CRITICAL APPRECIATION OF SHAKESPEARE’S SONNET NO:130

Sonnet No. 130 is an unconventional sonnet which belongs to Shakespeare’s Dark Lady series, and no doubt, it is extraordinary and differs largely in conception, thought and approach from other conventional or traditional Elizabethan sonnets which were mostly written on the theme of human love.

Sonnet 130 is quite original and exceptional. The poet have expressed his irresistible attachment to his mistress who does not possess any physical charm like other ladyloves. Here the poet refers to some elements of feminine beauty a fair complexion, lustrous eyes, deep red lips, snow white breasts, rosy cheeks, a pleasant voice, a sweet breathe and a goddess like movement; these are taken normally as essential to feminine beauty and charm. But the poet’s mistress is lacking in all these requirements. She has nothing to attract that would attract or seduce other male lovers, yet the poet loves her much more than others knowing too well whatever flaw she possess.

This kind of theme is very rare in Elizabethan love poetry and stands out differently from the common theme of love. There is no idealistic yearning for one who is all beauty and grace. The sonnet is thus a satire on the Petrarchan praise of the charms of the beloved. It was a practice of the Elizabethan poets to compare the hairs of the beloved to the wires, usually golden wires which implies a contrast with black wires. It refers to extravagant hair style adopted by fashionable ladies of that time: “What guile is this…/ She doth attire under a net of gold…” (Spenser’s Amoretti:37)

The black complexion of the poet’s beloved has greater sensory pleasure. The word “reek” has an unpleasant suggestion; it suggests nasty smell . it is not a natural word as some commentators believe. This may be taken as a parody of romantic description: “From her sweet breathe their sweet smells do smell” (Constable’s Diana). The poet admits that he has never seen a goddess go as painted by the other Elizabethan love poets. His beloved is an ordinary woman who walks on the earth. His mistress is a down to earth woman, not the sort of idealized fiction imagined by other love poets. So the poet writes: ” I think my love as rare/ As any she belied with false compare”.

In Shakespeare there is an exploration of new possibilities; love has been liberated from its nominal ” Two loves I have of comfort and despair” gives the key to the whole sequence. First his “guiding star of virtuous love” is not Laura, nor a Beatrice but a young man, his friend. Secondly, he loves a lady who is not traditionally beautiful. Shakespeare suggests the contrast between appearance and reality. The poet argues that the lady’s black appearance cannot be counted beautiful but of course blackness has age old associations with evil but like most women her appearance owes nothing to art and therefore gives her a beauty of integrity and purity of character.

The Sonnet 130 marks a genuine excellence of literary art. The analogies drawn by the poet are precise, but quite clear and the subtle touch of wit marks them particularly impressive. Some expressions, such as “breasts are dun”, “roses damask’d”, “red and white” and so on are somewhat uncommon, but the sonnet presents a realistic tone and no idealistic presentation of his mistress. There is a mixture of satire and seriousness in the enumeration of the items of beauty. The final couplet gives a complimentary twist to the negative impact of the quatrains.

WHAT IS LANGUAGE?

Language is undoubtedly the most valuable single possession of the human race. Man is clearly distinguished from other species by his capacity for using language. The term language is derived from the Latin word lingua meaning tongue.

Language is our most effective means of communication .We communicate with others through speech and writing .Communication is more effective when we speak .We can make use of variations in voice ,gesture other features to reinforce what we say .Writing does not offer such conveniences. Again ,speech has been with us ever since human beings evolved as a distinct species. But writing claim to have a history of hardly six thousand years . Moreover speech comes first in life of individuals too. Hence historians of language consider speech as primary and writing as secondary. Considering these facts Wardaugh defines language as system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication .

Language helps man in several ways .It helps him to reach back into the collective knowledge of his ancestors. No one can ignore the role of language in placing humanity at the pinnacle of progress. Without language man would never have become fully human. Language is quite necessary for the continuity of civilization . It is mainly through language that human beings collect and preserve knowledge and transfer it to the next generation . It is not possible to imagine a society without language. Man’s social behavior is conditioned by the nature of his communication with fellow beings . That is why Barnett says ,”verbal communication is a condition of the existence of human society.”

It is true that animals too communicate .Some animals ,birds and insects have developed their own systems of communication .But their communicative systems are instinctively determined . They lack the flexibility and creativity of human language. Their communicative conventions are acquired genetically and not through learning.

The American linguist ,Charles F Hockett ,in a detailed study compared human communicative system with animal communicative system with animal communicative system with animal communicative systems. The aim of the study was to find out the essential defining characteristics of spoken language . He tried to determine what ‘counts’ as a human language as opposed to some other systems of communication . He identified thirteen characteristics of spoken language which he termed design features .They are , Auditory -vocal channel ,Broadcast transmission and directional reception, rapid fading , interchangeability total feedback, specialization ,semanticity , arbitrariness ,discreteness ,displacement ,productivity, traditional transmission and duality of patterning .

Sail Through The Waters In These Places

Being someone who seeks thrill in boating is always guaranteed of an adventure ahead. Boating as a water-based leisurely activity is found to have a positive impact on the relationships. Those who enjoy boating have certain craftsmanship in them to be always able to spot the best boat and know that it is the going to be significant fun. If you are looking for refreshing breaks to connect and spend quality time with your family, choose a location, plan a trip and go on a boat ride with them. The part about picking up a place where you can delight yourself on a boat ride might sound tricky but it is not.

1. Nakki Lake, Mount Abu:

The popular hill station situated in the Aravalli Range, Mount Abu has several tourist attractions. Among those, Nakki Lake which is considered to be pious because of its historical importance is a must-visit spot. According to the Hindu culture, in the ancient times, Gods dug out this lake with their fingers and nails while seeking protection from a demon. Nakki Lake is the first human-made lake which is believed to be 11,000 meters deep and a quarter of a mile wide. There is a boating facility at the Nakki Lake which gives visitors a great chance to enjoy the serene view of the lake. The lake is also famous for a different reason Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in the same lake where Gandhi Ghat has been constructed. The fountains in the lake offer an enchanting view of the life at Mount Abu while you boat merrily. There is also Toad Rock on a hill nearby. These strangely shaped rocks are arranged in such a way that it resembles a toad about to jump in the lake. Additionally, there are numerous eateries in the area where you can enjoy a sumptuous meal after the pleasant boat ride.

2. Gadisar Lake, Rajasthan:

Enjoy the lush greenery on an early morning or evening boat ride at the Gadisar Lake, Rajasthan. This lake is one of the most precious assets for the locals and has been carrying the heritage and culture for generations. The first Maharaja of the city of Jaisalmer, Raja Rawal Jaisal, artificially built this lake in as a water reservoir for his people in the hope of solving the water crisis in the area. The Gadisar Lake is situated in the heart of Mount Abu and thus, boating around the lake offers a mesmerising view of the city while you can also spot the famous Raghunath Temple and Maharaja Jaipur Palace which are located in the nearby area. The lake is considered to be sacred and is worshipped by a local tribe known as Garasia.

You can also buy food from the stalls there and feed the catfish in the lake. The sight of the fishes flocking around you to grab a bite or two is intriguing as well as tad bit scary too. During winters, bird-watchers can engage in their favourite pastime as beautiful migratory birds visit the lake as the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is very close to the lake. 

3. Bedhaghat, Jabalpur:

A spectacle of nature, Bhedaghat is a town located in the Jabalpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The marble rock boating area is breathtaking with the subtle hues and colours of the rocks and stones. With time, the Narmada river has carved a beautiful gorge of approximately eight kilometres. Rent a rowboat or a motorboat and go on a guided tour of the river. 

4. Kumarakom Backwaters:

A trip to Kerala is incomplete if you do not get to enjoy the tranquil serenity of the Kumarakom backwaters. A small town located in Kottayam district of Kerala receives thousands of tourists everywhere who come to live up their dream of spending time on a houseboat in the backwaters. A much-deserved break from the fast-paced urban lifestyle, the Kumarakom boating tours are therapeutic in an actual sense. The vibrant green cover contributed by the coconut plantations, and paddy fields all around make up for a soothing sight for the mind and soul. The most exciting part is these houseboats or Kettuvallams, as known in Kerala, are entirely built with eco-friendly materials. 

5. Dal Lake, Srinagar:

To go on a fascinating Shikara boat ride on the Dal Lake and live up the most captivating activity while you are in Srinagar. The awe-inspiring panoramic view of the lush green landscapes, the ripples forming on the lake water, flowering gardens, and the vibrant floating market will leave you enchanted. Shikara is a kind of a wooden boat made primarily out of deodar wood. The Shikara boat can also take you to the famous tourist attraction surrounding the Dal Lake such as the Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden and the Hazratbal Mosque. The Shikaras also play a crucial part in the infamous floating market on the Dal Lake where the locals sell flowers, vegetables and handicrafts. So, while you reside in a Shikara houseboat, you can go shopping on your boat to the eye-catching hues on the floating boats which are a part of the market.

6. Hoganekkal, Tamil Nadu:

If you want to visit the Niagara Falls of India, head out to Hogaenakkal Waterfalls, Tamil Nadu, located at a distance of 200 kms from Bangalore in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Famous for the spectacular waterfalls and hide boat rides, this major tourist destination offers fun boating and coracle rides. The waterfalls are divided; where the ones in Karnataka has numerous cascades whereas the part that lies on the Tamil Nadu side has picturesque gorges and boat rides. 

7. Ganga Ghat, Varanasi:

The sacred River Ganga is believed to have magical powers of having the potential to wash off one’s sins. Gliding through the water of Ganges to when the sun is rising or setting, you can experience the true essence of Varanasi. Visit the different Ghats which are connected to the land via waterways. Another major attraction is the Ram Nagar Fort, located on the opposite side of the river, which is the palace of the King of Banaras. The boat ride includes a mini-tour of the palace and the nearby market area and a visit to a Goddess Durga temple which was built 200 years ago.

8. Naini Lake, Nainital:

Making time on the water is among the favourite recreational activity during summers. This eye-shaped lake, located at the height of 1938 meters, offer boating as the major attraction for tourists who seek some entertaining activities at the hill station. There is also a Yacht Club at Mallital which offers yachting for the members and tourist alike. The exquisite beauty of the gleaming water, under the Kumaon Sky, can be thoroughly rejoiced only by a boating experience.

9.  Bhimtal, Nainital:

Bhimtal Lake in the Bhimtal Town is among the most famous lakes in India. There is an island in the middle of the lake which is an aquarium attracts visitors. The only way to reach the island is via boat. Visit the aquarium which has a variety of species that will leave you amazed. The Bhimeshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is also located on the island. The C-shaped lake is situated at an altitude of 4500 feet, sprawling over an area of 47 hectares. The clear lake water a paradise for nature-lovers and photo-fanatics, the surrounding of the lake are well-maintained with eateries offering local delicacies in the area. Immerse yourself in the hypnotic tranquillity on a boat ride around the lake.

10. Unkal Lake, Karnataka:

A resplendent sunset at the Unkal Lake will leave you mesmerised. Go on a boat ride around the Lake and capture the ravishing sight in your camera to relive the moment time and again. This scenic tourist spot is situated at Unkal in Dharwad district. The Unkal Lake is 110 years old. There is a statue of Swami Vivekananda in the middle of the lake. Tourists can reach here by taking a boat the site. The beauty of the lake is a must-visit for nature lovers who could get some great shots at nature photography. There are recreational facilities for children around the lake premises.

IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HOBBY

We live in a fast paced world. The world around us is changing so quickly that we barely have the time to accept those changes. While the things around us change and our lives with it, we need to have something that stays constant. Something that brings us calm every time things go too fast or too slow. Something that helps us relax when we get a break and ensures that we are enjoying life in that moment. The thing being referred to here are our HOBBIES.

Having a hobby enriches your life. Sometimes they provide you with calmness and relaxation but there are times they turn into something bigger and can also become a career path. Whatever the case maybe but either way having one does significant good. Hobbies act as an escape from an already chaotic life. This is the time when you discover yourself because you are at content doing the thing you love the most. They push your creative boundaries and you enter a state of trance where everything makes sense. It offers many new challenges and opportunities to grow. Your hobby could be as small as just doing a routine task but for those moments you are in a state of peace.

Having a hobby does not only enrich your day to day lives but also have a significant impact on your professional development. People talk a lot about work-life balance but when they actually get a break, they find themselves watching television, using their phones or worse- thinking about their job deadlines while they should be enjoying their leisure time. What people don’t realize is that they need this time to rejuvenate so they can bounce back to their work life with a fresh mind. Let us assume that since you were a kid you enjoyed writing your tasks down, you enjoyed collecting coins or stamps, now as you grow up these little hobbies have turned into something bigger. Your habit of writing stuff down now helps you prioritize your tasks and collecting stamps gave a boost to your organizational skills which now come in handy at work. Sometimes when the hobby is impressive and fits in with your career goals, you can also put it in your resume.

Keeping the professional life aside, hobbies are an asset for your personal growth. It not only helps in relieving stress but also encourages you to take regular breaks and gives you time to restore your mind. It is very important that you disconnect yourself with the world for a few moments everyday. Some people meditate but there are other ways. You could start learning an instrument or paint or draw or learn how to cook or read a book, just something that keeps your mind away from the stress and helps you relax. Your hobbies don’t have to be productive. You can do something as minimal as building a soothing playlist or make origami or you could dance it out but what’s important is that you do something.

So, let’s start doing something new today, something that brings us joy. Let’s take it one day at a time. Go cook something, build something or learn something. It might take a while for you to get the hang of the it but learning something new is always exhilarating. Everyone needs an escape from reality and hobbies can help you get there. Find something that tickles your creative side and get started. You will be amazed to see what you were capable of all along. In the years to come, you would be so grateful that you started when you did.

BILL GATES SUCCESS STORY

Bill Gates, there is no introduction to this name because each and every person knows him. He is one of the richest person of the world. From 1995 to 2017 forbes tittled him as richest person in the world except from 2010 to 2013. In this article I am gonna tell you the success story of bill gates. How did he become a billionaire from a normal middle class family. Here starts the article-

William Henry Gates lll known as Bill Gates was born on 28 October 1955. He is the second child of William Henry Gates ll and Mary Maxwell Gates. His father is lawyer and his mother is the board of directer for first interstate BancSystem and united way of America. His grandfather J. W Maxwell was the president of national bank. He was very interested in maths and computer from a very young age. At 13, he enrolled in the private lakeside prep school where he wrote his program. Soon, he met Paul Allen his senior who is also very interested in computers and they become close friends in no time. They used to spend there time on computers to write software programs. His father want him to become a lawyer, so he enrolled in Harvard University. Then he saw a popular electronics magazine, who are in the need of software for there Altair 880 computer. He and his friend allen worked very hard day and night at harvard computer centre for 2 months to make the software. And they made the software for Altair 800 computer, this was the sensation of that time. Bill and allen become very famous. In 1975 they started Microsoft. Soon after that IBM requested bill gates for a operating system for there personal computer, then he bought a operating system for 50000 dollars and he made several changes to it and he turned it to MS-DOS and gave it to IBM. This was the biggest milestone for him, then his company microsoft become a millionaire company. After that he left Harvard University for Microsoft. In 1986 he introduced Microsoft Windows to the market, which was the sensation of all time. With this microsoft never looked back. His wish was to become a billionaire by 30’s. At the age of 31 he became a billionaire. Then he introduced internet explorer( search engine) which was another sensation and become a popular search engine. In 1994 he was married to Melinda French. Soon he started Bill & Melinda gates foundation and donated 28 billion dollars. Other than that is the founder and chairman of BEN, Cascade, TerraPower etc. In 2010 he and his friend Warren Buffet started the giving pledge, is a campaign to encourage extremely wealthy people to donate a majority of income to philanthropic causes. As of 2020 the pledge has 211 signatories from 23 countries. As of now in 2021 his networth is 145.3 billion dollars. He has 3 children Jennifer Katherine Gates, Phoebe Adele Gates, Rory John Gates. Here comes the end of the article, by a famous quote by bill gates “If you are born poor it’s not your mistake but if you die poor its your mistake”

INDIA AND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0 Part-2

This article is in continuation with the previous part INDIA AND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0 Part-1.

Reasons why Industrial Revolution 4.0 is lagging-

1. Security is a crucial foundation of the Internet while the major challenge for the Industrial Revolution 4.0. As time goes the trend of Industrial Revolution 4.0 inflates from millions of devices to billions. As increasing the number of connected devices, the chance to exploit safety vulnerabilities is also increasing, in cheap or low standard designed devices, due to incomplete data streams, the chances of data theft is increased by which people’s health and safety can be risky. Many IoT arrangements will also include collections of similar or adjacent similar devices. This homogeneity expands the potential impact of any single security weakness by the total number of devices that all have the same features.

2. As Authenticity, trustworthiness and confidentiality are important aspects there are some other requirements also important like discriminatory access to certain facilities, preclude them from sharing with other things at certain Times and business communications involving smart objects would need to be secure from opponents’.The data networks are still delicate and also costly in comparison to other developed countries. From an Indian perspective, the cloud storage operation is still in the emerging stage. Transmit the data to a cloud service for processing, sometimes includes a third party. The gathering of this information leaks legal and regulatory challenges facing data protection and privacy law. To realize the opportunities of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, some new strategies will be required for privacy choices through a broad range of expectations, while still developing innovation in new technologies and services.

3. Absence of standards and documents can assist Senseless activities by devices. Low standard or cheap designed and configured devices have undesirable consequences for the networking resources. Without standards to guide developers and manufacturers, sometimes design products that operate in disruptive ways on the Internet. When any technology has a standard development process then it can be easily available everywhere and can be used by all applicants and increase the growth also. While in today’s world, global standards are followed by every local station.

4. Implementation of every technology requires a team of skilled persons who have ample knowledge of network, hardware, software and about that technology. And India is developing at this point where manpower thinks when technology is spread, they lose their job and there is no life of new technology. So, they don’t take any initiative to learn about it. So, every organization face lots of problem during their changeover phase from the legacy systems to IoT enabled systems. Similarly, Scalability, Fault tolerance and Power supply are also big challenges in India.

5. Advanced technologies require advanced mechanisms which require more amount of money. As India is a developing country, it is not possible to invest on a large scale in Industrial Revolution 4.0. As a result of failed fueled ‘money’, India is not able to cope with Industrial Revolution 4.0.

6. Another major problem with a developing country like India is the fuel needed to run. While the population is on a way steady rise, demand is quite increasing. India produced 557 million tons (metric tons) of coal in 2012-13, and India’s rapidly growing power industry consumed the majority of it. Coal production has steadily increased since the industry was nationalized in the 1970s. A trend almost certain to accelerate as the country faces growing urbanization and an expanding middle class, India has a high dependence on imports for its petroleum needs and is the world’s fourth-largest importer of crude oil.

7. The percentage of illiteracy in India is alarming. Every five persons among ten in India are illiterate. The condition in villages is worse than in cities. Though several primary schools have been set up in rural India, the problem persists. Also, providing education just to children won’t solve the problem of illiteracy, as many adults in India are also untouched by education. The education system of India is blamed now and then for being too theoretical but not practical and skill based. Students study to score marks, not to gain knowledge. This so-called modern education system was introduced by the colonial masters to create servants who could serve but not lead, and we still have the same education system. Rabindranath Tagore had written many articles offering suggestions to change the education system of India. But still, success is as elusive as ever.

Read more about India and Industrial Revolution in next part, INDIA AND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0 Part-3.

UN World Food Programme: II

SYRIA: Millions of people have been displaced from their homes , Conflicts in Syria’s northeast and northwest have increased levels of hunger and food insecurity as families have lost their homes, businesses and incomes

In December 2019, conflict escalated in northwest Syria and western

Aleppo. Close to one million people were forced to flee their homes in the largest wave of displacement since the crisis began.

WFP launched an immediate response and scaled up its ongoing humanitarian operations in the northwest and is now providing emergency food assistance to more than one million people each month through cross-border operation from Turkey.

Across Syria, WFP continues to ensure that food reaches the most vulnerable families when they need it the most.

4.8 million people in Syria receive lifesaving food from WFP each month. 

The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 was awarded to World Food Programme (WFP) “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.”

And just like that, when the World Food Programme were offered UN Peace Price amidst all the harsh realities, and morbidities, the deaths, the wars — 2020 acknowledged the work and effort that the Food Programme have constantly been putting in, in order to create an equal, and secured environment. 

You can check their work and know more about them at: https://www.wfp.org

United Nations World Food Programme: I

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the 5 Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, along with the prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, and Literature.The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 101 times to 135 Nobel Laureates between 1901 and 2020, 107 individuals and 28 organisations. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 3 times. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2 times . The most recent prize was awarded to the World Food Programme in 2020; nominations for the 2021 prize closed in January 2021. WFP was established in 1961, when George McGovern, director of the US Food for Peace Programmes, proposed establishing a multilateral food aid programme. WFP launched its 1st  programme in 1963, in Sudan. WFP operations are funded by voluntary donations principally from governments of the world, and also from corporations and private donors. In 2019, funding was  recorded around US$8 billion, of which the largest donors were the United States ($3.4 billion) and Germany ($886.6 million).

The Motto of the UN World Food Programme stands for, “Saving Lives – Changing Lives become substantial.  In 2015 the global community adopted the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development to improve people’s lives by 2030. With priority of achieving  Goal 2 – Zero Hunger –which pledges to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, 

This is the WFP’s vision – 5 steps to Zero Hunger.

a. Put first those who are furthest behind 

b. Pave the road from farm to market

c. Reduce food waste

d. Encourage a sustainable variety of crops

e. Make nutrition a priority

For more than 50 years, the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided emergency food assistance, often in conflict, post-conflict or disaster situations. WFP has  evolved to combine frontline action with the quest for durable solutions.

This also includes – Cash transfers, that is Empowering the people through provision of cash and/or value vouchers, In-kind food distribution to most vulnerable household.

Please read the following post for more information.

Screen-sharing is the new Movie Theatre

And it’s so much better than what you’d initially have ever thought of. 

When the initially was introduced to me, the most apprehensive of situation that I had to face was the fact that would it even be enticing enough to make me watch whatever that’s been screen-shared to me for such a long time? 

But trusting the fact that with all the apprehension considered it has proved to be such a delight. Yes, network issues would occur, or there might be delay or error with the video that has been shared, but beyond that — the time you’d invest in watching something new, something that you enjoy — it could never distract you, however its also a commitment not just halfhearted commitment but a promising act. 

We could even go beyond Zoom, and talk about options such as Amazon Watch Party for those who have laptops accessible or check out websites that are available and trustworthy, this process could be lengthy to have a site that you trust enough, but make no mistake that it’s enjoyable none the less.. sorry if you’d find me just redundantly reiterating it. 

Moving on, for someone who is secured within themselves and don’t really like social interaction or outings, this seems just so appropriate without the whole pandemic upon our heads. We are comfortable on our own couches or beds a comforter over us, we could even chit chat about the movie or show that you’re watching with your group, and comments on sections without being yelled at by someone else .. which you can’t do, while in a theatre. 

Also, without everything aside, you can still after the entertainment is done and dusted, you can still stay connected and converse with your friend over a cup of coffee — within the confines of your own home.

So, if you’ve not yet tried this method with your friend (s), make sure t=you create a small time in your schedule to unwind, even if it is for 30 minutes, and let me know how it goes. 

Social Anxiety

People get nervous or self-conscious on occasion, like when giving a speech or interviewing for a new job. Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is more than just shyness or occasional nerves. Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of certain social situations—especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you feel you’ll be watched or evaluated by others.

These situations may be so frightening that you get anxious just thinking about them or go to great lengths to avoid them, disrupting your life in the process.

Fear of being watched and judged by people

Most of us would have experienced social anxiety to some extent and it is normal to want to perform well. Anxiety in social situations and concerns overevaluation become problematic when the anxiety is persistent and causes intense distress. A person may be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder if the anxiety and distress persist for more than six months.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines social anxiety disorder as a persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others.

Some signs of social anxiety disorder include:

  1. Fear of interacting with others
  2. Feeling shy, easily embarrassed or being extremely self-conscious
  3. Fear of appearing anxious e.g. blushing, stuttering, or running out of things to say
  4. Fearing the worst will happen in social situations
  5. Self-conscious thoughts e.g. “people will stare at me” or “people won’t like me”
  6. Avoidance behaviour e.g. avoiding eye contact or general avoidance of social situations
  7. Spending a significant amount of time dissecting past social interactions and focusing on what did not go well
  8. Physical symptoms of anxiety during or before social situations e.g. increased heart rate, shortness of breath, blushing, sweating, trembling, nausea, and muscle tension

The COVID-19 pandemic can be a challenging time for people with social anxiety. Changes in social interactions and social norms can increase the uncertainties and concerns people have about social situations. People experiencing social anxiety may feel particularly anxious about returning to work or resuming other social activities. The fear of having to interact with people might be more overwhelming than before, especially after a few months of minimal social activities.

How to overcome social anxiety?

Social anxiety sufferers have negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their fears and anxiety. These can include thoughts such as:

  1. “I know I’ll end up looking like a fool.”
  2. “My voice will start shaking and I’ll humiliate myself.”
  3. “People will think I’m stupid”
  4. “I won’t have anything to say. I’ll seem boring.”

Challenging these negative thoughts is an effective way to reduce the symptoms of social anxiety.

Prepare

Prepare yourself adequately to encounter social situations by getting information about what you must do in each of the situations. For example, how to use safe entry for necessary contact tracing, what the new workplace guidelines for staff to maintain safe distancing are. You can also mentally visualise the situation and think through what you would do in each situation. By knowing what is expected and being better prepared, you will experience less uncertainty and feel less anxious.

Expose

Continuing to engage in social interaction is critical for people with social anxiety even though it might be uncomfortable. Facing your fears helps to overcome social anxiety. Avoidance of social situations will worsen your anxiety over time. You can start with social situations at work, which are essential. Draw a plan to ease yourself into different social situations. 

Practise

Before you get into anxious social situations, you can follow the steps above to prepare and ease yourself into them. You can also try role playing with the help of a friend if necessary. In social situations, be aware of your own thoughts and level of anxiety. When you find yourself starting to feel anxious, practise deep breathing and focus on your thoughts instead. 

Talk

Find someone whom you trust to share your concerns and ask for help to journey with you. Prepare yourself, get exposed to social situations and practise more positive thinking and cultivate social skills.

One Indian Girl : Book Review

About the book

  • Title : One Indian Girl
  • Author : Chetan Bhagat
  • Genre : Fiction
  • Subject : Feminism
  • Year of publication : 2016
  • Number of pages : 280

About the author

Chetan Bhagat is the author of sex bestselling novels – Five point someone, One night @ the call center , The 3 mistakes of my life, 2 States, Revolution 2020, Half Girlfriend.

In 2008, The New York Times called him ” the biggest- selling author in India’s history”. He is also a Filmfare-award-winning screenplay writer.

TIME magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world and Fast Company, USA, listed him as one of the 100 most creative people in business globally.

Chetan Bhagat went to college at IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, after which he worked in investment banking for a decade before quitting his job to become a full – time writer.

” To all Indian girls especially the ones who dare to dream and live life on their own terms.” – Chetan Bhagat

Analysis of the book

One Indian Girl is the story of Radhika Mehta, a worker at the Distressed Debt Group of Goldman Sachs, the investment bank.

The book tells us about that what if we are a girl, we should also have equal rights to live independently in the way what a boy lives.

“Why do people tell girls all this? You ask them to achieve things, but when they do, you can’t handle it.”

Summary of the story

The book starts with Radhika making arrangements regarding her marriage with Brijesh Gulati who works in the Facebook company in San Francisco. She later reveals her childhood and life in Delhi, as a nerdy personality in contrast to her elder sister Aditi.

While trying to engage conversation with Brijesh, she is unexpectedly contacted by Debasish “Debu” Sen who wishes to meet her, to which she refuses. She later, meets him in the gym and then there occurs the flashbacks to four years ago.

When Radhika began her job training at Goldman Sachs, she was introduced to Debu and then the two started dating, eventually starting a live in relationship. When Radhika gets a bonus of 150,000 dollars and tells Debu, he doesn’t react as Radhika expects and after a few days, he breaks up with her due to being pressurised by Radhika about marriage and wanting instead a simple girl as a housewife. Facing depression, she opts for a move to Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong when she gets to know her boss’s boss Neel Gupta who is 20 years older than her , she finds him attractive. On their business trip together, they end up sleeping together by the beach. This continues for one year, but after that Radhika realises that she has no future with him as he is married with children. Thus she breaks up with him and shifts to London office.

After getting tremendous pressure from her mother for an arrange marriage, she finally agreed and connects with Brijesh Gulati in a matrimonial site and also says yes for marriage to make her mother happy.

Both her ex- boyfriends realised they want her back and contacted Radhika but she was very confused between her past and future husband so she turned down both their proposals and even cancelled her wedding with Brijesh because she felt she was not ready for marriage.

“Why do we need our men to praise and validate us in order for us to feel accomplished?”

“You know what women really want? We don’t want to choose. We want to fly and we also want a beautiful nest. We want both. Do male birds tell female birds to choose? “Hey honey, choose. Either fly or sit in the nest.”

https://bookmate.com/books/d41pnvtp/quotes

COLORISM IN INDIA

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Colorism

Colorism is the practice of favoring lighter skin over darker skin. The preference for lighter skin can be seen within any racial or ethnic background. Race can be defined as the attributes, traits and features which differentiates one group from the other existing social groups. In simple words, races are the physical qualities that one inherits biologically and serves as a way of self-identification from the other groups. Racism is a theory that one race is superior that the other based on the physical attributes, caste, creed, ethnicity or origin. A person is being racist when he displays the emotions of hatred, prejudice, biasness and intolerance against another person solely due to his skin color, structure of his lips, language, place of origin or any other attribute which he might have gained biologically.

Colorism in India

India is known as one of the most mega diverse nations in the world. It is indeed a diverse country and a home for people belonging to different caste, religion, color, creed, culture and traditions. Indians are known for their varied degrees of skin complexion termed as fair skinned and dark skinned. The skin color has always remained an important factor in determining a person’s value and worth. Fair skin people are considered to be of a superior status than to the people with a dark sin. Racism has been prevailing in India since the Rig Veda Period, followed by the Mughal era and the British ruleWe live in a society where the people are highly obsessed with one’s skin tone. Indians have varied degrees of skin complexion and they are categorized as fair, dusky, dark etc. Indians believe that fair-skinned people are of a much more worth and value than those who are dark skinned. The fair is considered the intellectual and gets the respect, dignity and the social status while the dark are left behind struggling for their rights and status. We face color hatred and prejudice and somehow still choose to remain silent about it.

The people need to understand that a person’s worth or status is not determined by his or her color. There are numerous cosmetic brands promoting skin lightening creams and lotions. There are advertisements promoting the desperate need of looking fair. The question is why? No one has the right to question or judge one’s complexion. Racial discrimination brings down the morale and the enthusiasm of the dark, they do not get a chance to stand up and speak up or fight for themselves. The mindset of the Indian society should realize the fact that no matter what the skin tone is, what caste or origin a person belongs to, irrespective of all the other physical traits, a person is entitled to equality before the law and has every right to deserve the same respect and honor a fair person gets. Racism is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and deserves to be met head-on and stamped out.

The social media addiction

From the past few days, I did not get the time to use social media as often as I would. Today when I went back on social media I realised that I am falling back into the cycle of comparing my life with people. It then hit me that from a past few days where I was busy, the world around me changed, the birds were chirping, the flowers were blooming. This was a joke obviously.

But I did notice that I wasn’t comparing my life and was focussing on myself.

Social media is a place where everyone shows how perfect their lives are, even if taking that one picture took them three hours of hard work. Scrolling through social media makes us have questions like

How are they going out daily?

How are they having so many friends?

How do they get such good pictures?

Well, I am not hating on the people who have friends or spend time taking their pictures. They are doing what they want which is good. The problem arises when we start thinking of their lives as “perfect” and start looking down on our lives.

Let’s take an example of how social media makes us feel bad about our lives:

Imagine you have a day planned for working or doing an assignment. Let me tell you which is completely normal. But then you go on social media and see people have fun and it makes you feel bad about your life.

 I know we do like posting a picture and getting likes and comments. So, I am not telling you to stop using social media. I am just asking you to remember where to stop. So today when I realised that I was going to fall back in that cycle I stopped and took a break from social media. I went and did something else because I am in a good place right now and I don’t want other people’s life to affect my life.

So the next time you are using social media always remember a few things:

No one has a perfect life: There is no such thing as a perfect life, every person has their share of problems. So, don’t make yourself feel bad about why your life isn’t perfect.

Everything we see is not real: we see stories of people going out every day. Well, they may not always have as much fun as it is shown on social media. I have ordered a few fancy-looking food and, to tell you the truth it did not taste as good as it looked. Even in stories that people post with their friends, they show how much fun they are having but in reality, people are just sitting and are using their devices and scrolling through social media.

Quality not quantity: having a big friend group is fun but they have a lot of drama too. So if you are someone with even 2-4 good friends, appreciate that because you would rather spend time with real friends than be surrounded by fake friends.

Gratitude: we need to be grateful for all that we have. We know that some people don’t even have what we currently have. If you are reading this article that means you do have a device to read it in so be thankful for that and don’t compare your life with people.

Live in the moment: There is a difference between living the moment and, only capturing it. I remember going to a concert and only recording the concert and not really enjoying it or living the moment. I wished that I lived in the moment. But, I was 13 at that time and lacked brain cells. So, don’t repeat my mistake.

Social media is a great platform and can be used to promote small businesses, raise funds, help people out, make money, become an influencer, etc. But if your mental health is getting affected by it and you are subconsciously feeling bad about your life you need to stop and take a break from it.

Rebellion of veerapandya kattabomman 1790-1799

Veerapandya kattabomman

Veerapandya kattabomman became the palayakkar of panchalamkurichi at the age of thirty on the death of his father,Jagavira Pandya kattabomman.The company’s administrators James London and Colin Jackson ,had considered him a man of peaceful disposition.However ,soon several events led to conflicts between veerapandya kattabomman and the East India company.The Nawab under the provisions of a treaty signed in 1781,had assigned the revenue of the Carnatic to the company to be entirely under their management and control during the war with Mysore sultan.One-sixth of the revenue was to be allowed to meet the expenses of Nawab and his family.The company had gained the right to collect taxes from panchalamkurichi.The company appointed it’s collectors to collect taxes from all the palayams.The collectors humiliated the palayakkarars and adopted force to collect the taxes .This was the bone of contention between the English and kattabomman.

Confrontation with Jackson


The land revenue arrear from kattabomman was 3310 pagodas in 1798.collector Jackson,an arrogant English officer, wanted to send an army to collect the revenue dues but the Madras government did not give him permission.On 18 August 1798,he ordered kattabomman to meet him in Ramanathapuram.But kattabomman attempts to meet him in between proved futile ,as Jackson refused to give him audience both in courtallam and srivilliputhur.At last,an interview was granted and kattabomman met Jackson in Ramanathapuram on 19 sep 1798.It is said that kattabomman had to stand for three hours before the haughty collector Jackson .sensing  danger , kattabomman tried to escape ,along with his minister sivasubramanianar.Oomaithurai suddenly entered the fort with his men and helped the escape of kattabomman .At the gate of the Ramanathapuram fort there was a clash ,in which some people including Lieutenant Clarke were killed.Sivasubramanianar was taken prisoner.

Appeance before Madras council

On his return to panchalamkurichi , kattabomman represented to the Madras council about how he was ill-treated by the collector about how he was ill-treated by the collector Jackson.The council asked kattabomman to appear before a committe with William brown , William Oram and John casamajor as members.Meanwhile,governor Edward Clive , ordered the release of sivasubramaniyanar and the suspension of the collector Jackson.kattabomman appeared before the committee that sat on 15 Dec 1798 and reported on what transpired in Ramanathapuram.The committee found kattabomman was not guilty.Jackson was collector S.R.Lushington appointed.kattabomman cleared almost all the revenue arrears leaving only a balance of 1080 pagodas

Kattabomman and the confederacy of palayakkarars

In the meantime ,Maruthu pandiyar of sivagangai formed the south Indian confederacy of rebels aganist the British,with the neighbouring palayakkars like Gopla Nayak of Dindigul and Yadul Nayak of Aanamalai .Maruthu pandiyar acted as it’s leader.The Tiruchirappalli proclamation had been made.Kattabomman from meeting the Maruthu Brothers .But Maruthu Brothers and kattabomman jointly decided on a confrontation with the English.Kattabomman tried to influence sivagiri Palayakkarars,who refused to join . Kattabomman advanced towards sivagiri.But the palayakkarars of sivagiri was a tributary to the company.So the company considered the expedition of Kattabomman as a challenge to their authority.The company ordered the army to march on to Tirunelveli.

The siege of panchalamkurichi

In May 1799,Lord Wellesley issued orders from Madras for the advance of forces from Tiruchirappalli,Thanjavur and Madurai to Tirunelveli.Major Bannerman commanded the troops .The Travancore troops too joined the British .On 1 sep 1799,an ultimatum was served on kattabomman to surrender.kattabomman’s “evasive reply “prompted Bannerman to attack his fort.Bannerman moved his entire army to panchalamkurichi on 5 September.They cut off all the communications to the fort.Bannerman deputed Ramalinganar to convey a message asking kattabomman to surrender.Kattabomman refused.Ramalinganar gathered all the secrets of the Fort,and on the basis of his report, Bannerman decided the strategy if the Operation.In a clash at kallarpatti , Sivasubramaniyanar was taken a prisoner.

Execution of kattabomman

Kattabomman escaped to pudukottai .The British put a prize on his head . Betrayed by the rajas of Ettayapuram and pudukottai kattabomman was finally captured.Sivasubramanianar was executed at Nagalapuram on the 13 September . Bannerman made a mockery of a trial for kattabomman in front of the palayakkarars on 16 October.During the trial kattabomman bravely admitted all the charges levelled against him.Kattabomman was hanged from a tamarind tree in the old fort of Kayathar ,close to Tirunelveli,in front of the fellow palayakkarars.Thus ended the life of the celebrated palayakkarars of panchalamkurichi.Many folk ballads on Kattabomman helped keep his memory alive among the people.

Institute of Chartered Accountants ofIndia (ICAI)

• statutory body set up in 1949 – by The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.

• premier accounting body.

• regulates the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country.

• functions under the administrative control of
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

• second largest professional body of Chartered Accountants in the world.
• Management:
 in accordance with the provisions of Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the Chartered Accountants Regulations of 1988.
 Council – empowered to frame Regulations under the Act and to constitute necessary standing and non-standing Committees.
 40 members – 32 elected by CAs and 8 nominated by the Central Government.
 nominees generally represent the Comptroller and Auditor General of India,
SEBI, Ministries of Corporate Affairs and Finance etc.

• maintains highest standards in technical,
ethical areas and for sustaining stringent
examination and education standards.

Role:
 Regulate the profession of Accountancy
 Education and Examination of Chartered Accountancy Course
 Continuing Professional Education of Members
 Conducting Post Qualification Courses
 Formulation of Accounting Standards
 Prescription of Standard Auditing Procedures
 Laying down Ethical Standards
 Monitoring Quality through Peer Review
 Ensuring Standards of performance of Members
 Exercise Disciplinary Jurisdiction
 Financial Reporting Review
 Input on Policy matters to Government .

• functions– Educational, Regulatory and Disciplinary.
 formulates the code of ethics to be followed by its members.