Saturday, August 22, 2020

hey essays

hello expositions Since our commencement urban communities have regularly been portrayed to be further developed than different kinds of networks. The city way of life is likewise frequently portrayed as a prevalent way of life. Hence there is generally a push for urbanization in country and rural territories. Provincial and wide open zones are regularly classified as immature when contrasted with the city. The Wizard of Oz is intended to astonish youngsters with witches and Lions, and to furnish warmth with an account of the conceivable. The story proposes the possibility that rustic regions will in general stifle ones regular capacities, making certain individuals accept that they dont have certain attributes, or characteristics. The Wizard of Oz gives us that it isn't so much that we come up short on these characteristics, however that we are stifling them and that we don't have the foggiest idea about that we has them. The entirety of the qualities that every one of these three characters need, are ordinary lacks of occupants of provincial territories. In the story, Dorothy meets the characters on her way to the Emerald City. Following ordinarily related thoughts that the city has everything, the characters Dorothy experiences all choose to go with her in a journey to fill the void in the lives they accept they have. It is on this mission that it becomes obvious that the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man don't come up short on these things, yet in reality have them smothered profound inside them. The Lion is presented as a wild creature that attempts to assault Dorothy on her way. Nonetheless, he is promptly revealed to be a weakling. The Lion is the amusing decision of being a quitter, as he should be a domineering jerk. Seeing as how nobody has ever attempted to challenge his power, he accepts he would flee in dread on the off chance that anybody could possibly do, much like genuine harassers do. Anyway as the story advances we see that the Lion isnt the quitter he accepts he is, as he regularly shows gigantic mental fortitude despite incredible threat. There are commonly all through ... <! hello papers There is a significant contention among artistic pundits whether Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is or is anything but a bigot novel. The question comes down to the portrayal of Jim, the dark slave, and to the manner in which he is treated by Huck and different characters. The utilization of the word nigger is likewise a point raised by certain pundits, who feel that Twain utilizes the word excessively and too freely. Imprint Twain never presents Jim in a negative light. He doesn't show Jim as a lush, as a mean individual or as a cheat. This is in differentiation to the way Huck's (white) father is delineated, whom Twain depicts utilizing the entirety of the above portrayals and that's only the tip of the iceberg. We see Jim as an old buddy, a man committed to his family and faithful to his He is, be that as it may, innocent and eccentric. A few pundits state that Twain is inferring that all blacks have these characteristics. When Jim goes to his enchantment hairball for answers about the future, we see that he believes in some absurd things. However, no different, he is visited by the two blacks and whites to utilize the hairball's forces. This sort of naivete was inexhaustible at that point and found among all races-the aftereffect of an absence of legitimate instruction. So the delineation of Jim isn't negative as in Jim is moronic and mediocre, and in this part of the story plainly there is no bigotry planned. It is next important to break down the manner in which white characters treat Jim all through the book. Note that what the creator felt isn't the way most characters act around Jim, and his sentiments are likely as it were appeared through Huck. In the South during that period, dark individuals were treated as not as much as people, and Twain expected to depict this. The instances of the way Jim is stigmatized: by being bolted up, having to shroud his face in the daytime and how he is for the most part criticized, are fundamental for recorded precision. In this way, Mark Twain needed to show Jim's treatment in this man... <! hello papers The Conflict that began WWI ( World War One ) was between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Archduke Francis Ferdinand, beneficiary possible to the Austrian seat, and his significant other, Sophie, were killed June 28, 1914, by Gavrilo Princip, a Serb. patriot. After this Assassination Austria-Hungary announced war on Serbia, precisely one month thereafter, July 28, 1914. Many state that Germany squeezed Austria-Hungary into proclaiming war on Serbia. This is the primary explanation that individuals state that world war one began however the truth of the matter is that few elements assumed a job in the episode of the war that immersed the countries of Europe for more than four years. Two contradicting unions created by the Bismarckian strategy after the Franco-Prussian War was another of the significant reasons for the war. Patriotism additionally assumed a significant job in creating strains in Europe; it had been causing disappointment since the Congress of Vienna in 1815. World War One kept going from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918. It was just four years yet it was a grievous four years. During this timespan thirty-two countries join. Twenty-eight of these countries were known as the Allies and the Associated Powers, they included Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States. The other four of these countries were known as the Central Powers, they included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria. These countries joined the war at various occasions. Austria-Hungary proclaimed war on Serbia on July 28, 1914; announced war on Russia on Aug. 6, 1914; announced war on Belgium on Aug. 28, 1914; proclaimed war on Portugal on March 15, 1916. Germany announced war on Russia Aug. 1, 1914;... <!

Thursday, July 16, 2020

5 Books to Read While Staring Death in the Face The List List #351

5 Books to Read While Staring Death in the Face The List List #351 The List List, a weekly roundup of the best bookish lists, is sponsored by The Plus One  from HarperCollins 360. Polly Spencer is single and turning thirty, but seriously, she’s fine. Even if she’s still stuck at Posh! magazine writing about royal babies and the chances of finding a plus one to her best friend’s summer wedding are looking worryingly slim. But it’s a new year, and Polly’s determined that over the next 365 days she’ll remember to shave her legs, drink less wine, and get her s**t together. Her latest piece is on the infamous Jasper, Marquess of Milton, undoubtedly neither a plus one nor ‘the one.’ She’s heard the storiesâ€"there’s no way she’ll succumb to his charms… at Brightly, 15 Great Read-Aloud Books for Older Kids at Bustle, 20 New Books to Read This Summer, According to Authors at Electric Literature, 10 Charming Jerks in Fiction at Epic Reads, 13 Young Adult Anthologies and Short Story Collections Your Shelves Will Thank You For at the Guardian, 10 Teenage Friendships in FictionFrom Dicken to Ferrante at LitHub, 5 Books of Narrative History at Paste Magazine, 10 Must-Listen Audiobooks for Wedding Season at Read It Forward, Our Favorite Memoirs from the Last 10 Years at Riveted Lit, 11 Inspiring Books for New Graduates at TIME, The 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2019 So Far at Tor, 5 Books to Read While Staring Death in the Face at the Washington Post, 20 Books to Read This Summer

Thursday, May 21, 2020

A Brief Note On The European Union And International Duty...

ompany structure: Overall, the PMI employs over 82,000 people worldwide54 and the company splits its markets into four geographical regions which include55 The European Union, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland – covers the entire EU (expect for the Balkans), Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland Eastern Europe, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland – Covers Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, Middle East, Africa, and the international duty free sector The Asian Region, headquartered in Hong Kong – covers all Asian markets, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands Latin America and Canada Region, headquartered in New York – covers South and Central America, Mexioc, the Caribbean, and Canada. The governance of the company consists of a board of directors, executive officers, and board committees. The board of directors are responsible for â€Å"establishing broad corporate policies, setting strategic direction, and overseeing management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company56.† Assisting the board of directors are the following committees57 The Audit Committee – is comprised of non-management personal who help review audit related matters. The Compensation and Leadership Development Committee – is also comprised entirely of non-management personal and help compensation issues and succession plans of executives and senior management. The Finance Committee – monitors and overall financialShow MoreRelatedNorth American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta)2362 Words   |  10 PagesNorth American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) I. Brief overview of NAFTA (mainly for in-class presentation) a. NAFTA Introduction b. Original Expectations II. NAFTA over the last 12 years a. Impact on the U.S. economy i. Jobs (Employment Growth) ii. Labor iii. Income iv. Imports vs. Exports (Trade Deficit) 1. Agriculture v. Economic growth b. Impact on Canadian economy c. Impact on Mexican economy d. Global Impact i. International Business ii. FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) Read MoreNorth American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta)2362 Words   |  10 PagesNorth American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) I. Brief overview of NAFTA (mainly for in-class presentation) a. NAFTA Introduction b. Original Expectations II. NAFTA over the last 12 years a. Impact on the U.S. economy i. Jobs (Employment Growth) ii. Labor iii. Income iv. Imports vs. Exports (Trade Deficit) 1. Agriculture v. Economic growth b. Impact on Canadian economy c. Impact on Mexican economy d. Global Impact i. International Business ii. FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) Read MoreThe Fallout from a Potential Eurozone Breakup4628 Words   |  19 PagesThe Fallout From a Potential Eurozone Breakup Executive Summary: Today, the global economic crisis is centered around the struggles of the European Union to protect its very existence. At the start of its second decade of existence, the common currency form of the Euro, shared by 17 of the European Unions 27 member states, is imperiled by the threat that some of its struggling member might depart from the Eurozone. With a particular focus on Greece, which balanced the question of its status inRead MoreEssay about The Shortcomings of the Current International Trade System2289 Words   |  10 PagesThe Shortcomings of the Current International Trade System The issue of trade has been a factor in the interrelations between nations since their conception. Throughout history there have been many different structures that encompass these trade relations. In essence, the state of trade between counties coincided with, and depended upon, their economies, social structure, willingness to trade, and their available resources (tradable products and services). Todays trade system is stillRead MoreFrance Country Report5492 Words   |  22 Pages With an area of 643,427 sq km, France is the largest country in the European Union; France’s topography is diverse, with mostly flat plains or smoothly rolling hills in the north and west. In the east and south are mountains, including Western Europe’s highest point (Alpine peak of Mont Blanc). Transportation of freights etc. shouldn’t be too intense with this topography. Listed below are France’s top four cities and a brief description of each. This information can be used to determine whereRead MoreDeveloping Countries in the World Trade in Agriculture: Bangladesh Perspective.19109 Words   |  77 Pageswhether the multilateral trading system makes a level playing field for the developing countries in the world trading system or not. This paper consists of six separate chapters. Following the introductory first chapter, the second chapter is a brief of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1947. The third chapter is the most important part of the paper as it scrutinises the WTO ‘Agreement on Agriculture’ from different point of views and its positive sides as well as its lacks along withRead MoreUK - Analysis Report31935 Words   |  128 Pagesdeceleration began in 2008 and the GDP growth rate fell to 0.7%. In 2008, the economy entered into a recession, with a predicted negative growth rate of -4.5% for the United Kingdom: Country Analysis Report – In-depth PESTLE Insights  © Datamonitor. This brief is a licensed product and is not to be photocopied Published 05/2010 Page 1 Overview following year. The recessionary trend in the UK has worsened beyond expectation since the last quarter of 2008. The economy shrank by a sharp 1.6% in thatRead MoreFins2622 Notes6832 Words   |  28 PagesREGIONAL  ECONOMIC  INTEGRATION   The  Political  Economy  of  Free  Trade   ï  ® Free  Trade:  David  Ricardo  (support  free  trade)  Ã‚   o Theory  of  comparative  advantage:  For  two  nations  without  input  factor  mobility,   specialisation  and  trade  could  result  in  increased  total  output  and  lower  costs   than  if  each  nation  tried  to  produce  in  isolation.  Ã‚   ï‚ § Both  nations  can  benefit  from  trade  if  each  specialises  in  good  that  they   have  the  lowest  opportunity  cost,  even  if  one  economy  is  more  efficient  in   making  everythingRead MoreForeign Investment In France4978 Words   |  20 Pages_Toc334197424 h 6 HYPERLINK l _Toc334197425 Health PAGEREF _Toc334197425 h 7 HYPERLINK l _Toc334197426 A brief history of its political systems, especially for the past 50 years PAGEREF _Toc334197426 h 7 HYPERLINK l _Toc334197427 Relationship between economy and political/trade relationships PAGEREF _Toc334197427 h 8 HYPERLINK l _Toc334197428 Current and recent historical economic sector PAGEREF _Toc334197428 h 9 HYPERLINK l _Toc334197429 Overview PAGEREF _Toc334197429 h 9 HYPERLINK lRead MoreWine Consumption Essay examples6888 Words   |  28 Pages a. The organisations mission or vision b. Strategic goals of the organisation c. Capabilities of the organisation d. Product/s of the organisation under consideration for entry into an international market 2. Global Business Environment a. A brief overview of the current global business environment. a-1. Figure 12 wine consumption a-2. Top 10 wine consumers a-3. Changing in total wine consumption b. Discuss

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Eight Heroes in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - 703 Words

In the novel The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, four Chinese mother-daughter pairs, each with her own unique story, have deep connections with each other. At the beginning of the novel they each seem like ordinary women, but as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that these women are more than just mothers, daughters, or wives; they can also be considered heroes according to Joseph Campbell. Joseph Campbell says a hero is someone who undergoes a departure, where the person is confronted with a problem that they must overcome; a fulfillment, where the person finally overcomes the problem; and a return, where the person passes on what they gain and learn from the experiences in the form of a life-giving elixir(Campbell). This â€Å"life-giving†¦show more content†¦Not only is she forced into an arranged marriage, but she has no love for the boy that she is about to marry. From the day that she is arranged into a marriage and thereafter, she must deal with the fact that she will belong to someone else and that she is going to be the property of her husband. Her departure begins when her own family treats her â€Å"as if [she] belonged to someone else† (51). This shows the beginning of her departure because it is the start of the trials that she must overcome and deal with to continue with her journey. To make matters worse, Lindo’s family has to leave her because of a flood that wiped out all of her family’s land. Another trial that she faces is to get out her love-less marriage. She must leave safely while also keeping the honor and dignity of her family name intact. In order to overcome these trials, Lindo must transition to the fulfillment stage. While in the fulfillment stage, a person must pass and overcome the trials and problems that they are faced with in order to move on in there hero journey. Lindo faces the challenge of getting out of her marriage, but comes up with a clever way of getting out of it without dishonoring her f amily name. Lindo decides to use her gift of â€Å"invisible strength† to her advantage. She decides to manipulate her mother-in-law’s superstitions and tell her about the dream she had with Tyan-yu’s grandfather saying that if she does not get out of the marriage that Tyan-yu will die.Show MoreRelatedThe Evolution of Self in Asian-American Women in the Us (Joy Luck Club)4993 Words   |  20 Pagesacross generations, and the ensuing conflicts resulting from the mere existence of the mother/daughter relationship, are also depicted in The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan. This tale spans two generations of Chinese-American women in America and the origins, of their confinement within their culture, in China. One of the relationships that prevail in The Joy Luck Club is the relationship of Suyuan Woo and her daughter Jing-Mei â€Å"June† Woo. The story begins with the recent death of Suyuan Woo, who died beforeRead MoreLangston Hughes Research Paper25309 Words   |  102 Pagescompares the school to a great grey mother who encourages the ambitions of children of all colors and religions. Langstons English teacher at Central, Ethel Weimer, introduced him to the American poets Edgar Lee Masters, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Amy Lowell, and Vachel Lindsay. Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman were his favorites. Hughes read Sandburgs Chicago Poems (1916) and studied his biography. He was impressed by Sandburgs humble lifestyle and his contempt for a wealthy upper class that ignoredRead MoreEssay on Fall of Asclepius95354 Words   |  382 Pagesfilled with strip malls and clothing stores. Across the parking lot from Bulk Master was a grocery store and hardware store. Ah, theres the East Cliff Area, and look! There are just several zombies wandering outside Bulk Master. That is fantastic luck for us. Thomas ran over the zombies that stumbled around the parking lot. Some of them required several hits to completely kill them. The sky darkened with clouds. Thomas and Walt got out of the SUV and rushed to get all their weapons into theRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesSelf-Assessment Library How Charismatic Am I? 382 Self-Assessment Library Am I an Ethical Leader? 386 An Ethical Choice Do Leaders Have a Responsibility to Protect Followers? 388 Myth or Science? â€Å"Power Helps Leaders Perform Better† 392 Point/Counterpoint Heroes Are Made, Not Born 398 Questions for Review 399 Experiential Exercise What Is a Leader? 399 Ethical Dilemma Undercover Leaders 399 Case Incident 1 Leadership Mettle Forged in Battle 400 Case Incident 2 Leadership Factories 400 13 Power and

Hul Asignment †Case Study1 Free Essays

string(25) " arrived at the factory\." 1. Employee benefits and Long Term Settlement Although initially positive about the move, the ICU workers had begun to demand more money to compensate for the increased travel costs and the more expensive food at the TF. (case study p. We will write a custom essay sample on Hul Asignment – Case Study1 or any similar topic only for you Order Now 5) The issue was escalated to the corporate head offices who decided that ICU employees would be granted a cafeteria premium of Rs. 25 per day but not a conveyance allowance. (case study p. 7) The three units had different policies for: Tea breaks Lunch breaks Holiday lists Festival advances Pay structures Designations Working timelines: ICU – seven days in three shifts TF – six days in two shifts TIU – five days in a single shift The LTS also covers machine speeds, productivity, medical TCs, prayer times for religious groups. (case study p. 8) Factory unions present their charter of demands to the factory management. Factory management negotiate with the Central Industrial Relations Committee for an overall package that the committee would sanction as a pay out. Local management then negotiate with the unions and it is signed off once the majority of unions agree. (case study p. 8) Each day after 28th of February that the LTS is not agreed the employees lose out on whatever salary increment the agreement contained. (case study p. 8) Older workers are more concerned with pensions, newer workers want to increase take home pay. (case study p. 9) (case study p. 9) The current LTS is for the Tea Factory, the LTS for the TIU expires in 2010 and for the ICU in 2011. Any agreements in the TF LTS will set precedent for future settlements. Consequences There will be uncertainty and unrest amongst the employees until the issues are resolved. Need to improve employee engagement. Precedents will be set for future settlements. So considerations should be given to how working conditions can be best standardised. LTS negotiations have in the past become violent resulting in the breakdown of communication and adverse effects on the business. (case study p. 8) Employees are losing out on benefits while waiting for this to be sorted so it is in everyone’s best interest to resolve it quickly. Solutions A good package will be an effective tool for recruitment and retention of colleagues and help to sustain staff motivation and engagement. According to Bratton and Gold (2007, p. 364) â€Å"the reward system is an important consideration when the organisation is trying to attract suitable employees, and once workers are members of the organisation, their task behaviour and levels of performance are influenced by the reward system. † A recent article by Manisha Chada of the people matters from India has noted the concept of rewards is gaining increasing popularity, particularly due to the diverse needs of an evolved workforce. Other factors that should also be considered are competitive salaries, comfortable lifestyle, job security, career enhancement options, and work-life balance Effective communication with employees plays a vital role during the restructuring period of any organisation as it helps to properly inform the employees about the changes. This helps to remove the uncertainty and allay fears amongst employees and therefore may overcome any resistance that may result thereof. Casio (2002:96) believes that â€Å"open and ongoing communication is critical to a successful restructuring effort†. Paton and James (2000:45) believe that â€Å"effective communication that is designed to inform, consult and promote action will help in overcoming both resistance and ignorance amongst employees†. Owning shares will provide employees with financial incentives that will make them more committed to the organisation and more motivated at work. If the company is more profitable, employees will gain financially through dividend payments and an increased share price. Many companies in India such as †¦ have employee contribution pension schemes so employees can choose if they want to put money into the pension or keep it in their take home pay – a certain amount of salary can be allocated and company would match up that to a set limit. This would give the older employees the option to put more money into their Relocation of workers – we feel that it is unfair that colleagues have been relocated and now have extra travel costs and travel time. The company could arrange a bus to pick up employees from certain agreed points and ferry them to the Tea Factory. This could improve colleague commitment as it would show that takes on board their feedback. I would suggest that the management team should put in place a core package for all employees that can be replicated for the ICU and TIU. Additional benefits could be added dependant on grade and performance. According to an article on Employee Satisfaction in the Journal of Industrial Management and Data Systems, this would contribute to colleague engagement and motivation. Policies on tea breaks, lunch breaks, festival advances, holiday policy and prayer times could be standardised for all colleagues. It would be wise to carry out a review of the grading structure of all three parts of the Tea Factory and to standardise grades and job titles and pay for colleagues performing similar roles throughout the organisation. Arguments How are we going to persuade the CEO and management to agree to an improved package. What about the younger people, will they realise the importance of a pension scheme? – Perhaps it would be a good idea for the company or unions to educate the employees about the pension scheme. It would also be a good idea to allow employees to amend the percentage that they contribute at certain times. The management have already declined to pay travel costs individually –could help to build relations between employees and gain confidence from the employees. 2. Issues between the management and the unions The challenge of managing the disparate workforce will fall to the Factor Manager, the Commercial Manager and the HR Manager. The HR manager, is female, 26 and this is her first assignment. (case study p. 2) There was no HR team in place when Suchita arrived at the factory. You read "Hul Asignment – Case Study1" in category "Free Case study samples" All previous managers had been male, native to the state and had four to five years of experience. One worker had said to her â€Å"you’re younger than even my daughter, and I don’t like the fact that I have to report to you. † Suchita has hired an experienced local man onto the HR team to ease relations with the workforce. (case study p. 6) The leader of the TF Union C is argumentative, and the union is more uncooperative than the others. The leader barged into Suchita’s office on her first day in the factory and threatened to strike if an issue was not resolved. case study p. 5) The ICU unions had not been part of a large multinational before and were wary of standardised processes. They also felt that they were not compensated on a par with other HUL unions and looked to the upcoming merger to gain a significant pay out for their people. When Suchita arrived, the TF and ICU had separate factory managers. Just after she started the ICU manager quit and t wo months later she learned that the TF manager would move to another role in Dec 2008. The abrupt change in managers increased the union’s unease. case study p. 6;7) Union leaders have highlighted the differences in working T;Cs amongst the different units. (case study p. 8) ICU employees became more resistant and reluctant to change as the move drew nearer. (case study p. 8) Management have adopted a tough stance on negotiations – see p. 8. As the older workers were replaced inter union rivalries resurfaced. (case study p. 9) Unions are becoming increasingly possessive of their members in order to preserve their group identity and importance. (case study p. 9) Consequences If the unions are not organised effectively there is a potential that they will strike. The issues with management structure such as the change in TF and ICU managers are leading to unrest and need to be resolved. The ICU unions possibly need help to integrate into the TF structure as they are becoming very wary about the changes and could cause unrest and protest amongst the employees. Union rivalry is increasing, could be bad for the business therefore it would be better to stabilise the structure as soon as possible. Change management. Integration. Solutions To reduce issues between management and unions: Employees should be allowed to take part right from the beginning of restructuring process. Employees are more likely to be supportive of any changes if they are allowed to genuinely take part in meetings and workshops where the envisaged changes are discussed at the outset Every attempt should be made by management to share all the necessary information with employees accurately and at appropriate times. This will create an atmosphere of trust and commitment amongst employees and will also enhance the integrity and credibility of management and their intentions; Employees must always see some benefits coming out of the change process and management must ensure that these gains are clearly understood by all the relevant employees. Reward structures that are clearly understood by employees as well as facilities such as the cafeteria must be reconsidered as important elements of the change processes A strategic human resource blueprint for retention, re-skilling and movement of employees to new roles and functions must be developed and be made known to all relevant parties. More coaching and training for the local managers including HR manager. Equality and diversity policy and provide training to the colleagues. According to an article by Kathy Gans it is important to gain a good understanding of how changes will impact the workforce. It would be a good idea to conduct surveys to gauge the feelings of employees and then analyse the results to put together a plan. Gans identifies that it is important to spend time with managers, supervisors and union leaders to establish their buy in to the process as they will play a significant role in influencing colleagues. Gans also identifies that communication is key to successful change management. It is important to communicate the reasons for the change to the workforce. In this case, we believe that the move of the TIU and the ICU will be beneficial for the company as a whole but will also bring benefits for the employees such as greater stability and job security. Regular, targeted communication will help develop employees’ understanding of the process. Changes do affect organisations and employees. Employees become insecure, confused about their jobs and therefore, less productive. According to Anderson and Anderson (2001:1) the success of 21st Century organisations will depend on how successful leaders are at leading and managing this change. They argue that most organisation leaders are found wanting when it comes to leading change successfully. Andersons Nine- Phase Change Process Model could be utilised. One to one communication with employees would also help them to voice their fears whilst allowing management to challenge any misconceptions. In 1993 Lloyds bank merged with TSB – this is a good example of communication to employees. At the start of the process they made a promise to their employees that they would be open and honest with them, whether the news was good or bad. This helped to build trust with employees at the start of the process and we would recommend it as a strategy. Union forum – structure a communication process between the unions and management. Suggest that the unions from the ICU and TF merge – these two have similar processes and are both factory based. The TIU work is completely different and the unions are national rather than local so it may be best for them to remain separate. 3. Company Cultures – unified culture and the cafeteria issue The integrated factory would be occupied by 250 workers reflecting three distinct cultures and seven different organised trade unions. (case study p. 1) Biswaranjan Sen (head of project) is concerned that there is a need for a â€Å"one factory† way of doing things that tapped the best of the three cultures. (case study p. ) â€Å"The underlying philosophy with which this company has been run for many decades is the belief that what is good for India is good for us,† maintained HUL’s CEO and Managing Director Nitin Paranjpe, adding , â€Å"the only way you can succeed is to remain relevant to the society in which you operate. Therefore, social and societal needs and contexts, as they changed in this country, have been at the forefront of what we’ve done. † (case study p. 2) The CEO’s main concerns were about plans to bridge the cultural gap. (case study p. 9 ) Suchita was not sure whether it would be better to integrate the TF and the ICU immediately or to wait. There were business benefits to integrating the units. The two business cycles are different, ice cream peaks just before summer while tea peaks in winter. The integrated units would provide an opportunity to train workers across different businesses and to break the physical separation of workplaces. (case study p. 9) Tea Factory (TF) The workforce at the Tea factory is aging (53+ years) and they have previously experienced challenging times. They were positive about the change of strategy to use the Tea Factory as a central hub. New initiatives were embraced and inter-union rivalry played out in the background. case study p. 3;4) The TF workers were put out by the changes made for the TIU workers, one Union leader complained â€Å"We work in 40 degree C on the shop floor in the summer; they sit in air conditioned offices. Our food, too, was made better only after the others came. What are we, their poor country cousins? † (case study p. 4) Between 2005 and 2008 many workers, including some of the union reps, retired. New colleagues came in who were not as affected by the issues of the past and the culture began to change. Union rivalry increased. (case study p. 5) There are three unions (case study p. ): Union A – one of the stronger factory unions, composed mainly of veterans with almost 20-25 years of experience. Union B – the factory’s oldest and at one time largest union – though now smaller than Union A after some of its most powerful and respected leaders had retired. Union C – the forceful and argumentative style of its leader was reflected in the general uncooperativeness of the union. The factory unions have on a number of occasions demanded to know why they do not receive the same privileges as the ICU. (case study p. 9) Tea Innovation Unit (TIU) Previously located in the Regional Corporate Office, the two unions agreed to move to the Tea Factory on the condition that their office space was maintained with similar standards for food and other benefits. (case study p. 4) New plush air-conditioned offices were installed with a separate entrance creating two separate units with distinct cultures. (case study p. 4) There are two unions that are structured and hierarchical like British unions. They are not local unions, they have a structure, maintain offices and function like an organisation. They are efficient and progressive and don’t relate to the factory unions. case study p. 5) Ice Cream Unit Acquired by HUL in 1998. HUL introduced many of its standard systems and policies – such as quality assurance and workplace safety but the culture and way of working had not changed. Job promotions were not standard, and even designations and titles were different across grades. The working culture was very laid back and r elaxed. (case study p. 4) The set up was familial, workers lived nearby and new each other’s families. Workers often went beyond the scope of their work to deliver what the business needed and supported management’s efforts to increase production efficiency. The relationship between management and the two unions was cordial. (case study p. 4) The ICU workers were initially pleased with the announcement that they would move to the Tea Factory as the TF had better facilities for employee welfare and recreation. One union leader remarked â€Å"By bringing more things here you are strengthening the entire unit and improving our job stability. † (case study p. 5) The two ICU unions are affiliated with the State political parties. Because of the cordial relationship with management they were the most approachable. They had not been part of a large multinational before. They have a different approach to the LTS, treat their existing LTS as a guideline only. Cafeteria Issues When the TIU relocated to the TF the canteen food was upgraded at greater cost to match the better meals at the Regional Corporate Office. The TF unions refused to pay any more for their food so despite the fact that all other cafeterias were operated on a no profit, no loss basis, HUL agreed to subsidise the difference. (case study p. 4) ICU workers argued that the food at the TF was more expensive than their previous cafeteria and wanted compensation for the difference. (case study p. 5;7) The issue is important to workforce as food is culturally significant and is interwoven into the social, religious and artistic lives of the people. (case study p. 7) The ICU workers were granted a premium of Rs. 25 per day. This increased tensions over the cafeteria(case study p. 7) The TIU unions argued that the cafeteria was a basic condition of employment in relocating to the TF and their terms cannot change. (case study p. 7) The TF unions stated that management increased the menu when the TIU came in, now they want to water it down when the ICU comes in. Is it fair that it changes each time a new unit comes in? case study p. 7) The factory unions would almost certainly resist management’s effort to change the cafeteria’s full lunch subsidy, and the other unions had already made it clear that they were adamantly opposed to separate menus. (case study p. 10) Consequences How to build greater transparency and trust with employees? If the cultures are not integrated r ivalry and jealousy between the units will continue to increase which could lead to strikes and a mistrustful and de-motivated workforce. An unhappy workforce is less productive and less supportive of management initiatives so solutions need to be found. The employees are unhappy about the cafeteria for various reasons. Solutions The organisation cannot function properly with several dominant cultures. One dominant culture will therefore have to be adopted for the new organisation. it is imperative for managers to equip themselves with conflict handling techniques to enable them to effectively manage the change process. An organisational restructuring process will only be successful if it aligns all the aspects of the organisation. Johnson and Scholes (2002:534) argue, â€Å"If change is to be successful, it also has to link the strategic, operational and everyday aspects of the organisation†. Before SmithKline merged with the British-based Beecham Group a few years ago, the Philadelphia-based drug manufacturer wanted to find out whether the corporate cultures of the two firms were sufficiently similar to make the merger succeed. During the merger, over 2,000 people from both firms were divided into more than 200 teams to figure out how to integrate their respective structures, systems, and cultures. â€Å"From the very beginning, they were learning how to work together,† Integration integrate the corporate cultures of both organizations. This involves combining two or more cultures into a new composite culture that preserves the best features of the previous cultures. Raytheon is applying an integration strategy as the defense and aerospace conglomerate develops a new culture for the half-dozen companies that recently merged or were acquired. 56 Integration is most effective when the companies have relatively weak cultures or when their cultures include several overlapping values. Integration also works best when people realize that their existing cultures are ineffective and are therefore motivated to adopt a new set of dominant values. However, integration is slow and potentially risky, because there are many forces preserving the existing cultures. Separation A separation strategy occurs where the merging companies agree to remain distinct entities with minimal exchange of culture or organizational practices. Insignia Financial Group, a South Carolina real estate firm, has applied a separation strategy to its more than 30 acquisitions over the past decade. â€Å"When we buy the companies, we leave the infrastructure in place,† says Henry Horowitz, Insignia’s executive managing director. â€Å"We’re buying a successful company. Why would we want to disrupt something that works? And the morale becomes terrible if you start decimating. †Separation is most appropriate when the two merging companies are in unrelated industries because the most appropriate cultural values tend to differ by industry. Unfortunately, few acquired firms remain independent for long because executives in the acquiring firm want to control corporate decisions. Therefore, it’s not surprising that only 15 percent of acquisitions leave the purchased organization as a stand-alone unit. Cafeteria to offer a range of food at various prices of the colleagues can pick and mix their meals and pay as much or as little as they want to. There is no staff development scheme in place, perhaps factory workers could develop towards a role in the Tea Innovation Unit – could help to break down the barriers between the units and dispel rivalry. Could include training relevant to role e. g. health and safety, equlity and diversity (Motivation and engagement) Listen to the employees not everything through the unions, employee forums and possibly one to ones with colleagues to develop two way communication between management and employees. Colleague engagement surveys Allow feedback from employees on managers, develop psychological contracts with employees. Staff social events to break down barriers Multiskill the workforce, perhaps ask for volunteers at first then roll out further. Allow employees to work flexible patterns. 4. Colleague issues – development, motivation, staff levels Tea Factory In the ‘90s HUL adopted a strategy of regionalising tea production. As a result production at the Tea Factory decreased and between 1989 and 1998 there were eight rounds of voluntary redundancy. (case study p. 3) Workers heard stories of those who had taken VRS and had not done well. As a result some higher level employees voluntarily downgraded to ensure job security. case study p. 3) In the 90’s the workers perception was that the company made a lot of money and there was no need to worry. There was reluctance to acknowledge that although the company as a whole was profitable; their unit might not be contributing to that performance. (case study p. 3) Management need to replace the many worker who retired between 2005 and 2 008. They are concerned about the emergence of a new set of opinion leaders. (case study p. 8) Newer workers who had not witnessed the downturn of the Tea Factory were less restrained in their demands. In the old days, the workmen would come in on Sunday for training, even without overtime pay, although they didn’t know how it would benefit them. †¦ they were that motivated. Now, we have to persuade the new recruits to come in on a Sunday. And we pay them overtime! † (case study p. 9) Consequences Management need to replace the employees who retired as the rest of the workforce will be under pressure to cover until the positions are filled. Newer workers are no longer motivated by fear of losing their job so a way needs to be found to motivate them. Colleagues need to be kept informed of the performance of the unit so they can act accordingly. Solutions Consider perspectives and experiences of local employees. Consider interventions that could bring the best out of the employees e. g. introduce a reward and recognition scheme to reward performance. (Motivation) Create a performance culture – introduce targets, regular one to ones, plans for output an deliver against it – link output to bonus Older employees bring a diverse range of skills, could use them in a different capacity e. g. coaching and mentoring the new staff. How to cite Hul Asignment – Case Study1, Free Case study samples

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Movie Review on a Beautiful Mind Essay Example

Movie Review on a Beautiful Mind Paper John Nash was a mathematical mastermind, stricken with the devastating mental illness of schizophrenia. Throughout the movie?was representation, you slowly witness how It began to take over his life. While teaching his class during one of his lectures, Nash was taken away biblically and sent to a mental facility since his actions regarded him as crazy. John Nash was required to take medicine to stabilize his symptoms but refused to do o because It would impede on a supposed secret Nilsson ordered by a hallucination named Parched. His refusal to take his medication caused extreme negative side effects making his illness worse. Nash?was wife, Local, had hopes stand In the way of the actual picture of no overcoming his schizophrenia. One example of this reaction was when John was in charge of watching their child alone while Local did some laundry collection outside. While giving their son a bath, John?was obsession tit his secret mission flooded his mind and fogged his current responsibility. Alicia sees John in his shed that is covered in newspapers that he was required to decode. She then realizes that he had left their child in the bath and runs in to find their son almost drowning. In her attempt to protect her child and herself from any further danger, she tries to call DRP. Rosen but only gets abused by John. We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Review on a Beautiful Mind specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Review on a Beautiful Mind specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Review on a Beautiful Mind specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This scene is very powerful cause it portrays how deep schizophrenia is and how it gets in he way of his I find this scene particularly moving, because it shows the full extent of how John?was schizophrenia interferes with his capability to live normally day by day. The realization John must have experienced of being a genius but not having the capability of controlling his actions must be saddening and depressing. Reality is inexistent due to the powerful control of his hallucinations. This led to not being able to safely be a father to his child and husband to his wife.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Buddhist Ethics Essays

Buddhist Ethics Essays Buddhist Ethics Essay Buddhist Ethics Essay To end suffering we must end desire, Release from suffering is possible through the noble eightfold path. The four noble truth is a like a doctor, you have the symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and the prescription The weakness of Buddhist Ethics, many Buddhist are opposed to any form Of violence, the Dali Lama prohibits the use of arms even In cases of self defense, another weakness of Buddhist Is there Is no Independent self and the last nakedness I think Buddhist Is there virtue of Impartiality seems rather naive In the view of our human nature. Buddhist has a couple of strengths, Buddhist Ethics shows the Importance of cultivating good character another strength In Buddhist Ethics Is that It cautions us against uncritically slipping In taking extreme action. Confucian Ethics The five great relationship examples are father-son, elder brother-younger brother, husband-wife, elder friend-younger friend, ruler-subject. The five virtues are Jean Is human heartiness, consideration and compassion. IL is that we act in a decent fashion with good manners, good judgment and discretion. Shush says to do not do unto others what you would not wish done to yourself, Again,its devotion to your offspring by doing what brings respect for family and also respect for parents and elder and cares for the children. Went, is about culture its the knowledge and skill in the arts and also appreciating beauty. The weakness in Confucian Ethics there are a few weakness but some are ruler -subject father-son and husband-wife Confucian Hough that the virtue lies in its social and interpersonal meaning with the husband and wife even though the spouses show deference for each other the wife is subordinate to the husband. Hindu Dharma It mean duty morality and righteousness, The caste system is a strong social class, you are born into caste there are 5 caste system which are Priest meaning spiritual leader and a counselor, Warrior gives protection of the society, Merchants is the producer and seller of goods, Peasants which handles manual labor and the untouchables which does he dirty work for the outcasts

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Turner Surname Meaning and Origin

Turner Surname Meaning and Origin Turner is most commonly an occupational name for one who worked with a lathe to make items of wood, bone, or metal. The name derives from the Old French tornier and Latin Tornarius, meaning lathe. Other possible origins of the Turner surname include: An occupational name for an official in charge of a tournament, from the Old French tornei, meaning a tournament or contest of armed men.A variant of the surname Turnehare, a nickname for a fast runner from the  Middle English turnen, meaning to turn hare, a fast rabbit.An occupational name for a guard in a tower, from the Middle High German turn, meaning tower.A habitational name for someone from any one of various places named Turna, Turno,  Thurn, etc. This origin can be hard to pinpoint to a specific country, meaning individuals with the Turner surname could have come from Poland, Austria, Germany or any number of other countries. Turner is the 49th most popular surname in the United States and the 27th most common surname in England. Surname Origin:  English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings:  TOURNIER, TURNEY, DOERNER, DURNER, TARNER, TERNER, TOURNEAU, TURNOR, THURNER, TOURNER, TOURNOR Famous People Sith the Surname TURNER - 18th and 19th century British landscape painterNat Turner - leader of a violent slave rebellion in VirginiaCharles Henry Turner -  pioneering African-American scientist and scholarIke Turner - RB legend; husband of Tina TurnerTed Turner - founder of CNN; philanthropistKathleen Turner - American actressLana Turner - American film actress and pin-up girlJosh Turner - American country music starJohn Turner - 17th Prime Minister of Canada Where Do People With the TURNER Surname Live? Turner is the worlds 900th most common surname, according to surname distribution data from  Forebears. It is most common in various English speaking countries, including New Zealand where it ranks 30th, England (31st), Australia (34th), Isle of Man (34th), Wales (46th) and the United States (48th). WorldNames PublicProfiler  identifies Turner as most prevalent in the Waitomo District of New Zealand, followed by the Otorohanga District. It also identifies the surname as especially common in Tasmania and Western Australia, as well as East Anglia and West Midlands in the United Kingdom. Genealogy Resources for the Surname TURNER 100 Most Common U.S. Surnames Their MeaningsSmith, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Brown... Are you one of the millions of Americans sporting one of these top 100 common last names from the 2000 census? 100 Most Common English Surnames with MeaningsLearn how surnames originated in England, and about the four major types of surnames. Includes a list of 100 of the most popular English surnames along with their meanings. Turner Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Turner family crest or coat of arms for the Turner surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.   Turner Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Turner surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Turner query. FamilySearch - TURNER GenealogyAccess over 7 million free historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Turner surname and its variations on this free genealogy website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. TURNER Surname Family Mailing ListsRootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Turner surname. DistantCousin.com - TURNER Genealogy Family HistoryExplore free databases and genealogy links for the last name Turner. The Turner Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse family trees and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the last name Turner from the website of Genealogy Today. References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967.Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998.Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003.Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989.Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Finance Policy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finance Policy - Assignment Example The strategic planning manager is entitled to reduce the acquisition amount so that the firm Alresford could take over Gibson at more profit and at a price less than the market price. The firm Alresford aims to take over Gibson ltd at a reduced price, which is less than the market value of the firm in order to obtain profits. c) Determine which of the strategic planning manager’s suggestions should be undertaken and specify the optimum life of the south division. Advise Alresford ltd. of the maximum amount it should now be prepared to pay for Gibson. The strategic planning manager’s suggestion of using the Alresford’s transport rather than the north division’s transport which could save the transport expenses by $ 600,000 annually results in a savings of $ 2,400,000 in four years. Even though such a change would increase the replacement cost by $ 1.6 million, yet such a type of system will result in a savings of $ 800,000 which the firm can use for other business restructuring processes. The system of dividend imputation was introduced in Australia in 1987 in order to avoid double taxation with respect to the income of a company. Before the introduction of the dividend imputation in Australia, there was double taxation because the companies paid tax on their earning income and the shareholders also had to pay tax on the dividends at a marginal tax rate, which provided the government double tax on a single company’s earnings. Here the difference with respect to dividend payment if the firm Alresford implemented the Australian dividend imputation system could not be clearly calculated as no provisions with respect to payment of dividend are provided. Therefore, there is no change in calculations with respect to payment of dividend if the Australian dividend imputation system is used. The system of Dividend Imputation allows the shareholders of the firm to obtain more

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Vaccinations and autism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Vaccinations and autism - Essay Example According to them, the exposure to mercury preservative called in thimerosal increase the autism of contracting the autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, this paper examines the studies on this topic to suggest a different realities and truth. Vaccination plays a critical role in the society in reducing the cost, diseases, and loss of human life. The government and society incur direct medical cost and vaccination plays a role in reducing the direct cost immeasurably (Solt, 2010). In essence, vaccination reduces the cost of treating medical complications caused by preventable diseases. The societal cost such as special education for children with special needs, supplies in the hospitals, and loss of productivity is huge. Studies and research have shown that publication to link vaccination and autism is a pipe dream and replete to failure. There is a widespread of misinformation on the effects of vaccination to human health. Propaganda has been spread that vaccination is a family planning method introduced to developing nation. Moreover, other people give personal accounts of contracting autism and other condition after vaccination. Misinformation can lead to contraction of preventable diseases hence the need of societal involvement in the debate (Stanovich, 2007). The global increase in the spread of autism diagnosis is caused by the increased awareness and diagnostic criteria. This has increased the perception that exposure to vaccines leads to autism. Research conducted by price and colleagues (2010) explored the correlation between prenatal and infant ethylmercury exposure from immuglobulin preparation. The study established that vaccination does not cause autism spectrum disorders as suggested by politicians and other lobby groups. The research asserts that there is no solid evidence that support the fact that vaccination and exposure to thimerosal causes autism. In essence, the

Friday, January 24, 2020

The Works Of Poet Carl Sandburg And His Effect On American Poetry :: essays research papers

The Works of Poet Carl Sandburg and His Effect on American Poetry The beloved poet, Carl Sandburg, changed the course of American poetry. He was a poet, novelist, journalist, and songwriter, yet the influence of his works have not always been acknowledged. Carl Sandburg's evocations of American urban and rural life, compassion for people, and his love of nature, through his works have made an enormous contribution to the American literary scene.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Carl Sandburg was born on January 6, 1878 to illiterate parents of Swedish decent in Galesburg, Illinois. Much of Sandburg's literary works are a result of his life time observations. He, more generously than many of his fellow authors, left a detailed account of his wanderings, his numerous jobs, his early struggles, and his successes in life. His own life fascinated him.(Rogers 19) Therefore, he felt he wanted to share his fascination with the people he enjoyed writing about.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Carl Sandburg is so greatly remembered because his writing was considerably different from the writing of his contemporaries. He let his mind travel, and be free. His works included the use of free verse, colloquialisms, an original type of rhythm, and oddly structured, prosaic poetry that emphasized key phrases and images.(clc 35, 338) Sandburg was the first of a long line of poets and authors to use the words and phrases that he created in his poetry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sandburg's style of writing is what changed the course of American poetry. Before Sandburg, most poetry and other literary works were considerably similar, along with dull and boring. He carried poetry to "new horizons." He, many times, wrote of reality, which was not always what people wanted to read, but it was reality and it had to be dealt with. This is how his writing became so known, because he dealt with what was real in our fantasy world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sandburg was not afraid to express his true feelings and thought on people, society, nature, and life in general. One of his finest poetic achievements is a poem called The People, Yes. It is a poem about people in life, and everything life entails. The images in it range from a white man and an Indian man arguing over who knows more, to why children put beans in their ears when told not to. The People, Yes covers everyday dilemmas encountered by the common man, but have not been expressed, and it is mandated by none other than Carl Sandburg, the great American poet. "The people is a myth, an abstraction. And what myth would you put in place of the people? And what abstraction would you exchange for this one?

Thursday, January 16, 2020

An Episode of My Life- Life of a Grade 8 Student Essay

I woke up in the middle of the night after the weird noise coming from my brother Jake’s room. It was his alarm that made such noise. He has an important high school exam today. Apparently he thought that having a fire drill sound as his alarm tune would surely wake him up, it did but it woke all of us up. After finally being able to sleep again, I woke up around eight o’clock. I was thirty minute later from the time when I usually wake up. It is Wednesday, June 27th. The weather was extremely beautiful and warm, a typical June weather in L.A. After having breakfast and a nice cup of ice tea, I got ready for school. Today was the last day of school so I wanted to enjoy it. I put on an over- sized sweatshirt and paired it with ripped skinny jeans while grabbing a pair of sneakers. I was never allowed to wear such kind of cloths in school, apparently my school is private and only accepts proper dress code. My dad’s driver drove me to school today because I was going to be late. Usually I just walk to school since it only takes me ten minutes. Around nine thirty, I arrived at school. I entered through the front door and saw the crowd surrounding a seventh grader that was being bullied by a bully. This actually happened a lot after he arrived to our school. His name is Thomas Thomson and had been called names ever since last year. He was a show off and had a bad attitude. The bully was Joe Kinderson. He always bullies younger graders and was expelled twice in one year. The only reason he is still here is because of his dad, the president of Kinderson Company. His dad’s company founded our school and that is why our school’s name is Roy Kinderson Academy. Being in a private school had never been what I wanted. If I hadn’t fail grade five, I would still be in Rosemary public school that can give me at least freedom. That was not bad enough, because I got a D on two of my subjects for the past two semesters, I will have to be sent to a boarding school in England and live with my aunt Frowny after summer break. Aunt Frowny’s actual name is Juliana Frowren Williams. My brother and I gave her the nickname â€Å"Frowny† since she barely smiles to us. First period was supposed to be French but Ms. Lewis our homeroom teacher decided to change it into science so she can give us a review quiz on what we learned this year. Our French teacher Madam Garcia was one of the nicest teachers in grade eight due to the fact that she barely gave us any homework and that she always has a big bright smile on her face. Since today was the last day of school, we only had to stay in school until after lunch. We had recess after first period. My two best friends Trina and Elisa were with me along some other girls. They think that going to school in England will be a fairy tale but for me its definitely not. Lunch was pizza and fruit salad. We had to help clean out the classroom before lunch. Around one o’clock we were about to leave. I knew it would be the last time I ever see my friends and teachers so I left early. I didn’t want to get emotional since I was known as a girl who never cries. I will really miss my school but I can still contact people from my school using Facebook. I got home a quarter to two. Took a shower and watched TV until my mom went home. She made me to go shopping with her and buy new cloths for tomorrow. Tomorrow is our family â€Å"Frienbely† day. It was a unique holiday my parents thought about when I was five. They wanted to celebrate the coming of summer break by hanging out with Jake and I as friends for a whole day. We thought it was cool at that time but that was because we were young. As we were on our way to the mall, I had to tell my mom how my day went. I told her about the practice fire drill we had today and the whole morning of cleaning. She asked me if I took memorable pictures with any of my teachers and friends but I said I would still visit them in the summer. The afternoon turned to be a disaster to me. I accidently went off to the wrong escalator and ended up bumping into the set where they were shooting a music video. The camera caught me spilling coffee onto my pants by accident and broadcasted it on the big screen in the mall. The embarrassing thing wasn’t this but my mom. She shopped at my favorite store and bought the exact same cloth I was wearing. She though it would be fun and would be perfect for tomorrow’s â€Å"Frienbely† day. Because my mom withdrawn five of her credit cards last week without knowing, my brother Jake had to come over to pay for her bills. He laughed so hard at both of us and laughed even harder when he saw the big screen playing over my coffee spilling moment. Around seven thirty in the afternoon, my family went out for dinner after my dad returned from work. We had dinner at a famous Spanish restaurant since my mom is half Spanish. The restaurant wasn’t famous because of its extraordinary taste but by its reasonable price and its interesting arrangement of tables. Dad bought cloths for the â€Å"frienbely† day as well. He told his secretary to get the same outfit that matched with the cloths Jake bought last week. I was going to laugh at Jake to get back at him, but I thought I would save it for the next time he makes fun of me. After we got home just before eleven o’clock, I found Jake’s new girlfriend waiting for him by the back door of our house. Jake didn’t tell mom and dad about his new girlfriend because he just broke up with his ex- girlfriend last week and their relationship only lasted for two days. I didn’t tell mom and dad about Jake’s new girl friend because they promised me to buy me a new CD that mom banned me from listening to. They were going to sing at the karaoke club with a bunch of friends to have fun and relax after their two months of studying. I went to bed at two AM in the morning. The new video game I bought last week kept me from sleeping early. After five minute, I slept soundly with a dream that led me to the uncertainness of tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Biography of Akbar the Great, Emperor of Mughal India

Akbar the Great (Oct. 15, 1542–Oct. 27, 1605) was a 16th-century Mughal (Indian) emperor famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the arts. Fast Facts: Akbar the Great Known For: Mughal ruler famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the artsAlso Known As: Abul-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, Akbar I  Born:  Oct. 15, 1542 in Umerkot,  Rajputana  (present-day  Sindh,  Pakistan)Parents: Humayun, Hamida Banu BegumDied: Oct. 27, 1605 in Fatehpur Sikri,  Agra,  Mughal Empire  (present-day  Uttar Pradesh,  India)Spouse(s): Salima Sultan Begum, Mariam-uz-Zamani, Qasima Banu Begum, Bibi Daulat Shad, Bhakkari Begu, Gauhar-un-Nissa BegumNotable Quote: As most men are fettered by bonds of tradition, and by imitating ways followed by their fathers...everyone continues, without investigating their arguments and reasons, to follow the religion in which he was born and educated, thus excluding himself from the possibility of ascertaining the truth, which is the noblest aim of the human intellect. Therefore we associate at convenient seasons with learned men of all religions, thus deriving profit from their exquis ite discourses and exalted aspirations. Early Life Akbar was born to the second Mughal Emperor Humayun and his teenaged bride Hamida Banu Begum on Oct. 14, 1542, in Sindh, now part of Pakistan. Although his ancestors included both Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamerlane), the family was on the run after losing Baburs newly-established empire. Humayan would not regain northern India until 1555. With his parents in exile in Persia, little Akbar was raised by an uncle in Afghanistan, with help from a series of nursemaids. He practiced key skills like hunting but never learned to read (possibly due to a learning disability). Nonetheless, throughout his life, Akbar had texts on philosophy, history, religion, science, and other topics read to him, and he could recite long passages of what he heard from memory. Akbar Takes Power In 1555, Humayan died just months after retaking Delhi. Akbar ascended the Mughal throne at the age of 13 and became Shahanshah (King of Kings). His regent was Bayram Khan, his childhood guardian and an outstanding warrior/statesman. The young emperor almost immediately lost Delhi once more to the Hindu leader Hemu. However, in November 1556, Generals Bayram Khan and Khan Zaman I defeated Hemus much larger army at the Second Battle of Panipat. Hemu himself was shot through the eye as he rode into battle atop an elephant; the Mughal army captured and executed him. When he came of age at 18, Akbar dismissed the increasingly overbearing Bayram Khan and took direct control of the empire and army. Bayram was ordered to make the hajj—or pilgrimage—to Mecca, but he instead started a rebellion against Akbar. The young emperors forces defeated Bayrams rebels at Jalandhar, in Punjab. Rather than executing the rebel leader, Akbar mercifully allowed his former regent another chance to go to Mecca. This time, Bayram Khan went. Intrigue and Further Expansion Although he was out from under Bayram Khans control, Akbar still faced challenges to his authority from within the palace. The son of his nursemaid, a man called Adham Khan, killed another adviser in the palace after the victim discovered that Adham was embezzling tax funds. Enraged both by the murder and by the betrayal of his trust, Akbar had Adham Khan thrown from the parapets of the castle. From that point forward, Akbar was in control of his court and country, rather than being a tool of palace intrigues. The young emperor set out on an aggressive policy of military expansion, both for geo-strategic reasons and as a way to get troublesome warrior/advisers away from the capital. In the following years, the Mughal army would conquer much of northern India (including what is now Pakistan) and Afghanistan. Governing Style In order to control his vast empire, Akbar instituted a highly efficient bureaucracy. He appointed mansabars, or military governors, over the various regions; these governors answered directly to him. As a result, he was able to fuse the individual fiefdoms of India into a unified empire that would survive until 1868. Akbar was personally courageous, willing to lead the charge in battle. He also enjoyed taming cheetahs and elephants. This courage and self-confidence allowed Akbar to initiate novel policies in government and stand by them over objections from more conservative advisers and courtiers. Matters of Faith and Marriage From an early age, Akbar was raised in a tolerant milieu. Although his family was Sunni, two of his childhood tutors were Persian Shias. As an emperor, Akbar made the Sufi concept of Sulh-e-Kuhl, or peace to all, a founding principle of his law. Akbar displayed remarkable respect for his Hindu subjects and their faith. His first marriage in 1562 was to Jodha Bai, or Harkha Bai, a Rajput princess from Amber. As did the families of his later Hindu wives, her father and brothers joined Akbars court as advisers, equal in rank to his Muslim courtiers. In total, Akbar had 36 wives of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Probably even more important to his ordinary subjects, Akbar in 1563 repealed a special tax placed on Hindu pilgrims who visited sacred sites, and in 1564 he completely repealed the jizya, or yearly tax on non-Muslims. What he lost in revenue by these acts, he more than regained in good-will from the Hindu majority of his subjects. Even beyond the practical realities of ruling an enormous, predominantly Hindu empire with just a small band Muslim elite, however, Akbar himself had an open and curious mind on questions of religion. As he mentioned to Philip II of Spain in his letter, he loved to meet with learned men and women of all faiths to discuss theology and philosophy. From the female Jain guru Champa to Portuguese Jesuit priests, Akbar wanted to hear from them all. Foreign Relations As Akbar solidified his rule over northern India and began to extend his power south and west to the coast, he became aware of the new Portuguese presence there. Although the initial Portuguese approach to India had been all guns blazing, they soon realized that they were no match militarily for the Mughal Empire on land. The two powers made treaties, under which the Portuguese were allowed to maintain their coastal forts, in exchange for promises not to harass Mughal ships that set out from the west coast carrying pilgrims to Arabia for the hajj. Interestingly, Akbar even formed an alliance with the Catholic Portuguese to punish the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the Arabian Peninsula at that time. The Ottomans were concerned that the huge numbers of pilgrims flooding into Mecca and Medina each year from the Mughal Empire were overwhelming the resources of the holy cities, so the Ottoman sultan rather firmly requested that Akbar quit sending people on the hajj. Outraged, Akbar asked his Portuguese allies to attack the Ottoman navy, which was blockading the Arabian Peninsula. Unfortunately for him, the Portuguese fleet was completely routed off of Yemen. This signaled the end of the Mughal/Portuguese alliance. Akbar maintained more enduring relations with other empires, however. Despite the Mughal capture of Kandahar from the Persian Safavid Empire in 1595, for example, those two dynasties had cordial diplomatic ties throughout Akbars rule. The Mughal Empire was such a rich and important potential trading partner that various European monarchs sent emissaries to Akbar as well, including Elizabeth I of England and Henry IV of France. Death In October 1605, the 63-year-old Emperor Akbar suffered a serious bout of dysentery. After a three-week illness, he passed away at the end of that month. The emperor was buried in a beautiful mausoleum in the royal city of Agra. Legacy Akbars legacy of religious toleration, firm but fair central control, and liberal tax policies that gave commoners a chance to prosper established a precedent in India that can be traced forward in the thinking of later figures such as Mohandas Gandhi. His love of art led to the fusion of Indian and Central Asian/Persian styles that came to symbolize the height of Mughal achievement, in forms as varied as miniature painting and grandiose architecture. This fusion would reach its absolute apex under Akbars grandson Shah Jahan, who designed and had built the world-famous Taj Mahal. Perhaps most of all, Akbar the Great showed the rulers of all nations everywhere that tolerance is not a weakness, and open-mindedness is not the same as indecisiveness. As a result, he is honored more than four centuries after his death as one of the greatest rulers in human history. Sources Alam, Muzaffar and Sanjay Subrahmanyam. The Deccan Frontier and Mughal Expansion, ca. 1600: Contemporary Perspectives, Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 47, No. 3 (2004).Habib, Irfan. Akbar and Technology, Social Scientist, Vol. 20, No. 9/10 (Sept.-Oct. 1992).Richards, John F. The Mughal Empire, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1996).Smith, Vincent A. Akbar the Great Mogul, 1542-1605, Oxford: Clarendon Press (1919).