A Visit to a Fair Essay

A fair means a periodical gathering in some open place. I had got the rare opportunity of visiting the Baliyatra Fair in Cuttack. The fair was held on the full moon day in the month of Kartika. The fair is conducted every year on the bank of the Mahanadi. Thereby we commemorate our sea-trade with other countries in past. I had been to the fair with four of my friends. On our way to Cuttack, we discussed many things about our racial past. The Sadhavas of the then Kalinga were known for their richness and caliber in trade. They set sails for Java, Sumatra, China, Ceylon (Srilanka), Borneo, Indonesia, Rangoon for trade. They exchanged their goods for jewels and gold. The sea-trade does not exist now. So we float toy-boats down the stream to remember our past-glory. We reached the fair-in the evening. The place of fair was overcrowded with children, men and women. Men of different occupations had assembled there. Goods of various kinds had been brought to the Baliyatra for show and sale. People amused themselves in a great variety of ways. Some people had come to dispose of their articles. Some had come to buy and some for sightseeing. Mostly the people were from the neighboring villages. The fair continued for about a week. The place was full of stalls made of straw and bamboo. The place was spacious and there was proper sanitary arrangement. The stalls were full of fancy goods. They were giving a gorgeous look. Many people were coming to those stalls. They were in festive dress too. The dealers in shops dealt in various goods. It was a rare occasion for me to see those beautiful stalls. It relieved of my monotony. The vendors sold toys and ballons for children. There were horse-wheels and merry-go-rounds for children too. The volunteers and scouts from the high schools of the town took prominent part in controlling the crowd. There was enough enthusiasm amongst the villagers in holding the fair. We had some snacks and tea in the fair. In the fair there was display of skill in craftsmanship. We had an opportunity to visit a circus there that evening. We also purchased a few filigree works and horn works of Cuttack. Of course the prices of those articles were high. Still the people were purchasing those-things because they loved their rich tradition. A note worthy feature of the fair was that children were arguing with their guarding ns to purchase balloons and dolls in the fair. They pulled the sarees of their mothers and emended the balloons and sweets. It was an opportunity for the businessmen to reap profits. However, in book-stalls, books were being sold on rebate. I purchased a few books on Oriya literature. The police were alert in the fair to provide security to the visitors. There was fear of pick-pockets, theft and loss of goods, money and ornaments. Loudspeakers had been arranged at different places in the fair to warn the people of antisocial elements and black-marketers who sold stale sweets. The Baliyatra is a grand fair in Orissa. The visit to this fair is still afresh in my mind.

Effects of Terrorism in Africa Essay

Terrorism can be defined as the deliberate use of violence by persons or groups to attain certain goals through threatening a large audience, further than that of the immediate victim (cited in Crenshaw, 1994). Though the intentions of terrorists may contrast, their activities follow a regular pattern with terrorist cases occurring in a number of forms: suicide attacks, airplane hijackings, assassinations, kidnapping, bombings, and threats. Intentions of terrorist attacks are to put plenty of pressures to a government so that it can give political privileges (Davis, 2010, p.  43). Throughout history, terrorism occurrences have been rampant throughout the world. In Africa, terrorism attacks have rendered immense consequences. These consequences can assume a variety of forms ranging from casualties, a heightened worry level, destroyed buildings, and countless economic costs. Usually, African countries prone to terrorist attacks are; democratic in character or are in a wholly inefficient dictatorship (Crenshaw, 1994, p. 96). Terrorists time and again target to attack economic interests that are of figurative importance to the target system. This can cut state income flows and dispirit foreign investment, both of which deteriorate the government’s economic support base. Mostly, terrorists target tourism industries and hospitality sectors. These renders African states a huge blow economically though losses that trickle down to other industries e. g. the insurance industries incurs losses through immense insurance claims (Whittaker, 2003). Acts of terrorism have also potentially impacted negatively on freedom and human rights of Africans. These freedom and human rights are; rights to freedom of expression, security of individual, religion, opinion, demonstration, assembly and belief. Therefore, terrorism poses a threat to the political and social values that are in many ways associated with the full enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and human rights (Davis, 2010). In conclusion, all terrorism occurrences involve violence or the threat of violence. Violence can be committed by persons or groups. Terrorism not only weakens confidence in African governments, but it also generates panic amongst citizens of a state. References Crenshaw, M. (1994). Terrorism in Africa. New York: G. K. Hall. Davis, J. (2010). Terrorism in Africa: The evolving front in the War on Terror. Lanham, MEd: Lexington Books Whittaker, D. J. (2003). The terrorism reader. London: Rutledge

Manila Museum

Manila Museums Manila's history has seen it exposed to a variety of international influences and this has certainly played a major role in contributing to the cultural venues and museums that it now has to offer. The National Museum of the Philippines is arguably the highlight of this cultural scene in Manila and the one place not to miss, especially if you are at all interested in the events of the past in the city itself and other parts of the country too. Also very popular in Manila is the Children's Museum (Museo Pambata), which always makes for a very enjoyable afternoon out for families.NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES Address: Padre Burgos Street, Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 527 1215 This cultural attraction dates back to 1901 when it was founded as the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History and Commerce. The museum is home to an extensive collection of artefacts related to the history of the city of Manila and the Philippines as a whole. Highlights include the skull of ‘Tabon Man' – the oldest skeletal human remains found anywhere in the archipelago. Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09:00 to 17:00 Admission: freeCASA MANILA MUSEUM Address: Luna Street, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 527 4084 Housed in a replica of a traditional 19th century city home, the Casa Manila Museum features a collection of displays and exhibits that illustrate how the city's affluent residents lived in its period under Spanish control. The house's interior has been recreated to look exactly as it might have in the colonial era. Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 18:00 Admission: charge MUSEUM OF ARTS AND SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST)Address: Espana Calle, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 781 1815 The Museum of Arts and Sciences boasts an extraordinary history, since although it was not officially established until the 1870s, it does actually date back to the latter part of the 17th century, when the University of Santo Tomas first began its collection. Many preserved specimens of local flora and fauna from throughout the Philippines can be found here, some of which are now actually extinct. Open hours: Tuesday to Friday – 09:00 to 16:30 Admission: charge, discounts for students MUSEO PAMBATA (CHILDREN'S MUSEUM)Address: Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 523 1797 Within this popular ‘edutainment' centre are eight separate rooms, each with its own theme and unique collection of interactive displays and exhibits focusing on topics such as science, history and art. The Museo Pambata also features an extensive calendar of events, with regular storytelling sessions for its younger visitors. Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 08:00 to 17:00 Admission: charge PHILIPPINE ARMY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY Address: McArthur Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 815 2899On offer at this relati vely new addition to the city's museum collection are displays and exhibits detailing the history of the country's armed forces. Visitors spending time exploring the Philippine Army Museum and Library can view a wide variety of artefacts, including antique weaponry, photographs of Filipino war heroes and items from WWII. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 08:00 to 17:00 Admission: charge PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM Address: Riverbanks Centre, 84A Bonifacio Avenue, Barangka, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 942 5136Housed in a building belonging to the University of the Philippines, this museum is home to some 15 galleries and more than 200 interactive displays, covering topics such as electricity, anatomy and the environment. Children visiting the Philippine Science Centrum will especially love the Earth Science gallery and its section on animal sounds. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 09:00 to 16:00 Admission: free METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA Address: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 521 1517Located close by and within Pasay City, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila is home to a wealth of historical collections of ceramics and gold artefacts. In particular, there is a ‘Gold Gallery', where many priceless golden treasures are displayed, dating as far back as the 10th century. Even older are the pieces within the ‘Pottery Gallery', where some ceramic remains are more than 2,000 years old. Other highlights include temporary exhibitions, a library, a cafe and gift shops. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 09:00 to 18:00 Admission: charge, discounts for seniors Manila Museum Manila Museums Manila's history has seen it exposed to a variety of international influences and this has certainly played a major role in contributing to the cultural venues and museums that it now has to offer. The National Museum of the Philippines is arguably the highlight of this cultural scene in Manila and the one place not to miss, especially if you are at all interested in the events of the past in the city itself and other parts of the country too. Also very popular in Manila is the Children's Museum (Museo Pambata), which always makes for a very enjoyable afternoon out for families.NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES Address: Padre Burgos Street, Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 527 1215 This cultural attraction dates back to 1901 when it was founded as the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History and Commerce. The museum is home to an extensive collection of artefacts related to the history of the city of Manila and the Philippines as a whole. Highlights include the skull of ‘Tabon Man' – the oldest skeletal human remains found anywhere in the archipelago. Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09:00 to 17:00 Admission: freeCASA MANILA MUSEUM Address: Luna Street, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 527 4084 Housed in a replica of a traditional 19th century city home, the Casa Manila Museum features a collection of displays and exhibits that illustrate how the city's affluent residents lived in its period under Spanish control. The house's interior has been recreated to look exactly as it might have in the colonial era. Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 09:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 18:00 Admission: charge MUSEUM OF ARTS AND SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST)Address: Espana Calle, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 781 1815 The Museum of Arts and Sciences boasts an extraordinary history, since although it was not officially established until the 1870s, it does actually date back to the latter part of the 17th century, when the University of Santo Tomas first began its collection. Many preserved specimens of local flora and fauna from throughout the Philippines can be found here, some of which are now actually extinct. Open hours: Tuesday to Friday – 09:00 to 16:30 Admission: charge, discounts for students MUSEO PAMBATA (CHILDREN'S MUSEUM)Address: Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 523 1797 Within this popular ‘edutainment' centre are eight separate rooms, each with its own theme and unique collection of interactive displays and exhibits focusing on topics such as science, history and art. The Museo Pambata also features an extensive calendar of events, with regular storytelling sessions for its younger visitors. Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 08:00 to 17:00 Admission: charge PHILIPPINE ARMY MUSEUM AND LIBRARY Address: McArthur Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 815 2899On offer at this relati vely new addition to the city's museum collection are displays and exhibits detailing the history of the country's armed forces. Visitors spending time exploring the Philippine Army Museum and Library can view a wide variety of artefacts, including antique weaponry, photographs of Filipino war heroes and items from WWII. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 08:00 to 17:00 Admission: charge PHILIPPINE SCIENCE CENTRUM Address: Riverbanks Centre, 84A Bonifacio Avenue, Barangka, Manila, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 942 5136Housed in a building belonging to the University of the Philippines, this museum is home to some 15 galleries and more than 200 interactive displays, covering topics such as electricity, anatomy and the environment. Children visiting the Philippine Science Centrum will especially love the Earth Science gallery and its section on animal sounds. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 09:00 to 16:00 Admission: free METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA Address: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines, PH Tel: +63 02 521 1517Located close by and within Pasay City, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila is home to a wealth of historical collections of ceramics and gold artefacts. In particular, there is a ‘Gold Gallery', where many priceless golden treasures are displayed, dating as far back as the 10th century. Even older are the pieces within the ‘Pottery Gallery', where some ceramic remains are more than 2,000 years old. Other highlights include temporary exhibitions, a library, a cafe and gift shops. Open hours: Monday to Saturday – 09:00 to 18:00 Admission: charge, discounts for seniors

Strategic Management Meredith Belbin Research Paper

Strategic Management Meredith Belbin - Research Paper Example The Team Role theory sprung from the research done by Meredith. It sought to understand human behavior, by studying individual’s affinity to behave in a certain manner, and their contribution in relating with others. This defined way, gave the theory a meaning. In addition, it helped understand one’s behavior and the behavior of fellow team members (Larson & LaFasto 2006; Adair 2007). Meredith outlined nine team roles. A completer has an attitude to plan ahead, and ensure that targeted goals are attained. A coordinator is composed even in the face of controversy, whereas an implementer works with the interests of the company and not his own. A monitor evaluates proposals with a detached mind (Parker 2004; Rees 2001). A plant is an intellect that solves difficult problems, whereas, a resource investigator is always in a position to relate to people and explore things associated with outsiders. A shaper considers all possible means, to solve a problem and leaves out the unnecessary ones. A specialist provides rare expertise and skills, whereas a team worker promotes team spirit (Gardenswartz 2003; Belbin 2006). Meredith Belbin is a British researcher, born in the year 1926. He obtained a first and second degree at Clare College, Cambridge, in Classics and later Psychology. He worked as a researcher upon completion of his doctorate at Cranfield College. Later, he became the chairman of the Industrial Training Research Unit (Carr 2001). He and three other scholars, Bill Hartston, Jeanne Fisher and Roger Mottram, began a seven year task. They held three games a year, and each game constituted eight teams. In each meeting, they observed and recorded the contribution of each team. Belbin established Belbin Associates, with an aim to publish and promote his research in the year 1988 (Belbin 2003; Maginn 2007). The theory is of immense importance, because it helps understand individuals own behavior and

Marketing library & information services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing library & information services - Essay Example In order to provide MLIS, understanding of the working of a library and its purpose and ideology is of great importance. Marketing has played a crucial role in the Australian academic libraries. Accelerating rates of change has become the marketing reality in current times (Kotler & Caslione, 2009). The scope of marketing in MLIS has seen increase in the recent years. This is partly due to technological advancement and partly due to changes in the educational requirements that the library aims to meet. In addition to that, new marketing methods have evolved that make it necessary for libraries to incorporate effective marketing into the delivery of resources to customers. The library needs to be speaking the language of the buyer in order to market well (Scott, 2007). Also marketing serves as a useful tool in promoting and advertising the resources of the library; this can have mutual benefits for both the library and its customers: to the library since it can attract more number of customers and to its customers in easily locating and accessing the services that they need. In Australian academic libraries, the role of marketing has received a lot of attention since educational advances and technological developments along with limited budgets have made students demand more in return for the membership fees that they are paying for libraries. One of the most significant contributions of marketing to LIS is that it helps in fostering a healthy marketing relationship with its customers. A good marketing strategy aims to identify potential customers and identifying their needs. It further requires the designing of products that meet these needs. Organizations are seeing the benefits of customer loyalty and are taking a customer-centric approach to strategy (Jain & Singh, 2010). If marketing is customer-focused, it helps to assert the importance of the customer over all other

Federal Trade Commission and Merger - Arbitron, Nielsen Research Paper

Federal Trade Commission and Merger - Arbitron, Nielsen - Research Paper Example This implies that for any merger to be acceptable it must comply with the business laws as provided by the government. For example, in US, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an agency that has been established by the government to ensure unfair business practices are avoided. Additionally, FTC is responsible for prevention of fraudulent business strategies that would jeopardize not only the shareholders investments but also the consumer’s money. Another notable function of FTC is to create a competitive business atmosphere. In this way, the negativities of monopoly as well as price discriminative policies are addressed. During the merging and acquisition processes, it is imperative for managers and directors to engage all the stakeholders that include the shareholders, creditors, auditors and other investors. This paper aims at discussing the merger between Arbitron, and Nielsen companies and the implications of FTC on the merger. Nielsen Holdings is an American based firm that deals in providing its local and global clients with information regarding the behaviors of their consumers in the market. With its headquarters based in New York and in Netherlands, the company operates in more than 100 countries in various regions world wide. In this regard, the company enjoys wide market segment that places it at a competitive position. Key people who oversee the operations of the company includes David Calhoun and Rick Kash, the CEO and the vice chair respectively. Other individuals in the management team include Brian West, Steve Hasker, Mary Liz, Mitchell Habib and Itzhak Fisher among others. One of the notable aspects that have contributed to the success of the company is the establishment of quality services that are highly demanded by companies that are focused at facing off the various challenges in the local and international markets. The three key products by Nielsen include provision of consumer information, market measurement as well as consumer resea rch. Nielsen has been involved in a number of business strategies that have not only positive impact on its capital base but also in its marketing strategies. These include strategic alliances, mergers as well as acquisitions. Some of the companies that the company has either acquired or formed a merger with include WPP Group, VNU, Buzzmetrics, Blackstone Group, IAG Research, The Cambridge Group and more recently Arbitron among others1. Arbitron is a US based firm with its headquarters in Columbia, Maryland. Having been founded in 1949 by Jim Seiler, the company original services included collection of television ratings that it adopted during the research process2. Just like Nielsen Holdings, Arbitron is engaged in a number of mergers immediately after it was established. Some of the notable companies that the company has merged with include Cooper, Clay and Coffin. In a deal that was aimed at making the company more competitive in the global market, Arbitron merged with Nielsen Ho ldings in 2012 resulting into change of names to Nielsen Audio. Key person who oversee the acquisition process was Sean Creamer, the company chief executive officer. Summary about the merger between Arbitron and Nielsen Arbitron and Nielsen Companies have for a long time been used by firms to provide with information regarding the consumption of their brands. Based on the need for two firms to improve their market

Should base level funding for critical infrastructure protection Research Paper

Should base level funding for critical infrastructure protection against foreign terrorists organizations include domestic (internal) threats - Research Paper Example ously increased their capacities in terms of sophistication and potential damage, there is need to take necessary steps to guard key infrastructures both private- and publicly owned against these developments. In order to effectively tackle cases of terroristic attacks against CI, base level funding for protection against foreign terrorist organizations should include domestic or internal threats. Indeed in today’s modern world, without critical infrastructure a society cannot function optimally. In fact, it is only in times of peace and relative security that critical infrastructures are characteristically, for granted taken. It must however be appreciated that when one critical infrastructure is annihilated, the entire nation somehow feels the effects of the loss (ITAC, 2006). In some cases, the loss may be as great in magnitude as to affect one or more countries significantly. Owing to their significance, critical infrastructures are always naturally become vulnerable targets for terrorists – foreign or those that exist within the nation’s borders (ITAC, 2006). It is in appreciation of this fact that the government in conjunction with its citizens and other stakeholders must always ensure that these infrastructures remain secure and function properly. In the US, currently, there is no clear policy as to how base level funding should be used. This therefore means that in cases of need, funding meant for foreign terrorist protection could be used to solve issues related to domestic threats. While terrorist gangs have often resorted to using bombs and other violent methods, it must be appreciated that they are likely to change tactics soon or later. Instead of engaging in physical combat, terrorists may opt to target information systems and other cyber assets in an unprecedented way. This could of course have a devastating effect since most of the country’s critical infrastructure is run or controlled by computers which in most cases are networked (ITAC,