Youth and National Integretaion

As, we know that world is vast. There are lots of people having different castes and sub-castes.Different languages are spoken in different parts of the country. Every region has its own regional or local language. Moreover, India is the home of people following different religions - Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsees, Janis, Buddhist etc. the problem of national integration means how to unite these different people into a single whole. How to foster national unity among them is the most serious problem facing India today.

A glance at the history of India tells us that internal quarrels have been her worst enemy. Separatist tendencies have always resulted in her fall. It was always divided into a large number of small states at daggers drawn with each other. National consciousness has always been lacking. This has ever the problem of national integration been her greatest weakness. That is why she was conquered by one foreign invader after another.

The use of the common language, English and the introduction of swift means of communication, did much to bring the people of India closer together, but still, after fifty years of independence, casteism,communalism, provincialism and linguistic quarrels are the most serious threats to the freedom and the security of our beloved motherland. A Punjabi thinks himself to be a Punjabi first and an Indian afterwards. Regional loyalties take precedence over the national. Communal riots are a daily occurrence. Linguistic quarrels threaten to break up the country into parts. If the evil is not crushed in time, it is likely to break up the country into as many states as the languages spoken by the people.

Some time ago there was demand for the secession of the south from the north on the part of the D.M.K. The demand of the nagas for a separate state has already been accepted. In the Punjab, the Sikh has been clamoring for khalistan. Terrorism has been on the rise. A number of regional parties have come into being in the south. There has been a growing demand for more powers for the various states. In Assam there was the agitation on the foreigner’s issue. All non-assamese were called foreigners. This is a serious threat to the unity and sovereignty of the country.

Such fissiparous tendencies are serious obstacles in the way of the development of nationalconsciousness. “Unity is strength” is a common saying, but the Indian seem to have forgotten it. Democracy itself is a danger. People vote on the basis of caste and not on the basis of merit. The result is that deserving candidates are not elected. Our representatives are not the best available but those who could enlist the strong support of a particular caste or creed. The sectional appeal is increasing disunity among the people.

Thus, national integration is the crying need of the hour. Every effort should be made to create emotional integration, and a sense of unity. Publicity through every known medium is essential. This process of educating the public opinion should being early in life. Through schools and colleges, the young men should be thought that the whole of India is one. Indian culture is basically one and the differences are only superficial. The very mentality of the young should change.

Text books should be suitably revised. Oneness of the people, rather than the differences, should be emphasized. Long distance tours, from the part of the country to another, would go a long way towards fostering emotional integration among the youth of the country. Steps should be taken to ensure that no communal or caste considerations influence the appointment of teachers. The words, `Muslim’, ‘Hindu’, ‘Khatri’, ‘Brahmin’, etc., should be dropped from the names of educational institutions.

Similarly, the radio, the TV., the cinema and the press, should also be used effectively to educatepublic opinion and develop national consciousness. The press should not publish news and viewswhich are likely to encourage fissiparous tendencies and sectional attitudes. The cinema is one of the most potent means of publicity. Such films should be shown as depict the people of India as a single whole. The evils of casteism, communalism and provincialism should be clearly brought out through social films, feature films and newsreels and through TV. serials. The radio also can broadcast songs, dialogues, speeches and stories which emphasize the national unity of India. In this way, it can serve as effective means of national integration.

It has been said that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”. India should ever be vigilant against the dangers of casteism, communalism, etc., if it wants to retain its hard won freedom. The nation must stand united to face the combined menace of enemies. In this connection it may be mentioned that a strong centre is essential for national integration. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, a close friend of India, this need has become still more important.



Sustainable Development

Introduction

The scarcity of natural resources impedes economic growth. Economic growth cannot continue unhindered when the environment is overexploited beyond its carrying capacity. The maximum use by the economic system that the environment bears is defined as the carrying capacity of the environment.

Sustainable uses of Natural Resources and Economic Development

Our dilemma is that we in the developing economies cannot afford to forego economic growth although the present economic growth causes environment damage. And irreparable environmental losses limit the prospect of future economic growth. What would be the solution to our dilemma? How can we achieve higher economic growth with environmental degradation? The answer to this could be found in the notion of sustainable development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.

This definition emphasizes two important things. One, that natural resources are vital to every one of us- even to the urban future generations. That, it is a long-term concept. It does not narrowly focuses only on the present economic growth but it also takes into account the future economic growth. Thus,sustainable development is a kind of economic development that ensures the availability of natural resources even for the future use. If the economic development is sustainable then the present use of natural resources will not limit us from their use in the future. It will not make them scare. It involves the present as well as the future of the economic development. That makes it a long-term concept.

Ways to Conserve the Natural Resources

The long-term use of natural resources has to be sustainable to avoid their future scarcity. In case ofrenewable resources, the task is easy. Since they are inexhaustible, their present use does not compromise their future use. Their sustainable use would mean that they are not overexploited but allowed to regenerate. Among them, some are living or animate. Living renewable resources like trees regenerates automatically because they reproduce themselves. Their reproductive ability makes them inexhaustible but to certain extent. When trees are cut for wood we do not lose them for the future use. We get them back again when we sow their seeds or replant sapling. But we lose them forever when they are recklessly leaving none of them to grow. So even if the living resources have the ability to regenerate they should not be overexploited.

The ability inanimate renewable resources like air, water and sunlight to regenerate them is quite different from the animate renewable resources. They regenerate themselves by various physical, chemical and biological natural processes. The purity of water is maintained naturally by the physicalprocess of evaporation. Similarly, carbon dioxide, one of the pollutants of air is removed from and oxygen is resorted to it by the process of photosynthesis in green plants and trees.

Although inexhaustible renewable natural resources regenerate themselves automatically, yet they should not be used recklessly. We can take the example of water. Water is a scare source today yet people waste and pollute it because they find it unlimited in supply. Water is in great scare in many parts of out country. People do not have enough clear water to drink. The pollution of drinking water is the cause of water borne diseases. The scarcity of clear drinking water has led to the growth of the market of various brands of bottled water. They are costly and the poor people cannot afford them.

To save water from pollution and wastage, it is very essential to conserve water. Water can be conserved by the following ways: Harvest, rain-water; check overflow of roof-top tanks; recycled used water; increase the price of the user charge to check its wastage.

The sustainable use of exhaustible resources is a difficult task because they are finite in availability. Once used, they are not available for future use. For example, coal which is an exhaustible resource once burnt is reduced to ash. Ash cannot be used again in future for burning. Thus, the finiteness of non-renewable resources compels us to save them for their future use. Although use of these resources is the need of the present time but it is very essential for us that we should use them very efficiently.

For their sustainable use, the inexhaustible resources need to be conserved. One of the ways to conserve these resources is the use of substitutes. The use of a substitute resource that is abundant in supply can help save them. For example, petrol and diesel can be substituted by CNG and LPG. Similarly, ethanol mixed with petrol, good substitute of petrol saves the use of petrol in vehicles. These substitutes of oil are not only cheap but are environment friendly as they pollute less. Today plastics have widely replaced steel, iron and wood.

In certain uses, renewable resources that are infinite in availability can overcome the finites of non-renewable resources. That helps save the non-renewable resource. Inexhaustible resources likesolar energy, wind energy, biofuels or gobar gas can replace oil and coal and thus can help in saving these exhaustible resources. In many villages of India solar energy appliances like solar cookers, solar lanterns and solar cells are being encouraged and promoted by the government. Solar energy is used for heating solar cooker and lighting solar lantern purposes instead of kerosene coastal areas the wind energy harnessed by the windmills is being used to draw water from wells and to generate electricity.

Conclusion

The task of sustainable use of exhaustible resources is difficult in comparisons to that of the inexhaustible resources, yet it is not difficult. To same them for the future use we must conserve, save and use them efficiently. It should also be our utmost duty to try to find ways and means to substitute them by abundant resources especially the inexhaustible resources. Finally, it is also very essential for us to try limiting our wants which are the chief cause to natural resource depletion.

Knowledge is Power

Francis Bacon said Knowledge itself is power. Knowledge is the awareness of a fact or a situation. It is a rich and a unique possession that cannot be stolen or plundered. Knowledge doesn't decrease when it is given. In fact, knowledge is power. Our knowledge is the amassed thought and experience of countless human beings. Those who have wide-range of knowledge and experience can capture power and influence. The possession of knowledge gives them a distinct advantage over the semi educated people. Half knowledge is regarded as 'the curse of god' and also it is worse than ignorance.

The growth and survival of mankind depends upon knowledge. From the Stone Age till date, man has struggled to know the unknown. He explored land, water and space by virtue of his knowledge. Man has made progress in all fields starting from science, technology to arts etc.

At the dawn of civilization, man was at the mercy of nature. He lived the life of a nomad. He invented tools and weapons for hunting. Verbal communication also developed. He discovered fire and the wheel. These were the initial steps taken by man by utilizing his brain.

Man, then started living in communities. He settled near rivers and took up agriculture. The settlements soon transformed into villages. Waterways and canals were constructed for irrigation purposes. Surplus grains were stored in granaries to be used later. Soon villages transformed into towns, then provinces and later cities and counties. He discovered new places and things and invented things for his own benefits. The gradual change and development from the Stone Age to the Present Age has been made possible by knowledge.

The successful discoveries and inventions encouraged man to contemplate on new ideas. His ability to rationalize, analyze and store the events in his memory enabled him to achieve success.Knowledge gave him the power, confidence and courage to make life worthy of living. He began to use the forces of nature for his own benefits. Thus, life become comfortable. He utilized his knowledge to improve his own life.

Man has been able to eradicate a number of diseases like polio, pox, plague etc from the face of theearth. The human body can be operated upon for removal of cancer or for an open heart surgery. The discovery of a number of antibiotics and drugs have reduced the sufferings of mankind. Agriculture has also been developed. The use of high yielding crop yield. The invention of the devices of communication has transformed the world into a global village. Computer has changed human life altogether. All these have been the fruits of man's quest for knowledge.

Knowledge gave man the feeling of strength and power. Knowledge develops human faculties. It leads to the excellence of the mind. It enables one to give sound judgment. Education and knowledgeare desirable for democracy. We should try to spread the knowledge base in all fields in the masses. In Indian rural scene, the knowledge levels about family, school education, problems of woman. child rearing and other social issues are very poor. Illiteracy and social backwardness combine to put the rural masses at the receiving end. Lack of knowledge leads to poverty and absence of methods of productivity and economic prosperity. This vicious cycle continues. Restraint, tolerance, understanding and capacity to manage affairs come with knowledge. If knowledge is imparted to our rural children, youth, women and men, they would emerge as the major social power.

There is no end to the gaining of knowledge, It is only the foolish man who thinks he knows everything. Modern knowledge is very intricate and wide is scope. Thousands of researchers, all over the world are constantly at work to acquire more knowledge for us. But the immense increase in knowledge of the world sometimes doesn't make us better human beings. Sadly, with the passage of time, man started misusing knowledge. He started using knowledge to destroy the very forces that provided him sustenance.

He interfered with nature and disturbed the ecological balance. He has polluted air, land and water. He has, thus created unfavorable conditions for himself and others. Man has developed destructive weapons that can destroy completely the whole of mankind. The bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima proves the fact. Man is posing a threat to the existence of flora and fauna.

Knowledge shouldn't be misused. Nuclear power must be used for useful purpose. Man should find solutions to control and check pollution. The conventional sources of energy are depleting at a fast rate. He should try to find out sources of economical power generation.

Knowledge must be acquired and shared as a collective effort. Lack of knowledge leads to poverty and absence of economic prosperity. Knowledge should be utilized for the upliftment of the poor masses. It should be used for peace, prosperity and growth.

Female Education

There was a time when very few women received proper education. But now girls are receiving the highest education. Some people insist on having educated girl as their wives. Others are strongly against this. Let us here consider, in brief, the advantages and disadvantages of having an educated wife.

We can easily recognize, even by her appearance, a girl who has received western Education. She is fashion loving. The greater part of her time is wasted in dressing her hair. She changes the style of her hair so-often. She is too fond of using cosmetics. She puts on costly dresses of the latest fashion. She is often seen going on the roads with a hand bag in her hand or shoulders.

But there are many advantages also of having an educated wife. Being educated, she can manage her home more efficiently. She can look after the work of the servants. She can maintain accounts. Thus, by keeping the family budget, she helps the family in making the best of its income. She keeps herkitchen in hygienic condition. In short, she is of definite help as a successful manager of the household.

An-educated girl understands her duties well. She proves a source of great comfort to her husband in times of trouble. She can amuse and entertain her husband in different ways. Thus she cam keep his away from various vices. Besides this, as a mother also an educated wife is very useful. She can teach many things to her children. She can given them elementary education. She can keep them neat clean. The become healthy. Thus, both the husband and the children are benefited.

Not only this, an educated wife can also help her husband in his office work. When an author writes a book, she can help him in revising the script. She can work as a typist. by checking accounts, preparing draft, and by her personal suggestions, she can help her husband in his business.

Ups and downs come in life. If the husband is out of employment, his educated wife can be a great help to him. The husband may be ill or he may meet with some accident. In such emergencies an educated wife can get some job for herself. An unfortunate widow, if she is educated, need not remain at the mercy of others. She can stand on her legs. She can support herself and her children.

But this is only one side of the picture. A modern, educated wife, due to her love for fashion and expensive habits, is often a financial burden. She puts the poor husband often in difficulty.

An educated girl is not always obedient and faithful. She has her own friends. She does not like to observe family traditions and customs. She goes to her club, whatever may be the condition of her family. She wants to dominate her husband. In her pride and sense of superiority, she does not care for his likes and dislikes. At times, her actions put him to shame.

She likes to live in her own independent way. She does not like interference in her affairs. She wants to have her own way in every matter. Often she looks down upon the less educated or uneducated members of the family. Her independent outlook, ill-temperament and haughty nature make the home a hell.

We can safely conclude that female education is not always a blessing. Only if a girl has been educated properly at home, she can remain unaffected by the evil effects of modern education. There are girls who have received the highest university education, still they do all the domestic work. This is very important, for this promotes love, affection and harmony among the family members. An educated wife can be a great asset to her husband and her family, if she is good natured and respects the traditions of the family and co-operates to run it smoothly.

Role of Women in War

A modern war cannot be fought successfully only be some brave soldiers. Every one must work and help in the conduct of war. The defense of the country is the responsibility of every citizen. Even womenhave very significant roles to play in war times. There are so many examples in our history which prove that women can also fight bravely. They have organized and conducted wars very successfully. Maharani Luxmibai of Janis fought bravely with the mighty force of the British Government. Razia begum and Chad Bibi are such other examples. To-day we find that in an ever increasing number. There is spirit and enthusiasm in them to serve the country by joining the military, when the time comes and a call is made upon them to do so.

Women can prove of immense help in war preparations. The defense of the country means investment of he amounts. Women should save every possible paisa. They should run their homes with utmost economy. Money, invested in the various schemes of the Government. In a country like ours, where women have been rather unduly attached to gold, they should be prepared to give it to the Government to be used for the defense of the motherland. Women have thus to see that their homes become the second line of defense. It is in the homes where the maximum sacrifices are needed.Women have to play a vital role in their homes in war times.

Many a young men are absorbed in various offices and services. Here the work is light. We all know that women can prove better teachers and nurses. These jobs are specially suited to their nature and temperament. They also have been very successful and efficient as typists, telephone are so much needed for the army, are unnecessarily retained on ordinary jobs. When the country is at war, womenshould come out of their homes and undertake such jobs. In this way, a good force of young able bodied persons will be released to serve the army.

In times of war, the government is forced to take certain strict measures to keep law and order withinthe country. It has to impose various controls and restrictions. Sometimes it wants to restrict internal consumption of necessary articles. These measures may lead to increasing hardships. Anti-national elements are there in every country. They want to earn he profits at such times. Their action makes the lives of others miserable and unbearable. If things are allowed to continue in this way, then there is dissatisfaction in the country.

The Government has to divert its energies t check such antinational activities. Here also women call helps the Government rules and regulations. They should refuse to use things which are brought in their homes from black market and by other unfair means. Their co-operation in this way will help in maintaining internal law and order.

It is, thus, evident that a modern war is a challenge not only to the military, the Government and the young men, but also the women. The home, the army and the office are the places where women can work shoulder to shoulder with men. Their active co-operation, sacrifice and patience can lead any country to ultimate victory.