Current Affairs Essays

Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the beloved leader of the people of India After her downfall in 1977, the people had again placed the country in her hands in 1980. She was born on Nov. 19,1917. She was brought up in a family full of political activities and love of country. So the family atmosphere had a great influence on her mind. She got her education at Allahabad, Oxford and Shanti Niketan. In 1942 she was married to Mr. Feroz Gandhi, a Parasi youth. He died in 1960, she had two sons-Rajiv and Sanjay. Indira Gandhi was the worthy daughter of a worthy father. She was a born politician. After the death of her mother she had a very difficult time. In her early life she jumped into politics. She had been the member of Indian National Congress. In 1950 she was elected  President of N. Congress. It was only after the death of her father that she became Minister of Information and Broadcasting. After the untimely death of Sh. Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966 she was elected Prime Minister of India. She held the great office for about 17 years. During her period of reign she led the country to a place of honour. It was under his leadership in 1971, that India defeated Pakistan and broke its back for ever. She nationalised all the major banks and abolished privy purses. These were her two bold steps. In 1975 the opposition parties revolted after the historical judgment of Justice Sinha. To put all opposition down she declared a state of Internal Emergency. This brought her defeat in the general election of 1977. She was in hot water for a period of two and a half years. In the mid-term poll, held in January 1980 she won back her lost position. Now she had to face many challenges. The demand of 'Khalistan' made her restless. The whole of Punjab came in the grip of terrorism. These two things turned the Golden Temple into a fortress. The Akalis presented a great challenge to her. As a custodian of country's unity she had to order the army to enter into Golden Temple. It freed the temple complex of terrorists.  On the black Wednesday  morning of 31st October. 1984 at 9-18 A.M. she was shot dead at her residence by two of her own security guards named Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. She died after few hours. The nation mourned her death. In her death the nation lost a worthy maker of India.

Coal is a very useful and important mineral. It is black and hard. It is lifted from coal mines. Coal is nothing but the wood in forests that went underground thousands of years ago. There are different kinds of coal such as peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite. Anthracite is the best variety of coal. There are many coal mines in India. Of these Raniganj, Jharia, Chirimiri and Chandrapur are famous for their coal mines. Coal has different uses. It is chiefly used as fuel. It is the main source of energy resources. Coal is used to produce thermal electric power and steam power. Coal has also other uses. From it we get gas, dyes, tar, nylon, naphthalene and many other useful byproducts. Thus, coal has occupied an important place in our day to day life. However, its quantity is limited on the earth and we have used up a large share. At the present rate of its consumption, it is not likely to exist for many decades

Parenting has become the most talked about matter of fact in the present situation. Parents are those who nature a  child in a rightful manner and guide him to lead a proper life. There was time when there was joint family system in our country. In those set-up the responsibilities of parents were not so much prominent as it is today because now parents are solely responsible for the brought up of a child. But time has become so tough for the parents that they hardly spare time for their child. It has created a crises in our developing society. Parenting has become a mystery and people are trying to find out the ways of successful parenting.  It has always been a concept that family is the first school for a child. A child begins to learn everything from his mother, father and the people who surround him. Parents make all their efforts to provide their child the best of learning in this period. The child imitates his parents. The values, morals,  beliefs, manner, behavior that a child learns from his parents prove to be the real way of his life. Wordsworth has rightly said, 'child is the father of man'. It means the habits, traits, virtues, nature-whatever the child adopts during his childhood is never missed in his grown-up life. Hence the making of a complete man begins under the close contact of a successful parenting. The first step for a successful parenting depends upon their contact with a child. Parents should always watch over activities of the child. They should try to create healthy atmosphere in the family so that the child can learn to be compassionate and confident. Confidence is the first trait of a successful life. Confidence building depends upon the way how a child is being brought up. A child should be taught in the beginning through mythological instances and the success stories of our great saints and warriors because lives of great men remind us that we can make our lives sublime and we can prove to be a guide for the coming generation.  The fast growing TV culture and westernized exposure of our life has corrupted all our values. We have forgotten our past. Parents have no time for their child. They think that money can solve all the problem, money can make a child great. It can bring all happiness to their life. But the fact is that money can make life comfortable but not valuable. If a child loses contact with his parents, he will be distracted and will try to find comfort in TV, clubs, films, markets, etc. These are just perversions and not construction. The child will have stress in life and sometimes would prefer finishing his life through illegal means. Hence parents need to regenerate themselves and once again they will have to learn the art of successful parenting. They will have to spare their valuable time for their child. They will have to be friendly with their more...

What does the term 'Information Technology' really mean ? Information technology is that technology by which the information is processed, communicated, exhibited and retrieved in a fast, error-free and proper-way. Information  technology is a technology in which both telecommunication and  computer technologies work together to provide Information. Today's world is the world of information and telecommunication. Everyday new technology and inventions are being made in the area of information, processing and travelling. There is hardly any area which had not been affected by this. Due to all this, the word distance sounds ironical in present day context. The whole world has become a small place today. Any information can be exchanged by people in few seconds and that, too, in proper and effective way without any loss of data while it is being processed. On the one hand, all these different ways of telecommunication and information exchange have highlighted the necessity for multipurpose development and growth of information technology, and on the other, the easy access and use of it has boosted the network of information exchange. All this has been possible through information technology like telephone, fax, telex, computers, internet, e-mail, photocopier, printer, scanner, cellular phones, pagers, videophone, digital camera, multimedia, etc. These technologies are becoming a part and parcel of our lives and are transforming lifestyles and habits of people all over the world. The use of computers has increased by leaps and bounds worldwide. Internet and multimedia have now become playthings for children. The internet has revolutionized every field of the world. The government has allowed private companies to provide internet services to people in order to boost up information technology. The internet has put an unprecedented amount of buying and selling power in tile- hands of all those within a keystroke distance of a computer, Never in the history of commerce have solitary buyers and sellers been able to engage so effortlessly in commerce on all  points whether one is a scrap dealer or a collector with an  obsession for antiques, the internet is a solution.  Digital technology is playing a vital role in our day to day life. In supermarkets it helps for faster processing of films. In the field of agriculture, a digital moisture meter records the  moisture in the soil and tells when harvesting should start  For people, who are suffering from hearing loss, digital  technology is of great help. It processes sounds that  reduce  noise, improves clarity of speech and controls unwanted  loudness. The government of India is very keen to achieve a great deal in the field of information technology. The Indian Institutes of Information Technology are being set, up at various places in the country. Now we can hope that India will become an information technology superpower in near future. 

India is a hot country. But it has an ocean in the south. In summer, the air becomes very hot. It rises very high in the sky. To take its place winds come from south. They are full of moisture. They strike against the mountains and cause rains. These winds are called monsoons. They bring a large quantity of rains for our country. The rainy season lasts from July to September. Sometimes it rains heavily for days together. We cannot see the sun. The clouds run in the sky freely they are of dark colour. Sometimes they are very thick. They make it dark even in the day. When the first rain fails, the whole earth becomes happy. Everything is mad with joy the frogs croak in the rain water very loudly. Sometimes we find it difficult to sleep soundly on account of their noise. We can see the peacock dancing expressing its joy and welcoming rain. The noise of clouds makes it wild with joy. The farmers go out with their fields they plough their fields. Within a few days the whole earth becomes green with grass and corn plants. The scenery of nature becomes very pleasant. It soothes our eyes. The animals are very happy The cattle graze on the fields with great pleasure. After the hot months of May and June, the sight of clouds makes us all happy and gives us a great relief from the heat of the summer. The farmers are very happy because their crops depend on rains. The earth is dry and bare in June. The cattle are thin and lean without green grass. The rainy season is therefore welcome to all. During rainy season, many new insects are born. In the evening small moths  gather round our lamps. They make it impossible for us to read and write. The fields are full of ants. We can see grass- hoppers, snakes, earthworms and other insects. The roads are covered with mud. It becomes difficult to walk on Kachcha roads and streets. Our feet sink in mud. We cannot move about much in rainy season. The trade becomes dull. The businessmen have poor sale when the rains are heavy there is flood in the rivers. The crops are destroyed. Houses fall down. Poor people have no shelter. Their houses begin to leak. Thus we see that the rainy season brings joys as well as suffering to people. But it gives us food as farmers depend upon rains.

India is basically an agricultural country where about three fourth of its population live in the villages. The villages have their own charms. They are generally cut off from the Cities and have a totally different kind of life. There are charms in village life. There is the pleasant rising with the morning star glittering in the sky. After sunrise the cattle are taken to the fields for ploughing. We can hear the bleating of the lambs and the chirping of the birds. How fascinating their sounds are! They leave a soothing effect on the mind. Apart from this, the flowing of the river with a murmuring sound, the beauty of the greenery of fields around are the various pleasures that abound in the countryside. The peasants work in their fields all day in sun or rain. Sometimes it seems that they play on the lap of Mother Earth, notice the house-wives of the village with pots on their heads going to the village, wells and thence bringing water for their ' homes, all walking with slow, steady steps, in groups, talking to one another on various subjects like marriages, births, deaths etc. As they walk, the pots stand piled overhead, firm; like a column rooted in earth. The life of the villagers is peaceful and healthy. Far from the shrill noise and the dirty smoke of the cities, the villagers breathe fresh air. They have no tension of any type which is the basic feature of the modern city life. The evil influence of urban life has not yet reached the Indian villages. The villagers lead a very simple life and their desires are few. They nurse no ill-will towards their fellow villagers and are happy with what they have got. Sometimes we see them sitting in the shade of peepal or banyan tree and gossiping and some of them dozing. This presents a tension-free life of the villages. In this advanced age of science, the villagers are still unaware of many of the luxuries and comforts which science has provided us. They are the people of the earth and believe in serving it. They are very sentimental and love human beings to the core of their heart. What to talk of the humans, they have great attachment even with the animals which they tame for different purposes. The villagers are deeply religious and worship a number of gods with full faith. But they, at times, seem to be very superstitious. They believe in the stories of ghosts. The reason is that most of the villagers are illiterate. Hence, it is the need of the hour to teach them so that they may be aware of events which are taking place around them. It is true that a great deal to be done for them by way of education, sanitation and other modern methods of health and happiness. Though the villagers lead a very tough life in the dearth of modern facilities, still village life is not so bad more...

Maharana Pratap and Shivaji are two important names in the history of Mughal period in India. Both loved their country.  Rana Pratap was born in the family of Shishodia Rajputs His father Udai singh was a man of character. Other Rajputs had given their daughters to Akbar. But Udai Singh did not do so. To avoid fight with Akbar he left Chittor. Maharana Pratap took a vow to get back Chittor. A great battle was fought at Haldighati. The great Mughal army under the command of famous general Man Singh and Prince Salim fought with Rana Pratap and his brave soldiers. The Rana and his soldiers fought bravely to the last man. But at last they lost the field. Rana took a vow to make Chittor free from Mughals. He had now to run from the palace with his queen and children. He passed his bad days in the forests away from sharp eyes of Akbar. They ate wild fruits and sometimes had no  food for number of days. There is a sad story. It throws light on his sufferings. Once the little princess was crying for food. The queen had nothing to prepare any food. In helplessness she prepared some loaves of grass and wild fruits. They ate the loaves and put one of them under a piece of stone for the princess who was sleeping. When she woke  and began to eat the loaf, a wild cat took the loaf away from her hand. There was no other loaf. The princess began to cry. The sight moved the brave heart of Rana. He too wept like a child. Now Rana decided to write a letter to Akbar. He wanted to surrender before him. But just then his old and faithful minister, Bhama Shah came to him and placed all wealth at his feet. He asked Rana to prepare a new army to fight with Akbar. The Rana accepted the offer. He made an army. He recaptured some places. He could not get back Chittor. So the Rana took a vow not to sleep on the bed and sleep under a roof till he get back Chittor. So his descendants honour his name and vow even today by putting some Kusha grass under their bed. There is a class of Rajputs who still are leading a wandering life. India is proud of Rana Pratap who never bowed his head before mighty Akbar. He suffered but did not yield.

There was a long queue of passengers in front of second class booking window. They were waiting for their turns to get tickets, when the window opened, they pushed one another and there was chaos. Lo! The old man fell. At once a policeman ran for his help. He saved him from being crushed. He purchased a ticket for him. On platform also there was a great rush of passengers. They were waiting for the arrival of the train. Some were sitting on the benches. The villagers were sitting on the floor or on their boxes. Some gentlemen were walking up and down the platform. Every now and then they were looking in the direction from which the train was scheduled to come. There was a great rush of hawkers at the platform. They were crying at the top of their voice in order to sell their goods. When the distant signal became yellow, they felt happy they knew the train would shortly arrive. As soon as they caught sight of the engine, they got ready. All stood up. There was a movement on the platform. Some people put their bundles on their heads. Others held them under their arm pits. Some engaged coolies for their luggage. Ladies caught hold of the arms of their children. When the train arrived, all got ready. All were anxious to get seats. The passengers who wished to get down opened the doors. The other people who were eager to get into the compartment, tried to get in. Lo! There was a great tussle between them. After a little discussion the in-going passengers made way for the out-going passengers. There were seats only for a few passengers and not for all. Those who got in, got seats or remained standing. Others were running up and down the platform to find room for them.  When they failed to get room in the compartments, they caught hold of the handles outside some carriages. They stood on the foot boards. Members of the station staff looked busy with their duties. The ticket collector was at the gate. He collected tickets from the passengers. The hawkers went up and down with their wares. All were busy. After a few minutes the engine gave a long whistle and the train left the platform. When the train left, the crowd melted away. The hawkers went to some other platforms. They stopped their crying. The station staff retired to their rooms. The platform became dull. 

Games and sports are a very necessary part of education. As we know the aim of education is all round development physical mental and moral - of a student. Only a sound body can have a sound mind. Mind cannot be stronger if the body is weak. There is a very old saying that "Health is Wealth". One can build his body by playing games as it provides exercise in open and fresh air. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. India does not need book worms with ill health. A good student must take care of all the things. He must give time to his studies, but he should not neglect games. He should follow the maxim, "work, while you work, play, while you play, that is the way to be happy and gay." Games teach us discipline and sportsmanship. A sportsman treats victory and defeat equally. Games provide a good training for playing the game of life. A true player is unmindful of joys and sorrows. We learn to laugh in the face of failures. We do not feel proud at success. Games give the best education in the art of living. The battle of life is won by sportsmen. The spirit of sportsmanship helps in the formation of character. Games teach us the art of leadership also. The captain wins the hearts of his team through love, sympathy and fair play. In this way games produce the best citizens of tomorrow. Games provide a good excitement in dull life of students. We can make the best use of leisure by playing games. They also let off the surplus energy of young men. If this surplus energy does not come out, the result would be mischief and indiscipline. An idle brain is the devil's workshop.. Students must be kept busy when they are not studying. Many schools have no proper arrangement for games. Games should be made compulsory for every student in every school. Education without games is incomplete in order to make a full man of a student. School should give due importance to games and sports.

'Mans does not live by bread alone' is an old saying which simply defines that man needs much more than bread itself. Here the word 'bread' stands for the primary or basic needs of life. In order to live man needs food, clothes and shelter. But these are not enough. Man's life is not for fulfilling only these three needs. He has more and more wants in life and for achieving them he does strenuous labour day and night. He makes impossible possible. It is here, that we find the difference between man and animal. Animals also have these needs, and they can live if these needs are fulfilled. But man cannot. He is different from the animals in having a mind and a soul as well. He has intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs which must be fulfilled instantly otherwise he will be half- dead. He- can live without bread for a day or two but not without satisfying his needs related to mind and soul. He requires mental food in addition to bread. He wants to study good books sometimes for pleasure and sometimes for gathering knowledge on different subjects. He needs newspapers daily to know what is happening around him. He craves aesthetic satisfaction and finds immense pleasure in art and literature. There are scientists who work twenty four hours to achieve  their goals. They can not live without their scientific studies. A well known instance from Newton's life can easily explain what really a man wants. While doing experiments in his laboratory Newton became so engrossed that he boiled his keys instead of eggs. He could live without eggs but not without his experiments, because they were his mental food. Man has a heart which makes him emotional. He loves others and in turn wants to be loved. He craves for a family with a wife and children and maintains good relations with his kith and kin. He needs true friends. He wants to share his joys and sorrows with his family members, relatives and friends. Man has some spiritual needs too. He has a soul and he wishes to satisfy it by doing some noble' deeds. He extends a helping hand to those who are in distress. He wants to lead a virtuous life. He prays to God for the welfare of the whole humanity. He has his conscience which he keeps awake all the time and tries to bring spiritual development, the essence of true happiness. Thus man has numerous needs apart from his daily bread. Unless there needs are fulfilled he is not happy. He would like to die even though enough bread is available.