HUMAN
RIGHTS
Whereas
recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of
all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
in the world,
Whereas
disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which
have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which
human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and
want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas
it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last
resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should
be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas
it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between
nations,
Whereas
the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in
the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social
progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas
Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the
United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas
a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest
importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL
DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end
that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration
constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect
for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and
international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and
observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the
peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
All human beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and
should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Everyone is entitled to all the
rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any
kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political,
jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a
person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under
any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or
servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
No one shall be subjected to torture
or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Everyone has the right to
recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
All are equal before the law and are
entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are
entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this
Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Everyone has the right to an
effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the
fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
No one shall be subjected to
arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Everyone is entitled in full
equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal,
in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge
against him.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal
offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to
law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his
defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of
any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a
penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was
committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was
applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
No one shall be subjected to
arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to
attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the
protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to
freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave
any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek
and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in
the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from
acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily
deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
(1) Men and women of full age,
without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to
marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage,
during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into
only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and
fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and
the State.
(1) Everyone has the right to own
property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily
deprived of his property.
Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his
religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and
in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice,
worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of
opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any
media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to
freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to
belong to an association.
Article 21.(1) Everyone has the right to take
part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen
representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal
access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be
the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in
periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage
and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society,
has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through
national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the
organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural
rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his
personality.
(1) Everyone has the right to work,
to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to
protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any
discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right
to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an
existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other
means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form
and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Everyone has the right to rest and
leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays
with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a
standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his
family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social
services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances
beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are
entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out
of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
(1) Everyone has the right to
education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental
stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional
education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be
equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to
the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote
understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious
groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the
maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to
choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to
participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to
share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the
protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific,
literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Everyone is entitled to a social and
international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration can be fully realized.
(1) Everyone has duties to the
community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is
possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights
and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are
determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and
respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just
requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic
society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in
no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United
Nations.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying
for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to
perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set
forth herein.
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
National Integration : Complete information on
the meaning, features and promotion of national integration in India
What does National Integration mean?
National integration is the awareness of a common identity
amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though we belong to different
castes, religions and regions and speak different languages we recognize the
fact that we are all one. This kind of integration is very important in the
building of a strong and prosperous nation.
Unity in Diversity
Unity in our country does not mean the kind of oneness that
comes from racial and cultural similarity. It is unity in spite of great
differences, in other words, unity in diversity. An important historical event
in which this unity was displayed was the freedom movement when all the Indians
united against the British rule.
What is the common feature in all
the religions?
India is a very large country. We have the second largest
population in the world and our land area is about the same size as Europe
minus the former Soviet Union. About one thousand six hundred fifty-two
languages and dialects are spoken in our country. From among these eighteen
have been given special recognition by our Constitution as National languages
of our country.
A unique feature of our country is that all the major
religions of the world are practiced here like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity,
Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. There are also great varieties
in costume, food habits, and social customs. Geographically our land is diverse
and there are amazing differences in climate. Despite all these differences
India is a political entity, every part of which is governed under the same
Constitution. We have to co-exist with each other peacefully, respect the
culture and religion of our fellow Indians.
Forces Working against National Integration
There are many forces that come in the way of our national
integration. Often people have very strong feelings about their own religion
and language and oppose those of others. Such feelings lead to clashes between
different sects. Such occurrences damage our unity and prove to be a hindrance
to our progress.
Communalism is one factor that poses a great danger to our
unity. The formation of the State of Pakistan in 1947 led to terrible communal
riots. A very large number of people lost their lives and their homes and had
to undergo a lot of suffering to resettle.
The British had encouraged communalism because a division
between Hindus and Muslims made it easier for them to control our country. Unfortunately,
even with the passage of time these communal feelings have not ended. More than
fifty years after independence communal feelings still exist and riots flare-up
even now in different parts of the country. It is the result of
narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and lack of knowledge of other religions.
This is also because of the exploitation of such feelings by
some politicians to further their interests. If we give more importance to our
religion rather than our country we cannot contribute to its progress and
development. We have to develop tolerance and understanding for other religions
and not let such feelings destroy our unity.
Linguistic differences also create problems. Our
Constitution has given recognition to eighteen languages. This is something
important in a country such as ours. One’s mother tongue is dear each and
everyone. It is also essential to impart education in the mother tongue for
quick and easy learning for the convenience of the people of a State it is also
necessary to carry on official work in it. This also helps a language to
develop and grow. Hindi and English act as link languages between States in our
country.
However, sometimes people display hostility towards the
language of other people. This again harms the cause of our national unity. As
responsible citizens we must give due respect to other languages and cultures
and realize that they add to the greatness of our country.
Casteism also poses a great threat to our unity. People of
one caste support each other and oppose the progress and development of people
belonging to other castes. Appointments in jobs, admissions in educational
institutions are often on the basis of caste considerations. People also avoid
social interaction with other castes. Politicians often exploit such feelings
at the time of elections. This leads to feelings of resentment and hostility
that threaten the integrity of our country.
Forces Promoting National Integration
Indian Constitution Our founding fathers were aware that
there were threats to our unity from various forces. Consequently, certain
safeguards were placed in our Constitution. These took the form of certain
ideals and principles like Democracy, Secularism, and Social Equality that are
guaranteed under our Fundamental Rights. Thus, our Constitution is the most
important force that promotes national integration.
Secularism India is a secular state. This means that each
citizen of our country has the right to practice his or her religion. The
government cannot show preference to one religion at the expense of another.
Democracy as a democratic states all the citizens of India
are equal under the law of the country. As studied earlier, our Fundamental
Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy specifically state that each
citizen is equal in every way. People cannot be discriminated against on the
basis of differences of caste, religion, language, and culture.
National festivals also act as an important unifying force.
Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti are festivals that are
celebrated by all Indians and in all parts of the country, regardless of
language, religion or culture. They remind us of our common nationality.
Interdependence Earlier, we studied how plans for economic
development are made for our country as a whole. The Central and State
Governments are working together to achieve these common objectives. Different
regions of the country are dependent on each other for supplying and consuming
various kinds of products that result in their economic growth. Wheat grown in
Punjab may be sold in Tamil Nadu and cotton textiles from Gujarat may be sold
in Bihar. No region is so self-sufficient that it can do without the other.
These factors also bind the country together.
Our National Symbols like the National Flag, the National
Anthem, and the National Emblem also help to remind us that we are all
identity. For this reason we stress on the importance of showing proper respect
to these symbols. These act as strong unifying forces both in times of
celebration and adversity.
Other forces like the communication system and the mass
media help in the exposure to all the cultures of different regions of India.
Thus, bringing the whole country together as one nation
The
social evils and superstitions that had crept in the society over the centuries
made social reforms imperative for the development of the society and the
masses. In the 19th century, the newly educated persons increasingly revolted
against rigid social conventions and outdated customs. They could no longer
tolerate irrational and de-humanising social practices. Moreover, the backward
features of Indian society, such as the caste system or inequality of the sexes
had religious sanctions in the past. Therefore, it was necessary to reform
religious practices as well.
The
condition of women was pathetic. The various religions practised in India as
well as the personal laws based on them consigned women to a status inferior to
that of men. Polygamy, Purdah system, sort, ban on widow remarriage, no
education for female child, female infanticide, child marriages were some of
the evils that had vice—like grip over the society. It thus became necessary to
take the women out of this degraded position and help her to realise her true
potential. The problems of female feoticide, sexual harassment at workplace,
education are so diverse that they need sound financial backing, all these
social evils centre around the petty and marginalized conditions of women in
the society. We need to combat evils like the glorification of sati places as
pilgrimages, dowry system, girl feoticide, decline in sex ratio, harassment of
women etc. This can be achieved by educating the woman and making her
financially independent.
Rajasthan
has been in the news recently and for all the wrong reasons. First, it was
tigers disappearing, then it was a guidebook that referred to sati-sites as
tourist destinations, and then it was child marriages.
The
legal age for marriage in India is 18 years for women and 21 years for men. Any
marriage of a person younger than this is banned in India under the Child
Marriage Prevention Act of 1929. But child marriages still take place in India;
particularly around the Hindu holy day of Akshya Tritiya (also knows as Akha
Teej). Yet, it is a religious tradition in many places in India and therefore,
difficult to change. People feel that traditions are valuable and should not be
changed, especially religious traditions, since changing these would amount to
asking people not to practise their religion, a fundamental principle of democracy.
Dowry
in India, the practice of endowing the groom by the bride's family, is a
tradition, which has changed its intentions from giving a gift to demanding for
astronomical amounts which has bankrupted lots of families and made many girls
either to commit suicide or being murdered. Bride-price, which is the endowment
to the bride’s clan, which is widely practised in Papua New Guinea, too, has
changed from the earlier intentions thereby making it a business.
Moral
and ethical concerns of the society weigh a great deal with those in public
life as their behaviour is keenly watched by the people. At concerned quarters,
views are being expressed over the general decline of values in public life.
There is a general feeling that all is not well with our socio-political system
which is functioning under a great strain. In such a situation, the
representatives of the people have to set high standards of behaviour in public
life. Members of Parliament have not only to represent the society but have
also to lead it. Therefore, they have to function as the role models and this
naturally casts on them a heavy responsibility. Our freedom fighters and
national leaders had set high ethical and moral standards in public life and
they followed those principles scrupulously. This tendency, it is painfully
observed, is now on a decline. There has been a wide and critical collapse of
moral values in all walks of life and a perilous decline in the human dimension
in global, political and trade relations and national economy. Development has
culminated in widespread discontent, corruption, unemployment, violence,
communal and racial discord and much human distress, destruction and
disillusionment.
Barring
this, the caste system, which had its roots in religion, is another curse in
society. Though not so rigid in urban areas, it is still practised in rural
areas with the same zeal. Caste determines man's marriage, social circle and
profession. The untouchables suffer from numerous disabilities and
restrictions. His dresses, food, place of residence, all are degraded. Not only
is it humiliating and inhuman and based on anti-democratic principle of
inequality by birth, it is a cause of social disintegration. Thus, it has to be
fought against.
Another
problem that our society faces is the rapid criminalisation of the polity, that
could be the result of the fact that criminals have understood the mechanics of
the electoral process and have themselves become contenders for power. Earlier,
politicians patronised criminals and provided them protection from the
law-enforcement agencies in exchange for the use of their muscle power during
elections. And now it is the opposite-with the criminals themselves taking over
the reigns of power and patronising the« politicians and their parties. Of
late, there is an increasing exposure of the criminals in the! Governing system
of the country, to the extent that it alienates the common people for power.
The criminalisation of politics is a reflection of, and a factor that
aggravates the crisis of the political system. Only a qualitative change that
transforms the system from its very roots can resolve this crisis in favour of
the people.
In
the rural economy, both unemployment and under employment exist side by side
and the distinction between them is by no means sharp. In the rural areas,
increasing population implies an increasing pressure on land. This pressure on
land has resulted in an increase in the number of agriculturists, and this has
largely contributed to the problem of unutilised labour or disguised
unemployment in the agricultural sector. A large labour force accumulates
around primary occupations. A general in elasticity of occupational structure
prevents any large movement away from these in periods of slack demand. This
leads to seasonal unemployment also. In short, the major feature of rural
unemployment is the existence of unemployment in the form of disguised
unemployment and seasonal unemployment rather than open unemployment that
exists in the urban areas.
PEACE
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of
violence, conflict behaviors and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly
understood as the absence of hostility,
peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international
relationships, prosperity in matters
of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working
political order that serves the true interests of all.
An interpersonal
relationship is a strong, deep, or close association/acquaintance between
two or more people that may range in duration from brief to enduring. This
association may be based on inference, love, solidarity,
regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment.
Interpersonal relationships are formed in the context of social, cultural and
other influences. The context can vary from family or kinship
relations, friendship, marriage,
relations with associates, work, clubs, neighborhoods,
and places of worship. They may be regulated by law, custom, or
mutual agreement, and are the basis of social groups
and society as a
whole.
Nonviolence - A short story
|
-Balendu
Dharam Das was a man of virtues as his name suggested. His
father had given him a lot of wealth. He used to spend a lot of it to help
others. It was his habit to help anybody. So he was surrounded by a lot of
people, always.
Soon
he spent all he had. All those who were coming to him suddenly disappeared.
He became very poor and very few were there to enquire after him. Even during
those hard days he never strayed from his righteous ways. He prayed God
everyday to bless him enough for helping the needy, who came to him.
One
night he had a dream. A divine person came to him and said, “Dharmdas, there
is one way for you to get a lot of wealth. Tomorrow you will find me
coming to the shadow of the big tree in front of the temple. I will sleep in
the shade. All you have to do is to pick up my staff and hit me on my head.
My body will turn into a heap of gold. You can take it all.” Dharamdas saw
the speaker’s face very clearly.
Although
Dharam Das did not believe or like the idea, he went to the tree, next day.
True to the word, a holy man came there. He was rather tired from a long
walk. As soon as he reached the shade of the tree, he put aside his staff and
the long sack he carried and went to sleep. Dharam Das recognized him as the
man in the dream. Nobody else was around. He could easily hit the sleeping
man and take the gold. All his worries would be over.
But
he would do nothing of that sort. Attacking another person is violence, even
if permitted by the victim. He would not do that. Not even for the entire
wealth of the world.
He
sat there looking at the calm face of the sleeping man for several hours.
Finally the holy man woke up. He asked with amazement, “Why! You had a chance
of a lifetime! Don’t worry! I will give you another chance.”
Dharam
Das said, “No, master, even then I am not going to do a wrong thing. Instead,
why don’t you come to my house and have a frugal meal. You have not eaten for
several hours now.”
The
holy man smiled. He got up to leave. Dharam Das touched his feet. With the
blessing words “You will soon be prosperous!” the man gave him the sack he
was carrying. In another moment he was gone! The good man’s amazement was
doubled when he saw that the sack was full of gold coins!
|
Nonviolence is the practice of being harmless to self and others
under every condition. It comes from the belief that hurting people, animals or
the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome and refers to a general
philosophy of abstention from violence based on moral, religious or spiritual
principles.
Non-Violence Quotes
Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a
monster that swallows it up.
My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him.
Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain.
Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.
Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man.
Non-violence is the article of faith.
Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.
I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could.
My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him.
Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain.
Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.
Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man.
Non-violence is the article of faith.
Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.
I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could.
Dr. APJ
Abdul Kalam’s Ten Point Oath for Smile Children and Youth of the Nation
1. I will pursue my education or the
work with dedication and I will excel in it.
2. From now onwards, I will teach at
least 10 persons to read and write those who cannot read and write.
3. I will plant at least 10 saplings
and shall ensure their growth through constant care.
4. I will visit rural and urban
areas and permanently wean away at least 5 persons from addiction and gambling.
5. I will constantly endeavour to
remove the pain of my suffering brethren.
6. I will not support any religious,
caste or language differentiation.
7. I will be honest and endeavour to
make a corruption free society.
8. I will work for becoming an
enlightened citizen and make my family righteous.
9. I will always be a friend of the
mentally and physically challenged and will work hard to make them feel normal,
like the rest of us.
10. I will proudly celebrate the
success of my country and my people.
SOCIAL VALUE
Ordinarily value means belief about what is right and wrong and what is
important in life. Social value means the norms or forms of behavior which are
widely acceptable and admirable in society. Social are the root of all virtues
that pave the way for the harmony of a society. It is the social values that
are the key to the development of a society. With social values, a person
shapes up as a good human being and plays an important role in society’s
development. That can be beneficial for the society as well as that particular
individual. Thus if every individual develops good social values and play
crucial role in the society’s development with those values, that will be of
maximum benefit to that particular society. Here in this article we will
discuss the different aspects of social values.
Meaning of Social
Value:
The meaning of the term “social values” has changed
over the years. In modern time, along with the particular beliefs it also
refers to the life style that people think that they should accept. In the
past, honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, piety, fellow feeling etc. were
regarded as the social values. In one word, only different human behaviors were
regarded as social values. But in modern time, the definition has changed and
that is due to the change in the lifestyle of the people. But still one should
remember that there is hardly any social values that can overpower the
humanitarian qualities. So their existence is more than essential for the
society’s development and no change of meaning can be enough to defy that.
Utility of Social
Value:
Without social values a society cannot advance. It is
absolutely impossible from a society’s perspective to prosper without the
practice of social and moral beliefs as well as traditions. In addition, in
absence of social values, there is chaos and confusion in society. People
cannot try their best without their inner values and hope to build up a
successful society. The preservation of social values is a must for the harmonious
growth of a society. With the lack of these values, bad and heinous people are
allowed to grow in abundance in the society which ultimately lead to it’s
destruction. So, social values are very much necessary in case developing a
nation. In absence of them criminals are held in high esteem in society which
is undesirable and a stumbling block to the development of a nation. With
criminals held in high esteem, you can just expect to be a nation to be
destroyed.
The Comparison between
the Past and the Present:
Adopting unfair means in any walk of life for any
reason whatsoever was regarded as evil in the past. People tried to keep
themselves away from all sorts of malpractices and misdeeds. "Honesty is
the best policy"- This was the motto of the people in general. The
miscreants were in great disrepute in society. They were hated by all and
sundry. But it is a pity that those social values are interpreted now the other
way round. Now the criminals are honored as heroes of society. The people are
afraid to speak against their evil deeds. The basis of the present social
values is the materialistic attitude of the people in general. With a few
exceptions, people now run after name, fame and fortune without giving any
thought to right or wrong, good or evil, moral or immoral. In another word,
people look to go behind things that will make them popular in everybody’s eye.
They now only think about themselves. But in the past, people used to think
about their surroundings and try to keep significant contribution in society’s
development and also the nation’s. That’s why nations were so much developed at
that time. But now due to our extremely thinking about ourselves, we are not
able to keep significant contributions in society’s development. We become
happy with success of our own but hardly think of people around us.
What do you think is
most important for practicing social values?
The effects of social values in the present age are
deplorable. The noble qualities are now in exile. Honest people are now pushed
to the wall. The wrong doers are held in high esteem because of their post,
power and position. But with these kinds of deeds, the ultimate output is not
good at all. The wrong doers ultimately play the major role in the destruction
of the society. Yeah, people realize it very late but at that time there is no
other option left other than regret.
Social values which are honored and harbored by people
in the past should be preserved by way of raising awareness among them by
inculcating the habit of doing good deeds, maintaining moral scruples,
detesting vices and shunning covert practices in order to put society on a
sound footing. With the preservation of such values, good people will be
honored and thus be held at their deserved positions. Then the society will be
enlightened again like the past and be developed. So it is mandatory for
everyone to practice the social values and eventually this will lead to the
foundation of a successful world.
United
Nations 1967: DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WELFARE
“Social welfare as an organized function is regarded as a
body of activities designed to enable individuals, families, groups and
communities to cope with the social problems of changing conditions. But in
addition to and extending beyond the range of its responsibilities for specific
services, social welfare has a further function within the broad area of a country's
social development. In this larger sense, social welfare should play a major
role in contributing to the effective mobilization and deployment of human and
material resources of the country to deal successfully with the social
requirements of change, thereby participating in nation-building.”
THE ROLE OF MEDIA ON
VALUE BUILDING
The media plays a very
significant role in our society today.The media is all around us. From the
shows we watch on TV, the music we listen to on the radio, to the books, magazines,
and newspapers we read each day.
Without the media, people in societies would be isolated, not only from the rest of the world, but from governments, law-makers, and neighboring towns and cities.
The flow of information is important for the development of communities and the media facilitates, without a wide array of information, people’s opinions and views would be limited and their impressions and conclusions of the world around them stunted.
Historically, the most common form of the distribution of information was word of mouth, with the news often beginning with the words, “Did you know…” Indeed, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools in the sharing of information today.
The media started twisting opinions and stories, and taking sides. The media is twisting a story to make it more interesting once too many times, and someone is going to sue them badly for it. The media sometimes messes up the truth.
The media sometimes finds a certain person and makes his/her story sound worse and sadder so that they can get sympathy for that person and then asks people to send money to help the person out.
However in today's connected society it is the media, which has become the main source of information The role media is playing as being the main source of information is a controversial issue.
Without the media, people in societies would be isolated, not only from the rest of the world, but from governments, law-makers, and neighboring towns and cities.
The flow of information is important for the development of communities and the media facilitates, without a wide array of information, people’s opinions and views would be limited and their impressions and conclusions of the world around them stunted.
Historically, the most common form of the distribution of information was word of mouth, with the news often beginning with the words, “Did you know…” Indeed, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools in the sharing of information today.
The media started twisting opinions and stories, and taking sides. The media is twisting a story to make it more interesting once too many times, and someone is going to sue them badly for it. The media sometimes messes up the truth.
The media sometimes finds a certain person and makes his/her story sound worse and sadder so that they can get sympathy for that person and then asks people to send money to help the person out.
However in today's connected society it is the media, which has become the main source of information The role media is playing as being the main source of information is a controversial issue.
INFLUENCE OF TV SERIALS
Television has become an inseparable part of our life.
Especially the daily soap serials are so
much popular; as a result every one of us watches one or other TV serial at
least once in a day. It is mostly popular among the housewives not only in
India also in Bangladesh as well. Almost 90% of these women desperately wait to
watch these serials in between their daily chores These serials are related to
our day-to-day lives, presents their happiness and sorrows of simple middle
class families and also taught them to deal with the big and little issues of
life and present before them a real picture of our lives. But now a days most
of the serials are just full of so much craps. Since most of these serials show
the family relationship and also shows the problem of the struggling women but
they try to show too much of the real picture which is actually destroying the
sentiments and image of the women.
In most of the serials it shows a person to be idealistic in
the first place but after some times there is a twist and it changes the whole
story by showing the same character is against all the good things. What are
these stories trying to tell or prove us; that we should not believe in
idealism or the person who thinks about the welfare of everyone always has to
suffer? The most hated thing in these serials; they always try to focus on how
money, power, and reputation can be earned by choosing the wrong path. The
funniest thing they show a person who dies in few serials back returning after
sometimes to bring a twist in the story. Is it really possible to return after
death life? These are just so funny. The most important thing to mention about
these serials is that there are too many advertisements are given in it like
the costumes, jewelries, looks of the actor/actress. Even sometimes the looks
of the character does not goes the role such as when they are sleeping or
cooking they are wearing heavy make up and jewelries.
If these (serials) are not solving our purpose, what is the
reality and significance of these serials. Why can’t they make some sensible
stories instead of those unrealistic dramas that will help us to choose a right
direction rather than going for the wrong paths.
Mass media enjoys a very prominent
role in our lives. There are various effects of mass media on the society at
large. Media tends to influence and it's obvious, there are positive as well as
negative influences. However, it also depends upon the way audiences perceive
things. The power of media is by far recognized by everybody in terms of
advertising, marketing and as a medium to broadcast information to people at
large. Since mass media is used to communicate and interact with people from
various walks of life, it can often result in a conflict of options. Print
media (magazines, newspapers, brochures, press releases, newsletters, etc),
electronic media (television, radio etc) and the Internet are all part of mass
media. Today, it can give a person phenomenal exposure and this can result in
various effects on the society. Well, one cannot blame a particular medium
because of outside influences. Here, we shall take a look at such advantages
and disadvantages.
Pros
Pros
·
The wide reach offered by mass media
is phenomenal. It can target a global audience.
·
In terms of newspapers and
magazines, it can reach a specified target group. Besides, it is easily
accessible. For example, the newspaper lands on the doorstep and we have the
latest news in our drawing rooms due to the television set.
·
Certain types of media have a loyal
fan following. This would mean that an advertiser, publication or news channel
would have a ready audience.
·
We have the latest news and
information at the click of the mouse! The Internet is such a medium that it
can give many options for the kind of information required.
·
Television, movies, Internet and the
radio are some of the best forms of entertainment.
·
It can be used for educational
purposes in an effective manner.
Cons
·
At times, the information reported
may not be authentic from every angle. Hence, there may be a misinterpretation
of a situation.
·
News can be manipulated to influence
the minds of the audiences. For example - a particular political party may
manipulate reports in their favor, which would indicate the political control
in the media.
·
Media bias can occur due to various
issues. A journalist or an editor may give personal preference to an issue.
·
A particular event or a celebrity
may receive undue importance and set wrong ideals before the youth. It may
present an ostentatious lifestyle, which may inculcate wrong ideals amongst
youngsters.
·
Unnecessary sensationalism of an
issue may project wrong information to the public.
·
Misleading messages may again divert
young minds towards a wrong path.
·
Wrong interpretation of news may
even blow things out of proportion. This would create further unrest in any
place or even violence in case of extreme situations.
·
At times, a particular event or news
item may receive too much attention simply because of the lack of important
news or snippets. This would again present a wrong idea before the public.
·
Certain mass media such as
newspapers or leaflets have a very short shelf life. In terms of advertising,
it would not serve to be useful for every kind of product or message.
These were some of the pros and cons of mass media.
Ultimately, it always depends upon the individual and the way a particular
message is perceived.
Ecological balance is an balance within a community where
the organisms remain stable and the changes are slow and gradual. A ecological
balance must be retained in order for species to thrive comfortably in their
habitat. Removal of things like plants, animals, trees and other natural items
can shift the balance. This shifting can lead to a loss of something. The loss
may be something like lost vegetation or animals or an increase in pollution.
What are the causes of ecological
imbalance?
·
Nuclear Inventions, attacks
·
Over fishing
·
Hunting
·
Improper use of nonrenewable
resources
·
Cutting down the jungles
·
Chemical waste left in the sea
These all
things have affected not only humans but all the living beings on the earth.
These are the causes of climatic changes & biodiversity loss.
· 99% of
threatened species are at risk from human activities.
· Habitat
loss and degradation are the leading threats. They affect 86% of all threatened
birds, 86% of the threatened mammals assessed and 88% of the threatened
amphibians.
·
Introductions of alien species. Some of the worst include cats and rats, green
crabs, zebra mussels, the African tulip tree and the brown tree snake.
Introductions of alien species can happen deliberately or unintentionally, for
example, by organisms "hitch-hiking" in containers, ships, cars or
soil.
·
Over-exploitation. Resource extraction, hunting, and fishing for food, pets,
and medicine threatens many species.
·
Pollution and diseases.
· Human-induced
climate change is increasingly recognized as a crucial threat. Climate change
is altering migratory species patterns, causing coral bleaching, etc.
Ecological Balance
in Nature
The environment in
which the man and other organisms live is called the biosphere. The biosphere
is made up of different regions that have different types of flora (plants) and
fauna (animals). The types of organisms in an area are determined by various
factors such as the climate, temperature, rainfall, etc.
The regions based
on their physical and biological nature are classified into ecosystems. For
example, pond ecosystem, evergreen forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem, etc. The
organisms, in addition to being dependent on the environment for their needs,
are also dependent on each other. This dependency is especially for food. This
results in the presence of food chains and food webs.
Food Chain in
Nature(P = producer, H = herbivore, C1 = carnivore order-1, C2
= carnivore order-2)
The food chains and
other such interrelationships in the ecosystems create a balance in the
environment that is called the ecological balance.
Man is also a part
of these food chains and webs. However, man tries to modify the environment to
suit his needs unlike the other components of the ecosystem. This has upset the
delicate balance being maintained in the environment.
Forest Food Webs
For example:
consider the food chain: plants, deer, tiger in a forest. There is a balance
maintained in the environment because of this food chain. This balance becomes
evident when it is upset. If for some reason, all the tigers disappear, then
the deer population will increase to such an extent that plants will reduce in
number drastically and the habitat will become unsuitable for other herbivores
also with more competition. If the deer disappear, then the tigers will starve
and dwindle in number. And if the plants disappear, then deer cannot survive
and as a result the tigers also cannot survive.
Such an event in
the earlier days has resulted in the creation of deserts such as Sahara in
Africa and the Thar desert in Rajasthan. Due to hunting habits of man, the
numbers of lions in Africa were drastically reduced during the times of the
Romans. This resulted in increased population of herbivores that in turn
adversely affected the plant population. Less cover of vegetation on land led
to desertification. Thus maintenance of this ecological balance is very
important.
In Harmony with Nature
There
is an inseparable bond between man and nature. For man, there cannot be an
existence removed from nature. However, because of his thoughtless actions, the
equilibrium in nature is getting disturbed; the pulse of human life is becoming
erratic, too. Air and water have become polluted. Rivers are drying up. Seasons
arrive unseasonably. New diseases are spreading. If things continue this way,
the human race is in for a monumental catastrophe.
There
is an underlying order to everything in nature. There is a place in creation
for all creatures. The forest, river and mountain all have their dharma
(natural duty). Nature has provided sustenance for all created beings. It has
its own ways of recycling and reusing natural waste, thus preserving life. We
don't need to do anything to maintain the beauty of forests, rivers and
mountains.
However,
when human beings systematically plunder natural wealth for selfish reasons,
the natural order gets disturbed. Nature's face becomes disfigured. Along with
other creatures, human beings, too, will have to face the consequences...
...If
we are not ready to change, nature will teach us. The only thing is, we may not
be able to bear the brunt of the teaching. Mother Nature has blessed humankind
with her bounty. But if we forget our responsibilities, if we give free rein to
our desires, nature will retaliate. Nature's boons will turn into curses...
We
cannot delay anymore. We must make the right decisions and embark on the right
course of actions.
SOCIAL EVILS
The social evils and superstitions that had crept in the
society over the centuries made social reforms imperative for the development
of the society and the masses. In the 19th century, the newly educated persons
increasingly revolted against rigid social conventions and outdated customs.
They could no longer tolerate irrational and de-humanising social practices.
Moreover, the backward features of Indian society, such as the caste system or
inequality of the sexes had religious sanctions in the past. Therefore, it was
necessary to reform religious practices as well.
The condition of women was pathetic. The various religions
practised in India as well as the personal laws based on them consigned women
to a status inferior to that of men. Polygamy, Purdah system, sort, ban on
widow remarriage, no education for female child, female infanticide, child
marriages were some of the evils that had vice—like grip over the society. It
thus became necessary to take the women out of this degraded position and help
her to realise her true potential. The problems of female feoticide, sexual
harassment at workplace, education are so diverse that they need sound
financial backing, all these social evils centre around the petty and
marginalized conditions of women in the society. We need to combat evils like
the glorification of sati places as pilgrimages, dowry system, girl feoticide,
decline in sex ratio, harassment of women etc. This can be achieved by
educating the woman and making her financially independent.
Rajasthan has been in the news recently and for all the
wrong reasons. First, it was tigers disappearing, then it was a guidebook that
referred to sati-sites as tourist destinations, and then it was child
marriages.
The legal age for marriage in India is 18 years for women
and 21 years for men. Any marriage of a person younger than this is banned in
India under the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 1929. But child marriages
still take place in India; particularly around the Hindu holy day of Akshya
Tritiya (also knows as Akha Teej). Yet, it is a religious tradition in many
places in India and therefore, difficult to change. People feel that traditions
are valuable and should not be changed, especially religious traditions, since
changing these would amount to asking people not to practise their religion, a
fundamental principle of democracy.
Dowry in India, the practice of endowing the groom by the
bride's family, is a tradition, which has changed its intentions from giving a
gift to demanding for astronomical amounts which has bankrupted lots of
families and made many girls either to commit suicide or being murdered.
Bride-price, which is the endowment to the bride’s clan, which is widely
practised in Papua New Guinea, too, has changed from the earlier intentions
thereby making it a business.
Moral and ethical concerns of the society weigh a great deal
with those in public life as their behaviour is keenly watched by the people.
At concerned quarters, views are being expressed over the general decline of
values in public life. There is a general feeling that all is not well with our
socio-political system which is functioning under a great strain. In such a
situation, the representatives of the people have to set high standards of
behaviour in public life. Members of Parliament have not only to represent the
society but have also to lead it. Therefore, they have to function as the role
models and this naturally casts on them a heavy responsibility. Our freedom
fighters and national leaders had set high ethical and moral standards in
public life and they followed those principles scrupulously. This tendency, it
is painfully observed, is now on a decline. There has been a wide and critical
collapse of moral values in all walks of life and a perilous decline in the human
dimension in global, political and trade relations and national economy.
Development has culminated in widespread discontent, corruption, unemployment,
violence, communal and racial discord and much human distress, destruction and
disillusionment.
Barring this, the caste system, which had its roots in
religion, is another curse in society. Though not so rigid in urban areas, it
is still practised in rural areas with the same zeal. Caste determines man's
marriage, social circle and profession. The untouchables suffer from numerous
disabilities and restrictions. His dresses, food, place of residence, all are
degraded. Not only is it humiliating and inhuman and based on anti-democratic
principle of inequality by birth, it is a cause of social disintegration. Thus,
it has to be fought against.
Another problem that our society faces is the rapid
criminalisation of the polity, that could be the result of the fact that
criminals have understood the mechanics of the electoral process and have
themselves become contenders for power. Earlier, politicians patronised
criminals and provided them protection from the law-enforcement agencies in
exchange for the use of their muscle power during elections. And now it is the
opposite-with the criminals themselves taking over the reigns of power and
patronising the« politicians and their parties. Of late, there is an increasing
exposure of the criminals in the! Governing system of the country, to the
extent that it alienates the common people for power. The criminalisation of
politics is a reflection of, and a factor that aggravates the crisis of the
political system. Only a qualitative change that transforms the system from its
very roots can resolve this crisis in favour of the people.
In the rural economy, both unemployment and under employment
exist side by side and the distinction between them is by no means sharp. In
the rural areas, increasing population implies an increasing pressure on land.
This pressure on land has resulted in an increase in the number of agriculturists,
and this has largely contributed to the problem of unutilised labour or
disguised unemployment in the agricultural sector. A large labour force
accumulates around primary occupations. A general in elasticity of occupational
structure prevents any large movement away from these in periods of slack
demand. This leads to seasonal unemployment also. In short, the major feature
of rural unemployment is the existence of unemployment in the form of disguised
unemployment and seasonal unemployment rather than open unemployment that
exists in the urban areas.
Cybercrime, also
called computer crime, the use of a computer as an
instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, trafficking in
child pornography and intellectual property, stealing identities, or violating
privacy. Cybercrime, especially through the Internet, has grown in
importance as the computer has become central to commerce, entertainment, and
government.
Untouchability is the social-religious practice of ostracizing
a minority group by segregating them from the mainstream by social custom or
legal mandate. The excluded group could be one that did not accept the norms of
the excluding group and historically included foreigners, house workers,
nomadic tribes, law-breakers and criminals and those suffering from a
contagious disease. This exclusion was a method of punishing law-breakers and
also protected traditional societies against contagion from strangers and the
infected. A member of the excluded group is known as an Untouchable or Paria.
Terrorism
Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which
are intended to create fear (terror); are perpetrated for a religious,
political, or ideological goal; and deliberately target or disregard the safety
of non-combatants (civilians). Some definitions now include acts of unlawful
violence and war.
Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help
Domestic
violence is a serious threat for many women. Know the signs of an abusive
relationship and how to leave a dangerous situation.
Your partner apologizes and says the
hurtful behavior won't happen again — but you fear it will. At times you wonder
whether you're imagining the abuse, yet the emotional or physical pain you feel
is real. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing domestic violence.
Recognize domestic violence
Domestic violence — also called
domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs between people
in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including
emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. Men are sometimes
abused by partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women.
Domestic violence can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships.
It might not be easy to identify
domestic violence at first. While some relationships are clearly abusive from
the outset, abuse often starts subtly and gets worse over time. You might be
experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:
·
Calls you
names, insults you or puts you down
·
Prevents you
from going to work or school
·
Stops you from
seeing family members or friends
·
Tries to
control how you spend money, where you go, what medicines you take or what you
wear
·
Acts jealous or
possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful
·
Gets angry when
drinking alcohol or using drugs
·
Threatens you
with violence or a weapon
·
Hits, kicks,
shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets
·
Forces you to
have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will
·
Blames you for
his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it
·
Portrays the
violence as mutual and consensual
Pregnancy, children and domestic
violence
Sometimes domestic violence begins — or
increases — during pregnancy. During this perilous time, your health and the
baby's health are at risk. The danger continues after the baby is born. Even if
your child isn't abused, simply witnessing domestic violence can be harmful.
Children who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to be abused and have
behavioral problems than are other children. As adults, they're more likely to
become abusers or think abuse is a normal part of a relationship. You might
worry that seeking help will further endanger you and your child or that it
might break up your family, but it's the best way to protect your child — and
yourself.
Break the cycle
If you're in an abusive situation, you
might recognize this pattern:
·
Your abuser
threatens violence.
·
Your abuser
strikes.
·
Your abuser
apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts.
·
The cycle
repeats itself.
Typically the violence becomes more
frequent and severe over time.
The longer you stay in an abusive
relationship, the greater the toll on your self-esteem. You might become
depressed and anxious. You might begin to doubt your ability to take care of
yourself or wonder if the abuse is your fault. You might feel helpless or
paralyzed. If you're an older woman who has health problems, you might feel
dependent upon an abusive partner. If you're in a same sex relationship, you
might be less likely to seek help after an assault if you don't want to
disclose your sexual orientation. If you've been sexually assaulted by another
woman, you might also fear that you won't be believed. Still, the only way to
break the cycle of domestic violence is to take action — and the sooner the
better.
Start by telling someone about the abuse,
whether it's a friend, loved one, health care provider or other close contact.
At first, you might find it hard to talk about the abuse. But you'll also
likely feel relief and receive much-needed support.
Domestic violence against women:
Recognize patterns, seek help
Create a safety plan
Leaving an abuser can be dangerous.
Consider taking these precautions:
·
Call a women's
shelter or domestic violence hotline for advice. Make the call at a safe time —
when the abuser isn't around — or from a friend's house or other safe location.
·
Pack an
emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra
clothes and keys. Leave the bag in a safe place. Keep important personal
papers, money and prescription medications handy so that you can take them with
you on short notice.
·
Know exactly
where you'll go and how you'll get there.
Protect your communication and location
An abuser can use technology to monitor
your telephone and online communication and to track your physical location. If
you're concerned for your safety, seek help. To maintain your privacy:
·
Use phones cautiously. Your abuser might intercept calls and listen to your conversations. He or
she might use caller ID, check your cellphone or search your phone billing
records to see your complete call and texting history.
·
Use your home computer cautiously. Your abuser might use spyware to monitor your emails and
the websites you visit. Consider using a computer at work, the library or at a
friend's house to seek help.
·
Remove GPS devices from your vehicle. Your abuser might use a GPS device to pinpoint your
location.
·
Frequently change your email password. Choose a password that would be impossible for your
abuser to guess.
·
Clear your viewing history. Follow your browser's instructions to clear any record
of websites or graphics you've viewed.
Where to find help
In an emergency, call 911 — or your
local emergency number or law enforcement agency. The following resources also
can help:
·
Someone you trust. Turn to a friend, loved one, neighbor, co-worker, or religious or
spiritual adviser for support.
·
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE or 800-799-7233. Call the hotline for crisis
intervention and referrals to resources, such as women's shelters.
·
Your health care provider. Doctors and nurses will treat injuries and can refer you
to safe housing and other local resources.
·
A local women's shelter or crisis center. Shelters and crisis centers typically provide 24-hour
emergency shelter, as well as advice on legal matters and advocacy and support
services.
·
A counseling or mental health center. Counseling and support groups for women in abusive
relationships are available in most communities.
·
A local court. Your district
court can help you obtain a restraining order that legally mandates the abuser
to stay away from you or face arrest. Local advocates may be available to help
guide you through the process.
It can be hard to recognize or admit
that you're in an abusive relationship — but help is available. Remember, no
one deserves to be abused.
SITES REFERED:
http://www.terranatura.com/Eng/Filosofia/Ficha1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolence
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/non-violence.html#ZFDbrOhOQmDgCqSm.99
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012271786/national-integration.html
http://nsaima.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/influence-of-tv-serials/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-mass-media.html
wwf.panda.org
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-ii/environment-and-environmental-problems/ecological-balance.php
http://smilefoundationindia.org/abdulkalam.htm
http://amma.org/teachings/harmony-nature
http://breathing.hubpages.com/hub/Social-Value
http://web.hku.hk/~hrnwlck/introsocwelfare/welfareconcepts.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130595/cybercrime
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untouchability
http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Terrorism
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/domestic-violence/WO00044
Whereas
recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of
all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
in the world,
Whereas
disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which
have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which
human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and
want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas
it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last
resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should
be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas
it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between
nations,
Whereas
the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in
the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social
progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas
Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the
United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas
a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest
importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL
DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end
that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration
constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect
for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and
international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and
observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the
peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
All human beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and
should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Everyone is entitled to all the
rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any
kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political,
jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a
person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under
any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or
servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
No one shall be subjected to torture
or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Everyone has the right to
recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
All are equal before the law and are
entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are
entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this
Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Everyone has the right to an
effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the
fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
No one shall be subjected to
arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Everyone is entitled in full
equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal,
in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge
against him.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal
offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to
law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his
defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of
any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a
penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was
committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was
applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
No one shall be subjected to
arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to
attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the
protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to
freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave
any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek
and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in
the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from
acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily
deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
(1) Men and women of full age,
without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to
marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage,
during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into
only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and
fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and
the State.
(1) Everyone has the right to own
property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily
deprived of his property.
Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his
religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and
in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice,
worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of
opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any
media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to
freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to
belong to an association.
Article 21.(1) Everyone has the right to take
part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen
representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal
access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be
the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in
periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage
and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society,
has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through
national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the
organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural
rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his
personality.
(1) Everyone has the right to work,
to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to
protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any
discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right
to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an
existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other
means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form
and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Everyone has the right to rest and
leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays
with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a
standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his
family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social
services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,
disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances
beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are
entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out
of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
(1) Everyone has the right to
education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental
stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional
education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be
equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to
the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote
understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious
groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the
maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to
choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to
participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to
share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the
protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific,
literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Everyone is entitled to a social and
international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration can be fully realized.
(1) Everyone has duties to the
community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is
possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights
and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are
determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and
respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just
requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic
society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in
no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United
Nations.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying
for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to
perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set
forth herein.
NATIONAL INTEGRATION
National Integration : Complete information on
the meaning, features and promotion of national integration in India
What does National Integration mean?
National integration is the awareness of a common identity
amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though we belong to different
castes, religions and regions and speak different languages we recognize the
fact that we are all one. This kind of integration is very important in the
building of a strong and prosperous nation.
Unity in Diversity
Unity in our country does not mean the kind of oneness that
comes from racial and cultural similarity. It is unity in spite of great
differences, in other words, unity in diversity. An important historical event
in which this unity was displayed was the freedom movement when all the Indians
united against the British rule.
What is the common feature in all
the religions?
India is a very large country. We have the second largest
population in the world and our land area is about the same size as Europe
minus the former Soviet Union. About one thousand six hundred fifty-two
languages and dialects are spoken in our country. From among these eighteen
have been given special recognition by our Constitution as National languages
of our country.
A unique feature of our country is that all the major
religions of the world are practiced here like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity,
Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. There are also great varieties
in costume, food habits, and social customs. Geographically our land is diverse
and there are amazing differences in climate. Despite all these differences
India is a political entity, every part of which is governed under the same
Constitution. We have to co-exist with each other peacefully, respect the
culture and religion of our fellow Indians.
Forces Working against National Integration
There are many forces that come in the way of our national
integration. Often people have very strong feelings about their own religion
and language and oppose those of others. Such feelings lead to clashes between
different sects. Such occurrences damage our unity and prove to be a hindrance
to our progress.
Communalism is one factor that poses a great danger to our
unity. The formation of the State of Pakistan in 1947 led to terrible communal
riots. A very large number of people lost their lives and their homes and had
to undergo a lot of suffering to resettle.
The British had encouraged communalism because a division
between Hindus and Muslims made it easier for them to control our country. Unfortunately,
even with the passage of time these communal feelings have not ended. More than
fifty years after independence communal feelings still exist and riots flare-up
even now in different parts of the country. It is the result of
narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and lack of knowledge of other religions.
This is also because of the exploitation of such feelings by
some politicians to further their interests. If we give more importance to our
religion rather than our country we cannot contribute to its progress and
development. We have to develop tolerance and understanding for other religions
and not let such feelings destroy our unity.
Linguistic differences also create problems. Our
Constitution has given recognition to eighteen languages. This is something
important in a country such as ours. One’s mother tongue is dear each and
everyone. It is also essential to impart education in the mother tongue for
quick and easy learning for the convenience of the people of a State it is also
necessary to carry on official work in it. This also helps a language to
develop and grow. Hindi and English act as link languages between States in our
country.
However, sometimes people display hostility towards the
language of other people. This again harms the cause of our national unity. As
responsible citizens we must give due respect to other languages and cultures
and realize that they add to the greatness of our country.
Casteism also poses a great threat to our unity. People of
one caste support each other and oppose the progress and development of people
belonging to other castes. Appointments in jobs, admissions in educational
institutions are often on the basis of caste considerations. People also avoid
social interaction with other castes. Politicians often exploit such feelings
at the time of elections. This leads to feelings of resentment and hostility
that threaten the integrity of our country.
Forces Promoting National Integration
Indian Constitution Our founding fathers were aware that
there were threats to our unity from various forces. Consequently, certain
safeguards were placed in our Constitution. These took the form of certain
ideals and principles like Democracy, Secularism, and Social Equality that are
guaranteed under our Fundamental Rights. Thus, our Constitution is the most
important force that promotes national integration.
Secularism India is a secular state. This means that each
citizen of our country has the right to practice his or her religion. The
government cannot show preference to one religion at the expense of another.
Democracy as a democratic states all the citizens of India
are equal under the law of the country. As studied earlier, our Fundamental
Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy specifically state that each
citizen is equal in every way. People cannot be discriminated against on the
basis of differences of caste, religion, language, and culture.
National festivals also act as an important unifying force.
Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti are festivals that are
celebrated by all Indians and in all parts of the country, regardless of
language, religion or culture. They remind us of our common nationality.
Interdependence Earlier, we studied how plans for economic
development are made for our country as a whole. The Central and State
Governments are working together to achieve these common objectives. Different
regions of the country are dependent on each other for supplying and consuming
various kinds of products that result in their economic growth. Wheat grown in
Punjab may be sold in Tamil Nadu and cotton textiles from Gujarat may be sold
in Bihar. No region is so self-sufficient that it can do without the other.
These factors also bind the country together.
Our National Symbols like the National Flag, the National
Anthem, and the National Emblem also help to remind us that we are all
identity. For this reason we stress on the importance of showing proper respect
to these symbols. These act as strong unifying forces both in times of
celebration and adversity.
Other forces like the communication system and the mass
media help in the exposure to all the cultures of different regions of India.
Thus, bringing the whole country together as one nation
The
social evils and superstitions that had crept in the society over the centuries
made social reforms imperative for the development of the society and the
masses. In the 19th century, the newly educated persons increasingly revolted
against rigid social conventions and outdated customs. They could no longer
tolerate irrational and de-humanising social practices. Moreover, the backward
features of Indian society, such as the caste system or inequality of the sexes
had religious sanctions in the past. Therefore, it was necessary to reform
religious practices as well.
The
condition of women was pathetic. The various religions practised in India as
well as the personal laws based on them consigned women to a status inferior to
that of men. Polygamy, Purdah system, sort, ban on widow remarriage, no
education for female child, female infanticide, child marriages were some of
the evils that had vice—like grip over the society. It thus became necessary to
take the women out of this degraded position and help her to realise her true
potential. The problems of female feoticide, sexual harassment at workplace,
education are so diverse that they need sound financial backing, all these
social evils centre around the petty and marginalized conditions of women in
the society. We need to combat evils like the glorification of sati places as
pilgrimages, dowry system, girl feoticide, decline in sex ratio, harassment of
women etc. This can be achieved by educating the woman and making her
financially independent.
Rajasthan
has been in the news recently and for all the wrong reasons. First, it was
tigers disappearing, then it was a guidebook that referred to sati-sites as
tourist destinations, and then it was child marriages.
The
legal age for marriage in India is 18 years for women and 21 years for men. Any
marriage of a person younger than this is banned in India under the Child
Marriage Prevention Act of 1929. But child marriages still take place in India;
particularly around the Hindu holy day of Akshya Tritiya (also knows as Akha
Teej). Yet, it is a religious tradition in many places in India and therefore,
difficult to change. People feel that traditions are valuable and should not be
changed, especially religious traditions, since changing these would amount to
asking people not to practise their religion, a fundamental principle of democracy.
Dowry
in India, the practice of endowing the groom by the bride's family, is a
tradition, which has changed its intentions from giving a gift to demanding for
astronomical amounts which has bankrupted lots of families and made many girls
either to commit suicide or being murdered. Bride-price, which is the endowment
to the bride’s clan, which is widely practised in Papua New Guinea, too, has
changed from the earlier intentions thereby making it a business.
Moral
and ethical concerns of the society weigh a great deal with those in public
life as their behaviour is keenly watched by the people. At concerned quarters,
views are being expressed over the general decline of values in public life.
There is a general feeling that all is not well with our socio-political system
which is functioning under a great strain. In such a situation, the
representatives of the people have to set high standards of behaviour in public
life. Members of Parliament have not only to represent the society but have
also to lead it. Therefore, they have to function as the role models and this
naturally casts on them a heavy responsibility. Our freedom fighters and
national leaders had set high ethical and moral standards in public life and
they followed those principles scrupulously. This tendency, it is painfully
observed, is now on a decline. There has been a wide and critical collapse of
moral values in all walks of life and a perilous decline in the human dimension
in global, political and trade relations and national economy. Development has
culminated in widespread discontent, corruption, unemployment, violence,
communal and racial discord and much human distress, destruction and
disillusionment.
Barring
this, the caste system, which had its roots in religion, is another curse in
society. Though not so rigid in urban areas, it is still practised in rural
areas with the same zeal. Caste determines man's marriage, social circle and
profession. The untouchables suffer from numerous disabilities and
restrictions. His dresses, food, place of residence, all are degraded. Not only
is it humiliating and inhuman and based on anti-democratic principle of
inequality by birth, it is a cause of social disintegration. Thus, it has to be
fought against.
Another
problem that our society faces is the rapid criminalisation of the polity, that
could be the result of the fact that criminals have understood the mechanics of
the electoral process and have themselves become contenders for power. Earlier,
politicians patronised criminals and provided them protection from the
law-enforcement agencies in exchange for the use of their muscle power during
elections. And now it is the opposite-with the criminals themselves taking over
the reigns of power and patronising the« politicians and their parties. Of
late, there is an increasing exposure of the criminals in the! Governing system
of the country, to the extent that it alienates the common people for power.
The criminalisation of politics is a reflection of, and a factor that
aggravates the crisis of the political system. Only a qualitative change that
transforms the system from its very roots can resolve this crisis in favour of
the people.
In
the rural economy, both unemployment and under employment exist side by side
and the distinction between them is by no means sharp. In the rural areas,
increasing population implies an increasing pressure on land. This pressure on
land has resulted in an increase in the number of agriculturists, and this has
largely contributed to the problem of unutilised labour or disguised
unemployment in the agricultural sector. A large labour force accumulates
around primary occupations. A general in elasticity of occupational structure
prevents any large movement away from these in periods of slack demand. This
leads to seasonal unemployment also. In short, the major feature of rural
unemployment is the existence of unemployment in the form of disguised
unemployment and seasonal unemployment rather than open unemployment that
exists in the urban areas.
PEACE
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of
violence, conflict behaviors and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly
understood as the absence of hostility,
peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international
relationships, prosperity in matters
of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working
political order that serves the true interests of all.
An interpersonal
relationship is a strong, deep, or close association/acquaintance between
two or more people that may range in duration from brief to enduring. This
association may be based on inference, love, solidarity,
regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment.
Interpersonal relationships are formed in the context of social, cultural and
other influences. The context can vary from family or kinship
relations, friendship, marriage,
relations with associates, work, clubs, neighborhoods,
and places of worship. They may be regulated by law, custom, or
mutual agreement, and are the basis of social groups
and society as a
whole.
Nonviolence - A short story
|
-Balendu
Dharam Das was a man of virtues as his name suggested. His
father had given him a lot of wealth. He used to spend a lot of it to help
others. It was his habit to help anybody. So he was surrounded by a lot of
people, always.
Soon
he spent all he had. All those who were coming to him suddenly disappeared.
He became very poor and very few were there to enquire after him. Even during
those hard days he never strayed from his righteous ways. He prayed God
everyday to bless him enough for helping the needy, who came to him.
One
night he had a dream. A divine person came to him and said, “Dharmdas, there
is one way for you to get a lot of wealth. Tomorrow you will find me
coming to the shadow of the big tree in front of the temple. I will sleep in
the shade. All you have to do is to pick up my staff and hit me on my head.
My body will turn into a heap of gold. You can take it all.” Dharamdas saw
the speaker’s face very clearly.
Although
Dharam Das did not believe or like the idea, he went to the tree, next day.
True to the word, a holy man came there. He was rather tired from a long
walk. As soon as he reached the shade of the tree, he put aside his staff and
the long sack he carried and went to sleep. Dharam Das recognized him as the
man in the dream. Nobody else was around. He could easily hit the sleeping
man and take the gold. All his worries would be over.
But
he would do nothing of that sort. Attacking another person is violence, even
if permitted by the victim. He would not do that. Not even for the entire
wealth of the world.
He
sat there looking at the calm face of the sleeping man for several hours.
Finally the holy man woke up. He asked with amazement, “Why! You had a chance
of a lifetime! Don’t worry! I will give you another chance.”
Dharam
Das said, “No, master, even then I am not going to do a wrong thing. Instead,
why don’t you come to my house and have a frugal meal. You have not eaten for
several hours now.”
The
holy man smiled. He got up to leave. Dharam Das touched his feet. With the
blessing words “You will soon be prosperous!” the man gave him the sack he
was carrying. In another moment he was gone! The good man’s amazement was
doubled when he saw that the sack was full of gold coins!
|
Nonviolence is the practice of being harmless to self and others
under every condition. It comes from the belief that hurting people, animals or
the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome and refers to a general
philosophy of abstention from violence based on moral, religious or spiritual
principles.
Non-Violence Quotes
Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a
monster that swallows it up.
My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him.
Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain.
Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.
Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man.
Non-violence is the article of faith.
Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.
I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could.
My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him.
Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain.
Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.
Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man.
Non-violence is the article of faith.
Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.
I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could.
Dr. APJ
Abdul Kalam’s Ten Point Oath for Smile Children and Youth of the Nation
1. I will pursue my education or the
work with dedication and I will excel in it.
2. From now onwards, I will teach at
least 10 persons to read and write those who cannot read and write.
3. I will plant at least 10 saplings
and shall ensure their growth through constant care.
4. I will visit rural and urban
areas and permanently wean away at least 5 persons from addiction and gambling.
5. I will constantly endeavour to
remove the pain of my suffering brethren.
6. I will not support any religious,
caste or language differentiation.
7. I will be honest and endeavour to
make a corruption free society.
8. I will work for becoming an
enlightened citizen and make my family righteous.
9. I will always be a friend of the
mentally and physically challenged and will work hard to make them feel normal,
like the rest of us.
10. I will proudly celebrate the
success of my country and my people.
SOCIAL VALUE
Ordinarily value means belief about what is right and wrong and what is
important in life. Social value means the norms or forms of behavior which are
widely acceptable and admirable in society. Social are the root of all virtues
that pave the way for the harmony of a society. It is the social values that
are the key to the development of a society. With social values, a person
shapes up as a good human being and plays an important role in society’s
development. That can be beneficial for the society as well as that particular
individual. Thus if every individual develops good social values and play
crucial role in the society’s development with those values, that will be of
maximum benefit to that particular society. Here in this article we will
discuss the different aspects of social values.
Meaning of Social
Value:
The meaning of the term “social values” has changed
over the years. In modern time, along with the particular beliefs it also
refers to the life style that people think that they should accept. In the
past, honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, piety, fellow feeling etc. were
regarded as the social values. In one word, only different human behaviors were
regarded as social values. But in modern time, the definition has changed and
that is due to the change in the lifestyle of the people. But still one should
remember that there is hardly any social values that can overpower the
humanitarian qualities. So their existence is more than essential for the
society’s development and no change of meaning can be enough to defy that.
Utility of Social
Value:
Without social values a society cannot advance. It is
absolutely impossible from a society’s perspective to prosper without the
practice of social and moral beliefs as well as traditions. In addition, in
absence of social values, there is chaos and confusion in society. People
cannot try their best without their inner values and hope to build up a
successful society. The preservation of social values is a must for the harmonious
growth of a society. With the lack of these values, bad and heinous people are
allowed to grow in abundance in the society which ultimately lead to it’s
destruction. So, social values are very much necessary in case developing a
nation. In absence of them criminals are held in high esteem in society which
is undesirable and a stumbling block to the development of a nation. With
criminals held in high esteem, you can just expect to be a nation to be
destroyed.
The Comparison between
the Past and the Present:
Adopting unfair means in any walk of life for any
reason whatsoever was regarded as evil in the past. People tried to keep
themselves away from all sorts of malpractices and misdeeds. "Honesty is
the best policy"- This was the motto of the people in general. The
miscreants were in great disrepute in society. They were hated by all and
sundry. But it is a pity that those social values are interpreted now the other
way round. Now the criminals are honored as heroes of society. The people are
afraid to speak against their evil deeds. The basis of the present social
values is the materialistic attitude of the people in general. With a few
exceptions, people now run after name, fame and fortune without giving any
thought to right or wrong, good or evil, moral or immoral. In another word,
people look to go behind things that will make them popular in everybody’s eye.
They now only think about themselves. But in the past, people used to think
about their surroundings and try to keep significant contribution in society’s
development and also the nation’s. That’s why nations were so much developed at
that time. But now due to our extremely thinking about ourselves, we are not
able to keep significant contributions in society’s development. We become
happy with success of our own but hardly think of people around us.
What do you think is
most important for practicing social values?
The
Effects of Social Values:
The effects of social values in the present age are
deplorable. The noble qualities are now in exile. Honest people are now pushed
to the wall. The wrong doers are held in high esteem because of their post,
power and position. But with these kinds of deeds, the ultimate output is not
good at all. The wrong doers ultimately play the major role in the destruction
of the society. Yeah, people realize it very late but at that time there is no
other option left other than regret.
Social values which are honored and harbored by people
in the past should be preserved by way of raising awareness among them by
inculcating the habit of doing good deeds, maintaining moral scruples,
detesting vices and shunning covert practices in order to put society on a
sound footing. With the preservation of such values, good people will be
honored and thus be held at their deserved positions. Then the society will be
enlightened again like the past and be developed. So it is mandatory for
everyone to practice the social values and eventually this will lead to the
foundation of a successful world.
United
Nations 1967: DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WELFARE
“Social welfare as an organized function is regarded as a
body of activities designed to enable individuals, families, groups and
communities to cope with the social problems of changing conditions. But in
addition to and extending beyond the range of its responsibilities for specific
services, social welfare has a further function within the broad area of a country's
social development. In this larger sense, social welfare should play a major
role in contributing to the effective mobilization and deployment of human and
material resources of the country to deal successfully with the social
requirements of change, thereby participating in nation-building.”
THE ROLE OF MEDIA ON
VALUE BUILDING
The media plays a very
significant role in our society today.The media is all around us. From the
shows we watch on TV, the music we listen to on the radio, to the books, magazines,
and newspapers we read each day.
Without the media, people in societies would be isolated, not only from the rest of the world, but from governments, law-makers, and neighboring towns and cities.
The flow of information is important for the development of communities and the media facilitates, without a wide array of information, people’s opinions and views would be limited and their impressions and conclusions of the world around them stunted.
Historically, the most common form of the distribution of information was word of mouth, with the news often beginning with the words, “Did you know…” Indeed, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools in the sharing of information today.
The media started twisting opinions and stories, and taking sides. The media is twisting a story to make it more interesting once too many times, and someone is going to sue them badly for it. The media sometimes messes up the truth.
The media sometimes finds a certain person and makes his/her story sound worse and sadder so that they can get sympathy for that person and then asks people to send money to help the person out.
However in today's connected society it is the media, which has become the main source of information The role media is playing as being the main source of information is a controversial issue.
Without the media, people in societies would be isolated, not only from the rest of the world, but from governments, law-makers, and neighboring towns and cities.
The flow of information is important for the development of communities and the media facilitates, without a wide array of information, people’s opinions and views would be limited and their impressions and conclusions of the world around them stunted.
Historically, the most common form of the distribution of information was word of mouth, with the news often beginning with the words, “Did you know…” Indeed, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools in the sharing of information today.
The media started twisting opinions and stories, and taking sides. The media is twisting a story to make it more interesting once too many times, and someone is going to sue them badly for it. The media sometimes messes up the truth.
The media sometimes finds a certain person and makes his/her story sound worse and sadder so that they can get sympathy for that person and then asks people to send money to help the person out.
However in today's connected society it is the media, which has become the main source of information The role media is playing as being the main source of information is a controversial issue.
INFLUENCE OF TV SERIALS
Television has become an inseparable part of our life.
Especially the daily soap serials are so
much popular; as a result every one of us watches one or other TV serial at
least once in a day. It is mostly popular among the housewives not only in
India also in Bangladesh as well. Almost 90% of these women desperately wait to
watch these serials in between their daily chores These serials are related to
our day-to-day lives, presents their happiness and sorrows of simple middle
class families and also taught them to deal with the big and little issues of
life and present before them a real picture of our lives. But now a days most
of the serials are just full of so much craps. Since most of these serials show
the family relationship and also shows the problem of the struggling women but
they try to show too much of the real picture which is actually destroying the
sentiments and image of the women.
In most of the serials it shows a person to be idealistic in
the first place but after some times there is a twist and it changes the whole
story by showing the same character is against all the good things. What are
these stories trying to tell or prove us; that we should not believe in
idealism or the person who thinks about the welfare of everyone always has to
suffer? The most hated thing in these serials; they always try to focus on how
money, power, and reputation can be earned by choosing the wrong path. The
funniest thing they show a person who dies in few serials back returning after
sometimes to bring a twist in the story. Is it really possible to return after
death life? These are just so funny. The most important thing to mention about
these serials is that there are too many advertisements are given in it like
the costumes, jewelries, looks of the actor/actress. Even sometimes the looks
of the character does not goes the role such as when they are sleeping or
cooking they are wearing heavy make up and jewelries.
If these (serials) are not solving our purpose, what is the
reality and significance of these serials. Why can’t they make some sensible
stories instead of those unrealistic dramas that will help us to choose a right
direction rather than going for the wrong paths.
Mass media enjoys a very prominent
role in our lives. There are various effects of mass media on the society at
large. Media tends to influence and it's obvious, there are positive as well as
negative influences. However, it also depends upon the way audiences perceive
things. The power of media is by far recognized by everybody in terms of
advertising, marketing and as a medium to broadcast information to people at
large. Since mass media is used to communicate and interact with people from
various walks of life, it can often result in a conflict of options. Print
media (magazines, newspapers, brochures, press releases, newsletters, etc),
electronic media (television, radio etc) and the Internet are all part of mass
media. Today, it can give a person phenomenal exposure and this can result in
various effects on the society. Well, one cannot blame a particular medium
because of outside influences. Here, we shall take a look at such advantages
and disadvantages.
Pros
Pros
·
The wide reach offered by mass media
is phenomenal. It can target a global audience.
·
In terms of newspapers and
magazines, it can reach a specified target group. Besides, it is easily
accessible. For example, the newspaper lands on the doorstep and we have the
latest news in our drawing rooms due to the television set.
·
Certain types of media have a loyal
fan following. This would mean that an advertiser, publication or news channel
would have a ready audience.
·
We have the latest news and
information at the click of the mouse! The Internet is such a medium that it
can give many options for the kind of information required.
·
Television, movies, Internet and the
radio are some of the best forms of entertainment.
·
It can be used for educational
purposes in an effective manner.
Cons
·
At times, the information reported
may not be authentic from every angle. Hence, there may be a misinterpretation
of a situation.
·
News can be manipulated to influence
the minds of the audiences. For example - a particular political party may
manipulate reports in their favor, which would indicate the political control
in the media.
·
Media bias can occur due to various
issues. A journalist or an editor may give personal preference to an issue.
·
A particular event or a celebrity
may receive undue importance and set wrong ideals before the youth. It may
present an ostentatious lifestyle, which may inculcate wrong ideals amongst
youngsters.
·
Unnecessary sensationalism of an
issue may project wrong information to the public.
·
Misleading messages may again divert
young minds towards a wrong path.
·
Wrong interpretation of news may
even blow things out of proportion. This would create further unrest in any
place or even violence in case of extreme situations.
·
At times, a particular event or news
item may receive too much attention simply because of the lack of important
news or snippets. This would again present a wrong idea before the public.
·
Certain mass media such as
newspapers or leaflets have a very short shelf life. In terms of advertising,
it would not serve to be useful for every kind of product or message.
These were some of the pros and cons of mass media.
Ultimately, it always depends upon the individual and the way a particular
message is perceived.
Ecological balance is an balance within a community where
the organisms remain stable and the changes are slow and gradual. A ecological
balance must be retained in order for species to thrive comfortably in their
habitat. Removal of things like plants, animals, trees and other natural items
can shift the balance. This shifting can lead to a loss of something. The loss
may be something like lost vegetation or animals or an increase in pollution.
What are the causes of ecological
imbalance?
·
Nuclear Inventions, attacks
·
Over fishing
·
Hunting
·
Improper use of nonrenewable
resources
·
Cutting down the jungles
·
Chemical waste left in the sea
These all
things have affected not only humans but all the living beings on the earth.
These are the causes of climatic changes & biodiversity loss.
· 99% of
threatened species are at risk from human activities.
· Habitat
loss and degradation are the leading threats. They affect 86% of all threatened
birds, 86% of the threatened mammals assessed and 88% of the threatened
amphibians.
·
Introductions of alien species. Some of the worst include cats and rats, green
crabs, zebra mussels, the African tulip tree and the brown tree snake.
Introductions of alien species can happen deliberately or unintentionally, for
example, by organisms "hitch-hiking" in containers, ships, cars or
soil.
·
Over-exploitation. Resource extraction, hunting, and fishing for food, pets,
and medicine threatens many species.
·
Pollution and diseases.
· Human-induced
climate change is increasingly recognized as a crucial threat. Climate change
is altering migratory species patterns, causing coral bleaching, etc.
Ecological Balance
in Nature
The environment in
which the man and other organisms live is called the biosphere. The biosphere
is made up of different regions that have different types of flora (plants) and
fauna (animals). The types of organisms in an area are determined by various
factors such as the climate, temperature, rainfall, etc.
The regions based
on their physical and biological nature are classified into ecosystems. For
example, pond ecosystem, evergreen forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem, etc. The
organisms, in addition to being dependent on the environment for their needs,
are also dependent on each other. This dependency is especially for food. This
results in the presence of food chains and food webs.
Food Chain in
Nature(P = producer, H = herbivore, C1 = carnivore order-1, C2
= carnivore order-2)
The food chains and
other such interrelationships in the ecosystems create a balance in the
environment that is called the ecological balance.
Man is also a part
of these food chains and webs. However, man tries to modify the environment to
suit his needs unlike the other components of the ecosystem. This has upset the
delicate balance being maintained in the environment.
Forest Food Webs
For example:
consider the food chain: plants, deer, tiger in a forest. There is a balance
maintained in the environment because of this food chain. This balance becomes
evident when it is upset. If for some reason, all the tigers disappear, then
the deer population will increase to such an extent that plants will reduce in
number drastically and the habitat will become unsuitable for other herbivores
also with more competition. If the deer disappear, then the tigers will starve
and dwindle in number. And if the plants disappear, then deer cannot survive
and as a result the tigers also cannot survive.
Such an event in
the earlier days has resulted in the creation of deserts such as Sahara in
Africa and the Thar desert in Rajasthan. Due to hunting habits of man, the
numbers of lions in Africa were drastically reduced during the times of the
Romans. This resulted in increased population of herbivores that in turn
adversely affected the plant population. Less cover of vegetation on land led
to desertification. Thus maintenance of this ecological balance is very
important.
In Harmony with Nature
There
is an inseparable bond between man and nature. For man, there cannot be an
existence removed from nature. However, because of his thoughtless actions, the
equilibrium in nature is getting disturbed; the pulse of human life is becoming
erratic, too. Air and water have become polluted. Rivers are drying up. Seasons
arrive unseasonably. New diseases are spreading. If things continue this way,
the human race is in for a monumental catastrophe.
There
is an underlying order to everything in nature. There is a place in creation
for all creatures. The forest, river and mountain all have their dharma
(natural duty). Nature has provided sustenance for all created beings. It has
its own ways of recycling and reusing natural waste, thus preserving life. We
don't need to do anything to maintain the beauty of forests, rivers and
mountains.
However,
when human beings systematically plunder natural wealth for selfish reasons,
the natural order gets disturbed. Nature's face becomes disfigured. Along with
other creatures, human beings, too, will have to face the consequences...
...If
we are not ready to change, nature will teach us. The only thing is, we may not
be able to bear the brunt of the teaching. Mother Nature has blessed humankind
with her bounty. But if we forget our responsibilities, if we give free rein to
our desires, nature will retaliate. Nature's boons will turn into curses...
We
cannot delay anymore. We must make the right decisions and embark on the right
course of actions.
SOCIAL EVILS
The social evils and superstitions that had crept in the
society over the centuries made social reforms imperative for the development
of the society and the masses. In the 19th century, the newly educated persons
increasingly revolted against rigid social conventions and outdated customs.
They could no longer tolerate irrational and de-humanising social practices.
Moreover, the backward features of Indian society, such as the caste system or
inequality of the sexes had religious sanctions in the past. Therefore, it was
necessary to reform religious practices as well.
The condition of women was pathetic. The various religions
practised in India as well as the personal laws based on them consigned women
to a status inferior to that of men. Polygamy, Purdah system, sort, ban on
widow remarriage, no education for female child, female infanticide, child
marriages were some of the evils that had vice—like grip over the society. It
thus became necessary to take the women out of this degraded position and help
her to realise her true potential. The problems of female feoticide, sexual
harassment at workplace, education are so diverse that they need sound
financial backing, all these social evils centre around the petty and
marginalized conditions of women in the society. We need to combat evils like
the glorification of sati places as pilgrimages, dowry system, girl feoticide,
decline in sex ratio, harassment of women etc. This can be achieved by
educating the woman and making her financially independent.
Rajasthan has been in the news recently and for all the
wrong reasons. First, it was tigers disappearing, then it was a guidebook that
referred to sati-sites as tourist destinations, and then it was child
marriages.
The legal age for marriage in India is 18 years for women
and 21 years for men. Any marriage of a person younger than this is banned in
India under the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 1929. But child marriages
still take place in India; particularly around the Hindu holy day of Akshya
Tritiya (also knows as Akha Teej). Yet, it is a religious tradition in many
places in India and therefore, difficult to change. People feel that traditions
are valuable and should not be changed, especially religious traditions, since
changing these would amount to asking people not to practise their religion, a
fundamental principle of democracy.
Dowry in India, the practice of endowing the groom by the
bride's family, is a tradition, which has changed its intentions from giving a
gift to demanding for astronomical amounts which has bankrupted lots of
families and made many girls either to commit suicide or being murdered.
Bride-price, which is the endowment to the bride’s clan, which is widely
practised in Papua New Guinea, too, has changed from the earlier intentions
thereby making it a business.
Moral and ethical concerns of the society weigh a great deal
with those in public life as their behaviour is keenly watched by the people.
At concerned quarters, views are being expressed over the general decline of
values in public life. There is a general feeling that all is not well with our
socio-political system which is functioning under a great strain. In such a
situation, the representatives of the people have to set high standards of
behaviour in public life. Members of Parliament have not only to represent the
society but have also to lead it. Therefore, they have to function as the role
models and this naturally casts on them a heavy responsibility. Our freedom
fighters and national leaders had set high ethical and moral standards in
public life and they followed those principles scrupulously. This tendency, it
is painfully observed, is now on a decline. There has been a wide and critical
collapse of moral values in all walks of life and a perilous decline in the human
dimension in global, political and trade relations and national economy.
Development has culminated in widespread discontent, corruption, unemployment,
violence, communal and racial discord and much human distress, destruction and
disillusionment.
Barring this, the caste system, which had its roots in
religion, is another curse in society. Though not so rigid in urban areas, it
is still practised in rural areas with the same zeal. Caste determines man's
marriage, social circle and profession. The untouchables suffer from numerous
disabilities and restrictions. His dresses, food, place of residence, all are
degraded. Not only is it humiliating and inhuman and based on anti-democratic
principle of inequality by birth, it is a cause of social disintegration. Thus,
it has to be fought against.
Another problem that our society faces is the rapid
criminalisation of the polity, that could be the result of the fact that
criminals have understood the mechanics of the electoral process and have
themselves become contenders for power. Earlier, politicians patronised
criminals and provided them protection from the law-enforcement agencies in
exchange for the use of their muscle power during elections. And now it is the
opposite-with the criminals themselves taking over the reigns of power and
patronising the« politicians and their parties. Of late, there is an increasing
exposure of the criminals in the! Governing system of the country, to the
extent that it alienates the common people for power. The criminalisation of
politics is a reflection of, and a factor that aggravates the crisis of the
political system. Only a qualitative change that transforms the system from its
very roots can resolve this crisis in favour of the people.
In the rural economy, both unemployment and under employment
exist side by side and the distinction between them is by no means sharp. In
the rural areas, increasing population implies an increasing pressure on land.
This pressure on land has resulted in an increase in the number of agriculturists,
and this has largely contributed to the problem of unutilised labour or
disguised unemployment in the agricultural sector. A large labour force
accumulates around primary occupations. A general in elasticity of occupational
structure prevents any large movement away from these in periods of slack
demand. This leads to seasonal unemployment also. In short, the major feature
of rural unemployment is the existence of unemployment in the form of disguised
unemployment and seasonal unemployment rather than open unemployment that
exists in the urban areas.
Cybercrime, also
called computer crime, the use of a computer as an
instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, trafficking in
child pornography and intellectual property, stealing identities, or violating
privacy. Cybercrime, especially through the Internet, has grown in
importance as the computer has become central to commerce, entertainment, and
government.
Untouchability is the social-religious practice of ostracizing
a minority group by segregating them from the mainstream by social custom or
legal mandate. The excluded group could be one that did not accept the norms of
the excluding group and historically included foreigners, house workers,
nomadic tribes, law-breakers and criminals and those suffering from a
contagious disease. This exclusion was a method of punishing law-breakers and
also protected traditional societies against contagion from strangers and the
infected. A member of the excluded group is known as an Untouchable or Paria.
Terrorism
Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which
are intended to create fear (terror); are perpetrated for a religious,
political, or ideological goal; and deliberately target or disregard the safety
of non-combatants (civilians). Some definitions now include acts of unlawful
violence and war.
Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help
Domestic
violence is a serious threat for many women. Know the signs of an abusive
relationship and how to leave a dangerous situation.
Your partner apologizes and says the
hurtful behavior won't happen again — but you fear it will. At times you wonder
whether you're imagining the abuse, yet the emotional or physical pain you feel
is real. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing domestic violence.
Recognize domestic violence
Domestic violence — also called
domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs between people
in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including
emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. Men are sometimes
abused by partners, but domestic violence is most often directed toward women.
Domestic violence can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships.
It might not be easy to identify
domestic violence at first. While some relationships are clearly abusive from
the outset, abuse often starts subtly and gets worse over time. You might be
experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:
·
Calls you
names, insults you or puts you down
·
Prevents you
from going to work or school
·
Stops you from
seeing family members or friends
·
Tries to
control how you spend money, where you go, what medicines you take or what you
wear
·
Acts jealous or
possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful
·
Gets angry when
drinking alcohol or using drugs
·
Threatens you
with violence or a weapon
·
Hits, kicks,
shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets
·
Forces you to
have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will
·
Blames you for
his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it
·
Portrays the
violence as mutual and consensual
Pregnancy, children and domestic
violence
Sometimes domestic violence begins — or
increases — during pregnancy. During this perilous time, your health and the
baby's health are at risk. The danger continues after the baby is born. Even if
your child isn't abused, simply witnessing domestic violence can be harmful.
Children who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to be abused and have
behavioral problems than are other children. As adults, they're more likely to
become abusers or think abuse is a normal part of a relationship. You might
worry that seeking help will further endanger you and your child or that it
might break up your family, but it's the best way to protect your child — and
yourself.
Break the cycle
If you're in an abusive situation, you
might recognize this pattern:
·
Your abuser
threatens violence.
·
Your abuser
strikes.
·
Your abuser
apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts.
·
The cycle
repeats itself.
Typically the violence becomes more
frequent and severe over time.
The longer you stay in an abusive
relationship, the greater the toll on your self-esteem. You might become
depressed and anxious. You might begin to doubt your ability to take care of
yourself or wonder if the abuse is your fault. You might feel helpless or
paralyzed. If you're an older woman who has health problems, you might feel
dependent upon an abusive partner. If you're in a same sex relationship, you
might be less likely to seek help after an assault if you don't want to
disclose your sexual orientation. If you've been sexually assaulted by another
woman, you might also fear that you won't be believed. Still, the only way to
break the cycle of domestic violence is to take action — and the sooner the
better.
Start by telling someone about the abuse,
whether it's a friend, loved one, health care provider or other close contact.
At first, you might find it hard to talk about the abuse. But you'll also
likely feel relief and receive much-needed support.
Domestic violence against women:
Recognize patterns, seek help
Create a safety plan
Leaving an abuser can be dangerous.
Consider taking these precautions:
·
Call a women's
shelter or domestic violence hotline for advice. Make the call at a safe time —
when the abuser isn't around — or from a friend's house or other safe location.
·
Pack an
emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra
clothes and keys. Leave the bag in a safe place. Keep important personal
papers, money and prescription medications handy so that you can take them with
you on short notice.
·
Know exactly
where you'll go and how you'll get there.
Protect your communication and location
An abuser can use technology to monitor
your telephone and online communication and to track your physical location. If
you're concerned for your safety, seek help. To maintain your privacy:
·
Use phones cautiously. Your abuser might intercept calls and listen to your conversations. He or
she might use caller ID, check your cellphone or search your phone billing
records to see your complete call and texting history.
·
Use your home computer cautiously. Your abuser might use spyware to monitor your emails and
the websites you visit. Consider using a computer at work, the library or at a
friend's house to seek help.
·
Remove GPS devices from your vehicle. Your abuser might use a GPS device to pinpoint your
location.
·
Frequently change your email password. Choose a password that would be impossible for your
abuser to guess.
·
Clear your viewing history. Follow your browser's instructions to clear any record
of websites or graphics you've viewed.
Where to find help
In an emergency, call 911 — or your
local emergency number or law enforcement agency. The following resources also
can help:
·
Someone you trust. Turn to a friend, loved one, neighbor, co-worker, or religious or
spiritual adviser for support.
·
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE or 800-799-7233. Call the hotline for crisis
intervention and referrals to resources, such as women's shelters.
·
Your health care provider. Doctors and nurses will treat injuries and can refer you
to safe housing and other local resources.
·
A local women's shelter or crisis center. Shelters and crisis centers typically provide 24-hour
emergency shelter, as well as advice on legal matters and advocacy and support
services.
·
A counseling or mental health center. Counseling and support groups for women in abusive
relationships are available in most communities.
·
A local court. Your district
court can help you obtain a restraining order that legally mandates the abuser
to stay away from you or face arrest. Local advocates may be available to help
guide you through the process.
It can be hard to recognize or admit
that you're in an abusive relationship — but help is available. Remember, no
one deserves to be abused.
SITES REFERED:
http://www.terranatura.com/Eng/Filosofia/Ficha1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonviolence
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/non-violence.html#ZFDbrOhOQmDgCqSm.99
http://www.preservearticles.com/201012271786/national-integration.html
http://nsaima.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/influence-of-tv-serials/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-mass-media.html
wwf.panda.org
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-ii/environment-and-environmental-problems/ecological-balance.php
http://smilefoundationindia.org/abdulkalam.htm
http://amma.org/teachings/harmony-nature
http://breathing.hubpages.com/hub/Social-Value
http://web.hku.hk/~hrnwlck/introsocwelfare/welfareconcepts.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/130595/cybercrime
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untouchability
http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Terrorism
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/domestic-violence/WO00044
