Monday, December 30, 2019

Bhopal Gas Disaster - 84210 Words

Executive Summary On December 3, 1984, toxic poisonous methyl isocyanate gas leaked from Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL s) pesticide plant in Bhopal. The gas leak triggered a disaster that is now widely recognized as the world worst industrial catastrophe. Thousands of people were killed instantly and more than 25,000 people have died of gas-related illnesses, several thousands more maimed for life since. Union Carbide negotiated a settlement with the Indian Government in 1989 for $470 million - a total of only $370 to $533 per victim - a sum too small to pay for most medical bills. In 1996, t elve years after the disaster, Union Carbide became part of the Dow Chemical w Corporation, which flatly refused to assume any liabilities in†¦show more content†¦However, few denizens had not only fraudulently got the names of their kin included in the compensation list, they also managed to obtain the compensation more than once for the same individual. Amazingly, the compensation was allegedly san ctioned by the same deputy commissioner twice without noticing the irregularity. A woman Naznee Siddiqui allegedly got the name of her daughter Faiza Siddiqui included in the beneficiaries list despite the girl being born three years after the gas tragedy. The alleged fraud did not end here, as the woman claimed the compensation twice in the name of her daughter. Interestingly, the woman in an affidavit claimed that her daughter was present at the time of gas leakage but the mark sheet of the girl stated her date of birth as September 30, 1987. Both the claims were sanctioned in 1999 by the same deputy commissioner, RK Bhave, wherein the girl was made eligible for compensation of Rs 25,000 each. The claim numbers of the girl were 138071 and 139067. Apart from the girl, the mother and her son also obtained compensation of Rs 70,000 and Rs 25,000 in the year 1994 and 1999, respectively. The claims clearly contained the name of the girl, her parents name, residence and age. Despite t his, they were sanctioned twice in four months. The girl was also directed to remain present in the claims court on March 18 and July 19, 1999, to receive compensation as per the claimed letters. Bhartiya Jan Morcha district presidentShow MoreRelatedBhopal Gas Disaster Of 19841247 Words   |  5 PagesThe Bhopal Gas Disaster of 1984 INTRODUCTION On the Night of December 2, 1984, there was a horrific accident at the Union Carbide Pesticide Chemical Factory in Bhopal, India. The factory produced a chemical called methyl isocyanate (MIC) also know by Union Carbide as â€Å"Liquid Dynamite†. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3NCO MIC is a highly reactive intermediate chemical used to manufacture various pesticides. This chemical reacts exothermically with water and produces a poisonousRead MoreBhopal Gas Leak : The Worst Industrial Disaster1754 Words   |  8 PagesThe Bhopal gas leak has been the worst industrial disaster so far in the history. On the late night of December 3rd many woke up with irritating eyes and chocking to death on a gas called Methyl isocyanate. The gas covered 40 square km of the city, the exact number of people killed and injured will never be known but at least 1,300 people died instantly that night as they ran for their lives, and half a million were expose to the toxic gas . The Union Carbide Gas Leak happened about 33 years ago,Read MoreBhopal Disaster Management Gas Tragedy901 Words   |  4 PagesEmergency management (or disaster management) is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (e.g., emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), and supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred. In general, any Emergency management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups, and communities manage hazards in an effort to avoidRead MoreEssay about Bhopal Ethical Issues1307 Words   |  6 Pages1. Introduction: In the morning of December 3, 1984 a tragic event occurred in the city of Bhopal, the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It has been known as the worlds worst industrial disaster. A Union Carbide India, Limited (UCIL)s plant released 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas which instantly killed over 3,000 people and carrying on causing the death of more than 20,000. This tragic event involved not only the technical, safety issues at the time, but also ethical issues on the responsibilityRead MorePreventive Measures And Preparedness Disaster Planning1576 Words   |  7 PagesSometimes government bodies, corporations, and the like fall short in instituting preventative systems to avert a disaster, oftentimes causing the general populous to be inadequately prepared should a catastrophe occur. This action is due to an overall shift in emphasis from preventative measures to preparedness in disaster planning. In â€Å"Generic Biothreat, or, How We Became Unprepared,† Andrew Lakoff articulates that today’s crises management involves the development of methods that could be usedRead MoreDisaster Is A Blind Killer1457 Words   |  6 PagesDisaster is a blind killer as it erupts and affects thousands worldwide. The severity of disasters is expected to increase as a result of contemporary threats (biological, cyber, nuclear, etc.) in addition to increased globalization and climate change. Yet sometimes government bodies, corporations, and the like fall short in instituting preventative systems to avert a disaster, oftentimes causing the general populous to be inadequately prepared should a catastrophe occur. Union Carbide’s gas leakRead MoreBhopal Gas Tragedy984 Words   |  4 PagesBhopal Gas Tragedy Product - Brand name Sevin (Union Carbide) - Third most used insecticide in US - Not fatal to people Carbaryl - Does not cause cancer Chemistry TLV = 0.02 ppm Methyl isocyanate Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) Clear, colourless, b.p. 39oC, odour threshold 2.1 ppm Effects of 0.4 ppm - Coughing - Chest pain - Breathing pain (dyspnea) - Asthma - Eye irritation - Nose, throat, skin damage Effects of 21 ppm - Lung oedema - Emphysema (damage of lung tissue) - hemorrhaging - bronchialRead MoreBhopal Gas Tragedy : A Terrible Gas Leak1642 Words   |  7 PagesSutton November 11, 2015 Bhopal Gas Tragedy A terrible gas leak on December 2nd and 3rd, 1984 had some of the worst impacts on the central part of India. It happened in the late night and early morning hours on those days when the clouds where filled with gray smoke which contained Methyl Isocyanate(MIC), one of the most poisonous gases from Union Carbide plant in the city of Bhopal. It was called one of the world’s most dangerous environmental disasters. The people of Bhopal had no idea what was comingRead MoreComparing and Contrast the Chemical Disasters at Bhopal in India and Seveso in Italy1362 Words   |  6 Pageswhich caused a huge damage and large amount of death to people. In this essay, I am going to write about the two disasters that caused a lot of injures by the explosion of poisonous chemicals, which located in India and Italy. According to Shrivastava (1996), on the night of 2/3 December 1984, an enormous accident happened in Bhopal, India, the highly poisonous and unbalanced chemical gas was escaped from the factory and continue to spread over the city which caused by the lack of the attention andRead MoreThe Gas Leak Tragedy Of Bhopal1071 Words   |  5 PagesThe Gas Leak Tragedy of Bhopal, India is considered the worst industrial disaster in history. Originally, the Bhopal pesticide plants were to be some of the best and most beautiful plants which would have huge production capabilities. However, in 1984 there was a massive leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) which spread out to local communities and has negatively affected the health of hundreds of thousands of people. The reason why the pesticide plant was created was for the â€Å"Green Revolution† in the

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Western Culture and Beauty Standards - 702 Words

Introduction:— Western culture is extremely popular in Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Thailand, to the point where entire generations of young adults are finding themselves in the middle of a warped identity crisis. These people have been bombarded by unrealistic images of what they should look like by the media, society, friends and sometimes, even family. This has created a narrow beauty standard which has manifested itself into many problems like—eating disorders, chronic anxiety, bullying, plastic surgery, dysmorphic syndrome, social withdrawal and suicide. Cosmetic surgeries in Asia have increased drastically in the last few years. Four out of every seven Korean parents chose a cosmetic surgery over a car as a graduation gift for their kids. Young men and women are getting double-eyelid surgeries, smile lifts, jaw realignments, nose jobs and much more in an effort to alter their natural anatomy. The purpose of my Graphic Design final thesis is to find a way to get people to accept their natural looks and to reduce the amount of cosmetic procedures performed in Asian countries. In order to get an approval to move further into the thesis development process, I plan to introduce my topic and my ideas to the committee by creating a three-minute video proposal for my midpoint review. Research:— From my research and readings, several questions arose about the beauty standard in Asian countries. Do parents care more about the society than theirShow MoreRelatedMedia Consumption Of Non Western Countries1414 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Consumption in Non-Western Countries The usage of media in Non-Western countries has been spreading as technology and social media have become the focus for most teenagers and young adults. Contrary to the assumption that Western countries are the only nations that have a population obsessed with media, statistics have shown that other developing countries are experiencing a significant increase in advanced technology usage such as using smartphones more frequently along with internet usageRead MoreThe Western Culture : Cultural Imperialism1169 Words   |  5 Pagesspread of ideas and cultures across countries and continents on a new scale never seen before. The spread of culture began a long time ago with people sailing around the world in search of adventure and resources. People were able to interact and share cultural beliefs and practices with dominant cultures imposing themselves on less dominating cultures. Countries that had more economic power than others, and those cultures that viewed themselves as more civ ilized imposed their cultures on countries thatRead MoreWhat Makes Plastic Surgery?1159 Words   |  5 Pagesit, Maybe it is Cosmetic Surgery Humans are social animals by nature. There is an ever-present urge to assimilate into society for person gain or comfort regardless of a person’s place of birth. Through personal observations, in both the Western and Eastern cultures, the region a person is brought up does not definitively matter when it concerns physical insecurities or how someone goes about remodeling themselves. Some go about change through adapting their dietary habits and fitness regimes to achieveRead MoreThe Culture of Beauty Essay873 Words   |  4 Pagesthe culture they have grown up in and learned to accept. One’s cultural perception has a huge impact on their idea of beauty. Each cultural group has invented their own ideas to reflect their natural idea of beauty. A broad example would be the Eastern and Western ideals of beauty. The Western beauty is described as white, usually tan, thin, large breasts, small waists, and delicate features. Mostly all present day people from various races pr efer a Western ideal of beauty. This idea of beauty isRead MoreThe Beauty Standard Essay712 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿The Beauty Standard Does this make me look fat?† Everyone at one time or another has experienced this iconic question in some way. Your best friend may have asked it, as she was getting ready for a date or maybe you muttered these words to yourself as you stared disapprovingly into a mirror; either way, this six-word question alludes to a standard of beauty that everyone strives to meet. A standard of beauty that is almost impossible to meet. The definition of beauty has evolved greatlyRead MoreArticle Review of Fatema Mernissis Size Six: The Western Womens Harem634 Words   |  3 PagesSize Six: The Western womens harem by Fatema Mernissi The article Size six: The Western womens harem by Fatema Mernissi is a contemplative look at the difference in harem experienced by women from cultures highly distinct from each other. Mernissi analyzed the portrayal and subordination of women both in the eyes of a Muslim woman like her, and from the perspective of Western women. Interestingly, the author argued that the subordination and repression of Western women by their own societyRead MoreA Brief Note On Anorexia And Bulimia Nervosa1561 Words   |  7 PagesIn today s western society, an abundance of factors contribute to the way one thinks and feels about themselves physically, and essentially how one would act upon this. All over the world, messages and images of skinny women are engrossing people s lives, leaving negative and long-lasting affects behind. Current beliefs of western culture suggest one must obtain a perfect, which has become analogous to thin, physique in order to achieve happiness and success, causing many young women to feelRead MorePsychopathology And Culture : The Epidemic Of Eating Disorders1396 Words   |  6 Pages Psychopathology and Culture: The Epidemic of Eating Disorders By: Bernadette Oldfield Dr. Van Arsdale Abnormal Psychology 6 May 2015 Throughout cultures, mental disorders vary immensely. In some cultures, certain disorders are considered taboo and not even recognized, in other cultures, the treatment of certain disorders varies, but the biggest thing that is different, is how certain disorders effect certain cultures and races less or more than others. This is somethingRead MoreWesternization Vs. Eating Disorders1645 Words   |  7 PagesWesternization Vs. Eating Disorders Historically, through an array of cultures worldwide, individuals have transformed their appearances in order to conform to the beauty ideal of relevant culture. Those that are apart of the Pa Dong Tribe, which reside among the boarder of Thailand, practice the elongating of the neck through the use of brass rings. African and Amazonian tribes consider beauty through the stretching of their lips that is achieved using large lip plates. Tribes in Africa striveRead MoreAnorexia Nervosa As A Culture Bound Syndrome1440 Words   |  6 Pagesering from Anorexia-Nervosa within western countries, compared to that of 3.2% of females suffering from Anorexia-Nervosa in non western countries (DiNicola 1990:253), it is not surprising that Anorexia Nervosa has been labeled a Culture-Bound Syndrome. There have been three prominent hypotheses as to why this particular disease is considered so. The most prominent of these hypotheses is that westernized media’s ideologies of thinness and be auty have influenced young females into developing a â€Å"fat-phobia

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Virgin Group †Richard Branson Free Essays

RICHARD BRANSON’S VIRGIN GROUP —Problems— Although certainly notorious, Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has experienced several problems. In the short-term, brand overextension has become a threat since the company has entered multiple markets. Brand overextension leads to damaging the comprehensive Virgin brand. We will write a custom essay sample on Virgin Group – Richard Branson or any similar topic only for you Order Now Since the Virgin brand itself is the company’s greatest asset, protecting the brand image is critical. The Virgin brand image has a connotation of value and lifestyle. Due to many joint ventures, licenses, and alliances with other companies, the objective of the â€Å"Virgin experience† could be destroyed. Furthermore, as Virgin becomes more global and more adaptive to individual cultures, the customer experience will certainly vary, again leading to brand overextension. For example, although the United Kingdom may condone Virgin’s racy and edgy advertisements, other parts of the world, as our group testifies, views such material quite explicit and even shocking. Thus, while Virgin enters different markets, negative impacts can arise, hindering Virgin’s brand. A second short-term problem is Virgin’s financial information that is fragmented, hard to locate, and even interpret. With the company’s different alliances and joint ventures, questions about the financial health of the Virgin group were being asked. Thus after examination, Virgin faced financial challenges that led to negative cash flow. This was mainly due to the Branson’s approach of stand-alone basis where the most profitable company’s revenues financed new market entrances. Despite some profitable areas of Virgin, many did not generate cash. Therefore, as Virgin grows, a more systematic approach must be implemented to create synergies between businesses. Long-term problems also exist for Virgin. First is Branson’s close affiliation to Virgin. What happens if the public tire of his exploits? What will happen to Virgin when Branson 1 leaves? An implication of these questions is that Virgin needs Branson. Virgin’s strong brand is fortified by Branson’s own personal values. A second long-term problem for Virgin is the company’s little formal structure and management system. Although this structure presently works for Virgin, allowing the company to be viewed as entrepreneurial and innovative, in the long-term creativity must be managed at Virgin. Company Analysis— After analyzing Virgin through various analytical frameworks including internal/external analysis, SWOT analysis, and value chain analysis, we have discovered the importance of Virgin’s strong brand and diversification strategy. In sum, Virgin’s strongest capability is the company’s strong brand. The brand’s foundations of entrepreneurship and eccentricity result in Virgin being a strong customer-oriented company. Since the Virgin brand is so strong, the company has been able to diversify into many new markets. Diversification for Virgin is made possible by joint ventures and strategic alliances that are ultimately less risky. Thus the Virgin brand leverages Virgin’s resources. Furthermore, Branson’s values are revealed in the Virgin company. The brand image, which is the motor of the company, results in innovative start-ups that keep Virgin both successful and sustainable. —Alternatives— To continue Virgin’s success, we have identified several alternatives. First, Virgin could go public; thereby gaining additional capital that could be used to fund new start-ups. The disadvantage with this alternative is that Virgin would be forced to abide by formal accounting rules, which Branson states he does not favor. Furthermore, Virgin’s brand could become diluted since the image would move towards a more traditional stance. 2 A second alternative is that Virgin’s management could designate Branson’ s successor and prepare that person to take on the task of CEO. The advantage of this alternative is that the fate of Virgin is not attached to Branson alone. This could help separate Branson from the Virgin brand that allows Virgin to flourish as a company, and not merely an extension of Branson himself. Additionally, new leadership could prove beneficial for Virgin’s long-term success, and namely deciding Virgin’s structure. However, Branson’s absence could also weaken the brand in the short-term. Since the public easily identifies with Branson’s traits as loyal and fair, customers could perceive Virgin negatively. To thwart such initial negativity, Virgin could slowly implement the new successor, allowing him or her to also revel in the spotlight alongside Branson. Thirdly, Virgin could dispose of unprofitable companies. This consolidation would result in money saved and the creation of a more formal organizational structure. Therefore, across the board, Virgin would be able to have a more uniform decision processes. Consolidation would also reassure investors since the corporate structure would be less complex and financial data more readily available. The motives for diversification are growth, risk reduction, and profitability. If Virgin cannot achieve those goals through the diversification strategy, then there are no reasons why Virgin should keep unprofitable companies. Focusing on related industries would then give Virgin expertise; and thereby creating both value for shareholders and exploiting economies of scale. Furthermore, Virgin could allocate resources among the firms more efficiently, giving Virgin better future strategy formulations. 3 —Recommendations— One must analyze Porter’s essential tests that that include the attractiveness test, cost-ofentry test, and the better-off test, to determine whether a diversified strategy has a sustainable competitive advantage. Because Virgin’s strong brand is firmly embedded in the company’s corporate structure, the attractiveness test reveals that many—though not all (example is the unprofitable Virgin Money)— of Virgin’s diversified companies are attractive. Secondly, costof-entry must be considered. For Virgin, many entry costs are feasible, because profitable Virgin companies support the new start-ups. And thirdly, the better-off test shows that new companies within Virgin must be profitable and add value. Although many new companies do not add financial benefits, the new companies do add brand value. Thus the answer to the question whether Virgin is a successful diversified company is clearly yes. Overall the diversification works quite well. However, we do recommend that Virgin exit the unprofitable industries and consolidate. This would be beneficial in the short-term as capital immediately becomes available. Furthermore, this would also help Virgin in the long-term as only profitable companies remain, allowing Virgin to increase revenue. In looking at Virgin’s long-term success, we recommend that Virgin continue its short-term strategy of further developing expertise in key areas. Thus, long-term market saturation would be avoided, while also maintaining Virgin’s strong brand awareness. Despite Branson’s strong presence, we also suggest that Virgin slowly implement a successor. Virgin’s brand is about personality—indeed the company needs a strong focal point. As humans are not immortal, the slow implementation of a new personality could also capture the public’s attention. 4 5 How to cite Virgin Group – Richard Branson, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

Corp. Relationship with Stakeholders free essay sample

Examines needs of shareholders, employees, customers, creditors, vendors communities, related ethical practical responsibilities of managers. Traditionally, managers are responsible to a companys board of directors, and the board of directors are responsible to the shareholders. This has resulted in a bias among managers toward returning value to shareholders to the exclusion, or at least detriment, of others who have an interest in a companys performance. In recent years, companies have begun to recognize that shareholders constitute only one group of people with an interest in not only the so-called bottom line performance, but also in how a company conducts business. Employees, vendors, customers and the communities in which companies operate have all succeeded in having their voices heard (to some degree) at various companies, which has resulted in a new term to describe these groups: stakeholders. This research examines the question of how much responsibility

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Christmas lights Essay Example

Christmas lights Paper To start a fire there has to be an ignition source. Possible sources could be faulty wires rubbing together causing friction and getting hot enough to start the fire, overloaded plugs and oil lamps etc. Some other sources could be cigarettes. They may not have been put out properly, matches and gas lighter. Another source could be computer/ other electrical items. If they are left on for a long period, they will become hot and possible trigger a fire. Christmas lights can also play a part in a ignition of a fire because they are also normally on for a long period causing the Christmas tree to become how and burst into flames. Items in the kitchen like ovens, kettles, chip fryers etc also have heat coming from them. If they are not working properly, they will also become a source of ignition. A drink placed near a electrical item can also start a fire. Lastly, arson could be an ignition source. If somebody wanted to have a financial gain, they could start the fire their self. Task 3 (D1) From studying the text I was given the main causes of the fire were people smoking. Because there were rags on the floor, when the fag was dropped/ attempted to be put out, it was not fully out and was the ignition source of the fire. Another cause may have been faulty wires/cables from the sewing machines. They may have been rubbing together causing friction, eventually making it hot enough to ignite and start the fire. Another reason may have been that the faulty cables/wires may have caused sparks which again could of caused the fire to start. Lastly, the only other thing I could find/ think of is, back in those days there may of been candles as lights and if one was to be knocked onto the floor where the rags were this again could have caused the fire to break out. The most likely explanation to the spread of the fire is that the hanging patterns, the rags on the floor and the shirts that were already made would be everywhere around the factory meaning it would spread very quickly. We will write a custom essay sample on Christmas lights specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Christmas lights specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Christmas lights specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Lastly, in those day the factory may of only been small and if the fire started in a corner it would spread even quicker than it would of done if it was in the middle of the room. There are ways in which the fire could have been prevented. For example if the already make shirts were stored in a separate room, if the rags were pick up and put into a bin every time a bit was dropped or cut etc. Another way it could be prevented if people were not allowed to smoke in the work place and if the sewing machines were to be checked every so often and fixed if there were faults cables/wires.

Monday, November 25, 2019

India Compare & Contrast essays

China/India Compare & Contrast essays The Difference Between Classical China and Classical India Classical China and Classical India were truly great civilizations known for their contributions to modern China and India. Yet as the two developed, they showed uniqueness. Some of the qualities shown were alike, and others were not as comparable. The religions produced in China and India were very unique. In China, rather than developing full-fledged religions, they created more philosophical beliefs. Confucianism, the first and most popular of the philosophies, embraced moral virtues and values. For example, it taught to respect ones leaders, and for the leaders in return to be just and moral in their leadership. Confucius, the creator of Confucianism, believed that if the leaders set a good example, his people would follow it. It also stressed to delight in knowledge, delight in learning, to be polite, and to have good manners. Its teachings were recorded in the Analects. Daoism is another Chinese religion. Daoism, created by Lao-zi, was slightly more spiritual. It embraced natures harmony and mystery and had an entirely different set of ethics. Instead of harmony with your fellow man and government, the Daoist belief harmony with nature was more compatible with frugal living and humility. India, however, was a different story. Hinduism was the major religion in India. Hinduism, unlike Confucianism and Daoism, is a full-fledged religion. It has many gods of nature like Daoism, but each god also represents something more abstract. For example, the god of wind might also be the god that blows someone to the right path in his or her life. Dharma is something taught by the Hindus as a guide to living in the world and still be able to obtain a higher spiritual level of thought. Also, Hinduism is not as one sided when it comes to balancing politics and government with humanly affairs. Confucianism was mainly based on a harmonious government, and Daoi...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Human Population Growth and the Environment Essay

Human Population Growth and the Environment - Essay Example of humans on earth, population increase has always been attributed to a number of factors namely: fertility, longevity infact mortality, animal domestication plus agriculture, industrial revolution, nutrition, and medicine. In the past, human population on the surface of the earth was scarce. According to Hunter (2000), the above factors contributed greatly to increase in population in the past 200 years. Human population was constantly kept small due to occurrence of diseases that were incurable, natural disasters that could not be avoided, high infant mortality rate, poor fertility rates, poor agricultural farming, poor nutrition, and poor knowledge in medicine. With human beings becoming more revolutionized and discovering tools which could help them in increasing their production, a lot of changes made in the field of agriculture contributed to increase in food production and hence longevity. Majority of groups whom were pastoralists on seeing the benefits of agriculture, settled in various placed, coupled with the technological know-how of the given art, specialization led to growing up of various fields which encouraged a given population to be concentrated in a town center in order to benefit fr om the given activity. Trade came hand in hand with agriculture and humans diversified in their search to get more stability in their lives. With stability, came the need to research on common problems that faced the given population and provide remedies. These are some of the things that led into research in technological and medical advancements that resulted in increased cure rate and less death rate in all ages. Around 200 years ago, with the coming of industrial revolution, human beings population started to grown as they discovered that the world offered more resources. Around that time, infant mortality had been reduced as research in medicine had been advanced. In addition, mortality in general reduced based on more diseases getting cured. As human

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

History - Essay Example The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed a vote of the people to determine if slavery would be allowed or not. This causes Kansas to become a battle ground with violence over pro-slavery and anti-slavery views. The Topeka Constitution was created by the legitimate government in Kansas, but the initial government that gained power by fraud continued to remain in power. Dred Scott v. Sandford, a Supreme Court ruling in 1857 ruled that slaves that lived in free territories were still slaves. It further stated Congress did not have the right to exclude slavery from the free territories. In 1860 Lincoln won the election as the first Republican president. The events listed above were a few of the arguments about slavery and slavery in the free territories. If the United States had not expanded its borders the question of slavery might have stayed a free North and slave South longer than it did. However both the North and South felt their way of life was being overrun by the opposite position. It so on became an issue of the whole country had to have slavery or be free. The only other option was for the South to leave the Union. That did not work well either. Bibliography Stevens, J. (2007). Abraham Lincoln's Understanding of the Nature of the Union: Secession, Slavery and the Philosophical Cause.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Women and Gender in Islam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Women and Gender in Islam - Essay Example For this text analysis assessment, the purpose is to analyze and compare/contrast the issues pertaining to the Islamic culture and specifically the women of Islam. Women are viewed as subservient to their husbands, with very little choice but to remain as a secondary force to the dominant male race. To better understand the role of women in a culture such as this, as well as to assess how the cultural aspect plays into such a societal standing, the two pieces of work to look at are "Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate" by Leila Ahmed and "Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Quran by Asma Barlas. What was often common place for a woman in this culture would be to marry someone, but to marry a person that was chosen by her father. A marriage such as this would commonly be referred to as an "arranged marriage". As she begins her work, Ahmed brings up the first of many points regarding women and marriage. That is, "Neither the diversity of marriage practices in pre-Islamic Arabia nor the presence of matrilineal customs, including the association of children with the mother's tribe, necessarily connotes women's having greater power in society or greater access to economic resources," Adding that, "Nor to these practices correlate with an absence of misogyny; indeed, there is clear evidence to the contrary. The practice of infanticide, apparently to girls, suggests a belief that females were flawed, expendable," (Ahmed p.41). Ahmed begins her work with one of the central themes for study of women in Islamic cultures. While there was a vast cultural diversity throughout the region , in the end the women were seen as the weaker sex and as such could be done with as was decided by the male elders of the home. Ahmed emphasizes this by the choice of the word misogyny in her text. That is defined as, "hatred or strong prejudice towards women; an antonym of philogny," Elaborating further that, "Misogyny is considered by most feminist theories as an implicit motivation of political ideologies that justify and maintain the subordination of women to men," ("Misogyny" p.1.). Just as monarchs were throughout the ages, males in this culture tended to express more outward joy at the birth of a male offspring rather than a female birth. This can be explained by the understanding that males sought to continue on their blood lines, as well as having someone to train that would be able to take a place of leadership as they saw it. Ahmed does counter with the fact that variation did occur in regards to the roles with which women were able to play throughout the vast Islamic culture. She sets out to compare lives, as well as the marriages, which the Islamic leader Muhammad would have had with his wives Khadija and Aisha. Unlike some of the other women around her, Khadija was a woman of wealth who actually was an employer of Muhammad as it was his job to keep an eye on her interests. Unlike the cultural norm, Khadija herself proposed marriage to Muhammad. Ahmed writes that, "She proposed to and married him when she was forty and he twenty-five, and she remained his only wife until her death at

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Practices of Lifestyle Modification Regarding T2DM

Practices of Lifestyle Modification Regarding T2DM Chapter 5 Discussion, Recommendation Conclusion 5.1 Introduction Most studies on the KAP on diabetes both in developing and developed countries targeted patients with diabetes. (Ben Abdelaziz, Thabet, Soltane, Gaha K, Gaha R, et al., 2007). Unlike these, this study targeted the general population. Therefore adequate comparative data is lacking for the study and the discussion is based on knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population of Saint Lucia. There is no study concerning KAP regarding T2DM available in Saint Lucia, hence, this study is an attempt to gather the data regarding the same. This chapter discusses a collaboration of major finding of the study, the relevant discussion, recommendation and conclusion. The study was a cross-sectional study in an attempt to collect sufficient information on knowledge, attitudes and practices of lifestyle modification regarding T2DM among the population of Saint Lucia. 5.1.1 Demographic Majority of the participants in this study were in the age group 25-34 years (39.5%). This in general accordance with the national census which conducted in the 2015 (Department of Statistic, 2015) In regard to participants with no formal education was very low 1.3%, and participants with primary , secondary and tertiary level together constituted an overwhelming (98.7%) of the participants in this study. This indicates that most participants are well educated, a finding which is similar to the results of another study conducted by Karir Consultant Limited. A majority of the participants were poverty-stricken (34.1%) earning between $0.00 $1,499.99 eastern Caribbean dollars per household. Poverty could limit accessibility to and affordability of a well-balanced diet and healthy food. And this could explain why a large percentage of the participants had low level of practice towards T2DM regarding regular doctor visits. The finding is in keeping with a survey conducted by KAIRI Consultant Limited where 43.8% of the population was shown to have very low income (KAIRI, 2007). 5.1.2 Knowledge In this study it is found that knowledge is statistically high amongst the respondents. 76.1% of the respondents had good knowledge of T2DM. The results also indicated that the respondents were very knowledgeable on the general awareness of T2DM such as the symptoms, complications and prevention of the specific disease. The result was consistent with a study done by Ambigapathy and colleagues found in their study that majority of respondents (67.0%) were knowledgeable about lifestyle modifications. The respondents scored 50% and above of the total score for all the categories of questions asked (Ambigapathy R. et al, 2006). In contrast R. Malathy and colleague in their study concluded low education amongst majority of their respondents. 83.3% had poor knowledge of the benefits of exercise, weight loss and healthy diet (R. Malathy et al, 2011). 5.1.3 Attitude Majority of the respondents agreed that it is important to engage in regular exercise, to follow a controlled diet and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Results indicated that 90.5% of the respondents had positively agreed that regular exercise is necessary to help manage T2DM. While 80.9% agreed that diet modification is essential to control the disease by getting correct advice and clarification. These findings imply that the respondents had good attitude towards diabetes prevention and control practices. This finding is similar to that of Mukhopadhyay P et al in which majority of the respondents 82.3% had positive attitude towards lifestyle modifications (Mukhopadhyay P et al, 2010). Similar results were revealed in a study conducted by Upadhyay DK et al 60.3% of the respondents had positive attitude towards lifestyle modifications (Upadhyay DK et al, 2008). 5.1.4 Practice Results indicated that the respondents had poor practices towards regularly exercise and diabetes preventative measure such foot and eye examinations. This was evidenced by results which indicated that the respondents did not exercise regularly while majority of the respondents never visited heath care provider for diet advice, never checked their blood pressure and never checked their blood sugar level. This finding is similar to those of W.M Kiberenge and colleagues in which majority of respondents (75.6%) had bad practices in relation to lifestyle modifications (W.M Kiberenge et al, 2010). 5.1.5 Variables Combined The association between KAP in this study was selectively determined; that is only specific questions were used. These questions comprise of two aspects diet modification and practice question such as regular exercise, maintaining healthy lifestyle and regular doctor visits respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r= 0.233, p=0.000) and (r=.201, p=0.000) between the knowledge level and the attitude level of respondents in this study. This means that the better respondents were knowledgeable, the better they were willing to observe healthy lifestyle habits. There was a very weak, non-significant positive correlation (r=-0.064, p=0.259) between the knowledge level and practice level of respondents. This means that being knowledgeable did not necessarily translate to healthy lifestyle practices. The results found in this study were similar to those in the study by Ambigapathy R. and colleagues in which a significant positive correlation (r=0.536, p 5.2 Recommendation The government must take a lead in creating awareness about diabetes disease country wide and in the counties that are adversely affected. In addition to developing the Saint Lucia national diabetes center, a community awareness program targeting rural and semi-urban communities should be developed using a multi-sectoral approach in order to address the knowledge gaps and influence behavior towards diabetes prevention. Given the low and uncertain incomes characteristic among the people, free screening for chronic diseases should be availed to the residents by the county government to increase their knowledge level on diabetes status. This can be done in a similar manner to the ante natal care program targeting all government facilities right from level 2 health facilities. In order to ensure that once a community member seeking for health care services is managed well right from the start, there is a need for an increase in the awareness of diabetes management and its complications in the primary healthcare sector especially at level two facilities such as dispensaries and health care centers due to their proximity to members of the public. Thus, continuous education on diabetes mellitus and its complications for primary healthcare providers should be accompanied by regular assessments on the knowledge level. Screening for diabetes is important, but equally crucial is patient education and counseling. The following measures are recommended to address the knowledge and practice deficits uncovered in this study: 1. There is need for the implementation of community or national based lifestyle intervention program to improve the knowledge of patients regarding healthy lifestyle and emphasize the importance of exercise and weight loss in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This should be extended to the primary health care clinics where the majority of patients are seen. 2. Medical nutrition intervention program should be implemented with a multidisciplinary team (Doctor, dietician, social worker, psychologistà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) 3. Empower Mamelodi healthcare workers with motivational interviewing knowledge and skills to promote behavior change and adoption of healthy lifestyle practices by patients 5.3 Conclusion The knowledge and attitude levels of lifestyle modifications among the population of Saint Lucia was generally high. Nevertheless, majority of these people have poor practices toward healthy lifestyle habits. Majority of the respondents had poor practices such as regularly exercise, checking their blood glucose level, and visiting the doctor for regular check-ups. This implies that there is need to develop community based health promotion programs to bring about paradigm shifts that will promote healthily choices and behavior as well as understand the impact of culture and beliefs to these practices. The low incomes suggest the respondents inability or difficulties in meeting health care costs when they arise, this may explain the poor practice of visiting health facility for regular check-ups. References Ben Abdelaziz A, Thabet H, Soltane I, Gaha K, Gaha R, et al. (2007) Knowledge of patients with type 2 diabetes about their condition in Sousse, Tunisia. East Mediterr Health J May-Jun; 13 (3) 505-14.) Department of Statistics. Unpublished data. Saint Lucia; 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Bram Stokers Dracula: A Struggle to Maintain Victorian Upper and Middl

The Victorian men and women conveyed in Bram Stoker's Dracula are pure and virtuous members of the upper and middle class. However, hiding behind this composed and civilized conception of England lies a dark and turbulent underbelly. This underbelly is the lumpenproletariat, whom Karl Marx defined as "the lowest and most degraded section of the proletariat; the ‘down and outs’ who make no contribution to the workers cause". Victorian culture discriminated against these vagrants, who were seen not only as shiftless and immoral, but dangerous as well. Sex was taboo and purity was held sacred to the Victorian middle and upper class, but prostitution and sexually transmitted diseases ran rampant among the lumpenproletariat. The rich strive to be pious and good, but consider those of lower social standing to be less than human. The reaction of the characters in Dracula to the evil of the vampires can be likened to the Victorian conception of the lower classes. They were seen as a hedonistic but powerful force, with the collective capacity to end the affluent citizen's way of life. In this sense, the novel can be viewed as a struggle to maintain upper-class Victorian traditions against the traditions of the lower class. This paper will examine the similarities between the vampires and the perception of the lower classes in regards to superstition, sexuality, inequality and the "preying" of the lumpenproletariat on the respectable middle-class. It will also examine the signs evident in the novel of the Victorian mindset. Dracula is an aristocrat with a castle and noble title, but in reality he is more associated with the lumpen. While trapped in Dracula's castle early in the novel, Jonathan discovers that he has no hired help, has been performing menial tasks such as bed-making and table setting in secret, and even acting as the horse-carriage driver. He slumbers in dirt, much like the homeless, and is nomadic for most of the book. The Count associates himself most clearly with the lumpenproletariat in the form of a horde of gypsies who "attach themselves as a rule to some great noble"(49). They even do his bidding: "The [gypsies] have given me these"(50) Dracula says of Jonathan's ill-fated letters. Dracula attempts to hide his lumpen nature and exude an aristocra... ... "stagnant and foul" air (111). Vampires and the poor are projected as animal-like, and both prey on others. Since the vampires in Dracula can be seen as a representation of the lower class, we can draw some assumptions. If one draws this parallel to its logical conclusion, the battle with the vampires, it can be seen that in the end the lower class and their perceived values are soundly defeated by the righteous ruling class, and the threat is expelled from Britain. However, this ruling class does not come out of the battle unscathed, and the Victorian tradition is mostly lost. By reading Dracula as a battle to maintain Victorian tradition, one can more fully understand the actions of the characters. Their prudishness, Seward's scientific adherence to logic, and the idea of the fall from grace take on a new meaning in the light of such an understanding. Just as the characters in Dracula cling to their humanity, so too do they cling to their upper-class values in the face of the lower class. Works Cited Stoker, Bram. Dracula. England: Pengiun, 2003. defn:"Lumpenproletariat". Oxford English Dictionary. http://dictionary.oed.com