Safety On Board Ships Engineering Essay

Safety is of extreme importance onboard ships. There have been many ship related accidents and incidents that have claimed many lives. One such common accident would be fire eruptions onboard ships. Due to the high figure of such fatal happenings, MARPOL and SOLAS have been erected, and they contain regulations and ordinances that all mariners must stay by. In order to forestall incidents, safety equipments are normally installed in the ships. One of such safety equipments would be sensors. Detectors are devices that can observe fire or some other risky conditions. Onboard ships, there are several different types of sensors. They are as follows: Fire Detector Flammable Gas Detector Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector Water Level sensor 1. Fire Detector Fire sensors are used to observe fires onboard ships. Fire is a common jeopardy that happens at sea. Statistically, fire eruptions have resulted in more entire losingss of ships than any other signifier of casualty. Most of the fires are caused by carelessness and sloppiness. Fortunately, with fire sensors, the extent of harm caused by fires can be mostly minimised. A good fire sensor is one that is dependable and requires minimal attending. More significantly, the fire sensor must non be set off by normal happenings in the protected infinite, hence its sensitiveness must be adjusted accurately and in conformity to its surrounding. Under fire sensors, there are 3 sub types: Smoke sensor Flame sensor Heat sensor a ) Smoke sensor – The two types of fume sensors: Ionisation sensor and photoelectric sensor. The ionization sensor reacts to both the seeable and unseeable merchandises of burning, but the photoelectric type merely responds to seeable merchandises of burning. Ionisation smoke sensors make usage of ionization chamber and a beginning of ionization radiation to observe fume. There are two types of ionization fume sensors. One type uses a bipolar ionised trying chamber, and the other uses a unipolar ionized trying chamber. The beginning of ionization radiation comes from a little sum of americium-241, which is a good beginning of alpha atoms. The bipolar ionised trying chamber type fume sensor has an ionization chamber that contains two electrodes of a possible difference as a electromotive force is applied across them. In between the two electrode is air-filled infinite. The alpha particles that are being produced by the americium-241 ionises the air in between the two electrodes. To ionize agencies to strike hard off an negatron from an atom. This creates a free negatron and a positively-charged ion. The free election will so be attracted to the positively-charge electrode and the positive ion will be attracted to the negatively-charged electrode, due to the possible difference between the two electrodes. This, hence, produces a changeless flow of current between the electrodes. When a minute measure of fume enters the air-filled infinite in between the electrodes, the ionized air atoms get neutralised by the fume atoms. This will ensue in a autumn of current between the electrodes. The fume sensor detects this bead in current and sets off the fire dismay. The 2nd type of ionization fume sensor has a unipolar ionized trying chamber alternatively of a bipolar 1. The lone difference is that for the bipolar one, the whole chamber is exposed to the radiation, whereas for the unipolar 1, merely the immediate country adjacent to the positive electrode is exposed to the alpha beginning. As a consequence, the unipolar type has merely one prevailing type of ions, which are anions, in the electrical current flow between the electrodes. Presently, the unipolar type fume sensors are the commercially most common 1s. One of the few drawbacks of ionization type fume sensors is that there may be frequent false dismaies. The ground being that any micron-size atom, such as kitchen lubricating oil atoms, come ining the ionization chamber can really put off the dismay. However, this type of fume sensors are still the most normally used, due to their dependability, low cost and comparatively maintenance-free operation. Smoke Detector There are two chief types of photoelectric fume sensors, viz. the projected beam type and the reflected beam type. Photoelectric smoke sensors work on footing of the presence or absence of visible radiation. The projected beam type consists of a photoelectric detector with light falling on it from a beginning located at holds or other protected infinite on the ship. When there is the presence of fume, the light strength of the beam that is received in the photoelectric cell lessenings due to it being obscured by the fume atoms. This decreased degree of light strength causes the electrical circuit to the photoelectric cell to be imbalanced, and therefore triping the dismay. The reflected light beam type fume sensor consists of a light beginning, a light backstop positioned face-to-face to the light beginning and besides a photoelectric cell fixed normal to the light beginning. When fume particles enter into the light beam part, some visible radiation is being reflected onto the photoelectric cell. This creates a closed circuit, and therefore puting off the dismay. Photoelectric sensors are normally used to protect storage countries and high value compartments, and besides to supply fume sensing for air canals and plenum countries. However, the downside of this type of photoelectric fume sensor is that the fume has to be thick before it can be detected. This is due to its comparatively low sensitiveness. The plus side of this type of fume sensors is that there will be fewer false dismaies. Smoke sensors are chiefly used in machinery infinites, lading holds and adjustment countries. All ships built since September 1985 are required to be provided with smoke sensors in corridors and over staircases within adjustment infinites. Both the ionization and photoelectric fume sensors are effectual as they provide sufficient clip for people to get away in the instance of a fire eruption. Each type of fume sensor, though different in working rules, has its ain advantages. For illustration, ionization fume sensors have a response quicker for flaring fires. As for photoelectric sensors, they respond more rapidly to smoldering fires. To guarantee the high degree of protection, it is advised to utilize both types of sensors. There are combination dismaies, that contains both type of engineerings in one device, and it besides can be employed to accomplish higher protection. B ) Flame sensor – Fires are normally caused by gas and liquid fires. Flame sensor uses optical detectors to observe fires. Fires give off radiation dwelling chiefly of ultra-violet radiation, seeable visible radiation and infrared radiation. There are about 6 types of fire sensors, which consist of UV ( UV ) , infrared ( IR ) , UV/IR, IR/IR, IR/IR/IR and seeable detectors. Ultraviolet sensors are able to observe fires and detonations in approximately 4 msecs. When a little fire is ignited, an ultraviolet sensor can instantly separate the type of fire it is. Even though they are really accurate, ultraviolet sensors can be fooled by radiation, discharge welding, sunshine and lightning. An infrared fire sensor plants by utilizing an infrared set. When hot gases are released near an infrared sensor, The little thermic imaging camera within the sensor will so pick up on the presence of these gases. However, false dismaies can be set off when other wanted beginnings of hot gas are present near an infrared fire. UV/IR sensor plants by utilizing a combination of UV and IR engineering to observe a fire. Such a sensor gathers information from the UV and infrared position. With these two engineerings working together, false dismaies can be minimised. The similar rule applies to IR/IR fire sensor. It detects flames within two infrared frequences. Hence, IR/IR sensors are besides able to extinguish most false dismaies. The IR/IR/IR sensors are the most accurate. They use three different infrared frequences used to observe a fire. IR/IR/IR sensors work by comparing three wavelength sets, therefore, it is extremely improbable for this type of a fire sensor to give off a false dismay. Often, in order to observe seeable fires, seeable detectors are besides installed in with the fire sensor. Hence, when a fire occurs, flame sensors are able to observe the radiations, and will so put off the dismay. Fire sensors are normally used near to fuel managing equipment in the machinery infinites and besides at boiler foreparts. Flame sensor type parts Infrared Flame Detector degree Celsius ) Heat sensor – It is a device that responds when the thermic energy of a fire increases the temperature of a heat sensitive component. Heat sensors have two chief categorizations: Fixed temperature and Rate-of-rise. Fixed temperature heat sensors operates when the heat sensitive component in it reaches a certain fixed temperature. Thermal slowdown delays the accretion of heat at the heat sensitive component so that the device will merely make the operating temperature sometime after the encompassing temperature exceeds that temperature. When the fixed operating temperature of the heat sensitive component is reached, the dismay connected to the heat sensor will be set off. Rate-of-rise heat sensors activates when there is a rapid rise in temperature of the heat sensitive component, normally about 6.7a? °C to 8.3a? °C addition per minute. This type of heat sensors work irrespective of the starting temperature. This would intend that the rate-of-rise heat sensor may put off the dismay before the fixed operating temperature is reached. Presently, most heat sensors use the bimetallistic strip mechanism. The bimetallistic strip is made up of two strips of metal stuck together, and each have different rate of enlargement. When there is a rise in temperature, one strip will spread out more than the other. This causes the bimetallistic strip to curve. The coil will ensue in the strip touching a contact that will shut the circuit, and therefore bring forth a current flow, which will so put off the dismay. The newest type of heat sensor is called the rate-compensated sensor. It is sensitive to both the rate of rise of temperature, and besides a fixed temperature degree, both of which are illustrated above. Heat sensors are rarely used because of the trouble in proper arrangement comparative tenancy environment and jeopardy countries. Heat sensors are chiefly used in topographic points such as the galleys and the wash where other types of fire sensors will give off false dismaies. Heat Detector Fire sensors are placed all over any marine vas. However, different types of fire sensors are suited at different locations. In the work store country, welding plants invariably produces fume and bare fires. Hence, a heat sensor would be most suited or none should be placed in this country as it is a certified hot work country. In the engine control room, fume sensors are used. At parts near boilers and incinerators, a bare fire can be produced due to unnatural conditions. Hence, the most suited types of fire sensors would be the ionisation type fume sensor and infrared fire sensor. Smoke sensors are by and large used throughout the engine room. The fire sensors are used near fuel managing units like refiners, purifiers, conditioners and hot filters. 2. Flammable Gas Detector Flammable gases are gases that at ambient temperature and force per unit area, forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of 13 per centum by volume or less. Some illustrations of flammable gases that are normally found in ships are hydrocarbon gases, H sulfide and O. Flammable gas sensors will pull samples of air sporadically, and analyze them for chiefly hydrocarbon gas and besides other flammable gases. If the gas concentration is above the pre-set dismay threshold, an dismay will sound off instantly. Flammable gas sensors, though non compulsory, are normally installed in enclosed infinites which can keep high volumes of flammable gases. The danger of lading leaks into null infinites and ballast armored combat vehicles, and the hazard of detonations associated with a physique up of hydrocarbon gas is something to be taken earnestly. Flammable gas sensors are sometimes besides installed at adjustment air conditioning recess. This is to forestall fire eruptions to go on in countries where there are changeless human activity. Harmonizing to SOLAS Chapter II, 2 Regulation 5.10.1, â€Å" Protection of lading pump-rooms † . It is a mandatory ordinance that is applicable all types of oilers that carry ladings with a flash point of below 60A °C in relation to cargo pump room safety. In order to observe leaks, the ordinances states that hydrocarbon gas sensing are to be installed within the pump room, with dismay being pre-set at no more than 10 % Lower Explosive Limit ( LEL ) . LEL of a vapor or a gas is the restricting concentration ( in air ) that is required for the gas to light and detonate. 3. Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector Refrigerant gases are chemical merchandises used in deep-freezes, iceboxs, air conditioning units. These gases have low vaporization points, hence they will distill under force per unit area to chill the air. The perennial procedure of vaporizing and distilling the gases pulls heat out of the air, therefore cut downing the temperature of the in the unit. There are many different types of refrigerant gas, and the more common 1s include CFC ( CFC ) , HCFC ( HCFC ) , HFC ( HFC ) , perfluorocarbon ( PFC ) , and blends made from ammonium hydroxide and C dioxide. However, instances of escape of refrigerating gases is a common sight. Some refrigerating gases are damaging to our environment. For illustration, when CFC is released into the ambiance, a chemical alteration will take topographic point due to its exposure to the UV visible radiation. This reaction will ensue in the production of green house gases, and besides depletes the ozone bed. Bing able to observe refrigerant gas escape can assist cut down on unneeded disbursals and besides assist protect the environment. Harmonizing to MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 12 – ozone depletion substances, refrigerant gas sensors are to be installed to supervise and observe any escapes of refrigerating gases. Refrigerant gases are continually monitored by fixed gas detectors. When the sensor detects that the refrigerant gas concentration exceeds a certain prefixed bound ( e.g. 25 ppm for ammonium hydroxide, 300 ppm for halogenated fluorocarbons ) , the dismay will be set off, alarming whoever manning the system. Refrigerant gas sensors are normally located in topographic points where the refrigerant are likely to leak, such as the centralized lading infrigidation systems, centralised air conditioning systems and centralised domestic infrigidation systems. 4. Water Level Detector Water escape and immersion may go on onboard ships. When lading holds or bulkhead are filled with extra H2O, it will damage the lading onboard and besides badly affect the perkiness and stableness of the ship. Worst instance scenario would be the implosion therapy of the ship, taking to it droping. Hence, H2O sensors are of high importance, and are used to observe if the H2O degree, in any compartment, exceeds over a preset tallness. Harmonizing to SOLAS XII Regulation 12 and SOLAS Regulation II-1/23-3, majority bearers and general lading vass are required to be installed with H2O degree sensors. Water degree sensors means a system consisting detectors and indicant devices that detect and warn of H2O immersion in lading holds and other infinites as required. The method of observing the H2O degree may be by direct or indirect agencies. Direct agencies of sensing determine the presence of H2O by physical contact of the H2O with the sensing device. Indirect means include devices without physical contact with H2O. Water sensors are positioned at a preset tallness at the aft terminal of each person lading clasp or compartment. The height place specifications are different between majority bearers and lading vass. When the H2O degree in any peculiar compartment reaches the dismay degree, the sensor will observe it, and the dismay will be set off. The image below is an illustration of the place of the H2O sensor detectors. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.km.kongsberg.com/KS/WEB/NOKBG0397.nsf/AllWeb/51C66AA6A4CD0F2BC1256EA7004D1E89/ $ file/c200wid_ae.pdf? OpenElement Decision For the safety of lives out at sea, and the protection of our environment, different types of sensors have been invented and installed onboard ships. The chief sensors that can be found in any ships are those explained above, which are the fire sensor, flammable gas sensor, refrigerant gas sensor and the H2O degree sensor. There are many other different types of sensors that uses different types of mechanisms, but still function same intent as those stated supra. Equally long as the sensors are able to function their map and are besides in conformity with MARPOL and SOLAS ordinances, they will be permitted excessively.

Re-organization and Layoff- Issue Paper Essay

Problem Identification and formulation will be reviewed using the team discussion from Week 2. The paper will: Summarize the issue; Identify the problem; Explain why it is the underlying problem; Reflect on the group collaboration process in defining the problem; and Explain how a clearly defined problem could help to find the solutions. Summarize The Issue The problem presented in article by Bouw, Mismanaged Layoffs can go ‘Horribly Wrong, is the lack of proper and well-managed policy around employee lay-offs. Most managers are trained to handle a corporate crisis. Employers should approach any job losses with caution and always be respectful. Companies should consider whether job losses are necessary and the impact on operations internally, and how clients and contractors view it externally. Companies need to make sure they are following the law when it comes to laying off staff, including paying out severance as required by each province based on an employee’s years of service. (2013) Identify The Problem Some reasons that a company would look at reorganization and layoffs would be that the sales of that company have dropped below what they were projecting. To help with costs they may look at laying people off and then reorganizing the employees that are left to help ensure that the internal structure remains in tact to ensure that the company continues to run smoothly. Most companies see layoffs as a way to save money, however most times this is not the case due to the things that the company has to pay out to the employees that were let go. Alternatives to job cuts include transferring staff to other departments, using fewer contract workers, or cutting wages. Whether it’s a termination, where the employee’s job is eliminated, or a layoff, where the employee loses the job for a certain  period of time, a company’s handling of it can have consequences. Explain Why This is the Underlying Problem If sales are lower then expected there might be a bigger problem then just lying off people. However, that is definitely where you should start, but employers need to stick to the rules around termination and ensure the reasons are clear. The negative impact the event can have on employee morale, which in turn can hurt productivity. It’s traumatic to the remaining staff can create fear and resentment. To help manage the disruption, companies need to be compassionate and transparent about why the job losses occurred. If management handles it in a benevolent way it can boost their image as an employer, staff feel motivated and they don’t live in fear. Layoff plan moves forward at GE Transportation, By Jim Martin demonstrates, that after unsuccessful lobbying and failed negotiations aimed at saving jobs, the company planned for its first round of layoffs. The pink slips were to be distributed Monday, giving employees one-week notice of their layoff. GE Transportation, said about 50 employees was expected to retire instead of taking a layoff. While each retirement had the potential to spare one layoff, Duke said he didn’t try to influence anyone’s decision. In a statement from Erickson, the company acknowledged the significance of the job cuts. â€Å"We are taking this difficult step to meet an increasingly challenging marketplace that requires us to reduce costs and improve flexibility to maintain our competitiveness,† she said. â€Å"We understand how hard this action is for everyone affected, including families and the broader community.† She said the company is working closely with the state Department of Labor & Industry’s Rapid Response team to help employees who lose their jobs. (Martin, 2013, Page 1) Reflect On The Group Collaboration Process in Defining the Problem Effectively managing group decision-making has three requirements: (1) an appropriate leadership style, (2) the constructive use of disagreement and conflict, and (3) the enhancement of creativity. The most constructive type of conflict is cognitive conflict, or differences in perspectives or judgments about issues. In contrast, affective conflict is emotional and directed at other people. The dialectic goes a step beyond devil’s advocacy  by requiring a structured debate about two conflicting courses of action. The dialectic goes a step beyond devil’s advocacy by requiring a structured debate about two conflicting courses of action. Custom-made solutions are necessary, so the group must be creative in generating ideas. The leader of a decision-making body must attempt to minimize process-related problems. How a Clearly Defined Problem Could Help Find The Solutions The first stage in the decision-making process is to recognize that a problem exists and must be solved. Typically, a manager realizes some discrepancy between the current state (the way things are) and a desired state (the way things ought to be). Such discrepancies—say, in organizational or unit performance—may be detected by comparing current performance against (1) past performance, (2) the current performance of other organizations or units, or (3) future expected performance as determined by plans and forecasts. Recognizing that a problem or opportunity exists is only the beginning of this stage. The decision maker must dig in deeper and attempt to diagnose the situation. The following questions are useful to ask and answer in this stage. The â€Å"problem† may be an opportunity that needs to be exploited: a gap between what the organization is doing now and what it can do to create a more positive future. In that case, decisions involve choosing how to sei ze the opportunity. (Bateman, 2013, Page) Critical thinking plays a major role in the decision making process. Problem Identification and formulation aids in management’s ability find custom solutions using a creative generation. Reference Bateman, T. S., & Snell, S. A. (2013). Management: Leading & collaborating in a competitive world (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Bouw, B. (2013, June 28). Mismanaged layoffs can go ‘horribly wrong’. The Globe and Mail, B.14. Martin, J. (2013, November 3). Layoff plan moves forward at GE Transportation. McClatchy — Tribune Business News, n/a.

Black People and Roberta Essay

In Toni Morrison’s â€Å"Recitatif,† the story is about two girls, Twyla and Roberta. They grow up in an orphanage because their mothers could not care for them. Morrison makes it clear the girls come from different ethnic backgrounds but never states which one is black or white. At one point in the story Twyla comments, â€Å"We looked like salt and pepper. † I grew frustrated with the story and had to read it several times. I could never determine who was black and white and the lesson I learned should have been it doesn’t really matter. The story begins with Twyla’s mother dropping her off at the orphanage. She meets Roberta and they become best friends. The bond they share occurs because they were not considered real orphans. They were abandoned kids unlike the other children whose parents had died. One of the last times the girls see each other was the day of a visitation. On that night, Twyla’s mother was wearing â€Å"those tight green slacks that made her butt stick out. † Many people have labeled blacks as having larger butts. She could have been black, she could have been a heavy white woman with a large butt, or a Hispanic woman like me. But I automatically stereotyped and went with Twyla has to be black. During the visitation Roberta’s mother â€Å"had brought chicken legs. † Twyla notices Roberta does not eat the chicken legs. I always thought black people liked chicken more than white people which means Roberta was white since she did not eat the chicken. Or maybe she just wasn’t hungry. Shortly after that visitation Roberta’s mother came to take her home, leaving the girls devastated. They see each other several times throughout the years. At their first meeting, Roberta was rude and distant because she was high. Roberta tells Twyla she is on the way to see Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix was an infamous black guitarist. I thought at this point Roberta has to be black. However Hendrix’s band was interracial with a diverse audience. Roberta could have been white due to the diverse audience. I am a huge Hendrix fan and I am not black so why would I think Roberta is. Twelve years later they meet again at a grocery store. Roberta married a rich man and was extremely friendly to Twyla. Twyla cannot hold back her emotions and asks Roberta about the last time they saw each other. Roberta shrugs it off, â€Å"Oh, Twyla, you know how it was in those days: black—white. You know how everything was. † I can relate to this. In 1980, the Cuban Mariel Boat Lifts came over bring thousands of Cubans. I am Cuban but I was born here. Kids I had known since kindergarten treated me as if I just come over on the boats. It had a lasting effect on me and matured me beyond my years. The third time they meet is at the school where their children attend. Roberta and other mothers were picketing because they did not want their kids to be segregated. This led to a fight severing any last chance of a friendship for them as it would not be resolved until Twyla and Roberta meet for a final time. As the story ends I do not get a sense of closure. The question of which girl is white or black remains unanswered. It opened my eyes and made me question how prejudice I really am. I try to not stereotype as a result of what I went through as a child but I found myself doing just that. I can understand why Morrison wrote the way she. I am not sure what her goal was overall but to me it seemed as if she were teaching me about prejudices. â€Å"Recitatif† challenged me to not judge either girl by their race but accept them for who they are. In the end, what difference did it really make about the girls’ races? The story is about how their friendship develops and then deteriorates. Nothing more; nothing less.

Journal Article about biology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Journal Article about biology - Assignment Example Seals are moving from their habitats and migrating to other regions for comfort. Experts conclude that there would be the significant extinction of animal and plant species by the year 2100. Temperatures are rising by 3Â °C, it leads to melting of the ice caps which in turn results in the rise of the sea levels. Polar bears and emperor penguins are facing an extinction if the Arctic and Antarctic continue having a temperature rise (UNEP 3). The waters of the Arctic take longer to form ice again after it melts. The waters of the bays in the arctic take three weeks longer to be stable again than it was thirty years ago. The action affects the polar bears that prefer to hunt for their prey under the Ice Sea. The rising temperatures are having a noticeable impact on birds and butterflies. The butterflies and birds are moving and shifting their ranges by more than 200km northwards. Plants lag behind in their growth because of the rise in temperatures (UNEP 5). Plants and animals are suffering due to climatic changes, and others are risking extinction due to the climatic changes. There is no positive outcome of climatic changes to

Improvement methods Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Improvement methods - Term Paper Example Although lean thinking and mass customization are two commonly used methods of work improvement, they may differ in terms of the amount of improvement, suitability of use and the amount of time and effort spent. Engineers are involved in planning, designing and scheduling of production activities to achieve organizational performance and meet customer specifications at the required standards (Boer, Pedrazzoli, Bettoni & Sorlini, 2013). â€Å"Elimination of defects in standard product designs and manufacturing methods before production is just as important as eliminating defects during production. In fact, to achieve the quality levels, manufacturers must focus on identifying and correcting defects in underlying product designs and production methods, not simply inspect incoming materials or finished goods†(Leon, 2008, P. 61). Furthermore, engineers are involved in the maintenance of machines and setting production layout to eliminate a risk of errors, ensure optimal use of space and timely detection of defects. These engineering activities contribute to the elimination of waste and improve customer satisfaction. Mass customization refers to customer co-design process of products and services, which meet the needs of each individual customer with regard to certain product features (Boer et al., 2013, 7). The principle of mass customization focuses on the production of large quantity of a different variety of products to meet specific needs of each customer. â€Å"With mass customization, the customer expects to receive a product that exactly matches his specifications. According to market research such as by Piller et al., a customer is willing to pay 10% to 15% more than the price of a standard product in order to obtain a customized one. But a customer is definitely not willing to wait a longer time for that product† (Rautenstrauch, Seelmann-Eggebert & Turowski, 2012, 46). Mass customization processes require engineers to meet specific

Dividend Valuation Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dividend Valuation Model - Essay Example Brown & Medoff, (1988), stated that the dividends that have not become ex dividends are not required for forecasting because they have just been announced. The forecast are also based on the detailed financial models running over 2 to 5 year. This model also assumes the constant growth rate. The method is useful when evaluating then value of a company in the short and medium term, however, in long term valuation, it may not be suitable but the management can only use this model if the shareholder agree to accept the assumptions that the dividend payout policies will be maintained for future calculations ( Jensen, &, Ruback, 1983, pp5–50).. The model has limitation that makes it less appropriate. For example, the model has imitations making it difficult to use for short term forecasting as opposed to the long run because the system dividends on the ability to while the order details of host companies have an attitude while most companies use the links because it is not subscribed. Most companies also understand that the models Is dependent on the input data. Finally, the divided discount model is also not preferred by other companies because the model omits cash flows (PWC, 2007, 1-50).

Canadian Imperal Bank of Commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Canadian Imperal Bank of Commerce - Essay Example It also has a business segment offering financial services to its customers. Wal-Mart Canada is one of the international divisions of Wal-Mart Inc. in USA. It is considered to be the largest retail group in the world and offers wide range of products and services to its clients through its retail stores. Different cost management practices followed by these three companies have been studied here. All the three companies have been observed to follow expansion strategies. It results in the growth of sales at a higher pace than the increase in operating expenses of the companies. CIBC and Canadian Tire have been following the Activity Based Costing (ABC) system. JIT, wage management strategy while Wal-Mart has also effectively implemented other cost minimization strategies. Following these management accounting practices, all the three companies are expected to have a sustainable growth in future. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (C IBC) 4 Canadian Tire 6 Wal-Mart Canada 7 Conclusion 8 References 10 Introduction Accounting relates to a process of recording of business transactions carried out by an organization. The information related to the business activities followed by an organization are first identified, evaluated and then communicated to the various users in order to facilitate the decision making process. Accounting can be divided into three parts, namely cost accounting, financial accounting and management accounting. Management accounting refers to those accounting information which is utilized by the managers of the company to perform their managerial activities within the organization (Khan, & Jain, 2006, p.1.3). Hence, management accounting is an integral part of any organization. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart Canada are three of the large organizations operating their business activities in Canada. Some of the key management accounting practices followed by these three companies has been discussed in this study. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) CIBC is involved in the business of providing different kinds of financial services to various individuals, corporate, etc. in Canada and outside. It has in offer both retail and wholesale banking products for its clients. CIBC is headquartered at Toronto and was founded in the year 1867. There has been a recent change in the organizational structure of CIBC in the year 2011. As of now CIBC has three Strategic Business Units (SBUs), namely Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking and Wealth Management. Each of these SBUs is considered to be the profit centers of the company. The treasury activities associated with each of these SBUs have an impact on its financial performance. The revenue performance of each of the SBUs are affected because of the policy of using cost of funds based on market prices adopted by the company's management. Transfer pricing system is also prevalent in CIBC (CIBC, 2012, p.41). If we look at the overall cost structure of CIBC, it can be found that it has both interest and non-interest expenses. The interest expenses of the company mostly include interest on deposits. On the other hand its non-interest expenses include employee benefits and compensation, occupancy costs, advertising costs etc. In addition to this the company has a provision for credit losses. The provision for cre

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam by Robert Spencer Essay

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam by Robert Spencer - Essay Example Robert Spencer shakes things in an equally controversial book The Politically incorrect Guide to Islam. This book obliterates simplistic, politically correct opinions about the Islam religion. It compares, word by word, the teachings between Muhammad and the teachings of Buddhism, Christianity and other religions. He sent her away until the child was born. When the woman came back after several months, he took the child and gave it to a friend as a gift while he ordered the woman to be stoned to death. This book covers a lot of ground with the study of Muhammad, the development of Quran, the spread of Islam religion, and Islam’s early wars hence the culmination of the Crusades. The book is introduced as an examination of some specific tendentious contentions about Islam religion and the Crusades that have been a source of current debates. Spencer provides readers an extensive exploration about Islam that cannot be taught in school or that may not be exposed in the media; in so doing he paints religion in a broadly negative light. The general notion that Islam is a peaceful religion that has been hijacked by small minority of extremists is the beginning of all PC myths surrounding Islam. To back his claims, he quotes several Western Historical figures such as John Quincy, Alexis de Tocqueville and Winston Churchill who have been vocal in criticizing Islam. The book criticizes Islam as both oppressive and militant and gives a historical account of the crusades based on the argument that they were a late response of European civilization to the centuries of occupation and invasion which started in the 8thC in Italy, France, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and major parts of Eastern Europe. Spencer argues that the civilization clash between the West and Islam in the 21stC was as a result of a continuation of a 14thC long jihad which commenced at the inception of Islam. The book also offers discussions about the difficulties of treating this topic in a ever dis integrated current political environment. The fact is the book has both the bright and not-so bright sides. On the bright side, Spencer denies many myths penetrated by the PC crowd: that mainly states that Islam and Christianity are for the greater part been equivalent traditions, that crusaders were selfish land-hungry colonizers, that Jihadists were benign sweetie-pies and many other controversies. Honestly, I do agree with his bruising of Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven film which depicts a sentimentally liberal Islam during crusades periods. On the other side of the Spence’s book, he gives several myths that need correction. These include: Christianity is essentially begin and Islam nasty The crusades were defensive conflicts We should be grateful for crusades These three points as expressed by Spenser are myths and ironical in nature. 1) Myth one: Christianity is essentially begin and Islam nasty The book â€Å"The Politically incorrect Guide to Islam† is full of â€Å"Jesus vs. Muhammad† punctuations, whereby several teachings of Jesus are compared and contrasted with the intolerant and militant teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Taking for instance page 35: Jesus teachings was â€Å"blessed are the persecuted† and it is contrasted with Prophet Muhammad’s authority to kill persecutors claiming that â€Å"persecution is worse than slaughter† (Qur'an 2:191). Again in page 143, Spencer describes Jesus’ teachings and deeds to be merciful to enemies as compared to Muhammad’s command to ruthless to unbelievers but merciful to fellow Muslims. The mention of Islam develops a feeling of fear on the part of many non-Muslims because of what they have been told or heard about the Muslims. In my opinion, it is pointless to list

AL 8 Response CRJ 546 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

AL 8 Response CRJ 546 - Essay Example that when attacks occur, we become cautious about attacks but with the passage of time, out security level gets to an average level and the probability of attacks increases again. Jennifer has answered to the questions in the form of one big paragraph. She has started with the purpose of building the Department of Homeland Security which is to fight terrorism at home and abroad. She has defined catastrophic terrorism as an attempt to gain access to weapons. She has rightly said that terrorists can attempt to target the infrastructural and agricultural facilities in order to paralyze the United States. She has also rightly said that with the passage of time people are getting less cautious towards security. Mandi has taken a very sensible approach while answering the questions. She has answered each question separately. She has given the example of 9/11 attacks and has said that those attacks were a reality check for the United States to know whether we should take mass-level security related corrective measures or not. The writer has rightly said that the repetition of the attacks is probable as we sit back and think that it will not occur again. However, there is lack of details on whether Americans, as a nation, have forgotten the reality of terrorist attacks or not. The writer has written about the approach of the government in this regard more than that of the people of the United

Convenience and Future of ATMs in my Community Essay Example for Free

Convenience and Future of ATMs in my Community Essay Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) have made our life easy and convenient in many ways. With more and more ATMs being installed from street corners to local retails, from outside the bank to shopping malls, they are hard to miss. Gone are they days when we need to stand in line inside banks waiting to be served by tellers? Transaction now processed with just the click of a few buttons. History and Development Luther George Simjian, in 1939, had the first idea to place an ATM in banks (Bellis, n. d. ). He was to place them in holes so that bank clients can make their transaction through the window. This was first tested in New Yorks First National City Bank now Citicorp but was later rejected due to the lack of demand of customers (Bellis, n. d. ). The first truly cash-dispensing machine was created by John Shepherd-Barron from De La Rue Instruments called De La Rue Automatic Cash System, or DACS (International Merchant Services, n. d. ). They were checks bought in advance from tellers and was impregnated with Carbon 14 in order for the machines to detect them (Bellis, n. d. ). It was installed and placed in Barclays bank in London (International Merchant Services, n. d. ). In 1969, the first magnetic card was introduced. It was created by Don Wetzel who was working with Docutel. He had the patent along with Tom Barnes and George Chastain. It was installed in a New York based Chemical Bank (Bellis, n. d. ). Later, Docutel developed the first truly ATM machine that we are familiar today. It was placed in the wall and outside the bank. However, the first ATMs did not directly accessed your personal account when withdrawing money from it. Instead, they were initially offered to the banks credit card holders with good credit standings (Bellis, n. d. ). They were only cash advancements from the clients credit card rather than debiting them directly from the account. It was far from what we know of today where ATMs can do almost everything an ordinary teller can do such as deposits, transfers money from checking to savings, cash advances to your credit card and takes payments. How ATMs Work ATM works by providing users and clients with a remote access with their bank accounts. These machines are connected to the bank accounts through internet connection to the banks database where it has information on the amount of money in the account (Bowen, 2000). The magnetic part of the card stores information of the user such as account number and the pass code. Once the user has entered the correct code it will verify it to the users bank and will send out verification on the transaction that has to be made. The card then dispenses the money using an electronic eye and detector to determine the bills that are sent out. The sensor detects if there are stuck or worn out bills and places them in the discard tray and issues the user the required transactions (Bowen, 2000). Once the transactions are made, they are logged in the machines journal in case the client has disputes on the transactions. Growth of the ATM The popularity of the ATM is undisputed today. The number of ATMs installed today shows its success and effectiveness on both the banks and their clients. Banks have embraced this technology because of three reasons (Islam, Sheel, Biswas, n. d. ). First, banks improve their financial, marketing and competitive positions by attracting clients and increasing their revenue by increasing their services such as loans and financial packages (Islam, et. al. , n. d. ). ATMs provided human resources with more time to process request that ATMs cannot process, thus, it increased the efficiency of tellers providing better services to their clients increasing the income of banks. Further, customers are now looking for banks with more access to ATMs for their convenience and accessibility. Second, ATMs can perform many of the tasks than tellers do and in the long run they are easier to maintain and cost considerably less than their human counterparts (Islam, et. al. , n. d. ). Installing ATMs reduces the work load of tellers. The increase in number of clients for a bank means that they would need more resources to cater to their customers. ATM machines are more efficient for they need no training and less maintenance (Islam, et. al. , n. d. ). Banks realize this cost effective way of providing service and provided more and more machines for their clients (Ferrari, Verboven, Degryse, 2007). Last, ATM machines serve as factors for marketing decisions for financial institutions (Islam, et. al. , n. d. ). Banks would first place ATMs in potential locations for establishing bank branches. They would first see if there are enough clients for them in the area before finally establishing a bank in the area. ATMs today can also provide cash advances from credit cards depending on the allowable limit of the card. Another convenience provided for the users is the added feature of ATM cards. They can now be used as a debit card similar to that of the credit card. However, users must make sure that they have enough cash in their accounts to make similar purchases with that of the credit card. Problems Facing ATMs ATMs, though beneficial for most of its users, has their flaws and problems. They are most of the times reliable but sometimes they do break down and need some maintenance. It is sometimes out of service and needs overhaul and it needs to replenish its cash contents. These are the common problems of ATM machines. First time users of the machine may also find it difficult to use them and may be complex for them. However, this can be learned easily with a few tries at the machine. Others, on the other hand, points out those ATMs dispense only a certain denomination of money. Customers are either to transact lower or higher than what they really need but seldom exactly the cash they wanted. Finally, clients are sometimes frustrated when the machine captures their cards especially if they badly need the cash and they do not have any other ATMs available to them. Personal Application In Scottsbluff, Nebraska, ATM machines are normally situated in local shops within the community. There is also one located inside my local bank that has my account. Locations where there are many people passing by also have ATM machines installed within the area. This provides convenience and accessibility for users who need cash. Further, people who have no private cars can easily access these machines and do their transactions without the going to the bank. Further, they are easier to install than constructing new bank branches. Personally, ATMs have its own advantages and disadvantages. The most beneficial would be convenience and accessibility. People do not need to do their transaction within the bank or during banking hours. They can even do it during the night or even in another state. ATMs in the shopping mall have a business value for the mall other than having people to just withdraw cash from the machine. If users withdraw money in the mall, they are likely to spend some of it in the same mall. Citizens of Scottsbluff are also most likely to spend a portion of their money in the Newsagents, chip shop, hairdressers and the two public houses. These places have ATM machines located near them. However, there are some disadvantages. Some ATMs have surcharges if you are using a machine from a different bank other than yours. People using these machines 2-3 times per week, can have surcharges that may have a sizable amount. But this is still very minimal compared to the benefits that these machines provide us. Another disadvantage of ATMs in some areas of the community is those that are located inside shops that close early. These machines would have limited access to potential users and are only available only during store hours. Finally, news of scams connected to ATM machines are becoming more common where in criminals can have access to your personal account by using a machine attached to ATMs that records your personal information as well as your account number and pin code. Conclusion The disadvantage of ATMs outweighs the advantages that it gives to its users as well as the banks that provide them. ATMs have come a long way from its beginnings. Today, it is no longer just used for simple cash dispersing but also includes a wide variety of uses including payment of bill, ATM debiting and cash advances from credit cards. Without these machines, banks would have not been as efficient as they are today and people would have not ripped the benefits of this technology. References Bellis, M. (n.d.). The history of automatic teller machines or ATM. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from http://Inventors.about.com/od/astartinventions/a/atm.htm Bowen, J. (2000, April 1). Howstuffworks How ATMs work. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/banking/atm3.htm Ferrari, Stijn. Verboven, Frank. Degryse, Hans. (2007, November). Investment and usage of new technologies: Evidence from a shared ATM network. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1075042 Timeline The ATM history. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2009, from http://www.atm24.com/NewsSection/Industry%20News/Timeline%20-%20The%20ATM%20History.aspx. Islam, Rafiqul. Sheel, Samir Kumar. Biswas, Pallab Kumar. (n.d.). Customer satisfaction of ATM service: A case study of HSBC ATM. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=990242

Manchester City Swot Analysis Marketing Essay

Manchester City Swot Analysis Marketing Essay INTRODUCTION The project is basically about the two football teams from different football clubs. The idea is to make a strategic comparison between the two teams. The names of the football teams that have been taken for comparison include the Manchester City Football club and Barcelona Football club. The team Manchester city is basically from the English premier league whereas the team Barcelona is from the Spanish Division (Barcelona Soccer Institute, 2012). Both the teams have a good reputation in the Football industry around the Globe. The aim of the project is to analyze the mission and vision statements of both these clubs and compare them to analyze the comparative effectiveness of the two. This will provide more information as to who is the better side of the two of them. On the other hand SWOT analysis of both teams will also be conducted and compared to see which team has the most strengths and opportunities available. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY Manchester City Football club is basically an English premier league football club located and based in Manchester. It was founded in 1880 and was initially called West Gorton. Then in 1887 they became Ardwick Association Football club and then they became Manchester City in 1894. Thisclub has played at the City of Manchester stadium since the period of 2003, and have also played for Maine Road from 1923 as well (Wikipedia, Manchester City F.C., 2013). the most cherishing and successful period for the club was in the late 1960s and the early part of 1970s when they managed to win the league championship, League Cup, FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup under the management of Malcolm Allison and Joe Mercer. After being defeated in the FA cup final of 1981, the cup actually went into the phase of decline, totally culminating in relegation towards the third tier of English football in 1998. This was the only time in their history that they went so down. After having regained the sta tus of premier league, the club was eventually purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group and the club became one of the wealthiest in the world. In the year 2011 the Manchester city club managed to qualify for the champions league and was able to win the FA cup. In the year 2012 the club managed to win the premier league, which is also referred to as their first league title in the past forty years. On the other hand Futsal Club Barcelona is there from the emergence of their football club in 1899. FC Barcelona, which is also known as merely Barcelona or Barca is actually based in Barcelona Catalonia in Spain (Wikipedia, History of FC Barcelona, 2011). The team was actually founded by a group of English, Spanish and Swiss footballers, and this group was actually led by Joan Gamper. The club has been known to play amateur football in the early years until 1910 in various competitions that were regional. It was also in 1910 that the club participated in the first of their European competitions, and since that time the club has been able to win 10 UEFA trophies and a sextuple. By the year 1928 Barcelona co-founded La liga which is the top tier in Spanish football, and they also found some small string of football clubs as well. Barcelona has never been relegated from La liga and share the same record as one of their competitors known as the real Madrid. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Corporate governance is basically a system of rules, processes and practices by which the company is controlled and directed. The concept actually involves balancing the interests of the various stakeholders in the company. Looking at the structure of both the football clubs, both are very similar and follow a business format of a public limited company. Manchester city Football club has been having a good time with the management and all the stakeholders of the company are satisfied (Corporate Info, 2012). The main reason behind this is that the management of the football club aims to motivate the football players and fans for the company, on the other hand the players believe in continuous and quality. The main aim of this football club is to fulfill the expectations of their fans and people. On the other hand Barcelona is one of the most successful clubs of the world. The club believes in total quality and promotes many core values like healthy diet, tolerance, and sports for the disabled. On the other hand the club also speaks against racism (Pont, 2011). The management of the company and the players has been facing some problems; therefore Barcelona fails to balance the interests of various stakeholders of the company. SWOT ANALYSIS BARCELONA FOOTBALL CLUB STRENGTHS Barcelona has a strong local Brand name and the best club in Europe and Spain. The Camp Now stadium of Barcelona has a seating capacity in excess of 100000 Barcelona has the best players in the world that are playing for their Team. The brands known as the UNICEF, Qatar Foundation and Nike are associated Brands with the Barcelona Football Club. This means that the team has one of the best brand endorsements in the world. WEAKNESSES The team is known to have a lot of controversies in the football matches. It is basically from the lesser popular and famous clubs as compared to the clubs that are English OPPORTUNITY The club has the opportunity to increase their fan bases from the countries like china, USA and India. If the Barcelona football club is able to focus on more advertising and promotions then this will help the club a lot in building brand equity. THREATS The other clubs that are prevalent in Europe are buying out the good players out of Barcelona. This can be fatal for the club if they do not stop this from happening The club has reported a lot of internal problems between the players and management which can also pose a threat to the wellbeing of the club in the future. The club has been known to have a lot of financial debt because it has been involved in the player transfers of expensive players. This can cause liquidity problems to the club in the future. MANCHESTER CITY SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS The Manchester city football club has a local positioning within Manchester The club has a lot of openness and innovation in the department of culture. They allow players from all cultures to prove their worth and join the club. The club has some of the richest sponsors as compared to other clubs. WEAKNESSES The club has a weak presence in the city of Manchester because many other competitors are also popular over here. The name of this club is not very well established as compared to other clubs. Most of the players playing in this club are average players. OPPORTUNITIES The club should higher better players and make use of the rich sponsors that they have. This will improve of the performance of the club in the future. The club should get more brand endorsements to improve the brand image of the club. The club can higher some of the best coaches around the world given the fact that the club is rich. THREATS Manchester United Football club is better than Manchester City and is more popular in Manchester than any other football club. As the case with other clubs internal problems are prevalent in this club between the management and the Coach. The club should ensure that the problems do not get worse in the future. ICEBERG PRINCIPLES THEORY The iceberg is basically a model that not only considers the visible logical level of the subject, but also explains the invisible emotional level of the subject (GmbH). The logic level of the subject which includes the strategy, structure, functions and processes usually accounts for 10% of the overall human capacity whereas the cultural level amounts to 90% of the human capacity. Following is the sketch for a typical Iceberg Theory. The structure of the iceberg principle and its 5 process levels STRATEGIC LEVEL At the strategic level Manchester city FC aims for delivering the best quality football to its fans. They are basically concerned for high performance and value for the shareholders of the company. On the other hand the Barcelona football club claims to be one of the best in the world and they claim that they are not just a club; they are more than a club. STRUCTURAL LEVEL The management performance for Barcelona has been poor at the structural level because the company has incurred many losses because of expensive player contracts. On the other hand Manchester city has one of the richest management team. The management team rewards its players very well and their goal is quality performance for the fans. PROCESS LEVEL Manchester city claims that its core values include serving the fans of the football club by portraying excellent performance. Their main aim is to create continuous value for its fans and the shareholders of the company. On the other hand Barcelona aims to work about by following the core values including the treatment of sports as the focal point, supporting the strategic plans of the club and exploring the new areas of financing for the club. The club also aims at bringing the members closer to the club in terms of activity and communication. FUNCTIONAL LEVEL The performance level of the employees or the players of Manchester city has been very high in the present. This is because they have recently won the premier league for the first time in the past forty years. Therefore, the performance level of the players has been excellent. On the other hand Barcelona has been struggling recently because of some clashes between the management and players of the club. On the other hand there have been many player transfers from this team in the recent years which has affected the team chemistry to some extent. However the team has the potential to bounce back from such problems because it is one of the best clubs of the Spanish league. CULTURAL LEVEL At the cultural level Barcelona football club has been committed to promote the society as much as possible. They see children and young people as their main beneficiaries and are also known to promote values and education. The club has also organized many sporting activities for the civilians of the country. On the other hand Manchester city is known to play for the fans. They have highly praised the fans of the football club for their never ending support. On the other hand Manchester city has Donated 500000 pounds to the Royal Manchester Childrens hospital recently and has also been known to perform charity work for the people. Therefore both the clubs have a good relationship with the fans and the society at the cultural level CONCLUSION After all the analysis that has been conducted for both Manchester city and Barcelona, it is true to say that there are some considerable differences in the results. Considering the SWOT analysis of both the clubs, it is evident that Barcelona is no doubt a better side than Manchester City by all means. This is because they have the best players from around the world, and some excellent brand endorsements as compared to Manchester City who are usually ranked as an average side overall. However Barcelona has been facing a lot of internal problems such as the problems between players and management, the frequent transfer of expensive players, and their recent financial crises. Manchester city does not have any such problems and are a more stable side because they have one of the richest clubs in the world. On the other hand the Vision and mission statements of both the football leagues are good. The mission statement of Manchester city is more thorough than that of Barcelona. The corporate governance of Manchester city is better than that of Barcelona, and the Iceberg principle also looks more favorable for Manchester City overall. Therefore Manchester City is surprisingly a more stable side as compared to Barcelona despite the fact that Barcelona has a better football club.

The Dominant Occupation Of The Pastoralism Sociology Essay

The Dominant Occupation Of The Pastoralism Sociology Essay Pastoralism is the dominant occupation in the Horn of Africa simply because the arid environment, with its scattered, inconsistent and often short and intense rainfall (when it occurs) permits no other consistent food harvest (Herr, 1992). The pastoralists largely obtain their food from their herds of cattle, sheep, goats and in the drier regions, camels. Some of these people cultivate agricultural crops where they can, most do not. Pastoralist societies in Kenya are in transition. This reality is confirmed by studies on the pastoralist communities particularly on the Maasai, Boran, and Rendille of Kenya (Evangelou, 1984; Fratkin, 2001). The same can be said of the Gabra, the Ariaal, the Sakuye, the Samburu, and the Turkana (Oba, 2001). The transition is due to population growth, loss of herding lands to farmers, ranchers, game parks, urban growth, increased commoditization of the livestock economy, out-migration by poor pastoralists, and dislocations brought about by drought, famine, and ethnic conflicts coupled with privatization and individuation of formerly communally held resources. The region of Northern Kenya (with an area of 250,000 km.) is arid and semi-arid. Rainfall is highly variable from year to year and drought is recurrent. Pastoralism is the dominant economic activity, given that agricultural potential is low. Farming is only possible in the few localities with high and medium agricultural potentials. Economic survival of the peoples of the region depends on management of many species of livestock: camels, cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats. Drought, disease and a certain measure of insecurity are all realities. Northern Kenya also borders highly unstable states, including Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, and the borders with these countries are porous, if they can be said to exist at all. The regional dimensions of conflict, and in particular the ease in which groups and arms cross borders has increased the incidences and severity of conflict in the region and led to a commercialization of cattle raiding and cattle rustling. The foregoing points to a near collapse of the traditional pastoral economy and fabrics of the social security systems thereby pointing to an uncertain future (Sobania, 1979; Kassam Bashuna, 2004). Life in these environments is uncertain, dangerous and tenuous forcing many young people to migrate to urban areas in search of alternative livelihoods. Given the harsh natural environment, pressure on natural resources, decline or collapse of , loss of livestock, lack of capital, and limited survival alternatives, encamped youths are for the most part destitute. Dislocated youths living in urban areas have to contend with rent, electricity, water and other bills, as well as buying food. This can be particularly challenging for those without a steady source of income. Many engage in petty trade, buying and selling vegetables, second-hand clothes and shoes (mitumba), food items, fuel (paraffin, charcoal, firewood), while others participate in itinerant hawking, boda boda (bicycle taxis), brick making, brick laying and selling water. A few work in factories, others have started small businesses such as brewing illicit liquors and tailoring. Some youths have been reduced to begging or crime in order to survive for lack of valid skills in the salaried sector. They find themselves isolated from family and friends in an environment charact erized by inadequate amenities (Livingstone, 1986; Cernea, 1990; Bovin et al., 1990). Pastoralist youths have suffered serious reverses in economic and social wellbeing such that they are unable to live up to established norms of supporting their households. This is because dislocation can devalue their shared survival skills whereby vital social networks and life support mechanisms for families are weakened or dismantled. Authority systems are debilitated or collapse (World Bank 1994, Cernea 1993b; 1994a). The proposed study will explore the causes and social consequences of the erosion of the pastoralist livelihood systems as exemplified in urban migration, urban crime, joblessness, substance abuse and other evidence of social and psychological anomie among youths with reference to Wajir District. 1.2 Statement of the Problem In Wajir District it is estimated that 80% or more of the population depends on pastoralism. The district is predominantly arid and semi-arid, has a history of conflict and internal displacement. These are harsh realities that are made worse by marginalization by the government largely due to the districts perceived lack of economic potential as well as a deficient understanding on how to support and promote nomadic pastoralism as a viable and sustainable livelihood. The district is further characterized by chronic drought (RoP, 1965; RoP, 2005). The cumulative result is the breakdown of social support systems rendering the provision of positive opportunities for asset accumulation impossible (Amuyunzu-Nyamongo Ezeh 2005, Rakodi 2002). These realities have made social dislocation and or urban migration attractive alternatives (Ellis, 2000; Fratkin, 2001). Youthful individuals who experience social dislocation are at risk of social impoverishment. They are exposed to social problems of urban life such as joblessness, urban crime, drug and alcohol addiction. Their experiences may also increase their dissatisfaction with existing orders leading to an upsurge in crime and violence, accompanied by other symptoms of social and psychological distress (World Bank 1994, Cernea 1993b; 1994a; Oba, 2001). This study seeks to probe the experiences of social dislocation in Kenya with reference to youths from pastoralist communities in Wajir District. 1.3 Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to probe the experiences of social dislocation in Kenya with reference to youths from pastoralist communities in Wajir District. 1.4 Study Objectives This study will be guided by the following objectives: To provide an overview of the present challenges facing pastoralists in Wajir District To provide the patterns of displacement among youthful pastoralists in Wajir District To examine the difficulties of adjustment socially dislocated youths face in Wajir District To determine remedies to the problem of social dislocation among youths in Wajir District 1.5 Research Questions This study will be guided by the following research questions: What are the present challenges facing pastoralists in Wajir District? What are the patterns of displacement in Wajir District? What adjustment difficulties do socially dislocated youths face in Wajir District? What are the remedies to the problem of social dislocation among youths in Wajir District? 1.6 Research Assumptions The study will be guided by the following assumptions:- All the respondents will give reliable information without fear or favor. That major towns in Wajir District have socially dislocated pastoralists youths. That the findings of this study will assist policymakers and stakeholders to address the pastoralist crisis. 1.7 Justification for the Study This study is significant because of the following reasons: There is limited literature (Ellis, 2000; Fratkin, 2001) on the demasculation and decline in the social capital of the pastoralist economy in Wajir District. This study, therefore, by documenting this aspect, could immensely contribute to knowledge and literature on the experiences of social dislocation and how it impacts on youths from pastoralist communities in Wajir District. The findings of this study could be relevant to policy-makers and other stakeholders such as NGOs and CBOs in formulating viable policies and intervention programmes to remedy the problem of social dislocation among youths in Wajir District. The local community will hopefully benefit when the problem of social dislocation among youths in Wajir District is addressed. 1.8 Scope and Limitation of the Study These are the boundaries to any study (Mugenda and Mugenda, 1999). This study will be carried out in Wajir East District in NEP Kenya. This study was prompted by the fact that the issue of social dislocation is a major challenge in Wajir District. The research will not cover broad issues outside the issue of social dislocation in Wajir District. The study will limit itself to Wajir District. For more conclusive results, all geographical locations inhabited by pastoralist communities would have been studied. However, this is not possible due to financial and other logistical constraints such as time and duration of the study. Other limitations in this study include the tough terrain, poor transport infrastructure and general insecurity making it difficult to traverse the district during data collection. The researcher will make special travel arrangements to overcome these challenges. 1.9 Theoretical Framework This study will be guided by the theories of social geometry and social capital. The theory of social geometry links socially-constructed places, socially-constructed time, and socially-constructed personages in order to grasp routine and ritual activities (Fabian, 1992). The social geometry of a people consists of infinite intersections of socially-constructed spaces, socially-constructed times, and socially-constructed personages. And, for many cultures, the geometry also defines who are we? Research on environmental memories has discovered the near universality of fondly remembered childhood places, representing the intersection of culturally constructed time and place (Altman et al. 1994; Marcus, 1994; Chawla, 1994). Mitigating social dislocation begins by reconstructing the social geometry (spatial and temporal dislocation) of the displaced. This is because attachment to space and time can be a powerful binding force for displaced social groups. Moser (1996) is renown for making significant contributions to the social capital theory. He argued that communities ability to cope depends not only on their material well-being, but also on their social capital the trust, networks, and reciprocal arrangements that link people with their communities. Rural and urban migration often follow long established patterns drawing on networks of information and contacts established by earlier waves of migration. Up to a point, such social capital may be strengthened by economic crisis, but beyond that threshold, networks become overwhelmed and social systems break down with disastrous consequences (Cousins, 1993; Amuyunzu-Nyamongo Ezeh 2005, Rakodi 2002). Studies (Moser and McIlaine 2005; Buvinic et al., 1999) were undertaken on the experiences of migrants in urban environments especially with reference to Latin America. These studies established that social dislocation is accompanied by an upsurge in crime and violence, accompanied by other symptoms of social and psychological distress. These studys findings indicate that social dislocation that manifest through the apparent breakdown of collective responses to livelihood erosion is both the result of a decline in the social capital of many pastoralist communities, and a causal factor in accelerating that breakdown by reinforcing social differentiation and decreasing levels of trust between individuals. Traditional, or informal institutions can often no longer maintain order, and neither do the formal institutions of the state command any confidence. Social dislocation weakens and helps dismantle vital social networks and life support mechanisms for families and communities. Authority systems are questioned or simply collapse in the face of the arising new challenges thereby groups lose their capacity to self-manage and the society suffers a demonstrable reduction in its capacity to cope with uncertainty (World Bank 1994, Cernea 1993b; 1994a). This coupled with the high rate of migration into urban centers and the speed of economic change (not necessarily growth) complicates pastoralists adjustment. 1.10 Definition of Significant Terms District a geographical area defined with a gazetted political boundary and comprises of a number of divisions, locations and sub-locations. Stakeholders people/ institutions that are directly interested in the functioning of a school. Social Dislocation The emotional, psychological or physical experience by persons who were forced to separate themselves from the circle of people, places and activities on which they had depended (for their livelihoods). CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This chapter review related literature under the following subheadings namely social dislocation, challenges facing pastoralist communities, difficulties of adjustment for socially dislocated pastoralists, remedies to the problem of social dislocation and gaps identified. 2.2 Social Dislocation According to Sutro, Levingston and Downing (1988) people experience social dislocation when they are emotionally, psychologically or physically forced to separate themselves from the circle of people, places and activities on which they had depended (for their livelihoods). The debate on social dislocation revolves around the relationship between human activity and climate. The human-made dimensions of the pastoral plight are attributable to overstocking and other exogenous factors such as population growth, immigration, conflict and government policies. Climate related explanations revolve around drought, famine, decreased rainfall, floods, among others. Sobania (1979) observes that each year drought results in dislocation of the poor, despite massive hand-outs of famine relief by governments and donors. For him, drought survival involves survival of the fabrics of the social security systems that must depend on survival of livestock, marketing of the produce and sharing the resources. World Bank (1994) observes that each year, about 10 million people become involuntarily displaced and risk social impoverishment. Causes of social dislocation among pastoralists include limited access to water and pasture resources, loss of traditional grazing land, cattle raiding, lack of alternative sources of livelihood from pastoralism. Fratkin (2001) observes that dislocations among pastoralist societies in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are brought about by drought, famine, and civil war. These problems are intensified by the current trend of government policies that encourage privatization and individuation of formerly communally held resources (Lane, 1989; 1996). Getachew (1995) and Fratkin (2001) attribute the prevalence of social dislocation among pastoral communities to the deteriorating conditions of food security and the breakdown of the traditional pastoral economy. They further note that worsening conditions of food security are occurring as interventions by states and international NGOs are decreasing. Several reasons exist for this state of affairs. First, development took no notice of the indigenous coping strategies of the pastoralists, their goals and aspirations (Grandin and Lembuya 1987, Hogg 1990). Second, because coherent government policies on drought are lacking, failure to reduce drought losses is frustrating the development efforts. Third, programs designed to help the pastoralists do not integrate their coping strategies into drought management plans (Huss-Ashmore and Katz 1989). Bonfiglioli (1992) identifies six factors that to him are responsible for social dislocation among pastoralist communities. First, is the issue of climate and ecology the lack of rainfall tends to set the array of vegetation over time, directly affecting livestock populations and pastoralists. Change in this parameter has worked to push pastoralists of the Sahel south. Second, demographic growth this factor contributes principally to the push of pastoralists into nomadism. Third, the agricultural impasse an increased demand for agricultural products has led to less fallowing and the opening up of more lands for agriculture at the expense of pasture land. These practices have led to disruptions in local level farmer-herder interchange. At another level, mega-project agricultural development has expropriated large areas of former grazing land. Fourth, government development policies this factor is one of central control serving state interests rather than local interests. Additiona lly, mismanagement, faulty policies and international trade has worked to impoverish pastoralists. Fifth, incorporation into the market economy essentially, this has been a double movement of increasing dependency and marginalization because of national production/exchange structures and the resulting loss of control by pastoralists over the terms of trade. Finally, insecurity, wars, and conflicts the interplay of political conflict, ecological stress and resulting food insecurity is present throughout the drylands. Pastoralists have borne the brunt of this crisis both as soldier and victim. Bovin and Manger (1990) noted that the political and economic dimensions of social dislocation include state policies that are seen to favor agriculture and settlement at the expense of pastoralism. 2.3 Challenges Facing Pastoralists Communities The Sessional Paper No 10 of 1965 on African Socialism and its Application to Planning in Kenya presented the framework for development and equity in Kenya but also presented great dilemma when it noted public investment would go to areas of highest potential returns and people most responsive to change. This approach was to favour the former White Highlands while perpetuating the marginalization of areas like North Eastern Province and the malaria and tsetse fly infested western lowlands (RoK, 1965). Little (1997) and Hogg (1988) documented a series of crises that led to losses and impoverishment among the Ilchamus pastoralists of Kenya. The Ilchamus crisis was attributed to loss of pasture to European settlers, market quarantines, farmer encroachment, use of communal grazing by absentee owner and the expansion of cultivation by herders. This reality could equally serve to describe the situation among pastoralists elsewhere in Kenya Sperling and Galaty (1994) attributed the crisis among the Samburu and Maasai pastoralists in Kenya to the gradual truncation of pastoral relations and narrowing of their access to resources, in land use, labor and livestock networks. Such circumscription undermines the strength of a more collective specialized pastoralism e.g. access to a range of pasture and an extensive shared labor pool to the benefit of a privileged minority. Fratkin (2001) used examples of the Maasai, Boran, and Rendille of Kenya to demonstrate that East African pastoralists are increasingly witnessing social and economic stratification, urban migration, and diminished nutrition for women and children as a result of increased economic diversification including agro-pastoralism, wage labor, and increased market integration. Oba (2001) observes that pastoralists have to contend with environmental vagaries and conflicts over the exploitation of limited resources. While the traditional practice of cattle raiding was done seasonally as a rite of passage into adulthood, to obtain cattle for bride price, a means of restocking after calamities such as prolonged drought and raids were predictable, infrequent and controlled not to cause death or harmfully affect the lives or livelihoods of the society, today that is not he case any more. The Pokot, Turkana, Marakwet, Tugen and Keiyo raided each other, but lived harmoniously until the onset of multi-party politics in the 1990s, when the raids eventually acquired belligerent and criminal tendencies. As the practice gained political character, raiders disregarded the seasonal aspect of cattle theft. Whereas communities would organize missions to retrieve stolen animals, the introduction of small arms has changed the nature of such custom and undermined traditional conflict management arrangements. Increasingly, communities are amassing weapons for their own security, and to carry out raids and retaliation missions. Any number of armed young raiders can now go on raiding missions, with or without the blessing of the traditional elders who traditionally sanctioned raids 2.4 Difficulties of Adjustment for Socially Dislocated Pastoralists Cernea (1990) revealed that social dislocation may lead to eight forms of impoverishment: unemployment, homelessness, landlessness, marginalization, food insecurity, loss of access to common property, erosion of health status, and social disarticulation. These findings were reconfirmed by a wider study conducted by the World Bank. Indeed, World Bank (1994) observes that following the drought of 1984, the phrase new pastoralists was coined to describe the growing number of stockless or near-stockless pastoralists clustered in and around prominent trading centers subsisting on famine relief. The implication is that those pastoralists who become involuntarily displaced and risk social impoverishment. Social impoverishment occurs when the displaced are unable to answer the primary cultural question where are we? Or rather who are we? Displacements in North Eastern Kenya has been due to resource conflict and security operation (Oba, 2001). For instance, in Manyatta Demo, Isiolo district, the pastoral economy has never recovered from the brutal government counter-insurgency activities in the 1960s and raiding by groups from the east in the 1980s and 1990s. Most residents have no capital or stock, and are obliged to produce and sell charcoal, an activity which is precarious, low return, and illegal. Women, on the other hand, have a much wider set of pursuits: collecting and selling of firewood, selling miraa (khat), milk, eggs and honey; gathering wild fruits, herbal medicines and incense; weaving baskets and mats; and making bread. 2.5 Remedies to the Problem of Social Dislocation Studies (Bryceson, 1996; Ellis (2000) and Francis et al (2005) observe that livelihood diversification has been widely recognized phenomena in Africa in recent decades as households have sought to sustain themselves by means of a wider array of economic activities. While these processes can be a positive response to new opportunities, they may also reflect a forced shift into more marginal activities as assets become eroded and former livelihood systems unviable. Forms of diversification recorded in their study included shifts to new farm enterprises, to off-farm sources of income, and to non-farm activities. Several studies in Kenya and elsewhere have laid this to rest (Green, 1987; Atwood, 1990; Carter, Wiebe and Blarel, 1991; Migot-Adholla, Hazell, Blarel and Place, 1991) the common belief that indigenous tenure systems impede productivity and the former mistaken notion of pastoralist overstocking and mismanagement. McCabe (1990) and Ndagala (1990) recognized that the provision of certain developments such as boreholes and veterinary care have removed some constraints on the potential for herd increase with the possibility for localized forage depletion. Behnke and Scoones (1992) and Scoones (1995) talked of ecological succession that captured fluctuating stocking rates and migratory patterns of forage exploitation that allow pastoral management to survive and even to flourish, sustaining livestock numbers in good years well beyond the conventional range management recommendations. These sentiments are supported by Bonfiglioli (1992) who argues that the image of eco-disaster and collapse should be tempered by the realization of the complexities, cultural resilience and the possibilities of pastoral viability. Besides, Sandford (1983) and Homewood and Rodgers (1987) observed that no satisfactory evidence was found for either declining for either declining productivity or overgrazing in either Baringo District, Kenya or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. Oba (2001) also opines that development programs might alleviate problems of social dislocation on a sustained basis if the people are helped to revive indigenous means of coping. This has not happened because improved knowledge of indigenous coping strategies, which is essential for developing food security policy, is lacking. CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.0 Introduction This chapter presents the research methodology for the study including the research design, the study site, target population, sample and the sampling techniques, data collection instruments, validity and reliability of the instruments, data collection procedures and data analysis. 3.1 Research Design The study will use the survey design to explore the experiences of social dislocation in Kenya with reference to youths from pastoralist communities in Wajir District. A survey design is a technique where detailed information concerning a phenomenon is collected by posing questions to the respondents such that it becomes possible to find explanations for the social phenomenon in question (Wiersma Churchill, 1995). Therefore, surveys design concerns gathering of facts or pertinent and precise information concerning the current state of a phenomenon and wherever possible conclusion from the facts discovered. The descriptive survey design is best suited for this study because it is aimed at description of state of affairs as they exist (Kombo Tromp, 2006). 3.2 Study Location This study will be conducted in Wajir District an administrative district in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Wajir. The district has a population of 319,261 and an area of 55,501 km ². Wajir district has only one local authority: Wajir county council. The district has four constituencies: Wajir North, Wajir West, Wajir East and Wajir South. Wajir District is divided into fourteen administrative divisions. The researcher collected data from two divisions, namely, Habaswein and Central. These are the divisions that host important urban centres namely Habaswein and Wajir town respectively. Borg Gall (1989) noted that the ideal setting for any study should be easily accessible to the researcher and should be that which permits instant rapport with the informants. Wajir District is chosen because it is easily accessible to the researcher. Wajir District is of importance in this study because it has the right composition of the target population given that it has urban centres that have become attractive to dislocated pastoralist youths. 3.3 Target Population The target population is the number of real hypothetical set of people, events or objects to which a researcher wishes to generalize his/her findings (Borg Gall, 1989). The target population will consist of all dislocated pastoralist youths in Wajir District. The study will involve local provincial administration (chiefs), Muslim religious leaders comprising of Sheikhs, Imams, mosque committees and madrassa teachers. Other categories will include representatives of NGOs, CBO officials, government officials and youth groups leaders. 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Procedures By observing the characteristics of a carefully selected and representative sample, one can make certain inferences about characteristics of a population from which it is drawn (Kothari, 1995). Mugenda and Mugenda (1999) suggest that 10% of the accessible population is adequate to serve as a study sample. Probability sampling will be used to obtain a sample of respondents to participate in the study. Since we are selecting two divisions, the figure 2 becomes the benchmark for selection of respondents that will Muslim religious leaders comprising Sheikhs and Imams, madrassa teachers, representatives of NGOs, CBO officials, government officials, youth groups leaders, and village elders. 3.5 Research Instruments This study will be based on primary and secondary data. Fieldwork incorporating personal observation will be utilized to obtain primary data. Primary sources of data will comprise field notes and reports made by the researcher with the help of two research assistants, interviews and observation summaries in the selected areas. The researcher and the assistants will use self-administered questionnaires to collect pertinent information from a cross section of informants. A selfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ completion questionnaire is deemed most appropriate for the proposed study. This is because questionnaires are easy to administer, friendly to complete and fast to score and therefore take relatively very little time of researchers and respondents. The questionnaire enables participants to feel free to note down their responses without inhibition since they are not being observed. The study will use closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires, interviews and observation to draw responses from various categories of respondents. Open-ended questionnaires will be used to elicit in-depth information from respondents. Secondary data will be gathered from official documents, development reports and other published and unpublished materials. 3.6 Instrument Validity and Reliability Validity of a test represent the extent to which a test measures what it purpose to measure what it is supposed to be measuring (Orodho, 2005). To enhance content validity, the research instrument will be appraised by the project supervisors. Their contributions and suggestions will be used to clarify ambiguous questions and add new questions that would be forgotten. This will help reduce error in data collection. Reliability concerns the degree to which the same results could be obtained with a repeated measure at accuracy of the same result concept. A pilot study will be conducted to ensure reliability of the questionnaire and to identify any needs for revisions. Participants of the pilot study will be asked to complete the instrument and to provide comments or suggestions for revising any ambiguous items. Orodho (2005) observes that if the scores obtained from each respondent in the two tests are identical or quite close the measurement will be perceived to be reliable. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation will be employed to compute the correlation coefficient in order to establish the extent to which the content in the questionnaires are consistent in eliciting every time the instrument is administered. A correlation coefficient of about 0.8 will be considered high enough to judge the instrument as reliable. 3.8 Data Collection Procedures The researcher will seek a research permit from the Ministry of Education then notify the office of the district commissioner, the district education officer and the local administration. The researcher will then visit the respondents and give out the respective questionnaires to each of the respective selected respondents personally. The researcher will be available throughout to offer assistance to the respondents and make any necessary clarifications. 3.7 Data Analysis Data collected from the field will be cleaned and prepared for data analysis. Data analysis will be done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data presentation will take the form of descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency tables, cross-tabulations, pie charts and bar graphs). 3.8 Ethical Considerations A permit will be sought from the Ministry of Education to carry out the research. The researcher will obtain informed consent from the institutions and participants. The respondents will be assured that the information obtained from the data will only b

a story :: essays research papers

A story about Chinese spirits From Classical Chinese Talkes of the Supernatural Summary: In this story Huang Yuan wakes up one morning to find a black dog guarding his house and acting like it belonged there. So Huang took the dog hunting with him and his friends. When they saw a deer, Huang let the dog loose but the dog ran too slowly and they were not able to catch the deer. Then the dog led them to a cave. After walking a bit inside the cave there were lots of trees in rows surrounded by a wall. The dog led Huang through the gate and there was a row of houses. He noticed that every single person in the ‘village’ were attractive well dressed girls. All of the girls were occupied in some sort of amusing leisurely activity: some were playing instruments and others were playing chess. After reaching the northern pavilion, Huang came across three rooms, there were two girls standing guard who smiled when they saw him as though they were expecting him. They said that the black dog had brought Miao-yin’s groom. One kept guard outside, the other went in and a few minutes later four maids came out. They told Huang that the Lady of Supreme Purity had this message for him: â€Å"I have a young daughter who has just pinned up her hair. According to a preordained decree, she should become your wife† (As noted in the footnotes, at 15 girls would pin up their hair to signify their coming of age). So Huang met Miao-yin in a magical looking room where he was impressed by her beauty and charm, they did the marriage vows and went to bed happily together that night. In a few days the groom wanted to go home to see his family and tell them what happened for a little while. His bride is sad b/c she lets him know that men and spirits have different ways of life and that they were not meant to be together for long. She lets him go, and tells him that the fact she will never see him again makes her love him all the more. She asked him that he show his feelings for her by fasting, purifying and making sacrifice on the first day of the third month. He was home before the end of one day after being escorted out of the cave by maids, however his memory was a little foggy.

wild flower :: essays research papers

Wild Flower†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"But father I love him!† said Tallulah, which means running water, and ran out of the tepee. Tallulah ran and ran not seeing the way. Tears were coming from her big brown eyes, passing soft pink cheeks, falling to the ground. She knew that she will never see her father again. There was love in her heart for him however the other feeling took over. Tallulah fell on the ground where green soft grass welcomed her beautiful small body that was gasping for air. Silk long black as a wing of a raven, hair were all over the face trying to dry the tears that were not stopping. Now Tallulah felt free. Free to do whatever she wished however the only thing she wanted was his love. The love that she met six months ago in the woods, while collecting berries for her family. It was love at first sight. Tallulah remembered that day like it was yesterday. His big blue eyes showed unlimited skies and ocean waves. Red hair endlessly played games with the sun. The lips, color of red wild flowers, spoke sweet words that melted in the air. Light skin was soft and warm to touch covered big built body that brought Tallulah security and took fears away. His name was Brendan, Brendan Smith. Brendan was a soldier that came from Ireland with his father looking for better being. At his eighteen Brendan knew the rules of life. Even as a soldier it was hard for him to accept the war and deaths of many innocent people. Brendan got used to seeing Indian people moved by force from one place to the other. He put himself in their position and imagined what kind of suffering they are going through but it was not in his power to change anything, to stop the war. * * *   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Oh Lord, what a beautiful flower you grew on this earth,† said Brendan looking at Tallulah. She Looked at him and was about to run away but her legs did not listen. â€Å"Do not worry I would not heart you. Just tell me your name.† no answer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Fine, don’t say a word; just let me look at you. Let me look into your brown eyes. Oh, they are so pure, I think I am getting lost in them.† Tallulah smiled. â€Å"Your smile is full of joy and innocence,† Tallulah looked down and her cheeks became red.

Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib

Hadrat Ali was the son of Abu Talib, a prominent Quraish chief and custodian of the Holy Ka'bah. The mother of Hadrat Ali was Fatima. Fatima was a cousin of Abu Talib. Thus, both the father and mother of Hadrat Ali were Hashimites, and that was a great honour. Hadrat Ali was born in unusual circumstances. On the 13th day of the holy month of Rajab, Fatima, the mother of Hadrat Ali, visited the Ka'bah to perform the pilgrimage. During the course of the pilgrimage and while circumambulating the Ka'bah, Fatima felt the pangs of childbirth.She retired to a secluded place in the precincts of the holy Ka'bah, and there Hadrat Ali was born. Hadrat Ali has thus had the unique honour to be born in the House of God. When both mother and the child returned home, the holy Prophet, and Hadrat Khadijah came to see her newborn child. Since his birth, he had not opened his eyes, and that worried both Fatima and Abu Talib. However, when the holy Prophet took the child in his lap, then he opened his e yes. So the first person that Hadrat Ali saw after his birth was the holy Prophet.When the holy Prophet was asked whether he approved of the child being named either Asad or Zaid, he said that since the child was born in the House of God, he should be named Ali (the word Ali being a derivative of Allah). Hadrat Ali had thus had the distinction of being named after Allah. No one before him had ever been so named. Furthermore, the name acquired more sanctity because it was suggested by the holy Prophet. His life The life of Hadrat Ali can be divided into three distinct periods.The first period comprises the first 32 years of his life and extends from 600 to 632 CE. I call this period the period of the education and action. It was during this period that he received his education under the loving care of the holy Prophet; imbibed with values of Islam; and acquired all the attributes that contribute to greatness When Ali was five or six years old, a famine occurred in and around Mecca, affecting the economic conditions of Ali's father, who had a large family to support. Muhammad took Ali into his home to raise him.When Muhammad reported that he had received a divine revelation, Ali, then only about ten years old, believed him and professed to Islam. A whole group of companions said that he was amongs the first ones to accept islam. During the persecution of Muslims and boycott of the Banu Hashim in Mecca, Ali stood firmly in support of Muhammad In 622, the year of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib (now Medina), Ali risked his life by sleeping in Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination plot so that Muhammad could escape in safety. [1][6][21] This night is called Laylat al-Mabit.According to some hadith, a verse was revealed about Ali concerning his sacrifice on the night of Hijra which says, â€Å"And among men is he who sells his nafs (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah Ali was 22 or 23 years old when he migrated to Medina. When Muham mad was creating bonds of brotherhood among his companions (sahaba) he selected Ali as his brother. [4][6][24] For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service as his secretary and deputy, serving in his armies, the bearer of his banner in every battle, leading parties of warriors on raids, and carrying messages and orders. 25] As one of Muhammad's lieutenants, and later his son-in-law, Ali was a person of authority and standing in the Muslim community. Familylife In 623, Muhammad told Ali that God ordered him to give his daughter Fatimah Zahra to Ali in marriage. Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (pbuh) found his wife in tears, he then sought the cause of it, Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) responded, â€Å"I thought of my state in the end of this life and in purgatory, since the transition from my father Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) to my own house reminded me of my transition to the grave.By the grace of Allah (SWT), let's rise for prayer in the first hours of our married life and spend the night in worshiping the Lord. † Indeed, in the sweetest and most memorable moment of her life, the very example of human excellence and the gems of women in heavens and on earth, Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) remembers the reason of her creation and asks her husband to accompany her in spending the night seeking closeness to Allah Ali had four children born to Fatimah, Theirs was a simple life of hardship and deprivation.Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. To relieve their extreme poverty, Ali worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. Often there was no food in her house. According to a famous Hadith, one day she said to Ali: â€Å"I have ground until my hands are blistered. † and Ali answered â€Å"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest. â€Å"[ [edit] In battles Arabic calligraphy which means â€Å"There is no brave youth except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar. With the exception of the Battle of Tabouk, Ali took part in all battles and expeditions fought for Islam. [6] As well as being the standard-bearer in those battles, Ali led parties of warriors on raids into enemy lands.Prpphet Muhammad gave him standards on many occasions. Ali first distinguished himself as a warrior in 624 at the Battle of Badr. He defeated the Umayyad champion Walid ibn Utba as well as many other Meccan soldiers. According to Muslim traditions Ali killed between twenty and thirty-five enemies in battle, most agreeing with twenty-seven. 33] Ali was prominent at the Battle of Uhud, as well as many other battles where he wielded a bifurcated sword known as Zulfiqar. [34] He had the special role of protecting Muhammad when most of the Muslim army fled from the battle of Uhud[1] and it was said â€Å"There is no brave youth except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar. â€Å" [35]He was commander of the Muslim army in the Battle of Khaybar. [36] Following this battle Mohammad gave Ali the name Asadullah, which in Arabic means â€Å"Lion of Allah† or â€Å"Lion of God†. Ali also defended Muhammad in the Battle of Hunayn in 630. 1] Life after Muhammad (during the reign og the 3 caliphs) Another part of Ali's life started in 632 after death of Muhammad and lasted until assassination of Uthman Ibn Affan, the third caliph in 656. During these years, Ali neither took part in any battle or conquest. [4] nor did he assume any executive position. He withdrew from political affairs, especially after the death of his wife, Fatima Zahra. He used his time to serve his family and worked as a farmer. Ali dug a lot of wells and gardens near Medina and endowed them for public use. These wells are known today as Abar Ali (â€Å"Ali's wells†). 60] He also made gardens for his family and descendants Ali did not give his oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr un til some time after the death of his wife, Fatimah. [4]Ali participated in the funeral of Abu Bakr but did not participate in the Ridda Wars. [63] He pledged allegiance to the second caliph Umar ibn Khattab and helped him as a trusted advisor. Caliph Umar particularly relied upon Ali as the Chief Judge of Medina. He also advised Umar to set Hijra as the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Umar used Ali's suggestions in political issues as well as religious ones. 64] Ali was one of the electoral council to choose the third caliph which was appointed by Umar. Although Ali was one of the two major candidates, but the council's arrangement was against him. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas and Abdur Rahman bin Awf who were cousins, were naturally inclined to support Uthman, who was Abdur Rahman's brother-in-law. In addition, Umar gave the casting vote to Abdur Rahman. Abdur Rahman offered the caliphate to Ali on the condition that he should rule in accordance with the Quran, the example set by Muhamma d, and the precedents established by the first two caliphs. Ali rejected the third condition while Uthman accepted it.According to Ibn Abi al-Hadid's Comments on the Peak of Eloquence Ali insisted on his prominence there, but most of the electors supported Uthman and Ali was reluctantly urged to accept him. [65 Election as Caliph as soon as Uthman died, all eyes turned to Ali. The companions of the Prophet could not think of anyone else, to restore peace, and law and order to the Dar-ul-Islam which was battered by economic and social conflict. All the leading Muhajireen and Ansar, therefore, gathered in the Mosque of the Prophet, and agreed, at a caucus, to ask Ali to take charge of the government, and to steer the ship of state to safety.A delegation then called on Ali, and requested him to accept this responsibility. Ali, however, did not accept the offer of the companions, and said that he preferred to be an adviser rather than the caliph. But the companions insisted and told him that there was no other capable of it. But Ali was not eager to grasp this opportunity as he knew that the caliphate was not to be taken with its roses and its thorns, the roses were all gone and all that was left were thorns. So basically accepting the caliphate would only mean wearing a crown of those thorns.Ali knew that if he accepted the caliphate his reign would begin with a civil war, which was not an auspicious beginning. Ali wanted to rebuild the infrastructure of the Islamic society or to bring it back as just as it was in the times of Prophet Muhammad but he realized that he could do so only in the most determined opposition from Quraish. Ali considered all of this and therefore was not willing to take over the caliphate. However at last after great insist from the companions Ali accepted the proposal on the condition that he will put the commandments and prohibitions of Allah and his messenger before everything.