Effect of Advertising and Mass Communication to the Society Research Paper

Effect of Advertising and Mass Communication to the Society - Research Paper Example This view, though still pandemic, was largely reproached by the research conducted in the 1940s and 1950s. These studies found that the voters with strongest political interests were the most likely to pay contemplation to the campaign and therefore were least likely to be affected by the campaign. Recently, research has aggrandized to move beyond looking only at the effects that media and contents of media have on individuals and society to observing on how living in a world with all-inescapable media change the nature of our interactions and culture. This essay will mainly focus on the effects of media on the interaction and culture of the society as a whole. (Ryan, J., & Wentworth, W. M. 1999) Mass Communication (media) is a strong force in the modern culture, particularly in the United States. Sociologists refer to this as a mediated culture where the media illustrates and creates the culture. Communities and individuals are assailed constantly with messages from a several source s including TV, billboards, and magazines etc. These messages endorse not only the products, but moods, attitudes and behaviors of the people of the society. Mass communication makes the possible visualization of celebrity: without the ability of films, magazines, and news to reach across thousands of miles, people could not become distinguished. As a matter of fact, only political figures and businessmen as well as some few notorious fugitives were famous in the past. (In Schramm, W., & In Roberts, D. F. 1971) The present level of media saturation has never existed before. As recently as the 1960s and 1970s, the television, for instance, consisted of mainly three networks, public broadcasting and a few local independent stations. These channels targeted their contents and programs primarily at the small, middle-class families. Even at that time, some middle-class families did not own a television. But today, one can find a television in the most poor of the homes and more than one TVs in the middle-class homes. Not only the availability has increased but the programming is increasingly assorted with shows aimed to satisfy the viewers of all ages, incomes, backgrounds and attitudes. The vast availability makes the television the cardinal focus of major mass-media discussions. And recently, the Internet has alleviated its role exponentially as more businessmen and ordinary working and non-working people â€Å"sign in.† While TV and Internet has dictated the mass communication (media), movies and magazines, specifically those lining the egress at grocery checkout points – also play an important role in culture as other forms of media do. (Ekstrom, R. R. 1992). The culturist theory, which was developed in the 1980s and 1990s, combines the previous two theories and illustrates that people interact with media to establish their own meanings out of the pictures and messages they receive. This theory observes the viewers as playing an active rather than a passive role in relation to mass communication. One research focuses on the audiences and how they interact with media while the other research focuses on those who create the media, especially the news. (Yssing, H. L., Handelshojskolen 2000) The researchers emphasize that the viewers choose what to watch among a wide range of channels and also how much to watch, and may choose the mute option or the VCR remote over the channel

Reliability of Methylphenidate as a Cognitive Enhancer

Reliability of Methylphenidate as a Cognitive Enhancer Methylphenidate (amphetamine), an inhibitor which acts on the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has been widely cited in Bioethicist literature as having the capability to improve cognitive ability in healthy individuals (Husain Mehta, 2011). Methylphenidate is widely used a wake promoting agent during training, in students to in the aim to increase their grades and in many academic professionals to maintain their performance. However, the effects of cognitive enhancement by methylphenidate are somewhat modest and large amount of variability exists between individuals. In patients with ADHD methylphenidate drugs such as Ritalin, perform well promoting attention; similarly, in healthy individuals an improvement is seen as Ritalin aids spatial working memory performance and improves executive functions in novel tasks (Mehta et al., 2000; Elliot et al., 1997). In the analysis of the effects of Ritalin through PET scans Mehta et al., (2000) conveyed that methylphenidate induced a reduction of blood flow in the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, increasing performance accuracy in spatial working memory tasks ( SWM) (Owen et al., 1996). SWM is localised in the prefrontal cortex, where damage to this area will lead to impairment in SWM tasks (Murphy et al., 1996). This suggests the increase of visual attention and improvement on visual working memory tasks may be due to the selective modulation effects of methylphenidate on the parietal, frontal and extra striate occipital regions- a finding synonymous with early research into monkeys and mono aminergic modulation of cognitive functions (Bernardi et al., 1982). However, recent exploration into fMRI and DCM studies on the brain show noradrenergic systems can influence neuronal excitability in regions engaged in sensory processing and visuospatial attention, thus suggesting that perhaps methylphenidate is less specific and affects functional connectivity across the brain network (Grefkes, 2010). The neural mechanisms by which, methylphenidate effects are primarily evident in the CNS; where the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain is caused by the blocking their reuptakes-thus increasing the expression of the dopamine transporter DAT and blocking of the monoamine transporter 2. By doing so reducing activity of monoamine oxidase and increasing the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase is inhibited (Fibiger et al., 1971). Where levels of DAT are high in ADHD patients, inducing Ritalin restores catecholamine and alters dopaminergic firing systems, subsequently reducing synaptic transmission on the D2 and D3 dopamine receptors (Goldstein et al., 2000). Thus dopamine levels would be reduced and normalise deficiencies and improve concentration. A clear example of this is shown in Volkow et al., (2012) , where methylphenidate given orally blocks 60% of DAT sites whilst increasing dopamine concentrations in the striatum ( by 8% to 16%) reducing hyperactivity in in A DHD patients. However, in normal patients the intake of methamphetamine could result in a DAT overexpression or hypo-dopaminergic activity and could possibly lead to enhanced cognition. Additionally, the prolonged use of methylphenidate could result in the downward regulation of dopamine D2 receptors and uptake sites, similar to the reinforcement effects in amphetamines like cocaine, emphasizing impulsive behaviour like gambling and hyper sexuality (Voltz, 2008 Cools.,2007). Additionally, hypodopemenergic activity within the basal ganglia could lead to involuntary movements (Dyskinesia) it is often difficult to test the neuro-enhancement in healthy individuals caused by methylphenidate. In general cognitive processes one would subsume an enhancement would be on the emotional, motivational and cognitive functions within healthy individuals. Unlike other drugs such as AChEI (used in the treatment of the neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer’s) where Emre etal., (2004) and McKeith et al.,(2000) convey positive effects of AChEI on cognition and neuropsychiatric measures such as mood , anxiety and visual hallucinations- the use of methylphenidate conveys quite modest results on cognitive enhancement (Mehta et al., 2011). Although previous research by Rependatis (2010), found the use of methylphenidate increases memory, there was no consistent evidence to support a substantial effect. Additionally, though Mehta et al ., (2000) did convey that Ritalin did improve spatial working memory, a finding supported by Elliot et al., (1997). However, in a recent analysis Mehta et al (2011) attributes previous findings to the variance of baseline ability. The plethora of research surround the effect of methylphenidate is largely inconsistent and there is little evidence to suggest methylphenidate can be used as a cognitive enhancer. Contrariwise to popular belief, there has been evidence to suggest that methylphenidate could actually impair previous cognitive abilities (Schaaf et al.,, 2013 ). In testing the effects of Ritalin on reward and punishment learning in healthy students, Schaaf et al., (2013), conveyed that the effect of Ritalin on baseline spatial working memory tasks varied in terms of tasks and demand between individuals. Although, methylphenidate improved reward and punishment behaviour in high working memory subjects, it impaired those with low working memory . These inconsistent results may be partially due to the inverted U shape, whereby dopamine D1 antagonist can selectively modulate cognitive processes, such as SWM. Excessive levels of D1 in the prefrontal cortex can impair working memory (Vijayraghavan et al.,2007). However, adverse effects of methylphenidate can also been seen in repeated use ( Lapworth et al.,2009). Lapworth et al., (2009) suggest that methylphenidate is associated with hostility, aggression, and psychotic symptoms in repeated users, where the repeated use of methylphenidate increases â€Å"positive psychotic symptoms that contribute to a perception of the environment as a hostile and threatening place as well as by increasing impulsivity†. The reliability and validity of the aforementioned research comes into context when looking at the methods for testing the cognitive effects of methylphenidate on healthy individuals. A large body of research lacks substance and is largely inconclusive do to the variability in methods, additionally the generalizability attributed to methylphenidate be taken with a reasonable amount of judicious concern (Tucha O,2006) . So far there have been no comprehensive studied in normal subjects showing a fair effect of methylphenidate as a cognitive enhancer. A fundamental flaw in research is largely evident in a lack of standardized testing methods. For example, In ADHD patients there is a clear deficiency which one is able to target and improve to normalise baseline levels of hyperactivity however, in normal individuals there is no baseline. How one compare against a â€Å"standard of enhancement† when there does is no standard for which to compare. Additionally, when using methods su ch as SWM It’s difficult to subsume that the change in cognition is due to methylphenidate rather than other cognitive processes. A researcher is yet to be able to pinpoint the source of effect as the brain involves a process of complex, interlinked networks. A classic example of this exists in Mehta et al (2000) research to test the effects of methylphenidate. Participants were presented with a spatial working memory task, tested with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery Test (CANTAB). Results showed the dependent variables like spatial memory were enhanced by the IV (Mehta et al 2001). However, in a later study Mehta et al (2011), attributed the findings to the effect sizes, where average ratings for the effect of ADHD are produced by caregiver and parent responses, thus they are not correct methods of analysis for cognitive effects rather they convey behavioural effects. Furthermore, the majority of research presented on methylphenidate does not fairly analys e the negative effects with inducing methylphenidate, instead Elliot et al., (1979) purely focus on the positive effects and do not report any negative side effects, thus resulting in a bias portrayal of the overall cognitive effects of methylphenidate. Moreover on further analysis of the literature it is also evident that there is a large disparity in the duration of the trials presented and the dosages of methylphenidate given. For instance Mehta et al.,(2000) uses almost 20 mg more than Elliot et al., (1979) and Reprantis et al., (2000). In a larger context the reliability of methylphenidate as a cognitive enhancers is somewhat limited due to a complete lack of evidence and dubious testing methods. Research would benefit from further analysis to improve standard baselines and methods of comparison within pharmacology. References Bernardi, G., Cherubini, E., Marciani, M.G., Mercuri, N., Stanzione, P. (1982) Responses of intracellularly recorded cortical neurons to the ionto-phoretic application of dopamine. Brain Res 245:267–274. Cools R (2007). Impulsive personality predicts dopamine-dependent changes in frontostriatal activity during component processes of working memory. J. Neurosci.27:5506–5514. Emre, M., Aarsland, D., Albanese, A., Byrne, E. J., Deuschl, G., De Deyn, P. P., Lane, R. (2004). Rivastigmine for dementia associated with Parkinsons disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(24), 2509-2518. Elliott, R., Sahakian, B. J., Matthews, K., Bannerjea, A., Rimmer, J., Robbins, T. W. (1997). Effects of methylphenidate on spatial working memory and planning in healthy young adults. Psychopharmacology, 131(2), 196-206. Fibiger, H. C., McGeer, E. G. (1971). Effect of acute and chronic methamphetamine treatment on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in brain and adrenal medulla. European journal of pharmacology, 16(2), 176-180 Gibbs A.A.(2007). The role of dopamine in attentional and memory biases for emotional information. Am. J. Psychiatry, 164 :1603–1609. Goldstein, R. Z., Volkow, N. D. (2002). Drug addiction and its underlying neurobiological basis: neuroimaging evidence for the involvement of the frontal cortex. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(10), 1642-1652. Husain, M. Mehta, M.A. (2011). Cognitive enhancement by drugs in health and disease Trends in Cognitive Sciences 15, 28-36. Lapworth, K., Dawe, S., Davis, P., Kavanagh, D., Young, R., Saunders, J. (2009). Impulsivity and positive psychotic symptoms influence hostility in methamphetamine users. Addictive behaviors, 34(4), 380-385. Mehta, M. A., Owen, A. M., Sahakian, B. J., Mavaddat, N., Pickard, J. D., Robbins, T. W. (2000). Methylphenidate enhances working memory by modulating discrete frontal and parietal lobe regions in the human brain. J Neurosci, 20(6). McKeith, I., Del Ser, T., Spano, P., Emre, M., Wesnes, K., Anand R.(2000). Efficacy of rivastigmine in dementia with Lewy bodies: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled international study. Lancet f; Vol. 356, issue 9247: 2031–6 Owen A.M., Evans A.C., Petrides, M. (1996) Evidence for a two-stage model of spatial working memory processing within lateral frontal cortex: a positron emission tomography Study. Cereb Cortex 6:31–38. Repantis, D. (2010) Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: a systematic review. Pharmacol. Res. 62:187–206. Tucha O. Methylphenidate-induced improvements of various measures of attention in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.(2006) J. Neural. Transm. 113:1575–1592 van der Schaaf, M. E., Fallon, S. J., ter Huurne, N., Buitelaar, J., Cools, R. (2013). Working memory capacity predicts effects of methylphenidate on reversal learning. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(10), 2011-2018. Vijayraghavan, S., Wang, M., Birnbaum, S. G., Williams, G. V., Arnsten, A. F. (2007). Inverted-U dopamine D1 receptor actions on prefrontal neurons engaged in working memory. Nature neuroscience, 10(3), 376-384. Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Tomasi, D., Kollins, S. H., Wigal, T. L., Newcorn, J. H., Swanson, J. M. (2012). Methylphenidate-elicited dopamine increases in ventral striatum are associated with long-term symptom improvement in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Journal of Neuroscience, 32(3), 841-849. Volz, T. J. (2008). Neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of methylphenidate. Current neuropharmacology, 6(4), 379.

The Common Goals of Feminism Essay -- Feminist Theory

Feminism and all branches of feminism have a number of common goals. These goals include the analysis of gender inequalities and the effects of other systems of oppression such as race and class. In most cases, the analysis is intersectional, recognizing how each system can be inclusive to other systems resulting in different levels of oppression. In the case of a woman, who is black and lesbian, versus a woman, who is white and lesbian, there are different levels of oppression. Although together these two women experience gender inequalities with men and sexuality inequalities with heterosexuals, they still have different experiences with race inequalities and in that way are oppressed differently. The point of feminism would be to show that as a group, whichever group or should I say groups one may fall into, you experience privilege or you don’t, more or less. Care must be taken when using such a description of the term feminism because its many branches have many dis tinct characteristics of their own. Black feminism, western feminism, post colonial feminism, multicultural feminism, radical feminism, and social feminism were developed at different points in history and had main focuses that may or may not have been beneficial to the cause or successful in any way. Liberal and social feminism both began to emerge around the same time in pursuit of an analysis of those differences in legal rights received among men and women as well as those social differences that resulted in the roles that women have been taught to assume. Around the late 1700’s, the concern for rights such as property ownership, child custody, ability to sue for divorce, admission into colleges and universities, and employment opportunities that... ...le University Press, 1992 Hooks, Bell. â€Å"Black Women: Shaping Feminist Theory† Feminism and ‘Race’ Bhavani, Kum Kum, ed. Oxford University Press, 2001` Kimmel, Michael S. â€Å"From ‘ Conscience and Common Sense’ to ‘Feminism for Men’† Feminism and Men: Reconstructing Gender Relations. Schacht, Steven and Ewing, D, eds. New York University Press 1998 Messner, Michael A. â€Å"Radical Feminist and Socialist Feminist Men’s Movements in the United States† Feminism and Men: Reconstructing Gender Relations. Schacht, Steven and Ewing, D, eds. New York University Press 1998 Spelman, Elizabeth V. â€Å"Gender & Race: The Ampersand Problem in Feminist Thought† Feminism and ‘Race’ Bhavani, Kum Kum, ed. Oxford University Press, 2001 Wollstonecraft, Mary. â€Å"From A Vindication of the Rights of Woman† Feminist Theory: A Reader. Guy-Sheftall, Beverly, ed. South End Press, 1984

Environmental issues in Asia

Developing countries face severe environmental issues as the rapid economic and population growth had created serious social and environmental problems which if left unattended can bring about very serious consequences. Some of these burning environmental issues faced by these Asian regions are the deforestation, global warming, air and water pollution, limited safe drinking water etc. apart from this manipulation of the natural resources and using unhealthy ways and means for developmental purposes is slowly destroying the resources of these nations which are of serious concern and needs immediate steps by the government and non governmental organizations to protect and rescue them from extinction. Two main problems that I wish to discuss in this research paper is air pollution and the increasing deficit in drinking water supply which is a great threat to the nations overall economic development. India is a fast developing country and its growth in the IT and industrial sector over the years is abundant. With the per capita income increasing with the sudden boom in industrial and technological sectors purchasing power has increased. Easy EMI and retail option enable almost anyone to get a vehicle and as the result traffic congestion, air pollution and noise pollution etc have increased thereby endangering the whole atmosphere and paving way to global warming. Water is the elixir of life we all know but although the world is third filled with water drinking water is available in limited quantity. India largely depends on monsoon rains for it agriculture and underground drinking water resources. Due to environmental issues like global warming, air pollution, industrial wastes, use of fertilizers etc result in less rainfall. Moreover the little rainfall received is wasted as it reaches the ocean without any proper preservation methods. The existing dams and water reservoirs are maintained poorly and hence little water collected due to seasonal rains are wasted. Hence an emergency plan to preserve this resource is necessary and steps to minimize air pollution should also be undertaken. Land usage in India: Area of the country: 3287260sq.kms Cultivable area: 1839560sq.kms Cultivated land area: 1697000sq.kms Population: Total population 1038056000 Rural: 71%  Ã‚  Ã‚   urban – 29% (www.indiastat.com) Water resources: Internal renewable water: 1260540 million cubic meters Total renewable water 1907760 million cubic meters Water use: Total withdrawal: 500000 million cubic meters Agriculture: 92% Domestic: 5% Industrial: 3% Irrigation: Irrigation potential: 1135120 sq. kms Land under irrigation: 501010 sq. kms Surface irrigation: 493300 sq. kms Area irrigated with surface water 40.5% Area irrigated with ground water 53% ( research paper on survey of Indian resources – 2005) The above facts clearly state the environmental condition of this great nation. The need for ground water for irrigation alone is almost 53% and this ground water level is diminishing today due to lack of rains and improper irrigation methods. The surface water again is becoming polluted because of unhygienic and improper maintenance and preservation methods. Further use of chemicals and pesticides for industry and agriculture has highly polluted both surface and ground water. When agriculture uses highly toxic pesticides it destroys not only the soil but also the water underneath. Some of the reasons for water scarcity in India are rising demand for water as population increases over extraction of surface and ground level water delay in completion of developmental projects due to lack of funds and political pressure or instable governments contamination of water resources due to the increased human impact globalization and industrial development polluting air ad water thereby altering urban climate Etc. There is a huge demand for water in the years to come especially keeping in mind the population the demand seems to be a nightmare. In almost all parts of India water deficiencies show an increasing trend and the surplus show a decreasing trend Four states and one union territory   have no surplus water The availability of water will reduce one fifth in three decades Government role to curb further water shortage: From time to time government plays a major part in implementing measures to check this water scarcity. Development projects like building dams, reservoirs, cleaning tanks and increasing awareness to store and use drinking water sensibly is being undertaken. State and central governments join together and use the allotted funds to implement such projects. But political pressure, unstable government and lack of funds create a void in these projects which is either dropped or not put into practice wholly. Moreover bribery in all fields curbs the growth and development of these projects. Although many NGO’S and non governmental organizations and business establishments try to fund these projects the funds are highly misused or mishandled by faulty politicians. Balanced growth in both agriculture and industry is needed for a countries overall performance and development. But industry is developing in India in a faster pace and it looks like agriculture is neglected. Plans to curb air pollution are needed desperately as it affects the rain and overall climatic condition of the nation. More plants should be planted and forests should be conserved and all measures to save rain water undertaken. Rain water harvesting was seriously implemented in some states and the result is yet to be seen. The roads and the infrastructure is very poor and even the slightest rain causes flash floods. Proper drainage and town planning is missing in cities like Mumbai and Chennai. Great awareness of the results of such negligence should be spread around and people should be educated as to the affects of global warming and air pollution. Individuals should take this mission in their hands to ensure safety for future generation. Every successful business concern should adopt one area or town to implement development projects like planting trees, cleaning drinking water reservoirs and dam’s etc. individuals for their part should maintain hygiene and prevent wastage of water. Governments should curb the vehicles promotion by making strict laws against easy availability of driving license and fine or punishment if driving unchecked vehicles against air and noise pollution. Industries should be made to dispose their chemicals and smoke safely so as not to pollute the air and water. Strict laws and cancellation of their industrial license should be enacted. If everyone could use water sensibly and avoid polluting substances India would become a super power rich in natural resources and hygiene. Short term practical solutions: Keeping the surroundings clean and maintaining a social responsibility to preserve and conserve our natural resources is every individual’s imminent responsibility Creating social awareness of this burning issue among the general public by conducting seminars, student programs and through entertainment to educate even the uneducated and down trodden To keep water bodies clean and check for pollution from nearby factories and industries Proper recycle of industrial wastes Undeterred implementation of government development schemes Strict implementation of anti pollution laws Increasing facilities in public transport and curtailing the use of private transport facilities Planting more trees Long term practical solutions: general infrastructure of the cities and towns should be properly planned and implemented keeping the long term benefit in mind strict adherence to herbal petrol and enabling gas or pollution free fuel regular pollution control checks in vehicles and factories strict laws against faulty companies which release industrial waste into water bodies building tanks, dams and reservoirs to save the excess rain water from reaching the sea soil promotion and banning chemical pesticides in agriculture organic farming should be encouraged and promoted funds must be set aside for developmental projects awareness for the need for funds should be created among NRI and all steps to utilize these funds properly should be undertaken social organizations, business establishments and individuals should be encouraged to undertake or adopt certain social duties to minimize government pressure Singapore is the world’s second free economy and second most competitive Asian economy. It is the best con nected countries with a robust infrastructure to suit another century or so. Globally connected, top ranking business environment, with stable infrastructure and diverse world class business solutions has made Singapore the top ranked and most preferred business ground. Free trade will definitely enable people from all over the world to throng Singapore but how does it maintain its resources against the growing demand, how is it possible for this small nation to keep its streets and water bodies clean and vehicles free from polluting the atmosphere. With a total land area of only 699.0 sq. km together with the mainland and other small islands surrounding it has a annual rainfall of about 2,136 mm. the resident population is 4,483,900 and mainly consist of immigrants from neighboring Asian countries like china and India. The literacy rate above 15 years is 95% and the per capita GDP is S$ 44,666. Labor force in this country is 2,367,300 and the unemployment rate is just 3.4%. ( http://www.sedb.com/edb/sg/en_uk/index/why_singapore/singapore_rankings.html ) The country synthesis report on urban air quality management conducted in 2006 clearly states the measures taken by Singapore to prevent or restrict air pollution. The ambient AQ is regularly monitored with the help of 14 air monitoring machines placed across the island of Singapore. This monitoring has aided in the review of pollution control measures and this has given a positive result in controlling air pollution in the country. AQ monitoring methods used are based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The offenders were prosecuted and were required to take remedial action. Since 1971 many laws are set up to maintain clean air focusing much on vehicular pollution and industrialization. The EPCA combines laws for air, water and noise pollution and gives a legislative framework to control pollution of the environment. Lead petrol was stopped and slowly the level of sulfur from diesel was also reduced considerably to control and reduce emission from vehicles. Ultra low sulfur diesel was introduced to implement euro 4 emission standard and it took effect from October 2006. Air quality in Singapore is the best in the world and it was possible only through strict measures taken by the government to control emission and resolve different forms of pollution. Green plan 2012 is another great step undertaken to further improve the quality of the environment for the years to come. (http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/category_sub.asp?cid=29 ) Highly compatible and well maintained reservoirs catch every drop of rain water and this is utilized by almost half of Singapore uses this water. New projects to build new dams and reservoirs desalination plants, etc are also are being developed. To aid in this mission MEWater is set up which is high quality water received from water reclamation from 2003. Sustainability and cleanliness of water supply and environment is maintained well as Singapore stands tall as a very good example of how we should conserve and preserve our natural resources for a better tomorrow. It is clearly evident that Singapore has successfully implemented anti pollutant measures and even though its economy is growing fast the infrastructure and the low pollution levels are unchanged. There is enough water to meet all the growing needs and the greenery and the cleanliness stands proof of the people commitment to make their country a higher power standing out and setting an example to all other nations. Asian countries like India and china can take this as an example and with proper coordination with this country try to implement such strict rules in their country too. Finally it is a joint responsibility of both the government and the individuals and they should both commit themselves to make a better, cleaner and pollution free nation not only for us but also to our future generations. Reference: Survey of Indian resources – research paper submitted to the Annamalai Open University. India   www.indiastat.com http://www.sedb.com/edb/sg/en_uk/index/why_singapore/singapore_rankings.html http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/category_sub.asp?cid=29            

Difference Between Your Mother and Your Grandmother

Difference between Your Mother and Grandmother ‘Grandma’, a word which fills you with emotion as soon as you hear it. She is a person who would go over the top to fight for you. Be it her own son, or even her soulmate, she would fight with anybody to defend you. Even if you’re wrong, even if you hurt her, she would be good to you no matter what. Your mom, for once, might hit you, scold you, but your grandma would never do that. Mothers have the household to look after, but you; believe me, you mean the world to your grandma.She, being elder to your mom, has several stories to share with you, her own life experiences as well, though some turn out to be boring, I bet you’d enjoy most of them. She’d even make false promises, like if you’d make a mistake, she’d stand by your side, saying, â€Å"Oh, he’s just a kid. Forgive him this time, he’ll never do it again,† to the person who’s scolding you. She’d bla me herself for your mistakes, saving you from the trouble, and being in soup herself. But despite all this, grandmothers are believed to spoil children.Parents often shout at them for giving so much of ‘unconditional’ love and all they do is listen, without a word. Now, I’d like to share my personal experience. My grandma was a talented and well-educated lady. We’d often sit and gossip about stuff, and play cards with each other. I also enjoyed her company. She, till class VII, was my teacher as well. All I am today is because of her. Everybody asked me to take tuitions at home, but I refused every time because she was more of a friend to me, than a teacher.Being the oldest woman in the family, she was in charge of all the money matters of the house. She used to keep some change in her purse, which always ended up in my pocket. Though dad often asked her not to give me so much of money, she used to agree, but I somehow managed to butter her up and get the notes and she also could not say ‘no’ to me, and was ready to give me whatever I wanted, as and when demanded. I cannot recollect a single occasion when she did not pay me. But due to her old age, her health was deteriorating for some time now.She was undergoing depression for the past seven-eight months and finally, she left for heaven earlier this year. In the end, I’d like to tell my fellow classmates who still have their grandparents with them that guys, you’re lucky to have such great people in your life. Respect them, and spend time with them. I wish I had practiced what I’m preaching because when on the bed, she used to call me, but all I did was giving a silly reason continuing to enjoy my own life and I still regret it. I wish I could thank her for all she did for me, but life is not always the way you want it to be.