Critical Lens

The following quote, â€Å"Sometimes failure is more beneficial than success† is a bold and eccentric statement to make, but it is indeed true. In my view, success is largely dependent on how we fail since it is what breeds learning and new understanding. It is impossible to be perfect in life and not to have committed a single mistake. Obstacles constantly present themselves, challenging and sometimes hindering our ability to overcome them at first. Although it may reveal our weakness, failure undoubtedly builds character and allows us to become what we ideally wish to be. The following works of literatures, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, demonstrate how failure pushes the protagonists of each individual story and provides a stepping stone toward reaching their goal. In The Alchemist, Santiago falls to several disheartening events, but they enable him to pick himself back up and continue on with the rest of his journey from Andalusia to the pyramids in Egypt. For instance, when Santiago arrives in the market town of Tangier, a thief robs him of his money for his journey, forcing him to seek work at a crystal shop. During his time there, Santiago learns the workings of a business and encourages the merchant to takes risks. These risks eventually pay off and Santiago becomes a rich man in just a year. The true test, however, for Santiago came with the passing of the desert, which is an important symbol in the book. With its harsh conditions and tribal wars, the desert is symbolic of the serious difficulties that await anyone in pursuit of reaching their goal or Personal Legend, but it also serves as an important teacher to Santiago during his journey to the pyramids. More than the desert heat, the desert’s dull and barren state test Santiago, as it diminishes his confidence at times. As Santiago learns, however, he discovers that even the desert contains life and the Soul of the World. Santiago begins to understand his environment and to see the signs of life in what seems to be a wasteland. This prepares him for the greatest test of all: to connect with the desert in an effort to become the wind. In the end, he does succeed, propelling him forward to reach his destination. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein becomes consumed by the desire to discover the secret of life and, after several years of research, becomes convinced that he has found it. Equipped with the knowledge, he spends countless months over creating a creature out of old body parts. The symbols of light and fire, which are constantly brought up throughout Victor’s experimentations, represent his knowledge and discovery. Victor experiences several failures, breaking him physically and deteriorating his health, but his determination strengthened. He learned about the errors he was making that caused him to fail, and with this, he finally brings his creation to life one climatic night. When he looks at the monstrosity that he has created, however, the sight horrifies him. In this case, light represents danger, as Victor’s act of creation eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him. The characters of Santiago and Victor Frankenstein are two perfect examples as to why failure is needed in order to succeed. From these books, it is shown that success is really the progressive understanding of pre-determined goals, while the very journey is what makes or breaks us. Both Santiago and Victor do face failures in their journeys toward achieving their dream, but without failing, they would have made not learned from their mistakes and gained an experience from it. Although the end result of Victor’s failures worked against him and Santiago’s failures allowed him to lead a life of success, what is most important from these experiences is the lesson learned and knowledge gained. This is what makes Victor and Santiago successful as the end result is not what matters most, but the amount of effort and ability to rise from failure in order to reach one’s goal. Critical Lens According to Seneca, a Roman philosopher, â€Å"The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity. † In other words, the boldest thing in this world is to see an honorable person fighting against misfortune, and never give up. I agree with this statement because it happens in real life and in literature. A man who goes against tragedy caused by nature, human or himself is considered great and honorable. Two works of literature that illustrate the quote as I have explained it are Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Night by Elie Wiesel. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a good example of this statement because the protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, ensures his survival through storms, enslavement, and twenty-eight year isolation on a desert island. Robinson is both the narrator and protagonist of the novel. The major conflict in this novel is Crusoe shipwrecked alone, forcing him to fend for himself and his basic needs. He lost his only friend, Friday. He struggles between hardships, loneliness in his attempt to survive on a desert island. Crusoe was fighting alone against the force of nature and his own inner fears. Night by Elie Wiesel is a good example of this statement because the protagonist struggles with Nazi persecution and with his own faith in God and in humanity. It is written in first person’s point of view. Fire appears throughout the novel as a symbol of the Nazis’ cruel power comes against humanity. The rising action is Eliezer’s journey through the various concentration camps and the subsequent deterioration of his father and himself. The climax is when his father died. This cause Eliezer’s eternal conflict, he was now alone by himself, struggling to maintain faith in a generous god, silence and cruelty towards other human. In conclusion, it is clear that in both Robinson Crusoe and Night the characters discover â€Å"The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity. † A great man who fights against misfortune is considered as the bravest sight in the world. Both Robinson and Eliezer experienced misfortune that caused by nature and human. They lost their friend and family members, but they did not give up. They were struggling against it and gain victory at the end. Critical Lens According to J. F. Clarke, â€Å"The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience. † In other words, people are only truly brave when they follow their own sense of goodness instead of following others. This idea is clearly evident in the novels A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks and Of Mice and men by John Steinbeck. The quote is exemplified in both novels by the literary element of theme. In A Walk to Remember, Landon Carter befriends unpopular Jamie Sullivan. In Of Mice and Men, George kills his friend Lennie to spare him from a horrific and painful murder. In A Walk to Remember, Jamie Sullivan is an unpopular, religious girl who gets teased constantly for her beliefs. Popular Landon Carter befriends her, and asks her on a date to the homecoming dance at school. His friends tease him for this, but he knows that Jamie is a genuinely good person, and although his friends think differently, he is doing the right thing. The two develop a relationship. Eventually, Jamie confesses that she has an incurable form of leukemia, and is dying. Landon watches her get more ill, but he stays with her as often as he can, and tries to help in any way he can. After Jamie dies, he looks back and realizes that by following his conscience, his life has changed. The theme love conquers all relates to both the quote and the novel. Landon and Jamie’s love for each other changes both of their lives. Throughout Jamie’s illness, Landon learns a lot about himself and life, and his bravery allows him to do that. In Of Mice and Men, George faces a difficult decision. George’s best friend, Lennie, accidentally kills Curley’s wife, and he leaves the ranch. When Curley, the boss of the ranch’s son, discovers the death of his wife, he puts together a mob and sets out to find Lennie and shoot him in his guts. George knows that this will be very painful and agonizing, and he is not sure what to do. He ultimately decides to kill Lennie himself by shooting him in the back of the head. George meets Lennie by the pool of the Salinas River, and tells him his favorite story, the story of the farm. As soon as Lennie is calm, George shoots him. He knows that killing him this way will be instant and without pain. George feels that he is doing the right thing y sparing his friend of pain. The theme of loyalty and sacrifice relates to the quote and novel. George’s loyalty to his friend forces him to sacrifice him. This takes a lot of courage, but by doing this he is sparing his friend of extreme suffering. People are only truly brave when they follow their own sense of goodness. Landon’s bravery allows him to have a great relatio nship and gain knowledge about life. George’s bravery spares his friend of a painful death. Both novels show that the best form of bravery is when a person follows their conscience. Critical Lens According to Seneca, a Roman philosopher, â€Å"The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity. † In other words, the boldest thing in this world is to see an honorable person fighting against misfortune, and never give up. I agree with this statement because it happens in real life and in literature. A man who goes against tragedy caused by nature, human or himself is considered great and honorable. Two works of literature that illustrate the quote as I have explained it are Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Night by Elie Wiesel. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a good example of this statement because the protagonist, Robinson Crusoe, ensures his survival through storms, enslavement, and twenty-eight year isolation on a desert island. Robinson is both the narrator and protagonist of the novel. The major conflict in this novel is Crusoe shipwrecked alone, forcing him to fend for himself and his basic needs. He lost his only friend, Friday. He struggles between hardships, loneliness in his attempt to survive on a desert island. Crusoe was fighting alone against the force of nature and his own inner fears. Night by Elie Wiesel is a good example of this statement because the protagonist struggles with Nazi persecution and with his own faith in God and in humanity. It is written in first person’s point of view. Fire appears throughout the novel as a symbol of the Nazis’ cruel power comes against humanity. The rising action is Eliezer’s journey through the various concentration camps and the subsequent deterioration of his father and himself. The climax is when his father died. This cause Eliezer’s eternal conflict, he was now alone by himself, struggling to maintain faith in a generous god, silence and cruelty towards other human. In conclusion, it is clear that in both Robinson Crusoe and Night the characters discover â€Å"The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity. † A great man who fights against misfortune is considered as the bravest sight in the world. Both Robinson and Eliezer experienced misfortune that caused by nature and human. They lost their friend and family members, but they did not give up. They were struggling against it and gain victory at the end. Critical Lens According to J. F. Clarke, â€Å"The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience. † In other words, people are only truly brave when they follow their own sense of goodness instead of following others. This idea is clearly evident in the novels A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks and Of Mice and men by John Steinbeck. The quote is exemplified in both novels by the literary element of theme. In A Walk to Remember, Landon Carter befriends unpopular Jamie Sullivan. In Of Mice and Men, George kills his friend Lennie to spare him from a horrific and painful murder. In A Walk to Remember, Jamie Sullivan is an unpopular, religious girl who gets teased constantly for her beliefs. Popular Landon Carter befriends her, and asks her on a date to the homecoming dance at school. His friends tease him for this, but he knows that Jamie is a genuinely good person, and although his friends think differently, he is doing the right thing. The two develop a relationship. Eventually, Jamie confesses that she has an incurable form of leukemia, and is dying. Landon watches her get more ill, but he stays with her as often as he can, and tries to help in any way he can. After Jamie dies, he looks back and realizes that by following his conscience, his life has changed. The theme love conquers all relates to both the quote and the novel. Landon and Jamie’s love for each other changes both of their lives. Throughout Jamie’s illness, Landon learns a lot about himself and life, and his bravery allows him to do that. In Of Mice and Men, George faces a difficult decision. George’s best friend, Lennie, accidentally kills Curley’s wife, and he leaves the ranch. When Curley, the boss of the ranch’s son, discovers the death of his wife, he puts together a mob and sets out to find Lennie and shoot him in his guts. George knows that this will be very painful and agonizing, and he is not sure what to do. He ultimately decides to kill Lennie himself by shooting him in the back of the head. George meets Lennie by the pool of the Salinas River, and tells him his favorite story, the story of the farm. As soon as Lennie is calm, George shoots him. He knows that killing him this way will be instant and without pain. George feels that he is doing the right thing y sparing his friend of pain. The theme of loyalty and sacrifice relates to the quote and novel. George’s loyalty to his friend forces him to sacrifice him. This takes a lot of courage, but by doing this he is sparing his friend of extreme suffering. People are only truly brave when they follow their own sense of goodness. Landon’s bravery allows him to have a great relatio nship and gain knowledge about life. George’s bravery spares his friend of a painful death. Both novels show that the best form of bravery is when a person follows their conscience.

Education in India

Education in India has a history stretching back to the ancient urban centres of learning at Taxila and Nalanda. Western education became ingrained into Indian society with the establishment of the British Raj. Education in India falls under the control of both the Union Government and the states, with some responsibilities lying with the Union and the states having autonomy for others. The various articles of the Indian Constitution provide for education as a fundamental right. Most universities in India are Union or State Government controlled. India has made a huge progress in terms of increasing primary education attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately two thirds of the population. [2] India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to the economic rise of India. [3] Much of the progress in education has been credited to various private institutions. [4] The private education market in India is estimated to be worth $40 billion in 2008 and will increase to $68 billion by 2012. [4] However, India continues to face challenges. Despite growing investment in education, 35% of the population is illiterate and only 15% of the students reach high school. [5] As of 2008, India's post-secondary high schools offer only enough seats for 7% of India's college-age population, 25% of teaching positions nationwide are vacant, and 57% of college professors lack either a master's or PhD degree. [6] As of 2007, there are 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges in India with an annual student intake of 582,000,[7] plus 1,244 polytechnics with an annual intake of 265,000. However, these institutions face shortage of faculty and concerns have been raised over the quality of education. [8] Three Indian universities were listed in the Times Higher Education list of the world’s top 200 universities — Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, and Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2005 and 2006. [9] Six Indian Institutes of Technology and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani were listed among the top 20 science and technology schools in Asia by Asiaweek. 10] The Indian School of Business situated in Hyderabad was ranked number 12 in global MBA rankings by the Financial Times of London in 2010[11] while the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has been recognized as a global leader in medical research and treatment. [12]Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Overview 2. 1 Primary education 2. 2 Secondary education 2. 3 Tertiary education 2. 4 Technical education 3 Literacy 4 Attainment 5 Private education 6 Women's Education 7 Rural education 8 Issues 9 Initiatives 10 Central government involvement 10. 1 Budget 10. Public Expenditure on Education in India 10. 3 Legislative framework 11 Notes 12 References 13 External links [edit] History Monastic orders of education under the supervision of a guru was a favored form of education for the nobility in ancient India. [13] The knowledge in these orders was often related to the tasks a section of the society had to perform. [14] The priest class, the Brahmins, were imparted knowledge of religion, philosophy, and other ancillary branches while the warrior class, the Kshatriya, were trained in the various aspects of warfare. 14] The business class, the Vaishya, were taught their trade and the lowest class of the Shudras was generally deprived of educational advantages. [14] The book of laws, the Manusmriti, and the treatise on statecraft the Arthashastra were among the influential works of this era which reflect the outlook and understanding of the world at the time. [14] Apart from the monastic orders, institutions of higher learning and universities flourished in India well before the common era, and continued to deliver education into the common era. 15] Secular Buddhist institutions cropped up along with monasteries. [14] These institutions imparted practical education, e. g. medicine. [14] A number of urban learning centres became increasingly visible from the period between 200 BCE to 400 CE. [16] The important urban centres of learning were Taxila and Nalanda, among others. [16] These institutions systematically imparted knowledge and attracted a number of foreign students to study topics such as logic, grammar, medicine, metaphysics, arts and crafts. [16] By the time of the visit of the Islamic scholar Alberuni (973-1048 CE), India already had a sophisticated system of mathematics and science in place, and had made a number of inventions and discoveries. [17] With the arrival of the British Raj in India a class of Westernized elite was versed in the Western system of education which the British had introduced. [18] This system soon became solidified in India as a number of primary, secondary, and tertiary centres for education cropped up during the colonial era. 18] Between 1867 and 1941 the British increased the percentage of the population in Primary and Secondary Education from around 0. 6% of the population in 1867 to over 3. 5% of the population in 1941. However this was much lower than the equivalent figures for Europe where in 1911 between 8 and 18% of the population were in Primary and Secondary education. [19] Additionally literacy was also improved. In 1901 the literacy rate in India was only about 5% though by Independence it was nearly 20%. [20] Following independence in 1947, Maulana Azad, India's first education minister envisaged strong central government control over education throughout the country, with a uniform educational system. [21] However, given the cultural and linguistic diversity of India, it was only the higher education dealing with science and technology that came under the jurisdiction of the central government. [21] The government also held powers to make national policies for educational development and could regulate selected aspects of education throughout India. 22] The central government of India formulated the National Policy on Education (NPE) in 1986 and also reinforced the Programme of Action (POA) in 1986. [23] The government initiated several measures the launching of DPEP (District Primary Education Programme) and SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan,[24] India's initiative for Education for All) and setting up of Navodaya Vidyalaya and other selective schools in every district, advances in female educ ation, inter-disciplinary research and establishment of open universities. India's NPE also contains the National System of Education, which ensures some uniformity while taking into account regional education needs. The NPE also stresses on higher spending on education, envisaging a budget of more than 6% of the Gross Domestic Product. [23] While the need for wider reform in the primary and secondary sectors is recognized as an issue, the emphasis is also on the development of science and technology education infrastructure. [edit] Overview The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is the apex body for curriculum related matters for school education in India. 25] The NCERT provides support and technical assistance to a number of schools in India and oversees many aspects of enforcement of education policies. [26] In India, the various curriculum bodies governing school education system are: The state government boards, in which the majority of Indian children are enrolled. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board. The C ouncil for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) board. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) board. International schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Programme and/or the Cambridge International Examinations. Islamic Madrasah schools, whose boards are controlled by local state governments, or autonomous, or affiliated with Darul Uloom Deoband. Autonomous schools like Woodstock School, Auroville, Patha Bhavan and Ananda Marga Gurukula. In addition, NUEPA (National University of Educational Planning and Administration)[27] and NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education) are responsible for the management of the education system and teacher accreditation. 28] [edit] Primary education The Indian government lays emphasis to primary education up to the age of fourteen years (referred to as Elementary Education in India. [29]) The Indian government has also banned child labour in order to ensure that the children do not enter unsafe working conditions. [29] However, both free education and the ban on child labor are difficult to enforce due to economic disparity and so cial conditions. [29] 80% of all recognized schools at the Elementary Stage are government run or supported, making it the largest provider of education in the Country. 30] However, due to shortage of resources and lack of political will, this system suffers from massive gaps including high pupil teacher ratios, shortage of infrastructure and poor level of teacher training. Education has also been made free[29] for children for six to 14 years of age or up to class VIII under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. [31] There have been several efforts to enhance quality made by the government. The District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) was launched in 1994 with an aim to universalize primary education in India by reforming and vitalizing the existing primary education system. 32] 85% of the DPEP was funded by the central government and the remaining 15 percent was funded by the states. [32] The DPEP, which had opened 160000 new schools including 84000 a lternative education schools delivering alternative education to approximately 3. 5 million children, was also supported by UNICEF and other international programmes. [32] This primary education scheme has also shown a high Gross Enrollment Ratio of 93–95% for the last three years in some states. [32] Significant improvement in staffing and enrollment of girls has also been made as a part of this scheme. 32] The current scheme for universalization of Education for All is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which is one of the largest education initiatives in the world. Enrollment has been enhanced, but the levels of quality remain low. [edit] Secondary education The National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986, has provided for environment awareness, science and technology education, and introduction of traditional elements such as Yoga into the Indian secondary school system. [33] Secondary education covers children 14-18 which covers 88. 5 million children according to the Census, 2001. However, enrolment figures show that only 31 million of these children were attending schools in 2001-02, which means that two-third of the population remained out of school. [34] A significant feature of India's secondary school system is the emphasis on inclusion of the disadvantaged sections of the society. Professionals from established institutes are often called to support in vocational training. Another feature of India's secondary school system is its emphasis on profession based vocational training to help students attain skills for finding a vocation of his/her choosing. 35] A significant new feature has been the extension of SSA to secondary education in the form of the Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan[36] A special Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) programme was started in 1974 with a focus on primary education. [25] but which was converted into Inclusive Education at Secondary Stage[37] Another notable special programme, the Kendriya Vidyalaya project, was start ed for the employees of the central government of India, who are distributed throughout the country. The government started the Kendriya Vidyalaya project in 1965 to provide uniform education in institutions following the same syllabus at the same pace regardless of the location to which the employee's family has been transferred. [25] [edit] Tertiary education Our university system is, in many parts, in a state of disrepair†¦ In almost half the districts in the country, higher education enrollments are abysmally low, almost two-third of our universities and 90 per cent of our colleges are rated as below average on quality parameters†¦ I am concerned that in many states university appointments, including that of vice-chancellors, have been politicised and have become subject to caste and communal considerations, there are complaints of favouritism and corruption. – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2007[38] Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. India's higher education system is the third largest in the world, after China and the United States. [39] The main governing body at the tertiary level is the University Grants Commission (India), which enforces its standards, advises the government, and helps coordinate between the centre and the state. 40] Accreditation for higher learning is overseen by 12 autonomous institutions established by the University Grants Commission. [41] As of 2009, India has 20 central universities, 215 state universities, 100 deemed universities, 5 institutions established and functioning under the State Act, and 13 institutes which are of national importance. [40] Other institut ions include 16000 colleges, including 1800 exclusive women's colleges, functioning under these universities and institutions. 40] The emphasis in the tertiary level of education lies on science and technology. [42] Indian educational institutions by 2004 consisted of a large number of technology institutes. [43] Distance learning is also a feature of the Indian higher education system. [43] Some institutions of India, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), have been globally acclaimed for their standard of education. [43] The IITs enroll about 8000 students annually and the alumni have contributed to both the growth of the private sector and the public sectors of India. 44] Besides top rated universities which provide highly competitive world class education to their pupil, India is also home to many universities which have been founded with the sole objective of making easy money. Regulatory authorities like UGC and AICTE have been trying very hard to extirpate the me nace of private universities which are running courses without any affiliation or recognition. Students from rural and semi urban background often fall prey to these institutes and colleges. [45][dead link] [edit] Technical education From the first Five Year Plan onwards India's emphasis was to develop a pool of scientifically inclined manpower. [46] India's National Policy on Education (NPE) provisioned for an apex body for regulation and development of higher technical education, which came into being as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in 1987 through an act of the Indian parliament. [47] At the level of the centre the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology are deemed of national importance. 47] The Indian Institutes of Management are also among the nation's premier education facilities. [47] Several Regional Engineering Colleges (REC) have been converted into National Institutes of Technology. [47] The UGC has inter-university centres at a number of locations throughout India to promote common research, e. g. the Nuclear Science Centre at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. [48] [edit] Literacy Main article: Literacy in India According to the Census of 2001, â€Å"every person above the age of 7 years who can read and write in any language is said to be literate†. According to this criterion, the 2001 survey holds the National Literacy Rate to be around 64. 84%. [49] Government statistics of 2001 also hold that the rate of increase in literacy is more in rural areas than in urban areas. [49] Female literacy was at a national average of 53. 63% whereas the male literacy was 75. 26%. [49] Within the Indian states, Kerala has shown the highest literacy rates of 90. 02% whereas Bihar averaged lower than 50% literacy, the lowest in India. [49] The 2001 statistics also indicated that the total number of ‘absolute non-literates' in the country was 304 million. 49] [edit] Attainment World Bank statistics found that fewer than 40 percent of adolescents in India attend secondary schools. [2] The Economist reports that half of 10-year-old rural children could not read at a basic level, over 60% were unable to do division, and half dropped out by the age 14. [50] Only one in ten young people have access to tertiary education. [2] Out of those who re ceive higher education, Mercer Consulting estimates that only a quarter of graduates are â€Å"employable†. [51] An optimistic estimate is that only one in five job-seekers in India has ever had any sort of vocational training. [52] [edit] Private education According to current estimates, 80% of all schools are government schools[30] making the government the major provider of education. However, because of poor quality of public education, 27% of Indian children are privately educated. [53] According to some research, private schools often provide superior results at a fraction of the unit cost of government schools. 50][54][55] However, others have suggested that private schools fail to provide education to the poorest families, a selective being only a fifth of the schools and have in the past ignored Court orders for their regulation[56] In their favour, it has been pointed out that private schools cover the entire curriculum and offer extra-curricular activities such as science fairs, general knowledge, sports, music and drama. [53] The pupil teacher ratios are much better in private schoo ls (1:31 to 1:37 for government schools and more teachers in private schools are female. 57] There is some disgreement over which system has better educated teachers. According to the latest DISE survey, the percentage of untrained teachers (paratechers) is 54. 91% in private, compared to 44. 88% in government schools and only 2. 32% teachers in unaided schools receive inservice training compared to 43. 44% for government schools. The competition in the school market is intense, yet most schools make profit. [53] Even the poorest often go to private schools despite the fact that government schools are free. A study found that 65% of schoolchildren in Hyderabad's slums attend private schools. 55] Private schools are often operating illegally. A 2001 study found that it takes 14 different licenses from four different authorities to open a private school in New Delhi and could take years if done legally. [55] However, operation of unrecognized schools has been made illegal under the Ri ght to Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act[31] which has also significantly simplified the process of obtaining recognition. [edit] Women's Education Girls in school near Baroda, Gujarat. See also: Women in India Women have much lower literacy rate than men. Far fewer girls are enrolled in the schools, and many of them drop out. [58] According to a 1998 report by U. S. Department of Commerce, the chief barrier to female education in India are inadequate school facilities (such as sanitary facilities), shortage of female teachers and gender bias in curriculum (majority of the female characters being depicted as weak and helpless)[59] The number of literate women among the female population of India was between 2-6% from the British Raj onwards to the formation of the Republic of India in 1947. [60] Concerted efforts led to improvement from 15. 3% in 1961 to 28. % in 1981. [60] By 2001 literacy for women had exceeded 50% of the overall female population, though these statistics were still very low compared to world standards and even male literacy within India. [61] Recently the Indian government has launched Saakshar Bharat Mission for Female Literacy. This mission aims to bring down female illiteracy by half of its present level. Sita An antha Raman outlines the progress of women's education in India:Since 1947 the Indian government has tried to provide incentives for girls’ school attendance through programs for midday meals, free books, and uniforms. This welfare thrust raised primary enrollment between 1951 and 1981. In 1986 the National Policy on Education decided to restructure education in tune with the social framework of each state, and with larger national goals. It emphasized that education was necessary for democracy, and central to the improvement of women’s condition. The new policy aimed at social change through revised texts, curricula, increased funding for schools, expansion in the numbers of schools, and policy improvements. Emphasis was placed on expanding girls’ occupational centers and primary education; secondary and higher education; and rural and urban institutions. The report tried to connect problems like low school attendance with poverty, and the dependence on girls for housework and sibling day care. The National Literacy Mission also worked through female tutors in villages. Although the minimum marriage age is now eighteen for girls, many continue to be married much earlier. Therefore, at the secondary level, female dropout rates are high. [62] Sita Anantha Raman also maintains that while the educated Indian women workforce maintains professionalism, the men outnumber them in most fields and, in some cases, receive higher income for the same positions. 62] [edit] Rural education A primary school in a village in Madhya Pradesh. Following independence, India viewed education as an effective tool for bringing social change through community development. [63] The administrative control was effectively initiated in the 1950s, when, in 1952, the government grouped villages under a Community Development Block—an authority under national p rogramme which could control education in up to 100 villages. [63] A Block Development Officer oversaw a geographical area of 150 square miles which could contain a population of as many as 70000 people. [63] Setty and Ross elaborate on the role of such programmes, themselves divided further into individual-based, community based, or the Individual-cum-community-based, in which microscopic levels of development are overseen at village level by an appointed worker:The community development programmes comprise agriculture, animal husbandry, cooperation, rural industries, rural engineering (consisting of minor irrigation, roads, buildings), health and sanitation including family welfare, family planning, women welfare, child care and nutrition, education including adult education, social education and literacy, youth welfare and community organisation. In each of these areas of development there are several programmes, schemes and activities which are additive, expanding and tapering off covering the total community, some segments, or specific target populations such as small and marginal farmers, artisans, women and in general people below the poverty line. [63] Despite some setbacks the rural education programmes continued throughout the 1950s, with support from private institutions. [64] A sizable network of rural education had been established by the time the Gandhigram Rural Institute was established and 5, 200 Community Development Blocks were established in India. [65] Nursery schools, elementary schools, secondary school, and schools for adult education for women were set up. [65] The government continued to view rural education as an agenda that could be relatively free from bureaucratic backlog and general stagnation. 65] However, in some cases lack of financing balanced the gains made by rural education institutes of Ind ia. [66] Some ideas failed to find acceptability among India's poor and investments made by the government sometimes yielded little results. [66] Today, government rural schools remain poorly funded and understaffed. Several foundations, such as the Rural Development Foundation (Hyderabad), actively build high-quality rural schools, but the number of students served is small. [edit] Issues One study found out that 25% of public sector teachers and 40% of public sector medical workers were absent during the survey. Among teachers who were paid to teach, absence rates ranged from 15% in Maharashtra to 71% in Bihar. Only 1 in nearly 3000 public school head teachers had ever dismissed a teacher for repeated absence. [67] A study on teachers by Kremer etc. found that ‘only about half were teaching, during unannounced visits to a nationally representative sample of government primary schools in India. ‘. [67] Modern education in India is often criticized for being based on rote learning rather than problem solving. BusinessWeek denigrates the Indian curriculum saying it revolves around rote learning. [68] and ExpressIndia suggests that students are focused on cramming. [69] A study of 188 government-run primary schools found that 59% of the schools had no drinking water and 89% had no toilets. 70] 2003-04 data by National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration revealed that only 3. 5% of primary schools in Bihar and Chhattisgarh had toilets for girls. In Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, rates were 12-16%. [71] Fake degre es are a problem. One raid in Bihar found 0. 1 million fake certificates. [72] In February 2009, the University Grant Commission found 19 fake institutions operating in India. [73] Only 16% of manufacturers in India offer in-service training to their employees, compared with over 90% in China. [74] [edit] Initiatives Boys seated in school near Baroda, Gujarat. The madrasah of Jamia Masjid mosque in Srirangapatna. Following India's independence a number of rules were formulated for the backward Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes of India, and in 1960 a list identifying 405 Scheduled Castes and 225 Scheduled Tribes was published by the central government. [75] An amendment was made to the list in 1975, which identified 841 Scheduled Castes and 510 Scheduled Tribes. [75] The total percentage of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes combined was found to be 22. 5 percent with the Scheduled Castes accounting for 17 percent and the Scheduled Tribes accounting for the remaining 7. 5 percent. [75] Following the report many Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes increasingly referred to themselves as Dalit, a Marathi language terminology used by B. R. Ambedkar which literally means â€Å"oppressed†. [75] The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are provided for in many of India's educational programmes. [76] Special reservations are also provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India, e. g. a reservation of 15% in Kendriya Vidyalaya for Scheduled Castes and another reservation of 7. 5% in Kendriya Vidyalaya for Scheduled Tribes. [76] Similar reservations are held by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in many schemes and educational facilities in India. [76] The remote and far-flung regions of North East India are provided for under the Non Lapsible Central pool of Resources (NLCPR) since 1998-1999. [77] The NLCPR aims to provide funds for infrastructure development in these remote areas. [77] The government objective for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), started in 2001, is to provide education to children between 6–14 years by 2010. [78] The programme focuses specially on girls and children with challenged social or financial backgrounds. [78] The SSA also aims to provide practical infrastructure and relevant source material in form of free textbooks to children in remote areas. [78] The SSA also aims at widening computer education in rural areas. [78] SSA is currently working with Agastya International Foundation – an educational NGO – to augment its efforts in making science curriculum current and exciting. However, some objectives of the SSA, e. g. enrollment of all children under the scheme in schools by 2005 remain unfulfilled. 78] Education Guarantee Scheme and Alternative and Innovative Education are components of the SSA. [78] Women from remote, underdeveloped areas or from weaker social groups in Andra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnat aka, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, fall under the Mahila Samakhya Scheme, initiated in 1989. [79] Apart from provisions for education this programme also aims to raise awareness by holding meetings and seminars at rural levels. [79] The government allowed 340 million rupees during 2007–08 to carry out this scheme over 83 districts including more than 21, 000 villages. [79] Currently there are 68 Bal Bhavans and 10 Bal Kendra affiliated to the National Bal Bhavan. 80] The scheme involves educational and social activities and recognising children with a marked talent for a particular educational stream. [80] A number of programmes and activities are held under this scheme, which also involves cultural exchanges and participation in several international forums. [80] India's minorities, especially the ones considered ‘educationally backward' by the government, are provided for in the 1992 amendment of the Indian National Policy on Education (NPE). [81] T he government initiated the Scheme of Area Intensive Programme for Educationally Backward Minorities and Scheme of Financial Assistance or Modernisation of Madarsa Education as part of its revised Programme of Action (1992). 81] Both these schemes were started nationwide by 1994. [81] In 2004 the Indian parliament allowed an act which enabled minority education establishments to seek university affiliations if they passed the required norms. [81] [edit] Central government involvement [edit] Budget As a part of the tenth Five year Plan (2002–2007), the central government of India outlined an expenditure of 65. 6% of its total education budget of Rs. 438250 million, or (Rs. 287500 million) on elementary education; 9. 9% (Rs. 43250 million) on secondary education; 2. 9% (Rs. 12500 million) on adult education; 9. 5% (Rs. 41765 million) on higher education; 10. 7% (Rs. 7000 million) on technical education; and the remaining 1. 4% (Rs. 6235 million) on miscellaneous education schem es. [82] According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), India has the lowest public expenditure on higher education per student in the world. [83] See also: Education in India Five Year Plan Expenditure [edit] Public Expenditure on Education in India In recent times, several major announcements were made for developing the poor state of affairs in education sector in India, the most notable ones being the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The announcements are; (a) To progressively increase expenditure on education to around 6 percent of GDP. (b) To support this increase in expenditure on education, and to increase the quality of education, there would be an imposition of an education cess over all central government taxes. (c) To ensure that no one is denied of education due to economic backwardness and poverty. (d) To make right to education a fundamental right for all children in the age group 6–14 years. (e) To universalize education through its flagship programmes such as Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal. However, even after five years of implementation of NCMP, not much progress has been done on these promises or announcements. The public expenditure on education has actually declined from around 3. 23 percent of GDP in 2000-2001 to 2. 88 percent in the recent times. As a proportion of total government expenditure, it has declined from around 11. 1 percent in 2000-2001 to around 9. 98 percent during UPA rule. A policy brief issued by [Network for Social Accountability (NSA)][84] titled â€Å"[NSA Response to Education Sector Interventions in Union Budget: UPA Rule and the Education Sector][85]† provides significant revelation to this fact. Due to a declining priority of education in the public policy paradigm in India, there has been an exponential growth in the private expenditure on education also. As per the available information, the private out of pocket expenditure by the working class population for the education of their children in India has increased by around 1150 percent or around 12. 5 times over the last decade]. [86] [edit] Legislative framework Article 45, of the Constitution of India originally stated:â€Å"The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years. [21]† This article was a directive principle of state policy within India, effectively meaning that it was within a set of rules that were meant to be followed in spirit and the government could not be held to court if the actual letter was not followed. 87] However, the enforcement of this directive principle became a matter of debate since this principle held obvious emotive and practical value, and was legally the only directive principle within the Indian constitution to have a time limit. [87] Following initiatives by the Supreme Court of India during the 1990s the Ninety-third amendment bill suggested three separate amendments to the Indian constitution:[88] The constitution of India was amended to include a new article, 21A, which read:â⠂¬Å"The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in a such manner as the State may, by law, determine. [89]† Article 45 was proposed to be substituted by the article which read:â€Å"Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years: The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of sixteen years. [89]† Another article, 51A, was to additionally have the clause:â€Å"†¦ a parent or guardian [shall] provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, [a] ward between the age of six to fourteen years. [89]† The bill was passed unanimously in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, on November 28, 2001. [90] It was later passed by the upper house—the Rajya Sabha—on May 14, 2002. [90] After being signed by the President of India the Indian constitution was amended formally for the eighty sixth time and the bill came into effect. 90] Since then those between the age of 6–14 have a fundamental right to education. [ 91] Article 46 of the Constitution of India holds that:â€Å"The State shall promote, with special care, the education and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of social exploitation'. [49]† Other provisions for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can be found in Articles 330, 332, 335, 338–342. [49] Both the 5th and the 6th Schedules of the Constitution also make special provisions for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. [49

International Production and Governance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Production and Governance - Essay Example This report stresses that the challenge that every integrating economy today has to look in to is that structural change and labour market modification have become quasi-permanent features of national economies in a global world. Globalisation and scientific change are revealing increasing shares of national economies to strong competition. Consequently firms have to adjust their operations and their labour force to meet fluctuations in demand and progress in productivity. However, reacting to firms’ want for flexibility, without taking care of the worker’s need for security, is socially incompetent. A significant social dialogue is essential in this regard. This paper makes a conclusion that the market economy is the only arrangement competent of generating continued increases in prosperity, and giving individual human beings the opportunity to look for what they desire in life. However a market economy depends for its survival on a strong state, one that supports property rights, ensures macroeconomic stability, encourages competition, and ensures education and basic health. Further individual states remain the focus of political debate and authority. Even though, the anti-globalization movement has created an alarming imbalance of information about international organizations and translational businesses, world community looks for to restore balance to the debate by documenting how globalization promotes health, wealth and freedom.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 315

Assignment Example The company has accomplished and executed the four factors of corporate social responsibility through taking part in a cause-marketing case such as Project (RED). By donating their revenue for a life-saving operations, the business organization is presented in a good light. The company also generates its turnover in a legal and ethical manner, which forms its sustainable business development. I am of the opinion that corporations, which are socially involved, achieve better financial results, since they concentrate on worldwide social issues and regard this as a possibility to bring more business for the company. 2) Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR, generally being defines as a business concern of the welfare or wellbeing of the society, and run their business activities and operations in lawful and legally accepted manner to generate profit for the company. The four components of corporate social responsibility are Economic responsibilities by being profitable to the company, Legal responsibilities by obeying the law or playing by the rule, Ethical responsibilities by being ethical in carrying business and Philanthropic responsibilities by being a good corporate citizen and also by improving the quality and standard of living of the community and society. Economic performance is important as the foundation of the other three responsibilities, because if it does not achieve good performance, the other three responsibilities will be questionable. CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility and is defined by how much a business organization is concerned about the prosperity of the society. Corporations which implement social responsibility run their affairs in a lawfully abiding way in order to turn a profit. There are four factors of corporate social responsibility. The first one is the economic responsibility to generate revenue for the company. The second is the responsibility to obey the law and act according to

Economic events Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Economic events - Essay Example Such historical instances of oil shocks had subsequent implications on the world’s economy in diverse ways. From observations of oil supply disruptions for over almost six decades now, from 1944, it is incontrovertible that high oil prices have been the significant cause of world’s major economic recessions. Introduction of Bretton Woods system was one of the post-war reconstruction initiatives undertaken by world leaders from over one hundred states. It is remarkable that the U.S dollar dominated during the world war for being very powerful against other currencies. The Bretton Woods system, a decision made in 1944, allowed for the exchange of different currencies. The conference also resolved to form the IMF. The World Bank was among the institutions formed during the conference. The IMF was created for the function of monitoring the different countries’ rates of exchange. It also served as an institution mandated to lend reserve currencies. The decision was to help countries with deficits to evade any circumstances that would cause devaluation of the country's currency and cause instability. The World Bank’s mandate was to issue capital needed to the underdeveloped countries as part of post-war reconstruction of the global economy. ... By the end of the second war, the U. S still experienced a relatively stable economic state compared to other countries. All the nations, therefore, decided to trade in dollar which was pegged to gold. The United States expressed its dedication to redeeming the international holdings of the dollar. The rate set was thirty-five dollars per ounce. This was the greatest reason for the stability in the financial system experienced after 1944. The gold standard set in 1944 ensured stability in the rates of exchange. Under the Bretton Woods system, there were exclusively limited conditions that would call for a reform of the value of gold in relation to the currency of any country. It led to the ceiling of the domestic money supply of every country. The 1970s, however, presented several challenges to the U.S currency following several economic conditions, which brought in many challenges to the stability of the dollar. There were the economic effects of the Vietnam War, for instance. The U .S, in 1971, made the decision that was later to have an effect on the entire world economy and cause a collapse of the stability that prevailed since 1944. Without consultations, the U.S disregarded the gold standard set in 1944. Floating rates started to function as compared to fixed rates after the uplifting of the pegging. Market trading remained the determinant of the currency value of all currencies. The effects of uplifting of the pegging on the oil price had extensive implications and were a cause of instability. Since the dollar is the global currency used in the crude oil market, a weak dollar would attract a high price of oil. An example is the high price of gasoline that

Applied Analysis of the Carbon Price Mechanism in Australia Essay - 1

Applied Analysis of the Carbon Price Mechanism in Australia - Essay Example 2. Increase in cost of traditional energy sources on the energy consumption pattern of Australian household. 3. Impact of increased cash payment on household budget, energy consumption and economic wellbeing. The following section deals with the analysis of the policy implications. Brief review on carbon price mechanism Australia being the hottest and the driest continent on earth has been exposed to drastic changes in the climatic conditions more than any other OECD countries. The excessive temperature variations had affected the country’s agriculture which in turn had effected the food production in the country. Although a meagre amount of green house gases are emitted by the country in contrast to the worldwide share but the intensity of emission is high in terms of per capita GDP. This is largely due to the heavy dependence on the electricity sector which accounts for one third of the country’s emission. In order to rectify the problem of climate change, government ratified Kyoto Protocol in the year 2007.It is expected that the total emission of green house gases will be reduced below 60% by 2020 1 In order to meet this target, government has planned to go for carbon price mechanism. The objective of such a mechanism is to make the dirty energy expensive and the cleaner energy attractive. The big polluters are required to pay on the basis of every tonne of pollutant emitted by them. The mechanism is subject to commencement from July 2012.There will be a fixed price for carbon in the first three years such as $23(1st year), $24.15 (2nd year) and $25.40(3rd year).The fixed price has been devised in order to avoid price shocks. The floor price in the first three years will be AUD15 and the ceiling price has been set at AUD20 which will be above market price. This will be done to ensure greater predictability of price .The presence of floor price also ensures the investors that the price will not fall beyond a certain level. The scheme is expecte d to cover over 60% of Australia’s green house gas emission. However forestry and agriculture are excluded from the scheme. Free permits will be allocated to emission prone industries that are involved in international trade2 Flexible price mechanism will be introduced from 2015, during which carbon price will be evaluated through Emission Trading Scheme. Revenue generated via selling the carbon permits will be utilised in investing to cleaner energy activities. It is also decided that various mechanisms will be used to provide assistance to a number of sectors3. Technically the carbon price mechanism is not a tax. In a paper presented by Antonio Cornwell and John Creedy, it has been cited that a tax on carbon emission will eventually affect fossil fuel prices and hence the consumer prices. Such a price change will then lead to alterations in the levels of final demand, use of fossil fuel and overall carbon dioxide emission4. An important element of this mechanism is to estab lish a system that would govern the dynamics of carbon price within the nation as well as achieve the goal of long term reduction in emission of green house gases. The major thing that concerns the most is the impact of such price mechanism on the households. It has therefore been proposed that the households will be taken care of by revising the family payments, welfare and income tax scenario. Individuals with a family income of AUD65000, will be given a tax

Successful Conflict Resolution for Divorced Couples Essay

Successful Conflict Resolution for Divorced Couples - Essay Example At other times, people appear to have rushed into a marriage without properly understanding each other and knowing all the aspects of their spouse's personality. In such a scenario, marriage turns out to be a shock when one comes across the true nature of one's life partner. There is no dearth of cases when the couples tend to have different relational expectations and thus end up having a divorce. However, once a divorce is finalized, the problem does not end here only. The post divorce scenario gives ways to a plethora of conflicts and issues between the couples. The divorce process in itself tends to be a very stressful and trying situation for the involved couples. The entire procedures involves settling and deciding upon a whole range of vital issues like splitting the finances and assets, deciding as to whether the couple intends to go fore a divorce by mutual consent or intends to contest, and above all parenting and kids. Unless both the parties tend to cooperate and resolve their disputes with ample patience and caution, the divorce procedure and the post divorce situation could end up getting real nasty and miserable (Sherman, 2000). Under such circumstances, apt and effective interpersonal communication could play a pivotal role in a successful conflict resolution between the divorced couples. Interpersonal Interpersonal communication stands to be the interactive process that takes place between the two people and this interaction may tend to be face-to-face or may perhaps be mediated by a third party. Apt and conducive interpersonal communications not only plays a central role in most of the successful marriages, but it could also go a long way in settling disputes between the aggrieved couples in a post divorce scenario. Still, the irony is that in most of the divorces, shoddy interpersonal communication tends to be one of the, if not the sole responsible factor. Therefore, how can one expect the divorced couples to negotiate amicably in a post divorce scenarioDivorce can be really less painful if the divorced couples tend to be cognizant of some fundamentals of interpersonal communication. The basic thing to be understood by the divorced spouses is that they simply cannot escape the requisite interpersonal communication, even if they are divorced (King, 2000). Hence, a willingness to communicate tactfully with one's ex could go a long way in settling the post divorce issues, reasonably and amicably. The second thing that the divorced couples must accept is that interpersonal communication is always complex, especially in a divorce scenario (King, 2000). In addition, interpersonal communication always happens to be irreversible (King, 2000). One simply cannot rescind a message, once it is conveyed. Therefore, communication between divorced couples requires patience and a capacity to listen to each other. Above all, interpersonal communications always takes place in a context and never happens in

Movie Analyses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Movie Analyses - Essay Example This reality shall be divulged upon, in light of movies such as Volver, A Separation, The White Ribbon, Tsotsi, Departures, Animal Kingdom and The Secret in their Eyes. Thesis All movies are derived from prevailing socioeconomic realities with the main intention of fostering emancipation, justice and equity, in lieu of comic relief, catharsis and entertainment. Question 4 Of the seven movies, Tsotsi has the most interesting setting. This is by virtue of the manner in which the author and the film crew have labored to use various elements of filmmaking to make the movie more persuasive. For instance, although South Africa’s Johannesburg is more urbane than any other city in Africa, yet the featuring of the neighboring sprawling and (in)famous Soweto slum makes the plot of the movie more plausible. Another instance which reinstates this sense of authenticity is the presentation of large construction pipes which serve as Tsotsi and his gang’s domicile. Otherwise, it would be out of order to speak of Tsotsi’s crime as taking place within Johannesburg (Hood, 2005). The author also uses special effect filmmaking strategies to make the setting very plausible and congruent with the plot. Specifically, lightning techniques have been used to this effect. In instances where Tsotsi and his gang carry night raids, weak light is used, thereby making the audience believe that such criminal undertakings are nocturnal. Through the use of silhouettes, Tsotsi and his proteges are also densely shadowed, so that they are easily identified as malefactors. The failure to use proper lighting could have portrayed Tsotsi’s criminal exploits as taking place during daytime, and thereby painting Johannesburg as an insecure, crime-riddled city where crimes happen even during broad daylight. Lance Gewer and Gavin Hood as the director and cinematographer respectively showcase their dexterity and ingenuity in filmmaking by making the movie polyglot. The movie consists of languages such as English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu, and thereby rightly painting Johan nesburg not only as a polyglot but also a cultural melting pot. Question 5: The concept of family In all the seven movies, the concept of family is not only ubiquitous, but also given a central thematic value. In the 2009 German film titled The White Ribbon, a family is depicted in Eichwald, northern Germany as the world is on the verge of World War I. Authored by Michael Haneke, the film portrays the family as morally hypocritical. On the facade, the society appears chaste by the virtue of a puritanical pastor’s emphasis on sexual asceticism. However, a thorough look at the society peels back this facade. The village doctor treats other children kindly but has a penchant for humiliating his housekeeper and is found in a compromising situation with his teenage daughter. The family is also presented as morally unstable, even in the person of the baroness who confesses to her husband of being in love with another man. The larger family of human society is painted as unjust and giving way to moral decay. Particularly, this is seen in the instance where the baron whimsically dismisses Eva from work, but retains and recommends a farmer whose son had rummaged the baron’s cabbage farm (Haneke, 2009). In Volver, the family is also depicted as one that is replete with sexual scandals and unresolved matters. Particularly, there is an instance where Paco tries to rape Paula, despite being Paula’s father figure (Almadovar, 2006). In Tsotsi, the family is depicted as being characterized with a degree of inequality and

Business Ethics Position Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Ethics Position Paper - Essay Example The first issue is regarding the working hours of employees in our supply chains. The study indicates that three of our supply chains allow their employees to work for more than 60 hours a week, thus allowing the employees not to utilize their day off. However, I would like to point out here that this is in blatant violation of the Supplier Requirements of the company. The Supplier Requirements point out that the maximum number of hours that can be allowed for an employee in a week is 40 hours (Article 25, Supplier Requirements). Yet another serious issue observed in the assessment was the compulsory overtime enforced by our suppliers. I would like to mention here that this is against the human right policies followed by the company in its entire operation. In addition, it is pointed out in the Supplier Requirements that all kinds of overtime should be strictly voluntary (Article 33, Supplier Requirements). The company has decided to take strict corrective steps in this regard. As yo u rightly know, Motorola is committed to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact in its labor issues. So, the company always upholds the principle that businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor (Motorola Corporate Responsibility Report 2011). Seeing these violations despite the company’s best efforts to ensure human rights in its entire operations is highly disappointing. ... OTOVOICE’ and it will provide the employees of the supplier chains a chance to raise their concerns and grievances in the workplace keeping anonymity. Most important of all, all the supply chains are required to take corrective measure within 2 months from hereof and duly inform the company. An additional inspection will be conducted by the company on receipt of this intimation. I would like to inform here that failure to meet this deadline would lead to the cancellation of the contract with the respective suppliers. I’m sure that you will take necessary steps in this regard to uphold the values and working culture of Motorola. Expecting your continuing cooperation, To : All the supply chain employee unions of Motorola From : (Name) Date : March 15, 2011 Re : The work environment in supplier chains – STR-CSCC assessment 2011 I am profoundly happy to see your support and cooperation in the company operations making the company a huge success in its operations. How ever, we are seriously saddened to see that some of our employees are denied the basic human rights as evident from the findings by the Specialized Technology Resources (STR) Cal-Safety Compliance (CSCC) in its 2011 assessment in our major supply chains. The issues found in the STR-CC assessment were as follows. The first issue is regarding the working hours of employees in our supply chains. The study indicates that three of our supply chains allow their employees to work for more than 60 hours a week, thus forcing the employees not to utilize their day off, in blatant violation of the Supplier Requirements of the company. The Supplier Requirements point out that the maximum number of hours that can be allowed for an employee in a week is 40 hours (Article 25, Supplier Requirements). Yet another serious

Sanskrit Numerations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sanskrit Numerations - Essay Example It is widely agreed upon that that Vedic form of Sanskrit underwent a seamless evolution into the Classic Sanskrit by the middle of the first millennium BC where it changed from the first language to the second language of religion and learning. The whole Hindu-Arabic numeral system is a place value numeral system, which to the most part is built on the base 10, unlike the Babylonian base 60 system (J.J O'Connor and E F Robertson, par.3). The place value system of enumeration is built into the Sanskrit language which used nine numerals and the zero to give representation to numbers ranging from the smallest of decimals to the largest powers of ten. Sanskrit gives each power of ten a distinguishable name and as a result giving no special significance to a separate number. The Yajurveda Samhitaa listed names of units of ten up to 10 to the twelfth power (India and the Scientific Revolution, sec.3) and in times to come, Buddhist and Jain authors carried forward the list to the fifty-third power. The Sanskrit numeration system provides actual distinct names to the powers of ten, in stark contrast to the English style of using auxiliary bases like thousand, billion etc. Numbers from the start were expressed by taking the names o f the first nine units separately and the powers of ten. For Sanskrit, literature number words were used for the first nine numbers and the powers of ten. The most widely used place value symbols belong to the Devanagari script numerals, which are themselves very similar to the Brahmi numerals and form the basis of the modern Hindu-Arabic numerals (Origins, par.1). The numbers till the first power of 10 in the Sanskrit language are: The introduction of a 10th symbol, for the numeral Zero paved the way for the positional system of decimal numeration. The modern decimal system was born when the symbol for the numeral Zero came in the shape of a small circle with a dot in the middle (the dot was later dropped in the modern '0'). The widely known advancement in Arab mathematics was based on the Sanskrit numeral system and its place value and decimal system of enumeration methods. Around the seventh and eighth century, the simple and ingenious Sanskrit methods came to the attention of the Arabs and it wasn't till the 12th century that it reached Europe when Adelard of Bath translated the work of Al-Khwarizmi (an Arab mathematician) into Latin (India and the scientific revolution, sec.3). Europe, more familiar with the Roman numeral system was resistant to the Sanskrit numeral system but when the eventual adoption finally occurred, a scientific revolution swept Europe beginning in the thirteenth century. Sanskrit language and its numeral system have greatly contributed to the modern day languages and mathematics. The Devanagri script which is adopted by Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit still employ the same numeral symbols, although the names of the numbers vary by language. The Sanskrit language is used mainly in Hindu religious rituals but the Sanskrit numerals system is the true pioneer of the modern-day mathematics. The place-value system embedded in the Sanskrit numeral system makes some parts of it very logical and wonderfully easy and simple for scientific and mathematical reasoning (India and the scientific revolution, sec.3). It outshone the Greek and Roman numeral methods and forced the Europeans

Cinderella - Family Therapy Essay Example for Free

Cinderella Family Therapy Essay Cinderella’s case conceptualized using a Bowenian transgenerational model According to Bowen, one of the pioneers of family therapy, family can be understood as an emotional unit, which can be best analyzed through a multigenerational framework. Cinderella’s story, which was told by many professional storytellers, including brothers Grimm (19 century) and Charles Perrault (17 century), as many other famous fairytales lacks many important details and characters’ descriptions that a therapist would need for administering family treatment involving transgenerational model. If we would speculate knowing some information about Cinderella’s family members, the transgenerational model would work beautifully. A chronic anxiety of Cinderella, her unstable, submissive behavior, could be explained by anxiety transmitted over several generations. Goldenbergs bring our attention to a few important emotional patterns of an individual:†the selection of a spouse with similar differentiation level and the family projection process that results in lower level of self-differentiation† (p. 89, 2008). Bowen would even build a prognosis for Cinderella’s children to have a reduced level of self-differentiation and being increasingly vulnerable to anxiety (Goldenberg Goldenberg, 2008). Bowen emphasized that the multigenerational transmission programs not only the levels of self – differentiation, but also programs family’s roles and interactions. Cinderella’s marital problems could be understood very well through the lens of her family behaviours (The Bowen Center, n. d. ). My only major concern about application of transgenerational model in Cinderella’s case would be the early death of Cinderella’s parents ( her genogram is hard to build) and her latter life with the wicket, very directive stepmother, who evidently influenced Cinderella’s fragile and indecisive mind structure. Cinderella’s ability and inability to build attachments to her family members, which were not all â€Å"angels†, should be also considered when providing her with a therapy. Once again, her attachment to her loving father, her godfairy, her stepmother and stepsisters, could be easily incorporated into transgenerational model. Cinderella’s case conceptualized through Bowen’s concepts of triangulation. According to Goldenberg and Goldenberg (2008), the Bowen’s concept of triangulation would allow understanding better Cinderella’s marital problems. Probably, a few first years of Cinderella’s marriage were happy, because it was a big relieve for her to escape the stepmother cruelty. However, even her first marital years could have some initial problems. For example, the prince, who was brought up in a â€Å"normal† family, could not understand or could not believe Cinderella’s stories she told about her family. He would smile when she would share her violent memories with him. The prince mistrust and his ironic smile could initiate some negative feelings and despair in Cinderella. In this case, the stepmother’s figure would be present in Cinderella-prince conflict through Cinderella’s stories. It is particularly interesting that the third person does not need necessarily be present to create a conflict in triangulation (The Bowen Center, n. d. ). When children were born from a person (or two persons) with low self-differentiation, many other triangles and possible shifts and tensions could occur. Cinderella’s case and the object-relations model Goldenberg and Goldenberg (2008) provide a deep insight into Cinderella’s story based on the object-relation model, which is connected to the early Freudian concept of mother-child bonds. Even though the Cinderella’s relationship with her mother was very short before her mother past away, it appeared to be a foundation of many Cinderella’s later issues, such as her idealization of some women characters (godmother; later, some older women-friends), a few conflicts between her ego and id, suffering from deprivation of early attachments, developing insecurity and low self-esteem, and others. All these issues that the object-relations model would discover, could be projected to Cinderella’s later marital problems. A person who survived a trauma of loosing her both parents and the hardship of living with evil stepmother and stepsisters could have a lot of troubled thoughts and experiences that could be projected into her relationship with her spouse and children. I believe that the object-relations model (psychodynamic in its core) could provide the best insight when dealing with Cinderella’s marital problems.

A Summary Of Online Bookstore Information Technology Essay

A Summary Of Online Bookstore Information Technology Essay 1. Introduction Operators now have well-developed network almost everywhere can be very smooth online, online shopping has to be rather mature late, looking ahead, more people in Taiwan use the Yahoo auction weighing is the case. With online shopping related to the topic as a theme, and then with PHP, MYSQL, and the future of software DataBase, etc. implement this project, coming to understand how to use and a complete framework for real on the network can allow buyers to secure online shopping platform. Because almost all hand touching computer-related products, so we mainly computer peripherals by auction, if other items to the auction is also possible. Keywords: online shopping, yahoo auction, computer products. Introduction topic This project is an online shopping site. Site content for online textbook system that allows ordinary users to conveniently at home, use the Internet features, easy to find books you want. Apply for membership of the way through, so shoppers can use the web site functionality. The background management system, using MYSQL as a database system to provide managers with a convenient and fast interface, so that managers use the Internet to Zhu, anywhere can easily handle all the information. Shoppers can also manage all the information. Make management more convenient and personalized. We use PHP as a basis for website design, writing not only to facilitate, together with the beautification of CSS syntax correction, showing a more convenient web browser interface consistent with human nature. And to the only transaction mode soft bookstore, information flow, logistics as the base to simulate the process of information out and sharing out the process. Below will have a system implementati on process, the design process to do some narrative. Motivation Recent, the internet boom, has become a hot topic of emerging business patterns have shine, such as: online auctions, electronic marketplace, online store, online information providers and enterprises of the electronic information exchange and so on. We see all kinds of e-commerce web shopping sites, selling various goods. As long as members join, they can search to find products they want and so on. Environmental development is maturing even easier than ever before we can establish their own e-commerce system for small. In order to clarify the issue of this study hope that the customer purchase process from the basic value and technology perspective followed to managers logistics, money flow, information flow and so on, to create a shop site, simulated electronic commerce online shop process and gain valuable experience from Thematic Objectives Learn how to make a more complete e-commerce. A back-end management system with online shopping site. Subdivided into: A. Users, the known members of areas: Customers connected to the Internet shopping site, log in as a member after the goods on the site the next one. B. Shops area, also known as the management of: The department responsible for online sales orders from customers under. Books of the add and the shelf. Member information changes. 2. A Summary of online bookstore 2.1 Introduction Bookstore definition of nothing more than display, retail point of sale of published material, in addition to sale of specific commodities, no different from other sales channels, from this point of view, the basic functions of Internet bookstores as well, but online bookstore is another type of publication publicity or sales channels, or even complementary traditional stores. The so-called Internet bookstores In addition to the general e-commerce functions, should also include several of the following services: A. Collection of the best Feng Because the traditional bookstore outlets, whether or storage space is limited, often under pressure to cost only the best-selling book called for the sale of the main, for the special needs of readers or a more popular books are unable to take into account. But digital technology has brought the solution to this troubled approach to current technology, only very little space to store large amounts of data and be able to quickly find the information they need, but also long-term preservation, changes also very easy, of course, books can provide readers with a variety of consulting needs. B. Facilitate the retrieval ÂÂ  In traditional bookstores to find a book, in addition to the store to see whether the proper classification of furnishings, the staff sometimes had to humbly trouble to help, even worse is that often or can not find. And this is what you know to find the book when it is occurring, if you only want to find some information in accordance with, Zhu will be lost in the vast sea of books in the. However, digital information is different. Unlike traditional methods, the book is the biggest advantage of the information it can use indexed files, to facilitate the inquiry. If you do not need to know the complete information, just enter keywords or part of the message, you can quickly find the information they need. Online bookstores and book sales are not confined to best-selling book, even if the physical channel has shelves of books, but also sales space. Many office workers do not have time to buy books through online bookstores to save time not only costs, but also through accura te bibliographic management, to find books on derivatives, which is when the person to physical bookstores, never fun and experience. C. Book presentation and reading test Books is not necessarily an impulse purchase of goods, people, for most of the books, unless the original request that had come to buy a particular book, most of the time to buy books to keep it afloat as a leisure activity , in the first reading in the bookstore, and then, as the case to buy, therefore, provide a complete online bookstore is part of the book describes the trial and read, is very important for the reader, and is the best each book, rather than only for specific marketing books. Since the July 1995 establishment of the Amazon bookstore, Zhu stated on the page on the Internet to establish an additional customer-oriented bookstore, customers roam online, and to provide the most diverse Select Since then, the business can be online bookstore and other online retailers, like, gradually enter the stage of development of electronic commerce. Development since 1995, some gone through four stages: The first stage: 1995 to 1997, during the networks new focus on stress and facilitate The second stage: 1998 ~ 1999, Internet commerce is becoming intense competition, consumers and businesses are turning their attention to pricing competition; but since late 1999, feeling faint and sensitive industry alone has enough affordable to convince consumers The third stage: 2000 to 2004, the price is still considered one of the factors, but emphasizes the scope of consumer goods like color extended to cover the provision of quality assurance, online trading conditions, and other service delivery so that the full range of shopping experiences. The Four stage: 2004 to the present, to network security, payment convenience, variety and complete articles, the online bookstore branched out into 3C, beauty, variety of cultural activities as an extension of the portal has grown into a trend of transformation. If the above criteria to measure the online bookstore in Taiwans development can be said to have entered the fourth stage. 2.2 Web publishing and publishing entities Why e-books will become a stepping stone to sell? First, consumers demand, followed by the unit price is low, reducing the consumer for the first time the threshold in online shopping. Book delivery is almost afraid of collision fragments, and not a date. Indeed for these early network environment. As the physical book sales in the network always have delivery problems, and network contrary to the virtual properties. Zhu did not book profits high, profits are a large number of logistics costs by erosion, the operators are trying to come up measures 3. Happy Publishing Limited overview 3.1 Introduction Happy Computer Books Square began in Jan. 1990. At that time the information industry has grown to considerable size, access hardware industry is very developed, in contrast, introduces all kinds of computer related software and knowledge of books Zhu was the more difficult to obtain; computer and information rapidly and to a wide range of consumers is the lack of computer know professionals to recommend around enough to meet their needs of the tool. Happy bookstore founder, originally set up in the regional fiber optic network project has reached ten years, not only proficient in computer experts in the field, while work experience is also deeply appreciate the difficulties of information transfer with the computer industry is how much pain . Then choose a younger consumer group is full of Feng Chia shopping district, the creation of a wide area of 150 square feet large computer book store. 20 employees in the up and down the concerted efforts of the industry for the computer, near the students, and consumers, provides a computer information paradise. Computer and information with each passing day, up with the times than the consumers needs, but also to understand what kind of information books is the consumers want. Relatively speaking, a general comprehensive book focuses on the extensive degree of commodity demand, but also can not put the focus on specific types of books, causing the consumer only in the vast sea of books, alone Ru needle in a haystack looking like they want to to information. The happy bookstore chosen to meet the markets pulse at any time to provide the fastest, latest and greatest computer professional books. ÂÂ  Happy bookstore in accordance with product attributes, the different uses of the books were classified in a specific area, including a computer professional books, peripheral consumption only, game software, import text books, early childhood CDs, commercial package, original software, magazines, periodicals, etc. projects, and consumers enter the gate, to know immediately where to find products they want. Staff also stands ready to provide customers with advice to help them find their own needs. At the same time also equipped with computers check store bibliographic system is one of the major consumers find the necessary tool. Happy Computer Books bookstore in Providence Square, a large school district now has a home of small stores, mainly services, mainly teachers and students. Again this year to set up a wide area of up to more than 30,000 feet, twice as big as the computer shop book store,. The next seven years is expected to integrate logistics happy bookstore, open to join, while setting up branches in the province. Later, with the popularization of computer technology concepts and implementation of intellectual property, as well as other Chinese mainland market demand for professional computer books is certainly very impressive, fun book will be set up office in Hong Kong, formally tentacles extend beyond Hong Kong. 3.2 Organizational Chart Fig 1 Organizational Chart 3.3 The responsibilities of various departments Into (sales), (management) two large systems, a number of departments under it has broken down. Sales department: is divided into campus stores and general stores, and online sales 1. Campus outlets: Currently in the Providence campus of the only soft Books store 2. The general store: the way of the main store Fuxing Campus stores and general stores was no significant difference between the business, are responsible for the following services: (1) the sale of books and stationery. (2) single or more or a lot of the books ordered. (3) selling and ordering a variety of business software (4) daily turnover of goods with the United States and Japan sell the variety, quantity to facilitate the management, control accounting information. 3. Online Sales: (1) Member of the orders dealing with the daily (2) and the accounting department recorded check orders (3) Contact the logistics industry, will be expected to send the shipment of goods. Management: into administration, Information Division, joined the department. 1. Administration Department: Subdivision for the Ministry of Personnel and the Department of Accounting and Warehousing (1) Ministry of Personnel: management departments of personnel information, including salary, incentive. (2) Department of Accounting and Storage: a. daily and monthly profit and loss statistics. b. Admission records of all departmental expenditure. c. payment of salaries. d. pay the vendor. e. goods warehouse management. Section 2 : Analysis Design Doc Section 3 Implementation Testing Doc 3.1 Member subsystem 1. Merits (1) with a different login interface can also determine a member or administrator (2) The registered member can enjoy different from the visitors permission (3) members clearly understand the interface easy click, more comfortable to use (4) After registration, then you fill in the data backup of a registered mail sent to you in order for members to check 2. Drawback (1) interface is not enough human (2) Member of the functional mechanism of a number of further increased 3.2 shopping cart system 1. Merits (1) to provide customers with online orders, so no need to store customer orders and provide customers can ATM transfers, bank transfer, cash on delivery with the number of options, there are shopping records for customers who know what items to buy 2. Drawback (2) can not buy things from a customer in that customers preferences 3.3 The message board system 1. Merits (1) interface simplicity, convenience or general visitors member (2) the name and E-mial crawl directly from the database, can not be forged identity 2. Drawback (1) can not withstand malicious wash version 3.4 Books Subsystem 1. Merits (1) books category allows the user to clearly see the kinds of books they want, where you can easily click the check book. (2) Book About a glance, no doubt. (3) new book area also allows users to see what new books this month in New to the store to buy. (3) search system is simple and neat, easy to use. 2. Drawback (1) can not let administrators add categories, if not can only be grouped within the category of other. 3.5 Subsystem Manager 1. Merits (1) Notice system is simple, does not require redundant operation. (2) function administrators use the form to separate clear and understandable. 2. Drawback (1) too easy to change the membership of the password should be more limited. 3.6 Storage Subsystem 1. Merits (1) search using ISBN code, enabling administrators to reduce the importation of the time and cost. (2) the original data will first appear on the screen, the administrator can clearly understand their need to edit the information. (3) basic information on books in the list, just press a button and you can clearly see the details of the book. (4) Customers can easily fill in the information, managers can also be easy to view or delete the record. 2. Drawback (1) some projects were not paged, it could lead to difficulties in view. (2) net income on the inquiry ISBN system, and not all of the books and there, some need manual Key in, somewhat inconvenient for 3.7 Future Prospects In the future, perhaps it can be applied to different areas, electronic stores, renting web . But security is the need to strengthen it! Also hopes its flaws can be reinforced up to build a very good system for the community do use. While speaking of a site has been completed, but think about it there are still places to improve, to strengthen and make The perfect amount to do in the test part of art, although speaking is the art of rendering wise to see jen see, but Most still want to accept the recommendations of future improvement as an access to a site and immediately face the future is as Feel the impact, if one looks so causes inconvenience to people to attract, Order people want to imagine what motivation is, that this site Already in the hearts of visitors to occupy a certain position, make him want to continue to watch; there is the site of Paul Care, to be speaking to hundred percent safety, it is very difficult, but the security of a website can do more than complete The protection of the best, if members who have joined the site we do not protect data being stolen while people Is a site license would become disturbed. Visual part of the goods, there is on course to multimedia integration, teachers ha ve talked about both the future network will 3D display is in the form of the future, as now we have only one auction items to the angle you view the pictures Look, if it is 3D graphics, using some browsers and software to meet so that goods can be rotated. Have some people buy a lot of importance both appearance and function, and now we auction a NB to him, if there is order Feature is not appearance, and now he saw the direction we have a single picture is not accurate, if our image can to function with 3D graphics can be rotated to match members to select shopping, I would want to buy more! More discussions with the Bank whether to open a write-off for our account, as long as I can find members of remittances into our web site management can learn, so our work can also be more convenient good. FLASH middle part, not necessarily to be placed in our introduction, you can put some vendors FLASH, such as this could put the future of advertising companies, they can promote, we can charge.

Congo Rainforest Ecosystem

Congo Rainforest Ecosystem Kaili Zhang There is a plethora of research on rainforests ecosystem, but the Congo forest has received little apprehension. By comparing to other tropical forests, this ecosystem remains astoundingly healthy. However, its size has significantly reduced due to the impending degradation. It extends over 13 countries that lie within the equator (CARPE, 2013). This region is a home of developing countries where people rely directly on the forest resources for their survival. For this reason, the habitat receives immense threat with its hardwood and biodiversity slowly degraded. Suffice to say that the healthy state of the forests is due to the conservation measures that focus on managing the resources from the imminent danger of the growing population. It has sophisticated hydrological network with Congo River portraying a huge source of water across West Africa. This ecosystem presents enormous benefits to the balance of ecology and existence of diversity. Location The absolute location of Congo rainforest is 99Â ° North and 79Â ° west. It lies within the equatorial region of central Africa. This ecosystem stretches along the Democratic republic of Congo, Guinea, Equatorial, and Rwanda. This is a stretch along the equator, thus cutting across most of the central African countries. Climate This rainforest does well with ostensibly high precipitation, humidity, and temperature. For that reason, it shows a relatively high rainfall with two seasons of March-June and August-November. It has about 117 raining days annually. In this case, an average of 1800mm of rainfall is received within this ecosystem. The dry season begins in November stretches through to March. Temperatures in this place hits high pitch to support the robust vegetation. Here temperatures show stability throughout the seasons with an average of 15Â °C difference of day and night temperatures. In essence, the region has a range of 20Â °-27Â °C annually. However, regions along the rivers and stream often become cool up to 12Â °C (Abernethy, Coad, Taylor, Lee, Maisels, 2013). On the other hand, the humidity maintains at high levels due to the evergreen vegetation. It is usually ranging at 80-90% degrees. The rivers and the rich vegetation support the hydrological system that maintains the conventional rainfall within the region. With high evapotranspiration, it is obvious that the corresponding precipitation will be high. Apparently, the factual evidence of high temperature is because of its location, which is the equator. Therefore, the sun is always shining in the region for about 12 hours daily. With the healthy vegetation, this energy is retained, thus keeping the ecosystem warm. Weather and its patterns In essence, this region is under the tropical climate classification portrayed by high temperatures and high precipitation. It experiences extreme weather pattern due to the underlying emissions, with significant changes in temperatures. In most cases, Congo Forest has extensive cold day and nights with also more hot days and nights. The emissions seem substantial for these changes. Landforms The areas depict a gorge surrounding a valley. Mount Foungouti running in the far south rises above 930 meters with its northern raise being 650 meters. The areas show a sedimentary rock with sand and gravel evident across the forest. However, the top soils are usually replenished due to frequent runoffs that remove organic matter. In the lowlands, the soils are rich of humus from the decaying plants and animals. In this area the soils presents aluminum oxides and iron. Evidently, the region is a low-lying basin that shows little tectonic activities. Most of the geologic activities have ceased for years showing that the area is stable. The heavy rainfall mainly orchestrates erosion and weathering. This is the major agent of erosion; however, the closely compacted vegetation detains its effect. Therefore, the soils in this region are still young showing less vegetation, but high organic processes. Drainage pattern The Congo basin demonstrates a Mosaic drainage pattern in that its tributaries arise within a circular form within the ecosystem. River Congo is a central component of hydrology for this ecosystem. It is the second largest river globally for its volume. It has a mosaic structure of rivers with its tributaries converging at the far west to form the Congo River. It has a discharge of 40,000 m3/s causing great erosion through abrasion, scouring, and lifting earth along its course. In this case, the river shall have enormous deposits in form of alluvial compounds downstream and into the Atlantic Ocean. During the raining season, flooding occurs in the region since the R. Congo bursts its bank at this time spreading to the neighboring villages. In the quest to avoid excessive drainage, the region has invested in structural techniques. Along the rivers, there are dykes that help in reducing the velocity of water. Consequently, gibbons and erection of rock walls along the riverbanks come out as the popular structural ways of mitigating flooding. Biome The ecosystem is a tropical forest with relatively high temperatures, rainfall, and humidity. With high rainfall and huge pile of litter, decomposition is slow making the soils devoid of nutrients. The ecology inhabits vast biodiversity with over 10000 species of plants with 30% endemic to this region. Consecutively, it houses endangered wildlife like elephants, bonobo, mountain gorillas, and the chimpanzees (Turvey, 2012). In addition, the ecosystem has decomposers like earthworms, bacteria, mushroom, banana slug, and fungus. The dominant autotrophs come out as the Caesalpiniacae trees, papyrus, Cyperaceae, Okoume trees, and Echnochloa (Chamber Roberts, 2014). Ecosystem characteristics and services Congo rainforest is one of the tropical ecosystems that have high primary production. Therefore, it has a profound ability to support diverse organisms from secondary producers to decomposers or scavengers. It has many canopies with tall trees supported by stretching taproots. This prevents underground growth, thus less detritus activities. The different canopies support adverse communities of birds, animals, and butterflies. This ecosystem has diverse services like supporting of the entire ecology. They offer energy due to the vast tree and plant communities that in turn allows for nutrients cycling up the chain among consumers and detritus. It is therefore, a critical place for the storage of food and energy. Moreover, the region offers provision services in form of raw materials like wood, water, minerals, food, medicines, or ornaments. The communities have used certain trees like the bromeliads and Epiphytic orchids as medicines for decades. The other service is their cultural significance as they offer sanctuary for native and traditional religious practices. Finally, this ecosystem demonstrates a crucial place in regulating services. Apparently, it has a huge carbon sink and enhances the purification of air and water. For this reason, the Congo forest is one of the areas of carbon sequestration, thus the regulation of climate. Habitat It is a habitat of diverse populations of endangered and threatened species. The forest is one of the wildest tropical habitats for animals like mountain gorillas and the forest elephants. The canopies houses birds with over 100 species endemic to this habitat. Most of the snake here are only present in this habitat. Certain plants and animal communities tend to be robust over the rest. The okapi, apes, mouse deer, chimpanzee, elephants, and monkeys are the main primary consumers with the leopards, crocodiles, and lions as the secondary consumers. On the other hand, African oak, mahogany, and red cedar, which are broad leaves trees dominate this ecosystem at the higher canopy. Food web This ecosystem portrays an exemplary food web with crocodiles, leopards, and lions on the higher trophic level. The primary production ranges from vegetation to tree fruits. The okapi, apes, and mouse deer supports the secondary consumers. At the lower level of the trophic level are the insects, fungi, and bacteria. The food chain often takes a simple route from the producer right to decomposition. For instance; Tree fruitselephant banana slugs The forest elephant is a relatively smaller than the other African elephant making it fit for the ecological niche. They forage on trees leaves and shrubs. Their skin is difficult for predation and large enough to scare away predators. In essence, they can circumvent under trees due to their small size. This animal is best situated for the tropical rainforest ecosystem, more so its influence in facilitating the germination of African eggplant that has to pass through their duct. In this ecosystem, there is different symbiotic interaction. The bonobo-dialium interaction is one of the positive mutualism within the forest. Dialium tree species are dominant in the region and produce sweet juicy fruits that the Bonobo feeds on. The Bonobo in turn digests the fruits passing the seeds along their guts, thus degrading the hard cuticle and after releasing the seeds in their feces, they are able to germinate. The Bonobo through endozoochory helps Dialium in seed germination and dispersal, thus maintaining their population. On the other hand, a strangler fig is one of the parasites that grow in tree and by reaching up they cover the tree denying them light for photosynthesis later killing them. This is common in the high canopies of Congo forest. Evidently, the human-land interaction comes out as the major threat to the sustainability of this forest. People engage in illegal poaching and encroachment of forest for wood and timber. This has led to the extensive degradation of the forests causing a magnanimous loss of different habitats. Activities such as mining of gold have led to destruction of large tracts of forests within the area. This ecosystem is stable, though it has had numerous anthropogenic threats. However, organizations like WWF and local conservation agencies have ensured that encroachment is minimized and forge to protect endangered species like the bush elephants. The banning of elephant products is a critical step in the preservation of this ecosystem. Works Cited Abernethy, K. A., Coad, L., Taylor, G., Lee, M. E., Maisels, F. (2013). Extent and ecological consequences of hunting in Central African rainforests in the twenty-first century . Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Vol. 368, Iss. 1625, 1. CARPE. (2013). The Forests of the Congo Basin. A Preliminary Assessment, 1=39. Chamber, J. Q., Roberts, D. A. (2014). Ecology: Drought in the Congo Basin . Nature, 509 , 36-37. Turvey, M. (2012, November 7 ). The Congo Basin. Retrieved November 22, 2014, from Prezi: https://prezi.com/utopv9ph0a7k/the-congo-basin/