Training and Development of Hiring Practices Case Study

Training and Development of Hiring Practices - Case Study Example A competent staff is indispensable to gain and maintain the competitive advantage. A JA process is rigorous and as such, it needs an important trigger. Triggers such as a change in the organization’s value proposition are some of the aspects that could call for a JA (Watkins, Meiers, & Visser, 2012). As earlier discussed, Training Needs Analysis determines the particular range of the needs that are manageable through training. Nevertheless, it is vital to note that not all needs may prompt the need for training in fixing the perceived issue. A three-tiered approach to analyzing needs exists (Bowman, & Wilson, 2008). The organizational analysis allows the manager to view the performance of the organization and highlights the performance problems in particular departments within the firm (Narasimhan, & Ramanarayanan, 2012). The level of analysis pertains examining the internal environment of the organization. It also extends to possible influences on employee performance and constructing its fit in line with the objective of the organization (Watkins, Meiers, & Visser, 2012). To conduct an organizational analysis, information can stem from channels such as the goals of the organization, its mission statement, and strategies. At the operational level of analysis, focus shifts to knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary for the execution of specific tasks. Termed the task analysis, it calls for an extensive examination of a task to ease the identification of the abilities needed for the exemplary execution of the task (Lubke, 2011). As Shah, & Gopal, (2012) claim, job descriptions, and performance standards are among the most effective sources of information for the task analysis framework. A manager could ask â€Å"highlight the specific tasks you are to accomplish during the workshop,† or† â€Å"provide an overview of the tasks scheduled for tomorrow in order of priority?†Ã‚  Ã‚  

Organizational Theory and Behavior Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organizational Theory and Behavior - Term Paper Example Therefore, this paper is going to define the terms organizational theory and organizational behavior is, secondly, mention about the vital aspects of organizational behavior, thirdly, talk about the various theories of organizational behavior, and lastly conclusion. Organizational theory is a theory whose main aim is to enable individuals understand the reason as to why organizations are structured the way they are and how people behave in organizations (Cunliffe, 2008) On the other hand, organizational behavior is a word that is rarely hard in today’s life but seen and heard mostly in the places of work. The reason as to why the many people are not conversant with the term â€Å"organizational behavior† is that they do not know what it comprises. Therefore, organizational behavior can be defined as the culture and behavior of individuals in an organization that results to effective functioning of such an organization. In other words, it comprises of the rules, regulations and procedures that govern an organization (Staw, 2006) There are various vital aspects of organizational behavior and theory; they include organizational culture, ethics, communication, teamwork and diversity. Diversity means that people work in an organization peacefully by not looking at their age, tribe, gender, sex or ethnic backgrounds. Communication is the sending and receiving information, in an organization there are proper channels of communications that are followed for smooth running of organizations. Also among the staff, communication is an important aspect; it is done through memos, phone calls, emails among others. Teamwork is also important in an organization whereby the staff members have to work together as one team for effective and smooth running of organizations. There are several different behavioral theories that show how

Retail and Channel Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Retail and Channel Management - Assignment Example Typical channel marketing methods used include direct selling or selling through a reseller. The act of retailing comes in when a producer delivers goods to consumers through a reseller. Delivery of goods from the production premises to the market goes through some stages involving different parties. The typical steps of a supply chain start with the delivery of goods from the producer to a wholesaler. A wholesaler buys goods from the producer in large quantities only to sell them to the retailers. A retailer comes in at the end of a supply chain where it sells goods to consumers in small quantities. A retail store may be involved is some channeling activities, which may include delivery of goods from their main store to other small outlets or to consumer environments. In the modern business arena, retail industry is growing at a tremendous pace. Recent commerce statistics shows that the retail industry will hit a $13 206 billion by the year 2015. Just like any other business and marketing concepts, the acts of retailing and channeling require management services. This brings us to the context of retail and channel management. All management activities involve the process of planning, organizing, leading, directing and controlling the involved processes. According to Neelesh (2008), the process of retail and channel management entails the acts of planning, organizing and directing the delivery and supply of goods from the retail stores to the end users. Retail management refers to all the integrated processes which facilitate procurement of the desired goods and services by a consumer. Retail management incorporates the management and marketing concepts in achieving the goal of effective provision and delivery of goods to the end users. An efficient retail management exercises accomplish the result of making customers’ shopping experience exciting. According to Nicholas (2005) & Gary (2005), channel

Bad Home Life Essay Example for Free

Bad Home Life Essay Children all over the world suffer everyday from bad home life, born with health problems, no shelter, abusive parents, not having enough food or water to have a good living. Majority of the children are robbed of their childhood. Everyone has heard about the problems in Africa mainly children dying of lack of food and clean water causing malnutriton. After researching more about what caught my eye was the problem in Uganda that has been going on for about twentyfive years and still happening today. It’s a very tragic and almost unbelievable story that this would happen in the lives of young children. Imagine the little kids you see on the playground at your nearby elementary school were running around with guns just shooting whatever got in their way. It’s basically an army led by Joseph Kony who was once a rebel of the army. Made up of thousands of children starting at five years old to adulthood. Majority of the children that have joined are dead now reaching a certain age. He was just not just a mass murderer but involved in many sex crimes as well. He starts by kidnapping the children from their homes the parents are killed in front of their children some the children are forced to shoot their parents. They are then forced to become apart of the army some disagree and are killed on the spot. Women are also captured to look after the young children that are captured they are also brutally raped some survive or killed, they become widowed too by the killing of their husbands. They also become responsible for feeding the children waking up early in the morning in search of food. The women become very restless and suffering due to the loss of their relatives and husbands. There is somewhat a change happening in Africa to help with this problem called the SOS Social Centre supports over 250 children and their mothers in the community who have been affected by the civil war with counseling, and medical, nutritional and educational support. Former soldiers of the army that have escaped also receive counseling. To think that these people and children do not have rights or health care that we here in America were born with is unbelievable. Many children in the SOS are orphans due to losing their parents, brother and sisters etc. , they have certain program for this called the Family Strengthening Program so there are less abandoned children. Today, chased beyond Ugandas borders, Kony stalks the wildly remote jungles straddling the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and southern Sudan, eluding American backed efforts to end his demented war and save the children who suffer at his hand.

The Caste System of India

The Caste System of India The album of the modern world is portrayed by class and caste systems, the mere reflections of social inequality in human society. Class and caste are the form of the social stratification. The division of society into classes or strata, which form a hierarchy of prestige and power, is an universal feature of social structure. In this paper mainly focus on the basic concept of caste and class of society and in Indian context the changing trend of the caste system. What is Caste: Caste is the name of an ancient social institution that has been part of Indian history and culture for thousands of years. Wikipedia states that, A caste is a combined social system of, endogamy, culture, social class, and political power. Any of the hereditary, endogamous social classes or subclasses of traditional Hindu society, stratified according to Hindu ritual purity, especially the Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra castes. The nature and function of the caste system: The statutory commission report in 1930 stated about the nature and function of the caste in India as, Every Hindu necessarily belongs to the caste of his parents and in that caste he inevitably remains. No accumulation of wealth and no exercise of talents can alter his caste status and marriage outside his caste is prohibited or severely discouraged. Renowned scholar Paul H. Landis has remarked as, No ambitious young Indian of a lower class can ever hope to be a Brahmin. Here the class differences are strong that the lowest class, the untouchables are not allowed even to touch the garments of the highest or Brahmin class. They (untouchables) die in the hope that they will be reborn into a better class. From the various statements it becomes clear that caste continue to be an overpowering influence in the social, economical and political life of the country. The Indian village system is tied up with caste hierarchy. Origin of caste: some views Caste or more precisely varna for which the former a Portuguese synonyms, has come into wide use in comparative literature in recent years. It has been an invariable dimension of the social evolution in india during the last 3500years. During the Rigvedic period the Aryan community had started splitting into classes Brahma, Kashata and visa. It is only in one of the later hymns purushasuktha that a reference has been made to the four classes of Indian society. The names of the four classes were given in the sukta as Brahma, Rajanya, vaisya and sudra. The earlier division into these groups or section or varnas represented division of labour and division of social product. The original in habitants, portrayed as blackish people were called as Dasas by the Aryans, the invaders. These Dasas were over powered by the Aryans and when the conquered class were transformed into a service class, new relations of production came into being. The Dasas were known as the Sudras the fifth caste in the Aryan fold of the Indian society. Phules theory of the caste system was that it was created by the Aryans or Iranis Bhats or Brahmins. Before the coming of Irani Brahmins, Indian society was a casteless or classless agricultural community. The Grammarian Patanjali (Bc.200) commenting on panninis rule classified the countries of his times as Abrahmaniko Desah'(non-Brahmin countries) and vrshalak desah'(Brahmin countries). Dr. B.R. Ambedkar attempted to prove that the sudras originally constituted the solar Kshatriya caste of the vedic Aryan society, but that since the Brahmins refused to perform upanayana for them they were pushed down to the fourth caste. Definitions of caste: The word caste is derived from the Spanish word caste, meaning breed, race, strain or heredity. The Portuguese, when they came to India used the term to identify the caste divisions. In the words of Madan and Majumdar, caste is a closed group. To C.H Cooley, When a class is some what strictly hereditary, we may call it a caste. The most commonly cited defining features of caste are the following: Caste is determined by birth a child is born into the caste of its parents. Caste is never a matter of choice. One can never change ones caste, leave it, or choose not to join it, although there are instances where a person may be expelled from their caste. Membership in a caste involves strict rules about marriage. Caste groups are endogamous, i.e. marriage is restricted to members of the group. Caste membership also involves rules about food and food-sharing. What kinds of food may or may not be eaten is prescribed and who one may share food with is also specified. Caste involves a system consisting of many castes arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status. In theory, every person has a caste, and every caste has a specified place in the hierarchy of all castes. While the hierarchical position of many castes, particularly in the middle ranks, may vary from region to region, there is always a hierarchy. Castes also involve sub-divisions within themselves, i.e., castes almost always have sub-castes and sometimes sub-castes may also have sub-sub-castes. This is referred to as a segmental organisation. Castes were traditionally linked to occupations. A person born into a caste could only practice the occupation associated with that caste, so that occupations were hereditary, i.e. passed on from generation to generation. On the other hand, a particular occupation could only be pursued by the caste associated with it -members of other castes could not enter the occupation. Social structure and cultural aspects of the caste system: The nature of caste system in India can be studied as a social structural system and as a cultural system representing the unique feature of Indian cultures: Social Structural Aspects: The caste system is a hierarchy of values in terms of the concept of purity and impurity. It is organized as a characteristic hereditary division of labour. It is committed to organic coordination with the larger communities. Dumont, the French sociologist used the term homo-hierarchy meant for the minority opposition and mutual repulsion in the inter-caste relationship. There is a lot of cooperation especially in the socio-religious lines between various castes. Cultural Aspects : The cultural or symbolic system of caste has the following important things: A hierarchy of values in terms of the concept of purity and impurity. Hereditary transmission of psychological traits with in caste groups. The concepts of karma and punarjanma giving ones attitudes and ways of life. Commitment to caste occupation of caste style. Tolerance of different styles of life of other castes. What is Social Class? A social class may be defined as a stratum of people of similar position in the social status continuum. The social position of the George is not the same as that of the college president; a student will not greet them in exactly the same manner. Most of us are deferential towards those whose social position we believe to be above our and are condescending to those whom we consider socially below us. The members of a social class view one another as social equals, while holding themselves to be socially superior to some and socially inferior to others. The members of a particular social class often have about the same amount of money, but what is more important is that they have much the same attitudes, values and ways of life. Social class is a very important from a social stratification. Class system is universal phenomena. Nowadays classes are in increasing and new classes are coming into being in various parts of the world. Class system in a society in determined by economic cond itions, occupational conditions, abilities, hereditary factors, educational factors etc. Every society is gradated into various social classes and each class has its status in society. To understand more about social class one has to depend on some definitions given by social scientists. Definition of Social Class: T.H. Marshal defined by stating that A system or structure of social class involves first, a hierarchy of status groups and secondly the recognition of the superior-inferior stratification and finally some degree of permanency of the structure. In the word of Ogburn and Nimcoff, By a social class we mean one or two or more broad groups of individuals who are ranked by the members of the community in socially superior and inferior positions. To Lapiere, a social class is a culturally defined group that is accorded a particular position or status within the population as a whole. Characteristics of the Class: Social class is a very important from of social stratification in the modern times. Following are the main features of class: Hierarchy of status groups: In the class system , everyone has its own status. In other words social class is a status group. Based on their features and resources, some people occupy high status, some middle status and yet some others rest at the lowest position. In modern complex society each class feels that they belong to a specific group. Class- Consciousness: In the class system every social class develops class consciousness and the status consciousness results in psychological separation. Open system: Social class system is an open one in society. The social position of one individual is based up on the factors like his profession, personal merits, dignity and wealth. The more an individual develops his abilities so as to be useful to society better he is placed in the social hierarchy. In the class system a person can move upward or downward, depending upon his personal attainments, merits and demerits, abilities and disabilities. Objective Factors: Economic condition, profession position, education, health, race etc are objectives factors of the social class system. Class consciousness resulting from the feeling of superiority and inferiority are to the called as subjective factors. When these subjective factors integrated into the objective ones, class organization occurs. Class is not only an economic division: Karl Max and Engels have the opinion that class division and economic inequalities alone lead to class difference. According to them social classes originate only from economic conditions. But our sociologists like Mac Iver mention that economic factor is only one of the factors for the origin of class system. Class is not only an occupational division: It is wrong to consider social class is an occupational division. It is restricting the scope of the social class. The criteria of high and low, superior and inferior cannot be specifically applied to professions. Social mobility: Class system involves greater scope for social mobility. According to A. Sorokin, social mobility is of two kinds; Horizontal and Vertical. Horizontal social mobility is movement from one social status to another social status of the same level. E.g. An engineer who is working in the Ford motor company goes to general motors co. as an engineers of the same grade. Vertical social mobility is the movement upward or downward e.g. A Director moves down to the position of an Assistant Director. Social Class: Marxian View The basic frame work for the dynamic of social change was laid down by Karl Marx through his materialistic interpretation of history and theory of class struggle. Opening the first chapter of their communist manifesto, Karl Marx and Engels stated: The history of all hitherto existing society(i.e. all written history) is the history of class struggle. Marxian theory, materialistic and economically oriented, views class attitudes and class consciousness as fundamentally a reflection of economic conditions. Under the Marxian concept there are only two classes namely petty Bourgeois capitalists and the proletariats or the working class. Marxs distribution of the classes was mainly on economic basis that had comes as a subject of criticisms to sociologist like Mac Iver. Karl Marx conceived the relation between these two classes essentially based on the means of production, followed by the exploitation of the Bourgeoisie class up on the working class. Regarding classes and their relation with each other Marx has set three assumption in selected correspondence. Classes are bound up with particular historical phases in the development of production. Classes are bound to lead a struggle between two classes namely Petty Bourgeois capitalists and the working class. The class struggle between those two classes necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariats by over throwing the ruling capitalist from power. Marx and Engles have described classes as economic conflict groups that are divided on the basis of the possession of the various instruments of production. Thus it is believed that an industrial society is connected with two classes- petty Bourgeoisie capitalist and proletarate workers. Before the industrial revolution there were only two classes, Landlords and the Agriculturists. Class system in India: In village India, where nearly 74 percent of the population resides, caste and class affiliations overlap. According to anthropologist Miriam Sharma, Large landholders who employ hired labour are overwhelmingly from the upper castes, while the agricultural workers themselves come from the ranks of the lowestpredominantly Untouchablecastes. She also points out that household-labor-using proprietors come from the ranks of the middle agricultural castes. Distribution of other resources and access to political control follow the same pattern of caste-cum-class distinctions. Although this congruence is strong, there is a tendency for class formation to occur despite the importance of caste, especially in the cities, but also in rural areas. In an analysis of class formation in India, anthropologist Harold A. Gould points out that a three-level system of stratification is taking shape across rural India. He calls the three levels Forward Classes (higher castes), Backward Classes (middle and lower castes), and Harijans (very low castes). Members of these groups share common concerns because they stand in approximately the same relationship to land and productionthat is, they are large-scale farmers, small-scale farmers, and landless laborers. Some of these groups are drawing together within regions across caste lines in order to work for political power and access to desirable resources. For example, since the late 1960s, some of the middle-ranking cultivating castes of northern India have increasingly cooperated in the political arena in order to advance their common agrarian and market-oriented interests. Their efforts have been spurred by competition with higher-caste landed elites. In cities other groups have vested interests that crosscut caste boundaries, suggesting the possibility of forming classes in the future. These groups include prosperous industrialists and entrepreneurs, who have made successful efforts to push the central government toward a pro-business stance; bureaucrats, who depend upon higher education rather than land to preserve their positions as civil servants; political officeholders, who enjoy good salaries and perquisites of all kinds; and the military, who constitute one of the most powerful armed forces in the developing world. Economically far below such groups are members of the menial underclass, which is taking shape in both villages and urban areas. As the privileged elites move ahead, low-ranking menial workers remain economically insecure. Were they to join together to mobilize politically across lines of class and religion in recognition of their common interests, Gould observes, they might find power in their sheer numbers. Indias rapidly expanding economy has provided the basis for a fundamental changethe emergence of what eminent journalist Suman Dubey calls a new vanguard increasingly dictating Indias political and economic direction. This group is Indias new middle classmobile, driven, consumer-oriented, and, to some extent, forward-looking. Hard to define precisely, it is not a single stratum of society, but straddles town and countryside, making its voice heard everywhere. It encompasses prosperous farmers, white-collar workers, business people, military personnel, and myriad others, all actively working toward a prosperous life. Ownership of cars, televisions, and other consumer goods, reasonable earnings, substantial savings, and educated children (often fluent in English) typify this diverse group. Many have ties to kinsmen living abroad who have done very well. The new middle class is booming, at least partially in response to a doubling of the salaries of some 4 million central government employees in 1986, followed by similar increases for state and district officers. Unprecedented liberalization and opening up of the economy in the 1980s and 1990s have been part of the picture. There is no single set of criteria defining the middle class, and estimates of its numbers vary widely. The mid-range of figures presented in a 1992 survey article by analyst Suman Dubey is approximately 150 to 175 millionsome 20 percent of the populationalthough other observers suggest alternative figures. The middle class appears to be increasing rapidly. Once primarily urban and largely Hindu, the phenomenon of the consuming middle class is burgeoning among Muslims and prosperous villagers as well. According to V.A. Pai Panandikar, director of the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, cited by Dubey, by the end of the twentieth century 30 percentsome 300 millionof Indias population will be middle class. The middle class is bracketed on either side by the upper and lower echelons. Members of the upper classaround 1 percent of the populationare owners of large properties, members of exclusive clubs, and vacationers in foreign lands, and include industrialists, former maharajas, and top executives. Below the middle class is perhaps a third of the populationordinary farmers, tradespeople, artisans, and workers. At the bottom of the economic scale are the poorestimated at 320 million, some 45 percent of the population in 1988who live in inadequate homes without adequate food, work for pittances, have undereducated and often sickly children, and are the victims of numerous social inequities. Changing Pattern of Caste system in India: Despite many problems, the caste system has operated successfully for centuries, providing goods and services to Indias many millions of citizens. The system continues to operate, but changes are occurring. Indias constitution guarantees basic rights to all its citizens, including the right to equality and equal protection before the law. The practice of untouchability, as well as discrimination on the basis of caste, race, sex, or religion, has been legally abolished. All citizens have the right to vote, and political competition is lively. Voters from every stratum of society have formed interest groups, overlapping and crosscutting castes, creating an evolving new style of integrating Indian society. Castes themselves, however, far from being abolished, have certain rights under Indian law. As described by anthropologist Owen M. Lynch and other scholars, in the expanding political arena caste groups are becoming more politicized and forced to compete with other interest groups for social and economic benefits. In the growing cities, traditional intercaste interdependencies are negligible. Independent India has built on earlier British efforts to remedy problems suffered by Dalits by granting them some benefits of protective discrimination. Scheduled Castes are entitled to reserved electoral offices, reserved jobs in central and state governments, and special educational benefits. The constitution mandates that one-seventh of state and national legislative seats be reserved for members of Scheduled Castes in order to guarantee their voice in government. Reserving seats has proven useful because few, if any, Scheduled Caste candidates have ever been elected in non-reserved constituencies. Educationally, Dalit students have benefited from scholarships, and Scheduled Caste literacy increased (from 10.3 percent in 1961 to 21.4 percent in 1981, the last year for which such figures are available), although not as rapidly as among the general population. Improved access to education has resulted in the emergence of a substantial group of educated Dalits able to take up white-collar occupations and fight for their rights. There has been tremendous resistance among non-Dalits to this protective discrimination for the Scheduled Castes, who constitute some 16 percent of the total population, and efforts have been made to provide similar advantages to the so-called Backward Classes (see Glossary), who constitute an estimated 52 percent of the population. In August 1990, Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap (V.P.) Singh announced his intention to enforce the recommendations of the Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Commissionsee Glossary), issued in December 1980 and largely ignored for a decade. The report, which urged special advantages for obtaining civil service positions and admission to higher education for the Backward Classes, resulted in riots and self-immolations and contributed to the fall of the prime minister. The upper castes have been particularly adamant against these policies because unemployment is a major problem in India, and many feel that they are being unjustly excluded from posts for w hich they are better qualified than lower-caste applicants. As an act of protest, many Dalits have rejected Hinduism with its rigid ranking system. Following the example of their revered leader, Dr. Ambedkar, who converted to Buddhism four years before his death in 1956, millions of Dalits have embraced the faith of the Buddha. Over the past few centuries, many Dalits have also converted to Christianity and have often by this means raised their socioeconomic status. However, Christians of Dalit origin still often suffer from discrimination by Christiansand othersof higher caste backgrounds. Despite improvements in some aspects of Dalit status, 90 percent of them live in rural areas in the mid-1990s, where an increasing proportionmore than 50 percentwork as landless agricultural laborers. State and national governments have attempted to secure more just distribution of land by creating land ceilings and abolishing absentee landlordism, but evasive tactics by landowners have successfully prevented more than minimal redistribution of land to tenant farmers and laborers. In contemporary India, field hands face increased competition from tractors and harvesting machines. Similarly, artisans are being challenged by expanding commercial markets in mass-produced factory goods, undercutting traditional mutual obligations between patrons and clients. The spread of the Green Revolution has tended to increase the gap between the prosperous and the poormost of whom are low-caste. The growth of urbanization (an estimated 26 percent of the population now lives in cities) is having a far-reaching effect on caste practices, not only in cities but in villages. Among anonymous crowds in urban public spaces and on public transportation, caste affiliations are unknown, and observance of purity and pollution rules is negligible. Distinctive caste costumes have all but vanished, and low-caste names have been modified, although castes remain endogamous, and access to employment often occurs through intracaste connections. Restrictions on interactions with other castes are becoming more relaxed, and, at the same time, observance of other pollution rules is decliningespecially those concerning birth, death, and menstruation. Several growing Hindu sects draw members from many castes and regions, and communication between cities and villages is expanding dramatically. Kin in town and country visit one another frequently, and television programs available to huge numbers of villagers vividly portray new lifestyles. As new occupations open up in urban areas, the correlation of caste with occupation is declining. Caste associations have expanded their areas of concern beyond traditional elite emulation and local politics into the wider political arenas of state and national politics. Finding power in numbers within Indias democratic system, caste groups are pulling together closely allied subcastes in their quest for political influence. In efforts to solidify caste bonds, some caste associations have organized marriage fairs where families can make matches for their children. Traditional hierarchical concerns are being minimized in favor of strengthening horizontal unity. Thus, while pollution observances are declining, caste consciousness is not. Education and election to political office have advanced the status of many Dalits, but the overall picture remains one of great inequity. In recent decades, Dalit anger has been expressed in writings, demonstrations, strikes, and the activities of such groups as the Dalit Panthers, a radical political party demanding revolutionary change. A wider Dalit movement, including political parties, educational activities, self-help centers, and labor organizations, has spread to many areas of the country. In a 1982 Dalit publication, Dilip Hiro wrote, It is one of the great modern Indian tragedies and dangers that even well meaning Indians still find it so difficult to accept Untouchable mobility as being legitimate in fact as well as in theory. . . . Still, against all odds, a small intelligentsia has worked for many years toward the goal of freeing India of caste consciousness. Factor contributing to caste change: The main factors responsible for the changes of caste system are: Modern education: Modern education is one of the major factors for weakening of the caste. It has gone to make negative impacts upon casteism. As modern education is deeply ingrained into the values such as liberty, equality and fraternity, it gives no place for hoary social evils and practices like casteism. Education also encouraged inter-caste marriage. The feeling of untouchability and prejudices are being gradually eliminated from the mind of the children of all caste. Industrialization: With the advent of industrialization people of all castes were forced to find out employment in factories in big cities. In the industrial centers members of different castes came into mutual contact, made harmonious relationship with other and forgot the caste barriers. Urbanization: Industrialization, transportation and widened communication are the main facors responsible to decrease the sentiment of the caste from the people to a greater extent. Higher caste members who moved to urban areas for pursuing employment found it difficult to retain their caste ideas and practice. Significance of wealth: In the past power of money was not much dominating factor in the society. Today wealth is replacing caste as the basis of social prestige. In other words money has become a deciding factor for influencing human life at present. Rise of Nationalism: Nationalism bound up with the concept of universal brotherhood has opened up new volumes in inter-caste relations. It seems to have helped to a considerable extent in shortening the prejudices of casteism from the mind of people in rural areas. Effect of social reforms: Social reform movement had also gone to a wider extent in diminishing caste prejudices from the upper caste minds. Social reformer like Babasaheb, Ambedkar, Balgangadhar Tilak, Ranade had done a lot for removing caste distinction and prejudice from the mind of Indians. Conclusion: The strength of caste themselves, of the individuals attachment to his own caste, it may be claimed that the traditional caste system has been profoundly altered. In that system each individual caste had its ascribed place and co-operated with each other castes in a traditional economy and in ritual. No doubt there was always some competition between castes and there were changes in position in the hierarchy of prestige; but there was no generalized competition. It is quit otherwise with the modern caste associations, which exist in order to compete for wealth, educational opportunities and social prestige in a much more open society. The class interests and demands of the toiling people, the poor and the oppressed, has largely been expressed in the form of caste politics. Articulated within the structures of Indias democracy, this caste based politics has succeeded in providing significant relief to the lower castes, who form the overwhelming majority of Indias toiling masses. Next week, this column will look at the consequences of lower caste politics in contemporary India.

Injuries and Ailments of Hamsters :: Hamsters Animals Veternarians Essays

Injuries and Ailments of Hamsters In general, hamsters (especially those in the wild) are robust little animals and aren't affected by many natural diseases. But, they are very susceptible to the infectious diseases of other animals, including humans. Many of the problems and ailments now associated with hamsters are a direct result of captivity. Because they are small, a minor illness can rapidly become major if immediate treatment isn't pursued. Since they are nocturnal many of the early signs of illness are not noticed. To insure good health, hamsters should be checked regularly: to include eating habits, exercise habits, teeth, limbs, body check for lumps, cuts and abrasions, etc. etc. A sick hamster generally becomes irritable and "bitey." They frequently become lethargic or walk almost stiff-legged if forced to move or may sit in a "hunched" position. The eyes are usually dull, sunken and sometimes watery. And, they don't eat much, which results in weight loss. SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE Blood in Urine Bladder & Kidney Infection Bloody Diarrhea Intussusception Breathing Heavy Shock - Colds & Influenza Broken Limb Broken Limb Bulging Anus Constipation - Intussusception - Rectal Prolapse Closed Eye(s) Impacted Pouch - Irritated Eyes Constipation Endoparasites Crusty Lesions in ears, face, feet Ear Mites Cuts & Bites Abscesses - Cuts & Bites Dragging Hind Quarters Broken Limb - Cage Paralysis - Hind Limb Paralysis Dry Scaly Skin Demodicosis - Mange - Mites - Ringworm - Sarcoptic Mange Eating Babies Cannibalism Eggs in Feces Endoparasites Excessive Drinking Bladder & Kidney Infection - Diabetes Extreme Diarrhea Tyzzer's Disease - Wet Tail Eye Rupture Eye Prolapse

Relationship between Hamlet and Rosencrantz Essay

Are there any acceptable reasons to lie to a friend? This question brings us to the issue of true friendship. In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the relationship between Hamlet and Horatio as well as the relationship between Hamlet with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are presented. These relationships are portrayed by the occasion on which the friends meet, the method in which Hamlet’s friends treat him, and how they act towards him. From these incidents, Horatio proves to be a better friend to Hamlet than either Rosencrantz or Guildenstern. As the play develops, we see that Horatio treats Hamlet with more kindness than both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This is exemplified in Horatio’s actions in particular, his first meeting with Hamlet where he informed Hamlet about his father’s ghost, then advised him not to follow the ghost, and helped him perform the mousetrap in order to prove Claudius’ guilt in the murder of King Hamlet. In the beginning, after witnessing the appearance of King Hamlet’s ghost, Horatio informs Hamlet of what he saw. â€Å"I think I saw [your father] yesternight.† (I, ii, 188). The fact, that Horatio would tell his friend that he saw the ghost of his dead father every day for the last week proved that Horatio cared for Hamlet. Next, Horatio tried to protect Hamlet by warning him of possible dangers that could arise if he followed his father’s ghost. Hamlet: â€Å"It will not speak, then I will follow it† Horatio: â€Å"Do not, my lord†¦What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,/ Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff.† (I, iv, 62-63, 69-70) From this scene, Horatio is shown to be protecting Hamlet from dangers that could occur, an act that a true friend would carry out. Finally, Horatio helped Hamlet to perform the mousetrap in order to determine if Claudius really killed King Hamlet. Hamlet: â€Å"one scene of it comes near the circumstances which [Hamlet] have told [Horatio] of [his] father’s death†¦ Observe [Claudius]: if his occulted guilt.† Horatio: â€Å"well, my lord:/ If [Claudius] steal aught the whilst this play is playing,/ And ‘scape detecting, [Horatio] will pay the theft.† (III, ii, 75-76,79, 87-88) In this act, Horatio has agreed to team up with Hamlet, and defy his allegiance to the King of Denmark, to see if the Claudius killed King Hamlet. These events are evidence of the true friendship Horatio has with Hamlet. During the play, Hamlet is also introduced to his childhood friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Though they have known each other from a young age, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern prove not to be as true in their friendship to Hamlet as Horatio. This is evidenced by their reason come to Denmark, their first meeting with Hamlet, and the way in which they treated him. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern arrive in Denmark they are welcomed by Claudius and Gertrude because they were sent for by the King and Queen. â€Å"Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern†¦ The need we have to use you did provoke/ Our hasty sending.† (II, ii, 1, 3-4). Since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern came to Denmark because they were called upon, and did not come on their own free will, this proves that they are not true friends to Hamlet. Next, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agreed to Claudius and Gertrude’s proposal to spy on Hamlet. Claudius: â€Å"†¦ and to gather, †¦Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus,† Guildenstern: â€Å"But we obey† (II, ii, 15-18, 29) Since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agreed to spy on Hamlet, their own friend, this reveals that they are not true friends. Finally, after Hamlet figured out that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent to spy on him did they finally confess â€Å"my Lord, we were sent for.† (II, ii, 292). After the truth came out, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tried to make Hamlet feel better because he felt that he was in a prison living in Denmark because the ghost  told Hamlet of his murder and the adulterous relationship Gertrude had with Claudius. From examining the events surrounding the relationships of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with Hamlet, it is plain to see that they were not good friends to Hamlet. In comparing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern relationship with Hamlet to Horatio’s relationship with Hamlet, it is clear that Horatio was a better friend. From the initial meeting of the two sets of friends to how they treated the main character, Horatio proved to be kinder to Hamlet throughout. First of all, the fact that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are called to Denmark by the King and Queen and did not come because they wanted to see their friend is very telling of the level of friendship they have with Hamlet. This is unlike Horatio, who goes out and seeks Hamlet in order to tell him about his father. Secondly, Hamlet shows his trust towards Horatio when he indulges his plan to figure out if Claudius killed his father. This is in contrast to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who agreed to help Claudius figure out what was wrong with Hamlet. Finally, Horatio wanted to protect Hamlet from dangers when he warned him that something negative could possibly happen if he followed the ghost. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern only acted nicely to Hamlet once he figured out that they were sent to spy on him. These events provide evidence that Horatio was a better friend to Hamlet than Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were. In conclusion, from comparing the relationship between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with Hamlet versus the relationship of Horatio with Hamlet, the evidence viewed, such as his first encounter with Hamlet, the way the main character is treated, and how the friends act with him, showed that Horatio was a true friend to Hamlet. Though, a person may make many friends throughout their lifetime, their actions provide the evidence that is used to determine who are in fact true friends.