Current Affairs Essays

Science is one of the greatest blessings in modern life. Scientific advancement has led to many important inventions. One of them is the computer. About a decade back, a computer was seen as a wonder machine. A few years later, this wonderful machine came closer to us as the Personal Computer l (PC) entered the household scene. The computer today plays a significant role in our  everybody's life. Computers are used practically everywhere. The use of computer in our country in the past two decades has taken a big jump. Today computers do much more than simply compute, super market scanners calculate our grocery bill while keeping store inventory; computerized telephone switching centres play traffic cop to millions of calls and keep lines of communications untangled, and Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) let us conduct banking transactions from virtually anywhere in the world. The extensive use of computers in all fields of business has improved efficiency of the industry and the economy of the country.  Computers have the capacity to do extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. Computers can be effectively used in solving the most difficult and complex mathematical problems. The other use of computers can be in compilation of information. Thus there will be a saving of time in research works. Computers can provide information to prevent traffic accidents. They can do such works which make the worker dull to repeat a process hundred times or more. Automation of work through computer will save the time and energy of human life. Thus human beings will get more leisure than they have today. Computer is the result of human mind exercises. It is a machine. It can help in any physical action. It can be used in progressing a physical work. It cannot think independently. We have to feed it before taking any mental work. We can find the answers based and limited to feeding material. First, we have to feed for a particular field to find some answers   related to that field, we cannot find an answer from a vacuum because there is no independent feeling and thinking to answer without any base. Computers will never be able to replace man as they need detailed instructions from man and can never lead independent lives. In the Armed Forces computers are being widely used for collecting complex data for the aircrafts, missile and guns. The radar system is controlled with complex computers to give an early warnings of coming enemy unit. Computers are also being widely used in mass communication and medical science. Today the police has started storing data on crimes and criminals on computers. Computers now have become a need of the day, in modern life. They are being used in every field of work. Due to importance of computer, its knowledge has been thought an essential qualification for a job. No doubt computers are capable of doing everything, but it is falling short of thinking. This is still only reserved form of man. So more...

Child Labour is a serious problem in many parts of the world. Its presence in hazardous industries is a gross violation of human rights. If children are not dying in explosions, they are dying a slow but sure death in the glass, brass-ware, lock, slate, balloon, brick-kiln and other industries.  Not only are children working in hazardous industries, they are also engaged in the most hazardous processes in industries which adults do not want to touch. In the glass industry, children are primarily engaged in removing molten glass from the furnaces. Since the furnaces are designed for adults, the child's face is almost touching the wall of the furnace. It is not all. Accidents happen all the time and most of them go unreported. Child labour and its problems are intimately related to the extreme poverty. These children belong to the families of total have-nots who do not have any other means to raise their income except the human asset it invest in a bid to supplement it. These children as such contribute to the pool of income of the family to fulfil their needs. But parents cannot be allowed to justify sending their children to work in such industries on the grounds of poverty. A massive contrariwise campaign is needed to be launched stating clearly the punitive action which would be taken if children were found to be employed. Exploitation of children as social problem has only recently begun to agitate the international conscience. Germany and USA have now refused to allow import of items-such as Indian carpets, which are made by small children. In India, the children cause has been taken up by the Delhi-based Centre of Concern For Child Labour (CCFCL), which also has field units in Bhopal, Aligarh and Sonabhadra, CCFCL, provides relief and rehabilitation to child workers, networks with non-governmental organizations and the governmental organizations and the government to improve child welfare programmes, generates public awareness and hold education programmes for child workers.  The Bangalore-based Concern for Working Children (CWC) runs Gramashrama, a unique project to curb migration of child labourers from villages to cities, the project covers 52 villages in Karnataka, CWC also runs a shelter for homeless working children in Bangalore. But their effort  are not enough. There is still much to do in this direction. School represents the most important means of drawing Children away from the labour market. School provides children with guidance and opportunity to understand their role in Bociety. Therefore many insist on immediately abolishing child labour and requiring children to go to school.  In India, the existing, Employment of Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 provides for prohibition of child labour in hazardous industries and regulates their employment in the non-hazardous industries. The state governments have been told to determine hazardous and non- hazardous industries but they have not been able to do so as yet. The child labour act is applicable up to 14 years of age. But the reality is that in many industries more...

There was a great joy on the birth of a child in the royal family of Kapilvastu. From the very beginning of his childhood he showed no interest in toys and other plays. Neither he was interested in living in palaces nor in enjoying the usual pleasures of life. He was known as Prince Siddhartha. One day he was passing through the streets of the city. He saw an old man, a sick man and a dead man. The sight had an adverse effect on him; he thought that he was living in a world, which was full of miseries and sorrows. All the three sights remained before his eyes all the time even while sitting, sleeping and walking. He decided to find a way to cure all these ills. One night he left the palaces leaving behind his wife Yashodhara and son Rahul and went in search of truth. He loved humanity more than his wife and son. From the river bank he sent the driver of his carriage back to Kapilvastu with the message that the people of city_ should forgive him as he had a greater cause of mankind. He spent some days in an Ashram but was unable to find truth. Then he sat for meditation on the bank of river Niranjana for six years but had no peace of mind. One day in a dream he saw a goddess. Very sweet music was coming out of three  stringed veena in her hand. He woke up. He found the path of truth. He termed it as middle path. In Bodhgaya, he sat in sarnadhi seven nights and discovered the truth. After that he was known as Lord Buddha. Sarnath and Kashi were the first places where he gave his sermons. Millions of men and women became his followers. He taught them five principles of life called "Panch Sheel". They were, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not tell lies, Do not drink alcohol and Do not lead a dirty life. Gautama Budha is one of the greatest saints India has produced.

Democracy is a form of Government. It has been described in different ways by different thinkers. Abraham Lincoln, the President of U.S.A., called democracy, the government of people, by the people, for the people. According to Mahatma Gandhi that form of Government is democracy in which the weakest has the same Opportunity as the strongest.  Since India's new Constitution came into operation, we have had twelve general elections. These elections are held on the basis of universal adult franchise. They show our people's faith in democracy. Democracy in India is quite young. Indian democracy still suffers from many ills. They are likely to continue for some time before they are completely removed. The greatest ill of our democracy is that a large number of people in India are illiterate. They do not understand the functioning of democratic institutions. They are not aware of the great value vote. These illiterate people are easily deceived by cheap propaganda. Empty slogans and attractive promises mislead them. Cunning politicians misguide them by their tall talks for their personal interests. They exploit their ignorance and illiteracy for their selfish ends. Among many weaknesses of our new democracy another is that people have not been able to overcome the feelings of casteism and communalism and regionalism. In the days of propaganda of elections, castes considerations are put before illiterate people to get their votes. So communal feelings play very important role in the election and selection of candidates in different constituencies. Here the leaders arouse communal feelings in ignorant people. The third weakness of Indian democracy is the influence of money in the elections. Hence in our country elections have become very costly. All the political parties spend large amount of money on elections. In every election huge amount of money is spent like water on the different items of propaganda to influence the voters. Recently we have seen the downfall of democracy in the East and West and also in our neighborhood. These instances had created alarm and people thought that perhaps India was also going the same way. In the light of our previous elections we can conclude that the function of democratic institutions in our country has been satisfactory so far. There is a good scope for improvement.

When the life was very simple the needs of people were limited. The cost of living was not very much high. The things were available in the markets at the cheap rates, and they were in the limits of common people. The guests and visitors were welcomed in the past. As ours is a country where it was taught from the very beginning that a visitor is like a God. But as the life today has become very costly, any type of guest is not welcomed now. But some uninvited and unexpected guest drops in and make. The life of host miserable. Last year in the pooja holidays a distant uncle visited us. Throughout my life I had not seen him before; it was quite late at night when he knocked at the door of our house we all were sleeping. Firstly I tried to ignore the call but he continued to knock at the door. I got up with anger to see who the foolish man is knocking at the door at this late hour. At the gate I saw a strange, I asked him what is the matter and whom he wanted to meet and who he was. He told me that he belonged to the town of my father and his name was Ashok and he wanted to meet my father. I asked him to wait and informed my father about the man at the door. My father came out with me and welcomed him. All the members of the family woke up. But the man did not care for anybody. He was speaking at a very high pitch. My mother had to prepare tea for him at that late hour. He told my mother that he was hungry as he had not taken the dinner. My mother started preparing dinner for him and most reluctantly I assisted her in preparing many items. After finishing the dinner, he continued to talk to my father. I went to my bed thinking what will happen the next morning, I will have to prepare breakfast for him. For how many days he will stay with us. He will disturb our all the programmes, we have already chalked out, during the holidays. I didn't know up to what time he was busy talking to my father. 

Shri Jai Prakash Narayan, the sarvodaya leader of India, is known popularly as Loknayak. He was the social reformer with socialistic zeal. He was the man who raised voice against the emergency rule of Mrs. Indira Gandhi and her government. He was an author too. Shri Jai prakash Narayan was born on October 11,1902 in Sitabdiara village of Chhapra district in Bihar. His father was Shri Harsood Lal and mother was Smt. Phool Rani. The auspicious day on which he was born was Vijay Dashmi.  He got his early education in his native village. 1919 he passed Matriculation Examination. After that he joined a college but he could not continue his studies. That was the time  when India was under the British Rule and all the true sons of the motherland were engaged in making efforts to free their country. Jai Prakash Narayan was also a great patriot. He could not tolerate the foreign rule on the, breast of his motherland. So, he stopped his further studies and joined  freedom struggle with firm determination. However he completed his graduation from San Francisco with his own effort. He made up his mind to live and die for his country in 1921. He dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom in 1934. In 1934 he became the Secretary of the Socialist Party. Panditji offered him the membership of the Congress Working Committee in 1946 but he rejected it. On Nehru's second request, he joined Congress Committee with Ram Manohar Lohia, but both of them left the Congress Working Committee. Shri Jai Prakash Narayan became the General Secretary of Socialist Party which got itself separated from the Congress. He took great interest in the political development of the country. He wanted his country to be free from all problems. He created a great stir J.P. Movement in political field. Indira Gandhi got alarmed. To put down J. P. 's movement she declared Emergency on 25th June, 1975. She put the leaders of opposition along with J.P. Narayan in the person. But it did not supress his zeal. He came out of the jail with his broken health in 1976 to take part in the Elections.  The great leaders of five opposition parties joined hands under the guidance of Shri J.P. Narayan. They made a party called Janta Party to contest the election against the Congress Party. Lok Nayak did great work for his party and won the election. Jai Prakash Narayan was a real epitome of a man who led his life without any self. He never wished for any political post. Whenever he got a chance he declined to it. All through his life, he dedicated himself to the service of society. Even in his life towards his last days he rose to lead the Indian mass in a crucial period when India was facing a vacuum after the emergency period during 1975. Though this taxed his life greatly and finally he died. Even at this time he did not change more...

" Mr Jaiprakash is an extraordinary worker. He has command over Socialism."                               Shri Jaiprakash Narayan was born on October 11, 1902 in Sitabdiara Village of Chhapra district in Bihar. He was the son of Shri Harsood Lal and Smt. Phool Rani. He was born on VijaiDashmi. He started his education in his village. He passed Matriculation Examination in 1919. Then he joined a famous college but he had to stop his studies because he joined the Freedom struggle. In 1922 he went to San-Francis where he did his graduation with his own efforts. Thus he was a self made student. In 1929 he returned to India. He made up his mind to live and die for his country in 1921. He dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom in 1934. In 1934 he became the Secretary of the Socialist Party. Panditji offered him the membership of Congress Working Committee in 1946 but he 'rejected it. On Nehru's second request, he joined Congress committee with Ram Manohar Lohia, but both of them left the Congress Working Committee. Shri Jaiprakash Narayan became the General Secretary of the Socialist Party which got itself separated from the Congress. He took great interest in the political development of the country. He created a great stir in the political field, indira got alarmed. To pull down J.P.'s movement she declared Emergency on 25th June, 1975. She put the leaders of the opposition along with J.P. Narayan in the prison. He came out of the jail with his broken health in 1976 to take part in the Elections. The great leaders of five opposition parties joined hands under the guidance of Shri Jai Prakash Narayan. They made a party calling it Janata Party to contest the election against the Congress Party. Lok Nayak did great work for his party and won the election. Shri Jai Prakash Narayan was a selfless worker. Once Pandit Nehru offered him the post of a minister in the Union Cabinet. He refused it. He was the true follower of Gandhian principles. People called him "King without crown". He was a symbol of light for ruling Janta Party.

India is a land of villages. More than seventy five percent of the population lives in villages. The main occupation in villages is agriculture. Entire family works in the fields in the agricultural work of ploughing, sowing, watering and reaping. Ours is a family of farmers. Ours is a family of five members. Our house is in the one corner of our field. My father is fond of keeping a cow at home. Last year he bought a pair of bullocks and pure white cow with a small calf from a village animal fair. In the morning and evening he prepares fodder to feed them. He cleans the shed daily in the morning. Then he goes in the shed again with a bucket. He washes the teats with water and milks the cow gently and leaves some milk for her little calf. He takes his bath then and within half an hour he is ready for his simple breakfast. In the breakfast he takes two loaves of bread, butter and butter milk. Now he is ready to go to field. He leaves for the field with bullocks. He works very hard in the field till noon. Then he takes rest under some tree. My mother carries his lunch to the field. It is generally four or five big chapatis, some dry vegetable and three to four glasses of lassi. He rests up to 4 o'clock and again starts work which ends uptil sun sets. He returns home milks the cow and gives her the fodder. Evening time is a gossip time with the family members. He goes to bed by ten. The life of an Indian farmer is very hard. He has to bear hot winds during summer season, bone eating winds in the winter and rains etc. In return he gets very little. He leads a miserable life. Now government is trying for their upliftment and bringing out some changes to improve their lives. As the Indian farmer is dependent on rains for the survival of their crops, if rain fails their crop fails and they have to bear all the risks. Now government has started the. Crop Insurance Scheme.

In India there are different communities living peacefully together with complete harmony. Though there are some differences of opinion all the communities’ celebrate their festivals with joy and feasts. Hindus celebrate Dussehra, Diwali and Holi etc. Christians Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Mohammedans enjoy Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha. Like certain sad moments in every community, Mohammmedans observe the Moharrum which is a sad occasion for them. The Moharrum, is observed to mourn the death of Hussain, the grandson of the holy prophet of Islam, Mohammad. Beautifully decorated Tazias are taken out in procession. The mourners march through the streets and roads of cities and towns. They sing funeral songs. A white beautiful horse covered with a scarlet sheet heads the procession. Generally the marchers beat their chests with their fists, a way of expressing their grief. Some are bold enough to ooze their blood out of their body by lashing themselves with a whip. People distribute alms among the poor. Some rigid religious Mohammedans offer prayer throughout the whole night, and keep fast. Sweet sugared water is also distributed to the people. There are two sects in Mohammedans ie. Shiyas and Sunnies. Like other communities they too have two sects such as Hindus have Sanatan Dharmi and Arya Samajis, Jains have two Gects as Digambaries and Ghwetambris. The Christians have also two sects Roman Catholics and Protestants. These Tazias are taken out by Shiyas only; Sunnies are not in favour of taking out procession.

A democratic country has more citizen participation in the form of voting for elected representatives, implies more accountability of the government and protects the political and personal rights of citizens, including those in the minority. Citizens are those persons who live m a state permanently and enjoy civil and political rights. In return they are expected to owe allegiance to the State and the State is obliged to protect the citizen's life, liberty, property and political rights. A civil society that functions well is perhaps indicative of how well a democracy works. Whether democratic processes work better in homogeneous or heterogeneous societies is a matter of speculation, but India with her culturally and ethnically diverse groups is known to be the world's largest democracy. The success of democracy is largely measured by the public's participation in the process and the responsiveness of the system to popular demands. Many people think that in order to be powerful, a journalist has to reach a huge audience. No, in order to be powerful, a journalist has to reach the audience that can make a difference to an issue. It can be one person. No press is truly free unless women share an equal voice. The role of woman journalists in strengthening the democratic processes cannot be underestimated. Firstly, the power of the press is noted to be more penetrating than the sword, and has even been known to make or break governments by swaying public opinion, and secondly because more and more women are entering the media profession, be it as reporters, editorial staff or in the more visible electronic media sector. Even if they have not broken the glass ceiling, woman journalists still make a difference. One must not assume that by virtue of being a woman, every Woman journalist automatically strives to fight for women's rights. There are many professionals who regard themselves as journalists first and women second. However, those who are actively involved in the cause of women's upliftment can surely make a difference, not only by actively encouraging more media coverage of women with more female- centric articles, but also by being more visible as reporters and covering what have been regarded to be hitherto male bastions, such as Barkha Dutt in Kargil. Whilst women are increasingly reporting and presenting the news, they are rarely news subjects. This was the finding of the Global Media Monitoring Project 2000, which involved 70 countries. The startling finding is that while women account for 41 percent of the presenters and reporters of the world's news, they are only 18 per cent of news subjects. According to another survey more urban housewives — from21.7 million in 1999 to 25.4 million now — read a daily newspaper at the cost of reading magazines. The reach of magazines has declined from 93.8 million in 1999 to 86.2 million in 2002, a 22 per cent loss, taking into account the population growth during the same period. Surely democratic processes are going haywire if women, who more...