Hotel Rwanda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hotel Rwanda - Essay Example How a variety of relations turned out between the needy Rwandans and the Whites or the western people in control also possesses a significant level of accuracy as assessed with respect to history which traditionally depicted racial discrimination, whether or not subtle, with an occasional mode of compassion or empathy and recognition for the black people. The apparently accurate emotions portrayed by the actors behind the characters of the oppressed Tutsis channel an amount of distinction apart from any fictitious attempt since the audience can readily engage as measured by the equivalent horrified reactions that manifest anxious imaginings with distressful feeling of helplessness. The director, T. George, might have felt the necessity to not disclose or point out the motivations behind the hostilities of the Hutu extremists for perhaps being such a complex portion able to divert the main objective of building up a one-man hero into the core. By clearly not revealing the truth that t here were only two foreign journalists in Rwanda on stating â€Å"lots of foreign press are arriving for the peace signing,† the film warrants as such that it gives viewers an impression of witnesses and interested parties at supporting the cause of P.

Prepare a consultants report for the Schwab Case Essay

Prepare a consultants report for the Schwab Case - Essay Example This report contains the strategic audit of Charles Schwab and Company. The Instruments used are SWOT analysis and SWOT matrix. Analysis of the company’s position has been undertaken. Different technology models have also been applied in order to undertake the analysis of the technology practices in the company. In the end suggestions and recommendations are presented in order to improve the competitive position of the Company. The strategy of a company requires constant updating. With the changing conditions of market and industry it is important for an organization to keep its strategy in tact with the changing environment. An out dated strategy cannot fulfil the needs of today’s global environment. In order to go through the updating process the organizations should carry on an audit to analyze which aspect requires improvement. It also specifies what strategy is necessary to support the business operations, the information people use currently and the gaps in these functions and the business goals. By assessing the knowledge possessed by an organization about its competitors and market environment the mangers can effectively take decisions in order to find the most feasible way for their businesses to maximize profits and improve market share. It is also important to calculate the extent to which change needs to be introduced to the organization. Although the identification of the problem is a big issue but the finding a solution making sense with business world is the main purpose of change in the organization. â€Å"Back in 1970 Alvin Toffler in Future Shock (Toffler, A. 1970) describes a trend towards accelerating rates of change. He illustrated how social and technological norms had shorter life spans with each generation, and he questioned societys ability to cope with the resulting turmoil and anxiety. In the volatile business environment of the 21st century the most important requirement of today’s

Missed Opportunities Essay Example for Free

Missed Opportunities Essay Located between East Asia, Southeast Asia and the vast Pacific Ocean lies an archipelago of 7,107 islands collectively called as the Philippines. Due to its strategic location as the Pacific’s Gateway to Asia, as well as its abundant natural resources, the Philippines had become one of the most prized possessions of the superpowers. This archipelagic nation had been subjected to colonization under Spain, Japan, and the United States. In July 4, 1946, independence was finally granted to the Philippines by the United States. Just like many newly-independent states, it was hard for the country to undergo the process of decolonization. But despite the rough road for development and self-government, the Philippines had the best promises of economic prosperity back then. Its economic indicators were among the best in the region, just following behind Japan. It was predicted to be one of Asia’s emerging superpowers. Apparently, it seems that the Philippines fell short of these expectations. The economy plummeted, especially under the authoritarian regime of the infamous dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. This paper will take a look at the political and economic conditions of the Philippines under the leadership of Ferdinand Marcos from 1965-1986. It will strive to find explanations as to why unlike the similarly strong, authoritarian, and strict governments of Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, and Deng Xiaoping of China which brought prosperity to their respective countries – Ferdinand Marcos’s government failed, and even brought the Philippine economy into its darkest times. Background Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was a revolutionary man, a respectable figure in Philippine politics. He was the son of a teacher and a politician, and since his early years, his potential as a great leader was seen. The most remarkable story preceding his political career was when he was accused of killing his father’s political rival. He successfully petitioned the Philippine Supreme Court to release him on bail, thus allowing him to finish a Bachelor’s Degree in Law in the University of the Philippines. He eventually passed the board exam in flying colors. But shortly after this victory, the verdict has arrived, and he was guilty of murder, which sentenced him to ten years in prison. With his brilliance and wit, he prepared his own appeal and had his case defended only by him. On his own, he was able to cleanse himself of the charges accused of him. He was freed, and news of the brilliance and intelligence of this young man was known and celebrated throughout the country (Steinberg, 2007). For 6 years, Marcos served in the Philippine Army during World War 2. After the war, Marcos had his political career started, while working as an assistant to the former Philippine President Manuel Roxas. Shortly after, he was elected as a congressman in his hometown province of Ilocos. Before running in the national elections, he made a wise move by marrying a very beautiful and charming wife, a former beauty pageant queen by the name of Imelda Romualdez. During campaign period, they were like stars in a romance movie – a couple of wit and beauty, and it proved to be effective in catching the hearts of the Filipino people. This unique appeal, of providing a mother-father appeal to the country was successful – it eventually gave Marcos a seat in the Senate, and later on, the coveted Presidential Seat in 1965 (Steinberg, 2007). In the early years of the Marcos love team, the couple (Imelda, even though she was not an elected politician, was very dominant in all areas of Philippine politics) pushed for projects such as infrastructure and food production. Marcos did not fall short of the expectations of the people. He was successful in improving the country’s situation, especially its economy. In fact, GDP growth increased from 5. 1% in the 1960s to more than 60% in the 1970s. Levels of investment increased, and export growth reached 8% in the 1970s from 2. 2% in the 1960’s. The Philippines also became a leader in rice production during the Green Revolution, with food production per capita growing to more than 20%, allowing the country to be self-sufficient in rice (Jayasuriya, 1986). These statistics partly came from the first presidential term of Marcos. In 1969, he won a second term, thanks to the aforementioned achievements. Growth continued until the first few years of his second term. However, many fundamental problems gradually appeared in the beautiful scenario of the growing Philippine economy. In the South, insurgency among the Separatist Muslim groups was emerging; there were many demonstrations against the government’s support for the US policies in the Vietnam War, as well as the presence of their military bases in the country; and the economy was weakening, painting a picture of dissatisfaction among the Filipino People (Steinberg, 2007). Marcos took advantage of this unfavorable political and social climate of the country. Under the Constitution, a person can only hold on to the Presidential Seat for a maximum of two terms (Jayasuriya, 1986). Clearly, time was running out for Marcos, and so in 1972, with the excuse of stabilizing the country, he declared Martial Law and tightened his grip on to power and wealth through authoritarian rule. Another part of the statistics mentioned before is attributed to the early years of the Martial Law. Martial Law in fact, was lauded by international entities, including the World Bank, stating that â€Å"recent developments offer an opportunity for a more serious attack on the very difficult social and economic problems presently confronting the Philippines† (Boyce, 1993). Under Martial Law, however, there was no free press, key opposition figures were jailed, numerous human rights violations were committed, a curfew and many other restrictions were imposed among the population, and everything the dictator said was a decree. Indeed, power was solely under the hands of the Marcoses and their allies (Steinberg, 2007). However, despite this strict rule, the Philippine Economy was continuing to deteriorate. And by the early 80s, there was crisis and uncertainty in the country’s politics and economy. It was a combination of internal and external factors – there was world recession caused by the second oil shock in 1979, oil imports were becoming more expensive while export prices were falling, and there was a steep increase in the interest rates of foreign borrowings, where the Philippines was heavily dependent on (Bresnan, 1986). He eventually lifted Martial Law in 1981, but called for an election which he eventually won again. Even so, the problems faced by the country were still the same, and Marcos himself started suffering from complications. He acquired an illness by the name of lupus erythematosus, which made required him to undergo dialysis and have his kidneys replaced. His credibility as a leader was further questioned as he appeared to be dying. It was indeed a hard time for the Philippines. All these events climaxed when Benigno Aquino, opposition leader and greatest rival and critic of the Marcos government, was assassinated on August 21, 1983. It was the ultimate event that would trigger and stimulate the urge of the people to let Marcos step down. For the years to come, a sentiment of disgust against the Marcos regime grew. To appease the people, a snap election took place, and the candidates for presidency were Beningno Aquino’s wife, Corazon Aquino, and Mr. Marcos himself. The election appeared to have no credibility, as both parties claimed that they won, and both of them had sworn as President at the same time in different locations. Most people however, doubted the victory of the dying dictator, they believe that Mr. Marcos has cheated his way on to power this time. The people were simply tired of the injustices under the Marcos regime, as well as his greed and tight grip to power. In February 22 1986, hundreds of thousands of people wearing yellow peacefully gathered on Metropolitan Manila’s most important highway, EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue). It was a prayerful demonstration urging Marcos to step down and leave the Palace. Eventually, after four days of tireless demonstrations, Marcos flees and flies to Hawaii for exile (Weir, accessed 2008). The rest was history. Corazon Aquino became the first female Filipino President, and EDSA Revolution inspired other nations, such as Germany during the Collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, to start their own peaceful revolutions.

Indias Society and Culture

Indias Society and Culture Executive Summary The culture of India is among the worlds oldest, reaching back about 5,000 years. Many sources describe it as Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara — the first and the supreme culture in the world. India is a very diverse country, and different regions have their own distinct cultures. Language, religion, food and the arts are just some of the various aspects of Indian culture. Here is a brief overview of the culture of India. Introduction Major determinants of social and political organization in India today are: Religion, Caste, and Language. There are more job opportunities in the private sector and better chances of upward social mobility now, hence India has begun a quiet social transformation in this area. The government has recognized 18 official languages; Hindi, the national language, is the most widely spoken, although English is a national lingua franca. About 80% of the population is Hindu; India is the home of more than 138 million Muslims, the third largest Muslim population in the world. India’s population also includes Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis. The Caste System The caste system is based on occupational and socially defined hierarchies. There are 4 castes: 1) Priests (Brahmin), 2) Warriors (Kshatriya), 3) Traders/artisans (Vaishya), and 4) Farmers/laborers (Shudra). These categories are generally understood throughout India. The caste system does not include the tribal people and those outside the caste system formerly known as untouchables†, or dalits. In reality, Indian society is divided into thousands of jatislocal, endogamous groups based on occupationand organized hierarchically according to complex ideas of purity and pollution. Discrimination based on caste is officially illegal, but remains prevalent, especially in rural areas. Government effort, expanding education, land reform and economic opportunity through access to information, communication, transport, and credit are helping to lessen the harshest elements of the caste system. The Hindu Worldview Concept of dharma – following one’s duty; being duty bound Karma – action and consequence (as we sow, so we reap) Samsara – cycle of life Moksha – release from the successive cycles of life, death and rebirth Hindu Weddings Hindu weddings are a sacrament. Generally, they last a few days. They are highly ritualized. Fire is a sacred and central element of the Hindu wedding. Weddings are very festive, with lots of music, dancing, food, sweets, gifts, and include many family traditions. Black or plain white is NEVER worn at a wedding as both are the colors of sorrow, mourning or widowhood. Not all Hindu weddings are ostentatious, noisy, and long. Many factors affect wedding customs: Region Caste Socio-economic standing Education level Urban versus rural Family make-up Workforce Labor force: 487.6 million (2011 estimate) Labor force by occupation: Agriculture: 52% Industry: 14% Services: 34% Unemployment rate: 9.8% (2011 estimate) Classified as a low income country by the World Bank with a GNI (gross national income) of $450. Great inequality in the distribution of wealth: the richest tenth of households hold 33% of wealth, while the poorest tenth only hold 3%. 29% of the population lives below the poverty line; 70% of these people reside in rural areas; 86% of the population lives under $2 per day; 44% lives under $1 per day; 25% of the population does not have enough money to eat adequately. Dos and Donts in India 1) Do drink bottled water only. 2) Dont offer bribes to get any job done. Bribe-taking and bribe-giving are a common practice in India but they are intended to speed up things or win a favor that non-Indians are not entitled to. Plan well in advance. Use consultants or trade and industry associations. If you expect favors, let them come free or not at all. Warn anyone (even in government) who asks you for a bribe that you would report him to the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the nearest police-station. 3) Don’t show amusement at Indian English, accents or choice of words. The fact remains that many Indians speak and write better English than many native English speakers. 4) Do pay attention to the Indian nod. Many Indians are in the habit of shaking their head in the course of conversation or taking instructions. The nod generally means I hear you. Namaste. This is a greeting done with joining of your palms as during prayer. 5) Do say namaste, folding your hands together, as if praying. This is a common greeting well understood across India, in spite of linguistic differences. 6) Don’t shake hands with women if they do not extend their hand out first. Many women may not wish to shake hands when met, so a ‘Namaste’ greeting is appropriate, followed with a Kaise hai? (How are you? in Hindi.) Indian Food Wide regional variation A variety of spices and nuts add delicate flavor to the food Vegetarian food is very common in India There are many types of curries (vindaloo, Madras, etc.) Do not confuse curry with gravy. No beef! (Cows are considered holy in India.) Chicken and lamb/mutton are common meats, as is fish. Indian pickles are served with every meal; they are made with oil, spices and a variety of vegetables (mango, lemon, chilies, and carrots.) Plain yogurt is consumed with almost every meal. Indian Cinema The biggest film producing industry in the world is the Mumbai-based Bollywood. It is also called Hindi Cinema, since many regional language films are also produced in India. Melodrama and romance are common ingredients of Bollywood films. Indian Music India has a history of music that spans millennia. Music serves as spiritual inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment. Types of music: Folk – rural, ethnic, regional music Popular – Bollywood and regional cinema music Classical music – two branches: Carnatic) Southern India) and Hindustani (Northern and Central India) Galaxy of Musicians by Raja Ravi Varma depicts Indian women dressed in regional attire playing a variety of musical instruments popular in different parts of the country. Indian Dance In Hindu mythology, dance is believed to have been conceived by Brahma, who inspired the sage Bharata Muni to write the Natya Shastra, a treatise on performing arts, from which a codified practice of dance and drama emerged. The best-known of Hindu deities—Shiva, Kali and Krishna—are typically represented dancing. Shivas cosmic dance, Kalis dance of creation and destruction, and Krishnas dance with the gopikas (cow-herd girls)—Rasa Lila—are popular motifs in Hindu mythology. Conclusion To conclude with, there are different aspects of the Indian culture. Each aspect is practiced by people but not everyone believes in the different aspects. As you can see it is a very traditional culture, everyone has their opinion towards it, positive and negative. Therefore the Indian Culture is a very unique culture and has various practices. Although the youth do not believe in the traditional aspects, the culture will vary with time and will not be traditional anymore because of the modern world. All in all the aspects are frequently practiced but tomorrow’s generation are going to change it.

Strategic Importance of Knowledge Management Essay -- Philosophy Knowl

Strategic Importance of Knowledge Management Today the world has more and more of free flow of information leading to transfer of knowledge from a person or an organization to others. Whereas this invariably leads to faster development, it also impacts the competitive advantage held by the innovators of processes or technology. It has therefore become strategically important for one and all in business to understand the knowledge, processes and controls to effectively manage the system of sharing and transferring the information in the most beneficial fashion. This paper dwells upon definition, types, scope, technology and modeling of knowledge and Knowledge Management while examining its strategic importance for retaining the competitive advantage by the organizations. What is knowledge? Plato first defined the concept of knowledge as ‘‘justified true belief’’ in his Meno, Phaedo and Theaetetus. Although not very accurate in terms of logic, this definition has been predominant in Western philosophy (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995). Davenport et al. (1998) define knowledge as ``information combined with experience, context, interpretation and reflection''. The terms ‘‘knowledge’’ and ‘‘information’’ are often used inter-changeably in the literature and praxis but a distinction is helpful. The chain of knowledge flow is data-information-knowledge. Information is data to which meaning has been added by being categorized, classified, corrected, and condensed. Information and experience, key components of definitions of knowledge, are put into categories through the process of labeling with abstract symbols. This allows the process of synthesis to occur more efficiently than when dealing with masses of individual bits of information. Information coded into symbols to make it â€Å"knowledge† may be stored both inside and outside the individuals. Thus, knowledge may be stored within a person in his mind or outside the person in books, manuscripts, pictures, and audio and videotapes or discs. However, while only the individual himself may retrieve knowledge stored within his mind, kn owledge stored outside can be retrieved by anybody familiar with the storage systems. In organizations, knowledge is often embedded not only in documents and presentations but also in â€Å"organizational routines, processes, practices, and norms,† and through person-to-person cont... ...ress, New York, NY. Schultze, U. and Boland Jr, R.J. (2000), ‘‘Knowledge management technology and the reproduction of knowledge work practices’’, Journal of Strategic Information Systems, Vol. 9, pp. 193-212. Stoner J.A.F., Freeman R. E. and Gilbert D.R. (2004): Management, Pearson Education, U.K. Swan, J. and Newell, S. (2000), ‘‘Linking knowledge management and innovation’’, in Hansen, H.R., Tissen, R., Andriessen, D. and Depres, F.L. (2000), The Knowledge Dividend, Financial Times and Prentice Hall, London. Van Buren, M. (1999), ‘‘A yardstick for knowledge management’’, Training and Development Journal, Vol. 53 No. 5, pp. 71-8. Wagner, E. (2000), ‘‘Communities of practice: the structure of knowledge stewarding’’, in Despres, C. and Chauvel, D. (Eds), The Present and the Promise of Knowledge Management, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, MA, pp. 205-24. Wheelen T.L. and Hunger J.D. (2004): Strategic Management and Business Policy, Pearson Education, U.K. Winter, S.G. (1987), ‘‘Knowledge and competence as strategic assets’’, in Teece, D.J. (Ed.), The Competitive Challenge: Strategies For Individual Innovation and Renewal, Ballinger, Cambridge, MA, pp. 159-84.

Abortion Essay -- essays research papers

ABORTION Abortion, in my opinion, has been one of the largest debataable issues in American Society. There are so many aspects and views to examine before one can even begin to form their own opinion. In order to discuss an important issue such as abortion, we must first understand what it means. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before the fetus has developed and grown enough to live outside the mother. When abortion happens naturally before the 20th week it is called a spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage. If it happens naturally after the 20th week it is termed a late fetal death or a still birth. An abortion caused by a medical procedure is called an induced abortion. Most induced abortion are performed in the first trimester or first 12 weeks after conception.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The abortion debate seems like an unresolable conflict of rights. The right of women to control their own bodies, and the right of children to be born. In the United States abortion became legal in 1973. Recently, courts have upheld the right of a woman to have an abortion, and as a result, has caused many heated debates. The opposing abortion groups are refered to as â€Å"pro-life† and â€Å"pro-choise.† The people who refer to themselves as pro-choise belive the woman has the right to choose for herself whether to have an abortion. It has nothing to do with the humanity of the fetus but is entirely about the womans freedom. They say every persoon has the right to live and move in freedom. A pregnant woman and her unborn child are one and the law should protect the woman’s right. They most often refer to the embryo as nothing â€Å"a blob.† Saying that the fetus is not alive because it can not live outside the womans womb. Furthermore they gone as far as saying the world is already over-populated. They claim abortion is a personal choice. Therefore an abortion is justified if the mother wants an abortion. Whereas pro-life people belive that destroying a human life is morally wrong and should be restricted. Their belive that the loss of one’s life is one of the greatest losses one can suffer. The loss of one’s life deprives one of all the experiences, activ ities, and enjoyments that would otherwise have constituted one’s future. In their eyes abortion is a sin. They claim that human lives are being taken at a rate of 1.5 million a year for convenience. Is abortion right or... ...he already has all the children she wants. Also she could be very young and her parents do not want her to have the baby. Abortions under these circumstances are similar because it’s the deliberate taking of a life just for convenience.. I belive a pregnant woman should seek counseling and advice before making a decision to have an abortion. Counseling early in the pregnancy is important for a positive outcome regardless of whether the pregnancy will continue or an abortion is chosen There is other options for instance the baby could be given up for adoption. Besides if you know you have had unpotected sex there is emergency contraception methods available to prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after the unprotected sex accoured. There are so many birth control methods currently available for there to be any unwanted pregancies. With one exception for pregnancies tresulting from rape or incest. I feel in my heart that a human life should not be sacrificed because it is a gift from God. This is only my opinion. There are alot of arguments regarding abortion. They all provide food for thought. If you want to hear other arguments just bring up the subject at your next family gathering.

National Integration Essay

National Integration Indian civilization has survived-through the ages despite temporary setbacks. Since the earliest times, Indian civilization has marched with common objectives of culture and society. In early days, great emperors like Ashoka unified the country and its civilization and knit ft round a common culture from one end of the country to the other. During and after the Hindu period and later by the spread of Buddhism in whole of Asia, Indian culture and civilization got a further impetus. It brought about integration among different classes of people and common ideological and political thinking. The spiritual content of Buddhism spread through the country and brought a strange renaissance in the Indian social set-up. After the 14th century, the impact of the Muslim culture penetrated into the Indian civilization and created a plural social structure without, however, impairing the units of the country. The Mughals when they came to power also tried to bring the whole country under one array . The arrival of the British in India started a new chapter in India’s history. Always aiming at dividing the people so as to rule themselves, they launched a number of disintegrating measures to litter away the common points among various religions, communities and classes in the country. The British rule, however, provided one common economic system to the country although the British did their best to divide the people socially and economically in order to retain their supremacy. The most important single factor which brought unity in the Indian fabric was political struggle for independence from the British rule. The great personages who founded the Indian National Congress to fight out the British and to attain political independence for the country brought to one platform varying interests, communities and sections of society. The national image came to prominence with the national movement which provided a focus for the developed feeling of patriotism. The English language, although alien to the spirit of the country, brought educated classes of various communities to one platform and made them fight shoulder to shoulder against the mighty British. By the end of the 19th century, the feeling of the Indian unity became rooted in the minds of all Indians. The arrival of Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian scene started yet another chapter in Indian history. Mahatma Gandhi brought the gift of a non-violent movement as a new weapon to the  national struggle of India. Under the circumstances of the times, this method proved highly efficacious and brought the British under political and moral pressure of the times and made them to bow At the eleventh hour, however, certain reactionary elements in the country exploited the situation created by the British policy of ‘divide and rule’ and demanded the partition of the country, according to the communal ratios and majorities prevailing in various parts of the country. In order to avoid too much bloodshed, Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders agreed to the partition, even though it was based on the ever-condemned two-nation theory. Ever since independence, India has adopted a secular constitution and given birth to a nation based on the principles of equal rights to all its citizens, irrespective of caste, creed religion or sex.The Constitution has provided fullest freedom to all religions in matters of worship, customs, etc., and protected them in every way. As a secular democracy, India is marching on the path of progress in all spheres—economic, political, social and cultural. In order to provide and encourage national integration in India, the Government office India has taken numerous steps which are worth mentioning. It has provided a national programme of education on secular lines and encouraged the development of national institution and policies. Through various media of education like the radio, the cinema and the T.V., it ha s provided for emotional integration of the people as one nation and encouraged them to think as one people. Equality of rights in various spheres has provided the people with common interests and enabled them to work and progress side by side without thinking of the narrow interests. The five-year plans of economic development have contributed to the raising of standards of people without regard to community, caste and creed. The class distinctions of the people have broadened out to economic distinctions from those of religion, community or caste. The art and culture of the country is also being developed on nationalistic lines. There is also due effort to develop a national language, although its imposition is being avoided for the time being in order to avoid conflicts of regional linguistic interests. The cinema, which is one of the most important means of recreation for the common man in India, is providing a uniform all-India pattern of art and culture to the whole country, thus contributing to emotional integration. Let us hope the movement of national integration now in motion goes faster  and achieves the desired object of binding various communities and sections of the Indian society to a common way of thinking, without impairing the local and the reg ional arts and cultures, which should be allowed to flourish within the overall pattern of national art and culture.