SHAKESPEAREAN ROMANCES

“Romance” was not a generic classification in Shakespeare’s time. The plays of Shakespeare’s final period (1608-12) are called Romances. In Shakespeare’s own time they were simply classified as tragedies or comedies. These plays are Pericles, Cymbeline, The Tempest, and The Winter’s Tale. Perhaps another play The Two Noble Kinsmen also may be included in this group. They are called romances because they exhibit several characteristics of romance literature. 

Shakespeare must have written these plays under the influence of his younger contemporaries Beaumont and Fletcher whose tragic comedies were becoming very popular. The masques at the court of James 1 also must have influenced Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s romances are, in fact, neither tragedies nor comedies but are a mixture of both.
Dowden has pointed out that the last plays of Shakespeare reveal sobriety, serenity, and sanity as contrasted with the storm and strain of the tragedies. They supplement the tragedies with their more relaxed atmosphere and are marked by great forbearance, a sense of reconciliation, and forgiveness. However, Lytton Strachey thinks that these plays express a mood of boredom rather than serenity.

Romance is a natural step in describing the human experience after a tragedy. In Romance, time seems to be “reversible”; there are second chances and fresh starts. As a result, categories such as to cause and effect, beginning and end, are displaced by a sense of simultaneity and harmony. The tragedy is governed by a sense of Fate (Macbeth, Hamlet) or Fortune (King Lear); in Romance, the sense of destiny comes instead from Divine Providence.
Tragedy depicts alienation and destruction, Romance, reconciliation, and restoration. In tragedies, characters are destroyed as a result of their actions and choices; in Romance, characters respond to situations and events rather than provoking them. Shakespeare had made use of romance material throughout his career The Two Gentlemen of Verona is based on a famous romance, for instance, and small-scale masques are performed in many plays, while others contain masque-like elements.

The romances of Shakespeare have certain common characteristics. They have motifs common in romance literature such as improbable happenings, separation, wanderings, reunion, and reconciliation. They contain several elements of the tragicomedies made popular by Beaumont and Fletcher. There are only a few memorable characters in these plays Shakespeare has returned to his lyrical style of the earlier plays.

The main characteristics of the Shakespearean romances:

  • The scene of these plays is unknown, remote and the setting is imaginary. Cymbeline is set in early Britain and the setting of The Tempest is somewhere in the Mediterranean.
  • The happenings are fanciful. There is no logical cause-and-effect relationship. In the light of reason, the events may appear absurd. The feats of magic in The Tempest, the concealment of Hermione for sixteen years in The winter’s Tale, and the abduction of the two sons of Cymbeline would appear unnatural. But in Shakespeare’s world of imagination, these events are delightful.
  • Characters are types. They do not have the marked personalities of the characters in the great comedies or tragedies. However, heroines are more memorable than heroes. Miranda, Perdita, and Imogen are lovely but weak. Villains like Iachimo in Cymbeline and Leontes in The Winter’s Tale are not hardened, villains. Even Ferdinand in The Tempest is no match for Benedick or Orlando.
  • The supernatural element is predominant in romances. The Tempest and Cymbeline are examples. The Tempest also shows Prospero’s magic and the elusive character Ariel. In The Winter’s Tale, the Delphic Oracle is introduced and in Pericles, the King’s wife Thaisa becomes a priestess in the temple of Diana. 
  • In romance’s sea is dominant. There is a shipwreck in Pericles and The Tempest. Sea voyages are mentioned in all of them. Sea is the symbol of regeneration.
  • The romances are marked by a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. In The Tempest, Prospero forgives his wicked brother Antonio; in Cymbeline posthumous reconciles with Hermione.

SAMSUNG

When you hear this name “ Samsung”, I guess most of the people think about cell phones and that too typically the Samsung Galaxy. Even right now, you must  be reading this article on Samsung Galaxy. They have been selling hundreds of millions of those cell phones more than any other company. But little do you know that Samsung is not just about the smartphones or should I say, Samsung is more than just you know.

Samsung electronics has been consistently ranked by the Fortune as the one of the largest companies in the world. Their sales have been more than $200 billion each year. You can see Samsung LEDs in most of the houses in your neighborhood or in your house as well. They’re from South Korea and for their entire country, their GDP is like about $1.6 trillion meaning that this only company accounts an eighth of that. Not only South Korea is ahead in electronics field but their dramas and songs (K-pop) always remain popular. This country is ahead of many country in so many areas. Samsung electronics is just a small part of whole Samsung group.  After combining all, they hold responsible for atmost 20% of Korea’s GDP.  Samsung started in the year 1938 before the electronics branch started. It was all started by Lee Byung- Chul. He was 28 years old back then and their official logo featured three stars which actually depicted the longevity of the business. The Korean war made things more

difficult but when it ended in 1953, he took advantage of the opportunity and expanded into all of these other industries. First, it was commodities when he built a sugar refinery that happened to be the first of its kind that was

built in the country after the war. Following that was textiles when he opened the largest woolen mill in the country, after that it was insurance a tv station and a department store for these first 30 years. They seemed to be involved in everything

except electronics. They were already generating over 100 million dollars in annual revenue before what became Samsung electronics company. Samsung became so successful so fast because of Chaebol  that is a Korean word that is defined as a family controlled industrial conglomerate in South Korea.

Samsung fits that definition perfectly because they are the biggest in their kind. Following the Korean war, the country’s economy was in some trouble that they weren’t producing much and they definitely weren’t exporting much then in 1963. There was this new president named Park Chung-hee who was very set on expanding this economy.

His main method of doing it was to try to centralize everything. He essentially wanted to take the bigger businesses and help make them bigger. The idea is simple enough if the companies grow so does their economy.

Now Samsung already being one of these larger businesses was tremendously helped by this intervention. The Korean government would help Samsung, they would be providing them loans under favourable terms and by giving them special tax breaks.

The market pushed the consumers towards Samsung.

Later in that decade, when they started making semiconductors, the Korean government said that they would only allow International companies to enter their market only if they handed over some of their technology secrets to Samsung.

The methods were successful in growing Samsung and the Korean economy in general but it may not have been the best way to do it.

The country is now very reliant on one company. Not only in electronics, Samsung has produced washing machines, vehicles and has sold life insurance as well.

Samsung is not just about phones but it holds big parts in different areas !!

The Princess who Chased the Butterflies

A princess in a castle,

A castle, as beautiful as paradise,

But it’s beauty clutched by the shadows of the forest.

Darkness smiled inside the castle,

The princess fought bravely in the battle.

On one side were the ugly butterflies,

On the other were her two beautiful guardian angels.

The butterflies scanned the princess’ body from top to bottom,

The angels, whom she loved the most,

Lectured her the lessons from the book- “How to be a Princess?”

The angels breathed in the young princess’ heart,

So she took the notes of the lecture with her beautiful pen,

Whose red ink was supplied from her own veins.

She was shrinking and all her blood became letters on the paper,

But her love blindfolded her eyes and she still took the notes.

As she filled two notebooks with the important quotes,

She realized that she could not write ’cause the twilight no more touched the castle,

But the darkness now failed to conceal the evil

Inside the butterflies fluttering around the mansion.

The princess opened her eyes,

And with her sword, she tore the butterflies into two halves.

She was proud of herself and returned to her lessons,

But she saw the butterflies of the same colour and size inside her guardian angels’ soul.

She didn’t knew how to kill the evil inside her beloved angels,

But she tried and managed to flew them away from the castle.

Now the path of the sunlight was clear and the shadows disappeared,

But the two butterflies, were still alive and watching the princess from far away.

The princess was happy because her lovely angels tore the book of lessons into two halves,

And started a new chapter, whose notes she took with love and smiles and laughter.

Even the trees in the forest were proud of the little princess,

And cherished her victory by holding the waters from the heavens in the petals.

The princess of the beautiful castle,

Indeed fought bravely in the battle!

The 9 Elements of a Shakespearean Tragedy

In Shakespeare’s tragedies, the main protagonist generally has a flaw that leads to his downfall. There are both internal and external struggles and often a bit of the supernatural thrown in for good measure (and tension). Often there are passages or characters that have the job of lightening the mood (comic relief), but the overall tone of the piece is quite serious. Below we are going to take a more in-depth look at each of the elements of Shakespearean tragedy, as well as explore a few examples

  • The Tragic Hero
    A tragic hero is one of the most significant elements of a Shakespearean tragedy. This type of tragedy is essentially a one-man show. It is a story about one, or sometimes two, characters. The hero may be either male or female and he or she must suffer because of some flaw of character, because of inevitable fate, or both. The hero must be the most tragic personality in the play.
    An important feature of the tragic hero is that he or she is a towering personality in his/her state/kingdom/country. This person hails from the elite stratum of society and holds a high position, often one of royalty. Tragic heroes are kings, princes, or military generals, who are very important to their subjects. In the classic Romeo and Juliet, Romeo Montague is the tragic hero, whose undoing is his obsession with Juliet Capulet. Juliet’s fake death triggers his emotions, leading him to take poison and die right beside his sleeping love.
Romeo and Juliet, two of Shakespeare’s tragic characters
  • Good vs. Evil
    Shakespearean tragedies play out the struggle between good and evil. Most of them deal with the supremacy of evil and suppression of good. Evil is presented in Shakespearean tragedies in a way that suggests its existence is an indispensable and ever-enduring thing. For example, in Hamlet, the reader is given the impression that something rotten will definitely happen to Denmark (foreshadowing). Though the reader gets an inkling, typically the common people of the play are unaware of the impending evil.
    In Julius Caesar, the mob is unaware of the struggle between good and evil within King Caesar. They are also ignorant of the furtive and sneaky motives of Cassius. Goodness never beats evil in the tragedies of Shakespeare. Evil conquers goodness. The reason for this is that the evil element is always disguised, while goodness is open and freely visible to all.
  • Hamartia
    Hamartia is the Greek word for “sin” or “error”, which derives from the verb hamatanein, meaning “to err” or “to miss the mark”. In other words, hamartia refers to the hero’s tragic flaw. It is another absolutely critical element of a Shakespearean tragedy. Every hero falls due to some flaw in his or her character.
    Once again, Hamlet comes into focus as a perfect illustration of hamartia and its role in the tragedy. His indecisiveness and overthinking lead him to overreact, killing Polonius thinking that he was Claudius, his father’s murderer. His obsession with vengeance leads to the senseless murder of the innocent man stirring up tragedy after tragedy. He could have killed Claudius when he was praying at the church but could not act due to his overthinking.
  • Tragic Waste
    In Shakespearean tragedies, the hero usually dies along with his opponent. The death of a hero is not an ordinary death; it encompasses the loss of an exceptionally intellectual, honest, intelligent, noble, and virtuous person. In a tragedy, when good is destroyed along with evil, the loss is known as a “tragic waste.” Shakespearean tragedy always includes a tragic waste of goodness. Hamlet is a perfect example of tragic waste. Even though Hamlet succeeds in uprooting the evil from Denmark, he does so at the cost of his death. In this case, the good (Hamlet) gets destroyed along with evil (Claudius). Neither of them wins. Instead, they fail together.
Tragic waste in Hamlet.
  • Conflict
    In Shakespearean tragedies, two types of conflict take place:
    • External conflict – The hero faces conflict from his antagonists.
    • Internal Conflict – The hero faces conflict in their mind.
    Macbeth struggles internally, wondering whether to take power by force. He has to choose to either remain loyal to Duncan or heed his wife’s advice. He faces an external conflict when Banquo and Macduff rise to challenge his illegitimate rule.
  • Catharsis
    Catharsis is a remarkable feature of a Shakespearean tragedy. It refers to the cleansing of the audience’s pent-up emotions. In other words, Shakespearean tragedies help the audience to feel and release emotions through the aid of tragedy. When we watch a tragedy, we identify with the characters and take their losses personally. A Shakespearean tragedy gives us an opportunity to feel pity for a certain character and fear for another, almost as if we are playing the roles ourselves. The hero’s hardships compel us to empathize with him. The villain’s cruel deeds cause us to feel wrath toward him. Tears flow freely when a hero like Hamlet dies. At the same time, we feel both sorry for Hamlet and happy that Claudius has received his proper punishment.
  • Supernatural Elements
    Supernatural elements are another key aspect of a Shakespearean tragedy. They play an important role in creating an atmosphere of awe, wonder, and sometimes fear. Supernatural elements are typically used to advance the story and drive the plot. The ghost Hamlet sees plays an important role in stirring up internal conflict. It is the ghost who tells Hamlet his father was killed by his uncle Claudius and assigns him the duty of taking revenge. Similarly, the witches in Macbeth play a significant role in the plot. These witches are responsible for motivating Macbeth to resort to murder to ascend the throne of Scotland.
Supernatural Element in Shakespeare: The three witches in Macbeth
  • Lack of Poetic Justice
    Shakespeare’s tragedies share a strikingly similar trait; the lack of poetic justice. Poetic justice occurs when both good and evil characters experience justice. In the real world, good deeds do not always beget rewards, and evil may go unpunished. King Lear’s benevolent daughter, Cordelia, dies while trying to rescue her father. Her tragic end depicts the unfairness of life, which is relatively common and relatable to most people.
  • Fate
    Othello is a tragedy that depicts the powerlessness of man when it comes to the destiny. His love for Desdemona elicits disapproval from her father due to his black skin. He never chose to be born black and cannot change his appearance. His black skin feeds his insecurities, and the fact that he is commonly referred to as the Moor makes it worse. His insecurities eventually lead him to kill Desdemona and stab himself.

How to improve Loving Mindful relationships?

Plenty of exercise. Healthy food. Positive attitude. Plain old good luck. There’s lots of advice out there about how to keep body and brain in optimal shape as the years roll by.

But Louis Cozolino, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, is deeply engaged with another idea. In Cozolino’s book, Timeless: Nature’s Formula for Health and Longevity, he emphasizes the positive impact of human relationships.

“How we bond and stay attached to others is at the core of our resilience, self-esteem, and physical health,” Cozolino writes. “We build the brains of our children through our interaction with them, and we keep our own brains growing and changing throughout life by staying connected to others.”

Mindful Couple

5 Effective ways to strengthen your relationship:

Spend time with the right people

We generally become more and more like the people with whom we spend our time. The more we see someone model a behavior and see that behavior being reinforced in positive ways, the more likely we are to try it out ourselves—whether it’s a friend having success with a new exercise routine or a partner staying calm during disagreements by tuning into their breath.

One of the most fundamental ways to make sure your relationships are helping you grow is to surround yourself with the right people. Some relationships frustrate us, some make us happy, and some challenge us (and some relationships do all three!). While it isn’t always easy to stop and start relationships, of course, we can aim to spend more time with the people who challenge us.

Create goals with others

Who says that goal setting should be a solitary venture?

When we share our goals with others, we immediately have someone to keep us accountable. It is difficult to stay on track with a goal all the time, but it’s easier if we have someone to help us work through an obstacle or pick us up when we fall.

The social support that we receive from others is incredibly powerful, particularly during those tough times. When the pressure is high, those who have greater levels of social support tend to experience less stress.

We may also be more motivated when we are working toward a goal with someone else. Think about being pushed by a running mate to jog a little faster than you would otherwise. Or giving up your Saturday for a service project because a friend is doing the same thing. Sometimes we need someone else to inspire us to be our best.

Ask for feedback

It’s usually up to us to decide on the areas where we could use some self-improvement. And while this process of self-reflection is important, we can sometimes be bad judges of our own abilities; we usually assume we know much more than we actually do. So why not look to our relationships as a source of feedback about where we can improve?

Feedback is crucial for our development. Research has shown that when we seek feedback and use it as an opportunity for growth, we are more likely to improve over time. How much faster would that process be if we went and asked for feedback instead of waiting for it to come? Imagine your partner’s reaction if you were to ask for feedback on what you could have done differently after a big fight, or how blown away your teenager would be if you asked how you could be a better parent this school year.

Our positive relationships represent a safe space for us to work on ourselves with support from people who care about us. But sometimes we have to make the first move and ask for that support.

Use your broader network

Just like financial capital, social capital is a valuable resource that we can invest in for our own good. The more meaningful relationships we have, the more social resources become available. We often find work or beloved hobbies through our relationships, even at three or four degrees of separation—like your brother’s wife’s friend, who heard about that great new job opening.

In addition to exposing us to new ideas, activities, and opportunities, social capital also frees us up to do more of the things we are good at when we find others to help with the things we aren’t as good at. This has benefits at home and at work: For example, employees are more engaged when they get to spend more time using their strengths. And teenagers are happier and less stressed when their parents focus on building their strengths.

Be grateful

Gratitude has long been promoted as a way of increasing our happiness, but it also motivates us toward self-improvement. If you want a simple boost from your relationships, you can start by just practicing gratitude for them. The act of being thankful can increase our confidence and encourage us to move forward with our goals, perhaps because it tends to make us feel more connected to people and creates feelings of elevation—a strong positive emotion that comes when we see others do good deeds.

So think about someone who has helped you a great deal in the past, and reach out to thank them. Not only will that exchange feel good for both of you, but it might also reignite a relationship that can spark your further growth.

What Is a Shakespearean Tragedy?

A Shakespearean tragedy is a play penned by Shakespeare himself or a play written in the style of Shakespeare by a different author. Shakespearean tragedy has got its own specific features, which distinguish it from other kinds of tragedies. Traditionally Shakespeare play types are categorized as Comedy, History, and Tragedy, with some additional play categories proposed over the years. The plays grouped as Shakespeare tragedies follow the Aristotelian model of a noble, flawed protagonist who makes a mistake and suffers a fall from his position before the normal order is somehow resumed. It must be kept in mind that Shakespeare is mostly indebted to Aristotle’s theory of tragedy in his works.

Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy
A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language; in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.”
— Aristotle

What Is a Tragedy?

A tragedy is a play which when adequately acted before an audience can produce a complete cleansing of the emotions. To effect such a catharsis the dramatist much move the audience; he must have a capacity to feel the patho of human suffering, a strong moral sense, and great craftsmanship. The word tragedy was derived from the Greek word tragoidia, which means ‘the song of the goat.’ It is called “the song of the goat” because in ancient Greece the theater performers used to wear goatskin costumes to represent satyrs. Today in theater and literature a tragedy is a work that has an unhappy ending. The ending must include the main character’s downfall.

List of Shakespeare Tragedy Plays

Shakespeare wrote eleven tragedies beginning with ‘Titus Andronicus’. They include the four great tragedies ‘Hamlet’, ‘Othello’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘king Lear’, the two great Roman tragedies ‘Julius Caesar’, and ‘Antony Cleopatra’ and the lyrical tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

The Origin of Shakespearean Tragedy

One of the main features of Renaissance art is that it was inspired by classical art and philosophy. This is evident in the work of such artists as Michelangelo who, caught up in the spirit of Humanism that was sweeping across Europe, focused on the human form. Focusing on the human form during Mediaeval times would have been impossible as it would have been a distraction from the necessary focus on God.

The essence of Humanistic art was that human beings were created in God’s image so it was possible for Michelangelo even to portray God – as a beautiful and physically powerful man with realistic human features, presented as perfection – in fact, the human form at its most beautiful. Artists became anatomists, going as far as buying human bodies for dissection. The result was a new realism in the representation of human beings in art.

Shakespeare is, in a way, the Michelangelo of literature. That he could, in one play, Othello, written four hundred years ago, represent what we can recognize as a modern psychopath and a modern alcoholic, in Iago and Cassio respectively, is incredible. Iago is a fully realized psychological character just as David is a fully realized man physically.

Greek drama was an important model for Renaissance drama after the flat, unrealistic morality plays of the medieval centuries. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, defined tragedy and asserted that it was the noblest and most serious, dignified, and important form of drama. Many of the plays of the Renaissance resembled those Greek tragedies. In several of Shakespeare’s plays, there is a central protagonist who undergoes a harrowing experience as he is brought down from his lofty height, ending up dead.

There is also a special feeling created in an observer of those Shakespeare dramas, similar to the feeling described by Aristotle as the effect of tragedy on an observer. Critics thus thought of those Shakespeare plays as tragedies and that notion has remained with us to this day, although many of those interested in Shakespeare are now thinking differently about the plays from this ‘Shakespearean tragedy’ label. There are still teachers, though, who teach the ‘tragedies’ as though they were Aristotelian tragedies and miss a great deal of what those plays are doing.

EXAMPLES OF SHAKESPEARE’S TRAGIC CHARACTERS

Using the term ‘Shakespeare tragedy’ about any of Shakespeare’s plays invites attempts to fit them to the Aristotelian pattern but none of them fits exactly. Othello seems to conform to the pattern but when one thinks about it, Othello, superficially resembling a tragic hero, doesn’t even seem to be the main character in the play. It can be seen as a modern psychological drama about a psychopath who manipulates every one around him just for fun – just because he has nothing better to do – and destroying other human beings gives him pleasure or is necessary because they get in his way.
Othello may seem to have a fatal flaw – too trusting, gullible – but so do all the other characters, because Iago has deceived them all with his psychopathic charm and a deliberate effort of making himself appear trustworthy. Every misjudgment Othello makes is the hard work of Iago. Easily manipulated? Jealous? Does he have all those ‘tragic flaws’ as well? The feeling at the end is not quite Aristotle either. Perhaps it is more of disgust for Iago than pity for Othello, who comes across as more stupid than tragic. And to make things more complicated, our feeling of pity is directed more to, Desdemona. And yet some teachers miss the meaning of this play by their insistence on teaching it as an Aristotelian tragedy.
Antony and Cleopatra are sometimes called a ‘double tragedy’. While Othello appears to fit the Aristotelian pattern because of the huge charisma of Othello at the beginning of the play Antony and Cleopatra cannot fit it in any shape or form. In tragedy, the focus is on the mind and inner struggle of the protagonist. The emotional information comes to the audience from that source. In comedy the information comes from a variety of sources and the comic effect is produced by a display of many different points of view, coming at the audience from different angles. That is exactly what happens in Antony and Cleopatra, so we have something very different from a Greek tragedy. What we have is a miracle – a tragic feeling coming out of a comic structure.
So what is Shakespearean tragedy? Perhaps there is no such thing. And yet we can identify tragic moments, feelings, and even a cathartic effect in some of the plays. We must be very careful not to insist on fitting them to any pattern because that wouldn’t help us understand the plays. We must look elsewhere for our understanding of them. Moreover, all of Shakespeare’s plays have elements of both tragedy and comedy, sometimes very finely balanced, creating effects that Aristotle could never have dreamt of.

REMEDIAL TEACHING

Remedial Teaching is a kind of teaching method or instructional work carried out to provide remedial measure to students. The word “ remedy” means “to rectify” or “to improve” something. So, Remedial teaching is carried out to provide remedial measures to get rid of common or specific weakness of students. The major objective of remedial teaching is to provide learning support and additional help to pupils who are not good as their peers in performance. Students with learning difficulties have some psychological needs. Some have less ability to comprehend abstract ideas and concepts. Others may have poor memory. So it is integral in remedial teaching to identify the specific weakness of pupils.

The learning difficulties in students are various. They may include poor memory, weak in problem solving power, short attention span, lack of learning motivation, lack of self confidence and self expectation, difficulty in understanding new or abstract concepts. So assessment is the first step in remedial teaching. Assessment is also the important factor, because through this the teacher gets a knowledge about the skills and weaknesses of a student. The capacity of students should be assessed by the teacher through survey testing. This will help the teacher to find the present level of achievement and difficult areas of a student. This will also aid the teacher in preparing suitable individual teaching materials. The survey testing reveals the strength and weakness of the class as a whole and the levels of discrepancies in the various basic skills of each student. So the test will help in classifying the students into groups for works like reading, spelling etc.

Teachers use various methods in remedial teaching. There must be diverse learning activities with the same teaching objective to develop abilities and skills of students. Quizzing is the most common method used in remedial teaching. Analyzing the progress of students will help in regrouping them if necessary. Designing meaningful learning situation is important. Suitable language environment is very important in second language classes. Games and activities also stimulate the interest and initiative in learning. Different teaching methods should be adapted by the teacher to improve the learning capacity of students. For example, the teacher should give valuable examples before proceeding to abstract concepts, which will help in easy understanding. Providing clear instructions is also important for students who are less competent in understanding written language. There must be short and clear instruction to avoid confusion among students. Summarising main points is another method which enhances the audio visual memories. Teachers can also guide the students to link up classroom knowledge with life experiences. This will enhance effectiveness of learning. Enhancing learning interest is important in remedial teaching. Teachers can design interesting activities coupled with reward scheme to stimulate the interest of students, for example role play, debate, narrating incidents and games related to language learning initiate learning. Remedial teaching should enhance the active participation of students to enhance their self confidence. Concern for individual performance is important. If individualized remedial teaching is necessary it should be done before or after the class, so the students can remove learning obstacles as soon as possible. Teachers should also note common errors made by these students

Thus remedial teaching is a very significant method . This provides correct foundation to rectify mistakes and for future learning. It hastens the process of learning. Underachievers are promoted to update learning and other students are promoted to expand learning. Remedial teaching also creates confidence in students and it help them to realize their full potential.

WHAT IS A SONNET?

The sonnet is a popular classical form that has compelled poets for centuries. Traditionally, the Sonnet is a lyric in fourteen lines in iambic pentameter governed by certain prescribed rules in general and in the arrangement of the rhymes. It aims at concentrated expression, but fairly complex development of a single theme also is possible. It derives its name from the Italian ‘sonnetto’ which means ‘a little song’ or sound sung to the strain of music. It has only one leading thought or emotion as in Milton’s ‘On His Blindness’ or Keats’s ‘On first looking into Chapman’s homer.

Primary Types of Sonnets:

In English literature, there are two basic sonnet patterns:

Petrarchan Sonnet:

The first and most common sonnet is the Petrarchan, or Italian. Named after one of its greatest practitioners, the Italian poet Petrarch, the Petrarchan sonnet is divided into two stanzas, the octave has two rhymes ‘a’ and ‘b’ arranged in ab ab, ab ab scheme. The sestet has three rhymes arranged in various forms as abba, abba, cdecde or cdcdcd is suited for the rhyme-rich Italian language, though there are many fine examples in English. The octave may be divided into two stanzas of four lines each called tercets. Since the Petrarchan presents an argument, observation, question, or some other answerable charge in the octave, a turn, or volta, occurs between the eighth and ninth lines. This turn marks a shift in the direction of the foregoing argument or narrative, turning the sestet into the vehicle for the counterargument, clarification, or whatever answer the octave demands.

Sir Thomas Wyatt introduced the Petrarchan sonnet to England in the early sixteenth century. His famed translations of Petrarch’s sonnets, as well as his own sonnets, drew fast attention to the form. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, a contemporary of Wyatt’s, whose own translations of Petrarch are considered more faithful to the original though less fine to the ear, modified the Petrarchan, thus establishing the structure that became known as the Shakespearean sonnet. This structure has been noted to lend itself much better to the comparatively rhyme-poor English language.

Shakespearean Sonnet:

The second major type of sonnet, the Shakespearean, or English sonnet, follows a different set of rules. Here, three quatrains and a couplet follow this rhyme scheme: abab, cdcd, efef, gg. The couplet plays a pivotal role, usually arriving in the form of a conclusion, amplification, or even refutation of the previous three stanzas, often creating an epiphanic quality to the end. In sonnet 130 of William Shakespeare’s epic sonnet cycle, the first twelve lines compare the speaker’s mistress unfavorably with nature’s beauties, but the concluding couplet swerves in a surprising direction.
 

Shakespeare Sonnet 130: My Mistress’ eyes

Variations on the Sonnet Form

John Milton’s Italian-patterned sonnets (later known as “Miltonic” sonnets) added several important refinements to the form. Milton freed the sonnet from its typical incarnation in a sequence of sonnets, writing the occasional sonnet that often expressed interior, self-directed concerns. He also took liberties with the turn, allowing the octave to run into the sestet as needed. Both of these qualities can be seen in “When I Consider How My Ligth is Spent”.

The Spenserian sonnet, invented by sixteenth-century English poet Edmund Spenser, cribs its structure from the Shakespearean—three quatrains and a couplet—but employs a series of “couplet links” between quatrains, as revealed in the rhyme scheme: abab, bcbc, cdcd, ee. The Spenserian sonnet, through the interweaving of the quatrains, implicitly reorganized the Shakespearean sonnet into couplets, reminiscent of the Petrarchan. One reason was to reduce the often excessive final couplet of the Shakespearean sonnet, putting less pressure on it to resolve the foregoing argument, observation, or question.

THe Theme:

The common theme of a sonnet is love as in the sonnets of Shakespeare, Philip Sidney, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. However several poets have used other themes also in their sonnets. Milton’s sonnet ‘On His Blindness ‘,Wordsworth’s sonnet addressed to Milton, Keat’s sonnet ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer and Arnold’s sonnet on Shakespeare are examples.

Examples of Famous Fisrt Lines in Shakespeare’s Sonnet:

William Shakespeare is credited with writing 154 sonnets, collected and published a few years after his death. Shakespeare featured many themes and subjects in his sonnets, and his works in this poetic form are arguably the most famous in English literature. Most of Shakespeare’s sonnets are known by their first-line rather than their number. Here are some examples of famous first lines in Shakespeare’s sonnets:

  • Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war
  • Those lines that I before have writ do lie
  • To me, fair friend, you never can be old
  • My love is as a fever longing still
  • Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
  • So are you to my thoughts as food to life
  • My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun
  • No longer mourn for me when I am dead
  • Love is too young to know what conscience is
  • Then let not winter’s ragged hand deface

Sonnet Sequences:

There are several types of sonnet groupings, including the sonnet sequence, which is a series of linked sonnets dealing with a unified subject. Examples include Elizabeth Barrett Brownings’s Sonnet from the Portuguese and Lady Mary Wroth’s The Countess of Montgomery’s Urania, published in 1621, the first sonnet sequence by an English woman.

Within the sonnet sequence, several formal constraints have been employed by various poets, including the corona (crown) and sonnet redoublé. In the corona, the last line of the initial sonnet acts as the first line of the next, and the ultimate sonnet’s final line repeats the first line of the initial sonnet. La Corona by John Donne  is comprised of seven sonnets structured this way. The sonnet redoublé is formed of 15 sonnets, the first 14 forming a perfect corona, followed by the final sonnet, which is comprised of the 14 linking lines in order.

All about the increase in marriage age of girls in India.

The government on Tuesday 21st December 2021, introduced a bill in Lok Sabha which focuses on the amendment of the prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 to raise the marriage age for girls from 18 to 21 years and bring it at par with men. This bill has successfully started socio-political debates over whether social attitudes can be fully legalised.

The government made it clear that the bill seeks to override all existing laws which govern the parties in relation to marriage. All the existing laws like the Indian Christian Marriage Act, the Divorce Act, the Hindu Marriage act and all others will be brought in consonance to this particular amendment. This bill will come into force two years from the date it receives the signature of the President.

According to the government on the Prime Minister it is necessary for the girls to be married at the right age this bill will empower Young women by increasing their access to education and reducing infant mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio. However there have been a lot of protests against this bill as a number of elites and people believe that this bill will only strengthen patriarchy and might prove to be problematic instead of improving the condition of women in India.

Various women organisation have show their concern regarding this bill according to them the scope of this bill is very narrow as it focuses only on increasing the marriage age rather than focusing on the circumstances that early marriage is a symptom of. Increasing the age of marriage will either harm or have no impact by itself under the root causes of the women’s disempowerment are addressed. As it is a no hidden the fact that the Indian society is deeply entrenched in patriarchy and this act might come handy for parents and allowe them to control the autonomy of young girls and to penalise them for their sexual choices.

People are also concerned that if a married girl of 18 on 19 years faces matrimonial problems and issues and approaches the code for a solution then her husband might plead that the marriage is void and she is devoid of her matrimonial rites. For solving this problem the government it need to specify the condition of women in under age marriage and the government needs to ensure that these women will not lose their matrimonial rights.

The task force had asked the government to increase the number of educational institutions for girls and provide better accessibility to such institutions. Government needs to provide skill training ,better opportunities to girls then only such acts and laws will be able to truly achieve their objectives. Government needs to focus on bringing in structural changes by providing better employment opportunities, a safe and sound environment and society. These are the more pressing issues at the moment and trying to solve them will actually impose a financial burden on the government whereas implementing an act in the parliament won’t be imposing any kind of economical or financial burden on the government. The priorities need to be sorted before making any further amendments in the constitution.

Let’s talk about TIK-TOK

TikTok is the app which made a chaos in the world with  its features and popularity. Almost every corner of the world has some people who either make TikTok videos or watch them.

But there are countries like India and Indonesia that applied the censorship on this app due to its negative effect on the young generation and Spreading the misleading information out there in the world.

What were the reasons behind this app and what made this app super famous?

In 2014, two friends, Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang had the idea of making an educational app. They wanted to make a short video app through which people would learn more about the educational topics in short period of time.

They thought that there was this need of that idea and had the funding of $2.5 Lakh. They created that product but they failed in the market as the educational content was not sufficient to absorb and understand that quickly.

They learnt from these mistakes and decided to go for some other ideas. They observed that the younger generation at that time was indulged in the taking selfies and having cameras on all the time. They got the idea of creating a social platform which would be the combination of video, music and photos after observing in the market. They focused more on the duration of the video that the video should be at least of 15 seconds and more. With these ideas and the old experiences, they launched the app named “ Musical.ly”. It was getting the responses but it did not turn out to be a trend.

They had the feature of lip-syncing and they saw potential in this feature. They started to promote their app through this feature and it turned out to be a trend. This app has always been in top apps in the iTunes

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

People already had Instagram, snapchat and Facebook, they needed  something new now. So, the creators decided to come up with a platform consisting all these features.  Musical.ly had an overwhelming response. In 2017, Chinese company ByteDance bought that company in 1 billion dollars. There are in-app purchases in the app through which it generates the revenue. Through funding as well, this app reached the revenue of 75 billion dollars. Also, Musical.ly turned into the Tik-Tok in 2018.

This app has been growing and creating controversies ever since then. Even when everything has turned online, this app did not get affected much but despite it grew more bigger.

Ideas to change your life!

“People don’t like to think, if one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.” – Helen Keller

Think big, act small

Never let anything hold you back when you think of ideas.
You’ve got nothing to lose. Just make sure you act small. Put in the work and stay practical.

Problems are unanswered questions

Every time you experience stress over a problem, you’re sabotaging your life.
A problem is nothing but an unanswered question. So stay calm. And figure out the answer.

firm foundation for relationships

Wrong reasons to start relationships include money, fear of being alone, abuse, needing attention.
The foundation of all relationships should be based on love, respect, support, trust, patience, good company, laughter, sadness, and more support.

Nothing in life is free

You always pay for something with money, time (the most valuable thing you have), or other resources.
Life is a business. And smart business people spend their resources wisely.

Never be afraid of making decisions

Waiting, postponing, doubting, researching too much — it’s all not useful. Get your act together, and decide firmly whenever you have to make one. 
And when you made the wrong decision, own it, apologize, and make another decision.

Decide to become a leader

Being a leader also has nothing to do with your title.
When everyone looks at each other because no one wants to take responsibility, decide that you will take responsibility.

Productivity yields results

There’s only one thing that helps you to go from nothing to something: You have to put in the work. 
Make sure you value effectiveness over everything. Results matter. Get things done and move on to the next thing.

See yourself as a salesperson

In almost everything you do, you’re selling yourself.
When you sell, be transparent, honest, and to the point. Don’t waste your time on people who don’t like you anyway. 

Improve your skills

To improve your self-confidence.
You only improve your self-confidence by becoming good at something: By learning, doing, seeing results, and repeating that process for years. Your confidence will grow slowly every day.

Value your friends

We’re social animals. When we’re alone, we die early.  
So be nice to each other. And respect that your friends also have lives of their own.

Don’t believe everything you see

Don’t believe all the success stories you see everywhere. YouTubers, Instagram models, millionaire entrepreneurs: They seem perfect. But you only see the outside.
You don’t have to be a cynic. Just don’t take appearances for facts.

Learn to love criticism

It’s fuel for you. You can use criticism to improve yourself, your product, or your service. 
Or, if the criticism makes no sense, it can make you angry, which is also a good thing. That type of anger is useful. “I’ll show them!”

Take care of your body

If you can’t take care of your body, you can’t take care of anything.
You can influence your health by eating healthy, exercising, and treating your body with respect.

Happiness is a choice

You control your thoughts. That means you decide what you do with your life. If you’re unsatisfied, angry, or frustrated, that’s all you.

Create something

Make yourself useful. 
Instead of consuming so much information, products, and entertainment from others, spend a fraction of that time on creating something yourself.

Reference

https://observer.com/2017/02/i-have-15-ideas-to-change-your-life-do-you-have-five-minutes/

PEPSI

Pepsi, the name that we often hear when our throat gets dry and we need something other than water. But this name is bigger than what we think of.

Their products are sold in over 200 countries and territories. The company that sells over 1 billion dollars over a year would be very big, right?

Pepsico is the owner of 23 separate brands that all exceed that figure in addition to numerous offers. It all combines to over $70  billion in revenue.  They have been consistently placed in the Fortune top 500 list which means they are one of the biggest companies out there in the market.

They sold their first time under the name “Pepsi”. It was initially made by the pharmacist “Caleb Doc Bradham” who created the original Pepsi. Coca- Cola was somewhat popular back then so he created something similar to that demand. He first named the drink as “Brad’s Drink” but later on he changed it to “Pepsi-Cola”. Afterwards, he started his business of it quite similar in the terms of Coca-Cola.

He would sell the formula to the soda stores to add soda to it and then sell it to customers. Once, this business started gaining the momentum then he closed his idea of selling the formula rather than that he started to make syrup for his own company.By 1910s, he built up a company for colas  of a very good size. During the world war, fearing that the price of sugar would go high, he spent a lot of his money on the sugar. Unfortunately, instead of increment in the price, the price went down which was quite shocking for me.

He after that returned to his original career of being the pharmacist. Pepsi went through two bankruptcy with the two owners of that product which means only third owner of the Pepsi was successful to make Pepsi to what it is right now!

The third owner of the brand was Charlie Guth. He actually was selling Coca-Cola which he stopped and started selling Pepsi-Cola. He decided to increase the quantity with having the same price. So, now Pepsi-Cola was coming more than Coca-Cola at the same price which was a great move to boost up their sales.

In 1977, the Pepsico bought Pizza Hut then in 1986, they bought Kentucky Fried chicken for about  850 million dollars meaning they were the owners of three top brands of Fast food including Taco Bell in 1978. It shows that Pepsico is not aiming to have the ownership of only Pepsi but other top brands as well.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Everything they owned were surely selling the Pepsi with their own original product. So, you could say that it was one of their marketing strategy as well.

Now, with this we can conclude that Pepsico is not all about Pepsi but other things as well. Pepsico is surely a bigger company than Coca-cola as in the recent years, it had $64 billion in revenue that is almost twice as Coca-Cola.

It’s unpredictable to judge its further future growth but there’s no doubt that it has been growing itself like crazy!!

Building best habits!

Building habits

Our habits have the power to enable us, most of the time, to live a more organized life. However, we might find it quite challenging when it comes to establishing new habits, as they require time and strong will. 
We should start by taking small steps every day to get used to eventually taking big ones for long periods.

Set measurable targets as habits

When trying to build new habits, be specific by thinking about ways to measure the evolution of your action: set clear targets that can help you, when the deadline previously decided on approaches, to evaluate your progress.

The pros and cons of building new habits

When picking up a new habit, think it well through: take into account the possible inconveniences as well as the most attractive advantages. 
Remember that sometimes it might get harder to keep to the habit, but eventually, you are doing it for a good cause that is related directly to yourself.

Get used to planning

Whenever you plan on building a new habit, make sure that you have already planned thoroughly what to do when difficulties appear: how to handle the situations that make it harder to respect your new routine. 

Associate new habits with the old ones

If you feel like picking up a new habit, don’t start from scratch. It is easier when you associate a new habit with one that already exists. 
This way, it will seem less work and fewer changes. In the end, both notions tend to scare us, so why not better avoid them?

Ensure the means

When building a new habit, make sure you have all the means that would enable you to get to like it faster. 
Equipment is often what matters the most when trying to get used to a new routine.

Provide the proper reward

When considering a new habit, make sure you see its accomplishment as satisfying rather than tiring. Therefore, choosing the proper reward after the completion of the habit can make you feel more at ease when it comes to your new routine.

Reference

https://zapier.com/blog/effective-habit-change/

Job offer

Shift yоur mindset аbоut the jоb оffer

Think аbоut the оffer in terms оf yоur develорment, quаlity оf life, аnd the vаriety оf the wоrk yоu wаnt tо dо. Think аbоut the trаde-оffs yоu аre gоing tо mаke.

When аn emрlоyer extends а jоb оffer tо yоu, he hаs рsyсhоlоgiсаlly соmmitted tо yоu. Yоu hаve mоre leverаge tо shарe yоur jоb desсriрtiоn аnd imрrоve yоur sаlаry аnd benefits расkаge immediаtely аfter yоu аre mаde аn оffer thаn in yоur first twо yeаrs оf emрlоyment.

Соmmitment аnd enthusiаsm

The рurроse оf the interview is tо get the оffer. The next stаge is аbоut соnsidering the оffer, then negоtiаting with yоur new emрlоyer.

Emрlоyers need tо feel thаt yоu аre соmmitted. Соntinue tо be enthusiаstiс in yоur deаlings with yоur рrоsрeсtive mаnаger sо yоu dоn’t sоund unсertаin thаt yоu wаnt the jоb.

Metriсs fоr аssessing а jоb оffer

Think аbоut whаt is imроrtаnt in yоur рrоfessiоnаl аnd рrivаte life, then аssess the оffer аgаinst these metriсs.

  • Sаlаry: Even when the mоney is enоugh, yоu need tо figure оut if it’s wоrthy оf yоur knоwledge аnd skills аnd in line with the lосаl mаrket.
  • Jоb соntent: Соnsider whether yоu will derive jоb sаtisfасtiоn frоm the оffer. Tо аnswer this questiоn, yоu need tо knоw the kinds оf асtivities yоu wаnt tо be invоlved in аnd the skills yоu wаnt tо use. Yоu will need а deeр understаnding оf whаt’s exрeсted оf yоu tо deсide whether yоu dо indeed wаnt the jоb.
  • Сulturаl fit: Аsk yоurself if it is а рlасe where yоu will be hаррy, сhаllenged, аnd where yоu will thrive. It might mаke sense tо dо а triаl run tо see whаt yоur соlleаgues аre like.
  • Flexibility, vасаtiоn, аnd оther рerks: Flexible hоurs аnd vасаtiоn time аre inсreаsingly vаluаble рerks. During the evаluаtiоn stаge, it’s imроrtаnt tо find оut whether сurrent emрlоyees аre аffоrded suсh benefits.
  • Оther орtiоns: Аlsо, аssess yоur wаlk-аwаy аlternаtives. Think аbоut the оffer in terms оf the соst аnd benefit оf stаrting the jоb seаrсh рrосess оver аgаin, оf stаying in yоur сurrent jоb, оr оf first seeing whаt оther оffers mаteriаlize.
Negоtiаting а jоb оffer: Devise yоur рlаn

Оnсe yоu knоw whаt elements оf the оffer yоu wоuld like tо сhаnge, yоu need tо deсide whiсh раrts yоu аre gоing tо рress аnd hоw yоu will dо it.
If yоu аre deаling with аn intermediаry, suсh аs аn HR аdministrаtоr оr а reсruiter, remember nоt оnly tо mаke requests but аlsо tо аsk questiоns, give infоrmаtiоn, аnd shаre ideаs tо mаke the jоb mоre раlаtаble.

Be tоugh but сheerful during the negоtiаtiоn

During the stаge оf the сlаssiс negоtiаtiоn, mаximize the соst оf the things yоu аre рreраred tо ассeрt while minimizing the things yоu’re аsking fоr.

Sаy nо (роlitely) if the jоb feels nоt right

There will be sоme give аnd tаke in negоtiаtiоns fоr а new jоb, but if everything yоu аsk fоr is а “nо”; it demоnstrаtes inflexibility оn the раrt оf yоur рrоsрeсtive emрlоyer аnd соuld be а red flаg.
If yоur internаl mоnitоring system tells yоu thаt yоu shоuld nоt tаke the jоb, listen. Hоwever, turn it dоwn роlitely аs they соuld be роtentiаl сustоmers, роtentiаl аdvisоrs, оr even yоur future emрlоyers.

Reference

https://hbr.org/2017/04/how-to-evaluate-accept-reject-or-negotiate-a-job-offer

Throne of Glass Novellas: Throne of glass

The second book in the series, Throne of Glass, is chaotic but beautiful. It tells the story of the gorgeously vicious assassin Celaena Sardothien, whom we have already been familiar with in the previous book. But this tale is nothing like its former, a fresh world if you ask me. Not like the next page of a book, which is new but familiar, this book mirrors a whole new story, though a few points are mentioned from the past in the second half, don’t expect anything from me, I don’t like the idea of me giving you readers any significant spoilers. After all the drama and catastrophes and tragedies in the past book, two things about our protagonist stay the same, her charming sarcasm and her intoxicating personality, which somehow catches up on every character in the book. Literally.

It is usual for Sarah to stop our hearts once or twice as we flip the pages, for this book does exactly that, and every other in the series as well. Nevertheless the tension, drama, and riot of climaxes, this whole book is perfect for a vacay-read, at least for me. If you are just beginning to enter the world of fantasy, or even books as well, this series is perfect for you. It will, somehow, amidst all the suspense, give you purpose. It gave me, I enjoyed my days more, especially during a time like the quarantine, It helped me cope through the days where I felt most lonely and almost on the verge of falling apart. Celaena’s courage, her iridescent confidence, made me a greater person. I started to see beauty in things usually undermined, things considered fallacious. Before reading this series, if anyone told me that an assassin could be the kindest person you’ll ever see, I’d have laughed straight in their face. But, I don’t know-how, this cruel vicious assassin is kind, loving, and almost frustratingly emotional.

Lastly, It’s not a tome with arid, bland, dreary text spit all over the pages, but a heart-throbbing story, of which you’ll surely savor every word.

ZOOM – THE VIRTUAL LIFE

Well, I think there is no one out there who is working but not heard the name of Zoom. From students to office workers, it has become a common virtual workplace. Who could have thought that such a world would be contracted to a small screen and to a small video meeting platform. Almost every big company has its own video meeting platform, be it google or Microsoft. But the growth that Zoom has shown in the recent years is really remarkable and incredible.

What makes them so special to rule over this industry??

Growth in the market:

When there are new customers out there then they don’t need to worry for the growth. When the online market was increasing its expand then new customers will be more too.

The company started in April,2011. Initially, it called to be Saasbee. They soon changed it into Zoom Communications. And then ultimately to Zoom Video Communications. It has been released before Apple launched their face time app and Microsoft decided to buy Skype for $8.5 billion. Zoom has been growing so much especially during this social distancing thing.

People using this app have increased so much in the number.

Easy to learn and use:

If you have used other video meeting apps, then you would be able to compare Zoom to them. It’s quite obvious how Zoom is more convenient to use than other apps. It is easy to learn and has more features. The closest substitute that it has is probably Google Meet but still ZOOM will be ZOOM.

It’s stock price has also increased from June 2020 that was $68 to over $200 till this date. It is unclear whether it would stay at this height or not.

Zoom came from the vision of a man named “Eric Yuan”. He is the perfect leader and has been the CEO of the company ever since.

He is originally from China. He had this idea when he was in the college and wanted to meet his wife. But he had to take 10 hour long train to get to meet her. He despised that idea and started to think whether there could be a better way out there. He wanted to work in the Silicon Valley after keeping that thought in his mind. Though he was denied for the American VISA for about 9 times but he still did not give up. Eventually, he got the VISA and found the job of software developer despite not being influent in English. He worked at a small company called WEBEX. They soon become known for their communication services.

Cisco acquired Webex for more than $3 billion. Eric Yuan became the vice president of the communication services department then. He quitted his job after the company started to ignore that department. He decided to make his own company which would be customer-oriented company. This is the another trait of Zoom that it has been providing the customer oriented services.

With the success of the company, Eric Yuan has become one of the richest persons out there with network in billion dollars. Eric Yuan identified a growing market and applied his passion and experience into creating a customer oriented highly accessible service because of that they’ve been able to attract investors and steadily grow into a multi-billion dollar industry leader and then on top of that in 2020 when the demand reached unexpectedly high levels they were in a position to take advantage of it. Zoom has been growing at an unexpected rate since then.   !!

Right to Information

By – Supriya

Right to Information Act (RTI) 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information. Since every citizen pays taxes, therefore he is entitled to know how the government is functioning . The Act empowers every citizen to seek any information from the government, obtain copies of any government documents , inspect any government documents , works and records , and take certified samples of materials of any government work. According to Act No . 22 of 2005 , The Right to Information Act is ” An Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities , in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority , the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”. This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came fully into force on 13 October 2005. The RTI Act extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir . All bodies, which are contributed under the Constitution or are under any government notification ,or all bodies , including NGO’s , which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the government are covered under the Act. All authorities covered must appoint their Public Information Officer (PIO) . In addition, every public authority is required to designate Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) to receive RTI requests and appeals for forwarding to the PIOs of their public authority. Any person may submit a requests and appeals for forwarding to the PIOs of their public authority .
Any person may submit a request to the PIO for information in writing along with the application fees, which is ₹ 10 for Central Government Departments and different for different states.The application fees can be deposited either in cash, demand draft , cheque or money order. In the case of all Central Government Departments ,629 post offices have been designed as APIOs. This means that one can go to any of these post offices and submit his/her fee and application at the RTI counter in these post offices. A receipt will be issued as an acknowledgement and it is the responsibility of that post office to deliver it to the right PIO. It is the PIO’s obligation to provide information to citizens of India who request information under the Act. However, in case, one has problems locating their PIO/ APIO , one can address their RTI application to the PIO C/o Head of Department and send it to the concerned public authority with the requisite application fee. The Head of Department will have to forward his/her application to the concerned PIO. The PIO cannot refuse to accept application for information under any circumstances . Even if the information does not pertain to his/her department / jurisdiction, the PIO has to accept it and would have to transfer it to the right PIO within 5 days under sec 6(2). If the PIO or the concerned Department does not accept the application , it can also be sent by post. Moreover, the applicant can also make a formal complaint to the respective Information Commission under Section 18. The Information Commission has the power to impose a penalty of ₹25000 on the concerned officer who refused to accept the application. The Act also casts a direct accountability on the officer for non – performance . If the concerned officer does not provide information in time , a penalty of ₹ 250 per day of delay can be imposed by the Information Commissioner and if the information provided is false , a penalty of a maximum of ₹ 25000 can be imposed. The applicant is not required to disclose any information or reasons other than his name and contact particulars to seek the information . The Act specifies time limits for replying to the request. If the request has been made to the PIO, the reply is to be given within 30 days of receipt ; in case of an APIO , the reply is to be given within 35 days of receipt , and information concerning corruption and Human Rights violations is to be provided within 45 days. However, if life or Liberty of any person is involved , the PIO is expected to reply within 48 hours.
If the applicant does not receive information or is dissatisfied with the information received , s/he can file an appeal with the first appellate authority under Section 19 (1) of the Right to Information Act . One can file their first appeal within 30 days of receipt of information or within 60 days of filing RTI application, if no information is received. Even after the first appeal , if no information is received , then one can take the matter forward to the second appeal stage with the Information Commission, without paying any additional fees and within 90 days of disposal of first appeal . A second appeal is the last option under the RTI Act to get the information requested . For appeals against Central Government Departments, there is Central Information Commission (CIC) and for State Government Departments , there is State Information Commission.

THANKYOU !

Aftermath of kdramas


You may wonder what is mean by aftermath of kdramas? There is no returning back from Korean dramas, I understand, but still sometimes you may be busy and you may have a very little time to have entertainment in your schedule. In that cases, you couldn’t afford to watch 16 episodes of a drama, I know some of you finish a drama at single night though. If you want some alternatives of drama or shorter version of it, this article will help you. So no delay any longer, let’s get into it.



People watch kdramas for a lot of things, like for it’s plot, great scenes, good actors and lot of things. If you love the plot of kdramas, you could watch Korean movies which is shorter version of kdramas. And if you like actors or actresses of kdramas, you can watch the movies they starred in. For example, if you love Goong Yoo of Goblin, you can watch his movies like Train to Busan, Silenced and Kim JiYoung Born 1982. If you like Park Seo Joon, you can watch his Midnight Runners and Parasite (he had a cameo role, but it can be one of the reason for watching this Oscar winning film). If you loved the chemistry of Hun Bin and Seo Ye-jin in Crash Landing on You, you can watch their pair in Negotiations. There are enormous movies like these for you to watch.

Original Sound Track (OST) of kdramas is another notable traits for the success of it. You may like Stay With Me OST of Goblin, Paradise of Boys over Flowers or anyother OST. If so, then you can try hearing K-pop music. K-pop industry has tremendous success in the recent years, there are various K-pop bands that acquired world wide reach. There are bands like BTS, Got 7, Seventeen, Astro, Monsta X,Stary Kids, Black Pink, Red Velvet etc.. Well, most of you watch kdramas after being a k-pop fan, but still it’s my duty to mention them.



If you are a reader, then I got something for you. After watching Korean dramas, you may want to read more stories about Korea. Here, I’m going to suggest some novels and books of Korean literature which is available in English. Kim JiYoung Born 1982 by Cho Nam Joo (yes, it was a book first, then adapted to movie), b, Beyond Me by Kim Sagwa, The Plotters by Un-Su Kim, Untold night and day by Bae Suah, At Dusk by Hwang Sok-yung, The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun and The Vegetarian by Han Kang.

And if you want to know more about Korea and Korean Culture, you could go up to social media creators who make content based on Korea like the tourism, fashion and food. There are some channel like Assian Boss and Tree man which make social awareness videos in Korea. There are some Indian creators like Piyuchino, Radhiga_bangia who make content based on kdramas and Korea. And if you need more, you need to stop your obsession, don’t have rage on me, as RM of BTS says focus on your studies. What’s you favourite OST of Kdramas? Tell me in the comments

Women characters in Harry Potter


Have you watched Return to Hogwarts new year special? What a great way to begin a year! Harry Potter is the part of our childhood and it holds a lot of memories within it. Well, let’s dive into the memory lane a little. In this article, we are going to look upon the important women characters of Harry Potter. As you all know, J. K. Rowling is the creator of Harry Potter and she is a women writer who aced the representation of women in her work. Let lumos maxima the witches of Harry Potter.

Hermione Granger, the girl of golden trio, is one of the greatest and notable characters of Harry Potter. She is witty, kind and smart. Whenever Harry or Ron is in danger, she was there to help. She is the tenacious student, best friend, great witch, kind hearted and what else, she is the definition of perfect. Her knowledge is unbeatable. She is undoubtedly “The greatest witch of her age”. Her character represent how women are knowledgeable and capable.

Mothers in Harry Potter, for example Lily Potter sacrificed herself in order to save Harry from Voldemort, whereas Molly Weasley killed Bellatrix in order to save Ginny Weasley. Mother’s love for their children is the purest and highest level of love which is shown in Harry Potter. Molly cared for Harry throughout the end, eventhough Harry lost his mother, he get motherly love from Molly. At the end Harry was saved by a mother’s love as Narcissa lied to Voldemort that Harry died after knowing Draco is alive.

Ginny Weasley is another important character of Harry Potter. She is the sister of Ron Weasley and the only girl in Weasley family. She had a crush on Harry and at last married Harry. She is tough and brave. Unless other Weasleys, she is famous in Hogwarts and fast to learn spells. She performs hard spells like a pro and fought dark powers courageously. Her character shows that women are strong and powerful.

Luna Lovegood, what to say about her, she is unique and peculiar. She is the one that reminds us that being different is nothing wrong and we should be the one who we really are. She may be called as lunatic but she never bothered about other’s comment. She is soft and honest with everything that what makes her unique and she never afraid of anything. She helped Harry when he is doubtful of himself. One should learn from her that being yourself is never wrong.

Next one is Professor Mcgonagall. She is the best professor of Hogwarts ever. She is the teacher who supports children as well as punish them if they do any wrong. She rightfully take decision and aids everyone in need. She found out Harry’s interest in Quidditch, she stood against Umbridge and Moody, when they punished students wrongly. Students are her priority. She is the epitome of a teacher. What’s your favourite women character of Harry Potter, let me know in the comments section.

MARVEL – THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

Marvel cinematic series is the most successful series that have been ever made. The Endgame was the highest grossing movie of all the times. The critiques and the audience both like them.

It has experienced both rise and fall to reach to the place where Marvel is standing now.

It is the time of 1930s when the comics were used to be very popular before Marvel ever existed. In 1938, action comics number 1 was published exposing the world to the superman with the cliché superman suit consisting red and blue colours in it.

It was a huge financial success as people start looking at comic books with a huge business potential. Martin Goodman who was involved in publishing business. A company named Funnies Inc. which had the talented artists and writers working on the comic books approached Goodman for the publishing and the marketing purposes. Goodman saw potential in the comic industry , so he agreed to this proposal.

The first comic book that got published under that agreement was none other than Marvel Number 1. This comic was such a success that made Goodman to be motivated enough to make a company fully devoted to comics that was called “Timely Productions”.

The rise of the Marvel can be seen when the productions made the comic targeting world war 2. The comic was called “ Captain America” where on the cover he was punching Adolf Hitler right on the face.

Nevertheless, It was hilarious to see Captain America punching him tho..

This comic was published months before the phase where U.S. entered in the war. This content intrigued the older generation, even the people from the military was reading that comic..

The war was huge contributor to the success of this company  and to the comic books as well. Their first fall happened when the war ended and people took no longer interest in the superheroes they introduced. Eventually, the sales went down.

In 1961, Stan Lee who was working in the company since his teens created “The Fantastic Four”. It marked the beginning of the first era for the company and shaped the marvel to what we know them as today.

The characters that he designed were not flawless at all, they were quite relatable. All the characters like Spider man and Incredible Hulk made the marvel universe. These characters were standing under the marvel name.

In 2009, Marvel was acquired by Disney for around $4 billion for both cash and stock. The motivation  behind this acquisition was to buy all of their characters and rights to make movies. In 2005, Marvel studios was made to make the profits and to have all the characters together on a single floor. Since then, they have been creating movies which attracted loads of audience from all around the world that would go crazy over the characters named Iron Man, Thor and Black Widow etc..

PIXAR – ANIMATION COMPANION

If you haven’t watched any of the Pixar’s animated film then you are missing out a wonderful experience. Those are not only the animated movies but they are the reflection of one’s feelings experienced throughout the life.

In 1974, when computer animation was at its very early stage and when only few people could come up with the idea of animations. Today, we all see this animated characters that could pull up every face expression and can move our hearts in no time like any other movies with human characters in it.

It was unbelievable to see a hand moving in the screen at that time but still people did not like them that much as computers seemed to be intimidating at that period of time. But there were few people who could see a good potential in animations that would make a chaos in the future and one of them was Alex Schure. He was the founder of the New York Institute of Technology. In 1974, he had secured the five years funding to create the computerized graphics lab. The goal was simple that to advance the computer tools to make an animated movie.

He invested a lot of money on these computer tools and high-tech computers to make a worthy animated film. 

There was Edwin Catmull, a computer scientist who lead the team to develop the technological tools for the further animation. They worked on the movie “Tubby The Tuba” which was directed by “Alex Schure”. Childhood memories of many people are connected to this short experimented but relaxing movie. A big issue that hindered them to experiment more on animation related technologies was the money itself.

In 1979, when funding was going downhill, a person came along whose name was “George Lucas”. He is the guy behind the famous “Star Wars”. He didn’t only see the potential in the animations but also had various ideas to execute it. For that, he needed various types of technologies in his hand. He brought over a number of capable people to his companies called “Lucas Film”.

In that company, they experimented various technologies. One of them was the computer called “PIXAR”. It was an amazing computer which could produce various colourful images.

George’s goal was to use the segments of animated characters in the real movies and the other employees were working to have a future full of completely animated movies. So, if we segregate them according to their goals, George Lucas was no longer the perfect fit. It was time to separate the factions of different goals. In 1986, the division was sold for $10 million and the process formed an independent company called PIXAR.

The buyer was “Steve Jobs” and he was recently separated from Apple. They ended up making computers and selling them to generate some revenues. They were making short computer animated films while their business was running bad. Steve Jobs was investing his own money in Pixar as he saw the hidden potential in animations. In 1984, John Lasseter joined Pixar and was handling the projects of short animated films. The first one they made was called “Luxo Junior”. It was amazing how they pulled off their own company in this short animation.

That’s where the lamp came in the logo of the company. They made the animated film “Tin Toy” in 1988 which helped them to get OSCAR for the best animated short film For few years, Pixar spent their time on their new project and that was Toy Story. I don’t know about you but I have many nostalgic childhood memories related to “Toy Story”. It was such a huge success that they ended up making a lot of versions of it. . Disney purchased Pixar in 2006 at a valuation of $7.4+ billion.

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

From then, Pixar never looked back and has been making various incredible animations which have more human emotions in them than the humans themselves possess.

The Concept of Ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese concept which add meaning to life or finds purpose of this life. The book Ikigai was written by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. They both bring out the secret of Japan’s centenarians to you and gives you a tool to find your own ikigai. People those who wants to find their Ikigai and if they discover, have everything they need for a long and joyful journey throughout their life.

You should know your own Ikigai

Japanese believing that everyone has their own Ikigai. Our Ikigai is hidden deep inside each of us to find out we need patience in us. In Okinawa (island) people with the most centenarians in the world hopes that Ikigai is their only reason for wake up in morning. People who knows their Ikigai will brings them satisfaction, happiness, and meaning to oru lives. People living Japan will remain active after they retire. In fact, many Japanese people never really retire they keep doing what they love for as long as their health allows.

The Blue Zones:

Okinawa (Japan) holds first place among the world’s Blue Zones. A research clearly says that the Okinawan’s focus on ikigai gives a sense of purpose to each and everyday and plays an important role in their health and longevity. Sardinia (Italy) this island as in Okinawa, the cohesive nature of this community is another factor directly related to longevity. Sardinia (Italy) this island consume plenty of vegetables and a glass of wine. Loma Linda (California) a group of seventh day Adventist who are among the longest – living people in the United States. Among these Blue Zones, paying special attention to Okinawa and its so-called Village of Longevity.

Key features of their longevity is their ikigai. Members of these communities manage their time well in order to reduce stress, consume little meat and they take alcohol in moderation. People always involves them in low-intensity movement, they all practice in common. Ikigai thought us life has some purpose do. It always awoke a question why are we doing this? what’s the reason? Answer is when you get to know your Ikigai. This book will get you to your purpose (Ikigai).

How to read efficiently


“Reading maketh a full man” states the great English essayist Francis Bacon. Indeed, reading habbit can even be considered as virtue, as it gives us immense knowledge and pleasure. But nowadays our reading is getting diminished because of the advent of mobile phones. Even if you are a beginner or someone who reads daily, sometimes you may find it hard to read or lack interest. Don’t be bothered, this article will aid you in such cases.

If you are a beginner in reading, you must find your genre of books. Each person have seperate tastes so they may like fiction or non-fiction. You must find what interests you the most either fiction or non-fiction. Non-fiction and fiction is like an umbrella term in reading, because there different types inside this division. For example, non-fiction consists of self-help books, journals, autobiographies and biographies whereas fiction consists of fantasy, horror, romance etc.., so find out what you likes the most and begin your reading.

This tip is for beginners too, you should start off with small amount, which means don’t burden yourself with books that have large number of pages, start reading small books. For example, don’t start with novel but with a short story collection. You can finish short stories early and it won’t bore you soon. And again don’t go for classics at the start, you may find the language hard, so start with a book of contemporary age.

Parallel reading is the best way in reading. It has two benefits, first you can read a lot and the next is that, you don’t have to stress over completing a book which makes you skim through the pages. Read two books at a time, as you can switch over to the books, if one book gets little dry. Habitual readers can try this way to cover more books at a time.

The foremost rule is that you have to put your mobile away. When you are reading, you should concentrate on the subject, but if you have mobile phone near you, you will get easily distracted by means of notifications and your fear of missing out won’t leave you at peace. I understand, you may need your phone to check on the words you can’t understand while reading, use a dictionary in that situations, don’t use your phones.

The next biggest question after you start off your reading journey is that what to read next. If you happen to have that question, get suggestions from your friends or colleagues or anyone who reads a lot. Not happy with their recommendations? Don’t worry there are enormous Youtubers, tiktokers and instagrammers who create content based on reading. Watch their videos and find what to read next.

Consistency is the key, not just for reading, but for anything that you do in your life. Make time for reading exclusively in your schedule, and set goals so that you could read accordingly. These are the tips that will help you to read efficiently. What’s your read now? And what is your favourite book of all time? Mention them in the comments below.

Sphinx

Sphinx, a mythological creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. It is a prominent figure in Egyptian, Greek and Asian mythology.

1.Sphinx of Egyptian Mythology

Ancient Egyptian culture has introduced the sphinx first. Egyptian built sphinx as a defender to guard crucial areas such as temples and tombs. Then Greek and Asian cultures adopted the concept of sphinx to enhance their mythology. The Sphinx represents the king’s intelligence and lion’s strength.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza located in Giza, near Cairo, Egypt. The most famous and the oldest statue in the world. Lion’s body and a human head of Great Sphinx represents Ra- Horakhty , powerful sun god and it built as a protector for the doors of the temples. It was called Horus of the Necropolis and Horus of the Horizon, god of sun that stands above the horizon. According to archaeologist , it was built in 2500 BC and 4500 years old . And it would have taken the time of 3 years for 100 workers. The Sphinx , made from a massive piece of limestone with 240 feet long and 66 feet high.

Some believe, Khafre , fourth king of the dynasty of Egypt built the great sphinx. Some believe , Redjedef (Khafre’s older brother)built the great sphinx to commemorate their father, Khufu (who built the second great Pyramid). According to some theorists, the sphinx face resembles closely with the Khufu’s face than Khafre.

Alec Derwent Hope, in his poem, Australia, mentioned about Sphinx. He symbolises Sphinx for intelligence and power.

Those endless, outstretched paws

Of sphinx demolished or stone lion worn away (4).

2. Sphinx of Greek Mythology

Sphinx in greek mythology has the haunches of a lion and head of a woman with wings of a bird . She is considered merciless, cruel creature. It is believed that the Greek sphinx killed many passers-by if they failed to answer for the riddle of the sphinx.

Death of the Sphinx

The Sphinx killed herself after Oedipus , the King of Thebes , correctly answered for her riddle. Travelling towards Thebes , he encountered that Thebes plagued by tha Sphinx . When Oedipus solved the riddle , the Sphinx killed herself.

Sphinx’s Riddle:

Question: What goes on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon, and three feet in the evening ?

Answer : a person , a person as a baby in the morning of their life crawls on four feet (hands and knees). As an in the noon of their life, they walk on two feet. But when they are old, in the evening of their life, they walk with a cane , on three feet.

3. Sphinx of Asian mythology

Asian sphinx has its influenced on Egyptian sphinx but with some difference. The Sphinx of Asian mythology appeared with wings in the leonine body.

The Sphinx is known as Purushamriga or Purushamirukam (human beast) in South India. It is found in temples and palaces in sculptural art form. It is believed that Sphinx ward off evil and take away sins of the devotees.

The Sphinx is known as narasimha or man- lion in Sri Lanka and considered as the fourth reincarnation of Mahavishnu (deity).

Some archaeologist believe that there are chambers underneath the Sphinx. Zahi Hawass , Egyptian archaeologist affirmed the presence of tunnels in the Sphinx.

Therefore, the Sphinx has its many unsolved mysteries that evokes the curiosity of archaeologists to do research on Sphinx.

Top Recruiting Softwares to Use

Recruiting software is a category of human resources management (HRM) that handles the process of posting jobs and attracting top talent for vacant positions within a company. From posting jobs to reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates, recruiting software streamlines the entire candidate search and hiring process, automating when possible to lessen workloads. By eliminating paperwork and offering powerful resume and candidate search functions, the software makes it easier for organizations to find and hire employees.

Recruiting software are equipped with the tools to attract, engage, hire, and retain the talent that drives success. Looking for a complete recruiting solution? Read this full article to learn more.

Top Recruiting Softwares to Use

What Is Recruiting Software?

Recruiting software is software that helps organizations optimize the hiring process, from finding and attracting candidates to screening resumes and sending out offer letters. Recruiting software is often called an applicant tracking system or ATS, though these two are not exactly the same. Recruiting software is a broader category that encompasses applicant tracking systems as well as other tools that focus on individual phases of the hiring process.

What Is CRM Recruiting?

CRM (candidate relationship management) recruiting uses another type of recruiting software similar to an ATS. However, while an ATS manages applications for any given job, a CRM is a tool for nurturing relationships with potential job candidates. In other words, an ATS is more focused on active job applicants, while a CRM is used to build a pool of talent eligible for future job openings.

Functions of Recruiting Software

Most recruiting software can do some or all of the following:

  • Sourcing: Sourcing helps recruiters find and attract candidates; it can be especially valuable for identifying passive candidates who may not otherwise see an organization’s job ads.
  • Engagement: Candidate engagement functions help streamline communication between recruiters and candidates to keep candidates engaged and informed throughout the hiring process, which in turn can improve an organization’s hiring rate.
  • Selection: Screening and selection capabilities can help speed up the process of choosing qualified candidates from among a pool of applicants. This kind of software may offer features such as artificial intelligence screening, assessments and evaluations, central collaboration for hiring managers, and more.
  • Hiring: Finally, some organizations may use recruiting software that manages the actual step of hiring and bridges the gap between candidate experience and employee experience. Some of these platforms may even dip into elements of onboarding to make the transition as smooth as possible for new employees exiting the hiring funnel.

How Does Recruitment Software Work?

Typical recruitment software tracks applicants throughout the screening and interview process. For example, hiring managers and recruiters will be able to create a job posting, send it out to the appropriate platforms, and view all relevant job applications through the recruitment software portal. Updates can be made in the portal once the candidates have been interviewed. The recruitment software can also be used to send out job offers, handle paperwork related to onboarding the new employee, and create reports relating to the hiring process. This makes the entire process more efficient and organized, giving everyone involved more time to handle other tasks.

Benefits of Using Recruiting Software

As we said, organizations use recruiting software to optimize the hiring process. This optimization can improve the hiring experience for both recruiters and candidates alike.

For hiring organizations, recruiting software can make the hiring process faster and more efficient. Not only does this save managers and recruiters time, but it also makes it easier for an organization to hire top candidates who may be weighing multiple offers.

For candidates, recruiting software can simplify the application process and open up communication channels, both of which contribute to a positive candidate experience. And when candidates have a positive experience with an organization’s hiring process, regardless of the outcome, they are more likely to endorse the company to  their friends and family or even apply again themselves.

Top Job Aggregators

Job boards and job aggregators are central to the recruiting ecosystem because direct applicants make up 48% of all hires.

  1. Indeed, with its database, is the biggest source of external hires by far. In 2020, it was credited with an incredible 75% of all job applications and 47% of all hires in the US
  2. LinkedIn, primarily known for its professional social networking platform, connecting professionals globally, also provides a Job Search Tool allowing users to find job opportunities. These opportunities are based on location, industry, and recommendations based on your employment profile on LinkedIn. 
  3. Google For Jobs, designed to be a direct competitor to Indeed, may prove to be a game-changer. It recently added four new features: accessing salary information, applying location filters, bookmarking saved jobs, and selecting which job board applicants job seekers want to use to apply.
  4. ZipRecruiter, with over 25 million job seekers a month visiting the site, became a popular choice for employers as well as job seekers because it posts job listings to multiple job boards, as opposed to just one

Top Recruitment CRMs

With the rise of recruitment marketing, candidate relationship management (CRM) software has become central for attracting, engaging, and nurturing candidates.

  1. Yello, with features that include, schedule automation, video interviewing, employee referrals, and integrations with ATSs and HRISs, has a talent acquisition platform that provides a variety of recruiting solutions. 
  2. Beamery,  the London-based startup, ranked 10th fastest growing company in the UK in the 2020 Deloitte Technology Fast 50. It offers self-styled recruitment marketing software targeted at fast-growing companies.
  3. Avature, founded by Dimitri Boylan, co-founder and former CEO of HotJobs.com, Avature is a highly flexible enterprise SaaS platform for Global Talent Acquisition. Avature has over 650 customers of which 110 are Fortune 500 organizations.

Top Testing & Assessment Tools

The use of pre-hire assessments to test the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications are on the rise. Surveys show that more than 80% of Fortune 500 companies are using pre-hire assessments.

  1. Criteria Corp, a pre-assessment tool that seamlessly integrates with current ATS and HRIS processes provides a variety of assessments to measure candidates across a variety of dimensions, such as cognitive aptitude, personality, emotional intelligence, etc. 
  2. Berke Assessment, founded in 2004, creates tests that help employers predict job behaviours such as teamwork, communication, customer service, and problem-solving. 
  3. HackerRank, creates coding and technical assessments to help recruiters assess the skills of developers and software engineers. It also offers an online interviewing tool.
  4. Traitify, with more than 200 current customers provides an image-based, mobile-first personality assessment. Traitify’s assessments are quick and effective taking an average of only 90 seconds to complete with a completion rate of 90% or higher.
  5. SHL, providing science-based assessments, along with expert training and consulting for the last 40 years, was awarded the 2020 HR Tech Award for Best Innovative Tech Solution for their Virtual Assessment and Development Center

DISNEY- THE CHILHOOD FRIEND

Walt Disney, a name that would forever be in the history, was born on 5 Dec., 1991 in Chicago. He was a very creative child and he started selling his creative paintings to his neighbors. He started his company name Laugh-O-Gram which went bankrupt later during Alice Wonderland project. He went through a lot of hard-work. Disneyland started on 17 July, 1955.  

Not only we have spent our childhood while watching the movies made by Disney but we have been spending our current time while watching the movies made by Disney which are making everyone crazy all over the world.

Have you heard of the name of the movies like Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity war?

Of course, you would have, after all who doesn’t?

These movies are made by the Disney itself. They have a very higher market share in comparison to other studio. Disney has been growing like crazy over the past few years. In the recent years, Disney’s revenue has grown so much. In 1993, they bought up like$8.5 billion and in 2020, it went up to $65 billion.

Isn’t it amazing?

Disney is 8.5 times bigger than they were 25 years before. A big part of their growth can be assumed from their strategic acquisitions. One of them was of $71 billion acquisition involving Fox’s assets that was finalized in March, 2019.

In 1993, Disney bought Miramax, a movie company, for $60 million and really turned them into something. After running it for 17 years, they decided to sell in 2010. They ended up selling it for 660 million dollars.

In 1995, Disney spent $19 billion for Capital Cities. Capital cities had bought the TV network called ABC who was already the owner of ESPN. In 2001, Disney acquired Fox Family for about $2.9 billion. They quickly renamed it as ABC Family. In 2004, they bought Pixar for $7.4 billion, at that point Pixar had yet to create anything that could blow up the audience’s mind. In 2009, they bought Marvel for $4 billion and this acquisition is being continued to talk about the people. But before the acquisition, Marvel already sold a lot of character like Spider-man but Disney did get some good ones. In February 2015, Disney, Marvel Studios, and Sony made a deal to share the Spider-Man film rights. In 2012, Disney paid $4 billion dollars to buy Lucasfilm which is the owner of the Star Wars franchise.

Disney will continue to be dominant in the movie and streaming industry and would provide us with some marvellous movies in upcoming years.

How to optimize your Blog Content

                                     How to Optimize your Blog Content through SEO Strategy?

         The Process of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) aims to improving the quality of website to a website and a web page to a search engines. Strategy of SEO content marketing is not an appropriate for every website where else other Internet marketing strategies are more effective.

SEO Targets on Unpaid Traffic:

  • Unpaid Traffics are known to be organic results.   
  • There are Billion searches in a single day, many people for specific product and this searches are commercial intent and leads to immense amount of specific, high-intent traffic.
  • This focus rather than the paid traffic, because unpaid traffics are originates, different kinds of searches.
  • Which includes; video search, academic search, image search, news search, and industry-specific vertical search engines. 

Internet Marketing Strategy:

  • This Strategy mainly focuses on how search engines work, the in-build algorithms in computer dictate search engine behaviour.
  • It instructs what people search for, the actual search terms, search engines are performed under the targeted audience.
  • When websites ranked higher on Search Engine Results Page (SERP), the SEO content marketing has to perform because websites receives more visitors from a search engine.
  • The most successful Internet marketing campaign depends on high-quality web pages to improvise their sites and allows the site owners to measure the rule.

Optimizing search engine for Blog Content:

  • SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is a practicing of designing and optimizing search engine. 
  • Search engine marketing focuses on excellence more than the relevance.
  • Difference form SEO content marketing is, between the paid and unpaid priority ranking in search results.
  • Most of the organic search traffics are not paid for search engines.
  • In addition, the accessibility of web crawlers, user web accessibility has become immensely important for SEO, this is considered to be a wise business.

How to Optimize your Blog posts for SEO?

  • The best way to optimizing the blog post is depend on how we creating it, SEO perform to get more traffic for your blog.
  • As a beginner, we have to plan for actual keyword search, what the real audience look for.
  • The keyword technique is mostly used by SEO experts and content creators, this helps to plan for content strategy.
  •  Topic plays a vital role for your blog it makes users to click your website to see the article.
  • If we were using single all in one SEO plugin have to focus on keyword in your article’s setting.

 The Evolution of SEO:   

  • In last two years with Computer-programmed algorithm updates and changes to Google search results page. 
  • Now SEO evolves dramatically, so it requires more great content.
  • In 2021, investing in organic traffic is a viable marketing. 
  • SEO becomes most important in digital marketing.
  • According to Bright Edge’s study, organic traffic is responsible for more than 51% of visitors to the websites.

How to Increase the Traffic for your Blog Content?

  • As a Blogger, we have to know about the audience preference to increase website traffic.
  • To succeed in SEO, you need understand the user intent.
  • Have to use keyword attractively to grab the viewers to your website, such as; t-shirt sale, instead we can put Amazing t-shirt sales Hurry!!!
  • To get high CTR (Click Through Rate), have to use unique keywords to gain a high position among all websites.

Real story of Beauty and the Beast

Jeanne Marie Leprince d Beaumont published Beauty and the Beast in 1756. Her story, a short and sweet tale with a small cast of archetypal characters, loving yet helpless father, the protective brothers and jealous sisters, and the hideous but noble hearted hero. Beauty, the youngest, as she was handsomer, was also better than her sisters. The two eldest had a great deal of pride, because they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous airs, and would not visit other merchants daughters nor keep company with any but persons of quality. They went out every day to parties of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, and so forth, and they laughed at their younger sister because she spent the greatest part of her time in reading good books. One day her father mistakenly got shelter at Beast’s castle which made Beauty to come their to save her father. Beast, a prince, lost his father at young age. Selfish prince who along with his castle servants is cast under a curse by a wicked enchantress. The prince is turned into a beast, and sentenced to live as a beast until he learns to love and accept love in return. After Beauty comes into his life everything changes and later he becomes human by getting love from Beauty.

Petrus Gonsalvus, Spanish, Pedro Gonzalez, lived during the period 1537 to 1618c, referred to by Ulisse Aldrovandi as ‘the man of the woods’, was born in 1537 in Spain. His life has been well chronicled as he became famous during his lifetime because of his condition, hypertrichosis. Gonsalvus first came to the court of Henry II, King of France in 1547, and was sent from there to the court of Margaret of Parma, regent of the Netherlands. He married while there, later he was moved into the court of Alexander Darnedest, Duke of Parma. Four of his seven children were also afflicted with hypertrichosis universal is and painted. His family became an object of medical inquiry by Ulisse Aldrovandi among others. Despite living and acting as a nobleman, Gonsalvus and his hairy children were not considered fully human in the eyes of their contemporaries. But the power of strength came from his better half, his wife. Gonsalvus eventually settled in Italy with his wife. It is believed that marriage between Petrus Gonsalvus and Lady Catherine may have partially inspired the the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The greatness of a lady made history and romance.

Korean food from kdrams

When you watch a movie or series, what interest you the most? Yeah it depends on each person, some may like the plot or music, some may like the characters or actors, some may like the locations or setting, some may like the fashion or outfit, but for the foodies like me, what matters or interest the most is the food shown in that movie or series. If you are a foodie, then this article interest you a lot. Korean dramas are famous for their OST, plot, fashionable actresses, good looking actors but it also famous for the korean food. You guessed it right, let’s look into some of the korean food that I found amusing while watching Korean dramas.

Kimchi is the popular side dish of Korea which is made of fermented cabbage, radish and other vegetables. You might have noticed this dish a lot in Korean dramas. Boys over Flowers, in which we could see Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) make this with Geum Jandi’s family and in large number of dramas. It could make a great side dish for ramen and some soju.

Kimchi



Gimbap (seaweed wrap), which looks like sushi roll but differs from it. As gimbap is made of rice mixture consists of sesame oil whereas sushi is made of rice mixture consists of vinegar. Gimbap is on the go food, we get it even in the conventional stores of korea and it is the picnic food. It is showed in lot of dramas like She was pretty and Pinocchio etc..

Ramen, you might have heard this word a lot. There is this slang in Korean dramas that goes like, “want to eat some ramen in my house?”, it has a different context than a literal meaning. Our concern is on food, so let’s look into it alone. Ramen means noodles, there are different kinds of noodles in Korean cuisine like cold noodles, meat broth based noodles etc., It shown in every other dramas. You might have noticed it in Boys Over Flowers and What’s wrong with Secretary Kim.

Korean fish cake (Odeng or Eomuk) are mostly seen in the streets of Korea. Skewered fish cakes are popular Korean street food. This is made of fish and vegetables deep fried in oil and then put in skewers with broth. In Weight Lifting Fairy Kim Book Joo, our Kim Book Joo eats this fish cake skewers a lot which really tempts us to taste it.

Fish cake



Tteok-bokki (spicy rice cakes) is also the most popular street food of Korea. This dish basically made of boiled rice cakes added in spicy sauce. In Vincenzo, there is one lady who have this Tteok-bokki shop, when Vincenzo tries to eat it got splattered all over him. It is seen in other dramas like Sweet Revenge 1 and even in Squid game. Sometimes it is too spicy, so people finds it hard to eat.

Korean BBQ and Korean fried chicken, have this distinct flavour than the normal BBQ and fried chicken. Korean BBQ contains meat, marinated meat, vegetables and noodles. Kim Book Joo gives us the rule to follow while eating Korean BBQ, and her father owned Korean fried chicken shop in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Book Joo. In addition to that, we could find Korean fried chicken in other dramas like Crash Landing On You and School 2017.

There other foods like Mandu (dumplings), Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), Miyeok-guk (seaweed soup), Korean bread toast, rolled eggs, soju and Makgeolli (rice wine) which grabbed our attention. Okay, I’ll stop making your mouth watery by all these food. Comment below your favourite Korean food that facinated you while watching Korean dramas.

NETFLIX

I couldn’t even tell you how much time I’ve spent watching Netflix.

Today everyone thinks of it as a video streaming service but I’m sure many of you remember that they actually started out by renting DVDs.

There were two people who started Netflix together, they were Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings. Before founding Netflix, they were working in the software industry in the Silicon valley.

In 1991, Reed Hastings was the co-founder and the partial owner of a company named pure software. Within five years, that same company became so big which made it involved in a near billion dollar merger to a company named Atria that further made a new company called Pure Atria.

Soon after that, they acquired a small start-up with only nine people in it and Mark Randolph was one of those people. He became the Head of the Marketing where he soon started working with Reed.

They became quite good friends as they used to live close together. After one year of that big merger, Rational software acquired Pure Atria. This transition led them to leave the company for the better. They had the money, experience and the time to think of a new business. They used to research on ideas for their new business in the big portion of the day.

They knew that internet community was growing at an excessive limit and will continue to grow in the future as well but they didn’t know what products to sell.

They were gravitated towards the ideas of movies but then they extract the exact potential of DVDs. For them, DVDs could bring them a profitable business. DVDs were released in early 1997 in United States and these two started testing them immediately.

They test these with CDs and the test went well. In April of 1998, they started NETFLIX. It is a startling fact that if DVDs would not have been released at that exact moment then Netflix was most likely would never been existed. So, starting of something can lead to the generation of something more marvellous phenomenon and only a starting push is required to do so.

When the service first started, they offered DVDs for a 7 days rental period. They procured more money by selling them rather than renting them.

In 1999, they completely stopped selling movies and it was kind of a bold move to cut off their main source of the revenue. For that year, their sales accounted for only 3%. They were getting sales due to lack of competition but once the competitions start their sales could have gone down. So, they came up with the idea of monthly subscriptions…

They called it as Marquee Program where some one can four rentals for $15.95 per month which also included shipping in it. In February, 2000, they extended their subscription to unlimited rentals at $19.95 per month with the limit of 4 at a time.

There were no due dates or late fees in Netflix which people hated in other rental shops. They always thought of a strategy for a long term. Basically, they were never concerned about making quick money. They wanted their product to be known for the better.

For their first five years, Netflix made about nil money and they sacrificed something to get much better in the further future.

Reed Hastings keep investing his money on Netflix for a long period of time. Even though the company was facing the losses, it had believers.

In 2002, they raised 82 million dollars through a public stock offering. Netflix went crazy with their marketing budget.  They would run advertisements all over the internet. They would run radio commercials, prints, mails and they even had the free trials to promote Netflix every place they could get into. Needless to say, all that hard work actually got paid off.

In 2004, they announced their partnership with TIVO saying that they would work together to develop an effective way of streaming movies over the internet. Everyone was excited about this. In reality, it was in 2007 when Netflix actually started its first streaming through their watch now service.

Today the streaming service make up of 98% of their total revenue and Netflix has become a leader of its own in the streaming of movies.

How to be successful in life?

There are 8 very simple rules that you can follow to become truly successful.

Be Passionate

And do what you for love. If you don’t love it, then why do it? If we build careers or continue in jobs that aren’t our passion, we’re selling ourselves short. It’s like the guy that is a tech consultant that wanted to be the lead singer of a band. I’ve written about love and careers before and I think that the takeaway here is that if you do what you want to do, you will be more creative, more motivated, more tuned-in, and much more likely to be very financially and personally prosperous. Katherine Hepburn said it best.

Work Hard

Don’t ever fool yourself success comes from really hard work. And you might find that although you’re doing all of the heavy liftings, there is satisfaction in a job well done. But remember that you need to rely on others, so make sure that you surround yourself with colleagues that share your same work ethic.

Be Good

Focus always proceeds success which is not possible without a clear emphasis on what matters most. And leaders constantly need to remind themselves of this vital truth. Focus requires the pursuit of a mission and vision.


Push the Limits

Don’t constrain yourself to think inside of the box and don’t allow fear to get in your way. Today, people expect more than ordinary so you need to be extraordinary to get noticed and build strong relationships with your target market. Whether you sell a product or service, you must deliver the utmost experience.

Focus

And by that, I mean damn good. Successful people strive for greatness, not mediocrity. So push yourself (and your team) to ensure that you’ve reached your ultimate potential. And be sure to celebrate your wins, that not only breeds confidence among your team, it will keep your colleagues engaged and also will keep your clients or customers enfranchised. If you haven’t read the book From Good to Great, grab a copy.

Serve

Customer service excellence has always been and will always be one of the critical competitive advantages for any business. Meeting your customer’s needs will help you build a very strong and memorable brand. Be responsive, listen, and observe then you will create value. Learn from mistakes in service.

Create Ideas

In addition to service: ingenuity, authenticity, and forward-thinking will ultimately drive your brand. Aspiration is part of the creative process.
You must always continue to innovate, especially in a competitive market space. Push the envelope when it comes to ideation.

Be Persistent

Business development and entrepreneurship should be built out of love and any great love requires passion and persistence to capture your dream. Although you will experience setbacks and failures, you will also find success and triumph.

Reference

https://ce.uci.edu/careerzot/8-simple-ways-successful-8-inspiring-leaders/

Nebulae

Nebula, a cloud of dust and gas inside a galaxy. If the gas glows, Nebulae become visible, or if the cloud reflects starlight or obscures light from more distant objects.

Nebula, the term refers exclusively to interstellar medium. All nebulae that appeared in the Milky way galaxy are forms of interstellar matter. Solid grains of cosmic dust accompanied with gas between the stars. Depending on the spatial situation, temperature and density of the material appearance differs.

Fairy uniform chemical composition that corresponds to the composition of universal atoms, 90 percent hydrogen, and remaining are nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, neon and other elements.

Nebulae are divided into two broad classes : Dark Nebulae and bright nebulae.

Dark Nebulae

Nebulae that appear with irregular shape of dark patches in the sky , known as dark Nebulae. Dark Nebulae are high in density and with cold molecular clouds. Edward Emerson Barnard , the American Astronomer was the first one who record dark nebulae systematically by using long exposure photography. Barnard categorised 370 dark nebulae all over the sky.

Dark Horse Nebula

From Earth’s perspective, dark horse nebula is a large dark nebula. It is also known as Great dark horse. Region of dark nebulae is dark horse that appear as silhouettes because they block out light from shining nebulae or stars behind them.

Bright Nebulae

Dense clouds of gas when compared to dark nebulae within the interstellar medium. Bright Nebulae also called as Galactic or diffuse nebulae. Several subclasses of bright nebulae are

  1. Reflection nebulae
  2. Planetary nebulae
  3. Supernova remnants

Reflection nebula :

It shines due to the reflection of nearby stars. It does not create its own light. Because of the dispersion of blue light efficiently than the red colour, reflection nebulae mostly appears in blue colour. It corresponds to the effect, responsible for the blue colour of the sky.

Planetary Nebula :

Planetary Nebula is the beautiful nebula in the universe. It consists plasma and glowing gas shell . A planetary nebula forms when a stellar core dies. Core of the low madd stars becomes a ” white dwarf ” and also called a ” degenerate dwarf ” and the outer envelope of the star is ejected and the ejected envelop expands away from the central star and creates the nebula. Elements such as oxygen, carbon, helium are present in the planetary nebula.

Supernova remnants :

A Supernova remnants (SNR) is born as the result of violent disruptions of stars and it consists ejected material of the stars. Major source of galactic cosmic rays is supernova remnants. Walter Baade and Fritz Zwicky, suggested the connection between cosmic rays and supernovas.

Nebulae play s crucial role in the chemical evolution of the galaxy. Studying Nebulae helps to understand how a star evolves during its lifetime.

Guide to Korean Dramas


Dalgona candy, red light blue light, glass bridge, marbles have become the talk of the town, no not just town, but the whole world recently, after the epic success of Squid game. If you are a movie buff or someone who is interested in good movies and series, you should invest some time in Korean dramas. As it has lot of content in it which was unknown before but now it is on limelight, thanks to squid game. You may be a diehard fan of kdramas or you may be a rookie, don’t worry this article is for you.

What is korean dramas without Rom-Coms about school life. Let me recommend you some of the best school based kdramas of all time. First, School 2013, School 2015, School 2017 and School 2021. No they are not anthologies, each drama has different story line which will amuse you. There are other notable school dramas like Boys Over Flowers, The Heirs, True Beauty, Reply 1988, Sweet Revenge 1, Sweet Revenge 2, Love so Beautiful and Sky Castle which have covered real problems like bullying, high school pressure, class differences etc…

Then comes the fantasy, Korean dramas consists of a wide range of fantasy stories and they all make a great hit as well. For example, Goblin, Hotel Del Luna and My love from the star are the proclaimed fantasy dramas. If you love fantasy mixed with reality, then kdrams will entertain you a lot. Other dramas like Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Tale of the nine tailed, my roomate is a Gomiho, Korean Oddessy, King Eternal Monarch, Between the Worlds or W, Doom at your service, Bride of the water god and Angel’s last mission love etc…



There is a stereo type prevailed that korean dramas are just Rom-com but there are violent and action dramas are there in it too. For example, Vincenzo, the story of a mafia which contains a lot of action in it. There are Psychopath dramas like Stranger from hell, Mouse trap, Blood, Penthouse 1 and 2 and It’s okay to be not okay which are disturbing to watch. Squid game is the best one which broke that stereo type.

Historical dramas are fun to watch too. It helps us to know the history, tradition and culture of Korea. If you like history genre, you can try watching, Hwarang (people watch this just because of V from BTS is starred in it), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Tale of Nokdu and River where the moon rises etc..

There are some professional based kdramas like Pinocchio which depicts the politics in media and journalism. Sports based drama like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Book Joo and Fight for my way. Army based dramas like Crash Landing on You and Descendents of the Sun are fabulous to watch. Doctor playlist 1&2, doctor which is based on medical field. Itewon Class and Start-up depicts entrepreneurship. Secret life of my Secretary, What’s wrong with Secretary Kim, Her Secret life shows about corporate company. And some extreme comedy dramas like Laughter in Waikiki 1 & 2 and Mr.Queen are there too.



Hometown Cha Cha, Yumi Cells, Happiness, Beloved Summer and Silent Sea are some of the recently released and ongoing kdrams. These are the list of Korean dramas of different genres. What is your stand on Korean dramas? Do you like them? If so, what’s your favourite kdrama?

Women penned by women


Ever wonder why fictional women are always someone who looks beautiful, whose sole work is to attract men and always the one who aids men, it’s because most of those character are written by men. But we could see a lot of difference in women characters if it is created by a women. This is what gyno criticism concerned about, the search of essential difference in women’s writing. But let’s not get deep into it, in this article we generally view some of the great women characters created by women writers.



One of the classic women writers is Jane Austen. Emma is the novel written by her. In this novel, the protagonist is a woman. The titular character Emma Woodhouse is the young woman who in need of doing something starts a matchmaking service to find partners for her friends. Though it went not well at the beginning, she understands a lot about love and marriage. From analysing Emma, we could understand how Jane Austen created Emma as an aspiring young woman who wants to do something in her life and as the person who learn from her mistakes.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is again a classic novel of 19th century. Jane is the orphan who lived in her aunt’s house. From her abusive aunt Reed, her strict Lowood school to her mysterious lover Rochester, everything in her life was miserable. But with her stern heart she faced everything bravely. She wanted to live independently that’s why she became a governess. Her love life was not a peaceful one, but she find what is right for her. Bronte had written Jane as a woman who is strong enough to change the fate of her unhappy life.

Little women by Louisa May Alcott, which is undoubtedly the masterpiece. The full novel is about a set of sisters and their journey from childhood to adulthood. Each character from this story is effective and important. But our concern is on Jo March and Amy March. Jo is the wannabe writer in this story, in the course of story, her writing career is discussed and how she finds her path in her career as well as in her love life. Then Amy, she is an artist with great skills, from being a mischievous girl, she becomes a respectable woman. These two women in the story are the women of today’s world. Alcott prophetically created these two characters in her story back in 1868.

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, one could never surpass the greatness of this novel. It is one of the greatest fantasy novels ever made. Though this novel is about Harry, there are prominent women characters who awed the readers. First, Hermione Granger, the girl of golden trio, she is the brain behind the success of Harry. She helped him whenever he is lost. Apart from that, she is ambitious, witty and powerful. Then Harry’s mother, Lily Potter who bravely fought Voldemort to save his son. There are lots of women characters like Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Molly Weasley and Professor Mcgonagall etc…

These are the women characters that I love which were created by women writers. They are timeless and eternal in the history of literature who are different from the stereotypical women characters. Who is your favourite women writer? Tell me in the comments.

Distance learning and its usefulness

what is distance learning?

Distance learning can truly be defined as the way of getting an education without visiting a school or attending a class physically.

Adaptability and Freedom

One of the main advantages of distance learning can be the personalized approach to getting an education regardless of the channels or mediums you are using for this purpose. Whether you are getting study materials online or through posts you can learn only when a connection is developed between the material of the course and you. You get the freedom to deal with the study material in the distance learning process. You can plan your learning process at your convenience instead of sticking with a fixed schedule.

Self-inspiration

Distance learning encourages you to motivate yourself to learn due to the absence of a traditional teacher to guide you. You will have to create a learning environment and control it effectively so that a band of self-motivation develops in you to inspire you to learn for your personal growth. You can cultivate this band in you by engaging yourself in distance learning methods.

Flexibility to Choose

You will have to follow a set schedule of learning as per the curriculum of the school if you are following traditional ways of learning. But different types of distance learning allows you to set your learning schedule as per your convenience without following a regular schedule of learning. Even if you are out of touch with the learning process, a distance learning program offers you the flexibility to choose your course of learning.

Easy to Access

If you cannot attend regular classes due to various reasons like time constraints and distance etc. then distance learning can be the best option for you to access the benefits of your education. If you opt for a correspondence course for distance learning then you will have to make postal delivery as a connection between you and your distance learning centre. But if you have a computer and internet connection then you can opt for an online learning method by using some video conferencing software like ezTalks Cloud Meeting etc. It will allow you to interact with your teachers face-to-face to resolve your problems. Moreover, you can continue learning even without taking leave from your job.

Earn While You Learn

For those who want to improve their resume by getting a higher education and without breaking their existing job then distance learning can be the best option for them. You can go on earning your livelihood along with improving your qualification as distance learning will accommodate both, learning as well as earning.

Saves Money and Time Both

By joining a distance learning course you can save money and time spent travelling to a nearby educational institution. Distance learning allows you to access your learning centre online without any additional cost. Moreover, the course offered at distance learning centres is cheaper than the courses provided at traditional education centres.

Virtual Trips

Another important advantage for distance learning is to plan virtual trips if your budget does not allow you to go on trips from an actual school. Video conferencing allows the students of distance learning courses to visit the location important for them and experience the enjoyment even better than an actual trip. These virtual trips allow you to visit locations that you might have never thought of. Moreover, such trips can enable your teachers or lecturers to make your ordinary lessons more interesting than ever.

Reference

https://eztalks.com/elearning/benefits-of-distance-learning.html

Is Homework Good or Bad for students?

Why Homework Is Good

Here are 10 reasons why homework is good, especially for the sciences, such as chemistry:

  • Doing homework teaches you how to learn on your own and work independently. You’ll learn how to use resources such as texts, libraries, and the internet. No matter how well you thought you understood the material in class, there will be times when you’ll get stuck doing homework. When you face the challenge, you learn how to get help, how to deal with frustration, and how to persevere.
  • Homework helps you learn beyond the scope of the class. Example problems from teachers and textbooks show you how to do an assignment. The acid test is seeing whether you truly understand the material and can do the work on your own. In science classes, homework problems are critically important. You see concepts in a whole new light, so you’ll know how equations work in general, not just how they work for a particular example. In chemistry, physics, and math, homework is truly important and not just busywork.
  • It shows you what the teacher thinks is important to learn, so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect on a quiz or test.
  • It’s often a significant part of your grade. If you don’t do it, it could cost you, no matter how well you do on exams.
  • Homework is a good opportunity to connect parents, classmates, and siblings with your education. The better your support network, the more likely you are to succeed in class.
  • Homework, however tedious it might be, teaches responsibility and accountability. For some classes, homework is an essential part of learning the subject matter.
  • Homework nips procrastination in the bud. One reason teachers give homework and attach a big part of your grade to it is to motivate you to keep up. If you fall behind, you could fail.
  • How will you get all your work done before class? Homework teaches you time management and how to prioritize tasks.
  • Homework reinforces the concepts taught in class. The more you work with them, the more likely you are to learn them.
  • Homework can help boost self-esteem. Or, if it’s not going well, it helps you identify problems before they get out of control.
Sometimes Homework Is Bad

So, homework is good because it can boost your grades, help you learn the material, and prepare you for tests. It’s not always beneficial, however. Sometimes homework hurts more than it helps. Here are five ways homework can be bad:

  • You need a break from a subject so you don’t burn out or lose interest. Taking a break helps you learn.
  • Too much homework can lead to copying and cheating.
  • Homework that is pointless busywork can lead to a negative impression of a subject (not to mention a teacher).
  • It takes time away from families, friends, jobs, and other ways to spend your time.
  • Homework can hurt your grades. It forces you to make time management decisions, sometimes putting you in a no-win situation. Do you take the time to do the homework or spend it studying concepts or doing work for another subject? If you don’t have the time for the homework, you could hurt your grades even if you ace the tests and understand the subject.
Reference

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-homework-is-good-sometimes-bad-607848

Shakeapearean women


What’s important for a story to last long? You may think plot and action, but the most prominent and efficient thing in a story is character. We may forget the plot, setting and action of a story but we never forget the character. Shakespeare, the most important figure in English literature was not just capable of making great plays but of creating timeless characters. His characters like Romeo and Juliet is still stands as an epitome of love. But what we are going to look upon is Shakespeare’s women character. He showed women in a different perspective even in sixteenth century.

Shakeapearean women

Portia from Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare designed her as a driving force for the action of play. To woo Portia, Bassanio went to Antonio for help, which made Antanio to get money from Shylock. But the real weightage of Portia’s character is revealed when she wins the case of Antonio and Shylock by arguing intelligently in the court. She is the example of Shakespearean witty women character.

Roselind from As You Like It, she is a courageous women who left the palace to find her love Orlando. She disguised herself and went to the forest. She even tests Orlando of his love towards her. She is an example of courageous Shakeapearean women character.

Desdimona from Othello is the meek women who died just because of her husbanb’s suspicious thoughts. She didn’t do any wrong, but accused of love affair and at last killed because of misunderstanding. She comes under the meek women characters of Shakespeare.

Goneril and Regan from King Lear are the evil and manipulating women. They are the reason for the downfall of King Lear and the death of their sister Cordelia. Cleopatra from Antony and Cleopatra also the awe-inspiring women who manipulates the great emperors like Julius Caesar and Antony and shattered the great Rome empire. One should not present the positive side alone but also the negative side, which might be the reason why Shakespeare created this manipulating and evil women characters.

To phrase it nice, we could name Shakespeare as the lowkey feminist. He created such women character to explain that women are capable of everthing, they are witty and intelligent and they are full of knowledge. What is your favourite women character of Shakespeare? Let me know in the comments.

Right to Education

By – Supriya

The Right to Education is a fundamental right and is accepted the same legal status as the right to life as provided by Article 21A of the Indian Constitution . The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act,2009 is ” An act to provide for free and Compulsory Education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years”. The right of children to free and compulsory education came into force from April 1,2010. According to the act, every child in the age group of 6-14 years will be provided 8 years of elementary education in an age appropriate classroom in the vicinity of his/ her neighbourhood. According to the act , any cost that prevents a child from accessing school will be borne by the state which shall have the responsibility of enrolling the child as well as ensuring completion of 8 years of schooling. No child shall be denied admission for want of documents ; or shall be turned away if the admission cycle in the school is over and no child shall be asked to take an admission test. Section 2(o) along with section 13(2)(b) prohibits any of these screening procedures and calls for only random procedures to be used for admitting a child to school. This prohibition would apply to all schools , private or even Navodaya schools . The act restricts schools to claim special category status because it indulges in screening procedures at the elementary level. Moreover, if the number of children applying to a school exceeds the available seats, an open lottery system shall be used to fill the seats. This applies to all categories of schools. Children with disabilities will also be educated in the mainstream schools. Section (10) of the Act makes it the duty of the parents to ensure that their children go to schools, without prescribing any punishment . Special provisions are laid for children not admitted to or who have not completed elementary education; a child so admitted to elementary education will be entitled to completion of elementary education even after fourteen years. However, the implementation of the act will be arduous one as the promise to ensure education for all the children between 6 and 14 , would mean educating a whopping 22 crore children ,out of which nearly 1.1 crore are out of school. For child labour and Street children, the government would have to ensure that they are not compelled to work and provide schools for them, along with residential facilities to provide them with an appropriate environment to enable them to continue their education. This means parents and communities who traditionally forbid their adolescent girls from going to school , or indulge in child marriage would have to be persuaded , or the child marriages act would need to be invoked against them.
On the basis of the Act, no school , governmental or private , can detain , fail or expel any child at the elementary stage. On April 7,2010 , the Delhi High Court gave a verdict against St. Xavier’s School , Delhi , which had to take back all the children they had declared failed and expelled from the school. Moreover, all private schools shall be required to enroll children from weaker sections and disadvantaged communities in their class to the extent of 25% of their enrollment , by simple random selection. While no seats in this quota can be left vacant , these children will be treated on par with all the other children in the school and would be subsidized by the state at the rate of average per learner costs in the government schools. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been mandated to monitor the implementation of this right. As per Model Rule 25, The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) shall set up child helplines , accessible by SMS , telephone and letter for receiving and registering complaints . NCPCR also welcomes the formal notification of this Act and looks forward to playing an active role in ensuring its successful implementation. NCPCR is also expected to carry forward its initiatives of linking and networking with civil society organisations for monitoring , appointing state commissioner for the enforcement of the Act, networking with other Commission like Human Rights , Women and Minorities ,to set up helplines and set up a separate division for enforcing the Right to Education. It is important for the country to nurture their children and young talent with the right education, so that India emerges as a strong and prosperous country.

THANKYOU !

A Fairy- Tale Wedding of Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal

Bollywood’ newest couple have dismayed and surprised the globe within the most pleasant way. we tend to are talking regarding none nevertheless the attractive couple – Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, who have world discussing the wedding ceremony and windstorm romance. The duo tied the knot on Thursday amid tight security and surveillance in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan and no prizes for guess they created the foremost royal couple. however, a glance at the images and that we can’t deny Mesmerizing Katrina looked on her wedding day, therefore here is everything you would like to grasp about her near-perfect wedding look. Vicky kaushal and Katrina kaif are now husband and wife. They got married in an intimate ceremony at the Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan on Thursday. While the first pictures of them as newlyweds were shared online by the couple on their Instagram accounts.

             Until now, Vicky and Katrina were secretive about their relationship. During an appearance on Koffee with Karan in 2018, she said they ‘might look nice together’ on screen. When Vicky was told about Katrina’s comment during his episode, he pretended to faint.

            Vicky and Katrina reportedly began dating in 2019. While they did not admit to being in a relationship, they attended parties together and even went away on romantic getaways.

Here’s a look at fairy tale wedding of Katrina and Vicky Kaushal:

1.The Wedding Venue: Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan:

Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan is wonderful and spectacular destination wedding location for Katrina and Vicky’s wedding.A beautiful 14th-century fort sensitively regenerates to become a Six Senses sanctuary of well-being. Originally closely-held by a Rajasthani Royal Family, it faces the Chauth Ka Barwara Mandir temple. the numerous conservation effort incorporates 2 palaces and two temples among the walled fort.

                The historic fort has been sensitively preserved and converted, and enjoys a sensational view of the lake and temple. The landscaping integrates purely endemic plants and water features.

2. wedding outfits:

The bride Katrina Kaif wears a classic Sabyasachi red bridal lehenga in handwoven matka silk with fine tilla work and meticulously embroidered revival zardozi borders in velvet. In homage to the groom’s Punjabi roots, her veil is custom-trimmed with handmade kiran in hand-beaten silver electroplated in gold.

              The groom Vicky Kaushal wears an ivory silk sherwani with intricate marori embroidery and iconic Sabyasachi handcrafted gold plated Bengal Tiger buttons, with a silk kurta and churidar. The shawl is a tussar georgette with a zari marori embroidered pallu and borders.

3. Wedding Jewelry:

Katrina’s   lehenga is paired with bespoke bridal jewellery of uncut diamonds in 22k gold detailed with hand strung pearls from Sabyasachi Heritage Jewellery.

         Vicky’s wore a gold Benarasi silk tissue safa is paired with a handcrafted kilangi and statement necklace studded in emeralds, brilliant cut and rose cut diamonds, quartz and tourmalines in 18k gold from Sabyasachi Heritage Jewellery.

4. The kaleeras:

Katrina wore Multiple layer of Kaleeras keeping the tradition alive.
Smaller tasseled Kaleeras along with Pretty gold & Red tasseled long Kaleeras exclusively designed by  raabtabyrahul. Keeping gold as the main element, Kaleeras were sketched & curated with handmade tassels/Balls gold beads with multiple chattar handcrafted in gold & Red enamelled.

5. The choodas:

The kaleeras were done both by Rahul Luthra and Mrinalini Chandra. Mrinalini offered handmade messenger doves for her custom kaleeras, while Rahul gave her kaleeras with red detailing.

6. The Engagement rings:

Katrina’s engagement ring is from the legendary Tiffany’s. It’s a sapphire and diamond ring reminiscent of one worn by Late Princess of Wales, Diana. We are just in love with this blue sapphire ring on her finger. The ring is in platinum with a cushion-cut tanzanite and a double row of round brilliant diamonds. The ring costs close to ₹7.5 lakhs.

7. Sojat Mehendi:

Katrina’s Sojat mehendi, which was sourced from Rajasthan looked beautiful on her hands as she exchanged the garland with Vicky Kaushal.

8. Mangalsutra:

Katrina’s mangalsutra. It’s a version of Sabyasachi’s Bengal Tiger Mangalsutra.

9.Wedding invites:

The wedding invitation looks beautiful with pink and cream color combination that the couple has reportedly sent out to their 120 guests. The wedding invitation has floral borders and Vicky and Katrina’s names printed in gold in the center. 

10. The Mehendi Ceremony:

For the mehendi ceremony, Katrina Kaif wears a multi-colored matka silk lehenga with a patchwork blouse and an embroidered tulle dupatta inspired by Sabyasachi’s graduation collection Kashgaar Bazaar.
The lehenga is paired with eclectic Navratan inspired jewellery that pays homage to the celestial gems in emeralds, uncut diamonds, multi-coloured sapphires, pearls, spinels, tourmalines and rubies in 18k gold from Sabyasachi Heritage Jewellery.

                     Vicky Kaushal wears an embroidered raw silk bandhgala jacket with coromandel chintz prints, a mint silk kurta with embroidered butis and a Bangalore silk ivory salwar.

11. The Haldi ceremony:

In the pictures, both Vicky and Katrina are having a gala time with their family and friends. In one picture, Katrina is applying Haldi on Vicky and the picture definitely made us go aww.

            For the Haldi ceremony, Katrina Kaif wears a Sabyasachi ivory organdy lehenga with gota and tilla embroidery, and an organza dupatta in gota and marori embroidery, trimmed with kiran.

           Vicky Kaushal wears a Sabyasachi embroidered khadi kurta and salwar.

12. Pre- wedding festivities:

We are in love with Katrina Kaif’s look from her pre-wedding festivities. This look is her tribute to her British heritage. According to the designer Sabyasachi as well as the stylist Anaita Shroff Adjania, the silhouette of the outfit represented a whitw wedding gown. Sabyasachi Mukherjee gave the details of the outfits. He wrote, “Katrina Kaif pays tribute to her mother’s British heritage during the pre-wedding festivities. Sabyasachi conceptualised and created a vintage-inspired couture sari with a trailing veil. Silhouetted like a white wedding gown, the pastel tulle sari is embellished with hand-cut English flowers, embroidered by craftswomen from Bengal and liberally sprinkled with semi-precious gems and crystals. The ensemble took 40 artisans over 1800 hours to handcraft.”

                  The jewellery was also by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. “The sari is paired with a statement uncut diamond choker detailed with opals and pale Russian emeralds, with matching earrings from Sabyasachi Heritage Jewellery,” he wrote.

13. Traditional Matha Patti And Nath:

Katrina took the traditional route as she wore an exquisite dual matha patti on her head along with a nath. Both of these elements are considered to be a part of Hindi customs. A nath is worn by the brides in order to honour Devi parvati, the Hindu goddess of marriage.

14. Katrina’s sisters as Bridesmaid’s:

While Katrina dressed up in an traditional red bridal lehenga   by Sabyasachi, her sisters opted for pale pink lehengas. The pastel hue made for a wonderful contrast with Katrina’s vivid red. Her sisters can be seen holding the phoolon ki chaadar over Katrina’s head as she walks towards the mandap.

#vickatwedding

#katrina kaif

#vicky Kaushal

#weddingoftheyear

Tips to get more marks in exams!

Just knowing the answers to the questions isn’t enough. Most of the time, it matters how you present your answer sheet. The person who will check your paper probably has about 50 – 100 other papers to go through. And that is a tedious job.

So, if he opens your answer sheet and finds all sorts of gibberish in there, well, you better be making sense. On the other hand, with neat paper, the checker might just go easy. So here are some tips on how to present your answers in a theory paper:

Starting with the topics you remember well

Start by answering those questions you can answer properly. The sequence of answering doesn’t matter as long as you write the correct question number to the answer. This way you will not only boost your confidence but also the person who checks your paper will get a good impression.

Draw diagrams wherever required

This will help you form your answers better and make your answer sheet more interesting. Teachers recommend drawing diagrams, especially in subjects like biology. Draw them neatly, label whatever is supposed to, and use a pencil(and preferably a scale) to draw.

Write answers in point form

Do not go on writing paragraphs after paragraphs after paragraphs. No one is going to sit and read every word of it. It’s always better to write the main point and elaborate it in minimum sentences. Underline the keywords in every answer. In the case of numerical- write the formulas used, show the final answer and always write the units wherever required.

Write as neatly as you can

Everyone appreciates good handwriting. So try to be neat. But, don’t let that slow down your speed.

Select the questions carefully

In case you have an option between which questions to solve. Once you get your question paper, spend the first five minutes analysing the questions. Don’t freak out after seeing the questions. Read the questions carefully and try to recall the answer points. You can write down the points in short at the back of your answer sheet (to help you recall later on). Select the questions that you are confident about and try to stick to them. You might not make the right choice later during the exam.

Recheck your paper at the end

Try reserving the last 10 minutes of your exam for rechecking your paper. You can come across silly errors that might’ve cost you your marks or there might be an instance where you forgot to write a particular answer. So, it’s always safe to go through your paper before submitting it.

REference

https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-write-answers-in-exams/answer/Ritija?ch=15&oid=173888791&share=a91c3689&srid=RDpYR&target_type=answer

Infrastructure Development in India

By – Supriya

India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and is witnessing growth , particularly in manufacturing and service sector. Therefore, to realise the full potential of the growth impulses surging in the economy , the provision of quality and efficient infrastructure services is essential. India ‘ s infrastructure includes performance and connectivity of basic systems and services such as roadways, railways , ports, airports and telecom. Over years, India’s soft infrastructure has grown much faster than the hard infrastructure. Today, the Indian telecommunication industry is the world’s fastest growing industry with 826.93 million mobile phone subscribers , as of April 2011. The market’s first operator was the state – owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) , but liberalisation led to the entry of private players such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices , Idea Cellular and Aircel. A large population , low telephony penetration levels , and a rise in consumer spending power have helped make India the fastest – growing telecom market in the world, and rural India is further expected to increase the growth in mobile phone services in the next four years. In comparison, performance of physical infrastructure in Indian economy has been mixed and uneven. Presently, India maintains one of the world ‘ s largest rail systems , with 18 million daily passengers, a staff of 1.4 million employees and 17,000 trains operating on 64000 kilometres of track. The railways traverse the length and breadth of the country and carry over 30 million passengers and 2.8 million tons of freight daily. India also has a far – reaching road network of over 3.314 million kilometres ,yet in comparison to telecom, performances of these sectors have been inadequate , especially when counted in terms of the country ‘ s surface area or population . While the world’s telecom market grew at a faster pace, the growth in country’s physical infrastructure like roads and railways has been comparatively slower.
For faster development of infrastructure in the country, in 2010-11 General Budget , infrastructure sector has received much priority . Special emphasis has been laid on the development of rural infrastructure development that has been allotted ₹61000 crore, while urban infrastructure development has been allocated ₹5400 crore. Allocation for road infrastructure has also been ₹ 19894 crore and a total of ₹ 48000 crore has been kept aside for Bharat Nirman. To fulfill the significant deficit in the availability of physical infrastructure across different sectors which are hindering economic development, the government is encouraging private participation in the expansion of critical infrastructure and public – private partnership to improve the viability of infrastructure projects. Since infrastructure financing have to fall back on long – term contractual savings, the government has decided to put into effect the financing of infrastructure projects through the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) . To support this, the World Bank has lent a record $ 9.2 billion to India in 2010 , to help finance public – private partnership in infrastructure , especially in the roads , power and ports sector. A critical problem facing India’s economy is the sharp and growing regional variations and poor infrastructure in low- income states such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. The Bank has also financed rural credit cooperatives to fund the development of infrastructure in the backwards regions of the country.

THANKYOU !

Digital vs Handwritten Notes

An important process in studying and learning is note-taking. Almost every student does it, and it is a practical requirement to pass a class. With the large amounts of information presented in each course, note-taking helps in encoding the information and thus makes it easier to remember. It also produces study materials to refer to later for exams and projects.

TYping (computer)

Typing is a fast and easy way to take the information presented in lectures and textbooks and consolidate them for reference later. But, due to its fast nature, this method leads to the least amount of information retained and will require you to study more later.

The organization is customizable

Limitless folders can be created almost instantly so sorting is as easy as ever. Tags can be applied to files for easy access, sorting, and searching. Each file has a name so it is clear what that file is, and those names can always be changed.

Easy to share

Rather than copying or scanning notes, computers have simple share screens to instantly share with anyone. People can collaborate on the same document like in Google Docs, or files can be emailed and/or texted quickly.

Typing is the fastest

Writing can be time-consuming, especially in a fast lecture. Typing takes the least amount of time so more information can be put on the page and reviewed later.

Import lecture slides

If someone does not want to type out all the information a professor teaches, importing lecture slides is very easy and can be stored on the device.

Backups

Although it is less likely anything bad will happen to a computer since it is more valuable than a notebook, computers can backup manually (or automatically) so that your notes are safe.

Digitally Handwritten (Tablet)

The tablet (and other devices that allow digital handwriting) is a happy medium that has both benefits of the computer and those of paper notes. Sharing and customization are easy and handwriting yields greater retention while the size makes tablets as portable as notebooks.

Portable

Not only is a tablet the size of a notebook (or smaller), but it also takes the place of all of them. All your subjects can be stored on a single device.

Simple and extensive editing capabilities

Handwriting allows you to write anywhere on a sheet and not be restricted by margins or spacing and there are a variety of pen sizes and colours to use. Photos and other elements can be placed anywhere on a page and text wrapping is not a concern. If you want your handwriting to be turned into text, many apps offer that ability.

The organization is customizable

Tablets, and other such devices, offer the same organization options (and sometimes more) as computers.

Easy to share

Sharing is just as easy as with computers.

High retention

Since you are handwriting the notes on the device, there is higher retention and mental processing of the information. This yield to better acquisition of the information and less need for studying later.

Import lecture slides

Storing lecture slides is just as easy and the same as with computers.

Backups

All your notes can be stored on the device or in the cloud. Same as computers.

Paper notes


The standard modality that college students have used for centuries. Paper notes are the most accessible way to take notes. Cheaper than the other two methods, many people utilize paper notes to record information for courses.

Natural feel

Paper is what we all write on. Many aspects of our lives include writing by hand on paper.

Portable

Notebooks are easy to carry and transport. Just so long as there are not too many.

Flexible

There are no restrictions. A page is very flexible in that you can write anywhere on it.

Cheap

Unlike the other options, notebooks can cost only a few dollars or less and pencils/pens are very cheap as well. This is a great option if you do not want to break the bank.

Highest retention

Since you must be very aware of what content you are writing down as well as that erasing is not as easy on say a tablet, there is higher retention of the materials compared to the other modalities discussed.

No distractions

Computers and tablets have notifications and if someone texts you or you get emails on the device, or your favourite game sends an enticing notification to try and get you to play again can cause distractions. This disrupts your flow of learning and breaks your focus. Do Not Disturb is an option, but for a true distraction, a free distraction-free is the best option.

Reference

https://guts.wisc.edu/2020/11/19/pros-and-cons-of-typed-digitally-handwritten-and-paper-notes/

Let It Snow: A Book Review

A contented sigh. That’s it. That is what this beautifully woven book is. And so so much more at the same time. A warm, cozy, funny, bright, and snug tale, Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle will spread the Christmas magic whenever you’re reading it. And I am NOT kidding about the warmness, it’s extreme. I mean, I couldn’t hide a smile away from my face while reading this beautiful tale, or tales may I add (there are 3, each by one author)

Set in the frosty ground of Gracetown, This story is about not just one but many interesting persons. Though the fun begins when we discover that these stories are interrelated, deeply. After all, what is it but a small tiny town, lumped with snow, and ice streams?

The first story, The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson is impeccably warm and sets the tone for the book ahead. It is a story about a girl named Jubilee. Yeah. Let that sink in. So, Jubilee is, like her name, unique, quirky, and fun. For the most part at least. As Christmas approaches, she faces a series of chronicles and perils that completely change her life. Mind it, in just one day. It is super adventurous and crazy. You would love it as soon as you read it. Also, the thing about Johnson is that she writes with relativity to her readers, so that they feel connected to the character and grow more interested in the book as the story goes. I have to say, she has done a significant job at that. I could totally relate to her, the sarcasm, the unique interpretations of things we see in everyday life(like where you can read about wherever the cat sits, we’ll build a house(understood only when the book is read)).

The next story is A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green. It lets us in Tobin’s life. A simple guy with a clever mind and succint but explanatory way of speech. He has two friends, the duke(who is actually a girl) and a Korean mate who is obsessed with the word “asshat” , JP. There monotonous life watching james bond movies gets a turning point with a call, It’s Kuen, another of the only 2 Korean guys in Gracetown. Who also works at the nearby waffle house. There is some engrossing news which makes them scurry into a frenzy. And then, as any other mushy, happy and warm holiday book, there life changes. John Green, as always, puts his charm into the book, with his use of everyday lingo, he makes the story light, fun and merry, just like a Christmas should be.

The last one is The Patron Saint Of Pigs by Lauren Myracle. In this story, we witness the life of Addie, a girl with serious emotional problems, but still cheery and fun. A barista, Her aura is full of drama and chaos, but she gets through it sailing. Though we see her a lot on the verge of emotional and mental breakdowns, her friends, Tegan and Dorrie are always by her side. Not throwing any major spoilers, I can’t resist to say that this story is touching, hilarious and absolutely breathtaking. Lauren Myracle has moulded a marvellous creation by writing this.

Christmas is a state of mind.

-Mayzie

Harnessing the Youth Power

By – Supriya

The greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its youth. The future of a nation lies in the hands of its posterity . The quality of its youth determines the kind of future the nation will have . Therefore, if we want to ensure a bright future for our country, we first need to strengthen and empower our youth. The youth of any nation and society are its potential energy. They are the powerhouse and storehouse of infinite energy. They are the ones who are the pride of the nation. It is the youth which bring laurels to their country . These are only a few examples of all the sung and unsung heroes and heroines who have left their imprints on the sands of time and have led our country forward. In fact, we owe our present to the youth of the previous generation who forsook their everything , even their lives for the freedom of their motherhood. Who can forget the great sacrifices of Rajguru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Mangal Pandey etc who surrendered everything for their country.
Youth make up about 34% of the total population of the country. This 34% constitutes the country’s future. If we can harness this powerhouse of the nation in the right direction, then the country can reach untold heights. All we need is to direct the energy of our youth in constructive channels that lead to development and progress. The creative potential of the younger generation coupled with their zeal, enthusiasm , energy and versatility can work wonders for the country. We need to empower our youth so that they can make a better tomorrow. The best and the first and foremost way to strengthen our youth is to provide them education. Not just any kind of education , but the right kind of education which makes them scientific , logical , open – minded , self respecting, responsible , honest and pathetic . Without these virtues being developed, our youth cannot walk in the desired way and they will remain in a deep slumber of complacency. Unless harnessed and tapped in the right way, this very energy of the youth can tip over the other side and become destructive and dangerous for the society; crime is on high and violence is increasing in today’s time. If we look at the data, we realise that our youth is losing touch with a sense of right and wrong or good and bad.
This is because , as a nation , we have failed in our duty to capture their energy and mould it in the right direction. Due to increasing unemployment , we have been unable to keep our youth busy in constructive works. We fail to help them realise their dreams and hence they get lost and go in the wrong direction , as the saying goes ” An empty mind is the devil’ s workshop”. We have failed to give them the right kind of opportunities . Look at our own youth settled overseas – they are working wonders there. Why can’t they do it here, in their own country? The answer lies in the lack of opportunities , which they find in plenty in other countries. The loss is completely ours. An entire nation will, in a few years be empty of its posterity due to this increasing tendency to go abroad and get settled – called the Brain Drain of the country. It is high time we prevent our youth from leaving the country or giving into violence and terrorism by providing them better options ,by strengthening and empowering them. Let us focus on constructively using the power of the youth for the betterment of the nation. Let us frame such policies which aim at empowering our youth so that we can be assured of a better future and a brighter tomorrow.

THANKYOU !

Reservation Issue

By – Supriya

The concept of reservation was enshrined in the Constitution to allow the so – called deprived classes to come at par with the so – called privileged ones. The Constitution of India allows this kind of positive discrimination in order to bring about equality of opportunity and status to the underprivileged in the society. The founding fathers had never intended Reservation to be a temporary phenomenon. Reservations to the underprivileged were to be extended until they were uplifted socially and stabilized economically . Reservations, with the view of helping the deprived classes to gain a better footing and avail equal benefits of an independent and free nation, was introduced in the system. Yet, the various governments till now have failed to truly uplift the backward sections of the society and failed to provide them with equal opportunities even after 64 years of independence. Freedom and application of a reservation policy, has changed nothing. In reality, reservation has failed at all fronts. Not only has it failed to achieve the desired aim of bringing the non – privileged classes into mainstream , it has marginalized them all the more and deepened the caste system even more. Moreover, reservations is now used not as an effective means of eliminating discrimination but as a vile instruments for increasing vote – bank. The 93 Rd amendment and the recent declaration of the government for reservation in institutions of higher education has once again stirred the anger of the youth in general all over the country. The moral ground in favour of reservations still holds good. What is needed is to formulate a well – balanced policy of reservation, which opens equal doors of opportunity to all . Development of one section of the society should not be at the cost of the other section. Development of the society can be possible only if all the sections of the society are given equal opportunities. Opportunity for development should be judiciously distributed among all the sections of society. Development should not be an exclusive commodity of a privileged section of the society. Opportunity in education , jobs and other fields of life should be equally distributed.
If one takes a look at the issue objectively one will realise that the intention behind reservations is not faulty at all but it is the implementation and the application of it that has proved ineffective . The way reservation has been implemented all these years has deepened and aggravated the caste distinctions in the society, marginalized the poor and the needy and has benefited only the topmost layer of the so – called Backward Classes. The benefit of reservation has failed to trickle down to the lowest section of the society. Moreover, it has killed the spirit of brotherhood and healthy competition , the desire to surge forward and to work hard. Reservations based on the narrow concept of caste is, thus, fundamentally wrong and hence has proved to be a failure. Thus, it is time to introspect ,by keeping aside the greed of political mileage , and thinking objectively about where things have gone wrong. It seems that nobody really cares about the welfare of the underdog but wants to gain a bit of the large chunk of political boost for the next elections. Reservation should not be forsaken because, in fact , every one wants that society should develop as a whole and everyone should reap the benefits of development . But reservations instead of being caste – based to meet the political needs of our power hungry politicians , should be based on a more acceptable criteria through which every section of the society is benefited. For instance, it can be based on economic status or anything else that can work truly for our society and state. We should take a lesson from the United States in this regard . It is the most market – oriented country in the world and has a policy of affirmative action. US universities and the government give preference to Black and Hispanic applicants in admission as well as jobs. Yet the US economy remains among the most competitive in the world. The trick lies in undertaking affirmative action by providing incentives rather than quota – based restrictions.We need to identify the ones who are really needy, downtrodden and underprivileged . Then ,we need to provide them with proper incentives such as education, opportunities and financial backing. After that real talent and hardwork should be awarded and accepted instead of blindly guaranteeing anyone a secure future merely on the basis of caste even though he/she is least deserving . Merit should be the criteria because the country needs the best of its people in order to develop and not those who are harnessing the unmerited and undeserved benefits just because they belong to a section of society which has been luckily marked in the Constitution as underdeveloped. It is so disheartening to see a well – deserving candidate with a promising future to lose out to another less deserving candidate because he happens to be from a reserved section of the society. Why should a deserving individual suffer only because he happens to be a part of the so – called privileged class of society – unfortunately or merely because of the faulty policy of the state? Instead of encouraging this kind of lethargy, the policy should be formulated in such a way as to harness the real cream of every section of the society regardless of their caste or commodity for the betterment of the society. In view of the present scenario, it is needed to keep aside the narrow vote bank politics and think truly of the betterment of the underprivileged and honestly pursue policies and programmes for their upliftment.

THANKYOU !

References

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Politics in the Name of Women’s Reservation. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X241262562

Tips to stop mobile addiction

Pause to think before picking up your phone

Every time you’re about to unlock your phone, take a moment to think about why you are doing this right now. Because sometimes the reasons for checking your phone are much deeper than you think.

Analyze how you use your phone and set limits

With iOS 12, Apple has introduced the Screen Time feature which shows how much time you spend on your phone, what apps you use the most, and how often do you pick up your device. To see the report, go to Settings > Screen Time. Android users can try digital wellbeing which works similarly.
If particular apps take too much of your time, you can set daily limits for them. When you reach a limit, your iPhone notifies you about it.

Get rid of distracting apps

Sometimes you just can’t resist tapping a colourful icon on the Home screen. This is usually the case for games and social media apps. How can one avoid this temptation? Move all addictive apps to the second page where it’s harder to open them spontaneously. You can also group such apps in folders like Games or Social so they’re always one extra tap away from you.

Minimize notifications

When a new app asks if it can send me notifications, I usually say, ”No.” I only turn on notifications for messaging apps and email. If your app has flexible notification options, it’s a good idea to play around with them.

Keep your phone away

It’s easier to forget about checking your phone when it’s physically out of sight and reaches.

Don’t use your phone before going to bed

Constantly checking your phone throughout the day ruins your productivity, while staring at the screen before bedtime can affect the quality of sleep.

Kick your device out of bed

Don’t let your phone be the last thing you see at night and the first thing you check in the morning. By using a regular alarm clock and charging your phone out of reach, you won’t be tempted to start your day by getting vortexed into an avalanche of messages and updates.

Use speaker

One of the most valuable things about smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo or Google’s Home products is that they help you live a more screen-free life.
Since I got one, I’ve stopped turning on music or podcasts on my phone and will try to answer all basic questions via voice. Generally, using my smart speaker for as many things as possible has kept my smartphone out of my hands for long periods.

TWITTER – THE ULTIMATE NEWS REPORTER

Twitter has become a new way to break the hot news everyday. Almost 83% of world leaders are on Twitter and it has become the method of disseminating the news. But the road of evolution of Twitter was not filled with all cherry blossoms.

It was filled with thorns of controversy and scandals. You can undoubtedly find more about Evan Williams, Biz Stone and Jack Dorsey as the founders of Twitter but there was another man besides them who started this revolutionary company that is NOAH GLASS.

His twitter account has somewhat 45k around subscribers with a short bio in which he wrote that “ I started this”.

What were the behind the scenes of the growth and the fame of Twitter??

This story starts in early 2000s in San Francisco, Noah Glass created a product where a user would dial a number and the service would turn your voice message into an mp3 message which would be hosted on the internet.

Noah turned this idea into a company named Odeo. One of the early investors of Odeo was former Google employee , friend and the neighbour of Noah who was Evan Williams.

Evan sold his company named BLOGGER to Google and he had a ton of cash. The company work for turning mp3 voice messages into podcasting platforms transferred into a big office. Company started hiring more and more employees. One of them was a web designer named Jack Dorsey.

He was a university dropped out and was living in a tiny apartment in San Francisco. He had turned down his job in a  shoe store. Apple announced iTunes would include a podcasting platform which made them realize that Odeo was now doomed as the customers started drifting from their platform. Now, Evan Williams was the CEO of the Odeo believed that Apple had crushed them without warning.

For a comeback, all the employees of Odeo started working on the new ideas they could come up to bring Odea the success.  Jack and Noah became good friends meanwhile, Jack was not at all happy with the work he was doing back then. He then introduced the idea of status which could act as a lifesaver plan.

One day in February 2006, Noah and Jack presented their idea of status in front of the company. Through this you could send your message to all your friends in one go and you could add more friends via that text message.

They called this whole thing “TWITTER”. Noah took the charge of this project while Jack did the coding.

 After the February presentation, Evan Williams was skeptical about the potential of twitter but regardless, he put Noah as the in-charge of the project.

In August, an earthquake shook San Francisco and then the usefulness of Twitter was seen by the world that was “NEWS”.

Twitter is more of an information network rather than a social network. At that time, the company started to divide into two factions, one with the original audio tasks and other who were obsessed with twitter.

Evan Williams who was now the CEO of Odeo was regarded as a calculating person by the employees of the company.

Noah presented the idea of Twitter to Odeo investors but no one seemed interested in and couldn’t understand the point of it. Later, Evan wrote to Odeo investors that the company is going nowhere so to reduce the losses they should give all the stocks back to him which included Odea and Twitter both. The value of the assets the investors got through this deal was $5 million and after 5 years, those assets were worth of $5 billion, 1000 times more.

The question arises if Evan knew about the worth of Twitter and wanted to snatch all the assets to himself. Well, it’s normal to happen in Businesses but the betrayal to the person who had the original idea first came as a shock to the world.

Evan and Noah’s preferences started to clash as Evan wanted Twitter to get separated from Odeo and wanted to become the CEO. Noah share his insecurities to Jack but he only sympathized to it and said that it’s going to be okay. After that Evan told Noah that he was fired. The actual person who wanted Noah to get out from the company was Jack Dorsey whom Noah thought of as a friend and the reason for this was never been revealed. Jack soon became the CEO of the company and Evan went to a chairman position.

According to many employees and investors, Twitter could not have been created without Noah Glass. He was quite shocked by the betrayal he got by his friends and his company.

From then, Twitter became the platform for the millions of people to get the news instantly in their hands and the world leaders to make people know about what’s happening in their countries.

Not only politicians but now entertainers made their accounts on Twitter. Though Twitter recently has became a house of controversies and toxicity but it surely has taken a huge space in our mobile phones as a daily activity.

Avoid sleeping in class

Bring a water bottle to class

Every time you get that tired feeling or you start to zone out, drink some water. Drinking cold water helps keep you hydrated to keep you focused. If you don’t drink enough water, your body doesn’t function as well as it could.

Sit at the front of the class

Being closer to the teacher is a great motivator to stay awake in class. Studies have also proven that sitting in the front of the classroom, leads students to receive higher grades on exams. Win-win, am I right?
Be active
Interact with your professor! Even if they don’t provide engaging activities, you can make them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Chew gum/bring a snack

Chewing something activates specific regions of the brain meaning your brain become more active and you stay more awake!

Take deep breaths

By taking deeper breaths, you raise your oxygen levels, slowing your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure, and improving circulation.

Go to bed early

So you can wake up early and feel well-rested.

Get some exercise before class

The adrenaline from working out, taking a stroll, stretching, or doing some jumping jacks before class will help you stay awake.

Keep a good posture

If you focus on sitting straight up in your seat, you won’t be able to fall asleep. You rest your head and you will crash and burn.

Take notes (or doodle if it helps)

It keeps you active and it helps you focus on what you’re learning in class. Even if it’s random scribbles, it’s better than being asleep.

Walkabout in the back of the classroom

If you get tired, just find a spot in the classroom where you are not distracting anyone and walk about back and forth or take notes while standing.

Reference

https://jsom.utdallas.edu/blog/sleeping-in-class-dos-donts

DOMINO’S – THE NO. 1 PIZZA PLAYER

In the era of fast foods, one can not resist talking about Pizza at all. After all, Who doesn’t like PIZZA?

A slice of Pizza with topping of gold leaf and  caviar can cost you up to $400. But this dish has much humble origins in comparison to its costly personality. It first appeared in Naples, Italy in the 1700s  as food for the lower class.

When Italians migrated to U.S. , so did pizzas. New York people started to perfect the dish for good. If you go to that time period for Pizza then you would most likely be surrounded by the Italian Americans. To became a mainstream favourite, pizza needed a lot of help from the restaurant chains popping up in the mid-west.

Coming back to Domino’s, it was not founded by someone from Italian Heritage. In 1960, Toma and Jim Monahan , two Irish American brothers borrowed 900 dollars to buy a pizzeria called Dominic’s.

Within a few months, Jin gave his half of the business to Tom in exchange for Volkswagen Beetle, the same car they were using for the delivery for the Pizzas.

Now, the company was of all Tom’s and he changed the name of the company from Dominic’s to Dominos.

In 1967, Monahan started franchising the restaurants.

New franchises didn’t have to pay an initial fees to open their own stores. Instead of that, they had to manage the existing Domino’s restaurants for a whole year. The company decided to open these stores near colleges and the military bases as both of them had a lot of customers.

Domino’s ovens had rotating racks. It had standardized the delivery box and all of the pizzas started to look the same too. Around the same time, pizza hut and little Caesars were also getting their start in the Midwest. Little Caesars had 50 stores by 1969 but pizza hut was far and away the fastest growing chain of the 1960s.

Unlike domino’s, they wanted customers to eat their pizza inside their restaurants and it had more options.

Just 12 years after it was founded, pizza hut opened its 500th location but domino’s was doing its best to catch up. By 1978, it had 200 stores and the chain just kept growing from there. The pizza chain’s 30 minutes or less delivery promise help set it apart from the competition.

Domino’s created the guarantee in 1984 and for nearly a decade, the incentive worked but the company dropped it in 1993.

By 1998, domino’s had thousands of stores and 3.2 billion dollars in annual sales. Monahan decided to sell the company so he could focus on philanthropy instead.

He retired from Pizza biz with the money from the sale of his company.

David Brandon became the CEO of the company in 1999.

In 2004, Brandon took Domino’s in Public. Pizza wars started heating up in the late 1990s. The different brands for Pizza were having a fierce competition during that time line. Pizza Hut even sued Papa John’s for the false advertising.

In the early 2000s, China and India have become the new battlefield for the pizza wars. As major American Pizza players started opening their franchises in these countries.

You know that these countries are the most populous countries in the world, so all the pizza players started to dominate the people with the magic of their own pizza.

Domino’s couldn’t boost sales by hiking prices, so starting around 2003, sales unsurprisingly flattened.

Another big problem for domino’s was that its pizza became forgettable as it cut corners on ingredients in order to keep its pizzas cheap.

Domino’s used frozen canned and pre-made ingredients to cut down on costs as the economy started to slip.

In late 2009 , it launched an ad campaign that admitted what customers already knew that Domino’s pizza wasn’t good as it had cardboard crust and ketchup like sauce.

The commercials told customers that they had totally reformulated its recipe with a brand new sauce and a garlic infused crust. As folks realize that this really is an improved product from what domino’s had for years and years.  It’s kind of been a snowball effect that continues

to benefit domino’s to this day. In the middle of its relaunch in 2010, Domino’s appointed Patrick Doyle as CEO, he had been with the company for more than a decade as an executive.

Now, he was entrusted to lead its turnaround.

Customers were buying the ad campaign and domino’s pizza. In fact the campaign was so successful that pizza hut later mimicked it in 2014 when it changed its own pizzas recipes.

In 2017, it overtook pizza hut as a market leader in the quick service pizza sector. Since 2010 , its stock has risen up more than 3, 200 percent. Even after Ritch Allison took over as CEO in June 2018, Domino’s tech focus has continued.

In early 2019, the company incorporated artificial intelligence into its loyalty program.

Users just had to take a picture of pizza to get points to redeem for a free pizza. But Allison isn’t just focusing on tech, he also has a big plan to revolutionize

the chain’s delivery strategy. Third-party delivery services have made it possible to deliver any kind of food that means that consumers options are virtually limitless.

Now, Domino’s is hoping that it will help the pizza chain reach 25 billion dollars in sales by 2025!!

Types of note taking

Outline note-taking method
Outline note-taking

The outline method of note-taking uses indentation to store information in a clear hierarchy. When applicable, the outline method is one of the most efficient note-taking formats as it creates meticulously well-organized notes. The method can also be used in both deductive and inductive order.

Outlined notes are some of the easiest to review, as it’s one of the few systems that allow you to see space relationships between topics. However, the method is not always suitable for taking notes during a live lecture and outlining requires a clear lesson structure to work.

Cornell note-taking method
Cornell note-taking

The Cornell method of note-taking, developed more than half a century ago, is a tried-and-true strategy for taking effective notes. It uses two top columns (the “cue” and “note” columns), together with a single bottom row (the summary section) to record notes.

The method is very versatile, usable for most subjects, and one of the simplest yet most effective note-taking methods out there. By mastering the Cornell system, you’ll always have at least one solid note-taking skill under your belt. The Cornell system is one of the most popular note-taking strategies in the world for good reason.

Box note-taking method
Box note-taking

The boxing method of note-taking uses boxes to visually separate topics within a page. While the boxing method was designed to be used for digital devices, it’s a technique that can be easily adapted to handwritten notes.

Using the boxing strategy results in notes that are visually pleasing and easy to review. The method also takes full advantage of digital-only features such as lassoing, resizing, and moving notes after writing. Together with mind mapping, it’s one of the most effective note-taking strategies for visual learners.

mappIng note-taking method
Mapping note-taking

The mapping method of note-taking connects different thoughts, ideas, concepts, and facts together through visualization. Both Leonardo Da Vinci’s and Albert Einstein notebooks reportedly contained mapping style notes that connected drawings to words and notes.

The mapping method starts with a main topic in the center of the page, before branching out into smaller subtopics, supporting topics, and smaller details. The method provides a one-of-a-kind graphical overview of lecture content that is irreplaceable for visual learners.

Mapping is best used in content-rich college classes where the information is structured. However, it’s very rarely possible to take notes of a live class with this method due to its time-consuming nature.

Reference

https://e-student.org/note-taking-methods/

Interview preparations

What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?

An interviewer will be impressed if you have considered your short-term and long-term goals. Talk about the kind of job you’d eventually like to do and the various steps you will take to get there.

Show that you have the ambition and determination to make the most of every job you have held to get where you want to be.

Always relate this back to the position you’re interviewing for and be realistic in terms of your aspirations. Avoid telling the interviewer that you want their job.

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

This question is often seen as challenging by many candidates, even those with significant experience. However, if approached correctly it is easily possible to avoid ‘bragging’ when discussing your strengths or seeming excessively negative when talking about your perceived weaknesses.

Strengths

Based on the job description, choose three examples of traits the employer is looking for and give examples of how you have used these strengths in a work situation. Ideally, include a mixture of tangible skills, such as technical or linguistic abilities, and intangible skills, such as management experience.  

Weaknesses

The best approach here is to pick a trait that you have already made positive steps to address.

“Consider how you have approached your perceived weaknesses in the past and what you have done to address them,” commented Janine Blacksley, associate director at Robert Walters.

“If your IT ability is not at the level it could be, state this as a weakness before telling the interviewer about training courses or time spent outside work hours you have used to improve your skills.”

Why should I hire you?

Focus on your assets – what makes you different and where do your major strengths lie? Outline what you can offer in terms of experience, personality and enthusiasm.

“The job description should give you a good indication of what they are looking for,” added Janine Blacksley. 

“Make sure you address the particular qualities the employer has stated they are looking for and provide specific examples of what you have done so far in your career that demonstrates how you are particularly suited for the role.” 

Tell me about yourself / your work experience

This is usually the opening question for most interviews and can be one of the most important. First impressions are key, so keep it brief – know your CV inside out and focus on delivering a one to two minute advertisement for yourself, highlighting the key achievements in your employment history. Know what you want to say and how you are going to say it beforehand.

“Begin your answer with an overview of your highest qualification then run through the jobs you’ve held so far in your career,” added Janine Blacksley.

“You can follow the same structure as your CV, giving examples of achievements and the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Don’t go into too much detail – your interviewer will ask you to expand on any areas where they’d like more information.”

Why do you want this job?

Do your research – this gives you the chance to discuss all you know about the job and the company and why you are a good match for them. The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you’ve given this some thought, so do your homework properly.

“You should have a good inside knowledge of the company’s values, mission statement, development plans and products. Describe how your goals and ambition match the company ethos and how you would relish the opportunity to work for them,” advised Janine Blacksley.

What are your salary expectations?

While you should never mention salary unless asked or prompted, it’s important to understand the value of someone with your skills. Be flexible – indicate that you are willing to negotiate for the right opportunity and confirm that you value the position strongly.

“All too often, problems arise from pricing yourself out of the position or stating a figure less than the company is willing to pay. If a guideline salary has been provided with the job description, you could mention this and say it’s around the amount you’re looking for,” Janine Blacksley continued. 

What skills or experience do you offer that will help you succeed in this role? 

You should use the interview as an opportunity to say something interesting about your skills and experiences that relate back to the role at hand. Remember that interviewers will be looking for you to demonstrate key skills, so prepare examples in advance that you can call on when required.

Examples of the key attributes employers look for include:

  • Project management skills
  • Problem-solving
  • Managing stakeholders
  • Demonstrating sound technical knowledge, backed up by good business understanding
  • Delivering on targets or goals

Reference

https://www.robertwalters.co.uk/career-advice/interview-tips/seven-killer-interview-questions.html

BYZANTIUM : A SYMBOLIC ANALYSIS

Among the 20th century poets, Yeats is considered as the craftsman in the use of symbols and images. His poems are filled with complex system of symbols. The poem Byzantium is also rich with various symbols and images. The poem consists of five stanzas and each stanza carries a key image and symbols. Through this key image Yeats portrays the theme of the poem. The title of the poem itself do not stand for the real Byzantine Empire. It is the country or Empire of the mind which is a transcendental place out of the constraints of Time and Space. Here the empire stands for Purgation and Paradise. The poem focuses on the eternity of art and is contrasted with the sensual elements of the physical world. Through the use of complex symbols Yeats successfully presented this idea.

The poem begins with the unpurged images of the natural world. The starlit and moonlit dome of the cathedral looks down with disdain on the complexities of man.The dome is the powerful symbol used by the poetic personae. The dome is symbolic of the perfection and eternity which is opposed to the natural world of passion. The dome can also be considered as the symbol for the permanence of art. As Keats used the ‘grecian urn’ as a symbol for the eternity of art, the dome stands for the same and it scorns the complexities of man.

On another level this dome has another symbolic significance. This can also be relate to the creation of poem or art. According to Richard Ellmann Byzantium is a description of th act of making a poem. While analyzing on the basis of this, the poet is the Emperor and Byzantium is the ideal place for the poet, where all the unpurged realities disappear. The church gong is the premonition of death. As the gong sounds the realities disappear and the poet begins writing the poem. And the dome is the tower of the poetfrom where he is looking as a spectator to the world. The conflict between the real and the ideal is powerfully portrayed through the symbol of dome.

The next key symbol of the poem is the superhuman figure. This is the soul of the dead and is unwinding the memories of earthly existence. Actually the dead is the living. After death the soul liberates from the constraints of body and is living forever. So the dead is the actual living and living is really the death. The superhuman figure signifies imagination. As said before the poem can also be analyzed on the basis of creation and process of making a poem. The superhuman figure is the poet’s imagination. This purified soul will teach the poet wisdom and take him to heaven, Byzantium. In the process of creation of the poem poet attains perfect bliss. This imagination gives coherence to things and resolve all differences. What the poet saying is that the artist has to exploit the tension between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Among all the symbols used in the poem, golden bird is the most important one. Like the dome, the golden bird sitting in the golden bough also symbolizes perfection in the creative process. Through this symbol poet celebrates artificiality and changelessness of art. The golden bird is opposed to the living things and it scorns the common birds. So the perfected art looks down the nature which is subjected to time and emotions.

The flames represents spiritual realization. They are purgatorial fire. On the emperor’s pavement, fire fed by no fuel is burning and the souls of the dead purify themselves by dancing. They are ideal flames. Apart from spiritual realization the flames and purgatorial dance als represents the process of making poem. As Richard Ellmann says this poem is about the creation of art and each stanza depicts the image of imagination and art. So here the emperor’s pavement is the poet’s tower and the flames are the imagination of the poet. The blood begotten spirits are the raw material for the poem and dance is the process of creation. The raw materials gets purified and the imagination cannot be disturbed because it is independent. So here also the symbol stands for the creative genius. The golden smithies, dolphins and sea are the symbols presented in the final stanza. Dolphins are the images for resurrection and it guides to enlightenment. The poet describes the shore of ocean of life in the last lines. On the level of creation the dolphin and goldensmithies represents duality and craftsmanship of the poet respectively and it gives order to flesh and passion. Marble of the dancing floor is the imagination of the poet and it breaks the chaos.

Apart from these major symbols, Yeats presents certain images. The moon presented in the beginning stands for cycle of time and different phases in the man’s life. Mire is the cycle of birth and death. The “mummy cloth” which is unwinding clearly signifies what is inside beyond the question of life and death.Yeats used four elements of creation as symbols in the poem. The empire stands for earth, heaven for air, sea for water and flames for fire. Here Yeats attempted to bring together spiritualism, symbolism, aesthetics and mysticism. Thus he powerfully brought the themes of battle between immortality and creation, nature v/s art, human imperfection and perfected form of art and tension between life of senses and soulful life. Through the symbolic analysis of the poem it can be understood that Yeats is a craftsman in the use of symbols and images.

ECOFEMINISM

Ecofeminism or ecological feminism is the most important approach within ecocriticism and ecological activism. The writings of Annette Kolodny gave impetus to what has come to be called ecofeminism. The term ecofeminism was coined by French feminist Francoise d’Eaubonne in 1974. It is a branch of ecocriticism and feminism that examines the connection between women and nature. Eco feminism can be considered as the analysis of the role attribuntasies of the natural environment, by male authors. It also includes the study of specifically feminine conceptions of the environment in the neglected nature writings by female authors. According to Pramod K Nayar, ecofeminism argue that patriarchal society’s values and beliefs have resulted in the oppression of both women and nature. He also says that it ignores
women’s work, knowledge and situatedness. The situatedness of women is her immediate location in nature, where the relationship of woman with environment is far more intimate than that of man’s. In simple terms this philosophy examines the ways both nature and women are treated by patriarchal society. The earlier binaries in Western thought and literature was that of nature versus culture. Further eco feminists interrogate the effect of gender categories. That is the masculine culture as objective, rational, mind and public and feminine as subjective, emotional, body and private. And these binaries are used in order to demonstrate the ways in which man is equated with culture and woman with nature. Images like “mother nature” indicate two things. They are the naturalization of woman and feminization of nature. Thus it illustrates how men dominate nature and women as exploitable objects. The works of Vandana Shiva, Mary Mellor, Ariel Salleh has generated nuanced readings of the relationship between gender and nature.Ecofeminism can be classified into two, radical ecofeminism and cultural ecofeminism. One of the assumptions of radical ecofeminism is that the dominant patriarchal society equates nature and women in order to degrade both. In fact, in it’s emergence, ecofeminism tends to be radical revealing practices of patriarchal domination of both. So radical ecofeminism targets the historical and cultural
backgrounds that equates the feminine and nature with negative and commodifiable attributes, while men have been elevated as capable of establishing order. Such a socio economic structure easily facilitates the exploitation of women and nature, for cheap labour and resources.
Cultural ecofeminism promotes an association between women and the environment by focusing on the more intimate and organic relationship between them. As per the anthropologically assigned gender roles women are nurturers of family. Culture ecofeminism has roots in nature based religions, goddess and nature worship. It is a way of redeeming both the spirituality of nature and women’s instrumental role in that spirituality. The cultural myths and
spirituality of Native America, Australia and African tribal populace underscores this mutual bonding between women and nature. Because they are built on a mother goddess instead of omniscient father God.
Vegetarian ecofeminism, materialist ecofeminism and spiritualist ecofeminism are some of the new branches of ecofeminism. A major theme within ecofeminism is the belief that there is a strong connection between the domination of women and the domination of nature, and that both must be eradicated in order to end oppression. Vegetarian ecofeminism aims to include the domination of not only the environment but also of nonhuman animals to the list. Materialist ecofeminism connects institutions like labour, power and property as the source of domination
over women and nature. This belief stresses that the sphere of production that is men and factory is dependent on the production of reproduction ( women and family). Materialist ecofeminists thus call for quality in labour distribution, the recognition of the contribution of women’s work.And they suggest to expand the very definition of ‘work’ to include women’s work. In spiritualist ecofeminism, a turn to myth and theology is advocated against materialism because of the
importance given to women, nature and all forms of life. They argue that pre-modern culture have always treated nature with respect and give importance to women’s knowledge, female body and female sexuality. Thus this philosophy turned to Native American religions, godess worship in Hinduism and other native cultures. Vandana Shiva, glorifies Vedic period of Indian History, for its emphasis on symbiotic values in her work Staying Alive (1989).

Politics in India

By – Supriya

India one of the world’ s largest democratic countries , is a Union of 28 States and 7 Union Territories. The country is a Sovereign , Socialist , Secular , Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary system of government. The Republic is governed according to the Constitution inaugurated on January 26,1950. India was a dominion under the British colonial rule for a period of over 200 years till 1947.On August 15,1947, India became independent after years of struggle , under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, popularly known as the Father of the Nation . The Indian Constitution , the world’ s lengthiest constitution (with 395 articles and 12 schedules) was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and came into force on 26th January 1950. The constitution created a Sovereign Democratic Republic which was officially named ‘ Bharat’ that is India ,a Union of States. India is a federal system, a system of government in which power is divided by a constitutional arrangement between national and local units of government . The Constitution provides detailed lists of division of the legislative powers between Central and State government. The residual powers of legislation remains with the Union. India has the biggest number of people with franchise rights and the largest number of political parties , which take part in election campaign . In the 2009 General Elections to the 15th Lok Sabha, 406.9 million voters actually voted out of 714 million eligible voters and an average of 15 candidates completed for each of the 543 territorial constituency seats. Elections are held at different levels. The two major election levels are at national level, after which the national government is established and at the state level, after which the state governments are established. Elections are also held for city, town and village councils. In the 2009 General Elections , the UPA was able to put together a comfortable majority with support from 322 members out of 543 members of the House. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a ruling coalition of center – left political parties heading the government of India. The seeds of coalition governance were sworn for the first time in 1989; until then a single party rule of Congress dominated the political landscape at the Centre. The coalition is led by the Indian National Congress (INC) , which is currently the single largest political party in the Lok Sabha ( the lower house of the parliament of India).
Though in the 2004 elections , 335 members supported the UPA , as opposed to 332 in 2009 , however ,in the 2009 elections UPA alone had a plurality of over 260 seats as opposed to 218 seats in the 14th Lok Sabha. Hence the government emerged to be more stable than the previous one. External support came from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) , Samajwadi Party (SP) , Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other minor parties. Besides Congress , other political parties in India are the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP – Indian People’s Party) , the Janata Dal ( People ‘s Party) , the Samajwadi Party ( Socialist Party), and the Bahujan Samaj Party ( BSP – Party of society ‘ s Majority) which attempts to ascend to power on the crest of an alliance of interests uniting Dalits , Backward Classes , Scheduled Tribes , and religious minorities. There are different political issues in Indian politics. Some are of national level and some of regional levels. Some communities just demand more economical and social rights for their communities. While others demand more autonomy for their cultures within the Indian States. With all its problems , India survives as a single state with democratic character . But a number of political problems still exist and remain unsolved in India. On 22 May 2009, Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the Prime Minister at the Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan . Apart from being the Head of the Union ( Federal) Government, Prime Minister is also in – charge of the Ministries not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister like Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions ; Ministry of Planning ; Ministry of Railways; Department of Atomic Energy ; and Department of Space. INC ‘s President , Sonia Gandhi, serves as the Chairwoman of the UPA. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are drawn from members of the UPA. Other important cabinet ministers are Pranab Mukherjee , Minister of Finance ; Sharad Pawar , Minister of Agriculture and food Processing Industries ; A .K.Antony , Minister of External Affairs and Kapil Sibal , Minister of Human Resource Development and Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
Political awareness should be created among the masses and this can be done by imparting the right kind of education and also inspiring the youth to join the politics. Both the tasks are great challenges , as the youth seems to be totally disillusioned by the way the Indian political system works and how education till date has failed to achieve the desired ends. Yet, the situation is not as bleak as one imagines it to be. Things are gradually changing with the way political parties are realising the need of change of leadership from the old to the young. Moreover, the voter of today is not as naive as before. The results of the past few general elections have taught the parties that the public answers and avenges their grievances during the time of elections . All we need is to persistently pursue the path of change through constitutional means and refrain from electing corrupt leaders of criminal background. We also need to promote free and fair elections . The latest instance of the elections held in Bihar in 2006 can be cited. The process seems to have begun . There are many flaws that are still remaining and a lot needs to be done. But a beginning has been initiated , all we need is to continue to travel on the road to development , education and awareness in order to stabilize and develop a mature polity in the country.

THANKYOU !

APPLE – THE KING OF TECH

In the year 2021, Apple is recorded as the most valuable brand in the whole world with an estimated brand value of about 263.4 billion U.S. dollars. It is followed by Amazon, the second most valuable brand, with the brand value of about 254.2 billion U.S. dollars.

Apple screams to whole world that it is here to dominate the tech market.

How Apple got the honour of becoming a King in this industry?

The birth of Apple began in the mid 1970s as an assembled circuit board Apple 1 invited by the co-founder Steve Wozniak. The Apple 1 did not have any keyboard or a monitor, it was just a circuit board.

Steve Wozniak was an Albanian inventor who was born in 1950. He met Steve Jobs while designing the calculators. Jobs was five years younger than Wozniak.  At that time, while working for the arcade game company Atari in the 1970s, Atari gave Steve Jobs the assignment of creating a circuit board for one of their video games.

Jobs having limited knowledge and experience of circuit boards made a deal with Wozniak to share the pay if he could design the circuit board. Though Wozniak designed the circuit board, it wasn’t accepted by Atari. The same invention that would later lead him to the Apple one.

Just two years later, Wozniak designed , developed and tested his first prototype by 1976. The Apple 1 was completed.  It was Steve Jobs idea to sell the Apple 1 themselves. They sold most of their belongings and assembled the first Apple 1 boards at Steve Jobs’s house. They sold the Apple 1 for 666 dollars and their first 50 system boards were sold to a new computer shop called The Byte Shop in California. Apple computers now called Apple Inc was founded.

One thing they lacked was money, though they had an order for 50 system boards with a

byte shop, they didn’t have the resources to fulfil the order. They were both turned down by banks and Atari where Jobs worked and wanted payment for any components.

Steve Jobs convinced Intel executive and multi-millionaire Mike Markkula to invest two hundred and fifty thousand dollars into Apple.

The next three years Apple saw an incredible growth as sales grew approximately 118 million dollars . However, during that time, other companies began to emerge .IBM launched its own personal computers and took full advantage when Apple was facing losses.

Due to the lack of interest, the apple also faced a lot of in-house issues as Wozniak decided to leave Apple in the 80s. He was simply no longer interested in running Apple computers. Steve Jobs then brought on John Sculley to be the President.

Jobs became the interim CEO and immediately began implementing his plans to revitalize Apple. One of his first acts was forming an alliance with

Microsoft to create a version of their office suite software for Apple. This would help them to retain their current customers as well as gain those that

previously didn’t use Apple.

Steve Jobs launched the iMac in 1998. Its unique design and use of modern technology made it a favourite and Apple sold approximately 800,000 units in five months. Not long after that he reimagined, the personal computer and introduced the iBook.

Three years later, Apple launched their iPod a digital music player freeing up customers from portable cassettes and CD players, giving them the capacity of taking more music with them.

Steve Jobs in 2007 he showed the world the shift Apple was making in the direction of consumer electronics even further by launching the iPhone with phenomenal success.

Apple continues to launch innovative yet modern and stylish looking products that always come with a new assortment of upgrades.

Apple has also made shopping for their products and experience at their 506 branded retail stores worldwide. Apple believe that traditional retail stores would not provide the experience they wanted.

Tim Cook, the current CEO of Apple, shared at Apple’s annual meeting that there’s a long great roadmap of fantastic products on the horizon.

Apple has begun developing its services category, there have been improvements to Apple music, the App Store and they may be launching a new streaming TV service with original television series.  Netflix may have something to worry about especially as consumers who subscribe to Netflix through their iPhone or iPad app, 30% goes to Apple every month for a year. Situations such as these are key factors in Apple’s growth.

It’s clear that Apple’s long term profitability is due to control and not allowing their products to be standardized. However, unless Apple creates the next iMac or iPhone, recreating some of their

historical profits may be quite a task especially with a trade war between the US and China.

In, 2018 Apple recorded its highest annual revenue of approximately 265.6 billion dollars. 218 billion was generated by iPhone sales.

Apple has been a pioneer in the computer industry on several occasions throughout history.

It believes in innovation and removing any boundaries that limit creativity in order to produce valuable products for its consumers. It is undeniable that Apple has provided immeasurable value and made an impact on technology influencing how we use it in our daily lives!!

K-POP – THE  GAMECHANGER

K-pop, the South Korean music industry, this is name which has been ringing in the heads of music lovers from the recent years.

K-pop or should I say Korean Pop has taken Korea in top 10 in the music market. Not only Korea has achieved a successful acceptance from all over the world through their amazing dramas but also the music they produce has been making a chaos over the world.

BTS (internal screaming), yeah we all have heard this name, right? BTS  is one of the K-POP groups who made Korean music more popular in the western countries. BTS is the only group which brings in nearly 5 billion dollars to the Korean’s economy.

Shocking, right?

Well, they didn’t have an easy life tho. Working from a very young age, being a trainee who trains day to night, dedicated solely to dance, rap and singing, all these things are not easy to master. But BTS and all other K-pop groups did that and the results of their hard work can be seen by the love of the fans from different corners of the world.

Even though people can not speak Korean but they surely do enjoy their music. It is proven that music has no language and barrier.

But How did it start?

How did K-POP become a billion dollar industry?

The beginning of K-POP was accelerated in 1990s. The music at that was not like the Korean music we hear today. Trot music used to be popular during that timeline of music. A group was formed and called to be Seo Taiji and boys.

Seo Taiji and boys were formed from the breakup of a metal band called Sinawe. While Sinawe was metal,

Seo Taiji and boys went in a totally different route and introduced Korea to hip-hop. While Seo Taiji and boys was heavily inspired by the American hip-hop.

They turned around and made it their own . But when Seo Taiji and boys debuted, they weren’t met with praise.

Actually, they were met with criticism.

The older and previous generation saw this music as deteriorating the minds of the youth. Yet Seo Taiji and boys were able to succeed by being the highest selling group of their generation with over 8 million albums sold and regarded as legends in Korean music history.

So the beginning of K-pop wasn’t all bright and cheerful as many of us know what it is today. But in order to break the chains of Conservative Korea. Seo Taiji had to be the to pave the way for the first K-pop idol group, which was H.O.T.

H.O.T. was the first look at the real vision of a K-pop group created by Lee Soo-man , the founder of SM Entertainment which is  one of the three biggest K-pop companies in Korea.  H.O.T. had a brighter image than their predecessors , producing a more pop sound,

choreography and catchy songs. Unlike Seo Taiji and boys, H.O.T. was beloved by the public when they

debuted. They went on to be quite successful and led to the creation of more first generation K-pop idol groups like G.O.D and S.E.S. .

While the first generation was inspired by American pop, the second generation had to create something new and which they did too.

This is where we see Big Bang, Girls Generation, 2ne1, SHINee, Wonder Girls, BoA. When someone would ask K-pop fans today what caught them into K-pop, most will respond with one of these groups. The second generation of K-pop became the most influential and known by many as the the GOLDEN ERA of K-pop.

BoA was a solo artist who was known to do it all dancing, singing and the looks.

She was a top Idol even at a young age. Wonder Girls would be the first to break ground in America coming from JYP entertainment which is the another company from the big three. Wonder Girls adapted and created an English version of their breakout hit “nobody”.

They were even performing on US television and going on tour with the Jonas Brothers.

YouTube is an undeniable reason K-pop made it to people’s ears. Groups like BIGBANG, 2ne1 and girls generation would have music videos that surpassed millions of views in a day.

Steam was building up and on the verge of bursting in the form of one song “GANGNAM STYLE”. Everyone has caught wind of a viral video by PSY a solo artist in Korea.

His new song Gangnam style found overnight success.

For some reason, people were intrigued by a comedic odd yet catchy song. Most people didn’t know PSY

was a singer in Korea for years before Gangnam style.

He was considered one of the top performers in the country, but no one knew who he was internationally.

Gangnam style was meant to just be a new song by PSY but it grew out of control becoming the most viewed video on YouTube at the time with 800 million views and out today with over 3 billion views, with this PSY was all over the world radio, TV even New Year’s Eve shows.

PSY without knowing it opened the first window for K-pop with times dying down a

A second wave was on the horizon in the form of groups NCT 127, Monsta X, Black pink and of course BTS .

While PSY opened a window, BTS kicked down the front door.

BTS origins were a humble one, coming from BIGHIT entertainment.

They were practically unknown at debut. Similarly debuting with a hip-hop style like Seo Taiji but BTS was able to explode in Korea with lyrics that spoke to the youth and music that spoke to everyone. BTS made the history as the first K-pop group to attend and be nominated at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019 and then made history the same night as they won social artists of the year.

BTS couldn’t be stopped, breaking music video views, record number of streams and a lot more first for a K-pop act including selling out stadiums.

BTS  performed for over 1 million fans on the latest tour as people are, more importantly, companies saw the numbers and support BTS.

This led them finding interest in the next group that is BLACKPINK. BLACKPINK was the first K=pop group which performed in Coachella in 2019 when they perform.

Why is K-pop a billion-dollar industry?

Well, there are a number of factors.

One is Tourism.

K-pop is so beloved by fans that many of them dream of the day to make the pilgrimage to Korea.

It isn’t just to see if they can find their favourite idol on the streets, many fall in love with the music first.

Another thing is, if you sit with a person down and have them watch a music video.

The first thing they’ll say is “wow“.

This music video itself is amazing.

The color, dancing, outfits, the effects. One thing that many people admire is attention to detail.

It is something people are missing in other music videos. Likewise the physical album sales are in a decline across the world except Korea.

Why?

Well in K-pop, an album is much more than just a CD, a K-pop album will come with a CD, of course, but also random photo cards of a member from that group and a poster. K-pop is able to market and advertise everything to a max, they will sell anything from shirts, hats, cups, bag, stickers, pants, figures and even trash cans.

Groups have their own lightsticks.

Lightsticks are these devices that light up and sync to others at a concert and flashed with the rhythm of the music.

It is designed with the group’s colors which makes a fan to be more involved. It’s truly an amazing device.

There is just something special about K-pop . To put it simply , K-pop was able to utilize each and every technology and opportunity to grow.

K-pop is able to be more than a music.

It’s a niche community where people looking for something different and can learn a whole new culture a music where so much time effort and dedication are invested.

That’s why K-pop is a billion-dollar industry and will continue to expand to infinity in the upcoming future.

Our Neighbours

By – Supriya

India is situated in South Asia, which comprises majority of the Indian sub-continent . India has a coastline which stretches over 7000 km and shares its borders with Pakistan to the west ; the People ‘ s Republic of China and Nepal to the north; Bhutan to the north – east and Bangladesh and Myanmar ( formerly Burma) on the east. On the Indian Ocean , India is adjacent to the island nations of the Maldives on the south – west , Sri Lanka on the south, and Indonesia on the south – east . India also claims a border with Afghanistan to the north – west. The official name of the country, India , is derived from the river Indus ( known as Sindhu in ancient times) . As a growing power, India depends extensively on her relationship with the countries in and around her neighbourhood . Maintenance of peace and security within and outside its immediate borders at a satisfactory level is a pre-requisite to create the conditions necessary for one billion citizens of the country to help them enjoy the fruits of economic growth and social development. The first four decades after independence were truly difficult years. As a new nation emerging from the throngs of two centuries of colonialism , which had sapped the country ‘ s progress , the impact of centrifugal and unstable forces in the country and its neighbourhood, made the task of economic and social development a steep and arduous journey. External and internal conflicts during this period added to the burden of our nascent emerging economy designed to fulfil the aspirations of the new found freedom of our people . Despite this truly difficult situation , the country grew in slow measure and we largely avoided large – scale crisis. However, our growth was stunted in this period and this no doubt contributed to large swathes of our population remaining under grinding poverty . At the end of the Cold War period ,the country achieved moderate results in its efforts to promote education , health care and empowerment of women, and growth of all sectors of the economy , but it was clear that the country has many more miles to go. India’ s improved relation with all the major powers of the world has contributed to its relaxed attitude and ability to deal with its neighbourhood in a rational and responsible manner. Once, the rest of the world acknowledged India’s stand that it could solve its problems peacefully and bilaterally with its neighbours without outside interference , the strategic situation in the region changed for the better. Even the fear that India ‘s nuclear tests in 1998, followed by Pakistan ‘s immediate reaction, would lead the region into a nuclear quagmire , has subsided considerably on the understanding that India is a responsible nuclear power, not given to adventurism or proliferation activities. The international community now realises that India can and will do all it can to maintain and strengthen peace and security in the region. Within the sub – continent , India ‘s national security interests are closely linked to her immediate neighbours- Bangladesh , Bhutan , China, Maldives, Myanmar , Nepal , Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Her relations with Nepal , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka and Maldives are stable and based on friendship and understanding.
India ‘ s largest neighbour , China is working towards the goal of achieving superpower status in the new millennium. Today, China occupies approximately 38,000 sq km of India’ s territory . In addition , under the so called Sino – Pak boundary agreement , Pakistan has illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of India’ s territory to China in POK. China also claims approximately 90000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh. It is rapidly modernizing its armed forces. According to a recent report by the Washington Post , ” China is quickly modernizing its military and has set its sights on extending its influence deep into the Pacific and Indian Oceans now that the military balance with its longtime nemesis, Taiwan , is tilting in its favor.” Today, China has the most active land – based ballistic and cruise missile program in the world. Beijing now possesses one of the largest forces of surface – to – air missiles in the world, and it has the largest force of principal combatants , submarines , and amphibious warfare ships in Asia. Also ,a recent revolution by WikiLeaks warned that, ” As China ‘ s international presence and nationalist sentiment grow, commensurate with greater political , economic and military might , Chinese analysts anticipate a more assertive Chinese foreign policy.” The asymmetry in terms of nuclear forces is strongly in favour of China which alarmingly , has helped Pakistan to build missile and nuclear capability . China is a declared nuclear power with a wide range of military capabilities. India and China have an unresolved boundary . Although the border areas have remained largely peaceful , from time to time, on account of differences of perception of the Line of Actual Control ( LAC) , tough situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided , had the LAC clarification been completed . The two sides have reiterated their commitment to adhere to the provision of the 1993 and 1996 Agreements. Over the sixty years since Independence, India has been able to maintain a high level of harmony , social order and security within its borders. Arising out of the redrawing of borders, the uprooting of whole communities on religious and ethnic grounds and the division of economic assets in non – economic factors, South Asia has been repeatedly engulfed with bouts of strife and instability that has at times challenged the very foundation of India ‘ s democratic fabric. Despite India ‘ s obvious pride in its democratic track record, it has also steadfastly followed the twin tenets of (a) no export of ideology and , (b) no territorial ambitions in its dealings with all countries, including its neighbours. Such a clear – cut stand has no doubt contributed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

THANKYOU !

Emile Durkheim

David Emile Durkheim(15 April 1858-15 November 1917) was a French sociologist. He played a great role in development of sociology as an academic discipline. He played a great role during the period of enlightenment. He inherited the conservative tradition. Durkheim legitimized sociology in France,his work ultimately became a dominant force in the development of sociology in general and of sociological theory in particular. 

He was politically liberal and feared social disorders. He viewed social disorders as an unnecessary part of modern world and stated that social reforms can be used to reduce them.

Major works:

1.The Rules of Sociological Method 

He stated that the main aim of sociology is to study social facts. Social facts are the ways if thinking,acting and feeling which are external,coercive and outside individuals. He reasoned that if he could link individual behavior to social facts then it would become easy to understand sociology as an academic discipline. Durkheim differentiated between two types of social facts, ie, material social facts and non material social facts. Material facts include bureaucracy, governance and economy etc whereas non material facts include religion, culture, ethics etc. Durkheim mainly focused on the study of non material social facts.

2. The Divison of Labour in the Society.

In this work, Durkheim basically focused on the comparative analysis of what held old and modern societies together. He stated that primitive societies were held together by non material social facts  or strongly held common morality or what he called collective conscience. But as the world grew so did the complexities and this resulted in the weakening of collective conscience. The initial bond in the modern world was an detailed division of labour which held people together in dependency relationship but the modern division of labour brought with it several pathologies and proved to be an insufficient technique of holding the society together. Durkheim did not favour a revolution to solve these problems instead he suggested a variety of reforms that could patch up the modern system and keep it stable.

3. Suicide 

Durkheim adopted a very scientific approach in investigating the matter of suicide. He stated that suicide was not committed only by psychological or personal reasons but it also involved various social as well as economic reasons. Suicide was not a doing of an individual but it had collective efforts of various elements. Rather than focusing on individuality of suicide he focused on the rate of suicide and incidence. He noticed that suicide rates were different among different caste,class,sex,society, ethnicity etc. Thus he proved that suicide is affected by various other reasons including psychological factors. 

4.The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Durkheim examined primitive society in order to find the roots of religion and he found out that society was the source of religion. Society defined certain things as religious and others as profane. He also studied totemism. Durkheim concluded that society and religion were same, religion was the way society expressed itself in the form of non material social facts.

Emile Durkheim’s works contributed a lot in development of sociology, he cleared the initially vague facts and matters. He also set up a journal devoted to sociology named L’annèe Sociologique, this made sociological understanding more easy. Sociologists and the students of sociology will forever be grateful to him  for his enormous and intricate contributions

Basics Of Interior Designing

What is interior designing:

  • Interior designers work closely with architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and construction laborers and helpers  to determine how interior spaces will function, look, and be furnished. Interior designers read blueprints and must be aware of building codes and inspection regulations.
  • Although some sketches or drawings may be freehand, most interior designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software for the majority of their drawings. Throughout the design process, interior designers often use building information modeling (BIM) software to create three-dimensional visualizations that include construction elements such as walls or roofs.
  • Many designers specialize in particular types of buildings, such as homes, hospitals, or hotels; specific rooms, such as bathrooms or kitchens; or a specific style. Some designers work for home-furnishings stores, providing design services to help customers choose materials and furnishings.
  • Some interior designers produce designs, plans, and drawings for construction and installation. These may include construction and demolition plans, electrical layouts, and plans needed for building permits. Interior designers may draft the preliminary design into documents that could be as simple as sketches, or as inclusive as construction documents with schedules and attachments.

The following are examples of types of interior designers:

  • Corporate designers create interior designs for professional workplaces from small office settings to large-scale corporations within high-rise buildings. They focus on creating spaces that are efficient, functional, and safe for employees. They may incorporate design elements that reflect a company’s brand in their designs.
  • Healthcare designers use the evidence-based design process in designing and renovating healthcare centers, clinics, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and residential care facilities. They specialize in making design decisions based on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients, residents, and the facility.
  • Kitchen and bath designers specialize in kitchens and bathrooms and have expert knowledge of the variety of cabinets, fixtures, appliances, plumbing, and electrical solutions for these rooms.
  • Sustainable designers use strategies to improve energy and water efficiencies and indoor air quality, and they specify environmentally preferable products, such as bamboo and cork for floors. They may obtain certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council. Such certification indicates expertise in designing buildings and spaces with sustainable practices in mind.
  • Universal designers renovate spaces in order to make them more accessible. Often, these designs are used to renovate spaces for elderly people and people with special needs; however, universal designs can benefit anyone. For example, an entranceway without steps may be necessary for someone in a wheelchair, but it is also helpful for someone pushing a baby stroller.

2) What is the role of a designer:

Interior designers typically do the following:

  • Search for and bid on new projects
  • Determine the client’s goals and requirements for the project
  • Consider how the space will be used and how people will move through the space
  • Sketch preliminary design plans, including electrical and partition layouts
  • Specify materials and furnishings, such as lighting, furniture, wall finishes, flooring, and plumbing fixtures
  • Create a timeline for the interior design project and estimate project costs
  • Place orders for materials and oversee the installation of the design elements
  • Oversee construction and coordinate with general building contractors to implement the plans and specifications for the project
  • Visit the site after the project is complete, to ensure that the client is satisfied

3) What is the design process:

Interior Design Process

The design process is the road map to realizing our vision for each of our clients, in a planned, organized, and coordinated documentation of all design elements, selections, and decisions made along the way. It ensures the contractor thoroughly understands the design plan and specifications.

PROGRAMMING:

This is our design exploration and brainstorming phase. The starting line for any interior design project. During this phase, we learn everything about YOU. Your lifestyle, your preferences, likes and dislikes, your needs, goals, and wishes for your new space. It’s important for us to see through your eyes if we want to create something you love.

Throughout the programming process we:
• Discuss your project in detail, document all areas involved,
• Discuss your style preferences and ideas. ( We encourage you to gather tear sheets from a magazine or online sources to better communicate your ideas.)
• Conduct a site visit to measure, photograph and record existing conditions.
• Establish a preliminary budget
• Obtain, if available, a set of architectural plans from you or your architect.

SPACE PLANS & DESIGN CONCEPT:

Space planning is a prerequisite of any well-designed space. We meet and talk many times throughout this phase of the project. Meetings are held with clients to discuss various elements of the design.

Throughout this phase we:
• Establish interior design concept and overall creative direction.
• Create sketches and gather tear sheets to communicate and clarify design intent.
• Create preliminary floor plans
• Select the finishes we will be using.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT:

During the design development phase, the approved design concept is refined and developed into more detailed drawings to include:
• Floorplans
• Elevations
• Reflected ceiling plans
• Selection of materials and finishes
• Furniture Plans
• Selection of furniture and furnishings

FINAL DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS PHASE:

Once the design plans have been approved, we will start preparing final design drawings and specifications.

This phase includes:
• Making all required changes or revisions to drawings
• Generating final drawings with all specifications
• Creating all material and finishing schedules.

CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION:

The final stage of the project. After all of the planning, sketching, and meetings, we finally begin construction and remodeling work on the space! We turn our concepts and pictures into the real thing. This phase of the design project can vary in length depending on the extent of the work needed.

Throughout this phase, we:
• Review drawings with the builder or general contractor that we choose
• Review all orders with clients. If required, we place orders on their behalf
• Visit job sites periodically to address any problems arising, answer any questions related to design or drawings, and ensure that the construction is proceeding in general conformity with the approved design drawings,
• Schedule and coordinate delivery and installation of wallpapers, window treatments, area rugs/carpeting, furniture, accessories, and artwork.

Capital Punishment

By – Supriya

Capital Punishment or execution as means of giving justice has become the most controversial issue , which pertains to the laws that govern our society. With the rise in demand for human rights, taking away a criminal’ s life has become the most talked about thing not only at the national level but also at the global platform. The recent hanging of Saddam Hussein , the ex – dictator of Iraq, led to worldwide protests. People and reformists have been demanding humane treatment for criminal and offenders, which is justified . In fact, the prison system was evolved keeping in mind the notion that people who go astray in their life and start providing harmful to the society should be kept in confinement for sometime and be given a chance to change and reform themselves. The prisons were supposed to be such places where the prisoners could be slowly reformed and reinstated in the mainstream of the society. But many a times, the re – conciliation remains a far- fetched frame. The idea works well in cases of theft , Robbery or other minor offences. Complications and problems arise when the offence involves brutal or inhuman acts like murders etc. The old Mesopotamian Law advocates ” a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye”. Thus, the idea of capital Punishment is not a new one regarding offences which are extremely serious. In fact, justice delivered in ancient times was brutal and inhuman. With the progress of civilization , justice started becoming more humane. Earlier, criminals were not treated as human beings. But now capital punishment stands in great controversy over the right of society at large to deny a person right to life . Some people are of the view that no one has the right to take away anyone’s life for any reason. Man cannot play God’s role nor should ever try to. When we cannot give life, we have no right to take away anybody ‘s life. On the other side, people also take into consideration victim’s right to life. The criminal too has no right to take away anyone’s life for any reason at all . So , if he could go to the extent of taking away one’s life, he too has no right to live in a civilized society. This takes us back to the – often condemned law of Moses.
Various arguments of both the sides can be cited to support viewpoints that are poles apart. When told by the opposing side that the death penalty is cruel, inhumane and degrading , most proponents argue that murder is too. In fact, some people consider execution to be more humane than life imprisonment because it is quick and instantaneous. Those in support of capital punishment feel that making the prisoner suffer by rotting in jail for the rest of his life is more torturous and inhumane than execution. To sum up the basic views of the proponents , imprisonment is simply not a sufficient safeguard against the future actions of criminals because it offers the possibility of escape and release on parole. They think that some criminals must be made to pay for their crimes. They should get the punishment they deserve . If they happen to make it out to the world, who ‘ s to say that they wouldn’t kill again. The punishment for the culprit that fits the crime would soothe the victim’s family and society would be relieved , knowing one murderer is not there on the streets. Executing a person certainly prevents recurrence of violence , or quite possibly the first occurrence of other murderous acts. More timely enforcement of the death penalty would help to reduce the crime rate by installing a sense of respect and fear of the law. Crimes carry penalties – this should be understood very well by the people. If you do something wrong , you are going to be punished , will act as deterrent to such heinous crimes. Another argument against the death penalty is that it costs less to imprison someone for life than to execute them. The argument seems to be very utilitarian but is countered by the supporters of death penalty – ” Why should the society shoulder the responsibility for feeding the hard – hearted criminals , that too for their cruel deeds?”, is what they argue. The strongest argument using capital punishment for retributive purpose, is the argument that capital punishment is cruel and completely inhuman. The methods by which executions are carried out involve physical torture. Many a times electrocution has caused extensive burns and it needs more than one application of electric current to kill the condemned. No one, not even the state , has the authority to play God. Contrary to the popular belief that the death penalty reduces the crime rate, various surveys have shown that the threat of the death penalty does not in any way reduces the occurrence of violent crimes. Capital punishment , it is argued, is a barbaric remnant of uncivilized society. It is immoral , unfair and discriminatory in practice . It is discriminatory because at times some innocent people are executed due to a faulty judgement. Another argument against the death penalty is that where does lie the difference between the criminals and the society? The society in turn commits the same offence of killing when it punishes the criminals for taking away life.
Thus, the issue of capital punishment involves determining whether the execution of criminals is ever justified , and if so , under what circumstances is it permissible and how to determine the limits of a crime demanding execution ; it also involves the issue whether the society believes in corrective justice or retributive justice. The basic assumption of retributive notion of punishment in general is that a criminal deserves punishment , and punishment should be equal to the harm done. Thus, society may punish the criminal any way it deems necessary so as to set an example for others would – be criminals. On the other hand, the theory of corrective justice believes that capital punishment should be abolished since it is undignified , inhumane , or contrary to love. Thus, the controversy still continues and legal experts debate over the fact whether capital punishment is permissible or not. Instead of debating over this, society should rather find ways of lowering crime rate so that no need of such debates arises. But as it is not possible to create a paradise in this otherwise imperfect world, the question will linger on for years to come – it seems.

THANKYOU!