?
In most cases, we have seen that employees opt for flexibility at the cost of their professional edge. Sometimes, they are offered job which doesn't match their qualification, and in such cases, they decide to sacrifice flexibility for the sake of a stimulating job. But that isn’t always necessary.
A surprising survey result was that few managers in high-stress jobs take advantage of flex jobs, while less than one-third of interested men and only one-half of interested women have ever used flex. Across all age groups, the number of individuals who have used or currently use flex is significantly low. Among various reasons, the most interesting one was that flex options signal a career dead end. Why? Well, somewhere or the other there is a feeling in people's mind that flexibility does hurt the challenging nature in work, which is very important to learn and grow in career.
Here, two suggestions from the global management consulting firm Bain & Company for effective flex job implementation can be key ones. Firstly, the companies must tailor flexible programs to meet specific employee needs. As individual employees do look for many different things, one size does not necessarily fit all. They need to segment employees by their varying needs and then develop a meaningful set of flex work options from which employees can pick and choose.
From those employees who are considering stepping down in their career to gain flexibility, how much productivity and commitment can we expect? Or what would be the solution for those who very often wrestle with career vs. flexibility puzzle? These are the few questions that make the puzzle even more puzzling. Perhaps a good flex work model with carefully tailoring job requirements to the various age and career-goal segments of a company's talent pool may provide the suitable answer.
Monday, February 14, 2011
There is an argument that development refugees - people who get displaced due to upcoming development projects - hardly get any benefit out of the projects they themselves facilitate by forfeiting their places of existence. This is a violation of basic human rights.
Essay 079
• How far do you agree or disagree with this standpoint?
Today, almost all developments displace some people. But there is hardly any provision to ensure that these development exercise need to look into the welfare of the people who facilitate the very project itself. It is a violation of human rights to a greater extent.
Governments and corporate giants have ambitious projects. Of course, these projects are to meet the mounting needs of humans. However, implementation of a project demands space, and most of the time it is occupied by people of different statuses. These people are forced to move out upon offers of rehabilitation. But the fact remains that they are not going to find a trouble-free life in a new locale. At the end of the day, the projects come up and the benefits hardly visit these people. This is inhuman and against basic human values. I would rather call it a clean case of human rights violation.
The above argument notwithstanding, we cannot ignore the fact that there are certain projects which demand the people to vacate themselves. Sensitive areas like defense, aviation, research and development demand voluntary participation. And, most of the time, ordinary people may not be the immediate beneficiaries. However, they lose their place of sustenance. In such cases, there needs to be a system in place to rehabilitate people to much more comfortable areas than the places they had forfeited. It is a kind of rights protection.
Concluding it, it may be said that development and the resultant refugees are going to be regular affairs. So, it would be wise to have a permanent and humane rehabilitation policy so that the question of rights violation can be sorted out.
275 words
Ajaypeesdoc
Essay 079
• How far do you agree or disagree with this standpoint?
Today, almost all developments displace some people. But there is hardly any provision to ensure that these development exercise need to look into the welfare of the people who facilitate the very project itself. It is a violation of human rights to a greater extent.
Governments and corporate giants have ambitious projects. Of course, these projects are to meet the mounting needs of humans. However, implementation of a project demands space, and most of the time it is occupied by people of different statuses. These people are forced to move out upon offers of rehabilitation. But the fact remains that they are not going to find a trouble-free life in a new locale. At the end of the day, the projects come up and the benefits hardly visit these people. This is inhuman and against basic human values. I would rather call it a clean case of human rights violation.
The above argument notwithstanding, we cannot ignore the fact that there are certain projects which demand the people to vacate themselves. Sensitive areas like defense, aviation, research and development demand voluntary participation. And, most of the time, ordinary people may not be the immediate beneficiaries. However, they lose their place of sustenance. In such cases, there needs to be a system in place to rehabilitate people to much more comfortable areas than the places they had forfeited. It is a kind of rights protection.
Concluding it, it may be said that development and the resultant refugees are going to be regular affairs. So, it would be wise to have a permanent and humane rehabilitation policy so that the question of rights violation can be sorted out.
275 words
Ajaypeesdoc
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Space scientists around the world are exploring the possibilities of space tourism on a large scale as there are many takers for the same.
Essay 068
• Do you think it is a good idea to explore space for tourism?
• What disadvantages does such a move entail?
In this world of innovations and developments, space technology is advancing faster, and people are fascinated by this novel concept and its commercial possibilities in future. Though it is an interesting and trendsetting idea, its negative aspects cannot simply be ruled out.
If a concept like space tourism becomes real, it will be one of the huge achievements for humans. Touring through the space will offer chances to experience adventures appreciate the mystery and see the unseen and it would satisfy man’s long-cherished ambition. So it is clear that there are a lot of takers for this tourism, and it can be one of best platforms to make money from the otherwise useless outer space. And finally, those nations that achieve this technological fiat will surely enjoy international superiority.
Barring these brighter sides of this innovative concept, this has its own darker sides as well. The most prominent one is that this project requires huge investments by way of developing space vehicles, training of personnel; making space stations for stay etc. Another point is that it is very risky because the chances of success are equal to that of failures. Therefore, it will be a life and death proposition. In addition to all these, it may not be an accessible concept for the not-so-well off as it is highly expensive.
Thus, from the above inferences, it can be concluded that space tourism has equally powerful positive and negative aspects, but it does not seem to be bothering the negligibly small minority of the world that awaits it to become real.
280 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
Essay 068
• Do you think it is a good idea to explore space for tourism?
• What disadvantages does such a move entail?
In this world of innovations and developments, space technology is advancing faster, and people are fascinated by this novel concept and its commercial possibilities in future. Though it is an interesting and trendsetting idea, its negative aspects cannot simply be ruled out.
If a concept like space tourism becomes real, it will be one of the huge achievements for humans. Touring through the space will offer chances to experience adventures appreciate the mystery and see the unseen and it would satisfy man’s long-cherished ambition. So it is clear that there are a lot of takers for this tourism, and it can be one of best platforms to make money from the otherwise useless outer space. And finally, those nations that achieve this technological fiat will surely enjoy international superiority.
Barring these brighter sides of this innovative concept, this has its own darker sides as well. The most prominent one is that this project requires huge investments by way of developing space vehicles, training of personnel; making space stations for stay etc. Another point is that it is very risky because the chances of success are equal to that of failures. Therefore, it will be a life and death proposition. In addition to all these, it may not be an accessible concept for the not-so-well off as it is highly expensive.
Thus, from the above inferences, it can be concluded that space tourism has equally powerful positive and negative aspects, but it does not seem to be bothering the negligibly small minority of the world that awaits it to become real.
280 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
Friday, February 11, 2011
[Deathpenalty] ---- worldwide
Death penalty: It needs to stay
(source: Vaatupura A. Jayaprakash, MeriNews)
FOR AGES, there have been arguments for and against capital punishment. Time and again, people come to the conclusion that life is God given, and no legal or religious body constituted by man is liable to take something god-given. A human life, whether it belongs to a criminal or cannibal, is the most precious thing in this world, and its loss is irredeemable.
When it comes to crime and punishment, capital punishment becomes a bone of contention even in international forums. But if we look at crimes alone, we can understand from around the world that most heinous of them are carried out in broad daylight, and the culprits walk away scot-free. The law of the land goes on pondering over evidences, witnesses and ridiculous-beyond-doubt-proofs of prosecution to stamp a criminal with what he deserves.
Whose stance get vindicated, the courts' or the criminal's? A case of pre-meditated criminal act that involves the death of an innocent should be seen through a different legal prism. Here it is to be noted that a premeditated act of violence does not justify any God's intentions. The person, who does such a crime, is the worst of all human forms, and such forms are potential threats to the rest of the creations of God.
When we realise that they do these things to achieve something material or monetary in their life, the gravity of the issue gets multiplied. One's life is taken to augment another one's life. It is the most ungodly of acts. So such elements, whatever creed they belong to, need to be eliminated by a court of law.
If a legal system is to safeguard the freedom and fearless co-existence of human beings, it has to have provisions to impose death penalty. This is to be executed with extreme caution, as death does not leave any room for second thoughts. It is a one-stop solution to the most heinous social malady called 'willful killing'. Willful killers need to be put to death willfully.
Therefore, the provision for death penalty in all legal systems around the world needs to stay. It is for the general well being of all beings in this world.
If a civilised person wills to kill another, the former does not deserve to be living. Here human conscience should prevail over the so-called divine 'commissions'. Only death deters death.
Killing a drug peddler, an impulsive aggressor on one person's modesty, a self defending innocent, an innocuous thief and the like do not augur well for any legal system, however divine that system claims itself to be. There are criminals who deserve death penalty. The law of the land must have provision to honour such ones. (source: Vaatupura A. Jayaprakash, MeriNews)
AUSTRALIA:
Capital punishment is never right
(Source: Sasha Shtargot is an Age journalist)
I READ with interest David Bernstein's opinion piece (The Age) that was critical of the Catholic Church's stand to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, including for the Bali bombers.
Bernstein argued that the perpetrators of the most extreme acts of brutality, such as the Holocaust or the Bali bombings, deserved to be put to death. He gave Israel as a commendable example of a state that ostensibly opposed capital punishment, but was willing, in the case of Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust, to execute people guilty of only the most heinous crimes. Bernstein labelled the Catholic Church's blanket opposition to the death penalty "fundamentalist".
I was stirred by the pronouncement of the pejorative word, "fundamentalist". Under Bernstein's label, Amnesty International, which has campaigned globally against capital punishment for decades, is a fundamentalist organisation. Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu, a staunch opponent of the death penalty, is also a fundamentalist. Indeed, the people who campaigned against the execution of Ronald Ryan in 1967 in an
ultimately successful bid to end capital punishment in Australia, all fundamentalists unless they believed that in certain cases it was justified.
And how does one define what is an extreme act that warrants execution? Bernstein lists the Holocaust and Bali bombings as examples. But do political leaders who launch wars that maim and kill not deserve death also? Should George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld be executed for the invasion of Iraq, which by some estimates has led to the deaths of several hundred thousand people? And why not the death penalty for mass murderers such as Martin Bryant and Julian Knight, or the beastly killers of Anita Cobby?
It seems to me that the most appropriate way for a civilised society to respond to heinous crimes is a moral way that recognises the crime and its impact, but does not go down the road of vengeance and barbarism as punishment. If we want individuals, communities or even whole nations to heal the traumas of past wrongs, then surely we need to set moral examples and point the way to a better future, rather than annihilate the perpetrators of those wrongs.
I draw on the late Holocaust survivor and psychotherapist, Viktor Frankl, in his book, Man's Search for Meaning. At several concentration camps, including Auschwitz, Frankl witnessed the worst that humans are capable of and experienced the dehumanisation and despair of the victims of brutality.
He also saw that some camp survivors, when liberated, sought to vent their vengeful fury. For Frankl, this was not the way. He believed that even in humanity's darkest hour, it was possible to choose the light, to do good: "It is just such an exceptionally difficult external situation which gives man the opportunity to grow spiritually beyond himself," he
wrote. And he thought that both perpetrators and victims were capable of good and evil.
It is a shame that the Rudd Government has followed the example of John Howard in stepping back from this country's total opposition to capital punishment and equivocating that it would never advocate for people who were not Australian citizens who faced execution. Though many of Mr Rudd's policies mirror those of Mr Howard, one would hope Labor eventually stepped well back from the populist mean-spiritedness that characterized the previous government.
The Catholic Church should be commended for its call to the Australian Government to adopt a universal stance against the death penalty and its opposition to the execution of the Bali bombers. I, proudly "fundamentalist", join them in their sentiment.
(Source: Sasha Shtargot is an Age journalist)
Death penalty: It needs to stay
(source: Vaatupura A. Jayaprakash, MeriNews)
FOR AGES, there have been arguments for and against capital punishment. Time and again, people come to the conclusion that life is God given, and no legal or religious body constituted by man is liable to take something god-given. A human life, whether it belongs to a criminal or cannibal, is the most precious thing in this world, and its loss is irredeemable.
When it comes to crime and punishment, capital punishment becomes a bone of contention even in international forums. But if we look at crimes alone, we can understand from around the world that most heinous of them are carried out in broad daylight, and the culprits walk away scot-free. The law of the land goes on pondering over evidences, witnesses and ridiculous-beyond-doubt-proofs of prosecution to stamp a criminal with what he deserves.
Whose stance get vindicated, the courts' or the criminal's? A case of pre-meditated criminal act that involves the death of an innocent should be seen through a different legal prism. Here it is to be noted that a premeditated act of violence does not justify any God's intentions. The person, who does such a crime, is the worst of all human forms, and such forms are potential threats to the rest of the creations of God.
When we realise that they do these things to achieve something material or monetary in their life, the gravity of the issue gets multiplied. One's life is taken to augment another one's life. It is the most ungodly of acts. So such elements, whatever creed they belong to, need to be eliminated by a court of law.
If a legal system is to safeguard the freedom and fearless co-existence of human beings, it has to have provisions to impose death penalty. This is to be executed with extreme caution, as death does not leave any room for second thoughts. It is a one-stop solution to the most heinous social malady called 'willful killing'. Willful killers need to be put to death willfully.
Therefore, the provision for death penalty in all legal systems around the world needs to stay. It is for the general well being of all beings in this world.
If a civilised person wills to kill another, the former does not deserve to be living. Here human conscience should prevail over the so-called divine 'commissions'. Only death deters death.
Killing a drug peddler, an impulsive aggressor on one person's modesty, a self defending innocent, an innocuous thief and the like do not augur well for any legal system, however divine that system claims itself to be. There are criminals who deserve death penalty. The law of the land must have provision to honour such ones. (source: Vaatupura A. Jayaprakash, MeriNews)
AUSTRALIA:
Capital punishment is never right
(Source: Sasha Shtargot is an Age journalist)
I READ with interest David Bernstein's opinion piece (The Age) that was critical of the Catholic Church's stand to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, including for the Bali bombers.
Bernstein argued that the perpetrators of the most extreme acts of brutality, such as the Holocaust or the Bali bombings, deserved to be put to death. He gave Israel as a commendable example of a state that ostensibly opposed capital punishment, but was willing, in the case of Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust, to execute people guilty of only the most heinous crimes. Bernstein labelled the Catholic Church's blanket opposition to the death penalty "fundamentalist".
I was stirred by the pronouncement of the pejorative word, "fundamentalist". Under Bernstein's label, Amnesty International, which has campaigned globally against capital punishment for decades, is a fundamentalist organisation. Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu, a staunch opponent of the death penalty, is also a fundamentalist. Indeed, the people who campaigned against the execution of Ronald Ryan in 1967 in an
ultimately successful bid to end capital punishment in Australia, all fundamentalists unless they believed that in certain cases it was justified.
And how does one define what is an extreme act that warrants execution? Bernstein lists the Holocaust and Bali bombings as examples. But do political leaders who launch wars that maim and kill not deserve death also? Should George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld be executed for the invasion of Iraq, which by some estimates has led to the deaths of several hundred thousand people? And why not the death penalty for mass murderers such as Martin Bryant and Julian Knight, or the beastly killers of Anita Cobby?
It seems to me that the most appropriate way for a civilised society to respond to heinous crimes is a moral way that recognises the crime and its impact, but does not go down the road of vengeance and barbarism as punishment. If we want individuals, communities or even whole nations to heal the traumas of past wrongs, then surely we need to set moral examples and point the way to a better future, rather than annihilate the perpetrators of those wrongs.
I draw on the late Holocaust survivor and psychotherapist, Viktor Frankl, in his book, Man's Search for Meaning. At several concentration camps, including Auschwitz, Frankl witnessed the worst that humans are capable of and experienced the dehumanisation and despair of the victims of brutality.
He also saw that some camp survivors, when liberated, sought to vent their vengeful fury. For Frankl, this was not the way. He believed that even in humanity's darkest hour, it was possible to choose the light, to do good: "It is just such an exceptionally difficult external situation which gives man the opportunity to grow spiritually beyond himself," he
wrote. And he thought that both perpetrators and victims were capable of good and evil.
It is a shame that the Rudd Government has followed the example of John Howard in stepping back from this country's total opposition to capital punishment and equivocating that it would never advocate for people who were not Australian citizens who faced execution. Though many of Mr Rudd's policies mirror those of Mr Howard, one would hope Labor eventually stepped well back from the populist mean-spiritedness that characterized the previous government.
The Catholic Church should be commended for its call to the Australian Government to adopt a universal stance against the death penalty and its opposition to the execution of the Bali bombers. I, proudly "fundamentalist", join them in their sentiment.
(Source: Sasha Shtargot is an Age journalist)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Customer satisfaction index of major car brands
Bar graph and pie chart put in data on customer satisfaction index ranking based on a study conducted by JD Power Asia Pacific 2007 on major car brands in India. Rating is out of 1000 point scale.
Maruti is the only brand that recorded a satisfaction index far above industry average of 777. It had 838 points out of 1000. Very close to Maruthi stood Honda with 765 points, followed by Hyundai, 745 points.
The indices of all other brands liked Toyota, Ford, Skoda Mahindra and Chevrolet remained between 740 and 730 in descending order: 740, 737, 736, 733, 731 respectively. Tata recorded the least ranking of 690.
The pie graph presents data on factors contributing of overall satisfaction. Problems Experienced was the most important factor that determined the over all satisfaction. It is 27% followed by Service Quality which claimed 18%.
When User-friendly Service constituted 14% to it, Service initiation and Service Advisor claimed equal percentage, 11%. And finally, Service Delivery and In-service Experience constituted 10 and nine percent to over all satisfaction.
Bar graph and pie chart put in data on customer satisfaction index ranking based on a study conducted by JD Power Asia Pacific 2007 on major car brands in India. Rating is out of 1000 point scale.
Maruti is the only brand that recorded a satisfaction index far above industry average of 777. It had 838 points out of 1000. Very close to Maruthi stood Honda with 765 points, followed by Hyundai, 745 points.
The indices of all other brands liked Toyota, Ford, Skoda Mahindra and Chevrolet remained between 740 and 730 in descending order: 740, 737, 736, 733, 731 respectively. Tata recorded the least ranking of 690.
The pie graph presents data on factors contributing of overall satisfaction. Problems Experienced was the most important factor that determined the over all satisfaction. It is 27% followed by Service Quality which claimed 18%.
When User-friendly Service constituted 14% to it, Service initiation and Service Advisor claimed equal percentage, 11%. And finally, Service Delivery and In-service Experience constituted 10 and nine percent to over all satisfaction.
Average monthly temperature in three African cities
The line graph is on monthly temperatures of three African cities: Mombassa in Kenya, Cairo in Egypt and Cape Town in South Africa.
To begin with, among the three cities, Mombasa Kenya is the hottest city. It records a beginning temperature of 80 degrees in January and February. But with a slight rise in the following month, the mercury scales down to the lowest level of 70 degrees in June-July. Then it swings up slowly and goes back to the beginning temperature of 80 degrees in December.
When it comes to Cape Town, it shows an entirely different pattern. It starts off with 70 degrees. Over the following months the index keeps falling down to 55 degrees in June, and it remains steady for two more months. But, it notches up to the beginning temperature of 70 degrees in December-January.
Coming to Cairo, in January, it records 55 degrees. Over months, it soars to reach the hottest period of the year; June, July and August, recording above 80 degrees. Then, it slowly spirals down over time to far below 55 degrees in December.
A jaypeesdoc
A detailed description touching all points. You need not touch all the points in an examination condition.
The line graph is on monthly temperatures of three African cities: Mombassa in Kenya, Cairo in Egypt and Cape Town in South Africa.
To begin with, among the three cities, Mombasa Kenya is the hottest city. It records a beginning temperature of 80 degrees in January and February. But with a slight rise in the following month, the mercury scales down to the lowest level of 70 degrees in June-July. Then it swings up slowly and goes back to the beginning temperature of 80 degrees in December.
When it comes to Cape Town, it shows an entirely different pattern. It starts off with 70 degrees. Over the following months the index keeps falling down to 55 degrees in June, and it remains steady for two more months. But, it notches up to the beginning temperature of 70 degrees in December-January.
Coming to Cairo, in January, it records 55 degrees. Over months, it soars to reach the hottest period of the year; June, July and August, recording above 80 degrees. Then, it slowly spirals down over time to far below 55 degrees in December.
A jaypeesdoc
A detailed description touching all points. You need not touch all the points in an examination condition.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Dear friend,
Letter 2
How are you doing? Do you remember me? I am your old friend Carl writing from far end of this world. How are things up there Carl?
Carl, this letter is to make a rain check if it would be possible for you spare me a little effort in connection with my trip to your place where I happen to have an interview in the second week of next month.
Since your place is absolutely alien to me, It would be a great help if you could brief of the place I am going to be. By the way please not that I am traveling alone and I have to return on that day itself.
Kindly arrange in such a way that you meet at the nearest railhead and take me to a decent hotel, and, of course, you could direct me to the office I am supposed to be in for the interview. I will be traveling by Island express on 15/12/010, and the arrival time at your station is 8 am the following day.
I hope you wouldn’t mind my request for this favour.
Bye, see you soon.
With kind regards
Jay carry
Letter 3
Sir,
Let me introduce myself first. I am the secretary to our local environment club called ALL-IS-WELL This club is going to celebrate its third anniversary this month and we would like to make it a great event wit a lot of action.
As part of the same we would like to get our club certified an environmental organization of global repute. We are aware that the India chapter of GREEN is the right certifying authority, and it is great ambition that a representative of GREEN visits our club and evaluate the activities we are engaged in.
We have been actively engaged in several awareness campaigns, education programmes and road-shows on a regular basis. I am proud to record here that our club has been adjudged the best by the State Ministry for Environment. Needless to say, our club has come of age to be certified by an international authority.
Therefore, as Secretary to the club and I am honoured to have written this letter of invitation requesting you to certify our Club. Please do make it. Our address, contact numbers and route map are attached.
Looking forward to meeting you in person
With regards
For
ALL IS WELL
Secretary
Hon: Minister,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Radson Ray, a resident of a busy township in the state of Rambo.
I am writing this letter inform you of a very serious social problem that, I am afraid, is going to grip the youth of our place sooner than later.
Of late, children and youth of this township are turning towards unhealthy practices like drinking and smoking. This has been going on for some time. For example, now it has come to a disturbing stage that they have a hang out downtown where they can avail all types of habit forming substances. I am sorry to say the local police are unable to do anything against it.
You would agree that it is a dangerous development. Therefore, I request you to take immediate measures to run an awareness campaign aimed at the youth of the place. This may be held at schools, public places and through the media too.
I strongly believe that education is the best way out. Please do the needful.
Looking forward to hearing from you positively at the earliest.
Faithfully,
S/d.
Letter 2
How are you doing? Do you remember me? I am your old friend Carl writing from far end of this world. How are things up there Carl?
Carl, this letter is to make a rain check if it would be possible for you spare me a little effort in connection with my trip to your place where I happen to have an interview in the second week of next month.
Since your place is absolutely alien to me, It would be a great help if you could brief of the place I am going to be. By the way please not that I am traveling alone and I have to return on that day itself.
Kindly arrange in such a way that you meet at the nearest railhead and take me to a decent hotel, and, of course, you could direct me to the office I am supposed to be in for the interview. I will be traveling by Island express on 15/12/010, and the arrival time at your station is 8 am the following day.
I hope you wouldn’t mind my request for this favour.
Bye, see you soon.
With kind regards
Jay carry
Letter 3
Sir,
Let me introduce myself first. I am the secretary to our local environment club called ALL-IS-WELL This club is going to celebrate its third anniversary this month and we would like to make it a great event wit a lot of action.
As part of the same we would like to get our club certified an environmental organization of global repute. We are aware that the India chapter of GREEN is the right certifying authority, and it is great ambition that a representative of GREEN visits our club and evaluate the activities we are engaged in.
We have been actively engaged in several awareness campaigns, education programmes and road-shows on a regular basis. I am proud to record here that our club has been adjudged the best by the State Ministry for Environment. Needless to say, our club has come of age to be certified by an international authority.
Therefore, as Secretary to the club and I am honoured to have written this letter of invitation requesting you to certify our Club. Please do make it. Our address, contact numbers and route map are attached.
Looking forward to meeting you in person
With regards
For
ALL IS WELL
Secretary
Hon: Minister,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Radson Ray, a resident of a busy township in the state of Rambo.
I am writing this letter inform you of a very serious social problem that, I am afraid, is going to grip the youth of our place sooner than later.
Of late, children and youth of this township are turning towards unhealthy practices like drinking and smoking. This has been going on for some time. For example, now it has come to a disturbing stage that they have a hang out downtown where they can avail all types of habit forming substances. I am sorry to say the local police are unable to do anything against it.
You would agree that it is a dangerous development. Therefore, I request you to take immediate measures to run an awareness campaign aimed at the youth of the place. This may be held at schools, public places and through the media too.
I strongly believe that education is the best way out. Please do the needful.
Looking forward to hearing from you positively at the earliest.
Faithfully,
S/d.
Letters five
1.
You have had several bad experiences from your cable provider: and your requests for remedy remain unanswered.
Write a letter to the service provided stating this, and warning him that you are going to snap the connection unless the problem is addressed immediately.
You may write:
Poor cable connectivity: Registering complaint
Dear service provider,
2.
You have plans to visit a distant place of which you have no idea. Write a letter to your friend who you met in your schooldays, and request him to help you out in your trip.
Begin like
Dear friend,
3.
Imagine that you are a member of an environmental organization. Write a letter to GREEN, the global environmental organization seeking certification for your small organization. You may include details like, history, activities, major achieve- ments etc.
You may begin like
The CEO, GREEN India chapter
Sir,
4.
Of late, you understand that many small children are turning towards unhealthy habits. Write a letter to the health authorities, citing a few examples of such cases, and requesting the ministry to run an urgent awareness campaign on health hazards of bad habits.
Begin the letter
Hon: Minister,
1.
You have had several bad experiences from your cable provider: and your requests for remedy remain unanswered.
Write a letter to the service provided stating this, and warning him that you are going to snap the connection unless the problem is addressed immediately.
You may write:
Poor cable connectivity: Registering complaint
Dear service provider,
2.
You have plans to visit a distant place of which you have no idea. Write a letter to your friend who you met in your schooldays, and request him to help you out in your trip.
Begin like
Dear friend,
3.
Imagine that you are a member of an environmental organization. Write a letter to GREEN, the global environmental organization seeking certification for your small organization. You may include details like, history, activities, major achieve- ments etc.
You may begin like
The CEO, GREEN India chapter
Sir,
4.
Of late, you understand that many small children are turning towards unhealthy habits. Write a letter to the health authorities, citing a few examples of such cases, and requesting the ministry to run an urgent awareness campaign on health hazards of bad habits.
Begin the letter
Hon: Minister,
Businessmen who visited India from four neighbouring countries
Figures are in thousands (approximate)
Years Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan China
2005 10 21 7 7
2006 15 25 6 8
2007 21 26 7 7
2008 25 30 7 8
The table breaks up data on 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 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.
Figures are in thousands (approximate)
Years Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan China
2005 10 21 7 7
2006 15 25 6 8
2007 21 26 7 7
2008 25 30 7 8
The table breaks up data on 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 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.
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