Category: News

Comprehensive, up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by EduindexNews.

Examination Should Be Abolished

“Change of focus distress the mind”.

“An excess of everything is bad”.

In India, it is increasingly felt that education system is highly examination oriented. Exams and tests are held at regular intervals. Success in the exams is at index of once intelligence. Exams do cause a lot of stress rather it can be said that a student’s academic future simply depends on the marks scored by him. His admission in reputed college depends solely upon his performance in examination.

As a result, students finds studies stressful, monotonous and exasperating. Unachievable targets set by the parents and perceptors, unbearable peer pressure, cut throat competitions makes one question the usefulness of the examination system. In my sense, it is all futile. We cannot deny the fact that it is resulting into spate of suicides, absenteeism and even the percentage of dropouts has increased.

Exams should be cancelled and replaced by less stressful and more fruitful forms of assessments for several reasons including:

1)     They do not define one’s skills and capabilities: Thomas Edison once said: “Tomorrow is my exam but I don’t care, a single paper can’t decide my future” and we all know what Edison achieved is his life, other successful people followed such a path and if they cared much about exams, they surely would not have achieved what they did.

2)     They do not differentiate between students: Exams do not depend on someone’s preparation only, they are also dependent on their physical and mental health, and their social situation; you most luckily would not get a second chance if you developed a diarrhea during exam, such a factor would decide whether you’re among best or worst students no matter how intelligent you are, and how much you prepared for the exam. So you see how unfair the whole system is!

3)     Cheating: The broken educational system values more grades than learning and that what obliged students to try any means –sometimes illegal ones- to pass to the next level, history is full of people who try every trick to cheat at exam time, modern technology also has made it much easier for students to pass their tests with less efforts and students’ last issue nowadays is knowledge.

4)     Stress: Exams take a toll on a student’s body and mind through the forms of stress and anxiety and you might end up in a mental institution. Because of exams, a medical student was caught eating pages from one of their recommended texts since he failed to absorb information from taking his lectures too literally.

It is also felt that examinations don’t prepare students for life. They simply enable the students to become reasonably well informed, fact churning individuals. There should be a system of consistent evaluation throughout the year and, the examinee should not be tested only for facts and information acquired by him but should be tested for life skills. So, the examination system should be abolished instead of examinations being conducted at the end of the academic session.

Place Of A Women In Society

It is rightly said woman is the backbone of society. From times immemorial, woman have been considered inferior to man in a patriarch society. Man has always treated woman not as an equal partner in life but as a mere slave. Biological superiority of man over woman has made him callous towards her. She has always being confined to the four walls of the house. Man has just treated her as an object of gratifying his sexual lust and physical desires.

Women have been denied most of the rights that give dignity of human beings. She has suffered a lot because of the whims and prejudices that man harbours towards her. But at the same time she has been called the better half of the man but unfortunately these are just sugar coated words. He abuses her physically, sexually, morally, economically and socially. There is no doubt that she has certainly been the victim of discrimination on the basis of sex. However, the scenario is changing very fast. The Constitution of India protects women’s rights by granting her equal status.

Woman have played a vital role in Indian struggle for freedom. Today, women are becoming more and more vigilant about their rights. They have discarded the Pardah system and have crossed the boundaries by exposing them in outer world. They are jostling with men in every walk of life braving their worth.

Education, political awareness and the impact of western culture have made her more vigil and aware about her rights. The concept of superiority of man is tottering. Today, woman have proved to be better doctors, administrators, pilots, academicians then many of the male counter parts. But despite this she is at the lower rung of the ladder in society. Though she is gaining economic independence but lately she is also exposed to sexual exploitation in offices and working places. Ironically, man still regards her as an unusual commodity.

To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise.

  • Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. Exercising causes the body to make chemicals that can help a person feel good. Exercise can help people sleep better.
  • It can also help some people who have mild depression and low self-esteem. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a goal — like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash.
  • Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. Exercising regularly lowers a person’s risk of developing some diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Exercise also can help keep your body at a healthy weight.
  • Exercise can help a person age well. This may not seem important now, but your body will thank you later. For example, osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) can be a problem as people get older. Weight-bearing exercise — like jumping, running, or brisk walking — can help keep bones strong.

The three parts of a balanced exercise routine are: aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility training.

Aerobic Exercise

Like other muscles, the heart enjoys a good workout. Aerobic exercise is any type of exercise that gets the heart pumping and gets you breathing harder. When you give your heart and lungs this kind of workout regularly, they get stronger and are better at getting oxygen (in the form of oxygen-carrying blood cells) to all parts of your body.

If you play team sports, you’re probably getting at least 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity on practice days. Some team sports that give you a great aerobic workout are basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, and rowing.

But if you don’t play team sports, don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to get aerobic exercise. These include biking, running, swimming, dancing, in-line skating, tennis, cross-country skiing, hiking, and walking quickly.

Strength Training

The heart isn’t the only muscle to benefit from regular exercise. The other muscles in your body enjoy exercise too. When you use your muscles, they become stronger.

Strong muscles are also a plus because they support your joints and help prevent injuries. Muscle also use more energy than fat does, so building your muscles will help you burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight

Make physical activity a priority to:

  1. Improve your memory and brain function (all age groups).
  2. Protect against many chronic diseases.
  3. Aid in weight management.
  4. Lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
  5. Improve your quality of sleep.
  6. Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
  7. Combat cancer-related fatigue.
  8. Improve joint pain and stiffness.
  9. Maintain muscle strength and balance.
  10. Increase life span.

Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement.

Physical therapists treat people of all ages and abilities and empower you to take an active part in your care. After an evaluation, your physical therapist will create a treatment plan for your specific needs and goals.

Environment and Development

 Humanity is regarded as a biological entity by the environment as directly dependent on the natural world. Many vital resources on earth have to be exhausted if there is already deteriorating atmospheric chemistry and dangerous growth of human populations. Natural environments irreversibly destroy the foundation of a safe climate. All living things that live on this earth come under the environment. Whether they live on land or water they are part of the environment. The environment also includes air, water, sunlight, plants, animals, etc. Moreover, the earth is considered the only planet in the universe that supports life. The environment can be understood as a blanket that keeps life on the planet safe and sound.

If present growth trends in world population, industrialization, pollution, food problems and resource depletion continue unchanged, the limits to growth on this planet will be reached within the next one hundred years. The most probable result will be a rather sudden and uncontrollable decline in both population and industrial capacity.

International Agents and the Environment:

Since 1990 the World Bank and other international agencies have a formulated environment-related support programmes, i.e., programmes supporting development, while supporting the importance of the environment in economic development. The WB supports the sustainable development view.

First, it has highlighted the need for assessing all those projects which are expected to generate adverse environmental effects.

Secondly, poverty is found to be the major cause of environmental damage. The reason is that the poor people heavily depend on the environment.

The WTO has recognised the trade-off between trade and the environment and that environmental concerns could lead to protectionism. In spite of this the WTO supports the objective of SD and has been involved in assisting multilateral environmental agreements and increasing the awareness of links between trade and the environment.

The UN Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992—the Rio Earth Summit—leached agreements among 150 countries on reducing global warming by limiting atmospheric emissions by the year 2000 to their 1990 levels.

360 Wander Writer

Welcome to the Roman World

Colosseum is a giant amphitheater . It is also called as the Flavian Amphitheatre . It is built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. Its construction began during the 70th Common Era. It was opened by the son of Vespasian , Titus . It had 100 days of game which included bull’s fight and other wild animals fight. It also had the Gladiator fights were  the Gladiators were generally slaves, condemned criminals or prisoners of war. Aside from the games, the Colosseum also hosted dramas, reenactments, and even public executions.

The Colosseum is a massive structure of stone and concrete . Marble seats were divided into zones: those for richer private citizens, middle-class citizens, slaves and foreigners and finally wooden seats and standing room in the flat-roofed colonnade on the top tier reserved for women and the poor . It is build using a complex system of barrel vaults. It has a seating capacity of about 50000 spectators in which it had 45,000 seated and 5,000 standing spectators. The final stages of construction of the Colosseum were completed under the reign of Titus’ brother and successor, Domitian.

Colosseum

The spectators were shielded from the sun by a massive retractable velarium (awning). Also a well know fact says that the Colosseum served as a church during the medieval times and a prominent fortress for the families of Frangipane and Annibaldi. The Colosseum was damaged by lightning and very badly affected by the earthquake. The play of Vandalism and pollution also played a major role in its damages.

Colosseum Cross-Section

It lost its decorative materials and all marble seats. After understanding the damages , the notable efforts of Pius VIII a restoration project was started in the starting of 1990’s . It is defiantly a major tourist attraction place with an average of about seven million visitors annually. Its construction is made as of it consists of four stories with a height of 45 meters high ,a width of 189 x 156 meters , a roofed awning of canvas . Despite its degradation, a still magnificent monument, a poignant and enduring testimony to both the skills and the vices of the Roman world.

Rename of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour of India, has been renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The renaming recognises the ultimate hockey hero and legend of the sport, Dhyan Chand.

The prime Minister said the move was based on the numerous requests he received from across the country.

N.V. RAMANA

 President Ram Nath Kovind on April 6 appointed Justice NV Ramana as the 48th Chief Justice of India (CJI), accepting the recommendation made by his predecessor SA Bobde, who is due to retire on April 23. Justice Ramana, 63, who will take oath on April 24, will remain in office until August 26, 2022. It will be the longest tenure for a CJI in nearly a decade. Born on August 27, 1957, in an agricultural family in the Ponnavaram village in Krishna district of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Justice Ramana was a student leader during the nationwide Emergency in 1975. He lost an academic year too during his days as a student activist.

Justice Ramana worked as a journalist for a regional newspaper for two years before enrolling as an advocate on February 10, 1983.

As a lawyer, he practiced in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Central, and Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunals, and the Supreme Court of India in civil, criminal, constitutional, labor, service, and election matters.

He has specialized in constitutional, criminal, service and inter-state river laws, according to the website of the National Legal Services Authority, set up on November 9, 1995, to provide free legal aid to eligible candidates and organize Lok Adalats for the speedy resolution of cases. The CJI is its Patron-in-Chief.

Justice Ramana has also functioned as Additional Standing Counsel for the central government and Standing Counsel for Railways in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) at Hyderabad, besides serving as Additional Advocate General of Andhra Pradesh.

Money Management

“Money” is a medium of economic exchange in which prices and values are expressed. It is very important to live a life. Just like the three basic units of life- “food, cloth and shelter”. Money is also can be said to be the basic unit as we can but food, cloth and shelter with money only. So its management is also important. “Money Management” means budgeting, saving, investing, earning, spending money in the best way possible. Spending money to satisfy cravings/needs is a natural human phenomenon. The idea of managing money has been developed to reduce the amount of money that is spend on items that add no significant value to one’s living standards. In a nut shell money management means spending money carefully on the needs rather than on wants and wishes and also saving it for the better future.

In Indian Society, if we take a look, we can see that indian society people/groups were divided into different categories on the basis of their earning and living standards. People are divided on assets and income/expenditure. Based on these parameters there are broadly three categories (sub categories are also there) i.e., rich/upper class people, middle class people and poor/lower class people.

Rich/upper class refers to a group of individuals have highest place and status in society. These people are considered the wealthiest, lying above the poor and middle class in the social hierarchy. Middle class people fall between the poor class and upper class. They are neither poor nor rich. These people have a simple living and their earning are mostly equal or less than their expenditure resulting to short debts. Poor/lower class people are those who live under poverty. They are homeless, living on roads and slums, don’t have food to eat, usually dependent on begging and daily wage activities.

People ending up in the same category in which they are born, it is very less likely that a poor class person becomes a middle class one in this life span. There are chances that a rich person becomes a middle class one due to many reason but the chances of upgradation in class is very less.

The reason for such situations- “Wrong money management” and less/no knowledge of managing money. Rich people become more rich and poor become more poor and middle class reamains in debt, the reason behind this phenomenon is that knowledge of money management is not being taught in school and if we talk about poor class children dont even go to school. They don’t even know how to read and write. Money management is taught at home rather than in school. Many of us usually learn about money from our parents.

Talking about poor people, how can you say that they can teach their children about money when they themselves don’t have money to fill their stomach. Poor people just teach their children to go school and work hard. It might happen that the child will pass with excellent grades in his/her academic career but even after this their economic status and mindset remain poor and they keep running in the vicious cycle of poverty like a rat.

Children of upper class are given exposure and knowledge of money management from their childhood. As their parents have more than enough money and seeing their parents earning and managing money they also learn and their intellectual development happens in the same matter but it is not possible in the case of middle and lower class as they themselves don’t have enough money so how can they teach their children about the importance of the same.

Money management should be a topic of concern as it is an important aspect of one’s life which determines his/her status and standard of living. Money management be taught from school level only then children can understand the importance of it. Both government and private schools should organise lecture and seminars on the topic “money management”. If they can manage then parents should also be invited to attend such seminars and lectures. Parents should also give opportunities to their child to learn about the money, its expenditures, saving and management. Parents should send their children to the nearby shops to purchase small goods.

Tips for Money Management

1.Every child should be given the opportunity to go to schools. 2.Budgeting should be done to save money. 3.One should create a realistic monthly budget. 4.Everyone must track their spending. 5.One should build up their savings 6.Must pay your bills on time. 7.Have an investment plan. 8.Know your money priorities. 9.Differentiate between needs and wants.

Money is important to live a good life so as its management also. Money management is a skill that everyone must know to have a good present and better future. Children should be taught about money management at school from the very beginning. It is effectively must to manage money to have a good lifestyle. So don’t waste your time and manage your money now to have a healthy, happy and wealthy lifestyle.

Child Labour

Child labour is the worst form of child exploitation. There are more than 25 million child labourers in India. There is nothing more henious than this line. When it is time for children to play in the garden, they are forced to do banded labour. They have dreams to fulfill so it is need of the hour to stop this exploitation. They need play, education and nutrition. These must be provided to them but unfortunately they have to work in inhuman conditions. Childhood which is the most carefree period of a person’s life becomes a nightmare for them. they are mercilessly exploited at the hands of certain sections of the society.

Penury, in fact, is the root cause of all the troubles. It forces the poor parents to engage their children to work for them and earn something. The main culprits of the society are greedy contractors, the poor and uncaring parents and also the perceptors who do not teach. This gigantic wrong must stop and must be eliminated.

Law against child labour must be made strict and be enforced. Severe punishment should be given to those who indulged in or even encourage child labour. Though various steps have been taken by the government and many voluntree organisation are working to prevent the exploitation. Yet this social evil has not been eradicated completely. It is our foremost duty to look into this grave problem and take stringent actions in order to safeguard the rights of children.

The need of the hour for the government and NGOs is to come forward to establish institutes which provide free education and free meds. Primary education should be made mandatory. Until and unless we all get together to fight against the inhuman exploitation of children. We will not be able to eliminate this social stigma completely.

Legends of the Fox

The Fox spirit is one of the most popular creatures in Chinese mythology, as familiar in the canon of Chinese folklore as leprechauns are in Irish fairy tales. Every child knows about Foxes who take the shape of beautiful women and trick men into marriage. In contemporary Asian pop culture, there are films and TV shows featuring seductive Fox women. Yet these interpretations are simplistic and don’t give the Fox enough credit for its place in Chinese history, legend, and literature.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas (or Shan Hai Jing) is an ancient text with entries that date from the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century BCE. In this compilation of mythical and fabulous landscapes, the Nine-Tailed Fox is mentioned as companion to the Queen Mother of the West, a goddess who first appears 33 centuries ago on an oracle bone inscription from the Shang dynasty (1600 – 1046 BCE). During the Han dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE), the Fox and the Queen Mother of the West could be found together depicted on funerary artefacts. With the Fox as a helping spirit, the Queen Mother could transcend worlds, guide the deceased to heaven, and confer immortality. The Fox was therefore an auspicious omen.

With the rise of Daoism in China, the Queen Mother evolved into the equivalent of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and by the Tang dynasty (618 – 907 CE) had become the patron deity of women without family – Daoist nuns, courtesans, and female artists. There were suggestions that Foxes acted as messengers to the Queen Mother; there were also writings that referred to Foxes as celestial beings that lived in the Palace of the Sun and the Moon – definitely not demons. This made Foxes suitable candidates for worship. Foxes eventually came into their own and were no longer associated with the Queen Mother of the West.

Believed to be immortal, Foxes have been characterized variously as tricksters, drinking companions, avengers, scholars, seductresses, and faithful lovers. Always mischievous and sly, Foxes are nevertheless known for being intelligent, devoted, and good company.

Fox worship persisted into the Qing dynasty and survives even now in rural areas. The Fox cult has been curiously personal, influenced by local traditions; it varies by region, village, and even by the individual worshipper. Fox shrines tend to be humble, small altars or niches set up in backyards and bedrooms, with incense and offerings placed on boxes or an old table. Worshippers prayed for sexual fulfillment, fertility, wealth.

In Dragon Springs Road, the not-quite animal, not-quite human, not-quite celestial Fox is a perfect foil to the main character who is half-Chinese, half-Western, belonging to neither society. I have attempted to counter pop-culture by giving Fox back some of the dignity of her ancient roles. She has a higher purpose than mere mischief. I’ve also taken the liberty of giving her an extra power. For this, there is precedent. Are there not retellings of fairy tales? Fox-lore is only what humans understand of Foxes, and we only see what they allow us to see. Plus, novelists have always shaped myths to suit the theme of the story – in this case, one of identity and the decisions we make to be true to ourselves.

DEPRESSION

 

Depression
(major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that
negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or
a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of
emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at
work and at home.

Depression affects an estimated one in 15
adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience
depression at some time in their life. Depression can occur at any time, but on
average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely
than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women
will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime. There is a high
degree of heritability (approximately 40%) when first-degree relatives
(parents/children/siblings) have depression.

CAUSES

The medical community does not fully
understand the causes of depression. There are many possible causes, and
sometimes, various factors combine to trigger symptoms.

Factors that are likely to play a role
include:

ü genetic
features

ü changes
in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels

ü environmental
factors

ü psychological
and social factors

ü additional
conditions, such as bipolar disorder

SYMPTOMS

People who have depression will experience
some or all of the following symptoms almost every day for at least two weeks:

 

ü Feelings
of hopelessness, helplessness, emptiness, worthlessness, or guilt

ü Low
energy, fatigue

ü Irritability,
restlessness, anxiety

ü Slowed
thinking, speaking, or movement

ü Loss
of interest in activities they once enjoyed

ü Trouble
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

ü Loss
of appetite, or eating too much

ü Weight
gain or loss

ü Trouble
sleeping, or sleeping too much

ü Headache,
stomachache, and other aches and pains that do not have a clear physical cause

ü Persistent
sad or empty mood

Some people with depression will
experience many of these symptoms. Others will have just a few. The severity of
depression symptoms can range from mild to severe enough to impact the person’s
day-to-day life.

TREATMENT

The typical treatment for depression
includes antidepressants or other medications, psychotherapy (talk therapy), or
a combination of the two interventions. Personalizing treatment to the
individual can increase the chances that it will be successful.

Antidepressants are a class of drugs used
to treat depression. They include the following types:

ü Selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first drugs doctors
prescribe for depression. These drugs affect the chemical messenger, serotonin,
which helps to regulate mood. Low serotonin levels have been linked to
depression.

ü Serotonin-norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work on two brain chemicals—serotonin and
norepinephrine.

ü Atypical
antidepressants act on the brain in a different way from other antidepressants.
These drugs may be an option for people who have not found relief from SSRIs or
SNRIs.

Sometimes doctors will prescribe another
type of medication—such as an anti-anxiety drug, antipsychotic medicine, or
stimulant—along with the antidepressant. Antidepressants can take up to four
weeks to start working. It can take a few tries to find the best drug and
dosage combination that will relieve your depression.

 

 

Business Ethics

Business ethics are the moral principles that act as guidelines for the way a business conducts itself and in its transactions. The law often guides business ethics, but at other times business ethics provide a basic guideline that businesses can choose to follow to gain public approval. The practices mostly revolve around matters involving corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination and corporate social responsibility. The same guidelines that individuals use to conduct themselves in an acceptable way, in both personal and professional settings, apply to businesses as well. Following business ethics ensures that the public receives fair treatment.

The concept of business ethics began in the 1960s as corporations became more aware of a rising consumer-based society that showed concerns regarding the environment, social causes, and corporate responsibility. The increased focus on so-called social issues was a hallmark of the decade. Since that time period, the concept of business ethics has evolved. Business ethics goes beyond just a moral code of right and wrong; it attempts to reconcile what companies must do legally versus maintaining a competitive advantage over other businesses. the most recent and continually developing aspect of ethics is the third piece – the idea that companies are building business ethics into the core of their companies, making them a standard part of their operational blueprint. As the world continues to grow more political and more politically correct, an increased focus on proper business ethics and strong adherence to them has become ever more the norm. Buisness ethics also keep workers safe, help trade and interactions between companies remain honest and fair, and generally make for better goods and services.

Buisnesses display ethics in several ways. If a customer comes into a store looking for a product that meets very specific needs, it’s important to provide them the best product for the situation described instead of upselling them or encouraging them to buy a product that won’t meet their needs. However, it is important to ensure that this “customer first” attitude does not unintentionally result in the unethical treatment of employees.

If a company is faced with a public relations crisis, companies should call a meeting and address the problem directly with their employees. It’s important to truthfully describe the situation as it unfolded, present solutions, and accept criticism humbly.

If an employee notices that management tends to hire the same type of person (race, caste, gender etc.), they may suggest getting employees more involved in the hiring process. This will introduce different perspectives to the hiring process and increase the possibility that different kinds of applicants will be selected for a position.

These are some ways that companies practice business ethics.

Tabasco Pepper Sauce

Tabasco Pepper Sauce is a condiment that is a spicy hot sauce made from Tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt.  The hot peppers are picked by hand as soon as they ripen to the perfect shade of bright red.  The same day the peppers are picked, they are mashed, mixed with a small amount of Avery Island salt, placed in white oak wooden barrels, and allowed to ferment and then age for up to three years.  When deemed ready by a member of the McIlhenny family, the approved, fully aged mash is then blended with all natural, high grain vinegar.  Numerous stirrings and about four weeks later, the pepper skins and seeds are strained out.  The finished sauce is then bottled.

History

Avery Island, the birthplace of Tabasco Brand Products including TABASCO® pepper sauce, has been owned for over 180 years by the interrelated Marsh, Avery and McIlhenny families. Lush subtropical flora and venerable live oaks draped with wild muscadine and swags of barbe espagnole, or Spanish moss, cover this geological oddity, which is one of five “islands” rising above south Louisiana’s flat coastal marshes.

 The  2,200-acre tract sits atop a deposit of solid rock salt thought to be deeper than Mount Everest is high. Geologists believe this deposit is the remnant of a buried ancient seabed, pushed to the surface by the sheer weight of surrounding alluvial sediments. Although covered with a layer of fertile soil, salt springs may have attracted prehistoric settlers to the island as early as 12,000 years ago. Fossils suggest that early inhabitants shared the land with mastodons and mammoths, giant sloths, saber-toothed tigers and three-toed horses.

A salt production industry dates back to about 1000 AD, judging from recovered basket fragments, polished stone implements, and shards of pottery left by American Indians. Although these early dwellers remained on the Island at least as late as the 1600s, they had mysteriously disappeared by the time white settlers first discovered the briny springs at the end of the next century. After the Civil War, former New Orleans banker E. McIlhenny met a traveler recently arrived from Mexico who gave McIlhenny a handful of pepper pods, advising him to season his meals with them. McIlhenny saved some of the pods and planted them in his in-laws’ garden on Avery Island; he delighted in the peppers’ piquant flavor, which added excitement to the monotonous food of the Reconstruction-era South.

21st Century

Archaeologists digging at the site of a black-owned saloon in the historic Old West mining town of Virginia City unearthed a 130-year-old bottle of Tabasco brand hot sauce.  The bottle, the oldest style of Tabasco bottle known to exist, was reconstructed from 21 shards of glass excavated from beneath the site of the Boston Saloon, which was owned by an African-American from Massachusetts and catered to blacks and whites from 1864-75, was among the first eateries to introduce the now-popular spicy sauce.  The Tabasco bottle is particularly intriguing because of what it implies about African-American cuisine and the development of the West,” said Kelly Dixon, the administrator of the Comstock Archaeology Center who is supervising the dig in Virginia City about 20 miles southeast of Reno.

The benefits of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama

Vishnu Sahasranama is an ancient script, a Sanskrit hymn that literally translates to thousand names of Lord Vishnu who is believed to be one of the most revered Gods in Hinduism. Lord Vishnu is also known as the preserver of this world. ‘Sahasra’ means thousand and ‘nama’ means name. It is said that one of the easiest ways to pray and pay respect to the Lord is by reciting mantras, strotras, and shlokas.

Lord Vishnu is believed to be the supreme power who rules the entire universe, the one who saves lives. The Vishnu Sahasranama or Strotra is written by Sankskrit scholar Sage Vyasa who has written epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwat Gita.

If you are suffering from insomnia, see bad dreams every night while sleeping or have a fear in your mind then reading the strotra helps you fight them all. Reading it helps you have a peaceful mind. Chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama calms down your mind and sharpens your focus in life. Reading every name of Lord Vishnu helps you boost your inner energies which further increases your focus. This helps you meditate better. It is best to read the strotra in the morning after you have taken a bath. However, if you wish to read it later in the day then the best time would be in the evening between 5-7 pm. Chanting the strotra before going to sleep is also said to be beneficial.

There are 108 shlokas in the Vishnu Sahasranama. Even if you find it difficult to read then even listening to it can be really beneficial.

Secularism – An Integral part of Indian Democracy

The term “Secular” means being “separate” from religion, or having no religious basis.

A secular person is one who does not owe his moral values to any religion. His values are the product of his rational and scientific thinking.

Secularism means separation of religion from political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life, religion being treated as a purely personal matter.

It emphasized dissociation of the state from religion and full freedom to all religions and tolerance of all religions.

It also stands for equal opportunities for followers of all religions, and no discrimination and partiality on grounds of religion.

Secularism in the History of India

  • Secular traditions are very deep rooted in the history of India. Indian culture is based on the blending of various spiritual traditions and social movements.
  • In ancient India, the Santam Dharma (Hinduism) was basically allowed to develop as a holistic religion by welcoming different spiritual traditions and trying to integrate them into a common mainstream.
  • The development of four Vedas and the various interpretations of the Upanishads and the Puranas clearly highlight the religious plurality of Hinduism.
  • Emperor Ashoka was the first great emperor to announce, as early as third century B.C. that, the state would not prosecute any religious sect.
    • In his 12th Rock Edict, Ashoka made an appeal not only for the toleration of all religion sects but also to develop a spirit of great respect toward them.
  • Even after the advent of Jainism, Buddhism and later Islam and Christianity on the Indian soil, the quest for religious toleration and coexistence of different faiths continued.
  • In medieval India, the Sufi and Bhakti movements bond the people of various communities together with love and peace.
  • The leading lights of these movements were Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Baba Farid, Sant Kabir Das, Guru Nanak Dev, Saint Tukaram and Mira Bai etc.
  • In medieval India, religious toleration and freedom of worship marked the State under Akbar. He had a number of Hindus as his ministers, forbade forcible conversions and abolished Jizya.
    • The most prominent evidence of his tolerance policy was his promulgation of ‘Din-i-Ilahi’ or the Divine Faith, which had elements of both Hindu and Muslim faith.
    • That this was not imposed upon the subjects is obvious from the fact that there were few adherents to it. Along with this he emphasized the concept of ‘sulh-i-kul’ or peace and harmony among religions.
    • He even sponsored a series of religious debates which were held in the ‘Ibadat Khana’ of the Hall of Worship, and the participants in these debates included theologians from amongst Brahmins, Jains and Zoroastrians.
  • Even before Akbar, Babar had advised Humayun to “shed religious prejudice, protect temples, preserve cows, and administer justice properly in this tradition.”
  • The Indian freedom movement was characterized by secular tradition and ethos right from the start.
    • In the initial part of the Indian freedom movement, the liberals like Sir Feroz Shah Mehta, Govind Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale by and large pursued a secular approach to politics.
    • The constitution drafted by Pandit Moti Lal Nehru as the chairman of the historic Nehru Committee in 1928, had many provision on secularism as: ‘There shall be no state religion for the commonwealth of India or for any province in the commonwealth, nor shall the state, either directly or indirectly, endow any religion any preference or impose any disability on account of religious beliefs or religious status’.
    • Gandhiji’s secularism was based on a commitment to the brotherhood of religious communities based on their respect for and pursuit of truth, whereas, J. L. Nehru’s secularism was based on a commitment to scientific humanism tinged with a progressive view of historical change.
  • At present scenario, in the context of Indian, the separation of religion from the state constitutes the core of the philosophy of secularism.

Philosophy of Indian Secularism

  • The term ‘secularism’ is akin to the Vedic concept of ‘Dharma nirapekshata’ i.e. the indifference of state to religion.
  • This model of secularism is adopted by western societies where the government is totally separate from religion (i.e. separation of church and state).
  • Indian philosophy of secularism is related to “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” (literally it means that destination of the paths followed by all religions is the same, though the paths themselves may be different) which means equal respect to all religions.
  • This concept, embraced and promoted by personalities like Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi is called ‘Positive secularism’ that reflects the dominant ethos of Indian culture.
  • India does not have an official state religion. However, different personal laws – on matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, alimony varies with an individual’s religion.
  • Indian secularism is not an end in itself but a means to address religious plurality and sought to achieve peaceful coexistence of different religions.

Secularism and the Indian Constitution

  • There is a clear incorporation of all the basic principles of secularism into various provisions of constitution.
  • The term ‘Secular’ was added to the preamble by the forty-second constitution Amendment Act of 1976, (India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic).
    • It emphasise the fact that constitutionally, India is a secular country which has no State religion. And that the state shall recognise and accept all religions, not favour or patronize any particular religion.
  • While Article 14 grants equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all, Article 15 enlarges the concept of secularism to the widest possible extent by prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
  • Article 16 (1) guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters of public employment and reiterates that there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth and residence.
  • Article 25 provides ‘Freedom of Conscience’, that is, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion.
  • As per Article 26, every religious group or individual has the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes and to manage its own affairs in matters of religion.
  • As per Article 27, the state shall not compel any citizen to pay any taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious institution.
  • Article 28 allows educational institutions maintained by different religious groups to impart religious instruction.
  • Article 29 and Article 30 provides cultural and educational rights to the minorities.
  • Article 51A i.e. Fundamental Duties obliges all the citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood and to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

How is our Secularism different than the western form of Secularism

Over the years, India has developed its own unique concept of secularism that is fundamentally different from the parallel western concept of secularism in the following ways:

  • As per the western model of secularism, the “State” and the “religion” have their own separate spheres and neither the state nor the religion shall intervene in each other’s affairs. Thus, the western concept of secularism requires complete separation of religion and state.
  • However, in India, neither in law nor in practice any ‘wall of separation’ between religion and the State exists. In India, both state and religion can, and often do, interact and intervene in each other’s affairs within the legally prescribed and judicially settled parameters. In other words, Indian secularism does not require a total banishment of religion from the State affairs.
  • As per the western model, the state cannot give any financial support to educational institutions run by religious communities.
  • On the other hand, Indian model has chosen a positive mode of engagement. In India, the state provides all religious minorities the right to establish and maintain their own educational institutions which may receive assistance from state.
  • In the western model, State does not intervene in the affairs of religion till the time religion is working within the limits of the law.
  • On the other hand, in Indian secularism, state shall interfere in religion so as to remove evils in it. India has intervened by enforcing legislation against the practices of sati or widow-burning, dowry, animal and bird sacrifice, child marriage, and preventing Dalits from entering temples.
  • In western concept of secularism, religion is relegated entirely to the private sphere and has no place in public life whatsoever. The western model prohibits any public policy to be drafted on the basis of religion therefore; state is absolutely distanced from the religious activities and practices of its citizens.
  • In India, state has the policy of setting up Departments of Religious Endowments, Wakf Boards, etc. It is also involved in appointing Trustees of these boards.

Conclusion

  • In a pluralistic society, the best approach to nurture secularism is to expand religious freedom rather than strictly practicing state neutrality.
  • It is incumbent on us to ensure value-education that makes the younger generation understands and appreciates not only its own religious traditions but also those of the other religions in the country.