“Malgudi Days” by R.K. Narayan Essay

In Malgudi Days, although R.K. Narayan seems to present us with a bleak portrayal of India where life is very hard and there is very little human happiness, he means to reflect the triumph of the human spirit over the cruel circumstances of life. In India, poverty and the lack of education are prejudiced against and people are discriminated against because they are poor. In ‘A Willing Slave’, Ayah is discriminated against and treated badly merely because she is an uneducated servant. When she comes back late for the first time after her visit home, her employers imagine the worst, thinking ‘she has perhaps been run over by a car and killed’, ‘she must have taken it in her head to give herself a holiday. No one is indispensable. I will dismiss her for this.’ Although Ayah has contributed much to the family, no one but Radha appreciates it. The same goes for Sidda in ‘Leela’s Friend’, who is immediately assumed to be a thief si mply because he was an ex-convict. However, the characters are not totally unhappy. Both Ayah and Sidda have a close, loving relationship with their charges, Radha and Leela, who seem to cling on to them more than they do to their parents. The children are free from prejudice and appreciate the true value of their servants. It is also untrue that the vicious cycle of poverty condemns a person to a life of unhappiness. In the story ‘The Martyr’s Corner’, the lack of education does not mean a poor and unhappy life for Rama, who was said to be ‘earning more money than graduates’. At times, external circumstances overturn previously happy lives and characters are not in control of their destiny. In ‘The Axe’, the appearance of the developers literally tear down Velan’s happy existence and forces him to leave the house. In ‘The Martyr’s Corner’, Rama is forced to become a waiter when his life starts on a downward spiral after his ‘old spotâ€⠄¢ was taken up by a statue of a dead political leader. Yet, while the characters are not in control of external factors, they still have control over their inner lives. Rama lives with and adapts to his new environment and still retains his usual, placid manner. People also seem to be manipulated and exploited by other people. In ‘Selvi’, Mohan uses Selvi as an emotionless mannequin, even to the point where he gives her a ‘script’ to follow, all for money and his personal fame. However, Selvi’s emotional and spiritual self does not seem to be affected. She was ‘rapt in some secret melody or world of her own’ and even though Mohan controls her body, he is unable to control her mind. She  also eventually rebels and goes back to live in her old home. In ‘A Willing Slave’, Ayah seems to have been exploited by her employers. Her ‘self-imposed tasks’ go unappreciated and even when her husband takes her away, he feels ‘proud of his slave’. However, Ayah seems spiritually happy at being used, she seems to need feeling needed and is as happy serving others as they are exploiting her. It is her happiness that matters in the end. There seems to be little human happiness presented in Malgudi Days. Love causes hurt and pain, people are torn apart by conflicting circumstances. Mixed blessings give cause for lament when people cannot enjoy their rewards. In ‘Forty-Five A Month’, Venkat Rao cannot spend more time with his family as he seems to have been purchased outright for forty-five rupees. However, as we look behind his reasons for slaving at his job, we find that he swallows insults at work so that his family can swallow food. His love for his daughter is great and it gives rise to his motivation at work. In ‘A Shadow’, Sambu misses his father immensely as he loves him a lot. However, the very existence of Love is a great triumph for the human spirit. Therefore, though there may be hardship and s uffering, in the end we see that the human spirit has the ultimate victory.

Examine the role of the contract administrator under a JCT traditional Essay

Examine the role of the contract administrator under a JCT traditional contract in terms of the functions, duties and powers that he is granted as well as the p - Essay Example Most JCT contracts would require the employment and contribution of an architect or a contract administrator who would administer the contract. The contract administrator is the only one who decides which contract to use and should also have the sufficient knowledge to understand the terms and administer contract provisions1. JCT provides the basis or guidelines according to which the contracts could be administered. It is important to understand the JCT guidelines in order to decide on the most appropriate JCT form of contract2. JCT helps in providing the guide for the appropriate contract. Some of the contract forms which do not require a contract administrator include the Contractors Design Form, Building Contract for a home owner/occupier, Construction Management Form and the Management Contract Form. However most construction projects require contracts that implemented by the contract administrator. This essay discusses the crucial role of the contract administrator and highlights the problems associated with failure to carry out the responsibilities of a contract administrator adequately. Powl and Skitmore (2005) have surveyed project managers of construction projects who also have the duties of contract administrator and have claimed that in certain cases project managers are overworked although there may be several hindrances to their effectiveness in the management. Issues that could help in making project managers more effective and productive in their job include more awareness and participation within their own organisation for progress and development of the organisation, more general administrative support and greater responsibilities in matters of contract administration3. The importance of trust and contractual relationships has been highlighted in several studies and the contract administrator is responsible for building this trust

SWOT Analysis Is Deeply Flawed and Should Not Be Applied as a Modern Essay

SWOT Analysis Is Deeply Flawed and Should Not Be Applied as a Modern Marketing Tool - Essay Example This analysis is mainly used in strategic management where that organization aimed at having a competitive advantage from its competitors and it is continuously reviewed. SWOT analysis has been upheld by many organizations, its benefits explored and also its weakness criticized (Evans, and Wright, 2009, p. 10). It is in this bid that this paper will be committed to discussing the thesis statement: SWOT analysis is deeply flawed and should not be applied as a modern marketing tool. Figure 1 The Inherent Weaknesses of SWOT Analysis To begin with, SWOT analysis is flawed as a marketing tool since it does not provide with all the information that is required by managers for strategic planning. From the face value, SWOT analysis is perceived by many people as an easy process. This is since all that a business is expected to do is implement the four quadrant SWOT analysis in the business. This is where the business capitalizes on its opportunities and strengths while mitigating its weaknes ses and threats. However, this is not easy and critical information necessary for making marketing decisions is overlooked by the SWOT analysis. It is flawed since it does not separate this information from the pivotal information that the organization needs to embark on immediately and the peripheral information that can be addressed. This translates to misplaced priorities as the marketing team will be more focused in exploiting the opportunities yet there are some threats that if not dealt with immediately will translate to massive losses. Moreover, as pertains to the SWOT analysis, it does not provide a guideline that shows which customer base is the most attractive, which strategy is the most powerful. Lack of guidelines as pertains to the results obtained from carrying out a SWOT analysis makes it flawed and hence should not be applied as a modern marketing tool (Valentin, 2001, p. 58). Subsequently, SWOT analysis is deeply flawed and should not be used as a marketing tool sin ce it is a checklist to evaluate the performance of the strengths and weaknesses identified upon carrying out a SWOT analysis. This is evidenced with an illustration of an example of a strength that has been identified by a business upon carrying out a SWOT analysis as a marketing tool. A business has identified its leadership in market share as strength for the benefit of the organization. On face value, this looks productive since positive correlations have been documented to exist between leadership in market share and the profitability of the organization. The business consequently surges forward to exploit the strength, without bearing in mind the minute details of leadership in market share leadership that may affect the performance of the business. The organization by relying on the SWOT analysis fails to assess if leadership in market share is relevant to the organization and if the investment made by the organization is feasible. Use of checklist in SWOT analysis makes it a flawed marketing tool due to lack of leverage of the decisions made and hence not a good modern marketing tool (Kotler, 2000, p. 78). Moreover, SWOT analysis is deeply flawed and should not be used as a marketing since it has been described as being vague and simplistic. This is evidenced

Weather and Aircraft dispatch Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Weather and Aircraft dispatch - Research Paper Example This individual makes sure that he authorizes, regulates, controls and then terminates aircraft flights which are in sheer compulsion and accordance with the airline and the regulations as brought forward by the government as well as the policies to maintain and assure safety at all times possible. This is indeed a job that takes care of many significant aspects, most important of which are related with weather control as related with the flights that are being flown worldwide. An aircraft dispatcher’s job is indeed a Herculean one. It is because he has to manage a number of things upon his shoulders. The weight of responsibility always makes him feel that he has to perform his job very dutifully and without any lapse whatsoever. The effectiveness of the aircraft dispatcher is emphasized by the works that he does in the wake of the economics, the operational control as well as the passenger service requirements which are made use of for daily flights on a worldwide basis. Henc e the complexity of the job is directly proportional to how expansive his works are and what he has to report at the end of the day. The manner in which the weather information is determined and discerned is very significant because it states the basis of his work that he has to perform at all times (Scanlon, 2003). ... The aircraft dispatcher therefore has to plan things accordingly (Utley, 2011). He must make sure that flights are prepared with information which includes the maximum allowable takeoff and landing scenarios. These comprise of the weights that have to be studied in-depth nonetheless. He has to see whether or not the flight reports are drawn up properly, adjust the field conditions as well as compile the relevant information and update his own self and the flights with regards to the completion of safe flights. He has to be in the loop as far as preparing the dispatch release on which he alone is the signing authority. This is a legal document that provides relevant authorization for the departure of the flight at a particular time and date (Mahadevan, 2010). Since he has the right to delay, divert or cancel a flight for a number of different reasons, most significant of which are the ones related with unsafe conditions that become a risk for the safety of the aircraft, its cargo, the passengers and the flight itself, his role becomes even more magnanimous all the same. Some of the pros that the aircraft dispatcher has are that he has to see everything in detail. His activities are in line with the safety and security compulsions that come attached with his job. However, the cons are something to speak highly of. These disadvantages comprise of the fact that he cannot relax on his job for even a single moment. Since there are many lives at stake, his role is immensely significant and thus motivation for the job must remain supreme at all times possible (Youngdahl, 1996). What is even more important is how well he has to take care of his issues that engulf his personal life and thus keep them separate from his own

Contrast Between Trains and Plains as Modes of Transportation Essay

Contrast Between Trains and Plains as Modes of Transportation - Essay Example Though they are very useful to passengers, they are very different from each other. Passenger-friendly Trains with its traditional way of picking passengers from each station has been very friendly with the passengers opting for short travels. It reaches each destination, waits for the people to board the train and then departs. This way, trains are much more passenger friendly. The same is not the case with Airplanes. Airplanes board all the passengers at a point and never stops till the destination is reached. In a way, it is useful for passengers who opt to travel to a particular point. Traveling comfort Many believe that Airplane is more comfortable than trains. With comfortable seating and a variety of seating class available, Airplanes outclass the train in the comfort they give to passengers. Planes allow the passengers to experience seating of different classes like the Luxury class, Business class, and the normal ones. Trains do not have these kinds of facilities though. It allows passengers to experience the same class. Speed Airplanes are much faster than trains. Airplanes can take less than half the time taken by train to reach a destination. It is much useful for people who want to travel to long distance places. Places which are far away can be reached in hours when traveled in Airplanes rather than in a train which takes thrice the time taken to reach the same place. Trains can help reach passengers short distance places quickly. An Airplane helps to reach farther places in quick time. Thus in terms of speed, Airplanes are better. Seating capacity Trains can board many people at a time. People can also stand and travel if they do not find a place to sit in the train. The strength of a train is dynamic and it changes with every station. At each junction, the number of passengers changes. Airplane holds only a certain number of passengers who board from a particular point. They cannot board out of the plane unless the destination is reached. Hence the strength in an Airplane is static. Cost to travel on a train is much cheaper than in an Airplane. Since the technology involved and the cost to run an Airplane is high, the cost is also high. The fares in trains are cheaper due to the concept that trains are run on electricity. Airplanes also allow different classes of seats for luxury with increased cost. Hence the cost of travel in planes is higher than those in trains. Safety has been a concern for everyone in this highly unsecured world. With the terrorists planting bombs everywhere, security has been an issue at all places. Airplanes have high security at their airports. This is most case makes sure that the terrorists do not create havoc in the Airplanes. The same level of security is not given in trains. Trains do not require any security check-ups before passengers enter. This sometimes leaves room for attacks in the trains by strangers or by terrorists. Human error can make the plane journey a disastrous one since a pla ne crash can kill everyone on board. Train accidents though kill people, does not kill the same number of people as dead in a plane. Trains and Airplanes with all the pro’s and con’s, remain people’s preferred choice. Each has its own advantages and disadvantage. When compared further, they match each other on the same scale.

Materials Engineering Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Materials Engineering Project - Research Paper Example This paper has also discussed the different applications of titanium alloys and its limitations in different uses in the modern society. Introduction Titanium alloy is a metal that consists of mixture titanium as the main element and other elements. This is done to achieve high toughness and tensile strength. Generally, alloys have extreme temperature resistance, resistance to corrosion and yet they are light in weight. The process of Titanium Alloying involves the allotropic transformation of pure titanium to the cubic beta phase at very high temperatures of 882.50C (Joshi, 2006). Elements used for alloying normally act as stabilizers at beta or alpha phase. However, by using alloying additions, it is possible to have alpha phase coexisting with beta phase at room temperatures. This is the principle behind manufacture of titanium alloys that can withstand high temperatures during heat strengthening. Titanium alloys are classified into three major groups; beta alloys, alpha alloys an d alpha-beta alloys. Alpha is formed by addition of neutral alloying materials as well as alpha stabilizers such as Sn and Aluminum & Oxygen respectively. Beta alloys on the other hand contain enough beta stabilizers that enable such alloys to retain their beta phase even after quenching. The strength of beta alloys can also be increased through subjecting them to solution treatment and aging. The third category of titanium alloys is beta-alpha alloys that contains both beta and alpha stabilizers thus withstand heat treatments at various degrees. It is important to note that the nature of alloy and stabilizers used greatly influence the heat stability, toughness, tensile strength and other mechanical properties. Production of Titanium Alloys Kroll Extraction Process Titanium alloy is made from Titanium metal and other chemical elements. The main production process for titanium metal is called Kroll process. It involves treatment of the main ore known as rutile with chlorine gas in o rder to get a compound known as Titanium tetrachloride. This compound is then purified and reduced by sodium or magnesium to produce metallic titanium sponge. It is the Titanium sponge that undergoes several alloying process that involve heating and melting to produce Titanium Alloys. In this respect, the purity of titanium resulting from Kroll process is therefore critical for alloying process. According to Leyens & Peters (2003), the purity of titanium Produced depends on the purity of the starting material as well as the parameters and treatments. His is because there are several metallic elements that may cause very undesirable impacts even when they are present in small amounts. Melting Process The second stage in the production of titanium alloys is the melting process. Melting process involves combination of extracted Titanium alloy with alloying elements depending on the type of alloy to be produced. There are about five melting processes: induction Skull melting, vacuum arc remelting, plasma arc melting, Electroslag refines and Plasma Arc melting Process (Joshi, 2006). Melting process begins by blending together alloying elements with sponge followed by hydraulic pressing necessary to produce excellent blocks known as briquette. Apart from sponge, other titanium from scroll process such as scrap or Revert can also be used depending on the quality of the final Titanium Alloy

Should regional actors play a greater role in international peace Essay

Should regional actors play a greater role in international peace operations - Essay Example As Hettne and Soderbaum argue, the UN is built on a Westphalian nation-state model in which the UN sits at the top with regional actors participating with the authority and support of the UN. At the same time however, regional organizations such as the EU, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have become legitimate institutions quite capable of managing conflicts on their own.3 The UNSC has at times appointed regional peace keeping operations that were either under-resourced or ineffective or simply chose not to intervene.4 While Coleman’s global legitimacy pyramid suggests that regional actors require UNSC mandates in order to achieve legitimacy and therefore to be effective,5 the rise of regional organizations suggest that a post-Westphalian reality exists and the UNSC may need regional actors in order to achieve greater legitimacy. Moreover, Article 52 of the UN Charter calls for regional initiatives in peace keeping.6 The UNSC however, has failed to forge comprehensive relationships with regional organizations despite regional actors’ significant role in managing conflicts.7 Given the rise of regional powers8 and the soft power associated with the UNSC’s peace keeping practices9, this paper uses the theory of neoliberal institutionalism and social constructivism to consider whether or not regional actors should play a greater role in international peace operations. Traditional theories of international relations focuses too narrowly on materialism and state actors whereas neoliberalism looks more narrowly at how politics at the international level is institutionalized at either formal or informal levels.10 Social constructivism provides a theoretical framework which explains international relations in terms of security as a collective endeavor rather than self-help ambitions and thus allows a more