Global economy: trading blows Essay

There has been diplomacy subtle between the US treasury and China over the China’s exchange rate. The issue has dominated the relationship of the two largest economies that would determine and shape the future of the world economy. US has however received occasional support from Europe and other selected emerging markets. The dispute is that, the Chinese currency policy unbalances the world economy and disadvantages the foreign companies. This has caused the white house to face challenges in the management of its trade and investment relationship with Beijing as it has been evident in the way the American businesses are discontented and fuelled by incidents such as the Google China censorship spat. US is however frustrated by the fact that it lacks the instruments to conduct the international trade policy in the modern economy. The tools it has are inadequate to cope with the interlocking web that China has used to distort the global trade and investment patterns whereby it uses state-sponsored policies. The US has in the past used old fashioned architecture of the trade policy of a metal bashing economy that is predictable as it focus on the exchange rate –on its manufacturers competing head on with Chinese companies in the American market. Though America has â€Å"trade defense â€Å"instruments like the antidumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures , Chinese imports have not been stopped as evident September last year when one such tool was used provoking a storm of protest from free-traders. When China joined the WTO, US and Europe have got to use a lot of efforts to tame China’s dominance in the global market. However China has experienced growth as it becomes increasigingly interested in locating production locally and selling services like the telecommunications, information Technology and media under the rubric of its â€Å"indigenous innovation† policy. China has successful tamed the influence of US in its economy by claiming that she is modernizing her economy while it ascend the value of chain and ease way from dependence on foreign companies for investment and technology. Procurement is used to favor Chinese companies through idiosyncratic technical standards like the homegrown wireless technology which deny licensing to more familiar international standards. This has made the foreign business representatives criticize the policy publicly claiming that they are less and less welcomed in china. The menu of options available to mitigate such problem is limited. The most obvious is the litigation at the WTO. This option is one of the attractive ones that has made Beijing accepts the normal part of trade relations, not a declaration of war. It has drawback from the issue like IPR after it lost a case on the enforcement of IPR. On the issue of revaluing renminbi; that is allowing its currency to increase, China has made a bold step of abandoning its currency peg to the US dollar and adopting a more â€Å"flexible† exchange rate policy. This decision would temporarily cause international criticism as evident at the Canadian G20 summit that almost turned into a bash-China session before Beijing announced that that it was changing the policy. The US administration however notched that this was a victory for behind the scenes diplomacy as there was the risk that the currency dispute that would descend to into a trade war. This dispute had now been solved, the Obama administration claimed The economic impact of the policy has however been limited as renminbi has only appreciated by 0. 3 percent. Chinese officials have ruled out any significant increase in the value of currency given that there is a decline in the current account surplus. However there is some element of politics and Beijing is desperate to avoid an impression that it is giving into the foreign pressure as well as avoid a revive criticism by the US that she is gaming the trading system due to a foreseeable slow appreciation of the Chinese yen against the US dollar. References: Alan Beatie. (2010, July5). Global Economy: Trading Blows. Financial Times 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2010 from

Health Information Essay

Not only is that important it also needs to be accurate and reliable medical information. All of the above information is not only very important it also impacts the HIPAA privacy rule. The Office for Civil Rights is responsible with its enforcement of the HIPPA Privacy Rule. Not only does it need to be enforced it needs to be constantly upheld at all times. This is necessary to protect both the patient and the medical professionals from unauthorized use of their health records and to allow medical providers access to secure, safe, accurate, and reliable medical information. The demand for information has risen from not only third party payers but in fact has risen from governmental entities. Patients now have to consent in order to accept health care treatment. As a result from the demand for patient information has brought forth a huge development between the law and medicine. There’s also the term informed consent. This is used in law to indicate that the consent a patient gives falls under certain minimum standards. Any informed consent can be said to have been given based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications, and future consequences of an action. Any patient who is concerned must have adequate reasoning faculties and must be in possession of all relevant facts at the time the consent was given. Both of these are needed in order to give an informed consent. To understand the responsibilities that confidentiality and informed consent place on health-care providers, The United States Congress created the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996. This act provides protection of health care coverage for workers, and also protects the privacy and security of medical information. The HIPAA laws allow authorized medical professionals or healthcare organizations to have access to your private medical records. Anything a doctor, nurse or other health professional has written or discussed about your personal medical treatment is confidential. Medical data that is being held by your health insurance company is also kept confidential and also any billing information which is submitted by patients or a medical facility or your health insurance company. HIPAA restricts who can and can’t request access to patient medical information. It is very important that your medical provider have access to all of your health history. There are entities that can access your medical information without your written consent such as: employers, workers compensation are all exempt. School districts, state agencies, and law enforcement agencies or institutions are exempt from HIPAA laws and are not required to follow the privacy and security rules. It is very important that you fully understand your HIPAA rights before anyone consents to release any medical information to organizations that are not required to follow the privacy and security rules HIPPA has put in place to protect confidential information. ROI policies and processes need to be adaptive. The process should be changed to meet new regulatory requirements and technology. Changes to the HIPAA rules regarding the accounting of health information disclosures expected this year have the potential to dramatically expand HIM and ROI responsibilities and pose operable disputes. Health information exchanges are pushing the frequency and scope of how patient information gets transferred. All HIM professionals must continue to remain aware and on top of all changes to ensure HIPAA compliance and change processes accordingly. The HIPAA privacy rule has received both positive and negative effects on the release of patient information by healthcare facilities. The intention of HIPAA was to protect patient privacy and to promote security and confidentiality of all patient information; it has had some unintended consequences for facilities. Some of these unintended effects, discovered about some issues directly related to the release of patient information which has had an impact with the implementation of HIPAA. The biggest issues that were found were. Increases in the public’s misunderstanding about release of patient information, lack of an umbrella policy, regulation defining infractions, enforcement that allows individual institutions to make their own version, and challenges to health information management professionals in controlling safeguards related to release of information given the transition to electronic health records and the increased involvement of information technology. The findings from this research suggest there is a need for additional clarification of the regulations that are governing HIPAA, and its standardized instructions and extensive training of its healthcare workers. I have learned so much about how the release of information impacts the HIPPA Privacy Rule. I do believe the most impact comes from the public because most people don’t understand new health care practices such as: record keeping, obtaining verbal or written consent.

64th Republic Day of India

The patriotic fervor of the Indian people on this day brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity. Republic Day is a people’s day in a variety of ways: It’s when regional identity takes a backseat and what matters most is the universal appeal of unity and brotherhood projected by all Indians. The Indian constitution basically stands for the aspirations which ‘the common man of India’ cherishes. Republic Day is a day of the citizen of the country when he is entitled to be ‘all supreme’. Republic Day is celebrated most majestically in the capital, New Delhi, where symbols of the great nation’s military might and cultural wealth are displayed in what is the world’s most impressive parade. All Government buildings are illuminated lending the city the atmosphere of a fairyland. This day is celebrated with much zeal and pride all across the nation. Republic Day Significance India gained independence on August 15, 1947. But till January 26, 1950, it did not have the proper law of the land for ruling the country. On 26th January, 1950 the constitution of India came into force and India became a nation state with sovereignty and republic sense. Our constitution was formed by the Indian Constituent Assembly. The Indian Constituent Assembly met on December 9, 1946. The Assembly appointed a number of committees to report on the various aspects of the proposed constitution. The Constituent Assembly had appointed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman to draft the Constitution. The committee finalized the draft with 395 Articles and eight Schedules and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. The Indian Republic officially came into being on January 26, 1950. January 26 was not some random date picked out of the calendar. It was on this date in 1927, that the Indian National Congress, then fighting its non-violent war for freedom, voted for complete independence as against ‘Dominion Status’. It was the date when members of the Indian National Congress took the pledge to work towards a ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’ of India. The Indian Constitution, the longest in the world, now consist of 397 articles and 12 schedules which provides for a single citizenship for the whole of India. It gives the right to vote to all the citizens of 18 years and above, unless they are disqualified. Fundamental rights are guaranteed to the citizens, equality of religion and so on. The Supreme Court, consisting of the Chief Justice of India and other judges, are the guardian of the Constitution. It stands at the apex of a single integrated judicial system for the whole country. This is where the fundamental rights of the citizens are protected. 26 January 1950 It was on 26 January, 1950 that the constitution of India came into force and India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic. It was on the same day that Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India. Read here the first speech delivered by Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the President of India on 26th January, 1950. â€Å"It is a great day for our country. India has had a long and chequered history; parts of it were cloudy and parts bright and sunlit. At no period, even during the most glorious eras of which we have record, was this whole country brought under one Constitution and one rule. We have mention of many Republics in our books and our historians have been able to make out a more or less connected and co-ordinated piece out of the incidents and the places which are mentioned in these records. But these Republics were small and tiny and their shape and size was perhaps the same as that of the Greek Republics of that period. We have mention of Kings and Princes, some of whom are described as ‘Chakravarty’, that is, a monarch whose suzerainty was acknowledged by other Princes. During the British period, while acknowledging the suzerainty of Britain, the Indian Princes continued to carry on the administration of their territories in their own way. It is for the first time today that we have inaugurated a Constitution which extends to the whole of this country and we see the birth of a federal republic having States which have no sovereignty of their own and which are really members and parts of one federation and one administration. His Excellency the Ambassador of the Netherlands has been pleased to refer to the relations and connections of this country with other countries both Eastern and Western. That relationship, so far as this country is concerned, has always been one of friendliness. Our ancestors carried the message of our teachers far and wide and established cultural ties which have withstood the ravages of time and still subsist while Empires have crumbled and fallen to pieces. Our ties subsist because they were not of iron and steel or even of gold but of the silken cords of the human spirit, India has had to face, on many occasions, assaults and invasions by foreigners and she has very often succumbed. But, there is not a single instance of a military invasion or aggressive war by this country against any other. It is therefore in the fitness of things and a culmination of our own cultural traditions that we have been able to win our freedom without bloodshed and in a very peaceful manner. The Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was not a freak of nature but the physical embodiment and consummation of the progress of that spirit of non-violence which has been our great heritage. We have been able under his matchless leadership, not only to regain our lost freedom but also to establish and strengthen the bonds of friendship with those — and our thanks are due to them for it — against whose policy we have fought and won. Our Constitution is a democratic instrument seeking to ensure to the individual citizens the freedoms which are so invaluable. India has never prescribed or prosecuted opinion and faith and our philosophy has room as much for a devotee of a personal god, as for an agnostic or an atheist. We shall, therefore, be only implementing in practice under our Constitution what we have inherited from our traditions, namely, freedom of opinion and expression. Under the new set-up, which we are inaugurating today, we hope to live up to the teachings of our Master and help in our own humble way in the establishment of peace in the world. Our attitude towards all countries is one of utmost friendliness. We have no designs against any one, no ambition to dominate others. Our hope is that others also will have no designs against us. We have had bitter experience of aggression by other countries in the past and can only express the hope that it may not be necessary for us to take any measures even in self-defence. I know the world today is passing through a most uncertain and anxious period. Two world wars within one generation, with all their devastation and aftermath of suffering and sorrow, have not been able to convince it that a war can never bring about the end of wars. It is, therefore, necessary to seek the end of wars in positive acts of goodness towards all and the world must learn to utilize all its resources for productive and beneficial purposes and not for destruction. We do venture to think that this country may have a past to play in establishing this goodwill and atmosphere of confidence and co-operation. We have inherited no old enmities. Our republic enters the world stage, therefore, free from pride and prejudice, humbly believing and striving that in international as well as internal affairs our statesmen may be guided by the teachings of the Father of our Nation — tolerance, understanding non-violence and resistance to aggression. It is in such a country and at such a time that it has pleased the representatives of our people to call me to this high office. You can easily understand my nervousness which arises not only from the tremendousness of the task with which our newly won freedom is confronted but also from a consciousness that I succeed in this sphere of activity, though not in office, one who has played such a conspicuous part not only during the period of strife and struggle but also during the period of constructive activity and active administration. You know Sri Chakravarty Rajagopalachari and have experience of his incisive intellect, great learning, practical wisdom and sweetness of manners. It has been my privilege to have been associated with him for more than 30 years and although we might have had occasional differences of opinion on some vital matters but never have our personal relations suffered by setback and I feel sure that I shall continue to enjoy the benefit of his protective advice in whatever crises I may have to face. My nervousness and anxiety are to no small extent countered by a consciousness that I shall be the recipient of fullest confidence from our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Members of the Cabinet and the Legislature and from the people at large. I shall Endeavour my best to earn and deserve that confidence. Let me also hope that this country will be able to win the confidence of other nations and secure such assistance as it may require in times of need. I have great pleasure in responding to the toast which has been proposed. † Republic Day Celebrations Date: January 26 (Every Year) Venue: India Gate Highlights: President’s Speech, Parade and Caravans (Jhakiyan) of different states This is one of the most colorful and prestigious national festivals and the presence of dignitaries like the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, Union Ministers and foreign delegates also add to the dignity of the celebration. Celebration of Republic Day is different than Independence Day. The difference in significance marks the variation in the pattern of celebration of these two national days. It is a people’s day. On Independence Day, the past is recalled whereas, on Republic Day, the pledge is renewed. Independence Day has rhetoric built in the celebration; Republic Day is without speeches. Republic Day is celebrated all over the country at all the administrative units like the capital cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas, and panchayats. The major ceremonies are held at Delhi and the state capitals. The celebration mood lasts for one week. It consists of the ground preparations, rehearsals, the main display which spills over to the ‘Beating of Retreat’ on January 29. The day has acquired the status of a social celebration in which people participate whole-heartedly. The celebration mosaic is studded with activities. Though the Republic Day Parade is the main ceremony, various activities are held from early morning when prabhat pheris (morning rounds) followed by a homage to Mahatma Gandhi – the Father of Nation. The parade is succeeded by sports events in the afternoon. ‘At Home’ functions at the Raj Bhavan, at the District Magistrate’s and at the SDM’s are followed by illumination of public buildings at the provincial capitals and administrative headquarters. The celebrations are universal, total and participatory in which children also take part in a big way. Variations in culture are displayed through colourful attires and folk dances. The parades held on the day traditionally predominates a touch of modernity reflected in the display of might, technology and capabilities of growth in various sectors. The parades symbolizes the might; the tableaux reflects the cultural motifs. Rules for Flag Hoisting in India â€Å"A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which would be a sin to destroy. For, a flag represents an Ideal The unfurling of the Union Jack evokes in the English breast sentiments whose strength it is difficult to measure. The Stars and Stripes mean a world to the Americans. The Star and the Crescent will call forth the best bravery in Islam. † â€Å"It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to recognize a common flag to live and to die for. † ~ Mahatma Gandhi The Indian Flag is a national symbol and it is respected by every citizen of India. There are certain points to remember while hoisting the Indian Flag. The Indian Flag should be hoisted with the saffron colour on the top. * There should be no flag or emblem either above the National Flag or on its right. * If there are multiple flags to be hoisted, they must be placed to the left of the Indian Flag. * During the hoisting of the National Flag, all present must stand to give respect and honour its glory. * The flag canno t be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft. * The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. The National Flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather. It must be taken out before sunset. Republic Day Parade The main celebrations of Republic Day are held in the form of a colourful parade near India Gate in Delhi. The parade showcasing India’s military might and cultural diversity covers a 8 km route, starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan through the picturesque Rajpath down to India Gate before winding up at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi. The events of the day begin with the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti – India Gate. He then drives up to the central enclosure and awaits the arrival of the President and a Chief Guest of the occasion who is normally a Head of other Country. On his arrival the Hon’ble President meets the dignitaries present and unfurls the National Flag. Following this the National Anthem is played with a 21-gun salute to the National Flag. After this a brief investiture ceremony takes place during which the President presents India’s top gallantry awards, the Param Veer Chakra, the Veer Chakra and the Maha Veer Chakra to the outstanding soldiers from the defense services. After this, four helicopters from the armed forces fly past the parade area showering rose petals on the audience. Each chopper carries a flag – the first being the Indian flag and the other three the flags of the Army, the Navy, and the Indian Air Force. The march past begins immediately after the fly past. The President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, takes the salute of the mechanised, mounted and marching contingents of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Paramilitary forces, Police and the National Cadet Corps. After the march past comes the cultural extravaganza consisting of floats presented by the various states and performances by school children. After the floats, the bravery awards winning children from all over the country enter on elephants. A spectacular fly-past by Air Force and Naval aircraft rounds off this not-to-be missed experience. The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. No other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms as India’s Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry. Republic Day Chief Guests Since 1950, India has been inviting head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honor for Republic Day celebrations and parade in New Delhi. Selecting the Chief guests for the Republic Day has more than mere ceremonial reasons. The choice of chief guest every year is dictated by a number of reasons such as strategic and diplomatic, business interest and international geo-politics. Recently India has been inviting dignitaries from South East Asia with the latest being Thailand’s first women Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Said will be the chief guest for Republic Day Celebrations 2013 Here is the list of Chief Guests invited as the Guest of Honor for the Republic Day ceremony held in Delhi. 950 President Sukarno from Indonesia 1954 King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan 1955 Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad of Pakistan 1958 Marshall Ye Jianying of People’s Republic of China 1960 President Kliment Voroshilov of Soviet Union 1961 Queen Elizabeth II from United Kingdom 1963 King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia 1965 Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid of Pakistan 1968 Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin of Soviet Union President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia 1969 Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov of Bulgaria 1971 President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania 972 Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam of Mauritius 1973 President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire 1974 President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia 1975 President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia 1976 Prime Minister Jacques Chirac of France 1977 First Secretary Edward Gierek of Poland 1978 President Patrick Hillery of Ireland 1979 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser of Australia 1980 President Valery Giscard d’Estaing of France 1981 President Jose Lopez Portillo of Mexico 1982 King Juan Carlos I of Spain 1983 President Shehu Shagari of Nigeria 1984 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan 985 President Raul Alfonsin of Argentina 1986 Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou of Greece 1987 President Alan Garcia of Peru 1988 President Junius Jayewardene of Sri Lanka 1989 General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh of Vietnam 1990 Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth of Mauritius 1991 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of Maldives 1992 President Mario Soares of Portugal 1993 Prime Minister John Major of United Kingdom 1994 Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore 1995 President Nelson Mandela of South Africa 1996 President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil 997 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday of Trinidad and Tobago 1998 President Jacques Chirac of France 1999 King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal 2000 President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria 2001 President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria 2002 President Cassam Uteem of Mauritius 2003 President Mohammed Khatami of Iran 2004 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil 2005 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan 2006 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia 2007 President Vladimir Putin of Russia 2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy of France 009 President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan 2010 President Lee Myung Bak of Republic of Korea 2011 P resident Susi lo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia 2012 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand 2013 Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Said Republic Day Awards The national awards for bravery or the National Bravery Awards was started in 1957 by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to recognize and honor children who have performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice. Every year the ICCW confers these awards to children below 16 years of age. The awards are announced on November 14 (Children’s Day) and the Prime Minister presents the awards on the eve of Republic Day. The awardees receive a medal, certificate and cash as a token of their indispensable courage. These children also take part in the Republic Day Parade atop an elephant. In addition to this, some of them are also granted financial assistance to complete their schooling and professional courses such as medical and engineering (under the Indira Gandhi scholarship scheme). Assistance is also provided to some till they complete their graduation. The Central and State government departments, Panchayats, Zila Parishads, State and Union Territory councils for Child Welfare and also the school authorities have the responsibility of acknowledging the applications for the bravery award. The selection is made by a committee constituted by the ICCW, comprising of representatives from the Secretariats of the President and the Vice-President, various ministries, as well as the Central Social Welfare Board, police, All India Radio, Doordarshan and leading NGOs such as the National Bal Bhavan, SOS, Children’s Villages of India, R K Mission and experienced ICCW members. In 1978, the Indian Council for Child Welfare instituted two bravery awards for children under the age of 16, the Sanjay Chopra Award and the Geeta Chopra Award, given each year along with the National Bravery Award. Bravery Awards 2013 The list of Bravery Award winners for the year 2013 was announced by the ICCW on January 18th, 2013. The award is to be conferred to 22 brave children from all parts of the country, the youngest recipient being 7-year-old Koroungamba Kuman from Manipur. The coveted ‘Bharat Award’ will be awarded to Tarang Atulbhai Mistry from Gujarat and 11-year-old Gajendra Ram from Chhattisgarh is being felicitated with ‘Sanjay Chopra’ award. NameAwardState Renu Geeta Chopra AwardDelhi Gajendra Ram Sanjay Chopra AwardChhattisgarh Tarang Atulbhai MistryBharat AwardGujarat Vijay Kumar SainikBapu Gaidhani AwardUttar Pradesh Akanksha GauteBapu Gaidhani AwardChhattisgarh Hali Raghunath BarafBapu Gaidhani AwardMaharashtra RamdintharaNational Bravery AwardsMizoram Devansh TiwariNational Bravery AwardsChhattisgarh Mukesh NishadNational Bravery AwardsChhattisgarh LalrinhluaNational Bravery AwardsMizoram E. SuganthanNational Bravery AwardsTamil Nadu Ramith. K,National Bravery AwardsKerala Mebin CyriacNational Bravery AwardsKerala Vishnu M. V. National Bravery AwardsKerala Koroungamba KumanNational Bravery AwardsManipur Sameep Anil PanditNational Bravery AwardsMaharashtra Viswendra LohknaNational Bravery AwardsUttar Pradesh Satendra LohkanaNational Bravery AwardsUttar Pradesh Pawan Kumar KanaujiyaNational Bravery AwardsUttar Pradesh Stripleaseman MylliemNational Bravery AwardsMeghalaya Sapna Kumari MeenaNational Bravery AwardsRajasthan Suhail K. M. National Bravery AwardsKarnataka Gallantry Awards Soldiers, who have performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice, are awarded the bravery medals, Param Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. Each defense service in India have there own set of gallantry awards that are awarded to the soldiers who have shown courage and valor. Beating Retreat After three days of Republic Day parade, a moving ceremony known as â€Å"Beating Retreat† is held at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. This ceremony revives an ancient war custom according to which troops used to stop fighting at sunset. Bugles announcing the sunset would sound in the battlefield. As soon as soldiers heard these bugles they would stand still in the battlefield and war would be stopped for the day. This ceremony held on the 29th of January every year, marks the formal end of the Republic Day celebrations. The ceremony opens with a parade by selected contingents of the armed forces set to scintillating performances by the various armed forces bands. The parade climaxes with all the bands playing in unison. As the bands fall silent, a lone trumpeter picks up the moving tune ‘Siki a mole’. After this performance the hymn ‘Abide with me’ is played by the Massed Bands. This hymn, said to be Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite, is a permanent feature of the ceremony. At exactly 6 pm, the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered to the National Anthem bringing the Republic Day celebrations to a formal end. One by one, the camels and the riders who stand stone-like throughout against the backdrop of the sky, move away from the background. Just after this comes the most visually appealing part of the show. With the click of a button, a thousand bulbs light up the Rashtrapati Bhavan and adjoining buildings. Surely a fitting end to the annual celebrations of the Indian republic! National Anthem of India The National Anthem of India is ‘Jana Gana Mana’ which was written and composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911. It was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya he Bharata bhagya vidhata Punjaba Sind Gujarata Maratha Dravida Utkala Banga Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga Ucchala jaladhi taranga Tava subha name jage Tava subha asisa mage Gahe tava jaya gatha Jana gana mangala dayaka jaya he Bharata bhagya vidhata Jaya he jaya he jaya he Jaya jaya jaya jaya he! Translation into English Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people, Dispenser of India’s destiny. Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal; It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea. They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The saving of all people waits in thy hand, Thou dispenser of India’s destiny. Victory, victory, victory, Victory to thee. Preamble to the Constitution of India Just as every book we read comes with a preface, which gives us a brief outline and the central theme of that book, so is the case with the preamble of Indian Constitution. The Preamble being the preface of the constitution lays down the basic makeup of the Constitution. The Indian Preamble highlights the type of society and government it wishes India and Indians to have. For this, it has tried to incorporate the objectives of the Constitution in a nutshell. The Preamble of the constitution has used the noblest words which symbolize the highest principles and values of human creativity and experience. World over, the Preamble of the Indian Constitution is regarded highly for its originality in wholeness of approach in dealing with so many subjects. The Indian preamble wishes India to be a country where there should be no high class and low class of citizens; an India in which all communities will co-exist in perfect harmony. Interestingly, the Indian Constitution is the longest of all the constitutions by any other nation. PREAMBLE WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, are having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. 64th Republic Day of India The patriotic fervor of the Indian people on this day brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity. Republic Day is a people’s day in a variety of ways: It’s when regional identity takes a backseat and what matters most is the universal appeal of unity and brotherhood projected by all Indians. The Indian constitution basically stands for the aspirations which ‘the common man of India’ cherishes. Republic Day is a day of the citizen of the country when he is entitled to be ‘all supreme’. Republic Day is celebrated most majestically in the capital, New Delhi, where symbols of the great nation’s military might and cultural wealth are displayed in what is the world’s most impressive parade. All Government buildings are illuminated lending the city the atmosphere of a fairyland. This day is celebrated with much zeal and pride all across the nation. Republic Day Significance India gained independence on August 15, 1947. But till January 26, 1950, it did not have the proper law of the land for ruling the country. On 26th January, 1950 the constitution of India came into force and India became a nation state with sovereignty and republic sense. Our constitution was formed by the Indian Constituent Assembly. The Indian Constituent Assembly met on December 9, 1946. The Assembly appointed a number of committees to report on the various aspects of the proposed constitution. The Constituent Assembly had appointed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman to draft the Constitution. The committee finalized the draft with 395 Articles and eight Schedules and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. The Indian Republic officially came into being on January 26, 1950. January 26 was not some random date picked out of the calendar. It was on this date in 1927, that the Indian National Congress, then fighting its non-violent war for freedom, voted for complete independence as against ‘Dominion Status’. It was the date when members of the Indian National Congress took the pledge to work towards a ‘Sovereign Democratic Republic’ of India. The Indian Constitution, the longest in the world, now consist of 397 articles and 12 schedules which provides for a single citizenship for the whole of India. It gives the right to vote to all the citizens of 18 years and above, unless they are disqualified. Fundamental rights are guaranteed to the citizens, equality of religion and so on. The Supreme Court, consisting of the Chief Justice of India and other judges, are the guardian of the Constitution. It stands at the apex of a single integrated judicial system for the whole country. This is where the fundamental rights of the citizens are protected. 26 January 1950 It was on 26 January, 1950 that the constitution of India came into force and India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic. It was on the same day that Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India. Read here the first speech delivered by Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the President of India on 26th January, 1950. â€Å"It is a great day for our country. India has had a long and chequered history; parts of it were cloudy and parts bright and sunlit. At no period, even during the most glorious eras of which we have record, was this whole country brought under one Constitution and one rule. We have mention of many Republics in our books and our historians have been able to make out a more or less connected and co-ordinated piece out of the incidents and the places which are mentioned in these records. But these Republics were small and tiny and their shape and size was perhaps the same as that of the Greek Republics of that period. We have mention of Kings and Princes, some of whom are described as ‘Chakravarty’, that is, a monarch whose suzerainty was acknowledged by other Princes. During the British period, while acknowledging the suzerainty of Britain, the Indian Princes continued to carry on the administration of their territories in their own way. It is for the first time today that we have inaugurated a Constitution which extends to the whole of this country and we see the birth of a federal republic having States which have no sovereignty of their own and which are really members and parts of one federation and one administration. His Excellency the Ambassador of the Netherlands has been pleased to refer to the relations and connections of this country with other countries both Eastern and Western. That relationship, so far as this country is concerned, has always been one of friendliness. Our ancestors carried the message of our teachers far and wide and established cultural ties which have withstood the ravages of time and still subsist while Empires have crumbled and fallen to pieces. Our ties subsist because they were not of iron and steel or even of gold but of the silken cords of the human spirit, India has had to face, on many occasions, assaults and invasions by foreigners and she has very often succumbed. But, there is not a single instance of a military invasion or aggressive war by this country against any other. It is therefore in the fitness of things and a culmination of our own cultural traditions that we have been able to win our freedom without bloodshed and in a very peaceful manner. The Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was not a freak of nature but the physical embodiment and consummation of the progress of that spirit of non-violence which has been our great heritage. We have been able under his matchless leadership, not only to regain our lost freedom but also to establish and strengthen the bonds of friendship with those — and our thanks are due to them for it — against whose policy we have fought and won. Our Constitution is a democratic instrument seeking to ensure to the individual citizens the freedoms which are so invaluable. India has never prescribed or prosecuted opinion and faith and our philosophy has room as much for a devotee of a personal god, as for an agnostic or an atheist. We shall, therefore, be only implementing in practice under our Constitution what we have inherited from our traditions, namely, freedom of opinion and expression. Under the new set-up, which we are inaugurating today, we hope to live up to the teachings of our Master and help in our own humble way in the establishment of peace in the world. Our attitude towards all countries is one of utmost friendliness. We have no designs against any one, no ambition to dominate others. Our hope is that others also will have no designs against us. We have had bitter experience of aggression by other countries in the past and can only express the hope that it may not be necessary for us to take any measures even in self-defence. I know the world today is passing through a most uncertain and anxious period. Two world wars within one generation, with all their devastation and aftermath of suffering and sorrow, have not been able to convince it that a war can never bring about the end of wars. It is, therefore, necessary to seek the end of wars in positive acts of goodness towards all and the world must learn to utilize all its resources for productive and beneficial purposes and not for destruction. We do venture to think that this country may have a past to play in establishing this goodwill and atmosphere of confidence and co-operation. We have inherited no old enmities. Our republic enters the world stage, therefore, free from pride and prejudice, humbly believing and striving that in international as well as internal affairs our statesmen may be guided by the teachings of the Father of our Nation — tolerance, understanding non-violence and resistance to aggression. It is in such a country and at such a time that it has pleased the representatives of our people to call me to this high office. You can easily understand my nervousness which arises not only from the tremendousness of the task with which our newly won freedom is confronted but also from a consciousness that I succeed in this sphere of activity, though not in office, one who has played such a conspicuous part not only during the period of strife and struggle but also during the period of constructive activity and active administration. You know Sri Chakravarty Rajagopalachari and have experience of his incisive intellect, great learning, practical wisdom and sweetness of manners. It has been my privilege to have been associated with him for more than 30 years and although we might have had occasional differences of opinion on some vital matters but never have our personal relations suffered by setback and I feel sure that I shall continue to enjoy the benefit of his protective advice in whatever crises I may have to face. My nervousness and anxiety are to no small extent countered by a consciousness that I shall be the recipient of fullest confidence from our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Members of the Cabinet and the Legislature and from the people at large. I shall Endeavour my best to earn and deserve that confidence. Let me also hope that this country will be able to win the confidence of other nations and secure such assistance as it may require in times of need. I have great pleasure in responding to the toast which has been proposed. † Republic Day Celebrations Date: January 26 (Every Year) Venue: India Gate Highlights: President’s Speech, Parade and Caravans (Jhakiyan) of different states This is one of the most colorful and prestigious national festivals and the presence of dignitaries like the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, Union Ministers and foreign delegates also add to the dignity of the celebration. Celebration of Republic Day is different than Independence Day. The difference in significance marks the variation in the pattern of celebration of these two national days. It is a people’s day. On Independence Day, the past is recalled whereas, on Republic Day, the pledge is renewed. Independence Day has rhetoric built in the celebration; Republic Day is without speeches. Republic Day is celebrated all over the country at all the administrative units like the capital cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas, and panchayats. The major ceremonies are held at Delhi and the state capitals. The celebration mood lasts for one week. It consists of the ground preparations, rehearsals, the main display which spills over to the ‘Beating of Retreat’ on January 29. The day has acquired the status of a social celebration in which people participate whole-heartedly. The celebration mosaic is studded with activities. Though the Republic Day Parade is the main ceremony, various activities are held from early morning when prabhat pheris (morning rounds) followed by a homage to Mahatma Gandhi – the Father of Nation. The parade is succeeded by sports events in the afternoon. ‘At Home’ functions at the Raj Bhavan, at the District Magistrate’s and at the SDM’s are followed by illumination of public buildings at the provincial capitals and administrative headquarters. The celebrations are universal, total and participatory in which children also take part in a big way. Variations in culture are displayed through colourful attires and folk dances. The parades held on the day traditionally predominates a touch of modernity reflected in the display of might, technology and capabilities of growth in various sectors. The parades symbolizes the might; the tableaux reflects the cultural motifs. Rules for Flag Hoisting in India â€Å"A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which would be a sin to destroy. For, a flag represents an Ideal The unfurling of the Union Jack evokes in the English breast sentiments whose strength it is difficult to measure. The Stars and Stripes mean a world to the Americans. The Star and the Crescent will call forth the best bravery in Islam. † â€Å"It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to recognize a common flag to live and to die for. † ~ Mahatma Gandhi The Indian Flag is a national symbol and it is respected by every citizen of India. There are certain points to remember while hoisting the Indian Flag. The Indian Flag should be hoisted with the saffron colour on the top. * There should be no flag or emblem either above the National Flag or on its right. * If there are multiple flags to be hoisted, they must be placed to the left of the Indian Flag. * During the hoisting of the National Flag, all present must stand to give respect and honour its glory. * The flag canno t be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft. * The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. The National Flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather. It must be taken out before sunset. Republic Day Parade The main celebrations of Republic Day are held in the form of a colourful parade near India Gate in Delhi. The parade showcasing India’s military might and cultural diversity covers a 8 km route, starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan through the picturesque Rajpath down to India Gate before winding up at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi. The events of the day begin with the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti – India Gate. He then drives up to the central enclosure and awaits the arrival of the President and a Chief Guest of the occasion who is normally a Head of other Country. On his arrival the Hon’ble President meets the dignitaries present and unfurls the National Flag. Following this the National Anthem is played with a 21-gun salute to the National Flag. After this a brief investiture ceremony takes place during which the President presents India’s top gallantry awards, the Param Veer Chakra, the Veer Chakra and the Maha Veer Chakra to the outstanding soldiers from the defense services. After this, four helicopters from the armed forces fly past the parade area showering rose petals on the audience. Each chopper carries a flag – the first being the Indian flag and the other three the flags of the Army, the Navy, and the Indian Air Force. The march past begins immediately after the fly past. The President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, takes the salute of the mechanised, mounted and marching contingents of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Paramilitary forces, Police and the National Cadet Corps. After the march past comes the cultural extravaganza consisting of floats presented by the various states and performances by school children. After the floats, the bravery awards winning children from all over the country enter on elephants. A spectacular fly-past by Air Force and Naval aircraft rounds off this not-to-be missed experience. The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. No other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms as India’s Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry. Republic Day Chief Guests Since 1950, India has been inviting head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honor for Republic Day celebrations and parade in New Delhi. Selecting the Chief guests for the Republic Day has more than mere ceremonial reasons. The choice of chief guest every year is dictated by a number of reasons such as strategic and diplomatic, business interest and international geo-politics. Recently India has been inviting dignitaries from South East Asia with the latest being Thailand’s first women Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Said will be the chief guest for Republic Day Celebrations 2013 Here is the list of Chief Guests invited as the Guest of Honor for the Republic Day ceremony held in Delhi. 950 President Sukarno from Indonesia 1954 King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan 1955 Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad of Pakistan 1958 Marshall Ye Jianying of People’s Republic of China 1960 President Kliment Voroshilov of Soviet Union 1961 Queen Elizabeth II from United Kingdom 1963 King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia 1965 Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid of Pakistan 1968 Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin of Soviet Union President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia 1969 Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov of Bulgaria 1971 President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania 972 Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam of Mauritius 1973 President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire 1974 President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia 1975 President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia 1976 Prime Minister Jacques Chirac of France 1977 First Secretary Edward Gierek of Poland 1978 President Patrick Hillery of Ireland 1979 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser of Australia 1980 President Valery Giscard d’Estaing of France 1981 President Jose Lopez Portillo of Mexico 1982 King Juan Carlos I of Spain 1983 President Shehu Shagari of Nigeria 1984 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan 985 President Raul Alfonsin of Argentina 1986 Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou of Greece 1987 President Alan Garcia of Peru 1988 President Junius Jayewardene of Sri Lanka 1989 General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh of Vietnam 1990 Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth of Mauritius 1991 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of Maldives 1992 President Mario Soares of Portugal 1993 Prime Minister John Major of United Kingdom 1994 Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore 1995 President Nelson Mandela of South Africa 1996 President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil 997 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday of Trinidad and Tobago 1998 President Jacques Chirac of France 1999 King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal 2000 President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria 2001 President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria 2002 President Cassam Uteem of Mauritius 2003 President Mohammed Khatami of Iran 2004 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil 2005 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan 2006 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia 2007 President Vladimir Putin of Russia 2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy of France 009 President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan 2010 President Lee Myung Bak of Republic of Korea 2011 P resident Susi lo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia 2012 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand 2013 Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Said Republic Day Awards The national awards for bravery or the National Bravery Awards was started in 1957 by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) to recognize and honor children who have performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice. Every year the ICCW confers these awards to children below 16 years of age. The awards are announced on November 14 (Children’s Day) and the Prime Minister presents the awards on the eve of Republic Day. The awardees receive a medal, certificate and cash as a token of their indispensable courage. These children also take part in the Republic Day Parade atop an elephant. In addition to this, some of them are also granted financial assistance to complete their schooling and professional courses such as medical and engineering (under the Indira Gandhi scholarship scheme). Assistance is also provided to some till they complete their graduation. The Central and State government departments, Panchayats, Zila Parishads, State and Union Territory councils for Child Welfare and also the school authorities have the responsibility of acknowledging the applications for the bravery award. The selection is made by a committee constituted by the ICCW, comprising of representatives from the Secretariats of the President and the Vice-President, various ministries, as well as the Central Social Welfare Board, police, All India Radio, Doordarshan and leading NGOs such as the National Bal Bhavan, SOS, Children’s Villages of India, R K Mission and experienced ICCW members. In 1978, the Indian Council for Child Welfare instituted two bravery awards for children under the age of 16, the Sanjay Chopra Award and the Geeta Chopra Award, given each year along with the National Bravery Award. Bravery Awards 2013 The list of Bravery Award winners for the year 2013 was announced by the ICCW on January 18th, 2013. The award is to be conferred to 22 brave children from all parts of the country, the youngest recipient being 7-year-old Koroungamba Kuman from Manipur. The coveted ‘Bharat Award’ will be awarded to Tarang Atulbhai Mistry from Gujarat and 11-year-old Gajendra Ram from Chhattisgarh is being felicitated with ‘Sanjay Chopra’ award. NameAwardState Renu Geeta Chopra AwardDelhi Gajendra Ram Sanjay Chopra AwardChhattisgarh Tarang Atulbhai MistryBharat AwardGujarat Vijay Kumar SainikBapu Gaidhani AwardUttar Pradesh Akanksha GauteBapu Gaidhani AwardChhattisgarh Hali Raghunath BarafBapu Gaidhani AwardMaharashtra RamdintharaNational Bravery AwardsMizoram Devansh TiwariNational Bravery AwardsChhattisgarh Mukesh NishadNational Bravery AwardsChhattisgarh LalrinhluaNational Bravery AwardsMizoram E. SuganthanNational Bravery AwardsTamil Nadu Ramith. K,National Bravery AwardsKerala Mebin CyriacNational Bravery AwardsKerala Vishnu M. V. National Bravery AwardsKerala Koroungamba KumanNational Bravery AwardsManipur Sameep Anil PanditNational Bravery AwardsMaharashtra Viswendra LohknaNational Bravery AwardsUttar Pradesh Satendra LohkanaNational Bravery AwardsUttar Pradesh Pawan Kumar KanaujiyaNational Bravery AwardsUttar Pradesh Stripleaseman MylliemNational Bravery AwardsMeghalaya Sapna Kumari MeenaNational Bravery AwardsRajasthan Suhail K. M. National Bravery AwardsKarnataka Gallantry Awards Soldiers, who have performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice, are awarded the bravery medals, Param Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. Each defense service in India have there own set of gallantry awards that are awarded to the soldiers who have shown courage and valor. Beating Retreat After three days of Republic Day parade, a moving ceremony known as â€Å"Beating Retreat† is held at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. This ceremony revives an ancient war custom according to which troops used to stop fighting at sunset. Bugles announcing the sunset would sound in the battlefield. As soon as soldiers heard these bugles they would stand still in the battlefield and war would be stopped for the day. This ceremony held on the 29th of January every year, marks the formal end of the Republic Day celebrations. The ceremony opens with a parade by selected contingents of the armed forces set to scintillating performances by the various armed forces bands. The parade climaxes with all the bands playing in unison. As the bands fall silent, a lone trumpeter picks up the moving tune ‘Siki a mole’. After this performance the hymn ‘Abide with me’ is played by the Massed Bands. This hymn, said to be Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite, is a permanent feature of the ceremony. At exactly 6 pm, the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered to the National Anthem bringing the Republic Day celebrations to a formal end. One by one, the camels and the riders who stand stone-like throughout against the backdrop of the sky, move away from the background. Just after this comes the most visually appealing part of the show. With the click of a button, a thousand bulbs light up the Rashtrapati Bhavan and adjoining buildings. Surely a fitting end to the annual celebrations of the Indian republic! National Anthem of India The National Anthem of India is ‘Jana Gana Mana’ which was written and composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911. It was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya he Bharata bhagya vidhata Punjaba Sind Gujarata Maratha Dravida Utkala Banga Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga Ucchala jaladhi taranga Tava subha name jage Tava subha asisa mage Gahe tava jaya gatha Jana gana mangala dayaka jaya he Bharata bhagya vidhata Jaya he jaya he jaya he Jaya jaya jaya jaya he! Translation into English Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people, Dispenser of India’s destiny. Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal; It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea. They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The saving of all people waits in thy hand, Thou dispenser of India’s destiny. Victory, victory, victory, Victory to thee. Preamble to the Constitution of India Just as every book we read comes with a preface, which gives us a brief outline and the central theme of that book, so is the case with the preamble of Indian Constitution. The Preamble being the preface of the constitution lays down the basic makeup of the Constitution. The Indian Preamble highlights the type of society and government it wishes India and Indians to have. For this, it has tried to incorporate the objectives of the Constitution in a nutshell. The Preamble of the constitution has used the noblest words which symbolize the highest principles and values of human creativity and experience. World over, the Preamble of the Indian Constitution is regarded highly for its originality in wholeness of approach in dealing with so many subjects. The Indian preamble wishes India to be a country where there should be no high class and low class of citizens; an India in which all communities will co-exist in perfect harmony. Interestingly, the Indian Constitution is the longest of all the constitutions by any other nation. PREAMBLE WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, are having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

Ice Hockey- The North American vs. The European Style of Play Essay

Ice Hockey- The North American vs. The European Style of Play - Essay Example Ice hockey is generally played indoors on rinks, which are usually 200 feet wide and 85 feet wide in North America while outside the country, the rinks are 200.13 feet long and 98.5 feet wide. These are always surrounded by fences called boards with shatterproof glass affixed on top, in order to ensure that the puck stays within the limits of the rink and does not find its way outside, where it may be harmful for the spectators. However the size of the rink does not depend upon the age of the players (like in junior and adult soccer) or on the skill involved. These rinks are partitioned into two exact halves by a red line, while blue lines are drawn at a distance of 60 feet from each goal and demarcate the end zones. The area that lies in between the blue lines is referred to as the neutral zone. At the very center of the field is a blue spot which signals the spot where the play begins when the game starts for the first time, however at a distance of about 24 feet from the boards th ere are red spots located which signal the spots from which the play re-starts after interruptions (Loftus, 2005). The rink is curved at its outer ends and a another red line appears at the point where they begin to curve and the goal is situated at the middle of this goal line. The goal itself is an iron frame that is 4 feet high and 6 feet wide and has curved bars extending down to the surface of the ice. Stretched across these bars are mesh nets and the goals are held in place by dint of short pegs that are firmly embedded in the ice. In front of the net is the crease which is a painted half circle. Within the limits of this crease, players attacking from the opponent team are not permitted to make contact with the goalie, since this would constitute a foul. In order to reduce the likelihood of injury from collision with the net, the pegs and goal posts separate, and play must be stopped mandatorily whenever a net is

Tendering and Contracts Topics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Tendering and Contracts Topics - Essay Example Lump sum contracts are the simplest type of contracts used in engineering and construction. They are also called stipulated sum, as this is the simplest type of an agreement among the supplier of services and a customer (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). The customer pays the price upon completion of the agreed work, or as agreed. The price offered by the supplier of services is based on estimation of the costs of labour and materials, and a standard amount for overhead and the desired amount of profit (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). Profit and overhead are usually estimated to the total of about 12-16 percent of the project cost (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). This share increases with risk (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). In case the final costs of labour and materials are higher than the builder's estimate, the profit is reduced (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). When final costs are lower, profit increases. However, the price of the project remain s the same. Though there are advantages of this contract, problems might arise as well. In cases where costs turn out to be higher than first estimated, the provider of services might attempt to substitute cheaper materials for those first specified (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). ... ed plan of activities must be defined ahead of time; owner’s financial risk must be low and fixed at the beginning; there must be sufficient time to design the project properly and bid (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). Unless these requirements are met, this type of a contract should not be used. This contract is thus usually used with â€Å"Design-Bid-Build method of project procurement† (Oklahoma State University, n.d., p.1). In this method, project planning is outsourced and separated from project execution (AECOM CONSULT, 2006, p.i ). Transportation companies have traditionally used it. Another type of contracts is the measures and value contract. Unlike in the lump sum contract, here the final cost of the project is established upon completion. Before the outset, costs are estimated. Upon completion, costs are re – measured in order to establish the actual cost (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2012). Instead of receiving one final bill, the o wner receives â€Å"the bill of quantities,† which is composed of a schedule of rates for each unit or item (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2012). This type of contracts is best suited for projects where the initial design cannot be completed ahead of time. Drawings and a bill of approximate quantities is usually produced (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2012). They are recommended for the residential projects (Georgie P Landscape Architecture Ltd, n.d., p.1). The advantage of this contract over the lump sum is that the program for design, tendering and construction is shortened (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2012). However, here the owner of the project suffers the unexpected costs of the project. This type of a contract is also used in the design – bid – build method of

Why is it beneficial to have both IT & Management skills together Essay

Why is it beneficial to have both IT & Management skills together - Essay Example Technology is evolving constantly with new applications to simplify how business is done. Management skills on the other hand enable a high level trend of correspondence in business impact. With the revolution of web 2.0, management training becomes a useful tool in doing online business through blogs, RSS feed as well as in the internet and communication with the proper and serious clients. Technology skills have significant impact on business in the coming years in that business strategies are easily achieved. Post & Anderson, (2006) asserts that, managers with technology skills are able to determine new technological impacts and how they can be adopted in the progress of business. It is upon the managers to become more proactive by keeping a breast of emerging trends and understanding the evasion of web 2.0 changes in the world of business models and their applications in business perspectives. Management skills combined with information technology skills enables these managerial groups to focus on what ways promising technologies impinge on business at the high level. The knowledge makes business conscious and informed in decision making on what aspects of new technologies will influence the organization in the coming year of business growth and hence provides a healthier transition of thought into strategic action to be taken and how they can be implemented within the organization or business world. According to Cather, Morris,& Wilkinson, (2001), combining the IT skills with management skills, therefore have enormous gait that help an organization or business to improve its strategies and also gives the management higher level of information to bring effectiveness of the services and products of the organization. This will also reduce time taken to adopt new business strategies based on emerging trends of technologies due to the organizational or business disinterest and lag that keeps on changing the

Is There a Smarter Way to Approach IT Governance Case Study

Is There a Smarter Way to Approach IT Governance - Case Study Example The Weill and Ross model of IT Governance has the following governance styles: Business monarchy, IT monarchy, federal system, IT duopoly and anarchy. Under business monarchy, it is the business executive, or a group of business or group of business executives including the CIO, makes all the IT related decisions for the enterprise. In an IT monarchy, those decisions are made by an Individual IT executive or group of IT executives. In a federal system, the C-level executives and business representatives for all the operating groups collaborate with the IT department. This is equivalent to central government and the states working together. In IT duopoly, a two-party decision making approach which involved IT executives and group of business leaders representing the operating units.1 In a feudal system, business unit or process leaders maker separate decision on the basis of the unit or process needs. The most decentralized is anarchy, in which each individual user or group pursues his or her own IT agenda.2 The five decision areas the need to have an organizing model as basis for deciding where a company should adopt a centralized, decentralized or hybrid approach. Another area I on investment as to know what should the company invest into including of course amount to invest. Another area is on architecture as to guide a company’s emphasis whether it is stability or flexibility. Determining the degree of applications to be externally purchased or internally developed and deciding whether on the kind of ERP application whether single or multiple applications. The fourth area is on standards, to help a company decide which components of technology it should standardize and the level or kind of standards to adopt. The last area is on resources to be utilized and finding source of these resources Based on the foregoing, Alcan appears to

Black world study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Black world study - Essay Example o heard of inspirational stories of the Black American leaders when they were facing oppression and this got me interested in studies to do with the Black World Studies. The achievements of the Black Americans were inspirational especially the story of Martin Luther King Jr and it encouraged me to undertake the Black World Studies. On the other hand, the trends in the society seem to be changing in favour of equality due to the achievements made by the Black American leaders. This made it relevant for me to study the Black world Studies in order to obtain more information about different events that took place and changed the lives of the Black Americans. I knew that I was in the right place as soon as I attended my first lesson. I felt that it was all I ever wanted to learn. I found some friends with the same interest as mine almost immediately. I did some independent research on the prospects of having a good job after the completed my studies and I found the career to be promising. Although I received some discouragement from one or two people, I decided to follow my heart and joined the university to pursue the study. I am always good at memorizing issues and I thought that this would be useful to me while pursing my studies in the Black World studies. This is because I found that the study contains a lot of theoretical information. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the studies require a lot of understanding of the issues of religion and social problems in the society. I am a religious person and the studies will also be beneficial to me on a personal level as I will gain more knowledge on the religious issues. Thi8s is considering the studies also have some aspects of religion. I felt that it will be worth spending my time and resources in future dealing with the issues of the Black World Studies. Therefore, the studies will enable me to obtain accurate information about the Black World as diverse opinion exists. My Religious leader

Intellectual Property Torts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Intellectual Property Torts - Essay Example The law identifies the following as the types of intellectual property rights; trademarks, patents, copyrights, rights emanating from industrial design and secrets of trade. In 1967, the United Nations, realizing the importance of protecting the unique ideas of people, formed the World Intellectual Property Organization (Glick et al, 21). The treaty recognized the importance of intellectual ideas in promoting the development of the economy of a state, and therefore it was essential to initiate laws meant to protect the intellectual properties. Another objective of the World Intellectual Properties Treaty was to negotiate for laws that will enable inventors of the idea an economic and moral advantage over the usage of the property Glick et al, 43). These laws will also regulate the use of the property by the public, and their access to it. Another objective of the treaty was to create measures of encouraging creativity, and the applications of the results emanating from the creative m ind. This was aimed at advancing economic and social development. The notion of intellectual property found it ways in the American Court system in 1845, at the Massachusetts circuit courts. Judge Charles Woodbury presided over a case involving Davoll et al vs. Brown. From the court system, the judge denoted that unique intellectual ideas belong to the creator, just as wheat, and animals belong to the farmer. In 1980, the United States Federal government enacted the Bayh-Dole act. Two senators, Birch Bay and Bob Dole sponsored the bill (Glick et al, 31). The main objective of the bill was to protect intellectual properties emanating from government funded research. Laws on intellectual property fall under the laws of Tort. Torts deal with undesirable results that emanate from the actions and behavior of another person. Tort is a civil case, and therefore breaching any laws that regulate the use of intellectual properties fall under the category of civil cases. A person, who sues an offender under Tort, is entitled to receive compensation from the offender. This is only after the courts analyzes the behavior and judges on whether there was a breach of the intellectual property law. This paper identifies the different ways and mechanisms of solving cases that emanate from the use of another person’s intellectual property, without authorization (Glick et al, 21). It emphasizes, and identifies the various laws and the legal procedures of solving cases that emanate from a breach of the intellectual property laws. This paper gives the various examples of intellectual properties, and their creators. It also identifies the various intellectual property case laws, and how the American court system solved the cases. It has a conclusion, which is a summary of the main arguments of the paper. This paper takes a stand that the best way to solve cases emanating from a breach of intellectual properties, is by developing laws that will protect the use and access of the intellectual property. To solve societal problems that emanate from a breach of intellectual properties, it is important to know the different types of intellectual properties in United States of America. The United States of America recognizes the following as examples of intellectual properties (Glick et al, 13), 1. Patents: A patent refers to the acquisition of all rights of an intellectual mind, by the inventor. The inventor has the right of controlling the usage and access of his inventions. The United

Reading and writing experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reading and writing experience - Essay Example Whereas the university recognizes English as the primary language of instruction, Joe did not have adequate writing skills in English. Therefore, he had problems keeping up with the lecturers pace in the class. More often than not he had to keep on asking his desk mate for course books so that he could copy what he had not been able to copy during class time. This was a great challenge in his learning of English. He would thus opt to listen during class time and write the notes later during his free time. This interfered with his learning process. Additionally, he would find learning how to write in English difficult since learning in class was taking place at a very fast pace that he would not be able to keep up. The fact that the English class had many students from different parts of the world posed a great challenge for Joe. This is because students spoke different dialects. Whereas a good language environment is important for language development, Joe did not enjoy favourable language environment. He would often be confused on which dialect to follow and in the process lost track in learning how to speak English. However, he would sometimes hang up with few friends who are native English speakers and they would influence him to speak proper English. Furthermore, the cultural confusion would add more problems to learning how to speak English. This was because of the cultural conflict between different students in class. Learning to read and write in English means a lot for international students. Particularly, they need to learn English so that they can apply the same in learning other subjects. Therefore, the challenges faced by international students, like Joe, need to be addressed. The university may consider setting the right language environment for international students to influence their learning. Although mixing native and international students can cause cultural shock, it can be one of the greatest tools of enhancing

Industrialized Poets Essay Example for Free

Industrialized Poets Essay Edgar Allan Poe, Walter Benjamin, and Arthur Rimbaud all lived in the turbulent 19th Century where the idyllic countryside was giving way to the industrialized world. Their poetry reflects the profound impact industrialization’s onslaught had on the world. Starting from Edgar Allan Poe, to Arthur Rimbaud and finally to Walter Benjamin this paper will discuss the effect of industrialization on their respective worldview vis-à  -vis the situation of the world during their life time. A City in the Sea By Edgar Allan Poe Lo! Death has reared himself a throne In a strange city lying alone Far down within the dim West, Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best Have gone to their eternal rest. There shrines and palaces and towers (Time-eaten towers that tremble not!) Resemble nothing that is ours. Around, by lifting winds forgot, Resignedly beneath the sky The melancholy waters lie. No rays from the holy heaven come down On the long night-time of that town; But light from out the lurid sea Streams up the turrets silently — Gleams up the pinnacles far and free — Up domes — up spires — up kingly halls — Up fanes — up Babylon-like walls — Up shadowy long-forgotten bowers Of sculptured ivy and stone flowers — Up many and many a marvelous shrine Whose wreathà ©d friezes intertwine The viol, the violet, and the vine. So blend the turrets and shadows there That all seem pendulous in the air, While from a proud tower in the town Death looks gigantically down. There open fanes and gaping graves Yawn level with the luminous waves; But not the riches there that lie In each idols diamond eye — Not the gaily-jeweled dead Tempt the waters from their bed; For no ripples curl, alas! Along that wilderness of glass — No swellings tell that winds may be Upon some far-off happier sea — No heavings hint that winds have been On seas less hideously serene. But lo, a stir is in the air! The wave — there is a movement there! As if the towers had thrust aside, In slightly sinking, the dull tide — As if their tops had feebly given A void within the filmy Heaven. The waves have now a redder glow — The hours are breathing faint and low — And when, amid no earthly moans, Down, down that town shall settle hence, Hell, rising from a thousand thrones, Shall do it reverence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The setting is in a city in the west ruled by death who is worshiped by all. This set is often quoted or at least used for the crafting of gothic films or at work. Death looks down upon all from his high tower, like Sauron atop Barad-Dur. The city has ‘domes, spires and kingly halls, and fanes and Babylon like walls. The poem makes a rather ironic point because the west has always been associated with good and life and the east with evil and death. For example, in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy Aragorn is the goodly Lord of the West while the Sauron commands a legion of evil Easterlings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Poe speaks of a brooding end of days when ‘the waves now have a redder glow, the hours are breathing faint and low.’ The waves turning red as a sign of hells coming because red is the color of fire and hence the color of Hell and the Devil. ‘and when, amid no earthly moans, down, down the tower shall settle hence, Hell rising from a thousand thrones, shall do it reverence. It would appear that the poem speaks of the city of death as if it were superior to Hell. Rather, as if Hell were subordinate and must pay homage. The end is a creepy scene where the Devil expresses gratitude to the devil for allowing him to come and rule the Earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As can be expected of Edgar Allan Poe the setting is dark and brooding. In relation to the modernization being experienced during Poe’s time it is quite possibly a comment on the widening gap between the rich and poor as a result of industrialization, specifically the factory system. Poe lived in the early 19th Century in his time factories were being setup left and right. People were migrating from the provinces to the cities in order to get jobs at the factories because the cottage industries they used to have were no longer viable. Instead they had to move to cities. The cities were grim gothic environs in their own right. Sanitation, Housing, and food were all in short supplies. The cities were dirty, grimy, disease ridden affairs for the vast majority of the rural immigrants. Life was short and dangerous, they lived miserable lives often working in inhuman conditions for factory owners who ruthlessly abused them. Contrast this with the capitalists who owned the factories. The newness of the factory system meant that laws were not yet in place to protect the rights of the workings. Unscrupulous factory owners worked the peasants to the hilt. Fourteen-hour work days and Six-day work weeks were not unknown. Wages were a scandal, with no wage boards or unions to protect them and with the labor being a buyers market most workers had no choice but to accept the poor wages or be unemployed. As a result, the factory owners could become oppressively rich. In fact, in the Victorian era the Nobles and the now-wealthy Capitalists mingled as equals in the lavish parties of the day. Men like Vanderbilt and Astor could afford to build Palatial estates fit for kings quite possibly at the expense of the wretched workers in their factories. In my opinion, aside from his already dark and brooding outlook and writing style, Edgar Allan Poe was inspired to write A City in the sea by his exposure to the factory system. The oppression of the workers vis-à  -vis the extreme privilege of the owner may have further jaded mr. Poe. He would is not the first, and he was certainly not the last to suggest that Hell itself will rise from the City in the Sea. Moving forward, Arthur Rimbaud’s Une Saison en Enfer or A season in hell was written at the time when he was recovering from a gunshot. The book has had considerable influence on later Surrealist writers it was considered a revolutionary work because it shunned conventional description, straightforward narrative and didactic purpose. His work revolts against naturalism, precision and objectivity. Rimbaud relies on suggestion and evocation rather than concrete depiction. For this paper we will focus on the second poem Bad blood. The poems read like the confessions of a self-confessed scoundrel. And why should it not? Rimbaud had a homosexual lover named Paul Verlaine who later shot him when they broke up. The book was direct result of his shooting and the tumults he underwent while recovering from the wound. Initially the book was unsuccessful. The poem Bad Blood, like the rest of his work, reads like the rants of a self-confessed scoundrel. He explores his pre-Christian, Gaellic origins and emphasizes his alienation from modern civilization. Scholars are at variance as to what the actual theme of his work is. However, the general consensus is that it has to do with the Narrator’s struggle to reconcile the ideals of Christianity with the Hypocrisy and Corruption of Western Civilization. There are many dualities presented and exposed for what they are. In relation to his times the Hypocrisy and Corruption was at its hilt. In those days nearly every European power had colonies overseas. All European nations, at least in the west, professed freedom and civil liberties as inalienable rights. Slavery and serfdom were obsolete and illegal in Western Europe. Yet all one has to do is leave the confines of continental Europe so see that slavery is still widely practiced. I believe that as result of modern printing and communication methods like the Morse code and the AFP news began to travel faster than it did before. This exposed Rimbaud to the many forms of Hypocrisy and Corruption that crippled the morale fiber of Europe. For example, Africans are treated as second-class citizens in their own country. They are forced to work inhumane conditions in the mines, plantations and farms of their European masters for little or no viable compensation. Civil liberties are denied to colonials to the hilt, in the Philippines the Spanish are allowed to beat up the locals just for not showing them the proper deference. In fact, he did not have to go very far. There were many reports of women and children working in English coal mines. They even went on strike to protest their inhumane wages and working conditions. Normally news from England would take days or even weeks to reach continental Europe and vise versa but thanks to the telegraph a worker’s strike in Paris can be known to Londoners as quickly as the next day. Finally, Benjamin’s work was perhaps the most heavily affected by industrialization. In fact, his book Paris, Capital of the Nineteenth Century is almost entirely about the advances and changes brought about by the rapid industrialization of the bygone century. The book outlines the changes in almost glowingly utopia perspective. This is in contrast to the dark, brooding and negative views of the previous authors. For example, the first chapter â€Å"Arcades† points out that material and social conditions that makes Arcades possible. With the advancement of capitalism, Arcades have become obsolete, replaced by the department store. As an aside, Benjamin refers to Arcades as almost utopian paradises. The next chapter about Daguerre photography mentions the role of photography in transforming art. The chapter also mentions how photos become a commodity and emphasizes the commodity trade of photographs in relation to portraits. Benjamin will later refer to this as unconscious optics. The fourth chapter points out how the rapidly industrialized world has successfully separated home from work. In the olden days of Agriculture people worked that land where they lived. In his day people traveled quite far to reach the factories and shops where they worked.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Simply put, Benjamin chronicles the changes that industrialization has brought about. It is appears he view industrialization as positive since there are few mentions of the negative aspect of it. Instead Industrialization is viewed positively as a means to improve the lives and livelihoods of people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Industrialization brought about massive changes during the 19th century. Poets and writers as purveyors and chroniclers of the people’s world-view are not isolated from these sweeping changes. These authors are just a few examples of how the great changes of their times greatly affected their styles.

Environmental Justice and Sustainability Essay Example for Free

Environmental Justice and Sustainability Essay Alex Steffen and Sarah Rich, executive editors of the bright green environmentalist online magazine WorldChanging recently observed that while environmental movements have focused primarily on confronting the ecological injustices that have become a historical trademark of industrialization, it has made little of a name for itself in addressing the social injustice that is also a part of environmental degradation. (Steffen Rich, 2007) Steffen and Rich remark, â€Å"the environmental movement has grown and become known (at least early on) more for its vehement advocacy for whales and rainforests than for disenfranchised citizens† noting that the latter is generally regarded as a concern of other movements related to social justice and civil rights. However, they note that it has become increasingly apparent that social injustice and environmental degradation are inextricably related to one another. (Steffen Rich, 2007) While many cities have begun to embrace the concept of sustainability into their policies, few have taken environmental justice into account. Van Jones neatly summarized the issue of environmental justice when he declared at last year’s Green Festival in Chicago, Who are we going to take with us, and who are we going to leave behind? Jones concern was that the environmental movement is divided between the rich and the poor. (Anderson, 2007) As such, any definition of sustainability must take the social dimensions of environmental damage into account, for the degradation of the environment is in fact, a civil injustice. Sustainability must embrace environmental justice by letting â€Å"environment† stand not just for concerns over resources, pollution and biodiversity but concerns over equitable distribution of resources, human health and racial equality. (Steffen Rich, 2007) The city of San Francisco has embraced the United Nations definition of sustainability and has conclusively inferred that sustainability means social equity as much as it does environmental responsibility. However, it is also rather vague about what social equitability means. (Magilavy, 2008) Sustainability policies should declare that improvements and protection of environmental welfare should be applied without discrimination. They should declare that resources are distributed equally and access to justice over environmental matters should be available to all, and that participation and decision making should be not limited to an exclusive demographic class or ethnicity. Likewise, environmental injustices such as the systemically inequitable distribution of wealth, the discriminatory improvement of environment, or the denial of access to information and participation in decision making in environmental-related policies should be covered by sustainability policies. As such, if the heart of sustainability’s definition is concern for the ecosystem and life within it, then it also includes the human beings who are part of it as well. The goal of sustainability should then be the achievement of the longevity of human and planet welfare, rather than just environmental protectionism by another name. The Global Footprint Network defines ‘ecological debt’ as the sum of all deficits in the biocapacity of the planet, and asserts that humanity’s demands on the planet is continuously exceeding that biocapacity. As such, the Network contends that we are in a state of overshoot, placing greater demands on nature than can it regenerate. (Global Footprint Network, 2008) This concept is crucial to the conception of environmental justice. Sustainability metrician Mathis Wackernagel (co-founder of The Global Footprint Network) has theorized that an equitable distribution of planetary capital would mean that our ‘fair share’ would have to be limited in addition to being sustainable. As such, Alex Steffen argues that the essence of sustainability is using the planet’s resource capital to create investments such that the same capital exists for future generations, anything else is unjust. (Steffen, 2006) Ecological democracy is an important means of achieving sustainability and environmental justice. To ensure that the environmental welfare of all individuals, regardless of race, class or gender is accounted for and that it is not done at the expense of planetary capital and the environmental welfare of future generations, decisions must be made that are free from the influence of the economic elite, racial factions, political forces and other special interests. In other words, the decisions to be made about the future of the environment must be done democratically to ensure that all have a say in the control of their local environment. Sustainability begins with environmental justice, which in turn is possible only with ecological democracy. The only alternative to such a form of environmentalism is a continuing perpetuation of inegalitarian systems, where we save the planet not for future generations, not for our fellow men, but for ourselves. REFERENCES Anderson, D. (2007, April 22) Dispatch from Greenfest Chicago: Van Jones on Green Collar Jobs and Our Shared Future, Part 1. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://davidanderson. greenoptions. com/2007/04/22/dispatch-from-greenfest-chicago-van-jones-on-green-collar-jobs-and-our-shared-future-part-i/ Global Footprint Network. Glossary. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://www. footprintnetwork. org/gfn_sub. php? content=glossary Magilavy, B. (2008) Sustainability Plan. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://sustainable-city. org/Plan/Intro/intro. htm Steffen, A. Rich, S. (2007, May 28) Principle 17: Environmental Justice. Worldchanging. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://www. worldchanging. com/archives/006778. html Steffen, A. (Ed. ) (2006) Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century. New York: Abrams, Inc.

The Chronicle Death Foretold English Literature Essay

The Chronicle Death Foretold English Literature Essay I returned to this forgotten village, trying to put the broken mirror of memory back together from so many scattered shards, summarizes the narrators entire expedition to Sucre trying to unravel an unsolved mystery of the murder of Santiago Nasar. This essay will explore how memories serve as a tool in Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Memories seem to be the only source of information for the narrator and are frequently used by Marquez to bring to the reader the plot, albeit in a non-sequential order. Memories not only help in determining a characters perception of events but also create ambiguity. Marquez showcases some memories as contradicting and the others as vaguely similar to what actually happens in the lives of the characters twenty-seven years back. The writer creates a relation between the reader and narrator with the help of first-person narrative; this engages the reader more as he leaves them to decide whose memory should be trusted. One of many words that can be associated with this story is enigma, as a result of Marquezs non-linear narrative. Although the story begins with the revelation of specific memories of the murder such as the time, setting and the victim, the suspense lies in the context why the Vicario brothers kill Nasar. Marquez uses stereotypical techniques that accompany a mystery revealing conflicting memories of different characters at once: It wasnt raining, Pablo Vicario remembered. Just the opposite, Pedro recalled  [2]  . While Victoria Guzman was sure that it had not rained the entire month of February, some others claimed that the weather was funereal  [3]  and a thin drizzle  [4]  was falling. Thus, one cannot effectively visualize the setting of the day Nasar is murdered; these contradicting reminiscences of weather are perhaps intended to create uncertainty. The uncertainty in the recollections of weather not only forebode Santiago Nasars death, but also help the writer in using it as a tool to forebode other impending uncertainties, which are a result of ambiguous memories. This helps the writer in weaving an atmosphere of suspense. The memories of characters effectively bring out the dynamics of relationships in the plot. That the Columbian culture emphasized on strong filial bonds is clearly discerned in Placida Lineros memory of her son: The last image his mother had of him was that of his fleeting passage through the bedroomà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ as she would remember him forever  [5]  . Her memories reveal the strong tie between Santiago and herself, years after her sons death. Marquez also presents the flipside of filial bonds through Angelas recollection of her relationship with her mother. Angela only recollects the harsh incidents and the severity with which her mother dealt with her when she was returned by Bayardo San Roman for losing her virginity before marriage: The only thing I can remember is that she was holding me by the hair with one hand and beating me with the other with such rage that I thought she was going to kill me  [6]  . Purisima del Carmens vigilant disposition, made Angela subservi ent to her. This reflects on Angelas upbringing, a certain lack of trust, thereby, the dynamics of their relationship. Santiago Nasars character is established through the varied memories of him. The memories of minor characters also add to the multiple perspectives of Nasar and his murder. Flora Miguel said Here you are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦And I hope they kill you!  [7]  . But on the other hand Luisa Santiaga and Yamil Shaium try stopping the murder to save Nasar. With this in mind, he can also be claimed the protagonist of this chronicle, as all memories, either good or bad, are centered around him. The memories of individuals serve different purposes, than when used collectively to discover the truth. Separately, memories add a different angle to the recollection, by including each characters thoughts and feelings. There has never been a death more foretold  [8]  , the narrator remarks during his journey. It can also be inferred that the characters themselves did not remember the event chronologically but rather in bits and pieces. This also refers to the title, as per definition of a chronicle; it is not sequenced chronologically Jointly, memories help the writer to gather all the recollections to narrate an event that takes the reader back in time, to describe events during the wedding: I had a very confused memory of the festival before I decided to rescue it piece by piece from the memory of others  [9]  . Using memory as a motif, the writer also creates literary tension as he tries fitting all these pieces of memory together to present a sensible picture. Memories bring to life the rationale represented by Columbian culture in the eighteenth century. The writers use of memories draws a parallel between the social conventions of that period and those twenty-seven years later. Pablos wife claimed: I never would have married him if he hadnt done what a man should do  [10]  . The importance of family honor and machismo and the correlation between the two remains the same after twenty seven years. Memories therefore play mediator through different time periods by presenting the unchanged social constructs and norms. Using memories, the writer presents elements of magical realism through such instances as the dissection of Santiago Nasars body (It was as if we killed him all over again after he was dead  [11]  ) and the recollection of the priest (the dogs, aroused by the smell of death  [12]  ). These instances add to the uncertainty and create anticipation, as the suspense is revealed slowly. Later in the text, even with the description of Nasars body being cut open and stitched back together, the effect of using magical realism here is to show how Nasars reputation was questioned and how is identity was erased, after his murder. Memories are also used as a cathartic tool to purge the guilt associated with Santiago Nasars murder. The entire community is to blame for it and their memories either come across as excuses or remorse for not informing Santiago that he was in danger. (The) twins declared at the end of the trial that they would have done it again a thousand times over for the same reason  [13]  . This conveys how the brothers attempt to purge themselves of the guilt related with the murder, by convincing themselves more than the narrator or the reader that they are guiltless. We killed him openly, Pedro Vicario said, but were innocent.  [14]  They repeatedly try to justify their act, to escape the guilt and remorse associated with killing a man, whose culpability they are, perhaps, uncertain about. Marquezs portrayal of a mystery catches the attention of the readers instantly. The use of memories is prevalent in different forms and consistent through the entire mystery. Although the investigation has been carried out after so many years, it still gives rise to a few significant questions about. Thus, the reader may question the accuracy of these memories and whether they can actually be of any help in understanding the reasons for death of Santiago Nasar. The answer to this question could probably be traced through the authenticity or reliability of these memories, and the reconstruction of these broken pieces, that Marquez puts together for the reader, as a complete chronicle.