History of Computers

It is very difficult to find the exact origin of computers. But according to some experts computer
exists at the time of world war-II. Also, at that time they were used for keeping data. But, it was for
only government use and not for public use. Above all, in the beginning, the computer was a very
large and heavy machine.

Working of a Computer 
The computer runs on a three-step cycle namely input, process, and output. Also, the computer
follows this cycle in every process it was asked to do. In simple words, the process can be explained
in this way. The data which we feed into the computer is input, the work CPU do is process and the
result which the computer give is output.

Components and Types of Computer

The simple computer basically consists of CPU, monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Also, there are
hundreds of other computer parts that can be attached to it. These other parts include a printer, laser
pen, scanner, etc.

The computer is categorized into many different types like supercomputers, mainframes, personal
computers (desktop), PDAs, laptop, etc. The mobile phone is also a type of computer because it
fulfills all the criteria of being a computer.

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Uses of Computer in Various Fields

As the usage of computer increased it became a necessity for almost every field to use computers
for their operations. Also, they have made working and sorting things easier. Below we are
mentioning some of the important fields that use a computer in their daily operation.

Medical Field
They use computers to diagnose diseases, run tests and for finding the cure for deadly diseases.
Also, they are able to find a cure for many diseases because of computers.

Research
Whether it’s scientific research, space research or any social research computers help in all of them.
Also, due to them, we are able to keep a check on the environment, space, and society. Space
research helped us to explore the galaxies. While scientific research has helped us to locate
resources and various other useful resources from the earth.
Defense
For any country, his defence is most important for the safety and security of its people. Also,
computer in this field helps the country’s security agencies to detect a threat which can be harmful
in the future. Above all the defense industry use them to keep surveillance on our enemy.

Threats from a Computer

Computers have become a necessity also, they have become a threat too. This is due to hackers who
steal your private data and leak them on internet. Also, anyone can access this data. Apart from that,
there are other threats like viruses, spams, bug and many other problems.

The computer is a very important machine that has become a useful part of our life. Also, the
computers have twin-faces on one side it’s a boon and on the other side, it’s a bane. Its uses
completely depend upon you. Apart from that, a day in the future will come when human
civilization won’t be able to survive without computers as we depend on them too much. Till now it
is a great discovery of mankind that has helped in saving thousands and millions of lives.

2.

Importance of Education in Life

First of all, Education teaches the ability to read and write. Reading and writing is the first step in
Education. Most information is done by writing. Hence, the lack of writing skill means missing out
on a lot of information. Consequently, Education makes people literate.

Above all, Education is extremely important for employment. It certainly is a great opportunity to
make a decent living. This is due to the skills of a high paying job that Education provides.
Uneducated people are probably at a huge disadvantage when it comes to jobs. It seems like many
poor people improve their lives with the help of Education.

Better Communication is yet another role in Education. Education improves and refines the speech
of a person. Furthermore, individuals also improve other means of communication with Education.

Education makes an individual a better user of technology. Education certainly provides the
technical skills necessary for using technology. Hence, without Education, it would probably be
difficult to handle modern machines.
People become more mature with the help of Education. Sophistication enters the life of educated
people. Above all, Education teaches the value of discipline to individuals. Educated people also
realize the value of time much more. To educated people, time is equal to money.

Finally, Educations enables individuals to express their views efficiently. Educated individuals can
explain their opinions in a clear manner. Hence, educated people are quite likely to convince people
to their point of view.

Importance of Education in Society

First of all, Education helps in spreading knowledge in society. This is perhaps the most noteworthy
aspect of Education. There is a quick propagation of knowledge in an educated society.
Furthermore, there is a transfer of knowledge from generation to another by Education.

Education helps in the development and innovation of technology. Most noteworthy, the more the
education, the more technology will spread. Important developments in war equipment, medicine,
computers, take place due to Education.

Conclusion
Education is a ray of light in the darkness. It certainly is a hope for a good life. Education is a basic
right of every Human on this Planet. To deny this right is evil. Uneducated youth is the worst thing
for Humanity. Above all, the governments of all countries must ensure to spread Education.

3. RURAL UPLIFT PROGRAMME IN INDIA

 
In free India, rural uplift programmes were initiated in the year 1952 under community
development programme.  These were aimed at changing the face of the countryside, and
building a new outlook among the village folk.  Under the Five Year Plans, a high priority is
being given to these programmes.  Much is yet left to be done as most of the people live in
villages.  However, a new awakening is growing among the people living in villages.
              The goals of the community development programme are quite ambitious.  With the
advent of scientific methods of agriculture, increased production of wheat, rice, barley, cotton
and other crops has been achieved and efforts go unabated in this direction.  Cottage industries
are the backbone of village wage-carners.  Substantial increase in the production of cottage
goods based on agro, marine and natural products or bio-products has generated employment in
the rural sector.  Co-operative credit societies have sprung up to cope with the increasing demand
of capital by small farmers and workers engaged in cottage industries.  Beside, this, efforts are
continuing to execute works of common benefit for the village community ; such as, village
roads, tanks, gas plants, technical know-how centres and adult education units in the rural
sector.  Increase in agricultural production , rural industrialization and a change in the outlook of
the rural people are thus the outstanding features of the village uplift programmes.
              During the Five Year Plans, the community development programme has shown
excellent results.  Village link roads, rural water supply and sanitation, electrification and mass
education are the areas where much work has already been done.  Radio and Television are today
as common in rural areas as in towns and cities.  Schools, colleges, and technical institutes are
now being opened in the rural and semi-rural areas.  There is a spate of tractors, harvestors and
tubewells in villages.  Improved seeds and fertilizers are made available to farmers near their
homes.  Minor irrigation schemes are coming up and the village industries are booming.  Primary
health centres and veterinary health care units are roaring with improved life and livestock.  A
new awakening has now dawned upon village people heading for a bold advance in the new set-
up.  Village boys and girls are now teeming with latest information on various topics touching
science, politics and life itself.
              An important aspect of the community development is the Panchayati Raj which has
been introduced in all the provinces.  The panchayat system has been thought necessary to
decentralize and democratize the administration of community development.  The system
envisages a far reaching change in the structure of local administration and rural development. 
Its chief purpose is to involve all the people living in rural areas to work for their own
development and betterment.  This mini government will now look after rural water supply,
irrigation facilities, housing programme, consolidation of holdings, roads, schools and health
centres.  In this new set-up, women are more than ever before occupying exalted positions in
these Panchayats.
              Banks have also been pressed into service to help enterpreneurs from villages to start
new projects and generate job opportunities in the countryside.  Banks are advancing huge sums
of money at low interest rates to the rural folk to set up industries, by seeds and machinery for
increasing production and launching various development projects.  It is because of this massive
programme launched under different names by different financial institutions that the face of the
Indian villages is quickly changing.  The government of the day appears to be alive to its duties
towards the vast rural population in the country.  India, it has been rightly said, lives not in its
towns but in its villages.  Village uplift programme is, therefore, being taken up at the top
priority.  That is why that plans are always afoot to see that the farmer gets a proper price for his
produce and all the inputs required by him are made available to him at a subsidized price.
              The village uplift programme is poised for a bold advance.  Much, however, remains to
be done.  Prosperity has, no doubt, percolated to villages.  But the landless agricultural labourers
are still a neglected lot.  Red tapism and unscrupulous and dishonest officers are blocking the
roads to the prosperity of villages.  Dirty politics has also crept into the fabric of the village life. 
Vices like drinking, gambling and litigation and still playing havoc with the lives of the people in
villages.  It is time that village people recognized their new role in the new set-up and managed
their affairs.  Rural employment, health, education, sanitation, co-operative farming, storage of
wheat and rice and increase in agriculture and industrial production are the areas which still
demand their attention. Let us hope that villages in India regain their old glory, health and
prosperity.

4. INDIA’S SPACE PROGRAMME

OR
 CAR TO SAT LAUNCHED BY INDIAN SPACE SCIENTISTS
 
The Indian space scientists  had sufficient reasons to pat their backs as they successfully placed
into their orbits two satellites, CARTOSAT – 1 and HAMSAT, on May 5, 2005.  CARTOSAT 1
weighing 1560 kg is India’s thirteenth remote sensing satellite while HAMSAT, weighing  43
kg, is a micro- satellite.  The successful launch of the 44 meters tall four stage polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle, PSLV – C6 from the Indian spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh is really
a great achievement.
This success was special in many ways.  It is the first ever launch from this indigenous newly
built Second Launch Pad (SLP) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.  The lift-off that filled a
deep rumble in the island was a spectacular sight as the vehicle burst out of a terrific cloud of
smoke and fire.  The first of its four stages peeled away 112 seconds after ignition.  The entire
launching was witnessed by no less a person than President A.P.J. Kalam.
The vehicle that kept standing on the launch pad for five days exposed to rain, thunder and
lightning, proved its mettle as the all-weather-proof vehicle demonstrated the skill and ingenuity
of its makers.  It was the eighth successful PSLV flight in a row.
CARTOSAT – 1 weighing 1560 kg is the heaviest remote sensing satellite to be orbited by a
PSLV.  As the CARTOSAT and the HAMSAT went into the orbit, applause filled the air and the
hundreds of scientists connected with the flight hugged one another in joy and jubilation.  The
SLV has been constructed at a cost of Rs 400 crore.  It is a satellite pad from where several types
of vehicles can be launched.  Time has come for India to start a powerful campaign to secure
launch orders from other countries.  India has proved to the world that the country is now in a
position to launch various kinds of space satellites and vehicles from its own launching pad.
CARTOSAT – 1 is sending varied types of images and pictures, including the 3 – dimensional
ones.  These will be used for better cartography and in planning towns, roads, canals and the
management of water resources.  The camera fitted in the satellite will send pictures of the same
objects taken from different angles.  HAMSAT would continue to provide communication even
when there is a black out or a communication failure during a tsunami or a cyclone.  It will
provide radio communication to the national and international community of amateur radio
operators.
Launching of two satellites at the same time from its own launching pad has proved beyond
doubt that India has certainly earned for itself a respectable niche amongst the advanced
countries of the world.  It is sure to make further marks in years to come.

5. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
 
Information Technology is a developing technology that aims at obtaining the maximum
information with minimum of resources, labour or time.  According to the dictionary,
Information Technology is “the study or use of electronic equipment especially computers, for
storing, analysing and distribution of information of all kinds, including words, numbers and
pictures.”
Ever since the appearance of Man on the earth, information has been the major cause of his
progress and development.  But information alone is not enough.  Information has to be
processed, put to use by logic and reason before it becomes useful knowledge.
Information Technology includes and encompasses within itself the whole technological, social
and cultural phenomena that promise an excellent future for mankind.  The 21st century is a
century of Information Technology.   Just as steam engine emerged to be the technology of the
19th century and computer technology enhanced the capacity of human brain in the 20th century,
Information Technology is the in-thing in the 21 century.
The technological progress during the past sixty years has brought about an explosion in
knowledge.  Today we have super computers imitating the human brain and even beating it in
various fields like fast data processing, huge memory storage and quick retrieval capacity.  These
super computers can do as much as Terra (10) floating point operations per second (FLOPS) and
have a 128 bit word length.  The personal computer is today a part of many urban homes in the
country.  The computer is changing its capacity so fast that while in the 70s the IC chips were
operated with 18MHz clock, today the clock rate is 850MHz.  In the near future, we would have
computers with a clock speed of 4000 MHz.  Similarly, the first microprocessor chip (intel 4004)
produced in early seventies had 2500 transistors. We hope to have not in very far distant future,
350 million of these transistors sitting on a tiny little chip.  The semiconductor fabrication
technology has made a possible for the latest memory devices to have a capacity of one Gigabyte
(10 bytes) each, which is equivalent to the information stored in 8000 newspaper pages.  A single
CD can store in itself the entire works of Shakespeare.  The most interesting part of the story of
staggering progress is that while the number crunching capacity of the computer is going up in
geometrical progression, the price or cost involved is falling down in an almost similar
proportion.
This wonder machine called computer has revolutionised life in a big way. With its excellent
memory, it has become a source of Internet Information Service.  A fathomless ocean of
information is available today on these computers on any subject, any phenomenon, anytime and
anywhere in the world.  You have only to switch on your computer, press a few buttons and a
whole sea of information is available to you on your screen to select and download without
spending a single penny on it.  Just press a few buttons, you may be a student, a research worker
in any field, an industrialist or an inquisitive information gatherer, the floodgates of information
are opened on you in no time.
Think of the days when transfer of information was confined to oral transmission or written
message only.  Today, any amount of information can be conveyed from any corner of the world
to any other farthest corner, in a matter of seconds only.   We have satellite communication,
optical fibre communication, terrestrial microwave communication, coaxial cable
communication and several other advances systems that enable us to transport enormous
amounts of data at the huge rate of several gigabytes per second to the farthest points in the
world.  The data communication capability is increasing every day with the help of various
advancing technologies like the video data compression, digital video and audio, HDTV etc.
The global information Infrastructure has established thousands and thousands of servers and
multitudes of personal computers in more than 150 countries.  All these computers have been
networked in the Internet System.  The Internet, you will be surprised to learn, has taken five
years to reach the first 50 million users.  This number is increasing every day.  The day is not far
when every human individual will have  an access to the brain of every other human individual
in the world and the two would be able to exchange information on any and every topic under the
sun.
The Information Technology today is rightly called the Technology of the Century as it has
found its application and use in every walk society of the world.  Distances no longer exist and
the world appears to have shrunk into a Global Village.  The wisdom of the wisest is today
available to the stupidest of the person thus ushering in an era of real equality of opportunity to
all.  It is really a landmark achievement that more than six billion population of the world will
soon be living in a virtual village, as  compact as any small Indian village of a fun thousand
population.
Information Technology, as expected, has brought about a sea change in the functioning of this
world.  It has proved to be a great boon to industrial productivity.  Internet makes all the
information available regarding product design, product quality, latest technologies,  market
survey, financial conditions and the like at any given point of time on a continuous basis at any
place in the world.  Systems like Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Enterprises Resources
Planning (ERP) and coming up fast to provide mutual help and information to producers, buyers,
distributors, and consumers all over the world.  Documents transfer has now become a very fast
and quick affair.  The results are eye-opening.  The global market for IT enabled services,
starting from 200 billion US dollars in 1998 is growing at the rate of 23 per cent per annum.  It is
expected to touch the 100 trillion US$ mark by the year 2008.  In India alone, the software
export industry is expected to touch the 100 billion US dollars mark in the next eight years. 
Commercial activity through internet not only serves businessmen, consumers, financial
institutions and their mutual activities, but also provides advertising facilities on the World Wide
Web (WWW) servers and Home Pages.  Product specifications, company profiles, catalogues,
pricing information etc.  are all available on these pages 24 hours a day and seven days per week
all over the world.  Orders can be placed through E-mail and payments can be made through
telebanking facilities and E- currency.
There is a similar revolution in the field of education.  No student, anywhere in the world, will
now be deprived of the best information available on any subject in any part of the world.  The
best course material, the best teachers and the best teaching aids and tools will be available to
one and all.  Education, in fact, is the biggest beneficiary of the Information Technology. 
Several projects like Wired Class-rooms of the USA, National Grid of the U.K., Operation
Knowledge of India, are already under way, to bring internet to the actual class-rooms of every
village in every country.
In the field of the social and cultural development also, the Information Technology is fast
showing its wonderful impact.  Home shopping, Telebanking, Video conferencing, E-mail,
Videophones etc. are bringing the peoples of the world closer together and ushering in an era of
mutual goodwill, understanding and harmonious relationships.  Similarly, E-governance is
bringing in well-informed, quick decisions and transparency in administration.  No missing files,
no red tape, no delay, better records, quick service and no dishonesty or fooling —- this will
soon become the order of the day.
In short, every aspect of the human life under the sun will see a vast change.  We used to talk of
a utopia, a heaven of our dreams.  I am sure it is coming.  We are soon going to witness an age
where every head will be high, where every heart will be happy, where every hand will be busy.

6. HAZARDS OF POLLUTION
OR
DANGERS OF POLLUTION
OR
MAN AND ENVIRONMENT
 
“Certainly this is duty, not a sin
Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
                                                                                                                                               
–John Wesley
                The problem of air, noise and water pollution is assuming serious proportions. 
Increasing industrialization is playing havoc with the environment.  Industrial wasters, smoke
and other gases are polluting the air in a big way.  Apart from industries, the density of traffic is
also contributing to air pollution.  The emission of smoke and toxic chemicals  have been raising
the level of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere.  The permissible limits of noise pollution have
been exceeded in the cities of Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai.  Air pollution is responsible for
respiratory ailments, T.B., skin allergy, eye ailment even cancer and mental retardation of
children.  Proliferation of chemical industries has accentuated the problem. There are even more 
dangerous chemicals in use in the country that MIC of the Union Carbide factory at Bhopal.
                River waters have been polluted largely because of discharge of untreated industrial
wastes and municipal sullage and drainage of pesticides and fertilizers.  All these have adversely
affected their self-purifying mechanism by destroying their natural aquatic species.
                Exhaust from automobiles is a significant source of air pollution.  A large number of
vehicles emit three to four per cent of carbon monoxide which is dangerous to health.  Increase
of chemicals in the atmosphere causes acid rains hundreds of miles away.  These rains damage
the soil, destroy vegetation and aquatic species in river and sea.  They also corrode buildings.
                The thin layer of ozone in the atmosphere is a form of life-sustaining system.  It cuts
out ultra-violet rays and allows the heat generating infrared rays to reach the earth.  But due to
industrialization and consequent pollution, the rate of depletion of the ozone layer is large.  Its
inability to absorb ultra-violet rays may lead to “green-house” effect and wide-spread incidence
of cancer.
                Marine pollution is yet another problem caused by the discharge of sewage and harbor
waste in coastal waters.  Oil pollution arises from tanker accidents, refinery efluents and oil
pipelines.  This results in the destruction of marine life and poses a threat to our eco-system.
                Nuclear pollution threatens life more than any other pollution today. Accidents can
happen in nuclear plants and when these happen, these can be catastrophic for large sections of
the people.  Nuclear radiation endangers the entire life-support system — plants, vegetation,
animals, water, air and human health.  Apart from all these pollutions, a serious threat to the
globe arises from the pollution of outer space.  Space debris has become a reality on account of
the litter and garbage of thousands of space objects, dead satellites, spent rockets, motors and
nuts and bolts.
                The release of gases by rockets has adverse effects.  Re-entry of large objects into the
atmosphere may also effect radio communication.  Thus the ultimate victim of every kind of
pollution, directly or indirectly, is man himself.  Humanity today stands puzzled.  A disaster
threatens mankind in the near future.  In just a hundred years, air may become unfit for breathing
while water may become unfit for human consumption.  Scientists today are busy finding out
ways and means to fight this terrible hazard of pollution but they have not so far succeeded in
their mission.
                In the recent past, the Supreme Court of India has taken note of increasing pollution in
the country.  In several judgments announced by the Court, it has directed the people to see that
as far as possible pollution of air water is avoided.  Vehicles of all types have been required to
conform to certain fixed norms in the matter of the gases being added by these to the air. 
Similarly factories and other commercial units have also been asked to stick to the anti-pollution
norms laid down by the government. Local bodies have been asked to use better hygienic
conditions.  All these steps are likely to go a long way in fighting out of menace of pollution but
a lot remains to be done.

7. BRAIN DRAIN
Essay No. 01
According to a UN definition, the flight of talent that is required for a country’s development to
another country is called brain drain.  We have been experiencing this problem ever since we
won out freedom.  It was with great effort and high hopes that we set up our institutes of higher
education. It is unfortunate that thousands of our doctors and engineers are leaving the country
every year.  More recently, the malady has affected the field of oil exploration, nuclear energy
and agriculture also.  
                A very high proportion of the migrating engineers is of those trained in the five Indian
Institutes of Technology.  Apparently, nearly 35 per cent of the engineering graduates from the
IITs go abroad as soon as they get their degrees.  The percentage is even higher in the key areas
such as computer science, physics, aeronautics and operational research.
                The main reason for this brain drain is that our man power planning has not kept pace
with employment opportunities.  We have a large pool of scientific and technical manpower that
is waiting for respectable assignments.  Several thousand engineering graduates are waiting for
employment.  Some feel that they are under-employed, so they migrate to countries wherever
they find better opportunities.  It is also the grievance of some of them that they do not have
adequate facilities and a congenial environment for work or research in this country.  In fact, the
situation is no different in many other countries too.  They are the victims of academic
colonialism which is an aspect of today’s neo-colonialism.
                The government has every reason to feel concerned about this problem because the
number of scientific and technical personnel leaving India has increased in recent years. 
Measures taken to persuade our scientific and technical man power to return have not yielded
results.  The fact is that even now it is difficult to find suitable jobs for those who would like to
return.  Whenever some of them return and are given higher placements in an organisation on
account of their qualifications and experience, the locals in the organization resent it and make
the working environment for them uncongenial and hostile.  They also complain or lack of job
satisfaction due to the near absence of innovative research.  We do hear of the government
toying with the ideas of science cities, pool scientists and technological parks to attract talent, but
a lot of all this remains on paper or in files only.
                Indian workers, scientists, doctors and engineers have already made their mark in
several countries.  In America alone, more than 25 per cent of the doctors, engineers and
technical personnel are from India.  Big part of the economy of this richest country in the world
depends upon those who have migrated to this country from India only.  Indians working in
fields, factories, hospitals and commercial units are known for their sense of duty and
dedication.  They form the back bone of the whole economic system in that country.
                The human resources department of the government has laid stress on the evolution of
suitable mechanism to bring back and woo talent from other countries.  It has proposed that
lecture assignments, consultancy in industry and assistance in setting up of pilot projects in India
should be considered.  The administrative procedures should be made more flexible.  The areas
of bio-technology, micro-electronics etc. offer significant potential for our technical personnel.
                In fact what we require is a proper planning of our requirements.  Students should
pursue only those fields that are called for.  They should not run after highly specialized courses
which have no relevance in the country’s economic development.  An awareness should be
brought amongst those intending to go abroad that it is their moral duty and sacred obligation
towards their country to serve their motherland first and foremost.
The government must think in terms of instituting a compulsory national service for a limited
period of time for those science, engineering and medicine graduates who are desirous of going
abroad.
The basic facilities congenial for research and education should be provided in the institutions so
that our technical graduates do not feel ill-at-ease in their own set-up.  Let every graduate realize
that he has a duty towards the country that educated him and that his leaving the country in a
lurch is nothing short of a treacherous betrayal.
( 720 Words )
Essay No. 02
 
Brain Drain
 
Brain Drain is an oft-heard expression used in India. This refers to the export, or going out of
India of the Indian brains to different foreign countries. We term it as a drain of the brains
because, it is believed that, with the going out of these best brains we, as a country are at a loss
as. With our best brains working for other countries we are left only with mediocre and the lesser
brains to work and develop with. 
At the outset, let us analyse why there is so much of this exodus of brain from India and, without
making much of a hullabaloo about the brains try to check the drain. It is however, a matter of
pride for all of us Indians to realise that the world has, as of today recognised the Indian brain
among the best brains of the world. This is why foreign countries encourage importing the Indian
brain. On the other hand, our brains are also happy to go out because they get a congenial
working atmosphere out there. There, in foreign lands there is appreciation of good work, and the
environment of work is friendly unlike the prevailing conditions in India. Besides this, the
handsome pay packets there are no match to the slim counterpart of a pay return here in India.
With this situation in which both the Indian brains and the foreign countries find the business
lucrative and very satisfying how and why should it be stopped. 
Regarding the why of the question I feel that, it should be curtailed if not stopped because, if the
best go out, what are the prospects of development in our own country? For this again we,
ourselves are to blame. If we make the atmosphere healthier for good work, I feel at least some
of the brains may stay back in India. With all their expertise going out, we have to accept that
India is at a loss but, we 
cannot really blame the people going out as, who does not want to improve standard of life? The
fact of their going out does on the face of it appear to be unfair to India for, when we have the
know-how, the expertise, why should we not reap the benefit of it all However, in order to take
this advantage of the brains, we have to do something to lure them to stay within for which I
daresay, India has to do a lot of work. 
Regarding the problem of how this brain drain can be stopped, the solution is not simple but yet
it is not impossible. The Government must see that the working environment provided, and
appreciation be given to good work. As for the pay packets, they can also be enhanced in order to
attract at least a few of the brains who may be less ambitious and more patriotic. For, I believe
that, several brains may prefer to stay back in India if the requisite changes are made for them in
the entire system of working pattern. Thus, to prevent a brain drain from India it is not sufficient
to just shout about it and make an issue of it. We must work towards the goal of providing them
with at least the near amenities to them of what they would get in any of the foreign lands they
may chose to go to. If we try this, we may succeed in holding back at least a few of them, for
helping us to develop India.

8. DRUG ADDICTION
OR
THE INCREASING USE OF INTOXICANTS
                The use of intoxicants is as old as civilization itself.   In varying degrees, people in all
parts of the world have been using intoxicants in one form or the other.  In olden days, this use
was confined to some happy or festive occasions only.  But as time passed and life became more
and more complex and busy, use of intoxicants went on increasing.  With the progress of
science, new varied types of intoxicating drinks and drugs were invented.  Today, in addition to a
very large number of existing drinks and organic intoxicants, several other new and strong
intoxicants are readily available in the market.
                Use of intoxicants and drugs is so common today that it has become a world-wide
problem.  Neither the poor developing countries, nor the rich affluent countries are free from this
menace.  The affluent societies have problems of broken homes, late night club life and absence
of social controls.  The poor countries, on the other hand, have different problems.  The problems
of food, clothing and shelter occupy their minds.  Under the impact of these problems, the young
boys and girls feel frustrated and broken.  Most of them try to find consolation or relief in trying
to escape from the harsh realities of the world by taking recourse to intoxicating drugs and
drinks.
                The situation is quite alarming.  More and more young boys and girls are becoming
addicts.  A survey was recently conducted in some universities in India.  The findings were
staggering.  Drug addiction is fast catching hold of young Indian boys and girls.  It is mainly
confined to big cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi and the universities and colleges
of the country.  Hostels for boys and girls are the homes of these drug addicts.
                In India, the malady of the use of drugs has come from the West.  It has now assumed
serious proportions.  Most of the students start taking drugs as a matter of fashion or out of craze
for thrills.  But once they start, they cannot stop their use.  The market is flooded with drugs that
induce different types of intoxication.  Most of these drugs are required to be taken to produce
sedation or tranquility under strict medical observation and care.  They are meant to provide
proper treatment of certain diseases of the mind.  But young boys and girls start taking them
without medical advice.
                Most of those who start taking drugs are socially maladjusted people.  Some of these
are unemployed and frustrated while others have some other social or family problems.  The
government is duty bound to make a thorough study of the various pros and cons of the
problem.  Sale of drugs in the open market should be banned.  The problem of unemployment
should be tackled on priority basis. Guidance and counseling bureaus manned by experts should
be opened in all universities in order to provide advice and guidance to the frustrated youth of
the country.  Various social and voluntary organizations should take steps to provide proper
social security and a respectable living for all such people as feel socially insecure.  Orphans,
widows and broke homes should be looked after properly.  The government should use all its
advertising media to educate the people about the harmful effects of the intoxicating drugs. 
Expert medical aid should be made readily available to wean the addicts away from their
malady.  Moral education should be introduced in schools and colleges.  Pornographic literature
and sexy pictures should be banned.  Hippies and foreign visitors who encourage the use of
drugs and smuggle these drugs into the country should be pout behind he bars.
                All these steps can go a long way in saving the country from this menace of drug
addiction.  In India, the disease is still in a state of infancy. It would be proper to nip the evil in
the bad.  In case this is not done, the disease may take the form of epidemic and strike a death
blow to the great cultural traditions of this country.  We must see the writing on the wall and net
before it is too late.

9. BIRTH CONTROL MOVEMENT IN INDIA

OR
COMPUSORY FAMIL YPLANNING
 
Essay No. 01
 
                   “Children have more need of models than of critics.”  
                                                            — Joubert
 
                India is a big country.  She attained her independence in 1947 after a long struggle.
The  country was divided into two parts.  When the National government headed by Pandit
Nehru took over, the situation in the country was very bad.  Partition of the country followed by
bloodshed and arson, left the country ruins.  Unemployment, poverty and starvation stalked the
land.  The population of the country continued to increase day-by-day.  The government,
therefore, decided to launch a massive family planning programme in 1952.  A propaganda drive
was launched to educate the people to adopt family planning.  Various family planning centres
were opened all through the length and breadth of the country.
                But all these did not produce the desired result.  Statistics reveal the magnitude of the
problem.  The census figures of 1931 revealed that the population of India during the period
1947 to 1980 equalled the population of a big country like the U.S.S.R. The annual increase in
India’s population is roughly equal to the population of Australia.  The population figures
crossed the staggering 1000 million mark in 2001.  The entire country seems to have been
shocked by this rate of increase in the population of the country.  We are already on the road to
becoming the most populous country of the world. That would be nothing short of national
catastrophe or disaster.
                Experts feel that if population continues to grow unchecked, India will soon be facing
doom and gloom.  Unemployment will rise to staggering heights.  Urban violence born out of
increased cut-throat competition will touch a new height.  Every breath of air will be badly
polluted and every drop of water will be contaminated with poisonous matter.  It would become
almost impossible to provide even basic amenities of life to the people.  Traffic on the roads will
grind almost to a half.  Garbage disposal will become an impossibility and life would become a
hell.  It will really be a very sad day.
                The problem of increasing population must be solved on an urgent basis.  But coercion
or compulsion cannot work in a democratic country like India. The people will have to be
properly educated and inspired to adopt and accept the family planning programme. Unless the
problem of ever-increasing  number is solved, our Five Year Plans will not raise our standard of
living.  No plan for employment can succeed in its absence.  The food problem will remain as it. 
So, for the future prosperity of the nation, every effort must be made to solve it.  Family planning
is a crying need of the hour in our own country.  It is a problem that concerns each citizen.  It is
in our interest to adopt family planning.  It is a happy sign that India is the first country to have
formulated a national population control programme.  The government is now leaving no stone
unturned to educate the people to go in for small families.  Several incentive schemes have been
launched to popularize family planning schemes and contraceptives are being distributed either
free of cost or a t subsidized rates.
                No government can afford to go slow in the matter of family planning.  It would be
simply suicidal for the country.  A propaganda drive has been launched to impress upon the
people that family welfare is a very useful programme.  The radio, the television, the newspapers
and the entire media have been geared up to propagate family planning.  There is a good
response.  A family have also started planning their families.  It is hoped that the people of India
will soon come to understand the importance of this programme and they will take to it
voluntarily in true spirit.  Then and then alone can the country march forward.  If we do not plan
our families, we will perish.
 
Essay No. 02
 

Family Planning
India is a vast and developing country. India’s population 850 million is the second largest in the
world. It is increasing fast in comparison to the dwindling and depleting resources. By the turn of
this century, it would increase to 2000 million people. It shows an increase of about 2.4 percent.
Consequently, the experts have started sounding warning bells. This population explosion has
created many serious problems. More population means high pressure on our resources of food,
employment, housing, clothing, education, etc. With the laudable advancements in science,
medicine and health-care, the mortality rate has come down considerably, but the rate of birth
continues almost the same. It makes effective family planning measures a must. In the absence of
control on population all our Five Year Plans and developmental schemes are bound to be a
failure.
Family Planning is aimed at not only reducing birth rate but also at better health, family welfare
and care for the children and mothers. To achieve these goals a broad-based mass education and
motivation programme is being earnestly pursued. It is wholly a voluntary programme and is an
integral part of the overall strategy of growth covering health, maternity and child care, family
welfare, women’s rights and nutrition.
The family planning programme in India was launched officially in 1952, but the birth control
movement is older than that. The first two birth control centres were established in Karnataka
way back in 1930. In those days birth control was not talked about so frequently and freely. But
there was no such thing as government sponsored organised family planning. However, there
was a good deal of consciousness among the educated and enlightened people in the country that
contraception facilities should be provided for the interest and welfare of a happy family life to
those who wanted them. During the First Five Year Plan the family planning was introduced.
During Second Plan again it was on a modest scale with a clinical approach. During the Third
Plan the whole programme was reorganised and a fully fledged Department of Family Planning
was established at the Centre in 1966. In the Fourth and Fifth Plans, the programme was given
high priority. Consequently, the programme underwent great expansion, consolidation and
integration. For disseminating knowledge about family planning and welfare all means of
communication including mass media and inter-personal contact were extensively used. Since
then every method is being tried to make the norm of small family popular and acceptable.
Population education has been introduced in the formal school and university systems in the
country. The Sixth Plan provided a sum of Rs. 1,010 crores for these programmes.
These programmes are implemented through the state governments for which cent percent
central help is given. In rural areas, the family planning and welfare measures have been further
extended through a network of primary health centres and sub-centres. Maternal and child health
care and immunisation are also a part of this programme. Voluntary organisations and private
medical practitioners are also associated with it to make the maximum use of available resources
for optimum results.

10. Man versus  Machine

 
                                     “A man’s best friends are ten
fingers.”                                             
— Robert Collyer
                                Gone are the days of stone age when man used to work hard day and night
and used to go on foot or by bullock cart without having any comfort in life.  It was difficult for
him even to get the basic necessities of life.  He had a very tough time working like a machine
without any leisure or pleasure.
                                The twentieth century was the age of science or the age of machines.  After
Industrial Revolution, man has got a large number of machines at his beck and call.  Machines
have given him rest, comfort and all the facilities of life.  They have saved a lot of man’s time
and energy.  Long distances are covered in a matter of seconds; mass production of things of
daily use with the help of automatic machines has relieved man of a lot of drudgery and labour. 
The invention of radio, cinema, transistor, television, and video has made man’s life charming
and worth-living.
                                Science has conquered time and space.  Telephone, telegram and wireless
have made communication easy and smooth.  Distance today stands conquered and beaten. Fast
moving vehicles like aeroplanes, superfast trains and jets carry people from one corner of the
world to another in no time.  Printing has made it easy for man to convey ideas from one
generation to another.  Man, today, seeks the help of machines for all his activities.  He cannot
live without machines.  In fact, he has become a slave to them.
                                Early in the morning, an alarm clock wakes him up.  An electric kettle gives
him a cup of tea.  He used a blade, produced in a big factory, for shaving his face.  A geyser
prepares the hot bath for him. A washing machine washes his clothes. The cooking range, the
pressure cooker and several other kitchen appliances prepare his food.  A bus, a car, or a train
carries him to his office.  Even at his office, the type-writer writes for him; he used the telephone
and the teleprinter to convey his ideas across long distances.  He talks to his colleagues and
subordinates over the inter-com.  Machines produced his good which are carried in trucks to the
market.  When he goes back home in the evening, the television relaxes him ; the air conditioner
cools his room, and the sweet lullabies from a two-in-one lull him to the machines are his
masters.  He has forgotten the spiritual and moral aspects of life.  He has simply chosen to be a
machine in this dull materialists world.  In  a way man himself has become handicapped as he
has forgotten to use his physical power for working.
                                Man, today, has become too much money minded.  He has no rest, no time
and no patience to enjoy Nature.  He is a puppet working in the hands of machines.  That is what
made Wordsworth write:
                                      “The world is too much with us, late and soon
                                      Getting and spending we lay waste our powers;
                                     Little do we see in nature that is ours;
                                      We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!”
                                Life, today, has become so busy that man has neither any leisure nor any real
pleasure in life.  Machines have made human life so dull, monotonous and boring that it has been
reduced to a mechanical routine only. All the time man is busy with one thing or another.
 
                                        It is this type of busy life that made W.H. Davies write:
We have no time to stand and stare.”
Man must not become a machine himself.  He is the noblest and the best creation of God.  He
must not forget or lose sight of his final destiny or goal.  He has to march forward on the road to
divinity where he can attain real salvation and free himself from the shackles of life.

11. Cinema – It’s Good and Bad Effects

Or
Motion Pictures- their Advantages and Disadvantages
Or
Impact of Cinema in Life
Or
Why I like Movies
                                Nobody can deny the fact that recreation is as important in life as work. All
work and no play, makes life dull and boring.  Life would lose its charm if there is no
amusement in it.  That is why recreation has always been an important part of human activity.
Even in ancient days, games and sports, dancing and singing, dramatics and hunting, used to be
the favorite pastimes that provided man with a welcome change in this dull and dry routine of
work and labour.  Fairs and festivals also serve the same purpose.  In this age of science, the
modern man has devised various machines to amuse and entertain himself.  Cinema is the most
modern and the most popular form of entertainment.  It is an entertainment within the reach of all
– the rich as well as the poor.  In all seasons, in rain or sunshine, the cinema provides an
excellent amusement to the people.  Crowds of people can be seen standing in queues in front of
the booking windows at all times of the day.  With the coming of the television and video tapes,
cinema has become a part of almost every home.  It has become a part and parcel of life.  Today
we can live without food for a day but we cannot think of life without cinema.
                                The rich as well as the poor are fond of going to the pictures.  Although the
small silver screen is available in several houses, yet a  majority of the people still like to go to
the cinema houses to enjoy the movies on the big screen.  Even in this age of rising prices, the
taste of cinema going public has not been affected.  They are as fond of it as before.
                                Cinema is a very useful and educative entertainment.  We see the pictures of
dams, factories, rails, roads, tractors, and so many other things of interest on the motion picture
screen.  We learn so many new things which enrich our mind with interesting details of new
information.  Cinema has thus an educational value.  Besides, cinema is a means of
advertisement.  In a poor country like India, it has got a great value.
                                There is hardly any aspect of human life which is outside the scope of the
cinema.  It has created a better understanding and goodwill among different countries by
showing their social, economic and cultural life.  It has brought people of different countries of
the world nearer to one another.  It presents a true picture of the human civilization.  The cinema
represents the mystery of human life and throws light on the inner secrets of the human life and
heart.
                                Cinema has lurking dangers in it.  It has hit hard the labouring classes and
the students.  Undesirable cravings are harboured and evil company is allowed to breed. 
Eyesight, too, is affected and money is squandered recklessly.  Young boys and girls are, at
times, led astray.  Cheap films do a lot of damage to their morals.  Their attention is focused on
fashions and just.
                                Great improvement and reforms can be brought into the film world. 
Development schemes should be popularized.  The teaching of some subjects such as Chemistry,
Biology, Physics, and Engineering should be introduced.  The evils of cinema should be
denounced openly.  Gross sex pictures should be banned.  Shameless display of love should be
avoided. The Censor Boards should be strengthened.  The overall influence of cinema on the
youth in this country has not been good and whole some.

12. Science and Industry

Or
Wonders of Science
Or
Advantages of Science
Or
How Science has changed Our Lives
 
   Modern age is the age of science.  Every aspect , field and sphere of life has been deeply
affected by science.  It has blessed us with many comforts.  Everything, big or small, proclaims
the glory of science.  The fairy tales of yesterday have become true and real today.  The dreams
of yesterday have become the realities of today.
                Every aspect of life has the imprint of science.  The various modern inventions of
science – the heater, the press, the pressure-cooker, and many other things of our ordinary use,
have made our domestic life very happy and comfortable.  Science has bestowed on us the gift of
electricity.  It grows and cooks our food ; it lights our homes; it cools us in summer and warms
us in winter.  Indeed, wherever may cast our eyes, we notice the triumphs and wonders of
science.
                Science has conquered time and distance.  The different countries of the world have
been brought closer to one another and the globe seems to have shrunk in size.  The long
journeys of months are completed in hours today.  Modern man has conquered the moon and is
trying to conquer the distant planets like the Venus and the Mars.
                Science has provided us with various sources of recreation, entertainment, delight and
happiness.  When man feels bored and dull, radio, television and stereo prove very useful and
helpful to him to break his monotony.  He feels fresh once again and is enlivened.  Cinema,
another source of entertainment, also adds to our knowledge.  Press and radio, other wonders of
science, have also helped men to attain knowledge and spread it.  They carry news to different
parts of the world.  The world now is a closely knit unit.
                Even the field of medicine has not eluded the grasp of science.  Science has enabled
man to put up a fight against incurable diseases like tuberculosis and overcome them. With the
help of X-rays and ultra sound techniques, even the internal diseases of man can be diagnosed
and cured.  Invention of sulpha-drugs, penicillin, laser treatment and many new therapies have
gone a long way in prolonging the life-span of man and minimizing death-toll.  In short, science
has provided the blind with eyes, the lame with legs and the deaf with ears.
                Science has proved equally helpful in the field of agriculture and industry.  The
advantages of tractor and tubewells have not been hidden from any eye.  With the mechanized
farming, agricultural production has increased wonderfully.  Science has revolutionised the
modern industry.  The days of slow moving, simple machines, handicrafts and dull manual
labour are over. It is an age of computers, automation, increased production and perfect
mechanization.  Every field of industry today bears a clear and marked imprint of science.
                The services of science cannot be forgotten even the field of engineering and
technology.  Huge dams and bridges have been built.  Electric power-houses and atomic furnaces
are the gifts of science only.  In short we can say that wherever we may cast our eyes, we notice
the triumphs and wonders of science.

13. Computer Its Role in Life Today

Or
The Age of Computers
Or
Computers— The Modern Man’s Intelligence Machine
 
Essay No. 01
 
          In this age of scienceand technology, humanity is witnessing an explosion of knowledge. 
Computer a machine that promises to beat man in various fields – is one the latest useful
inventions word today.  The computer fever his caught everybody from a child of three to an old
man of seventy.  Everyone is talking about computers networking from a child of three or an old
man seventy. How important computer has become in life today.  Every office, factory, modems,
computer virus etc.  This shows developed country in the world is equipped with a computer.  A
computer has already become an inseparable part of life.  It helps a doctor I his diagnosis ; it
helps an engineer in his multifarious activities; guides a pilot or a navigator to safety; it helps a
public or a private official or businessman in more ways that one.  It is an important part of every
institution, every office and every establishment public or private in several countries.
                A computer is basically an electronic calculating machine.  It performs, complex and
enormous calculation with tremendous speed, precision and diligence.  It accepts data, performs
operations according to instruction and provides the results of the operations.  In addition to its
speed in performing complicated calculations, the computer has an ability to reproduce,
rearrange and reconstruct information that can prove an invaluable asset in science, medicine,
technology or any other branch of knowledge. 
                The heart of the computer is the integrated circuit.  Each circuit can carry out millions
of calculations in a second.  A computer is programmed first and then fed with a problem in the
form of a code, be in FORTAN, ALGOL or COBOL.
                The first computer was huge in size 51 feet in length and 8 feet in height.  Soon
computer technology was modified.  They different phases of evolution of computers are
conveyed by the term ‘generation’.  We are now using the fifth egeneration computers in the
advanced countries of the world.  The development of computer is now directed towards a
process of the miniaturization of the components.  Today a chip of silicon, smaller than the
thumb nail of an infant, can accommodate all the elaborate electronic circuits that make the brain
of the computer.  From the huge computer of earlier days, computer has covered a long road to
Pentium Computers that are able to process complicated data in a matter of seconds.
                The key to how artificial intelligence machines will work lies with new style
programes and software.  Communication between man and machine is expected to be raised to
the level of human communication.  The human brain is not capable of retaining, for example the
massive and ever increasing base of medical knowledge.  So the computer will acts as an
assistant with all the information.
                The Uses of computers are too many.  The computer performs the assigned tasks in
seconds. The solutions are correct to the minutest detail.  Today there is a computer at the beck
and call of every research worker, every senior doctor, engineer or technician.  It is on the road
to produce robots to assist the housewives in their daily household chores.  Portable computers
are being used by people in business to make complex calculations.  The CAT Scanner provides
doctors with a view of the whole human body.  The computer has now entered almost every field
of human activity.  One can watch video CD’s and video conferencing, send volumes of data
from one machine to the other in the farthest corner of the world  ISDN exchanges have
revolutionised the use of computers.  A mere pressing of a button can off-load your heavy mail
let you know all statistics on various subjects, place before you and control your other machines. 
Programmed computers are being used in controlling and monitoring the movement of traffic,
reservation of seats in airways and railways, in educational institutions, in defense
establishments, in ships and planes all over the world.
                In India, computerization of important sectors like defense, energy, steel, mining,
cement, railways, airlines, communication and education has already taken up.  There is need for
adequate trained manpower without which computers cannot be effectively utilized.
                Although the use of computers has phenomenally grown, it has some fundamental
limitations.  The computer cannot exercise judgement or commonsense.  It has to be
meticulously instructed in the programme and it acts as it is instructed.  It is also alleged that the
privacy of people is being threatened as every detail regarding a person’s whole life can be
squeezed into a few centimeters of computer tape.  Also the use of computers is adding to
unemployment all over the country as a single computer can do the work of hundreds of manual
workers.
                Though there are a few problems or irritants, it cannot be denied that computers are a
boon to humanity.  No country in the world can afford to ignore this very important machine.
                The computers have so revolutionised the day-to –day life of human beings that it has
encompassed its every activity.  The explosion of Information Technology, the Website and the
windows have thrown all the knowledge of the world at man’s feet. One can visit every nook and
corner of the world and glean any sort of knowledge from website.  And it is not the end but the
beginning of a revolution.  
 
Essay No. 02
 
Computers
 
A computer is a marvellous invention of our times. It is a machine which can do a variety of
wonderful and complicated calculations in no time, rather instantly. It stores an ocean of
information on magnetic tapes, analyses it, and gives results as and when required. It has helped
us in overcoming man difficult problems of multiple calculations, scientific data processing,
record keeping and industrial complications. It has proved a matchless handmaid of science,
technology and industry. It has already superseded human mind in respect of storage of
information and instant multiple calculation. The speed and accuracy with which it works is
really staggering and stupendous. A computer is a fantastic machine.
The first automatic computer was made in 1937 in the U.S.A. Since then there has been
phenomenal progress in the development and up gradation of computers. The coming computers
are likely to be faster and complicated. The Fortran IV, which was considered then as ultimate,
has been left far behind by later language. Each new generation of computers has been smaller,
lighter, more fast and powerful than the one before. The next wave of these calculating machines
will further revolutionize the use of computers. Now note-book sized pocket computers are a
common thing. Programmers and hardware engineers are busy in making a new type of
computers equipped with an electronic styles, pad and deciphers handwriting, and circuitry that
allows it to communicate with other computers using radio waves. With no need to enter
information on key-board or to communicate by plugging into a telephone line. These “pentop”
or “planitop” computers should have far more radical effect than the personal computer which is
most frequently used as a deskbound replacement for the manual typewriter. According to the
latest information available, the personal computer would finally become a consumer appliance.
The new machines would be so light and portable that users won’t have to think about whether
or not to bring their computer with them. It will be a matter of course.
The fear that one day computers would supersede human mind is really not based on facts. In
spite of radical and marvellous developments in computer hardware and software technology it
would remain only a machine. It can never attain the creativity and thinking of the human mind.
It can never usurp the place and position of human brain. After all a computer itself is a product
of human mind. Do you think a computer can write plays and poetry as did Shakespeare or
Kalidas? Human mind is not a machine. Its workings are so complicated, quick, multiple and
complex as never to be fully explained and understood. Computers are wonderful, but they can
never compete with human mind, let alone superseding man’s mind. No doubt this miracle
machine is a great help to human mind, but no machine, however sophisticated, subtle and super,
can ever be as self-determining as man. A computer always depends on human consciousness for
its operation and going.
The help of computers has made the complicated industrial and technological operations and
their related problems easy to solve. Computerisation in offices, business establishments,
factories, etc., has proved very beneficial in terms of costs, time and energy. But it has certainly
increased and added to the problems of unemployment. A computer can replace scores of people.
In spite of this problem, computers are going to stay forever. They have become a necessity.
India is computerising very fast. The spurt in the use of these miracle machines in various places
like railways, airlines, banks, defence services, business organisations, factories, offices and
research establishments is breath-taking. Thus, computer industry in India has a very bright
future. On the export front this industry has shown remarkable achievements. Many computer
producing companies have come into existence in India, and a few of them are exporting these
indigenously produced machines to various developed and developing countries of the world.
The high speed data processing electronic machine, called computer, has made its presence felt
in India in a big way. Recently they have been introduced in schools. Their application and use
in various fields of life has now become a must. In defence they help radars, missile and rocket
launching, automatic flights, etc. Computers have increased the power and capacity of human
working manifold. A manager in a company can now depend on a computer for many of his
office duties. It can compute and calculate huge amounts of expenses, income, sales, pension,
provident fund, income tax, etc., within no time. Railways and airlines now offer instant
information on bookings with the help of computers. Computer network has reduced distances as
it can be used to co-ordinate activities at different places. To be short, the versatility of
computers is marvellous.
But computers have brought their problems. They can commit mistakes and when they do they
create many problems. Their mistakes are really blunders, and more risky than those committed
by men. Computers have their own virus, and they can become its victim. The so much
dependence on computers makes men mentally weak. But the advantage far outweighs these few
disadvantages.
14. Sports and Games—Their Importance
Or
Value of Games and Sports
   Nobody can deny that games are a part and parcel of life.  In fact, life itself is a game and this
world is a big playground.  We have to play the game of life with all our energy and courage. 
The game of life is a hard nut to crack.  In order to play the game of life well, we have to learn to
be good players.  It is through games and sports only that we can learn how best to overcome the
challenge of life.
                                There are different kinds of games and sports.  There are indoor games as
cards, chess, ludo ect.  Out of the out-door games,Hockey, Football, Volleyball, Cricket, Tennis,
etc. are the more common ones.  Races, Jumps, Throws, Weight-lifting are some of the other
kinds of the sports.  Games and sports are necessary and useful for all.  They are specially useful
for the students who must have a balanced development of the body as well as the mind.  A
sound mind lives only in a sound body. “All work and no play,” as the proverb goes, “ makes
Jack a dull boy.” Games and sports contribute to  an all round development of personality and
develop such qualities as help in the formation of a noble character.
                                Games play an important part in life.  Education is incomplete without
games.  Games are necessary to keep the body fit and trim.  Moreover, they provide recreation.
As a result, one feels smart and cheerful throughout the day.  If one is cheerful and healthy, he or
she is able to get the best out of life. A player really enjoys life.  For him, life is a song and a
beauty.  On the other hand, an unhealthy man cannot enjoy life.
                                We feel happier in a playground than we do in a class-room.  While playing
in the playground we feel happier because we forget the homework and the scolding of the
teachers.  Players are better friends.  Games teach us the lesson of discipline, team-work,
patience and punctuality.  In the playground, the players obey the captain and abide by the rules
of the games.  Games also teach us that we should play a game for game’s sake, not for victory
or defeat.  As Grantland Rice has apply re marked:
 
                                     “When the Great scorer comes
                                     To write against your name
                                      He marks – not that you won or lost—
                                      But how you played the game.”
                                The Duke of Wellington once said,” The battle of Waterloo was won on the
playground of Eton.” He meant that discipline, patience, courage, and optimism learnt on the
playgrounds of Eton had stood him in good stead and these qualities had lead him to victory.
                                If a person is physically fit, he is also mentally fit and healthy.  There is
always a sound mind in a sound body.  A healthy man is always hopeful and cheerful.  On the
other hand, an unhealthy person leads a painful and miserable life.  Life become a burden to him.
Games and sports also produce a sense of equality, co-operation and fraternity.  They provide
enough of amusement to remove the rust caused by our dull routine.  They add colour to an
otherwise dull and boring life.   All those qualities which we get from the playground help us to
face the struggle of life.
                                Today, games and sports have assumed a great importance.  Sportsmen and
players have started choosing sports and game as their career.  It is a compulsory subject in
schools in most of the states in the country.  State Governments are giving special grants to their
best sportsmen and players.  Newspapers and periodicals carry special section for sports news
from all corners of the world. Matches played at the national or international level are relayed
over the radio network.  The staging of the ninth Asian games in 1982 and the World Cricket
Cup in 1994 in India greatly enhanced the status and prestige of the lovers of sports all over the
country.  Sportsmen are certainly the backbone of any nation.  They certainly deserve a place of
pride and honour in any country.
 15. Empowerment of Women
Essay No. 01
A lot is being heard these days on the need for the empowerment of women.  Women, everybody
knows, continue to suffer and have an inferior status in society as compared to their male
counterparts.  They are lagging behind in all fields.  In spite of all the media hype regarding the
equality of sexes, things have yet to improve.
                Despite law, female foeticide, female infanticide and dowry death are staring the
society in the face.  Child marriage is still prevalent in many parts of the country. Girls are not
being sent to school in  many areas.  Incidents of sexual harassment of women, eve-teasing,
sexual abuse of female children and rape are on the rise in spite of spread of education. 
Thousands of widows are living in object poverty and women labourers continue to be oppressed
in the absence of proper legislation to protect them.  In such a situation it is no surprise that the
birth of a girl child is still considered to be a curse and   an occasion for sorrow in thousands of
families.  In a country where there is the rich tradition of ‘kanjak’ puja, women continue to be
treated as inferior to men.
                In the face of this situation some enlightened countrymen have started asking for the
empowerment of women.  They rightly feel that there is no chance for the welfare of the world
unless the condition of women is improved.  It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing,
they say.  Great men like Swami Vivekanand, Gandhi ji, Raja Rammohan Roy and Ishwar
Chander Vidyasagar have also been championing the cause of greater rights and a better status to
women.  With the march of civilization, several women have come to occupy prominent
positions of strength and status on their own merit.  Some of these names worth mentioning are
those of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Sirimavo Bandaranaika,, Chandrika Kumaratunger, Golda Meir,
Margaret Thatcher, Kiran Bedi, Kalpana Chawla, Nisha sharma, etc. These women have already
done their country and their society proud. But they form only a microscopic minority.
                Several efforts have been made in free India to give a better status to the women folk
in the country.  Some of these steps are a programme of support to Training cum Employment of
Women (STEP) launched in 1987.  Swayamsidha launched in March 2001, Swa-Shakti Project
launched in October 1998 and the Anti- Dowry Act.  But all these steps have proved inadequate. 
The amendment of the Constitution (73and 74) by the Parliament giving representation to
women on the local bodies (Pachayats and Municipal bodies) has certainly made some mark. 
Women are now entering politics in large numbers.
                The bill regarding the 33 percent reservation of seats for women in the State
Assemblies and the Parliament is still pending On one pretext or the other, it is being put off the
successive governments. It remains, will the empowerment of women really changes their status?
Some people believe that it may improve the status of women but what is required is a change in
the social attidude lowers the fair sex.  A lot could also be achieved through education rather
than reservation.  Women have marching ahead.  No power can stop them now.  Do they really
need empowerment through laws, this remains a million dollar question?
Essay No. 02
Empowerment of Women
Prior to International Women’s Day on 8th March, World Rural Women Day was celebrated
sometime back on a subdued note. However, in Haryana, an important thing happened when the
Chief Minister announced at a seminar in Chandigarh that cooperative societies for procurement
of milk would be set up in each village of Haryana to enable farmers to enhance their income.
This was a very good announcement.
However, the important thing to be noted was that the women from certain areas from Punjab,
Haryana and Himachal Pradesh at the seminar expressed great satisfaction with the cooperatives
which already were in operation. Thus, they could easily sell milk from their cattle at
competitive rates and add to the earning of their families. This instance shows that rural women
may be illiterate, still they can do a lot for themselves and their families if they are provided an
opportunity.
There are innumerable suggestions laid down for empowerment of women. One of them is that
certificates-issued by all educational institution and universities should bear the name of mother
along with father. Similarly, for recruitment to any post in any office, government or private, the
application form should have a column for the name of mother apart from that of father. Another
suggestion is that women should always write their maiden name also while writing their name
after marriage.
At present, we find women making remarkable progress in every field of life. They outshine
boys in school, college and university examinations. They are found in all professions such as
teaching, medicine, engineering, law, management, business, administration, etc. It must,
however, be admitted that the number of women who hold high posts is not large. Most of the
women in rural and slum areas are still poor, illiterate and superstitious.
Women are still being exploited and persecuted. Crimes against women have greatly increased.
There are innumerable cases of molestation, rape and bride burning. They are discriminated
against even in recruitment services, promotes, etc. According to law one woman is a must in
every panachayat, and some municipal and legislature constituencies are reserved for women.
But actually it is the woman panch or legislator’s husband who wields all the power in the name.
of his wife. Women are given relaxation in the matter of income tax which is a very good sign
for the uplifting of women. However, 33 per cent reservations for women in all fields, is still a
far Cry. Women need more empowerment to enable them to assert themselves. Let them also
show more boldness and self-confidence.
Meanwhile, there are already several major policy initiatives, schemes and laws for the
empowerment of women. These are National Commission for Women (NCW), Rashtriya Mahila
Kosh (RMK) Kishori Shakti Yojna (KSY), Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG),
Support of Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP); Rural Women
Development and Empowerment Project (RWDEP), Dowry Prohibition. Act, The Immoral
(Prevention) Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Harassment of
Women at the Work Places Bill, etc.