The story after born leadership.

There are numerous theories proposed by various experts in the field of leadership and its effective management since the early western history. Leadership has always been an interesting yet a very much complex subject for researchers because of certain ideologies which are questionable and debatable. There are many people who believe in continuous hardship and effort to be successful and effective leaders although certain facts and scientific statistics support the idea that successful leaders have an innate quality since their birth. Here are some key demonstrations on these arguments based upon three major attributions on the support of the idea that leaders are born: firstly, personality trait is naturally built, not necessarily built through the process of development; secondly the inheritance of trait is genetically transformed with cognitive abilities; and thirdly, behavioural skills and talents are not just a mere result of hardship and effort.

The first reason behind a successful leader is the personality trait that a leader naturally owns throughout their life. Personality trait states that it is the propensity of an individual to become a leader if he/she has distinctive and specific traits (Russel 2011). Everyone does possess certain traits but some people are exceptionally rich with such typical traits that lead them towards the path of leadership. However, there are certain arguments that claim the personality traits required for an effective leadership are achieved by an individual throughout time and experience. Behavioural theory of leadership states that people can be an effective leader through observation, experience and teaching (Lewin 1935 as cited in Russel 2011). Also, this theory highlights the actions rather than personality characteristics of effective leadership and management. For example, one of the attributes of personality is charisma. The behavioural framework believes charisma is not a part of personal qualities but more importantly interplay between the attributes and aspirations (Conger & Kanungo 1987, p. 637-47). It may be true to an extent, but there are some definite innate traits which cannot be learnt throughout one’s life. Traits such as extroversion, confidence, decisiveness, charisma and others are some of the qualities that a born leader shows whenever necessary. These qualities cannot be learnt or taught as these attributes are an abstracts which is connected with the natural inclination that evolves the aspiration for an individual to become a leader. For instance, it is not necessary to train a dog to be loyal as it is an innate quality of the dog to be loyal for its master. Likewise, we can take an account of various leaders like Gandhi, Alexander the Great, Abraham Lincoln and Prithvi Narayan Shah who were not taught to lead their jobs the way they did. Instead, their leadership attitude was immutable throughout their whole life (Russel 2011). The world is very much aware of the fact that not every leader has become a successful leader despite having determination and a hard working ethos. Hence, the reason is simple as even though made leaders can be effective through gaining skills and experiences, the overall qualities for a successful leadership cannot be implanted to every person who wants to be a leader.

The second reason to justify the argument that leaders are born is the genetic impact and the lists of cognitive qualities that a born leader owns besides having a relation with surrounding environment and personal life. Based upon Hyacinth’s research (2014), the study states that one third of leaders are born and the remaining two thirds are made. Likewise, another research states that effective leadership is the result of years of dedication and continuous practice and training, not with any innate trait (Ericson, Prietula & Cokely 2007). The Pareto Principle (as cited in Hyacinth 2014) also explains that 80 percentages of leaders are made and rest are born. But, the University of Illinois found leadership is 30 per cent genetic and 70 per cent of cognitive qualities are either gained through gene transfer or gained from social background in case of leaders (Hyacinth 2014) which is a significant difference if taken globally. One cannot underestimate the genetic effect on building up leadership attributes just by highlighting on external factors like social potency, achievement and experience. The fact is that the impact of one gene significantly influences another gene physiologically (Arvey, Rotundo, Johnson, Zheng & MgGue 2006). For example, looking at the history of Nelson Mandela, his father was a tribal leader and a principal counselor in his community (Nelson Mandela Foundation 2016) which proves the gene transformation has an impact on Mandela’s life gaining genes correlated with cognitive and other abilities from his father. Likewise, it is also universal that the field of cognitive neuroscience, related with the brain functioning system states the level of an individual cannot be similar to another person because of the differentiation in neural networks. So it can be logical to rebut the opposing argument which states individuals can achieve similar learning capacities, similar mental abilities and other mechanisms after taking same level of training or education or knowledge on any topic. For instance, we can look at famous leaders as Sir Winston Churchill, the leader with a revolutionary approach led his country from defeat to victory had a ‘leadership gene’ (Williams 2013). Likewise, the University College of London (UCL) after conducting a research on a DNA of more than 4000 individuals found out the conclusion that the differences in leadership can be explained from the genetic effects (UCL 2013). Therefore, it is a mystic yet an acceptable truth that there is a natural cognition that enables the likelihood, interest and motivation for such people in order to become a successful leader, not just through the social and personal experiences.

Finally, the last but another important reason is that natural traits has more influence upon overall leadership and can be discussed under other theories of leadership such as conventional, transformational, behavioural and other theories. In general, all of these theories explain various character traits such as skills, talent, intelligence, emotions, courage and many other special qualities which a successful and effective leader owns. However, some people think that all of these necessary characters are gained through high performance and being focused on values, ethics, learning personality developing qualities by investing extra time for leadership practices. It may be essential to sharpen the behavioural skills of an individual but is behavioural aspect only the reason for an effective leadership? The above mentioned theories are also related to behavioural theory which focuses more on skills, talents and intelligence, but it would be biased to state if it is not connected with the personal character. The art of observing, teaching and gaining experience depends upon which way and how an individual does accepts to prove them an effective leader. Situation and society may change the behaviour of an individual, but there are some particular qualities that a person cannot learn by their own. Qualities such as aspiration, humbleness, politeness, forgiveness, decisiveness, assertiveness cannot be learnt through taking skills or by experiencing it fully. Also, leadership can be learnt by anyone, but not everyone can be effective. There is always a factor that plays an important role to enhance an individual to move forward into continuous hardship and effort.  According to Hyacinth (2014), ‘Leadership can be learned by anyone with the basics. But an awful lot of leadership cannot be taught. Some do well but others find themselves poorly equipped rendering mediocre results.’ Therefore, it is all dependent upon the nature of an individual how accurate can he/she harness the skills and abilities in order to become an effective leader someday.

Leadership is a complex subject with many definitions from many experts. An effective leader is an influencer who influences other people with an accurate idea providing a vision and analyse situations with a proper judgement and sort out problems with innovative and creative ideas. According to Stogdill (1948) and Mann (1959) (as cited in Doyle, M.E. & Smith, M.K. 2001), the traits present in leaders differ from that of the followers.  Hence, to conclude, these traits are special and some of the special traits are ‘gifted’, either from generation to generation through biological process, or through the formation of neural network which is completely different from common individual rather than just only social lifestyle and environment.  For example, Google boys Aditya and Kautilya are two small children at a very small age of 4 and 6 who have numerous, miraculous and unbelievable talents which has amazed the world and it seems they are going to be future leaders in their respective field (National Discovery Channel 2014). This is a supportive and concluding example to the rest of the ideologies which stresses more on ‘made leadership’ which has strong qualities to an extent but not as a whole.

 

References:

Arvey, R.D., Rotundo, M, Johnson, W, Zheng, Z & McGue, M 2006, The determinants of                 leadership role occupancy: genetic and personality factors, National University of             Singapore, viewed 30 June 2016,
http://bschool.nus.edu/departments/ManagementNOrganization/publication/RichArveypublist/leadership%20role%20occupancy.%20arvey.pdf

Conger, J.A & Kanungo, N.R 1987, Towards a behavioural theory of charismatic leadership       in organisational settings, Academy of Management, The Academy of Management   Review, McGill University, vol. 12, no. 4, p.p 637-47             https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jay_Conger/publication/248126140_Toward_a_   Behavioral_Theory_of_Charismatic_Leadership_in_Organizational_Settings/links/55bf7ba808aec0e5f4475e3c.pdf

Doyle, M.E. & Smith, M.K. 2001, ‘Classical leadership’, The encyclopaedia of informal             education, viewed 29 June 2016,
http://infed.org/mobi/classical-models-of-managerial-leadership-trait-behavioural-  contingency-and-transformational-theory/

Ericson, A, Prietula, M.J, & Cokely, E.T 2007, The making of an expert, Harvard Business             Review, viewed 30 June 2016,
https://hbr.org/2007/07/the-making-of-an-expert

Hyacinth, B 2014, Are leaders born or made? A true story, LinkedIn, October 26, viewed 29             June 2016,
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141026042807-150905450-are-leaders-born-or- made-a-true-story

Nelson Mandela Foundation 2006, South Africa, viewed 30 June 2016,                 https://www.nelsonmandela.org

Prince, D 2014, 6 differences between two google boys, National Discovery Channel, October           11, viewed 30 June 2016,
http://www.nationaldiscoverychannel.com/2014/10/6-differences-between-two-google-boys.html

Russell, E 2011, Leadership theories and style: a transitional approach, United States Army   Combined Arms Center, 08 September, viewed 30 June 2016,
http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/repository/dcl_SecondPlaceEssay_1102.pdf

Riggio, R.E. 2009, ‘Leaders: born or made?’ Psychology Today, 18 March, viewed 28 June             2016,
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/200903/leaders-born-or-made

University College London, 2013, Born to lead? Leadership can be an inherited trait, study             finds, UCL, 15 January, viewed 30 June 2016,
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0113/15012013-leadership-genetics

Williams, A 2013, ‘Great leaders are born, not made: their brains are just wired differently;             scientists say’, Daily Mail Australia, April 12, viewed 30 June 2016,                                 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2307900/Natural-leaders-Study-claims-   proof-commanding-figures-Churchill-born-great.html

 

Punishment or Rehabilitation for criminals, a general discussion.

Prison is taken as a remand centre, detention centre or a place for punishment to people found guilty by the state. The history of prison started since the ancient civilization of Rome and it has also been mentioned in other historical texts as well. Prison has been traditionally designed and formulated in order to maintain law and order in the society. The overall purpose of prison is to serve justice for victims by penalizing the culprit and rehabilitate the offender through a sequential pattern in order to reduce recidivism. However, various reasons as the models of punishment, utilitarian approaches and fundamentals of rehabilitation vary according to the system of an individual state and its government. The essay shall focus on different attributions engaged with punishment and reformation through rehabilitation with different supporting ideas concluding with some comparisons, evaluations and ideas on these various models.

Different countries have gone through various methods of punishment from barbaric and tyrannical ways towards more liberal techniques of punishment and it is regarded as one of the predominant factors in criminal justice. Having a brief look at the background on retributivism, it has been regarded a provision of providing justice giving the convicts what they deserve. In addition, it is also regarded as a method of provide justice to the victims. Out of many reasons, the first and major reason is for the administration of justice.  According to Dagger (as cited in Bronsteen 2008), it is the society that gives power to the government for their own protection from criminals and deter the people in order to safe guard the society in future. Secondly, deterrence is regarded as another main reason for punishment. It is the return of a crime committed by the offender in order to make them guilty of what they have done. A bulletin presented by Weatherburn, Hua and Moffatt (2006) for NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows that the level of imprisonment rate in New South Wales prevent around 45,000 burglaries annually as a result of incapacitation. The bulletin has also presented some statistical charts in order to suggest that the rate of re-offense shall decrease if the criminals get incapacitated. The third reason, based upon utilitarian philosophy suggests punishment is required to increase the welfare of society by providing better security. The security is gained by sentencing the criminals or by putting other ways of incarceration methods. Taking an example of India, where the rape cases are highly sensitive cases, Chugh (2013) recommends the government to focus more on capital punishment and serious varieties of incarceration for punishment to such kind of cases. Even though there are some arguments at the international level on capital punishment as it is taken as violation of basic human rights, in order to control these sorts of inhumane crimes, there should be a strict law that can maintain the peace in society. Ultimately, punishment can be referred as a direct theory for retribution which affects the sentencing decision rather than incapacitation and deterrence. It is one of the social expressions which can avoid a chaos in the society.

On the other hand, rehabilitation is taken as a completely different form of criminal justice where an offender is treated through various creative techniques and certain therapy methods to get reintegrated back into the society. An effective and holistic rehabilitation model includes motivation, supportive language used in treatment and overall social behavioural attitude towards the offender. There are various reasons that clarify the importance of rehabilitation. First of all, it is the best way to reduce the effects of any risks by rehabilitation which includes restoration through a good life plan that can be administered in a systematic way.  For instance, good life model plan can be a positive psychological approach for the sexual offenders to enhance their prudential values like self determination, friendship, happiness, creativity and spirituality in their minds. This approach has been implied practically and the achievement has been successful to a greater level because the whole process is carried out understanding every individual’s circumstances and their background (Mann, Ward & Theresa, 2006). Secondly, rehabilitation is the best key to mitigate and reduce recidivism. Offenders in a community are more likely to get involved in another criminal activity after getting released out from prison if they still face problems in life. However, if provided an integrated approach to manage the offenders while they are being sentenced, the rates of recidivism can be lowered to an extensive level. If we look at the example of Norway prison system, the research studies show the rates of recidivism at a very low level. Norway has less than 4000 prisoners in their prison cells throughout the whole country whereas it is around 84000 in United Kingdom. It is not because of the population difference but mainly from the attitude and the behaviour of prison system towards their prisoners. The lenient and liberal system in prison of Norway provides a proper education, vocational life sustaining skills, and job opportunities within the prison which gives the country a better result in less recidivism (James 2013). Thirdly, various treatment programs operated during rehabilitation can create a better economic benefit for the state overall. A statistics provided by Donato and Shanahan (1999) mentions, ‘For an 8 percentage point reduction in recidivism rates, the net economic benefits range from $258,000 to $1.85 million.’ Similarly, reintegrating offenders back to the society can influence the financial accountability of a particular community. Gaining various trainings and skills shall support their livelihood expense and give a contribution through productive community participation in the society. Therefore, rehabilitation has a greater value towards reintegration and restoration in upbringing the offenders back to the society.

Meanwhile, there are certain discussions which are essential for comparing and contrasting both of the prison models. Both retribution and rehabilitation models have been powerful and clinically effective in some cases and there are some negative impacts from these models as well. Firstly, starting with the cases of re-offending crime, researches show that the countries adopting rehabilitation program have a low rate of recidivism in comparison to the countries where retribution acts dominant. For example, a case study from Western Australian prison system from 2005-2010 shows a decreased rate on re offending crimes by the ex-offenders who have pursued correctional education studies during the sentence period (Giles, 2016). Likewise, having an overview at the murder rates of United States and Norway, it would be another supporting fact to prove that rehabilitation is well effective than retribution. United States suffers from the result of a ferocious punishment that has been getting in connection with other crimes (W, 2011). Secondly, taking economy in an account, the expenses allocated for retributive programs have a higher budget with low return in comparison to rehabilitative programs. Let us imagine of a shoplifter being caught stealing goods from a shop. The justice charges him a fine with certain days of sentence in custody. If the culprit would be charged with a heavy fine double than the volume of goods being theft, obviously, the state would raise more rather than keeping the shoplifter inside the bars and providing basic facilities. On the other hand, rehabilitation programs might serve injustice to the victims for severe crimes as rape cases, genocides and other brutal murders. Most of the law makers and high delegates support on the same point that a sanction should be formulated to treat the offender for committing severe crimes and regard as a potential threat to the overall society. These types of severe crimes cannot be a coincidence; therefore the court should address the demands of victims and punish the people who violate law and order of the society. Apparently, retributivism explains that the more severe the crime is, harsher should be the punishment as such crimes needs to be censored from the community. In addition, rehabilitation fails at cases when the culprit pretends to be repentant. There are some cases in crime that cannot be overcome by rehabilitation process and can create an illusion for the state that may be a danger for the state in the future.

To summarize, punishment is a method to prevent the criminal from harming other people living in a community and it also deters other people from committing the crime whereas rehabilitation is a method to change the attitude and behaviour of the criminal to reintegrate them into the society to make a balance and safeguard human rights. Both of the models are equally important and essential in society to maintain a peaceful environment for the overall wellbeing of every citizen. It is clear that both of the models have positive and negative aspects. Therefore, it should be the duty of the state to study the case of a crime from every perspective without any biasness to provide a better justice for the victims and a model of punishment which can includes self-realization and a positive message to other people within the state.

 

 

References:

Bronsteen, J 2008, ‘Retribution’s role’, Indiana Law Journal & The Supplement, vol. 84, pp. 1130-1156, viewed 18 May 2016,
http://ilj.law.indiana.edu/articles/84/84_4_Bronsteen.pdf

Chugh, A 2013, Rape in India: a focus on retribution, Muftah, 12 February, viewed 18 May 2016,
http://muftah.org/rape-in-india-a-focus-on-retribution/#.Vzuc4HYrKUm

Donato, R & Shanahan, M 1999, The economics of implementing Intensive in-prison sex offender treat programs, November, viewed 29 May 2016,
http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi134.pdf

Giles, M 2016, Study in prison reduces recidivism and welfare dependence: A case study from Western Australia 2005-2010, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra, viewed 17 May,
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/501-520/tandi514.html

James, E, 2013, ‘The Norwegian prison where inmates are treated like people’, The Guardian, 25 February, viewed 18 May 2016,
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/feb/25/norwegian-prison-inmates-treated-like-people

Mann, R.E, Ward, T & Theresa, A.G 2006, The good lives model of offender rehabilitation: Clinical implications, 7 March, viewed 20 May 2016,
https://www.ccoso.org/sites/default/files/import/Ward-Mann—Gannon-2007.pdf

Weatherburn, D, Hua, J & Moffatt, S 2006, How much crime does prison stop? The incapacitation effect of prison on burglary, January, viewed 29 May 2016,
http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Documents/CJB/cjb93.pdf

Gender Equality in Education

Since last 100 years, women have raised themselves in social, political, economic and other aspects which certainly contributed many nations to develop in a global market through the means of education. Countries with good education systems have an internationally recognised global ranking on their development perspectives and standards. In fact, developed nations have achieved such rankings through a supporting back bone of equal opportunities provided on education systems to either of the genders regardless of some conflicting issues that still prevails within these countries. While on the other hand, developing countries are still trying to overcome the gender disparities at this moment for such recognitions amongst their society. There are some key factors as teaching methodologies, conceptual contexts of societies in terms of access and opportunities, and the role of a nation’s system towards equal rights that support the evidences on carrying out various practices in gender and education system which are comparatively different in between these two nations.
Conceptual contexts of societies are regarded as norms, values, lifestyles and other various jurisdictions that are contained in a society that play an important role in the gender equality and overall education system in an individual’s life. No doubt, in most of the societies where traditional norms and socio-cultural values are been practiced, it’s the female gender that has always been out casted. ‘More than 542 million women are illiterate, many as a result of inadequate or incomplete schooling. Lack of literacy is generally associated with poverty and discrimination’ (UNESCO 2003:87). This statement is a result of various disparities that includes domestic violence, health hazards as HIV/AIDS, economic dependence, education gap in between male and female, early marriage and others. The Africa Gender Equality Index 2015 gives a wise demonstration on overall structural performance on certain dimensions as equality in economic opportunities, human development and laws according to countries with high gender equality and low gender equality. The available charts and figures on these dimensions demonstrate women have proved a high potentiality and a leadership attitude in their community and on their individual life. However, women of countries like Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Djibouti face problems like predominance in economic liability from male members, high infant mortality rates, physical violence and no control over fertility. Excluding countries like South Africa, Namibia and Mauritius in general, less than 10% of woman have an access to contraception in whole African continent which is an example of poverty resulting into a poor health of a mother in future. Likewise, a sort of similarity on gender disparity can be seen in Asian nations where women are in a minor position to men and have to rely on them socially, culturally and economically. In countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia and other Islamic countries, the extremist religious groups force the government to prohibit female to go for an educational institution and are not allowed to walk alone outside from the house. Rape is regarded as the prime crime against female in India. According to The World Bank, North India and Pakistan face a worse ratio of mortality rates, health treatment and education facility amongst South Asian countries. It shows a necessity in these above mentioned nations to acquire an implementation of equal opportunity of education and equality amongst gender regardless of caste or cultures of any ethnicity which can progress the overall development of a society as women have a better role in their communities.
Secondly, the teaching methodologies and investment in the education also determines the future of a nation. Countries like United States, England, Germany, Norway, Finland, Korea, Japan and Australia allocate a huge and competitive amount of investment in their annual budget. Taking a recent example on the context to investment, Vietnam outperformed many developed countries like Japan and United States by scoring higher scores in Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). It’s because the government of Vietnam raised its investment and expanded enrolment with strict laws to apply a minimum standard of education at their institutions during the last recent years. However, driven forth by politics, unfortunately the education system of other developing nations has still a lot more to go. In African countries and in Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan the teenage students get enforced into political massive rallies and protest programs with head boards and banners. On the other hand, the western political trend proves how a socio political leader efforts himself technically and professionally to handle this national government agency (i.e. The Ministry of Education). Likewise, if we talk about the teaching methodologies, there are many untrained female teachers at primary and secondary level whereas the education at tertiary level is basically dominated by similar categories of male teachers in developing nations. The reason behind this failure is also connected with some of the sociological norms as presented earlier, but the key reason has to be a lack of policy implementation and lack of monitoring assessment. The government should be able to fix a professional learning standard and an expertise level to qualify teachers for effective professional teaching respectively. Another big problem in an institution is corporal punishment. Though it was all over the world, corporal punishment has been abolished in many developed countries. However, it still prevails in developing nations, basically more found in rural parts. Girls are more vulnerable for corporal punishment that can lead to physical abuse and other forms of harassment. This can also bring a message in adolescence that violence is an acceptable process in the society. Various alternative approaches can be applied to students in an institution by their very own teacher to know more about the attributes of a child and treat him/her with respect so that every child can have an equal share of their facilities and become a successful person in the future.
Developed countries have built a solid foundation in terms of economy, industrialisation, better health records and minimum mortality rates with overall good living conditions through the process of revolutions and realistic educations from their own past. But, there are many serious humanitarian problems that still exist even in the top nations. One big serious issue in developed nation is rape. Research fact illustrates that about 44% of rape victims are under 18 years and 80% of rape victims are below 30 in one of the powerhouse nation of the world, USA. In every 107 seconds, a female is being sexually assaulted and there are around 293,000 victims of sexual assault in United States. And, to add their despair, 98% of the rapists never spend a full day on jail even after a long legal battle and trials. What the scenario concludes is the culture of United States where most of the rape cases happens inside the home and by their own circle of people and other acquaintances. Similarly, bigger European countries like France, Sweden, Germany and United Kingdom have notable cases of rape despite these countries are well developed in terms of various internationally standard parameters. Similarly, despite the equal opportunity and human rights in Australia, women are often employed in a causal or part time or in a junior position work which results towards a low salary below the superannuation scheme. ‘In Tasmania, it was reported that women make up a 70 % of the education sector but hold only 37 % management positions in that sector’(Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 2008). Also women have to leave the workplace to care for their children, parents or grandchildren and the government has not provided a sufficient program package for disabled women, either they are a citizen or a migrant/refugee. These examples show a clear fact that even the developed countries still need to practice equal human rights through an implication of consciously attributing education learning system amongst the society from the early childhood age in school, home and at other places. Women should be treated equally in educational, vocational and social career progressing activities in order to establish an equal representation of genders in every sectors of development.
In conclusion, there are various aspects in the society that the humanity has to lead upon. Obviously, no one should leave their traditionalism as it’s an ethnic heritage from our ancestors and history of evolution. But, in order to develop sustainably in the modern sophisticated world there should be legal rights and responsibilities upon every human’s shoulder that he or she has to undertake for their self-development as well as for the society. Equality marks major in the presence and the context of today’s world as women were always behind since the history where education was limited for one gender especially. So, it has always been the society that made the world what it is at the moment. But universally, as a coin has 2 equal parts, there is an equal importance of both genders in the society for the development. We cannot clap with one hand as there always needs to be another hand as an equal support to any out of two, it’s the same with male and female as it is the natural gift of creation for the humanity to evolve.

References:
1. Aikman, S & Unterhalter, E (eds.) 2006, Beyond access: transforming policy and practice for gender equality in education, Oxfam GB, viewed 04 April 2016, .

2. African Development Bank Group 2015, Empowering African women: an agenda for action, African Development Bank Group, viewed 15 April 2016,

3. Hoel, A 2014, How to Fix Poor Quality Education in South Asia, The World Bank, 30 June, viewed 05 April 2016,

4. Shadoian-Gersing, V n.d., Education in Vietnam, strengths, challenges and opportunities, Asia Society, viewed 05 April 2016,

5. Cerise, S, Black and White Media Australia (Auth.), Goldie, C, O’Connell, K (eds.)2008, Gender equality: What matters to Australian women and men, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, viewed 06 April 2016,

6. Gaiman N n.d., Statistics, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 2009, viewed 15 April 2016,

A note on Climate change in general

We have many compelling scientific evidences that climate change is not a hoax but a serious threat pushing the world towards ecological disaster bringing adverse impacts on human development at premium. The future generations have a risk of living with catastrophic consequences from climate change effects.
There can be a lot of uncertainties in the science when it comes to prediction but we have been familiar with potential threats as glacier lake outburst floors and its meltation, changes in the course of gulf streams, water crisis, rise of oceanic levels, irregular rain patterns to mention a few.

At this very moment, climate change issue stands as the developmental issue focusing mainly on the biotic and abiotic components in our daily life. The inter-connection of modern human evolution with its question whether human achievement can make the future a better one than the past or erode the present condition of living beings into worse. Increased exposure to drought, to floods and environmental stress, extinction of habitats, rising Carbon-dioxide emissions are few examples that is hamerping the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) basically across the developing countries where millions of the people are being forced to cope up with climate change impacts.

Tomorrow is unpredictable though but it will be the whole humanity that shall face the risks of climate change opening the gates of ecological environmental refugees throughout the globe. The rise of environmental refugees will transform the pattern of human settlement and undermine the viability of national and inter-national economics.

Hence the end line note can be more comprehensive ‘personally’ if the designs and achievements of developed nations for climate change mitigating systems are susbidized for the developing nations, mitigation of various catastrophes will be the outcome. For instance, Germany showed the PV modules of solar and wind turbines which can smartly run an industry with international competitiveness. There are many other beneficial examples of eco-friendly designs that can revolutionize the society into a healthier and peaceful place.

However, because of capitalism and the unending quest of economy, the political actions and regulations of the government of developed nations yet still continues to fall short for the global climate change issues.This in future will turn out into a serious problem for the same developed nations as migration can be another puzzling issue and hard enough to deal with individual human rights.Relief supports and other forms of aid cannot satisfy every mass of victims no matter how much commitment a leading organisation expresses itself,is the bitter truth.

The Ritual with Nature-Shamanism so far for me

I remember a time during my teenage when a white skin human from a western country told me that religion is to understand the phenomenon of nature. Nature for me at that time was air water plants and animals. The theories defined by our education as air cycle water cycle plants and animals classification system, nomenclatures were easier to understand unless one day, when I met a shaman and saw his skills. “Is this magic?” –questions of how and hows hovered on my mind. Later on, I asked him how he got such skills. His answer was “nature.” “But I too have seen the nature, been with nature. Where is the magic in me?” The final answer of the shaman was the same.” You need to understand her phenomenon.”

I don’t personally think I have understood the phenomenon of nature till date. However, i understood that the whole universe and the entire space is our nature. Then it would be a duty to worship and love nature which I partially do and don’t.

Let me drag you people towards the ancient and primitive human cultures when the humans were closely associated with forests. Forests were the “one standing religion” and its connection with humans was the oldest creation of teaching. The rituals were performed in order to connect with external agents with the help of different elements, mind techniques and music. Such external agents present in the atmosphere of our universe would then heal and guide the individual. It was and still is the system of interconnection of the entire universe and its powers within oneself, as principle elements of a human body is same with what we have in our universe…FIRE EARTH WATER AIR AND ETHER.

I’m from a south asian continent where the shamanic influences still prevail within indigenous communities residing within greeneries, abundant natural resources and mainly isolation (from human crowd and modernity).  I have heard stories of shamans who initially set up their learning processes far away from human crowd to flourish their abilities in order to create connection with any of the 5 elements. This connection thus helps a shaman to distinguish energy points, engulfing negativities and let flow the energy in the level it should be within a human body. The belief of this culture states everything is possible with the correct and precise technique.
Either you name them witch doctors or medicine men or Dhamis and Jhakris, shamanism is nearby similar throughout the world regardless people being separated by continents and oceans. All of the shamans believe in spirits and their influence in our daily lives. Above all, the shamans belong to different ethnic groups yet they don’t present themselves or their shamanic art as a part of their religion.
Shamanic Pathway:
Can anyone be a shaman? Hell no!! We are born in this earth as an innocent creature, devoid from any cultural bound, devoid from any sociological perspectives. Gradually, we become a part of these constraints or hindrances that deceive us from what we are. A true shaman or shamanka is free from all such shackles of life as he/she is chosen by “the spirits”, and it’s obvious that spirits are one of the truest forms of energies. The shamanic pathway tells there is a partition as a veil covered in between the illusory and real world, seen and unseen world. It’s a journey of going into an altered state of consciousness, to the journey outside of time and space. Its termed as “parallel universe.” This power of universe is used in psychotherapy sessions when being examined by a shaman/shamanka.  To obtain such power from the antiquity, the essentials of shamanic approach is difficult to follow for people living in materialism.

To be continued….

Comparisons of an individual upon their pleasure among society

Israel’s Support towards Nepali Agriculture: An Exemplary Model of Meaningful Development Assistance

An ancient Chinese proverb says “give a man a fish and you feed him for one day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” A lot of foreign assistance programs directed from developed countries to developing ones however fail to do so. It’s been decades since Nepal has been receiving foreign aid and assistance. Yet, the grim reality is that Nepal still is ranked as one of the least developed nations in the world. After analyzing several years of data, foreign and national academicians who have studied Nepal’s development, have come to the conclusion that foreign guided aid and assistance programs have failed to translate into real progress for the common citizens of the country. In this context, a support program initiated by the Government of Israel, towards the development of the agriculture sector of Nepal can serve as an exemplary model of how development assistance should be provided by a developed nation to a developing nation.

Assistance Directed Towards Modernizing Agriculture Nepal 66% of the total population of Nepal depend upon agriculture for their sustenance. The country’s territory is gifted with ample natural resources, including naturally fertile land, adequate water resources, suitable weather conditions and a young population. Yet, the country still depends upon foreign imports of agricultural products to fulfill the needs of its population. The dependence on inefficient traditional agricultural methods can be attributed to the main reason behind this grim reality of the country. While several business houses are thriving through agriculture and livestock industries, several traditional farming families are observed to be discouraging their newer generations from the profession. The country’s education system too has largely ignored the importance of agriculture and has instead focused on building manpower for other industries.

But, interest seems to be gradually reviving in the sector and some new generation of farmers have started following the agricultural practices of countries like Israel and Japan, to develop a viable personal economy. In this context, the Embassy of Israel launched a program in 2014 to send 515 young Nepali farmers to Israel for a 10 month long vocational course on modern agricultural practices. The embassy appointed the Small Farmers Development Bank for choosing the right candidates for the course, upon which it recommended only young people from farming families for the program. 314 Nepali students are currently taking the course in 4 institutes in Israel, including Ashkelon Academic College, Ramat Negev Desert Agro-Research Center, Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT) and Sdot Negev Regional Council. The rest of the 515 are slated to depart to Israel by October.

Lesson for Development Organizations Most of the time, foreign development assistance programs fail to get expected results, as the people running them fail to understand the real needs of the people receiving the assistance. In the long run, the failure of such programs can adversely affect the reputation of the wider development sector, as is seen in the case of Nepal. Development agencies often are observed to make aggressive efforts reinforce the belief that there are gaps between the developed world and developing world and end up instilling practicing that instills a parasitic tendency in the governments in the underprivileged countries.

But such an exemplary step from Israel can really help make visible sustainable development in a country like Nepal. Such practical scholarships are what the Nepali youth really require, which can make a significant difference in the agriculture industry in Nepal. The education that these Nepali youths will bring, will play an important role in changing the lives of thousands of farming families in Nepal. It’s an irony that throughout these decades, no foreign development agencies attempted such an effective strategy for assisting in the development of Nepal. Perhaps, its time that the foreign donor agencies start developing such programs to ensure that development really is felt by the common people in the developing nations.

Our Economics

 

Today, theme of Environmental Development has extended from research activities into a global NGO network and expanded at the top international policies level. On the contrary, we are facing the reality that more than half of world populations live in cities, and many people barely get a glimpse natural serenity. Yet not incriminated the unfortunate tendency of being unable to predict future responding to immediate local crisis and not taking notice for greater natural threats for the sustainable collective survival. The mal development facts that stands as an impoverishment of the majority in developing countries where overexploitation of natural resources bases has been running and contributing to natural degradation. The exposure flash focuses ethical and humanitarian reason and much more for luxury and poverty. Luxurious lifestyle has lead into waste of resources and poverty has resulted in the exploitation of left overs.
“We begin to get the impression that we were somehow above and separate from nature”-Craig Chalquist.
There are numerous examples in daily experiences from where the toxic chemicals raise up. Once the toxic chemicals are airborne, the pollutants get transported over thousands of kilometers before getting condensed and falling once more on the earth’s surface into water and soil and finally getting exposed to the human environment once again. Fortunately the toxic level of chemical doesn’t seem high in practical life but we human beings have appeared to be contributing to a great climate change by destroying at the best form what has remained on the earth. Climate change is a natural phenomenon for one case. The internal and external forcing factors for climate change are natural. In a general understanding of past, earth was a place for warm blooded animals (reptiles) that travelled around the earth for millions of years ago and the present deserted areas once were covered with water. The earth was a warm place with high sea levels and less polar areas. After being hit by a meteor and being wrapped in dust particles the earth started freezing and ice age thus began with the rise of cold blooded animals and humans.

Scientists, who want to claim serious attention to them, find a way to scare the public by making things more complicated than they really are. But the main fact is we can’t deny the observations and calculations done by professional experts. Since the industrial and commercial market were created, critics have attracted the attention of the whole world spreading about the effects of global warming and other serious consequences of climate change from artificial (human) mechanisms. It’s a truth to speak that the cost of depriving society of the future availability of natural resources is still not totally accounted during the manufacturing and extraction processes. We humans seem to be clearly short sighted as we are in rush to mitigate our immediate crisis ignoring the larger threats that are going to come and the treats are not only for us but for the coming generations and millions of other natural species around earth that are dying at the rate of 200 species per day.
Different methods have been proposed to mitigate the future threats making predictions and coming up with better ideas of managing the resources but the commercial market that distributes resources across society, has considered nature to be a “use and throw for free” item since nature hasn’t got anything back to generate itself. Thus the economic growth we see has failed to include the environment in its calculations. Obviously economics is a major topic advising global and local policy as wealth is essential and the economic growth cannot be undermined. But, when a mother gets ill, it’s the duty of children to get her cured. If we agree that current environmental degradation should be controlled and cured, the use and throw concept should be ended by introducing sustainable behaviors in human world and eradicating such markets governed by money and power in a step wise process.
An example: If a solar 4 wheeler is cheaper and gives high efficiency than the diesel one, which shall we prefer? The answer lies within.

GINGER PRODUCTION IN MAKWANPUR- A SHORT GLIMPSE OF FARMERS STORY

 

Greetings,

It began when I got a chance to visit the farmlands of Makwanpur with my teammate for a rural reason from one of the research organisation in Kathmandu. The intention was to gather significant information and examination of ginger production in this specific region, and its principle goals of the subsidizing association, stands to increase ginger production and job of agriculturists spotted in Makwanpur area.

We initially began the examination venture from one of the southern VDC’s of Hetauda district, Hadikhola. With more than 1000 families and around 8 towns and arranged at the cradle zone range of Parsa Wildlife Reserve, the fundamental control of individuals living here has been horticulture and livestock farming since the early years. Other than we got a reasonable sight of individuals being occupied with other business financial exercises inside the towns and obviously, settlement from Middle East has been additionally one of the essential monetary wellspring of numerous individuals on this VDC. Inhabitants of these towns are from a broadened standing gatherings living together in a shared group connection viewing one another’s conventional traditions without any taboos identified with such social traditions.

By and large, the greater part of the agriculturists in this VDC are included in ginger cultivation subsequent to recent years, the reason as it’s been a real trade trim in for money in the business market. Be that as it may, in correlation to other gainful area zones, predominantly the farmlands of generally higher heights, farmers in this group have endured incredible loses because of different variables which I might want to put on forward that I looked for.

In spite of the fact that the terrains of Terai are exceptionally arable, issue begins to emerge promptly after ginger plantation. It is carried out during the pre monsoon season and promptly after few weeks of cultivation, because of rainfall, the developing plants begin getting withered. Deficient learning on planning water release channel and incorrectness amid the estate method appears the first issue that farmers experience the ill effects of. Likewise an alternate essential reason is the mixed bag of diseases that occur in ginger. The mulches which are spread after plantation get wet after precipitation and turn into a conception hotspot for bugs that begins to decay the rhizome seed. After researching for a week, around 80 percent of the farmers’ grief mentioned the impact of “rhizome rot disease” in their loss during the harvest.

I saw a life, life that has dependably been abiding in our general public of destitution. The top was covered with straws in a house, where I could discover the entire living room, kitchen room and bedroom in a “same room”. I stepped inside, was invited by an old group of spouse and wife from Tamang tribe. At the point when got some information about their ginger production, I could see the merciless feelings blended with dejection and little drops of tears in lady’s eyes while her spouse was chatting with me. One can accept the reason straight in light of the fact that it was an enormous misfortune for them which was hard to handle as they let me know they planted ginger by taking a payoff credit of 30,000.00 with a dream, a fantasy that a family living in the “same room” can imagine upon.

In the wake of finishing the quota according from our deploying association, we began our investigation in Padampokhari V.D.C., a decently sorted out community with a position of enthusiasm correlated to Hadikhola. It was fascinating to find that the greater parts of the farmers developing ginger here are being benefitted. The reason was introduction and intervention of a socio-agricultural program supported by one of the significant universal donor association for Nepal. Farmers were orientated to utilize a bio-fungicide named Trichoderma which enhances the business development of ginger by destroying the spoiling infections in ginger. The reactions from those farmers were supportive towards Trichoderma in general. However a figure was strolling in my brain that for what reason the farmers of neighbour town were unconscious about it.

Padampokhari and Hadikhola V.D.C despite being less advanced than the main metropolitan city, for many reasons it was special for us. Principally the dusk and its delightful beams before giving a goodbye to this spot, gave an unwinding to an inward personality and in addition, the Karra stream, although being contaminated by Hetauda concrete production line’s lechate and waste, pushed my feet to dwell in there for few minutes and appreciate nature.

Our next destination was Makwanpur gadi, one of the most popular destinations in Makwanpur.  Found on the highest point of the mountain in Gadi town, Makwanpur post has a various history previously, particularly during the period of Late King Prithivi Narayan Shah and Nepal Anglo war. Comprising the southern and southwestern region, it’s a place of agriculture. The residents here are well instructed and farming has been both (essential and optional) sources for economy. Ginger cultivating here has likewise been one of the aspiring cash crops principally as the area geography and few advanced upgrades have been strong around there. Amongst our respondents, when figured, the degree of production of ginger was 1:5 during the harvesting period. They hardly had any disappointments in regards to the misfortune or the business costs during our discussion session.

Our last end was Namtar, a western VDC lying in Mahabharat extend on the best approach to Daman from Bhaise bazaar and presumably a VDC in high elevation. It was a test for us to go to Namtar as a result of 2 specific reasons. Initially our examination was in a befuddling circumstance due to some technical reasons and second, we had no idea of our respondent’s homes. There was a rainstorm in that area few days back which disintegrated the communication line in the entire VDC.

We took after the side of a stream supposing we may get a town as we halted in a wrong station from transport and began trailing good and bad times with our baggage in our back. . I still remember the impressions of my mate when we were lost while searching for short cut and went into a wrong VDC carrying both luggage and the hunger for a heavy breakfast. It’s a village, where individuals have their supper before 9 and go to their work and we arrived at 11 am. Fortunately a teen brother helped us to demonstrate the place of one of our “valuable” respondent. He took us towards the house through a true alternate route which fled our craving for hunger

Our first respondent was a middle scaled farmer producing ginger in a medium sum for every annum. In the wake of completing our meeting in 30 minutes, we headed towards the main village which was past our sight. We went through the toss and turns in desolate fields, rough slants and grassy lands as we were lost from the main road. What exceptionally entertained us was the watering system trenched in such a messy slope, to the point that was splendidly composed with local resources. A simple mistake of foot would have brought us down towards the stream as we were strolling on the highest point of trench which was more than 300 meters over the stream. This is a village where you can discover one house in a distance of 30-40 minutes but also likewise it is a spot where your whole tiredness gets cleared by the wave of a fresh cool breeze.

At last we ventured into a group school, met one of the social specialist around there, resident of Namtar VDC, Mr. Udaya Hatuwal. He welcomed us in his home with an honor which was more than what we anticipated. There is an old maxim in Nepalese society that a night time visitor is a type of a divine being and this expression still lies unequivocally in villages.

We started holding interview with our respondents following day at the young hour. We met the respondents straightforwardly in their farmland and few of them were available at home. The majority of them were fulfilled by the ginger production and income they generate through ginger business. However the market system was not simple because in the absence of transportation. Individuals need to carry sacks of their items for quite a long time to the nearest bus station.

Conflicts:

Other than holding meetings with farmers as our fundamental respondents, we didn’t miss an opportunity to increase data in regards to the business sector flow of ginger from Hetauda region. It was our own particular plan to discover general correlations in the exchange framework in the middle of farmers and merchants, merchants and the suppliers. We discussed few words with merchants and neighborhood retailers in regards to the variance, competitiveness and the interest in worldwide business sector for the ginger delivered in general Makwanpur area. We discovered merchants as the most productive ones primarily amid the time when they get gingers in a lesser value (particularly in the gathering season) and purchase the same in the off seasons keeping in mind to keep up the business sector through continual supply.

Clearly, I experienced my time with numerous farmers in their homes, their farmlands, stayed with them, had a visit and with most likely I saw the same farmers being constricted and the most suppressed groups in the arrangement of ginger pricing and marketing management. Despite we see them being occupied with their farmlands, absence of engineering, absence of vermin actually when interest is high, fluctuation in the business sector and the low value calm frequently when sold to merchant are the significant issues for farmers delivering ginger as well as other cash crops also. There are likewise numerous voices being raged amongst the villagers and their social orders with respect to disappointment of interventional projects from International benefactors, a newly growing specific culture which can risk the nearing future when a “smart” looking individual steps into a town holding a document in his hands.

-“”यो सबै तपाईहरुको जस्तो NGO र INGO जस्ताले गरेर भएको हो | चाहिने -नचाहिने औसधि भित्राएर हाम्रो माटोको उत्पादन शक्ति नाश भएको हो |”

-” गरिब गरिबै भएर मर्छ |”