The Essence of the Otavalo Essay -- Essays Papers

The Essence of the Otavalo In our modern era and by our modern standards, the Otavalo people of Ecuador shine with scintillating success in the global arena. A myriad of factors have contributed to Otavalo prosperity and wealth, factors both outside and within their control, but factors nonetheless dependent upon the fluidity and ever-changing construct of indigenous identity. Tracing the saga of this indigenous people’s rise to textile, musical and cultural capital, the opportunistic attitude of the Otavalo remains the foundation for modern wealth and commerce. The true question of Otavalo success, however, rests not in economic prosperity alone, but in their inherent ability to adopt socially befitting â€Å"modern traditions† and retain the right to define the meaning of being Otavalo. As early as the 1950s, â€Å"indigenous merchants traveled to Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile and Argentina† seeking markets and commerce (36). This swell of savvy Otavalos seeking new trade demonstrates the culture’s durable penchant for innovative business and financial exchange. However, it was not until 1964 that the Law of Agrarian Reform abolished wasipungu that major shifts in economic industry took hold of Otavalo. The process of redistribution levied out 180,000 acres of Otavalo land by 1979, but there was hardly enough land to support and feed single families, and so families began to focus on textiles and tourism for support. In the pinch of the 1974 OPEC oil crisis on Ecuadorian economy, the prosperity of the Otavalo persisted despite a floundering national economy because they â€Å"relied on textiles and tourism rather than agriculture† (39). With the advent of national roads facilitating tourism, the profit of the Saturday market skyrocke... ...ain focused in the spiritual valley of their home (266). Quichua shows no signs of fading out of common tongue, traditional dress morphs agreeably with elements of modern fashion, and families still desire to grow and prepare their own food on their own land. Yet the growing focus on individual profit and individual success may harm collective economic success in the future of the Otavalo, if the community loses collective identity and thus, political clout. Though no community remains static or rigid against social change, the Otavalo must have the right to exist as they believe Otavalos should exist. As they emerge as a community of people who turn the tables on capitalism and thrive in the economic structure laid upon their country and their lives, they will chose to adopt modernity as â€Å"they find useful† and blossom in the ever growing identity of the Otavalo.

Kalpana Chawla: The First Indian-American Astronaut

‘Kalpana Chawla' ( July 1 , 1961 – February 1 , 2003 ) was an Indian-American astronaut and space shuttle mission specialist of STS-107 ( Columbia ) who was killed when the craft disintegrated after reentry into the Earth's atmosphere . Early Life Chawla was born in Karnal , Haryana , India . Her interest in flight was inspired by J. R. D. Tata , India's first pilot. Education Chawla studied aeronautical engineering at the Punjab Engineering College in 1982 where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Thereafter she moved to the United States to obtain a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas ( 1984 ). Dr. Chawla earned a doctorate in aerospace engineering from University of Colorado in 1988 . That same year she began working for NASA ‘s Ames Research Center . Kalpana Chawla became a naturalized USA citizen, and married Jean-Pierre Harrison, a freelance flying instructor. Chawla held a certified flight instructor's license with airplane and glider ratings, and has commercial pilot's licenses for single and multiengine land and seaplanes. NASA Career Dr. Chawla entered NASA's astronaut program in 1994 and was selected for flight in 1996 . Chawla's first mission to space began on November 19 , 1997 as part of the 6 astronaut crew that flew the Space Shuttle Columbia Flight STS-87 . Chawla was the first Indian-born woman in space, as well as the first Indian-American in space. (She was the second person from India to fly into space, after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma who went into space in 1984 in a Soviet spacecraft. ) On her first mission Chawla travelled over 6. million miles in 252 orbits of the earth, logging more than 375 hours in space. During STS-87, she was responsible for deploying the Spartan Satellite which malfunctioned forcing two other astronauts to go on a spacewalk to capture the solar satellite. A five-month NASA investigation blamed the error on the flight crew and ground control. She was fully exonerated (although this did not stop some reporters from making direspectful comments about her involvement in the mishap in the days after her death in the explosion of the final Columbia mission). After being selected for a second flight, Chawla lived at the Lyndon B Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas , undergoing extensive training. Chawla's mission got delayed in July 2002 when NASA engineers identified three cracks on the shuttle's second engine's liquid hydrogen flow liner. Over six months later the shuttle was cleared and she returned to space in the ill-fated STS-107 mission. Chawla was dedicated to the scientific goals of SPACEHAB/FREESTAR microgravity research mission, for which the crew conducted nearly 80 experiments studying earth and space science, advance technology development, and astronaut health and safety. Personal Characteristics Chawla was a strict vegetarian . On her mission, she carried a white silk banner as part of a worldwide campaign to honor teachers, as well as nearly two dozen CDs, including ones by Abida Parveen , Yehudi Menuhin , Ravi Shankar , and Deep Purple . She went to her first rock concert, a Deep Purple show, in 2001 with her husband. â€Å"Kalpana is not necessarily a rock music aficionado,† her husband said of a Deep Purple show they went to in 2001. â€Å"But (she) nevertheless characterized the show as a ‘spiritual experience. † The administrator for the Hindu temple in Houston where Chawla attended when her schedule permitted said â€Å"She was a nice lady †¦ and very pious. â€Å"DeathKalpana Chawla died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster which occurred on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, with the loss of all seven crew members, shortly before it was s cheduled to conclude its 28th mission, STS-107. Memoria Shortly after her last mission, India renamed its first weather satellite ‘Kalpana-1' in her honor. She died a hero and a role-model for many young women, particularly those in her hometown of Karnal where she periodically returned to encourage young girls to follow in her footsteps. Her brother, Sanjay Chawla , remarked â€Å"To me, my sister is not dead. She is immortal. Isn't that what a star is? She is a permanent star in the sky. She will always be up there where she belongs. â€Å"

Disaster response and recovery

The terrorists attacks are most of the time unpredicted and a country even its utmost security may become vulnerable to terrorists attack. It’s as international problem which now and then is occurring in different parts of the world. The terrorist attacks such as 9/11 terrorists attack, Mumbai, India , Hotel Taj and Hotel Oberai terrorists attack, London terrorists bombing are few examples of this centuries terror attacks around the world. Terrorism is considered to be asymmetric form of warfare and is unlawful.It targets only on destruction and harm innocent people who are important resource of the nation. If I was the disaster coordinator of the city, as soon as I get the clues of the terror attacks I would have just tightened the security near the border of the country and call for emergency. I would cancel all the flights entering and leaving the country. The next thing which I would have done is publishing the news in the media and the media would alert the people as they can take care of themselves. The media would alert people about the places of vulnerability and the suspected time of attacks.Incident command system will be notified to prepare well for the attacks. These are the immediate steps which I would have taken. Later I would have looked into the list of vulnerable areas which is populated more. Most of the terror attacks happen in the places where there is maximum human intervention so as to kill many people as possible and take revenge against the country. I would provide accessibility to shortcut routes so as to reduce the vehicle traffic congestion and avoid people pass through the vulnerable areas of attacks.They will be made to reach their destinations as soon as possible before the disaster occurs. The transport of goods will be stopped as it will be the path for the terrorists to move their goods from place to place. All social gathering of people will of people will be stopped. All the offices and the schools and colleges will be declared holiday. People in the top floors of the building are evacuated. All the people who found to be suspicious are checked for their identity, country they belong, ethnicity and their back ground.Security would be ensured near the coastal areas and security checking all the ships coming in and leaving and the checking all the goods that are transported. The oil refineries, electricity power stations and nuclear power plants are given security alerts. These when bombed or destroyed cause huge loss and may result the city as the one which had happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The city’s important monuments are safeguarded with tight security. It was daytime when Hiroshima and Nagasaki was bombed. People were preparing for offices and work. All the electrical appliances were on.It was a busy day in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and finally bombings rendered many places infertile and many people got health problems as they got expose to the harmful radiations of the bombi ng. I would ask people stop using electricity and switch off their appliances. Important people are provided with security as the terrorist may use them as hostages. I would ask media to act effectively and update people with the information of attacks and about the places which are vulnerable. I will ask them to avoid giving false information to make their news more interesting.I would make telephony and internet facilities such and intranet and ad other web based tools available for free at the moment to keep people in touch with their loved ones who are out station by calling or messaging them. Internet is one of the most reliable ways of communication in the times of disaster to mail their loved one and finding people who are missing. People will be asked to follow the instructions given by the Emergency team and Incident command system. The Red Cross people are advised to assemble the emergency kits.I would alert all the hospitals and mental health care concerns to prepare for the disaster to help people who become victims of the attacks. Health care units are informed to provide the medical facilities such as first aid, medicine and other voluntary organizations are encouraged to provide support. Rehabilitation centers are created and so the people can seek shelter. The targets of the terrorists and the potential vulnerable areas influence and affect the city’s emergency plan. It makes emergency planning team think of most vulnerable areas first.They will set priority of the vulnerable places as primary and secondary. It will make their work easier and provide full security to the places of primary concern. The Incident command system may sometimes do not operate efficiently. I think it has review the ways it operates and add most efficient ways to their current system of operation. It should plan efficiently such that their plans are turned into actions and will not remain just words. It should have better communication between its organizational parts. Its commands should be strictly followed by its organizational parts.The plan should be made on time and it should not be executed after the incident but on time. It should communicate with the people effectively and just not make people get afraid by telling consequences of the attack. But they should make feel safe and avoid false promises. The medical and health care units should be dedicated in their work and provide selfless service. There should be no discrimination on the basis race, age, ethnicity, sex and all people should be treated equally. All they can do is to They target terrorism, curb it, defeat it and make their country a peaceful place to live in.

Public Affair Class Summary #8 Example

Public Affair Class Summary #8 Example Public Affair Class Summary #8 – Essay Example Midterm Political Ads That Worked, and Why Advertising yourself in a political campaign is important because it connectsyou with the electorates. One of the recent best ways of advertising is through ads. But the outcome will depend on how your message connects to the electorate and how you framed the opponent. An example is that, Mrs. Ernst and Mr. Roberts used the ads in their campaigns, the ads convened a lot of messages that later defined the campaign. The Cost of CampaignsThere have been numerous debates on the cost of running campaigns and how political parties should get funded. A lot of these questions were raised after the Watergate scandal, in which it is believed corrupt money managed to drive President Nixon into power. If campaign funding is not regulated, large corporation will pour money into campaigns so that they will have a say in government hence taking most of the government jobs, this will then disadvantages those who cannot afford to raise the funds. Agenda-Sett ing, Priming, and framing Revisited: Another look at Cognitive Effects of Political Communication. Original formulation of agenda setting hypothesis was phrased more like a speculative idea, to construct a more comprehensive theoretical model, Weaver, McCombs, and Shaw suggested that priming and framing should be seen as natural extension of agenda setting. The three, priming, framing, and agenda setting, was combined into a single theoretical framework, this was based on assumption that when theory is integrated, it will become desirable. Are Super PACs Harming U.S. Politics?PAC gained popularity in U.S after a Supreme Court ruling that government should not prohibit independent spending by corporations and unions for political gains. Another ruling from the federal court that involve a case between Speechnow.org v. Federal Election Commission, was that no limit should be put on contributors who are funding groups that carry out independent expenditures. PAC is now running campaign s that support certain candidates and campaigns are running into billions of dollars. Opponents of PAC argue that a lot of money is spending on campaigns while proponents argue that free speech is protected by the law. Chapter 10The current democratic governments have certain laws that can differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate public relation activities. Even with that, it is still hard to draw a line between appropriate communications and odious propaganda. People who engage in public relations exercise should always be aware of dangers that will result from crossing the line. In U.S government, there are several legal prohibitions and related political norms found in the constitution that guides the citizens who may not be in the federal level on what to look after and consider in government. ReferencesLee, M., Neeley, G. & Stewart, K. (Eds.). (2012). The practice of government public relations. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor and Francis Group. Dietram, A.S. Agenda-setting, priming, and framing revisited: another look at cognitive effects of political communication. Mass communication and society. 2000, 3(2), 297-316Clyde, H. The Cost of Campaigns. New York Times. Oct. 19, 2014Lynn, V. Midterm Political Ads That Worked, and Why. New York Times. Nov. 5, 2014Are Super PACs Harming U.S. Politics? Debate club. Available at usnews.com/debate-club/are-super-pacs-harming-us-politics

Students Rights in Private School

Students Rights in Private School The rights which you enjoyed as a student in public school are not necessarily the same when you attend private school. Thats because everything pertaining to your stay at private school, especially boarding school, is governed by something called contract law. This is important to understand especially when it comes to infractions of the discipline rules or code of conduct. Lets look at the facts about students rights in private school. Fact: Students Rights in Private Schools Are Not the Same as Those in the Public School Systems The Center for Public Education notes: The hurdles erected by the U. S. Constitutions Fourth and Fifth Amendments are exclusive to the nations public schools. Private K-12 institutions have far more leeway to conduct unfettered investigations, withhold findings if they choose, and unceremoniously ask a student or faculty member to leave. Tuition and employment contracts rule private school relationships, while Americas social compact and legal contract (the Constitution) governs how public officials must act. In Loco Parentis U.S. Constitution.net weighs in on the subject of In Loco Parentis, a Latin phrase meaning literally in place of parents: As private institutions, private schools are not subject to any restrictions in terms of violations of the rights of students. Hence, while a public school might have to prove that its violations are for a higher purpose or stem from its in loco parentis responsibilities, a private school may set limits arbitrarily. What Does This Mean for Private School Students? Basically, it means that if you go to a private school, you are not covered by the same laws as you were when you attended public school. Private schools are covered by something called contract law. It means that schools have the right, and obligation, to act as legal guardians for students to ensure their wellbeing.  Practically speaking, that also means youd better follow the rules, particularly the ones which have serious penalties for any infraction. Participating in activities like hazing, cheating, sexual misconduct, substance abuse and so on, will land you in serious trouble. Mess with these and you will find yourself suspended or expelled. You dont want those kinds of entries on your school record when it comes time to apply to college.   What Are Your Rights? How can you find out what your rights are at your private school? Start with your student handbook. You signed a document indicating that you had read the handbook, understood it and would abide by it. Your parents also signed a similar document. Those documents are legal contracts. They spell out the rules which govern your relationship with your school. Freedom of Choice Remember: if you dont like the school or its rules, you do not have to attend it. Thats another reason why it is so important for you to find the school which is the best fit for your needs and requirements. Accountability The net effect of contract law as it pertains to students is that it makes students accountable for their actions. For example, if you are caught smoking pot on campus and the school has a zero-tolerance policy regarding smoking pot, you will be in a lot of trouble. You will be held accountable for your actions. The review and consequences will be swift and final. If you were in public school, you could claim protection under your constitutional rights. The process typically is lengthy and might include appeals. Making students accountable teaches them an important lesson in living. Making students accountable also creates safe schools and a climate conducive to learning. If you will be held accountable for bullying or intimidating a classmate, you probably arent going to take the chance of doing it and getting caught. The consequences are too severe. Since every student in a private school is governed by contract law and the provisions in the contract between you, your parents and the school, take time to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations. If you dont understand something, ask your faculty adviser for an explanation. Disclaimer: Be sure to review any legal questions and issues with an attorney. Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

Management (social, environmental, human and other factors) Essay

Management (social, environmental, human and other factors) - Essay Example So we are talking here of the social, environmental, human and other factors that are beneficial to the workers, the community, the organisation or business, and the consumers. In this situation, business is not just earning more and more money, but also looking after the welfare of the people. Sometimes, we refer to employees as the workforce and the consumers as partners. Business becomes an ordinary part of life - to say the least - and people might get used to it. Everyone becomes a part of the family, giving inputs and suggestions for the good of the organisation, until success is not far behind. Social responsibilities of ship management business managers evolved through the years. From mere spectator taking simple passive roles (for example, giving small donations or philanthropies), they now take active roles in promoting social responsibilities, instituting programmes that become part of their business. These responsibilities or programmes are focused on the employees, the workplace, the consumers, and the community in general, promoting programmes for the advancement of each of these stakeholders by regarding them as partners in building a strong and coherent organisation. In the traditional sense, organisations and businesses regard employees as mere workers. Now they point to them as partners because they are building an organisation or business which their lives depend on. Ship management business relies upon an effective and efficient workforce therefore its management skills and programmes and objectives should be more focused on them. Corporate social responsibility is applied on the workplace. Job design also has to be positioned in such a way that the workers or employees can work with ease and safety. Moreover, the workers are encouraged to give suggestions or inputs on how to improve the workplace. Job designs are patterned after the workers' suggestions. Corporate social responsibility or CSR is defined as a concept that states that organisations, especially commercial businesses, have a duty of care to all of their stakeholders in all aspects of their operations. This duty of care is seen to go beyond their statutory obligation to comply with legislation.1 Promotion and protection of the environment are concerns of ship management. In a ship, voluminous goods are being processed, and if there are no environmental measures taken, there might be environmental disaster. We have heard of oil spills in seas which endanger sea life, the fishes and coral reefs. They could have been avoided if there were environmental and safety measures done in the first place. Safety measures are one of the social responsib

Revolution Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Revolution - Assignment Example On average, the ratio of a British citizen’s tax to that of a colonist was 30-1. Although the issue of ‘taxation without representation’ enraged the colonists, it was barely the main reason for the American Revolution. The French and Indian war, which had put the Brits in bad debt, started mainly as a result of the colonists’ failures (Webster, 1802). However, I agree with the fact that the war was unavoidable although my reasons for this stand are different. One of the reasons I believe the revolution was unavoidable is because independence is inevitable. The idea of equality was fast spreading in Europe and this influenced the colonists into fighting for their own freedom. Additionally, harsh economic conditions contributed to the colonists’ agitation further making the revolution unavoidable. I agree with the writer on the role played by the American Revolution in the institution of slavery. The main contradiction brought by this revolution was the whites trying to gain their freedom while at the same time enslaving the blacks. According to Webster (1802), this was abusing the doctrine of political equality which allows all people to have equal rights to life, property and security. However, it is worth noting that the whites viewed the revolution as a means to political-economical liberation rather than personal repression the blacks suffered