Secondary School Level

Outline: Defining the term ‘Alcoholism.’ Cause of lcoholism. Theories of alcoholism – psychological and socio- cultural. Preventive measures. Defining alcoholism defers from culture to culture. However, alcoholism can be defined as an excessive consumption of alcohol, which in turn leads to    personal and social dis- functioning. Various health organizations all over the world have defined the dependency of alcohol as a physical dependency that leads to an increase ratio of consumption. A person who is severely dependent on alcohol is both psychologically and physiologically dependent and is suffering from the alcohol dependency syndrome. Unemployment among men is an important cause of alcoholism. Men may also drink to reduce exhaustion caused from their occupation. One may also use alcohol as a kind of aid to cope up with anxiety and tensions. Gradually, he may become alcoholic. Ignorance is another major factor that leads to alcoholism. Generally, there is a belief that more...

We live in a fast world...and have no time .. .not even to fulfill our basic need .. .Food. This is where fast food steps in. Fast food is any food that is quick, convenient, and usually inexpensive and typically refers to food sold in a restaurant and /or served to the customer in a packaged form for take away. It's cheap, convenient and often indulgently delicious. These foods are often sky-high in calories, saturated fat and sodium that can make us fatter, clog our arteries and send our blood pressure soaring. Not only does it feed and fill us quickly; there are scientific indications that it could end up killing us just as fast. Although fast-food restaurants are often viewed as a representation of modem technology, the concept of "ready-cooked food to go" is as old as cities themselves; unique variations are historical in various cultures. Ancient Romans had more...

The month of June came to an end without a drop of rain. There was an acute shortage of water. Crowds of people formed queues near public taps anxiously waiting to fill their pots with precious water. It was a hopeful sign when one day we saw the gathering clouds becoming darker and darker. Suddenly there was a gust accompanied by rain. The rain pelted down so vigorously that soon the drains were full and over-flowing. The low-lying areas were flooded, confining several families in their homes. In the streets one witnessed another sight. Pedestrians ran helter-skelter for safety and shelter. Those who anticipated rain were well armed with umbrellas and rain coats. As the rain poured, traffic slowed down and at certain places it almost came to a stand- still. Life in the city was disorganized, several trains were held up as the track lay under water, and almost more...

Dussera! The most wonderful festival of all. When I think of it my heart fills with joy. It is celebrated in the memory of Lord Ram's victory over the evil Ravana. That is why it is also called 'Vijayadashmi’. On this day the good triumphed over the evil. This fact is symbolised in the burning of the effigies of Ravana and other demons on this day. Dussera is celebrated in October. This is the season of autumn when the weather is wonderful.  Everything in nature is bright and clean. The heat and the dust have been washed away by the rains. The cold winter is still away. In this beautiful period when it is neither hot nor cold, we celebrate our Dussera. The celebrations start about ten days before Vijayadashmi day. Different localities have their Ramlila shows for all these days. The whole 'Ramayana' is depicted on the stage for more...

In India we celebrate many festivals. Quite a few festivals are celebrated as per change in the seasons. Let us begin with the moth of January. The Makar Sankranti/Lohri festival is celebrated as a farewell to the winters. People burn cozy fires and eat delicious winter foods like Til-gud. In March we celebrate Holi. This is festival of colours. It is celebrated to welcome spring. On April 13th people in Punjab celebrate Baisakhi, the harvest festival. During this time the farmers cut their harvest and offer it to God. The dances like bhangra and giddha are also enjoyed. In August we celebrate 'Naryali Poomima'. In this festival fisher folks pray to the sea god so that they may have a safe ferry during the monsoon. Thus in India there are many festivals related to the seasons. These festivals are celebrated with vigour and vitality.

Children who participate in youth sports benefit in many ways. While some benefits are immediate and short term, others are not easily visible but will last a lifetime. The very first immediate benefit is that children learn the sport and become proficient in it. Children learn to socialize with not just their teammates but also their peers and adults. They gain self confidence, there is an increase in self esteem and the overall health and fitness of the child improves. They learn to take losses in their stride and victories give them a sense of achievement which serves to boost their self esteem. Team sports teach the youth how to be a part of the whole and how each one's contribution is vital to the overall performance of the team. They learn not just how to cooperate but also how to put aside their personal goals for the good of more...

Outline: Meaning and causes of teenage pregnancy. Socioeconomic factors. Childhood environment and studies. Teenage pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy in a young woman who has not reached her 20th birthday irrespective she is married. Such pregnancy is also among unmarried minors who become pregnant unintentionally. There are many causes of teenage pregnancy. In the Indian subcontinent, early marriage and pregnancy is more common in traditional rural societies compared to urban areas. In some societies, early marriages and traditional gender roles are central reasons in the rate of teenage pregnancy. For example, in some African countries, early pregnancy is often seen as a blessing. People living in this part of the world believe that pregnancy is the proof of the young woman's fertility. The lack of education on safe sex is another cause of teenage pregnancy. Many teenagers are not taught about methods of birth control. They are unaware of more...

Alternate therapy means healing practices that differ from modern medicine as it is practiced in developed countries. Atypical definition would be "every available approach to healing that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine". Richard Dawkins, Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, defines alternative medicine as a "...set of practices which cannot be tested, refuse to be tested, or consistently fail tests. If a healing technique is demonstrated to have curative properties in properly controlled trials, it ceases to be alternative. It simply.... becomes medicine." Alternate therapies may be based on unscientific belief systems or philosophies incorporating spiritual, metaphysical or religious underpinnings, untested practices, pro-modern medical traditions, or newly developed approaches to healing; but today, many people utilize mainstream medicine in conjunction with alternate therapy for diagnosis and healing as they believe alternate therapy to have health-enhancing measures; but no side-effects. In developing nations, access more...

When the holy month of Ramzan comes, Idd is not gar behind. The word W brings to my mind visions of fine clothes and wonderful dishes fairs, fun and joy. The long days of Ramzan pass away easily with the eager wait for the coming Idd. Ramzan is a very important month for the Muslims. People try to lead a very pious life. They do not take anything, not even water, during the day. Smoking and drinking and entertainment etc. are given up. People try to have noble thoughts. 'Koran’ is read, prayers are offered and charity is practiced. The belief is, that a man shall earn as much 'good' as possible and free himself of base things and thoughts. This severe life of self denial comes to an end after a month. Ramzan is over. There is an eager wait for sighting the moon. When the moon is sighted, more...

The season after winter is spring. In winter season, all the leaves wither. The trees become bare because of the cold. But, as spring arrives, there is beauty everywhere. The buds on twigs begin to bloom. New green leaves begin to grow. Flowers begin to blossom. Birds start to build their nest. Insects like honeybees and butterflies are seen fluttering. Flowers bloom in abundance. The entire land is a riot of colours. Roses, lily, daisy, pansy, marigold, and many more are in their best beauty,   Spring makes all happy. There is a bloom all around. The festival of Holi is also celebrated during spring. I enjoy filling my vase with the spring blossoms.