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Loneliness Versus Conformation

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It has always been expected that I CONFORM: Conform to the code 
of body language; dress code; mode of speech... to be precise, my entire
 bearing had to be fashioned into a mould, closely monitored by those 
around so that I become a perfect "Feminine Role Model" for the family. A
 girl is appreciated for being sincere in everything she does: her 
academic pursuit and her other accomplishments... but the moment she 
makes a clear expression of her independent mind, she becomes the centre
 of controversy! So it was natural that my independent quest for the 
truth and validity of the views expressed by the "authority" in the 
household, or the values imposed on me by the moral police around, 
always drew a flak!<br />
A girl child is praised for her beauty, her 
comeliness, her impeccable manner and politeness in her demeanor in 
India but never ever for her individual expression which could be 
dangerously unique. An Indian girl from a conservative background like 
me is not expected to be "Unique!"<br />
Those were the days when, in a 
family setup, mothers are fallible angels quite often but fathers are 
infallible... I could not hide the grimace on my face as I was often 
asked "Are you being given education to argue with your father?" or "How
 can you be so arrogant as to contradict his views?" Sometimes they 
would ask "Girl! Have you learnt no manners from your school?" Yet the 
situations that provoked such volley of questions could be extremely 
funny! I often chuckle at those memories of my salad days! Anything 
could be outrageous... it could be my skirt above the knee length, a 
loud guffaw or when caught off guard, exchanging sweet, inviting glances
 with my secret admirer. The poor chap happened to look towards our 
terrace wistfully, like a Bollywood hero, every evening from my next 
door terrace in the neighborhood... It all boiled down to the same old <i>cliché: Oh! She will learn it in a hard way from her Shosurbari (in-law's house).</i>
 It was since my girlhood days the term " Shoshurbari" cast a shadow of 
fear in my heart. This fear was mixed with feelings of hatred for those 
imaginary enemies that hung in my consciousness like a looming danger...<br />
Well,
 one day, it was all about an issue over two talented singers. One of 
them happened to be my favorite and my teen-aged spirit rebelled at my 
father's unkind words for her. I was stung by his unsavory comparison of
 her with the singer of his own time. What rubbed salt to my insult was 
my aunt's secret pleasure at my discomfiture. A common issue of 
generation gap and perception it was, and yet, my impulsive teen-age 
blood raced through my veins to react. As my anger rose, I was consumed 
with the idea of proving his verdict to be wrongly judgmental. I 
secretly relished the way I made my point with passion in front of the 
stunned onlookers in my household. A father proved wrong and that also 
by his doting girl! My younger brother showed me a Thumbs Up secretly! 
Well! I never anticipated the much ado about nothing that was to 
follow...<br />
I saw dark ominous clouds gathering on my father's brow 
and a strange mixture of thrill and fear hovered in my mind at that 
moment... I dared to justify myself, blurting out a foolish statement 
with a pride in my voice, "I take part in debate in school to prove my 
point... I am justifying my view to you in a logical manner. What's 
wrong in that?" "I just wanted to tell you how singing styles differ 
which make all the difference in rendition. If one cannot accept the new
 style, one has no right to despise it." Time stood still for a few 
seconds. My aunt, who often visited my place from her village for 
financial assistance from my papa, raised her eyebrow, and quipped, "I 
often warned you brother never to let her go to any fancy Public School.
 You never cared to listen, do you see now?" Then turning to me sternly 
she said" "So you have been taking part in debate to contradict your 
Father? Even my Mom joined the fray issuing me a threat that she would 
talk to my class teacher regarding my degrading manners and 
indiscipline. She would! I frowned at the woman who never found any 
voice in the family no matter how voluble were her protests over issues 
at times. I pitied her at that moment. I left the dinner table in a huff
 and slammed the door of my bedroom with a loud bang.<br />
My heart 
grew faint as their muffled voice of shock frayed my nerves. I knew 
there was no chance of escape as my class-teacher did not much 
appreciate my independent ways and tomorrow was the god dam Parent 
-Teacher's meeting! During those days, a teacher enjoyed the status of a
 Mini Hitler in his/her domain. Today, however, these poor souls are 
left to the mercy of the band of mini mafias in the class-room who the 
parents send to the schools for a few hours of heavenly breather!<br />
It
 was a sweltering summer day and my class-room was packed to the 
capacity. I joined my friends, answering to their queries in a 
disinterested voice. The class-teacher, Mrs. Roy, sat at her chair, 
poised and grave, as usual. I turned away my gaze from her as I hated 
that perpetual frown on her brow. Some of the parents had already 
trickled into the room and took their seat. I awaited my mother's 
arrival in a somber mood, anticipating my painful humiliation in front 
of my class-mates whose moms already viewed me with suspicion for my 
high spirit and unfeminine ways, as they said. It was natural that they 
did not consider my example to be of any benefit to their growing 
daughters. I wiped off the droplets of moisture that was beginning to 
gather on my face and neck. Trying hard to pep up my spirit, I gazed 
outside the window of my class-room when suddenly the sight of a pair of
 pigeon making love on one of the window ledges of a building nearby 
fascinated me! I felt thrilled! The mango blossoms in the school garden 
smelled sweet...<br />
Nevertheless, the dark hours of humiliation had 
been approaching remorselessly... so my bower of bliss was short-lived. I
 was suddenly aroused from my oblivion when the class-teacher called out
 my name in her intimidating voice: Mandira! I jolted into sense and 
caught the sight of my mother sitting at a corner chair with cold 
detachment. When did she slip into the room quietly? I asked myself. I 
felt some curious eyes turning towards me. I stood up with trembling 
fingers, weak knees and thumping heart... I braced myself up for the 
next moment and faced Mrs. Roy's stern visage when she suddenly declared
 how glad she was of my performance in the session before summer break..
 Before my mother could react, Mrs. Roy informed her that I was also 
awarded the District Championship trophy in debate! I saw that familiar 
curve at the corner of my mom's lips whenever there was a pleasant 
surprise in store for her. Her eyes brightened up as congratulations 
showered on her from different corners. A dizzy moment that was... I was
 happy because I made her happy as I always wanted to secretly.<br />
As
 we walked out in silent closeness after the meeting, my Mom suddenly 
looked into my face and said "I know how you are my young lady... but no
 matter how you are, you must conform". She continued, "In our 
society... I mean in real life, you will not be allowed to win the 
championship trophy... remember always! I don't want you to be lonely...
 " I touched her finger and declared Ma! Don't worry... am strong enough
 to bear with that...</div>
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This is a piece of snapshot from my girlhood. I am happy that the
 Indian society is in a state of positive transformation today... yet 
this transformation, that is changing the life of many urban girls, who 
are slowly discovering their voice today, has been a long story of sweat
 and bloodshed down the generation. I lived in a better time than my 
grandmother and mother as I got the chance to be educated in a Public 
School. However, my education was stopped during my college days and a 
socially arranged marriage was settled for me.<br />
I completed my 
education latter to the extreme displeasure and non co-operation of my 
in-laws. Had not my husband stood by me firmly to let me pursue my 
studies, I would not be writing this snapshot today for EzineArticles 
and would never have found fulfilment in my class-room teaching among my
 teen-agers.<br />
There have been countless stories of rebellion and 
conflicts in my life which enabled me to emerge as a stronger individual
 with an independent mind set with each passing day. It also helped me 
to evolve my sense of empathy for those Indian girls around me who are 
struggling to find their own in a society where they are constantly 
discriminated against. I appreciate and respect those women who have 
been at a far more disadvantageous position than me, yet who, never give
 up...<br />
As I relive those moments from my life, I don't feel any 
bitterness against my parents today as I know that their views on 
feminine code of conduct and imposition was a part of a greater 
reality... They were the role models of a system that prevailed during 
those days..the Victorian values that still prevail in many parts of a 
changing nation today.</div>
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7818795</div>

Loneliness Versus Conformation

It has always been expected that I CONFORM: Conform to the code of body language; dress code; mode of speech... to be precise, my entire ...

Academic Freedom and Democracy - ALEC Style

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    Academic freedom is one of the cornerstones of our educational 
system, so who could be against it? Representive Gus Blackwell 
introduced into the 2013 Oklahoma legislature HB 1674, called the 
"Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act". But there was something
 strange about the bill, as science teachers in Oklahoma already have a 
system ensuring academic freedom. And, the bill only insured Academic 
freedom in four areas which Representative Blackwell deemed 
controversial, specifically "biological evolution, the chemical origins 
of life, global warming, and human cloning". Mr. Blackwell's education 
and expertise is in religion and business administration, so it's 
unusual that he knows what is controversial in science. Oklahoma 
scientists and science educators were almost unanimously opposed to the 
bill as it is their opinion that there is virtually no scientific 
controversy on the core facts of global warming and evolution.<br />
The
 bill allowed "teachers to help students understand certain information 
about scientific theories; disallowing State Board of Education, 
district boards of education, and certain administrators from 
prohibiting teachers from helping students understand certain 
information about scientific theories." Perhaps the bill would have been
 more aptly named the "Freedom from Accountability Act". Apparently 
Mister Blackwell had not thought this through. It would also shield any 
science teacher, no matter of what religion, who wished to introduce 
their beliefs into their science classes. The bill even had an emergency
 clause providing that it be enacted immediately with a letter sent to 
school officials informing them of the decision. And, why is this now an
 emergency? The bill passed Oklahoma's education committee by one vote, 
but fortunately for the quality of science education in Oklahoma, the 
2013 session ended without it coming up for a vote. But, you can be sure
 it will be back.<br />
The unusual nature of this bill can be 
understood as similar bills, with almost exactly the same wording, have 
been introduced in about 20 states. It is one of the "model bills" being
 promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). <a href="http://bemoore2.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/what-is-alec/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">ALEC is</a>
 composed of over 300 special interest groups and corporations such as 
Exxon Mobile, AT&T, pharmaceutical companies, and Koch Industries. 
They sponsor conferences where their representatives meet with state 
legislative members to collaborate on "model bills" and to draft 
legislation favoring their special interests. ALEC now has over 1000 
"model bills", many of which seek to limit workers rights, limit 
corporate liabilities, oppose environmental regulations, cut taxes, 
oppose universal health care, and to privatize such things as education,
 workmen's compensation, and the prison systems.<br />
Though mainly 
supporting corporate interests, the legislation often gives a nod to 
religious groups and to conservatives to win their support. The state 
legislators take the "model bills" back to their respective states, 
often as their own work. It also carries an understanding that by 
sponsoring the bill, they will receive support for their reelection 
campaigns. ALEC has 501(C)(4)status as a charity, which makes it tax 
exempt and hides its motives and the identity of its donors. Although 
ALEC claims it is not a lobbying group, it is directly lobbying our 
state Congressmen while getting around laws that limit lobbying and 
require disclosures of lobbying activities.<br />
Representative 
Blackwell is a member of ALEC and, according to Source Watch, used state
 funds to attend their meetings. His interest in the bill was probably 
to introduce creationism into science classes, but adding climate change
 to the "controversy" list aligns with the interests of the fossil fuel 
companies. A leaked document from the Heartland Institute, a Libertarian
 think tank funded by fossil fuel interests, showed that introducing 
doubt about climate change into science classes was one of their goals.<br />
Bill Moyer recently <a href="http://billmoyers.com/segment/united-states-of-alec/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">had a program</a>
 on how ALEC is undermining American democracy. Although ALEC claims to 
promote capitalism, it is actually the citizens who pay. Not only do 
many politicians attend their meetings at state expense, members of ALEC
 get a big tax break for their lobbying activities and our taxes still 
pay for privatized state functions. Sourcewatch lists 25 Oklahoma 
legislators as members of ALEC and Governor Fallin was once ALEC's woman
 of the year, which means she favored the needs of large corporations 
and of the wealthy long before she became governor. We just saw a number
 of ALEC sponsored laws make their way through the Oklahoma Legislature,
 much to the detriment of ordinary citizens.<br />
(c) 2013 J.C. Moore<br />
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<div id="article-resource">
    Dr. J.C. Moore is a physical chemist whose interests are 
spectroscopy,computational chemistry, professional ethics, and science 
education. He taught chemistry, physics, and general science at the 
college level for 38 years. Since retirement, he has established <a href="http://jcmooreonline.com/" target="_new">http://JCMooreonline.com</a>, a website that examines current events from a science and research perspective.<br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7813346</div>

Academic Freedom and Democracy - ALEC Style

Academic freedom is one of the cornerstones of our educational system, so who could be against it? Representive Gus Blackwell int...

The Keys to Staying Motivated!

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    Every business owner realizes the key to maintaining sales is 
having salespeople who are highly motivated and goal oriented. When 
management has the ability to motivate their sales force effectively, it
 creates a highly charged and positive atmosphere. This in turn leads to
 increased confidence and ultimately, increased sales and profit for the
 company. There are several techniques that can be implemented to 
accomplish this goal.<br />
<b>Effective Communication</b><br />
It's 
highly essential as a manager to communicate to your sales staff your 
expectations, organizational goals; long-term plans as well as your 
commitment in helping them reach their sales targets. There are a 
variety of communication tools such as team meetings, individual and 
group training sessions, motivational talks and company memos. All these
 can aid in transmitting your message clearly. However, always allow 
sales personnel to voice their ideas as well. They should have an avenue
 for assistance whenever the need arises.<br />
<b>Providing Incentives</b><br />
Recognition
 and rewards can be highly effective to boost morale. When a sales 
person or team has put significant amounts of work into meeting sales 
goals they should be recognized accordingly. Whether it is a financial 
reward such as a bonus program, or other incentives, having a system of 
rewarding achievement can have amazing effects and keeps everyone 
motivated toward reaching even higher goals.<br />
<b>Development and Sales Training</b><br />
Sales
 training is highly important for any organization to succeed. Even top 
sales professionals need ongoing development due to an ever-changing 
marketplace and different sales strategies which continuously change. 
Additionally, it helps managers build rapport with their sales personnel
 as they help them develop their skills.<br />
<b>Understanding Your Strengths</b><br />
Every
 salesperson wants to be productive along with prosperous in their sales
 activities. The first task is having an understanding regarding your 
strengths and weaknesses and how to improve on these. For some 
salespeople it's a matter of developing better communication skills to 
enhance their presentation, yet for others it could simply be focusing 
on staying motivated.<br />
<b>Staying Focused and Motivated</b><br />
Setting
 goals and having an understanding of the sales process is important. In
 order to achieve sales success, it's essential to remove all 
distractions which might get in the way of positive efforts that waste 
precious time. Being focused is a skill which can be developed and 
coached. Motivation can come from many sources, but it can often come 
from a desire within to keep moving forward. The key is to stay positive
 and to realize that you can meet your goals regardless of the 
obstacles.<br />
   </div>
<div id="article-resource">
    Doug Dvorak is the CEO of DMG Inc., a worldwide organization that
 assists clients with productivity training, corporate humor and 
workshops, as well as other aspects of sales and marketing management. 
Mr. Dvorak's clients are characterized as Fortune 1000 companies, small 
to medium businesses, civic organizations and service businesses. Mr. 
Dvorak has earned an international reputation for his powerful 
educational methods and motivational techniques, as well as his 
experience in all levels of business, corporate education and success 
training. <a href="http://www.dougdvorak.com/" target="_new">http://www.dougdvorak.com</a><br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7832977</div>

The Keys to Staying Motivated!

Every business owner realizes the key to maintaining sales is having salespeople who are highly motivated and goal oriented. When ...

<h1 class="story-header">
Brazil unrest: 'Million' join anti-government protests</h1>
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<img height="252" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/68295000/jpg/_68295572_julia2.jpg" width="448" /></div>
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Julia Carneiro "It is not yet known how this will end"</div>
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 <a class="hidden" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22992410#story_continues_1">Continue reading the main story</a>

<h2>
Brazil protests</h2>
<ul>
<li>
 <a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22980894" rel="published-1371694132110">Wrestling with unrest</a>

</li>
<li>
 <a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22995442" rel="published-1371753863911">Containment or contagion?</a>

</li>
<li>
 <a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22976409" rel="published-1371689786390">Shared symbolism</a>

</li>
<li>
 <a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22982162" rel="published-1371710919347">In pictures</a>

</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">
More
 than a million people are reported to have taken part in protests in 
about 100 cities across Brazil, the latest in a wave of anti-government 
rallies.</div>
Violence erupted in many places and an 18-year-old man died when a car drove through a barricade in Sao Paulo state.<br />

Protests began more than a week ago over high transport fares
 but are also highlighting corruption and the cost of next year's 
football World Cup.<br />

President Dilma Rousseff called off a trip to Japan to deal with the crisis.<br />

The BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo says this is an indication of the seriousness of the situation. <br />

Mrs Rousseff has also called an emergency meeting of her cabinet for Friday to discuss the unrest.<br />

The newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo, citing official figures, 
said that more than one million people had taken part in Thursday's 
demonstrations.<br />

Brazilian media said there were protests in more than 100 cities.<br />

<span style="width: 304px;">Riot police in Salvador fired against protesters near the city stadium</span>
  </div>
In Rio de Janeiro riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets
 at groups of masked young men trying to approach the City Hall late on 
Thursday. At least 29 people were reported injured.<br />

Rio authorities sealed off the state legislature building, the state governor's office, Guanabara Palace and the mayor's office.<br />

TV images showed gangs looting shops in the city centre - 
although many Rio shopkeepers and banks had put up wooden hoardings to 
protect their premises. <br />

In the capital, Brasilia, demonstrators started a small fire 
at the entrance to the foreign ministry and were driven back by police 
using rubber bullets and tear gas.<br />

Other government buildings in the city were attacked and riot
 police used tear gas and rubber bullets to scatter the crowds. About 26
 people were reported injured.<br />

There were also clashes outside a football stadium in Salvador ahead of a Confederations Cup match between Nigeria and Uruguay.<br />

More clashes were reported in Porto Alegre in the south, Campinas north of Sao Paulo and in the north-eastern city of Salvador.<br />

</div>
<div class="story-feature full ">
 <a class="hidden" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22992410#story_continues_2">Continue reading the main story</a>  
 
 
 
 
  <ul class="links-list">
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22982162">In pictures: Brazil protests</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="story_continues_2">
The 18-year-old man killed in the
 city of Ribeirao Preto was the first person reported to have died in 
the protests. The motorist who drove through the barricade is said to 
have fled the scene. </div>
In Sao Paulo, police said 100,000 people had gathered on the city's landmark Avenida Paulista. <br />

Members of the city's Free Access Movement (Movimento Passe 
Livre) - which has been campaigning for better public transport - 
earlier pledged to take to the streets "to celebrate" the reversal of a 
public-transport fare increase.<br />

The protests, originally triggered by the increase on 2 June, have since grown into a much wider movement.<br />

Protesters are angry at corruption and poor public services 
as well as the huge cost of next year's football World Cup, saying the 
government should also invest in education and healthcare.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22992410">Source</a> <br />
<br />

Brazil unrest: 'Million' join anti-government protests Julia Carneiro "It is not yet known how this will end" ...

The Law of Intention and Desire

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 The
 Law of Intention and Desire: Inherent in every intention and desire is 
the mechanics for its fulfillment. Intention and desire in the field of 
pure potentiality have infinite organizing power. When we introduce an 
intention in the fertile ground of pure potentiality, we put this 
infinite organizing power to work for us. <img data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%22443%22,%22view_mode%22:%22default%22,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" src="http://www.chopra.com/sites/default/files/rotating_image_9.jpg" style="float: right;" /><br />

I will put the Law of Intention and Desire into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:<br />

<ol>
<li>I will make a list of all my desires. I will carry this list with me
 wherever I go. I will look at this list before I go into my silence and
 meditation. I will look at it before I go to sleep at night. I will 
look at it when I wake up in the morning.</li>
<li>I will release this list of my desires and surrender it to the womb 
of creation, trusting that when things don't seem to go my way, there is
 a reason, and that the cosmic plan has designs for me much grander than
 even those I have conceived.</li>
<li>I will remind myself to practice present-moment awareness in all my 
actions. I will refuse to allow obstacles to consume and dissipate the 
quality of my attention in the present moment. I will accept the present
 as it is, and manifest the future through my deepest, most cherished 
intentions and desires.</li>
</ol>
<a href="http://www.chopra.com/daily-inspiration/the-chopra-center-for-wellbeing-thursday">Source</a> <br />

</div>
</div>

The Law of Intention and Desire

The Law of Intention and Desire: Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. Intention and des...

Brazil protesters: World Cup only benefits outsiders

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That could be explained 
by the way we look at Brazil. In the past decade, when the country took 
some 30 million people out of poverty, Brazilians enjoyed looking at 
what the country and its people had achieved: More formal employment, 
more investment, more growth, greater spending power for those who had 
none, more security and better outlook on life.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15">
On top of that, Brazil 
had secured the privilege to host the two main sports events in the 
world - the football World Cup and the Summer (Winter in Brazil) Olympic
 Games -- in 2014 and 2016, respectively.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16">
Brazil just seemed to have it all. With only one caveat: It did not.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17">
When facts of life began
 to remind many Brazilians that their lives were not as good as the 
government claimed, and the football extravaganza got closer, indicating
 more costs for the state without apparent benefits for the people, many
 people began to look at their country in a different light. Instead of 
focusing on the achievements, they looked at what they did not have, and
 that view seemed to go as far as the Amazon.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph18">
In 2010, after eight 
years with a hugely popular president, the former metal worker Luiz 
Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil saw his former minister Dilma Rousseff 
elected as his successor.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph19">
From the same leftist 
Workers Party (PT), Rousseff became the first female Brazilian 
President. Two-and-a-half years have passed, and she is still popular 
among the poorest, but the recent protests were led by a different 
bunch: The traditional middle class. On the streets, well-educated 
people, from central, urban areas, shouted that they had been sold a 
lie.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph20">
Inflation is once again a
 major concern, violent crime is on the rise, cases of corruption fill 
the press, healthcare is in a precarious state, infrastructure projects 
have not materialized and street traffic is depressingly worse than 
ever.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph21">
While TV showed the 
inaugurations of costly, lavish football stadiums, people felt their 
lives were getting worse by the day. After all, the World Cup will cost 
the nation some $15 billion, and the promised legacy in infrastructure 
is still nowhere to be seen.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph22">
Worst of all: A 
government accustomed to surf on its safe popularity, secured mainly by 
the distribution of money to the poorest, did not feel the need to 
listen. Rousseff's message, in pre-recorded announcements on TV, has 
been that the country just could not be better.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph23">
The National Congress is
 even more to blame, with its representatives lashed by public opinion 
for shocking privileges, high salaries and cases of sleaze.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph24">
A survey by Datafolha 
institute, conducted this week in the city of Sao Paulo, shows a drastic
 fall in the prestige of political institutions in the past decade.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph25">
Only 19% of respondents 
say they hold the office of president in high regard, compared with 51% 
in 2003. The percentage of respondents who say they hold the National 
Congress in high regard has fallen from 30% in 2003, to 12% now.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph26">
Many who took to the 
streets in Brazil -- and inspired Brazilians around the world to do the 
same in their adopted countries -- carried banners saying: "It is not 
only about R$ 0,20."</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph27">
What they meant is that 
the bus fare rise was perhaps the least of their concerns. Corruption, 
lack of accountability and a realization that many promises have not 
been fulfilled were what led them to the streets.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph28">
The suspension of the transport fare rise may take them back to their normal lives.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph29">
The issues, however, 
will not go away any time soon. And unless they are properly addressed, 
those problems can make the people march again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/20/world/americas/opinion-brazil-simoes/index.html?hpt=hp_c3">Source</a> </div>

Brazil protesters: World Cup only benefits outsiders

That could be explained by the way we look at Brazil. In the past decade, when the country took some 30 million people out of poverty, ...

Examination Malpractice- causes, effects and Disadvantages

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Causes Of Examination Malpractice<br />     Some of the major causes of examination  malpractice are:<br />(a)    Gaps in the knowledge of students or pupils. <br />(b)   Evil or negative inclinations <br />(c)    Digital laziness and  <br />(d)     Irresponsible and loose attitudes. <br />

(a)      Gaps in knowledge. <br /> Every given knowledge, especially in
 academic circles, has a basic structure. And that basic structure, like
 a house, has a foundation, walls and roofing. Knowledge can also be 
seen as a great wall made up of blocks of different kinds of jig-saw 
puzzle. Each block must fit in within the appropriate space in the 
different rows of blocks that make up the wall. At the same time, each 
row of blocks must be properly installed. Otherwise the next row will 
not fall in place. In a situation like this, a given principle must be 
adopted if one wishes to succeed in installing the wall from the 
foundation to the top without making mistakes. This requires a precise 
knowledge of the relationship of each block with a series of blocks 
making up a given row. It also requires a good knowledge of the 
different sets of blocks that make up the different rows from the 
foundation to the top. The same thing applies to every given knowledge. 
For the development of gap in the structure of any given knowledge will 
immediately confuse the intuitive perception of the pupil or student. 
Knowledge is therefore only solid and thorough when one can survey the 
whole structure from the beginning, that is from the foundation to the 
end. And since every knowledge, be it English Language or any other 
language or mathematics is usually very vast, experts in the field of 
every given subject has divided it into small units and sections. These 
small units and sections are arranged from down upwards. That is to say,
 they are arranged from the rudiments or basics of the knowledge in 
question, gradually to its graduate level. One can therefore divide the 
sections into three major parts, namely primary, secondary and tertiary 
levels. At the primary level, every subject is divided into six major 
sections namely primaries one to six. At every level of the primary 
education, the subject is further split into sections beginning from 
123, ABC or d.r.m.<br />

A careful look at the structure of every subject will immediately 
explain the fact that any gap within the child’s knowledge at any given 
level will become an obstacle that will definitely work against a 
further understanding of the subject as he strives upwards in his 
learning process. And once such gaps develop, the child will become 
confused until that little portion is filled. Where it is not filled, 
however, his overhead view of what he has learnt so far will start going
 out of focus. And as more gaps develop within his knowledge of the 
subject, the picture will become more and more blurred and fuzzy as if 
covered by clouds of smoke. When the time comes for him to be tested in 
an examination, he is likely to rely on stealing from others in order to
 put down something on paper.<br />

As it is at the primary level, so also it is at the secondary and 
tertiary levels. And generally speaking, serious gaps at the primary 
school level will always adversely affect the child's understanding of 
his subjects at the secondary school level. At the same time, serious 
gaps at the secondary school level must negatively affect a student at 
the university or tertiary level of education. Such serious gaps in the 
knowledge of a subject proper remain the most serious factors that lead 
people generally into all kinds of examination malpractices. This, 
therefore, calls for the great need for teachers and parents as well as 
pupils and students to avoid all forms of gap in their knowledge of 
their various subjects if we must run away from the negative and ignoble
 problems of examination malpractices.<br />

(b)  Evil or negative inclinations<br /> When one is negatively 
inclined or when one becomes evil minded, he will always want to take 
dangerous short cuts in order to achieve his objectives. This ugly 
tendency is one of the basic causes of examination malpractices. A 
student who has lost the correct perception of the differences between 
right and wrong, good and evil or uprightness and perverseness will not 
see anything wrong in using any and every means at his disposal to 
acquire a certificate, even if it involves shedding of blood.  Hence, 
stories have been told about students who conspired and stabbed their 
examiner to death because he prevented them from carrying out their 
unwholesome practices in the examination hall. When people lose their 
perceptions of the differences between good and evil, right or wrong, 
they become more interested in special examination centres where they 
will be free to do as they like than in studying their subjects well in 
order to pass through their examinations in a dignifying manner.  When 
students become negatively inclined, they no longer see the actual 
acquisition of knowledge as the more important thing to passing the 
examination while yet passing for illiterates persons in the subjects of
 their choice.  When the society, parents and teachers lose their 
ability to see the difference between right and wrong, they even help 
their children, pupils and students to perpetrate their negative 
inclinations in this direction. We must endeavour to run away from such 
ugly things if we wish to reap the benefits of genuinely acquired 
knowledge.  For he who cheats in examination simply betrays the fact 
that he does not know the true meaning and value of genuine education 
which is to polish an individual into a competent and productive human 
being within his given environment. <br />

(c)  Digital Laziness <br /> When one is lazy in every way, both 
mentally and physically, he could be described as being digitally lazy. 
That is to say, the person is lazy in a calibrated manner.  No doubt, 
one who is as lazy as this finds it difficult to engage in those things 
that could bring him true benefits.  Instead, such people prefer to 
waste their time on other pastimes such as gambling, which always 
constitute a waste of mental and physical resources. Such people do not 
make good students because, they will never take time to listen to their
 teacher, spend time in reading their books or even carry out useful 
functions in the home. When exams come, however, they want to pass by 
all means. Such people go to lengths to make sure they pass their tests 
or examinations through the back door.  And when their parents aid them,
 they could do awful things in this direction.  <br />

In order to help ourselves, therefore, it is very important that we 
should avoid all forms of laziness when it comes to our studies. For 
lazy people will always find it difficult to make good academic 
students.<br />

(d)  Irresponsible and loose attitude  <br /> A loose and irresponsible
 person is one who does not know the proper time for any and everything.
 A loose and   irresponsible student does not  bother to attend lectures
 when he should.  If he attends at all, he spends time chatting with his
 friends while teaching and learning are supposed to be going on.  He 
does things that could distract his fellow students when the teacher is 
 teaching. Often than not, he disrupts the teacher’s lecture with his 
irresponsible comments, or other forms of distractions.  Such a student,
 when the chips are down, will resort to one form of examination 
malpractice or the other. For he will also like to pass his exams 
without adequate studies.  Although he never bothered himself to study 
either at home or at school, he will like to make fine grades like those
 students who put in the best efforts at school and everything about 
their academic works.  <br />

We must not be like such students who behave so irresponsibly.  As 
students, we should know that we have been sent to school to help us 
prepare for our own future as well as the future of the society in which
 we live.  School hours should not be trifled away.  If we do the right 
thing at the right time, we will never have the need to rely on any form
 of malpractice in order to pass our examinations.<br />

<br />

<div style="text-align: justify;">
What is examination malpractice? To begin with, before we can go ahead to answer the above question,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
we need to identify the full meaning and significance of the word, examination. To put it in a simple,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
straight forward manner, an examination
 is a test of knowledge, be it in the classroom, in vocational Wcallings
 or in any form of endeavour where the objective is to bring out the 
best or the qualified person or persons</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
and separate such from the unqualified. Examinations are therefore often conducted in such areas as educational</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
institutions, within government circles, political systems, economic systems and also in various aspects of our social lives.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">See Preview for the full lecture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://johnebere.com/itempage.aspx?itemid=37&itemName=Examination%20Malpractice-%20causes,%20effects%20and%20Disadvantages">Source</a> </span></div>

Examination Malpractice- causes, effects and Disadvantages

Causes Of Examination Malpractice Some of the major causes of examination malpractice are: (a) Gaps in the knowledge of students...