Terrorism in India & Successful Counter-Terrorism

A Spotlight on Terrorism in India

Easy access to sophisticated weapons and disruptive advances in technology, especially the cyber world masks the identity of the terrorists, facilitates real time secure communications and the flow of funds and provides access to an infinite resource of DIY kits on issues ranging from making bombs to executing beheadings.

These elements have collectively made terrorism the most preferred means of waging war. Despite the grave threat, the international community is far from reaching a consensus on how to fight this menace collectively.

So deep are the fissures that even adopting a common definition of terrorism and violent extremism has met stiff resistance.

The history of terrorism in India

India’s tryst with terrorism and violent extremism can be traced back partly to the religion based partition in 1947, which ripped the sub-continent into two nations: India and Pakistan.

The sub-continent remained witness to the most horrifying ethnic riots in modern history, which were marked by extreme violence and acts of terrorism.

Following the partition, after a brief period of neutrality, the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Hari Singh formally acceded to India; however, this act of accession has not, and continues not to be recognized by Pakistan which lays claims to the Muslim majority region.

This territorial dispute lies at the core of the long standing conflict between the two nations with both nations each vehemently rejecting the other’s claims.

Further, India views Pakistan as perpetuating the on-going cross border conflict and for sponsoring militant activity in a bid to destabilise the state of J&K and other parts of the country.

In addition, considering the number of ongoing insurgencies in India, terrorism and violent extremism is also a manifestation of:

  • politico-religious violence
  • ethnic-sub regional nationalism
  • socio-economic conditions
  • politics of identity

The relationship between terrorism and insurgency

What were the causes that led to the genesis of terrorism and its drivers in India? While seeking answers to this question, we will also dwell upon the terrorist initiated incidents and terrorists groups operating in India.

We will explore the complementary relationship between terrorism and insurgency, analyse various forms in which terrorism morphs and finally, establish the contours of successful counterterrorism strategies.

The primary causes of terrorism and insurgency in India are based on political, religious, ethnic, ideological, identity driven, linguistic or socio-economic grievances.

Terrorism in India, can be broadly categorised in three distinct parts:

  • Cross border terrorism in J&K.
  • Terrorism in the hinterland.
  • Extreme violence and terrorism as an integral part of the ongoing insurgencies.

India’s richly diverse society provides a fertile ground for terrorism to thrive in many areas:

  • politics of communalism and criminalisation
  • fanatic religious movements and irresponsible statements by political and religious leaders
  • human rights excesses
  • marginalised minority communities
  • high levels of youth unemployment
  • poverty
  • illiteracy
  • poor governance
  • prolonged delays in criminal justice

Quite often, incidents relating to a particular religious or ethnic group act as a catalyst. They also act as an initiator to indoctrinate/ radicalise youth (and not necessarily only the poor and marginalised) to indulge in extreme forms of violence and terrorism.

Considering the fact that intensity of violence due to religious terrorism has always been very severe, strict law should be framed expeditiously against those delivering ‘hate speeches’ that incite a religious/ ethnic community’s passions.

India also remains highly vulnerable to terrorism by foreign terrorists, due to porous borders with all its neighbours and a long coast line. Resultantly, the terrorists and the insurgents continue to receive material support and funds from many sources.

India has experienced almost all forms of terrorist attacks:

  • hijacking and blowing up of aircrafts
  • sabotaging railway tracks
  • kidnapping hostages for meeting political demands
  • suicide attacks
  • the assassination of two of its Prime Ministers
  • attacks on places of worship, transportation systems, security forces and financial hubs
  • communal riots followed by extreme violence
  • attacks both by religious and non-religious terrorist groups.

The modus operandi of terrorism has remained dynamic to achieve its goals and objectives.

Stress Busters

Our daily routine can have a toll on our mental health. Work pressures, exam related stress, house responsibilities, overtime with no rest can cause serious health problems and therefore needed to be taken care of. Our human bodies need rest to reset for further work, and when that is ignored we end up getting sick or stressed. As sickness could be treated with medications, we need stress bursting activities too. These activities not only reset our brains for a fresh start but also help us develop the capabilities we never actually cared enough about. These activities help us in getting relaxed after a hectic day or two. There are a number of these activities that can and are helpful in relieving stress.

Hobbies

Every person has at least one or two hobbies that can come as a savior while having a stressful day like, painting, writing, reading, cooking, watching movies, art and craft, singing, dancing etc. With heavy work or studies load people end up paying zero percent attention to their hobbies, but these might help in taking the head out of work for some time and just relaxing while exploring their lost hobbies further. Mostly a person’s hobbies relate to its right part of the brain, which is also responsible for creative development of a being, thus these hobbies can prove to be beneficial in many unexpected ways. Any sort of art form can relieve the stress from a heavy work day.

Music

“My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.”

― Martin Luther

Music is to have a magic effect on us while trying to survive through a tiring day. The soft and slow music is to act as a meditation, keeping us at peace and relaxing us. The slow paced music helps us clear our mind and ease up while in a stressful situation. The fast paced music is proven to make us happy or excited while in a low mood. Our brain responds to the happy waves generated by music and helps us loosen up better.

Strolls

With most of the work being desk related or requiring hours of sitting in front of the screen, can be hectic and have unhealthy effects on our mental health. Such a situation calls for a stroll or a walk for at least an hour or so to breathe fresh in park and walk to stretch out our muscles. Walking reduces the strain caused by hours of sitting, thus freeing us from part of our undeserved stress.

Conversations

People sometimes forget the power of conversations. Having work related problems? Talk to your work best friend. Having relationship problem? Talk to your best friend. Having life problems? Talk to your mother. The conversations with right person have the healing power to take you away from a rough, awful day. It might seem like a waste of time to a lot of people but in reality, these conversations hold the power cut off the distress and calm us down.

Breaks

Just like we need an interval in between of a movie or a break in the middle of a show, we sometimes need a break from our daily routine. Little tea or coffee breaks while still going strong with work can be a short term solution but breaks such as- visiting parents, going back to hometown, taking on a vacation, meeting friends, celebrating without any particular reason, can all charge us up to the level that of a fighting war and holding up with pressures then a becomes the easiest task in the world.

SEX ADDICTION

What is sex addiction?

Considerable controversy surrounds the diagnosis of “sex addiction.” It’s been excluded from the fifth edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), but it’s still written about and studied in psychology and counseling circles.

Additionally, it can still be diagnosed Trusted Source using both DSM-5 (as “Other specified sexual dysfunction”) and the “International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems” (ICD-10) criteria (as “Other sexual dysfunction not due to a substance or known physiological condition”).

What are the symptoms of sex addiction?

Since sex addiction isn’t outlined in the DSM-5, there’s considerable controversy about what criteria constitute an addiction.

One characteristic may be secrecy of behaviors, in which the person with the disorder becomes skilled at hiding their behavior and can even keep the condition secret from spouses, partners, and family members. They may lie about their activities or engage in them at times and places where they won’t be found out.

But sometimes symptoms are present and noticeable. A person may have a sex addiction if they show some or all of the following signs:

  • chronic, obsessive sexual thoughts and fantasies
  • compulsive relations with multiple partners, including strangers
  • lying to cover behaviors
  • preoccupation with having sex, even when it interferes with daily life, productivity, work performance, and so on
  • inability to stop or control the behaviors
  • putting oneself or others in danger due to sexual behavior
  • feeling remorse or guilt after sex
  • experiencing other negative personal or professional consequences

Compulsive behaviors can strain relationships, for example, with the stress of infidelity — although some people may claim to have a sex addiction as a way to explain infidelity in a relationship.

It’s important to remember that enjoying sexual activity is not a sign of sex addiction. Sex is a healthy human activity, and enjoying it is normal. In addition, differences in the level of sexual interest between partners does not mean that one partner has a sex addiction.

What are the treatments for sex addiction?

Since the diagnosis is controversial, evidence-based treatment options are lacking.

Those who describe treating sex addiction may recommend one or more of the following methods.

Inpatient treatment programs

There are many inpatient treatment centers that offer sex addiction recovery programs. Often, people with a sex addiction are removed from their normal daily lives for at least 30 days to help them regain control of their impulses and start healing. These types of programs typically include in-depth individual and group therapy sessions.

12-step programs

Programs such as Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) follow the same recovery model as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They can be very helpful for addressing sex addiction.

Members aren’t required to give up sex entirely, but they are encouraged to refrain from compulsive and destructive sexual behavior. Group meetings with others addressing the same challenges provide a good support system.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

This type of therapy can help a person identify triggers for sexual impulses and ultimately teach them how to alter behaviors. This is achieved through one-on-one sessions with a licensed mental health therapist.

Medication

Some people may benefit from a course of drug therapy. Certain antidepressants might help alleviate urges (which is separate from the potential side effects of some antidepressants that can cause decreased libido or impair other aspects of the sexual experience).

It’s not clear, however, whether a physician would prescribe drugs for this condition.

What’s the outlook for sex addiction?

The person addressing sex addiction faces a unique set of challenges. They may be engaging in behaviors that put their relationships, their own safety and health, and the health of their partner in jeopardy. At the same time, sex addiction is considered a controversial diagnosis and it’s lacking diagnostic criteria as well as evidence-based treatments.

Writing To Impress

Source: Search Engine Journal

Content marketing is turning out to be a creatively challenging arena for the writers due to the increased use of content writing to promote every possible kind of business. Words have a vibe which are not only capable of attracting readers,but also can have an impact on them and thereby,to the business.
However,due to the over availability of the resources,loopholes and confusions are common issues while writing an article. However,It is important to identify the mistakes and the blunders in order to correct them. Given below are few points which lead to confusions,doubts,lack of information and content which thereby fails to create the driving factor.

Search for the knowledge: Writing takes time. An article is more than just a congregation of words regarding a topic. They are one’s perspective towards a topic and one’s presentation of the business which they represent. Absence of proper research and existence of doubts can be easily reflected from an article. Repetitive sentences and words, excessive technical details and complex points can indicate the less efforts which have been put into writing the article. For enhancing the interest in the article,the give topic has to be explored and understood in one’s own way. This renders originality to the article and portrays the individuality of the writer.

Punctuation And Grammer: Needless ro say,an article which has no proper format or punctuation can deflate the driving factor within seconds of its publication. Readers may find it difficult to read an article which lacks proper punctuations and grammer. Easy language and a simple and clean format can attract a receptive audience.

Google is not the content: In today’s reality where there can be hundreds of contents for one single( sometimes precise) topic,searching on google gives the readers an endless list. Endless choices. Then what makes your content unique? Its the writer’s curiosity to be creative and his absence of doubt regarding how might his content perform
The list of endlessness is equally available to the writer. Referring to multiple sources,without having the urge to understand the core topic can result in what we all know as plagiarism.
There are a thousands of writings prescribing different solutions & ideas. Some are just the replica of another. Considering our quick fix generation, it is only possible to hold the readers through something new. Something,which Google is not aware of. Something which is ‘authentic’.

You before Me: The major confusion which is faced while writing a content is regarding the balance between the use of ME and YOU wherein ME refers to the writer and the company. ‘YOU’ refers to the readers or customers. A common blunder to be seen in a content is its major focus on the company. Its products and schemes. Words like Using the company name again and again may annoy the reader after a certain point. They know what the company is all about. Tell them how it can benifit them. The driving factor behind a good content is to provide the readers with their own space in the writing where a link is created between what the business has to offer and how it can be beneficial to the reader. This link is to be created after a thorough understanding of the business’s products and intentions so that figuring out its purpose and benefits is quick and easy. But how to figure out the benefits in the best way?this takes us to our next point.

Empathy : As spiritual as it may sound,empathy towards your targeted audience is the key driving factor to bring the limelight to your writing. You have to relate to your readers. Imagine yourself as the audience and what you most probably would expect from the company’s products or schemes. Present the article in a way which communicates to the readers about their needs and not yours(that I was supposed to write an article,I have reached the word limit,I have mentioned the company, ‘I’ have written the solutions which ‘I’ think the company can provide. The End). While researching for writing articles or blogs,its not just the company which is to be understood but also the audience and what kind of wants they might have depending on the nature and schemes of the company.

Humour is an art: Speaking and writing,both are fields where adding a bit of something extra in a positive way can uplift the interest of the people. Just like a good speaker,through a smile and a pinch of relatable humour,can enhance the listener’s engagement and positivity,the writer can do the same to engage the readers more into their content. Lighthearted humour in the middle of an article can make it relatable and less monotonous for the reader. For example: While writing for a jewellery business,we may introduce different schemes with a light joke on how scary a one time payment seems like and how your company’s scheme can help delete the fear.Thus,one arrow,two targets. Customer engagement and creative marketing for the upcoming scheme.

Content writing is not speech giving: The content of an article should speak to the reader. It is written in the form of interaction(one way though). Writing an article considering it as a speech is just like mugging up something and vomitting it in front of a large audience while looking at the wall.
Open ended questions in the middle of an article not only engages the interest of the reader his mind too. It may make them more aware of their wants and they may take a step forward to buy your opinion and words.
Recommend the product,schemes or ideas rather than narrating its mere characteristics to the audience. Recommendations can be done creatively enough by speaking about the realistic problems of the readers and recommending the product based on the actual solution which the product is capable to provide.

Short And Sweet: Lastly,your content should be short and to the point. As your article is about marketing and not a novel or a story, lengthy articles may divert the attention of the readers. In a generation where solutions are available at a person’s fingertips,none really reads a lengthy article to find the bit which was meant for them. However,a clear knowledge and good understanding of the topic can make precision possible.Highlighting the important aspects,using short and interesting sub headings and adding pointers and bulletins attracts the full attention of the readers to the article. Using the proper words in the right places can save up our word limit to a huge extent


How many of the above mentioned points have you failed to acknowledge in the past?


With possible references and right guidelines one can start from scratch. Content writing is a competitive field. Improving and learning new methods abd concepts help us stay ahead and perform our best. Good things take time and as the saying goes,’Rome wasn’t built in a day’. Learn slow to perform efficiently.

How to Know If You Have an Internet Addiction and What to Do About It

Internet addiction is a behavioral addiction in which a person becomes dependent on use of the Internet, or other online devices, as a maladaptive way of coping with life’s stresses. Internet addiction is becoming widely recognized and acknowledged, particularly in countries where it is affecting large numbers of people, such as South Korea, where it has been declared a national health problem. Much of the current research on the subject of Internet addiction has been carried out in Asia. It is also a growing concern in developed nations in North America and Europe.

Top 5 Things to Know About Internet Addiction

  1. Internet addiction is not yet an officially recognized mental disorder. Researchers have formulated diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction, but it is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, Internet gaming disorder is included as a condition for further study, and Internet addiction is developing as a specialist area.
  2. At least three subtypes of Internet addiction have been identified: video game addiction, cybersex or online sex addiction, and online gambling addiction.
  3. Increasingly, addiction to mobile devices, such as cellphones and smartphones, and addiction to social networking sites, such as Facebook, are being investigated. There may be overlaps between each of these subtypes. For example, online gambling involves online games, and online games may have elements of pornography.
  4. Sexting, or sending sexually explicit texts, has landed many people in trouble. Some have been teens who have found themselves in hot water with child pornography charges if they are underage.
  5. Treatment for Internet addiction is available, but only a few specialized Internet addiction services exist. However, a psychologist with knowledge of addiction treatment will probably be able to help.

Symptoms

As Internet addiction is not formally recognized as an addictive disorder, it may be difficult to get a diagnosis. However, several leading experts in the field of behavioral addiction have contributed to the current knowledge of symptoms of Internet addiction. All types of Internet addiction contain the following four components:

Excessive Use of the Internet

Despite the agreement that excessive Internet use is a key symptom, no one seems able to define exactly how much computer time counts as excessive. While guidelines suggest no more than two hours of screen time per day for youths under 18, there are no official recommendations for adults. Furthermore, two hours can be unrealistic for people who use computers for work or study. Some authors add the caveat “for non-essential use,” but for someone with an Internet addiction, all computer use can feel essential.

Here are some questions from Internet addiction assessment instruments that will help you to evaluate how much is too much.

Withdrawal

Although originally understood to be the basis of physical dependence on alcohol or drugs, withdrawal symptoms are now being recognized in behavioral addictions, including Internet addiction.

Common Internet withdrawal symptoms include anger, tension, and depression when Internet access is not available. These symptoms may be perceived as boredom, joylessness, moodiness, nervousness, and irritability when you can’t go on the computer.

Tolerance

Tolerance is another hallmark of alcohol and drug addiction and seems to be applicable to Internet addiction as well. This can be understood as wanting—and from the user’s point of view, needing—more and more computer-related stimulation. You might want ever-increasing amounts of time on the computer, so it gradually takes over everything you do. The quest for more is likely a predominant theme in your thought processes and planning.

Negative Repercussions

If Internet addiction caused no harm, there would be no problem. But when excessive computer use becomes addictive, something starts to suffer.

Online affairs can develop quickly and easily, sometimes without the person even believing online infidelity is cheating on their partner.

You may see your grades and other achievements suffer from so much of your attention being devoted to Internet use. You may also have little energy for anything other than computer use—people with Internet addiction are often exhausted from staying up too late on the computer and becoming sleep deprived.

Finances can also suffer, particularly if your addiction is for online gambling, online shopping, or cybersex.

Internet Addiction in Kids

Internet addiction is particularly concerning for kids and teens. Children lack the knowledge and awareness to properly manage their own computer use and have no idea about the potential harms that the Internet can open them up to. The majority of kids have access to a computer, and it has become commonplace for kids and teens to carry cellphones.

While this may reassure parents that they can have two-way contact with their child in an emergency, there are very real risks that this constant access to the Internet can expose them to.

  • Children have become increasingly accustomed to lengthy periods of time connected to the Internet, disconnecting them from the surrounding world.
  • Children who own a computer and have privileged online access have an increased risk of involvement in cyberbullying, both as a victim and as a perpetrator.
  • Children who engage in problematic internet use are more likely to use their cellphone for cybersex, particularly through sexting, or access apps which could potentially increase the risk of sex addiction and online sexual harms, such as Tinder.

In addition, kids who play games online often face peer pressure to play for extended periods of time in order to support the group they are playing with or to keep their skills sharp. This lack of boundaries can make kids vulnerable to developing video game addiction. This can also be disruptive to the development of healthy social relationships and can lead to isolation and victimization.

What to Do If You’re Addicted to the Internet

If you recognize the symptoms of Internet addiction in yourself or someone in your care, talk to your doctor about getting help. As well as being able to provide referrals to Internet addiction clinics, psychologists, and other therapists, your doctor can prescribe medications or therapy to treat an underlying problem if you have one, such as depression or social anxiety disorder.

Internet addiction can also overlap with other behavioral addictions, such as work addiction, television addiction, and smartphone addiction.

Insights of Amazon Prime’s #BiggestParty

Many users across social media have noticed the change and considered Amazon prime’s profile picture (which has a confetti icon on it’s logo- referring to some party) with several interpretations including big billion sale, disclosure of series sequels and so on. But the official handles made it very obvious it is something else, with a tagline “we’re prepping for the biggest party“. People flooded the social media with memes, momentarily. As a hint, the officials posted a screenshot of messaging tab of Instagram where few eminent OTT platforms and network, specifically 8 platforms, including Discovery+, ErosNow, Manorama Max, HoiChoi, Shorts Tv, Lionsgate and Mubi created a hype with questions of “Where’s the party?“. Soon after this, Amazon prime confirmed the partnership with these 8 platforms with add on subscriptions for the Prime members.

The prices are stated below :

Mubi : ₹1999

Lionsgate: ₹699

HoiChoi: ₹599

ErosNow: ₹299

Discovery+ : ₹299

ShortsTv: ₹299

Manorama Max : ₹699

Picture credits to the respective owners.

Father of western philosophy- Socrates

Socrates is one of the most prominent philosophical figures in the history of western philosophy. He laid the bricks for the very same idea on which philosophers like Plato and Aristotle built upon in the coming years.

Firstly let’s dissect the term “philosophy”, it comes from the Greek word philo- meaning love and sophia- meaning wisdom, i.e., the love for wisdom. 

Socrates’s lifestyle

Socrates followed his love for wisdom/knowledge for as long as he lived, he pursued knowledge in it’s absolute true sense, he thought that pursuing knowledge was the ultimate purpose of life and Socrates didn’t just think that he lived by these words, his actions reflected his ideas in the purest form. But he was born in 469 BC in Athens during a time when court trials were on the basis of the intensity of the arguments made and not facts, so no points for guessing that Socrates’s ideas were not received well by the Athenian population. 

And you can’t really blame them, that was a long long time ago, a time when women were thought to be inferior than men, it was a time when slavery was normal. On the other hand socrates did not do a very good job at dealing with people either, he was not the most hygienic person of that time, he did not shower for days and would go around the city asking random people questions and if that wasn’t enough he would tell them they were wrong. This is what Socrates loved to do, question and not because he knew more than an average Athenian citizen or that he wanted to massage his own ego; on the contrary Socrates admitted that he knew nothing. There is a very well known quote by Socrates that goes “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing”, that is why he went around Athens asking everybody questions hoping to one day find some answers, spoiler alert he didn’t. The Athenian population wasn’t very fond of him, and found him to be annoying.

Socrates- the martyr

And just to make it more clear, he annoyed the people so much that they united together and eventually he was put on trial. At this point you might think that Socrates would have given up on his unapologetic attitude but he didn’t. He stood by his principles even though he knew it would lead to his death. Socrates was a smart person, he could have very easily won that trial by making a strong argument but if he did then all his ideas and all his actions would have been in vain. In that trial, Socrates said that the people of Athens should be thanking him for asking them questions and showering upon them his own wisdom, this did not sit well with the jury and about many more dialogues later the jury declared Socrates guilty and was later sentenced to death by drinking poison.

Socrates died a martyr, a martyr for philosophy, he died defending his ideas. Socrates might have died but he made sure to immortalize his ideas.

Can the Ancient Remedy of Badam, Mishri and Saunf Improve eye Health?

Ayurveda has some of the best keep secrets that can miraculously improve day-to-day health conditions. One such age old remedy to improve the deteriorating vision is a mixture of three simple ingredients such as saunf, mishri and badam. The internet is flooded with claims about this natural remedy, let’s find out the truth behind the tall claims.

Causes of slackening eye health?

Blame it on sedentary lifestyle, heredity, long hours of screen exposure, excessive mobile screen time or lack of nutritious diet. Resulting in myopia and hyperopia. however, according to experts the amalgamation of fennel, almond and rock candy can naturally boost eye health and improve vision. In fact, some people believe that a regular intake of this mixture not only improve eye vision, but also help in removing eyeglasses permanently.

Is the Badam, Mishri and Saunf mixture actually good for eyes?

Almonds are packed with the goodness of vitamin E and Omega 3 Fatty acids, which are great for eye health and boosting immunity. The amalgamation of Almonds with Saunf makes it great for eye health as Fennel seeds have potent medicinal benefits that can improve vision and reduce the progression of Cataract and Glaucoma.In fact, in Ayurveda Fennel seeds are also known as ‘NetraJyoti’ for their potent antioxidant properties that improve vision and help in curing as well as preventing several eye ailments.Combining this mixture with milk and drinking it at bedtime can not only improve eye health, but will also help in cell regeneration, strengthen bones, boost brain functioning and heal the damage caused due to oxidative stress.Apart from that this mixture with milk also helps in improving brain fog, Amnesia and helps in reducing stress and improves immunity and metabolism. Drinking it at bed time can also help in inducing sleep due to the presence of Tryptophan in milk that relaxes the nerves.

How to make this mixture?

There are several ways to enjoy this delicious mixture, you can either make a coarse mixture and enjoy it post meal or consume it with a glass of milk at bed time. Experts believe that the drink can help in improving eye health in just a few months.To make this mixture, take 100 grams of raw fennel, 100 grams of Dhaga mishri, 100 grams of almonds, grind them and make a smooth powder. Mix it with a glass of milk or herbal tea to reap its benefits.Make sure you don’t consume more than 10 grams of this mixture in a day. However, if you are suffering from severe health conditions, always consult your doctor before introducing a new remedy to your diet.

What experts say?

According to Dr. Shabnam Mir – consultant physician, and head of clinical services at Antara, “Fennel seeds and Almonds can help improve one’s eyesight. Combined with Mishri it becomes a combination, also known as magic potion, that is extensively remedial to the eye and good to taste. It is generally suggested to take 10 gms of this mixture with 250 ml of milk, avoid water for two hours post consumption, and give half the quantity if it’s for a minor.”

GATT

 

By: Astha Raghav. 

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is a legal agreement between many countries, whose overall purpose was to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas. According to its preamble, its purpose was the “substantial reduction of tariffs and other trade barriers and the elimination of preferences, on a reciprocal and mutually advantageous basis.”

The GATT was first discussed during the United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment and was the outcome of the failure of negotiating governments to create the International Trade Organization (ITO). It was signed by 23 nations in Geneva on October 30th, 1947, and was applied on a provisional basis January 1st, 1948.It remained in effect until January 1st, 1995, when the World Trade Organization (WTO) was established after agreement by 123 nations in Marrakesh on April 15th, 1994, as part of the Uruguay Round Agreements. The WTO is the successor to the GATT, and the original GATT text (GATT 1947) is still in effect under the WTO framework, subject to the modifications of GATT 1994.Nations that were not party in 1995 to the GATT need to meet the minimum conditions spelled out in specific documents before they can accede; in September 2019, the list contained 36 nations.

The GATT, and its successor the WTO, have succeeded in reducing tariffs. The average tariff levels for the major GATT participants were about 22% in 1947, but were 5% after the Uruguay Round in 1999. Experts attribute part of these tariff changes to GATT and the WTO.

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is a multi-national trade treaty. It has been updated in a series of global trade negotiations consisting of nine rounds between 1947 and 1995. Its role in international trade was largely succeeded in 1995 by the World Trade Organization.

The GATT was first conceived in the aftermath of the Allied victory in the Second World War at the 1947 United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment (UNCTE), at which the International Trade Organization (ITO) was one of the ideas proposed. It was hoped that the ITO would be run alongside the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). More than 50 nations negotiated ITO and organizing its founding charter, but after the withdrawal of the United States these negotiations collapsed.

Preparatory sessions were held simultaneously at the UNCTE regarding the GATT. After several of these sessions, 23 nations signed the GATT on 30 October 1947 in Geneva, Switzerland. It came into force on 1 January 1948.

The second round took place in 1949 in Annecy, France. 13 countries took part in the round. The main focus of the talks was more tariff reductions, around 5,000 in total.

The third round occurred in Torquay, England in 1951. Thirty-eight countries took part in the round. 8,700 tariff concessions were made totaling the remaining amount of tariffs to ¾ of the tariffs which were in effect in 1948. The contemporaneous rejection by the U.S. of the Havana Charter signified the establishment of the GATT as a governing world body.

Thank You!

Badminton

 

By: Astha Raghav. 

Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are “singles” (with one player per side) and “doubles” (with two players per side). Badminton is often played as a casual outdoor activity in a yard or on a beach; formal games are played on a rectangular indoor court. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the opposing side’s half of the court.

Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. Play ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor or if a fault has been called by the umpire, service judge, or (in their absence) the opposing side.

The shuttlecock is a feathered or (in informal matches) plastic projectile which flies differently from the balls used in many other sports. In particular, the feathers create much higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly. Shuttlecocks also have a high top speed compared to the balls in other racquet sports. The flight of the shuttlecock gives the sport its distinctive nature.

The game developed in British India from the earlier game of battledore and shuttlecock. European play came to be dominated by Denmark but the game has become very popular in Asia, with recent competitions dominated by China. Since 1992, badminton has been a Summer Olympic sport with four events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles, with mixed doubles added four years later. At high levels of play, the sport demands excellent fitness: players require aerobic stamina, agility, strength, speed, and precision. It is also a technical sport, requiring good motor coordination and the development of sophisticated racquet movements.

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Balanced Diet

 By: Astha Raghav. 

We need a balanced diet to stay healthy. Food allows us to move, grow, repair injuries and stay alive. If we do not eat certain foods this might make us tired trying to move, might stop us growing, might make injuries very slow to heal or make us so ill we could die.
A diet is all that we consume in a day. And a balanced diet is a diet that contains an adequate quantity of the nutrients that we require in a day.  A balanced diet includes six main nutrients, i.e. FatsProteinCarbohydratesFibreVitamins, and Minerals.
All these nutrients are present in the foods that we eat. Different food items have different proportions of nutrients present in them. The requirements of the nutrients depend on the age, gender, and health of a person.

A balanced diet is a diet that contains differing kinds of foods in certain quantities and proportions so that the requirement for calories, proteins, minerals, vitamins and alternative nutrients is adequate and a small provision is reserved for additional nutrients to endure the short length of leanness. In addition, a balanced diet ought to offer bioactive phytochemicals like dietary fiber, antioxidants and nutraceuticals that have positive health advantages. A balanced diet should offer around 60-70% of total calories from carbohydrates, 10-12% from proteins and 20-25% of total calories from fat.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF A BALANCED DIET

Healthy eating increases energy, improves the way your body functions, strengthens your immune system and prevents weight gain. The other major benefits are:
  • Meets your nutritional need. A varied, balanced diet provides the nutrients you need to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
  • Prevent and treat certain diseases. Healthful eating can prevent the risk of developing certain diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It is also helpful in treating diabetes and high blood pressure.
  • Following a special diet can reduce symptoms, and may help you better manage an illness or condition.
  • Feel energetic and manage your weight. A healthy diet will assist you to feel higher, provide you with more energy, and help you fight stress.
  • Food is the mainstay of many social and cultural events. Apart from nutrition properties, it helps facilitate connections between individuals.
  • Thank you!


My experience as a scribe writer.

Dusshera festive takes me down to the memory lane I began social work.It has been years I have been inclined towards social work. It was in the year 2017 when my Super Super senior and I began cooperating for social causes , it was all so new to me moreover I cherished it. I celebrated my first EEver birthday party in a Ngo called Rakshana charity and throughout my degree life I never missed treating the kids who were bought up in rakshana charity. I would bunk classes to work my ass off to take part at social causes conducted across the city cause I appreciated doing what I cherished, later I joined 2 Ngo’s furthermore a community which was meant for people who would provide services for social causes all over Bangalore.However I was so caught up with all my internships and college stuff that I couldn’t participate at ease in the community where I joined as a service provide,however the organiser reached me through a telephonic call and enquired if I was available for 6 hours to attend an exam as a scribe writer, I agreed and then I met this girl Manisha, a young lady who has visual impairment since birth known to be enthusiastic and extremely dedicated despite the fact that on the off chance that she can’t see , read, write or compose everything. All she does is think beyond practical boundaries and never to surrender. I belive she’s carrying on with an extraordinary life where ever she is. I had the best experience ever as I got a chance to help her in her tests as a scribe writer. P. S-I in a real sense missed my final Psychology practicals test just to go to her paper in addition I had to reappear(Backs) for the practicals all alone😅

Automation leading the generation.

"Automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency"
-Bill Gates-

Disadvantages come along with the advantages.

Although automation brought about better functioning of systems, growth in the economy and developmemt of the country, the disadvantage are such that one can not gurantee the safety of build machines. The possibility of malfunction systems or incorrect informations are a great risks for share holders as one mistake could worth in terms of billions and one could end his life in bankruptcy.

Another reason is that someday, robotic designs could take over humans, snatching away the opportunity of soul workers hence leading to high unemployment rate.

Apart from those, people in the present world especially younger generations are so engrossed in technologies and advancement that they lose track of time and place. They lack sleep and interactions leaving high concern in their health. Too much is always bad.

Did you know automation gives you freedom from work?

The advancement in technology have brought a great change in every country for the past decades. Modern inventions are a revolution against Ancient techniques.

One of the greatest contribution automation has provided is in, the functioning of factories. For example, cutting 1000kgs of banana into slices would take up to 2-3days if to be performed by hands while an automatic machine would take only 2-3seconds. Let alone cutting, even pealing off the cover would require much time and effort.

It is very much essential for our daily tasks, from setting a timer for alarms or messages in Mobile phones to basic needs like washing machine. Automation enables us to perform multiple tasks smoothly.

Computer itself is a great advancement in this context. Not only that it performs tasks, it can also analyse data which most company make a great use of. It provides a system where auto generated words could be used and make better promotion in sales where plagiarism can be detected.

In the case of ATM, civilians don’t need to rush to the bank or stand in a queue to get money. They can easily draw out money by pressing few keys, thus saving time and energy.

And there is Tesla, another great innovation of mankind in the contemporary world being a successful automatic car that provides self driving mode.

If in the near future, automation could bring greater developments, perhaps we would have automatic network or wifi connection to our devices, which would be of a great help especially for the special and the old aged groups

Rating: 1 out of 5.

The Beauty of Diversity – INDIA

India a name when comes to your mind, what is the the picture of india for you? If you know about india and had lived here than you will have a picture of where some wear dhoti other lungi and some other pajama. There is even diversity in the way of wearing saree like bangali, Gujarat, assami, marathi, orria and much more.

The real beauty of India

India is actually a planet in it self, where there are numerous festivals, people, issues etc all of a different kind but in one nation. Where you will find a Hindu enjoying eid with Muslim, a Muslim taking care of a Hindu temple, a Sikh serving langer to each and every being on this earth who wants to have it.

In India everything is diverse our geography, climate, culture, attaire, language, cuisine, looks, religion, festivals etc. But one thing is common in everyone that is we are Indians and we love our india. We celebrate eachother’s festivals, we enjoy eachother’s cuisine, we wear eachother’s attaire, ultimately we are united.

We fight among ourself (which I agree is not a good thing), but when anyother tries to offend our country we unites.

India’s is really an amazing country, whose real essence is ‘unity in diversity’.