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

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

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

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