IAS Main Exam - Essay: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY by Marxe Kalaimani

IAS Main Exam

Model Essay Question

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY 

One day, two person started cutting trees with their iron axes. They challenged each other on who would cut down more in a particular time. The first person started felling trees continuously without gap. The second person, who is physically less strong than the first, did that in different way. He cut the trees for one hour and during another one hour he spends time on sharpening the axe and on recouping his body strength by taking rest. At end of the day the second person won the challenge despite he spent less time on his work.

Work and Play – Not Mutually Exclusive

In the above story, the second  person succeeded because his sharpened axe accelerated the speed of felling trees. Likewise good play which refreshes our body and mind will not detrimental to your work.

By generally accepted view, work is set of activities which earns livelihood, and play is a set of activities which is physical and mental in nature, gives entertainment and stress relief. If you think playing is mutually exclusive to working, you are wrong. Successful people give priority to work and play equally. Lazy people would find justification by saying “I have lot of works, how can I play with the little time I have to rest?” actually they don’t understand that playing will enhance the ability to work. If you can find time in between your work to play, you can keep your body healthy and it will refresh our mind.

‘Rest’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Being Idle’

Yes, we would be tire after our work. We may well think that being idle for some time will recoup our strength. It is not so. Being idle will not bring enthusiasm back. Instead, it will pull us down further to be idle. Rather a small game we like, can make us more enthusiastic.

Playing Work

If we consider our work as ‘playing’, we won’t get tired. Would it be boring to you to pursue your hobby? If ‘painting’ is your hobby, you would love to paint all the day, wont you? Like that our work won’t be a burden if we do our work  enthusiastically as we do our hobby. Most of the people who are working in corporate find their jobs ‘boring’ after two to three years of joining. The reason is that they fail to do their work as playing or to strike a balance between working & playing.

In this globalised world, increasing competition among companies do more harm to employees. They are prevented from having a quality time for playing or to spend time with their family. This increases the stress and affects on the very health of the employees. So he/she become unproductive, which is detrimental to company’s growth so as to country’s growth. It is very essential t stop this vicious cycle by keeping workforce ‘Playful’.

Playing Studies

Mere bookish study is not as effective as practical studies. Playful practical learning is effective learning. In this competitive world, schools and colleges have become workshops that manufacture workforce for industries. They don’t bother about all round development of the children. Parents too especially from middle class family impose more mark scoring study into the minds of children. Because, they need to ensure a job for their children. They rarely allow their children to play. The result is obesity. India which is having more malnourished and stunted children also has considerable number of obese children. Other benefits of playing include mitigating the effects of pollution. We are living amidst dusts and heavy metal containing air from industries. Those heavy metals are dangerous to our health. Sweat coming out of our body can eject out heavy metals from our body. Thus playing gets importance for children living in industrial environment.

The most complicated machine in our world is nothing but our body. God has given the suitable environment on earth to nourish our body. Unfortunately our seventh sense has been destroying slowly our ambience. In this contest, playing becomes very important for our all round development. So, we can contribute more productively to the growth of our nation.  

Author: Marxe Kalaimani

He can be contacted at https://plus.google.com/111323365230361428581

UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examinations 2014: Results declared

 Important dates:

Personality Test for these candidates is likely to commence from April 27
First batch of e-Summon letter will be made available on the UPSC's website from April 18
PT Venue: Office of the Union Public Service Commission at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road,New Delhi-110069

Check with the following link for for the result:

 http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/written-results/csm/2014/csm_2014_Result_WQ.pdf 

IAS interview - International relations - By Mr. P. Kanagaraj

Education Plus » Careers

Published: April 5, 2015 17:37 IST | Updated: April 5, 2015 17:37 IST April 5, 2015

International relations and the IAS interview

P. Kanagaraj

AP

A UN Security Council meeting in progress.

Global issues and concerns are favourite topics of interview panels. So prepare well on these counts.

The arena of international politics occupies a significant place in the landscape of civil services exam personal interview. The board tends to ask questions on international issues and trends as part of general studies, current affairs or as academic pursuit of the candidates. Whenever the interviewees prefer Indian Foreign Service as a career choice the interview panel is predisposed to ask questions elaborately on global issues and concerns.

There are five broad areas of focus here: Indian foreign policy, international institutions (WTO, UNO, IMF and World Bank), international problems, international regional organisations (SAARC, ASEAN, EU, NAFTA) and the foreign policy of major powers (United States of America, Peoples Republic of China, Russia, etc).

Indian foreign policy

The interview board seeks to identify the candidates’ understanding of the elements, components and objectives of Indian foreign policy. The candidates must make a SWOT analysis of Indian foreign policy in the landscape of international diplomacy in the contemporary world, especially if students have indicated Indian Foreign Service as the first service option in the main application form. The interview panel is bound to engage more on the diverse issues, concerns, innovations, strategies and problems of Indian foreign policy including Look East Policy, Gujral Doctrine of Non-Reciprocity, Pancha Sheel Principles or Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Look East and Link West Policy, FDI (First Develop India) and modifications in foreign policy under the new government.

India stands at the threshold of a new era of economic growth, military might, science and technology achievements and a largely successful democratic model of governance. Students must analyse the major advantages of India, especially the vital components of its expanding soft power resources. Past panels have asked the candidates to display the array of arguments that can be advocated to demand a place for India in the permanent membership of the Security Council of the United Nations Organization. Candidates can concentrate on preparing arguments such as the expanding economy, second largest population, seventh largest geography, function democracy, impressive military capabilities and equally admirable self-restrained military behaviour, constructive and peace-loving diplomacy and steadfast adherence to the basic charter and objectives of United Nations Organization, greater participation in the numerous peace-keeping operations of UNO in many continents and countries so as to bolster India’s case for a permanent membership of the Security Council.

New terms and concepts

Candidates ought to study comprehensively the new concepts in international policies, economics and relations and such a detailed preparation will pay rich dividends in the written tests of the civil services exam, especially in the General Studies Papers 1 and 2 and General Essay of the main test, too. For example, concepts like Soft State, Overdeveloped State, Failed State, ISIS, Orphan States are debated in the realm of international politics. Last year, the interview panel asked a candidate probing questions on the over powering presence of the military in the democratic political life of Pakistan and in the course of the discursive engagement it asked the candidate a specific factual question as to what is meant by the term “Milbus.”

The candidate answered that the term “Milbus” is a neologism from the combination of two words military and business and was coined by the Pakistani academic Ayesha Siddiqa. It refers to the non-military economic activities of the army which in normal democratic politics will be outside the professional domain of the military falling under the sphere of civil society and the State.

Candidates should concentrate on understanding and analysing the new concepts and doctrines and the opportunities offered through these new concepts can prove to be most fortuitous ones for the candidates.

American policy

The foreign policy of the United States of America has considerable significance in the personal interview of the civil services exam. Pax Americana rules the world in the last two decades after the breaking down of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic and collapse of communism and the nature of its influence in the international system is of utmost importance for interview candidates. The Islamic State, Kobane Battle, Afghanistan crisis, American stand on multilateral environmental conferences, AFPAK policy, Asia Pivot policy, clash of civilization theory, drone attacks in Pakistan, Emerging American Chinese rivalry, American economic slowdown and its repercussions on world economy, energy diplomacy, earlier doctrine of Isolationism, American Russian relations in the contemporary world, Indian American relations in the post-Cold War era are among the plethora of issues and concerns, concepts and strategies that the civil services career aspirants must thoroughly prepare.

International organisations

International organisations and institutions such as the United Nations Organization, International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund and regional international organizations like SAAR, ASEAN, EU, NAFTA play a prominent role in the personality test of the civil services exam. The challenges that each of these organisations grapples with are significant aspects, especially concerning Indian interests and priorities. The panel tends to ask questions on the structural and functional reforms that are needed to be infused into UNO as new issues and forces impinge on its functioning such as deepening environmental crisis, irresolvable North-South inequalities and the demand for the democratisation of global institutions.

The writer is an associate professor of political science at Government Arts College, Coimbatore. He provides free coaching for the civil services exam. Email: iasips2011@gmail.com.

Printable version | Apr 6, 2015 10:13:24 AM | http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/careers/international-relations-and-the-ias-interview/article7068292.ece

© The Hindu

Cracking IAS: The Personal Interview edge

Education Plus » Careers

Published: March 8, 2015 15:32 IST | Updated: March 8, 2015 20:33 IST March 8, 2015

Cracking IPS: The PI edge

P. Kanagaraj

The Hindu

Mock interview

Be your best self at the civil services’ personality interview. Here’s how.

The Union Public Service Commission will soon conduct the personal interview for one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in the country — the civil services exam. Approximately 2,000 candidates will attend the personality test, competing for around 1,000 vacancies in the services included in the civil services category. Though the personal interview carries only 275 marks out of the total 2025, the stakes are very high here as the students can gain decisive edge over others in a relatively short span of twenty to twenty-five minutes. Ideally, the candidates should aim for a score of around 60 to 65 per cent to come out in flying colours in the exam.

The entire civil services exam’s personal interview can be summarised in one question of the board to the candidate — to explain who he is. The panel conducts the interview to identify the intellectual and attitudinal attributes of the candidates, such as grasp of narratives and arguments, reasoning ability, appreciation of different perspectives, range and depth of interests and personal attributes that are relevant for interaction with people.

The interviewees ought to prepare exhaustively about their name, educational subjects and institutions, native district, town and State along with national and international issues. Each word they fill in the data sheet, along with main application form, is a micro reservoir of potential questions that may be asked in the actual interview. Therefore, the candidates should pay meticulous attention to all of them.

Hobbies

The panel asks lots of questions on the hobbies and extracurricular activities of the candidates as mentioned by them in the data summary sheet. When candidates prepare for the civil services exam they have to undergo a rigorous work schedule often for months leading to the main examination.

In this gruelling phase, they need appropriate rest. Hobbies become important here as they provide for the rejuvenation of mind, soul and body. Moreover, the candidates, through productive and profound hobbies, can manoeuvre the course of the interview into their own areas of strength by discussing their hobbies and interests. The students in the past have chosen many hobbies ranging from the mundane ones to extraordinary ones. For example, reading about aliens, interests in wildlife and yoga and meditation were some of the hobbies cited by candidates in the past.

In one instance, a candidate attended the personality interview with an interest in alien life as hobby and the interview panel posed him a cascade of questions that included – Who are aliens? What is the SETI project? What are UFOs and flying saucers? What is the necessity of missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission of ISRO and Curiosity mission of NASA? How would life have evolved on this planet? As he had anticipated these questions, he was thoroughly prepared and therefore answered them impressively.

Educational institutions

The personal interview panel also focuses on the almamater of the candidates. If the candidates have completed their studies in prestigious institutions, the panel invariably questions them comprehensively about the motto, vision, origin, emblem, alumni, distinguished faculty, academic rigour, intra-campus politics and democracy, cultural activities, research contributions, sources and nature of funding, major problems and lacunae etc.

Sports

As the civil services personal interview panel adopts a holistic perspective towards judging the personality of the candidates, it consciously poses questions on sports and games, especially if the candidates have pursued some game or sport in their schools and colleges. Once, a candidate attended the civil services personality test stating that hockey was his hobby and panel spent a considerable portion of the personal interview asking him questions on hockey. He was asked to explain the causes and factors that precipitated the stultification and marginalisation of Indian hockey. As a past player of the game, he explained the multiple factors such as the vertical split in the hockey powerhouse of Punjab due to partition in 1947, emergence of a new breed of hockey called continental hockey or total hockey where stamina and speed are more important than skills and magic of oriental tradition, introduction of artificial and synthetic turf, major alterations in the rules and regulations and architecture of the game that inevitably favoured the western style of hockey. As it was a thoroughgoing analysis of the numerous forces and factors, the board was greatly impressed and the candidate cornered a lion’s share of the interview marks, which enabled him to enter the coveted Indian Administrative Service.

Domicile

The interview panel is likely to ask a plethora of questions on the native town, city and district of the individual candidates. A thorough understanding of politics, economy, society, culture, art and architecture of the domicile of the candidates constitutes a fulcrum of any successful strategy. For example, when a candidate hailing from Bengaluru attended the personal interview a few years back, the panel posed umpteen questions on the contemporary and historical events of the city.

An ideal preparation should cover in a comprehensive manner the multifarious aspects such as salubrious climate, status as IT hub of India, performance of major information technology companies, place of Bengaluru in the cricket landscape of India, various educational institutions of national repute like IISc and IIM, national industrial giants like BEL, scientific institutions like ISRO and problems and challenges in urban governance and Deccan plateau. Similarly, the students hailing from Karnataka in general and Mysuru in particular should prepare on the nomenclature, Mysuru as cultural capital of Karnataka, Cauvery river water dispute, Chamundeswari Temple, Woodaiyar Dynasty, Hyder Ali, Tippu Sultan etc.

General suggestions

Candidates should study objectively their strengths and weakness so that necessary measures for progress can be designed and implemented. They should apply SWOC analysis to test their personality and to identify their strength, weakness, opportunities and challenges and formulate remedial measures in consultation with experts so that the ultimate hurdle of personal interview in the civil services exam can be conquered.

Honesty

The interview panel believes that honesty is an intrinsic and indispensable ingredient for a career in civil services, and, therefore, it looks for a morally clean personality. Students should not indulge in dodging, pretending or vacillating tactics in the personal interview of the civil services exam. Dissembling personalities are just not desirable for a career in civil services. The panel always believes in the maxim that trustworthy personalities will become praiseworthy bureaucrats in the future.

Stress management

During the course of the personality test, the interview panel may begin to fire cumbersome questions and put the candidates under enormous unremitting pressure to see how they handle unfamiliar, embarrassing and psychologically disruptive circumstances. On such occasions, the aspirants should maintain their composure and not succumb to pressure. The interviewee must remember that adversity holds many opportunities and that achievers in all walks of life reached their glorious destinations only in spite of pain and not because of its absence. They need to cultivate a positive outlook and progressive mindset and their strategy should be to hope for the best and be prepared to face the worst.

Luck

There are certain fortuitous circumstances that influence the course and final outcome of the personality test, and any amount of scientific planning and systematic preparation may come to nought if fortune decides to desert us. We have not developed a technology or a philosophy or a methodology that will enable us to achieve mastery over the luck factor, and, therefore, the candidates should be positive and focused without worrying about unforeseen circumstances. Remember that luck is nothing but a fortuitous rendezvous between thorough preparation and tantalising opportunity. Be yourself and be the best of your self.

Dr.P.Kanagaraj is associate professor of Political Science in Government Arts College, Coimbatore. He provides free coaching for civil services exam and conducts mock interviews. Email: iasips2011@gmail.com

UPSC defers civil services results, wants clear stand on Jat quota

• HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
|
• Updated: Mar 27, 2015 19:04 IST

The Union Public Services Commission building, New Delhi

---

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has deferred results of the civil services examination due to the Supreme Court verdict scrapping Jat reservation and has asked the government to take a stand on their exclusion from the OBC quota.
The UPSC declares the results of the Civil Services (Main) Examination in mid-March. This is the second of the three-tier civil services examination to recruit bureaucrats for key civil services including the IAS and the IPS. Only those declared successful at the Main examination are interviewed at the third stage.
The UPSC communication came in the backdrop of Jat leaders lobbying with the government, and the BJP, to take steps to restore the quota benefits. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a 70-member delegation of Jat leaders that the government was studying the verdict and “will try to find a solution to the issue within the legal framework”.
Party sources said finance minister Arun Jaitley would be requested to look into the matter since it involves legal issues as well.
The civil services exam is the first major recruitment examination that would be impacted by the SC verdict striking down last year’s order extending OBC quota benefits for Jats living in 9 states including Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, UP and Delhi.
Sources said the UPSC had primarily approached the government to confirm that Jat candidates — who had applied as OBC candidates — should be treated as general category.
“The matter has been referred to the law ministry for its opinion. The decision will be conveyed in a day or two,” a government source said, indicating that UPSC would be advised to treat Jat community candidates as general category.
In due course, the government would also have to take a call on the fate of Jat candidates who may have been selected on the basis of their new-found OBC status last year.

Tags
• Jat quota
• OBC quota
• UPSC
• Supreme Court
• civil services exam results deferred

Chennai » Columns

Published: March 30, 2015 08:20 IST | Updated: March 30, 2015 08:20 IST March 30, 2015

Do You Know

How to prepare for the Civil Services Examination

THE HINDU

Aaron Israel Jebasingh resigned from IAS after 10 years of service to train young aspirants in Chennai. Photo: M. Vedhan

Are you concerned about the quality of governance in the country? Are you young and aspiring to improve the existing social, economic, infrastructural and civic conditions by contributing to policy decisions on welfare and development with honesty and integrity. One wonderful option is to join All India Services such as the India Administrative Service (IAS) by cracking the Civil Services Examination.

> Around five lakh candidates appear for the examination every year. At least 100 toppers are selected to the IAS. Another 1,200 candidates join other services.

> Graduates or those in the final year of graduation should watch out for the notification in April/May every year in Employment News, a weekly newspaper registered under the PRB Act with RNI, and published since 1975. It is published by the Publications Division of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B).

BEFORE YOU START

Find the cut-off marks for the competitive examination and chalk out a strategy that suits your knowledge. Last year, the cut-off marks for the mains examination was around 600/1,750. Revise what you learnt in school. Focus on reading NCERT books, newspapers and publications of the Publications Division of the I&B ministry.

Need help preparing?

Aspirants can enrol in Tamil Nadu government-run All India Civil Services Coaching Centre on Greenways Road and private coaching centres in CIT Nagar, Anna Nagar and Adyar. Study centres have also been formed in major libraries and employment exchanges.

PREP TIME

One year of intense study after graduation, on average

HOW TO APPLY

> Application can be made online at www.upsconline.nic.in. Detailed instructions on filling up the form are available on the website

> No fee is required from SC/ST/women/physically-challenged candidates. Others have to pay Rs. 100. Various modes of payment are available, as mentioned in the notification

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

> This round has two papers:

Paper 1 with 100 questions carrying two marks each (covers general knowledge)

Paper 2 with 80 questions carrying 2.5 marks each (Civil services aptitude test, with questions in aptitude, reasoning and English) comprehension

There is also negative marking is 0.333

> Last year, the cut-off for general category was 241 out of 400 marks and for the physically-challenged (hearing impaired), it was 163 out of 400.

MAINS EXAMINATION

> Two qualifying papers: English and any of the languages mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Constitution (not for final ranking)

> General Studies papers: four papers of 250 marks each

Paper 1: Indian heritage, culture, history, geography of the world and society

Paper 2: Governance, constitution, polity, social justice and international relations

Paper 3: Technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management

Paper 4: Ethics, integrity and aptitude

One optional subject: Two papers of 250 marks each

General essay paper with two essays of 1,000-1,200 words each

> Last year, the mains cut-off for general category was 564 out of 1,750 marks, and for the physically-challenged (hearing impaired), it was 410 out of 1,750

> The interview carries 275 marks. It is a test of the candidate’s personality

> The cut-off for the finals, last year, was 775 out of 2,025 marks for general category, and 613 for the physically-challenged (hearing impaired)

> Usually, the preliminary exam is conducted on the 3 Sunday of August

> The mains exam is conducted during December, every year

> The interview is held after May every year

Expert speak

There seem to be fewer candidates for sensible policy making. Motivated candidates should start preparation for the exam at least one year ahead by shaping their personality and widening their knowledge base. Chennai offers aspirants a lot of opportunities to learn – Aeron Israel Jebasingh, IAS (Mr. Jebasingh resigned from IAS after 10 years of service to train young aspirants in Chennai)

---------------------

Compiled by Aloysius Xavier Lopez

Write to us at chennaidesk@thehindu.co.in. Ping us at our Twitter handle @ChennaiConnect

Printable version | Apr 3, 2015 10:03:48 AM | http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/how-to-prepare-for-the-civil-services-examination/article7045881.ece

© The Hindu

Words are stronger than two edged knife

One can damage the enemy with the every move of two edged sword.  For the soldier going to war, two edged sword is not alone sufficient to make him kill others. He needs inspirations to do it. He needs to be informed the purpose of the war with the carefully codified words for the purpose. Proper use of words can accomplish greater tasks which are not achievable by strength of armies and navies. Words can be used in both ways of negative and positive. If we look at history, words have been used to either create social orders and peace or to destroy the order and peace.

The writings of Rousseau and others inspired  great number of masses that led to French revolution, which familiarized the idea of freedom and liberty. Words were positively used by Rousseau. Contrary words were used by Mario Antoinette, the French queen at that time, in negative way which angered the same French people. When hungry people of France asked bread she replied sarcastically, “if they don’t have bread, let them have cake”. This statement angered the French people. The words of monarch could not prevent the revolution.

First world war could have been averted, if they handled words more diplomatically. After the French defeat by Germany, Germany took over the French parts of Alsace and Lorraine. France was treated badly by Germany. This happened in the course of Germany unification. This instilled a sense of revenge in French people. After first world war, the arrangements were done to create the platform to share and rectify the diplomatic disputes by creating League of Nations. But, this was a failure for variety of reasons.

Indian Nationalism and Gandhi

Freedom fighters along with Mahatma Gandhi were able to mobilize great number of masses only by writings and speeches. They had no swords and guns but their sharper words driven away the British from India. India had plenty of social problems more than today. The sharper words of social reformists  slayed the ills of the society.

During the inter war period, antisemitism was preached by Hitler. He was quite successful in it. He mobilized large number of Germans to support his attempt to eliminate Jews. His words had done a negative thing that will affect the peace of the society.

Its all about use of words

After second world war, world powers learnt their lessons and created a updated International Platform to address the issues between the nations in name of ‘Unite Nations’. Its purpose was all about brain washing the countries to not to opt for swords (War) but for words (diplomatic dialogue)

Nelson Mandela of South Africa was in prison for 27 years. He had no swords, but his sharper words made him powerful. Later his policy of non-violence and forgiveness towards whites helped South Africa to become one of the emerging economies.

Choice between word and sword

After independence, conflicts between India and Pakistan seem never ending. Every time if there was clash between two armies along line of control, they would stop the dialogue process, only to resume it after one year. Dialogue (Word) and war (Swords) have been chosen alternatively by the two countries. But now the two countries are having nuclear weapons which can devastate both the nations. Both nations should opt out dialogue process for the greater benefit of two nations which are having so many common problems.

Words can create revolutions

We can hear the words like “Arab spring, umbrella revolutions”. What are they? These pro-democracy revolutions organized by young people of those countries only by sharing words in the social media like Face book, Twitter. Now a days these sites are used by various pressure groups to mobilize support for various course.

In this globalised and polluted world the role of words and consensus achievable by it among countries are very essential for the very survival of biosphere on earth. Because of emission of green house gasses, the potential climate change is waiting to show its monster face. International dialogue process to avert the climate change is essential in this hour, so that every country will reduce its green house gas emissions in the future. No swords can be invented for the purpose. Thus the utility of words is broader than sword.

We have international groupings for all our common problems to make census by words, which cannot be achievable by swords (Domination). The use of words is not only sharper and stronger, but also desirable one in this globalised world to maintain peace.  

*******

Authour: Marxe Kalaimani

What is heavy water?

Heavy water is a form of water that contains more deuterium( an isotope of hydrogen) than normal water. Chemical name of heavy water  is deuterium di oxide (D₂O). Deuterium is symbolised as D or ²H . All water has some traces of heavy water.

Properties

• Boiling point:     101.4⁰C   
• Freezing point:   3.82⁰C
• Density:               1.1056 g/s.cm  
• PH :                       7.43

**  all are Slightly higher than light water**

Effects on living beings

• Affects cell metabolism as deuterium dioxide bond is stronger than hydrogen bond 
• Stops eukaryotic cell division
• Reduces the plant growth (more than 50% of D₂O )
• Bacteria can live in heavy water upto 98% D₂O
• more than 20 % D₂O will adversely affect the human health

NUCLEAR REACTORS IN INDIA & FEATURES

India has 21 nuclear reactors in 7 nuclear plants in different states.

1. Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS)
2. Rajasthan Atomic Power station (RAPS)
3. Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS)
4. Kaiga Generating Station
5. Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS)
6. Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS)
7. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP)

Additional units are being constructed at Kudankulam, Rajasthan and kakrapar.

The types of Nuclear reactors and its features are as follows.

Reactor	PHWR  (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor)	BWR (Boiling water Reactor)	FBR (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor)	AHWR (Advanced Heavy Water Reactor)	WWER (Water water energetic reactor)
Remarks	Also called as CANDU – (Canada Deuterium Uranium Reactor)	Light water nuclear reactor	Fast neutron reactor. So FBR don’t have moderator	Next  generation PHWR	Similar to US’s PWR.
Fuel	Natural uranium	Enriched uranium	Mixed fuel –(Plutonium blended with natural uranium)	Thorium	Enriched uranium
Moderator	Deuterium  oxide (heavy water)	Demineralised water. (at 75 atm)	No moderator	Heavy water	Light water
Coolant	Heavy water (see "What is Heavy water?" post to know more)		Sodium	Heavy water	Light water
Power generation	Primary loop containing pressurized heavy water exchanges heat with the light water system(secondary loop) that drives the turbine.	Coolant system provides steam which drives the turbine.	Primary sodium loop + secondary light water loops	Like PHWR	Pressurized water  primary  loop transfers heat to light water system which drives the turbine.
in operation/ construction	Kaiga* Kakarapur Kalpakkam Narora Tarapur  Kota	Tarapur	Kalpakkam (Prototype FBR -To demonstrate the techno economic viability of fast breeder reactor. Additional one is being constructed.		Kudankulam
Planned	Gorakhpur * Chutka  Mahi banswara Kaiga	Kovvada – (ESBWR - Economically simplified boiling water reactor)		Site to be decided.	Kudankulam

 

*Kakrapar –Gujarat,                                         

 Kalpakkam – Chennai ,

Narora – UP

Tarapur – Maharashtra,

Kaiga – Karnataka

Gorakhpur – Haryana

Chutka – Madhya Pradesh

Banswara ,Kota – Rajasthan

Kovvada – Andhra Pradesh.

Kudankulam - Tamil Nadu

Charli Hebdo attack: the echo of “I am Charlie”

Charli Hebdo attack: the echo of “I am Charlie”

Info Box

Name	Charlie Hebdo
What is it?	A satirical magazine in France
Why it makes news?	Publication of controversial cartoons or being satirical l
Why it is in news recently?	An attack on its office in France on January 7, 2015
When it all began?	In 2006, publishing a controversial cartoon on Prophet Mohamed
Why it matters now?	An attack on its office by Islamist gun men meant to be an attack on ‘Freedom of expression’.
Who are the victims?	Editor, staff of Charli Hebdo
Who are the perpetrators?	Islamist terrorist having allegiance to AQA
India’s response	India has condemned the attack
Franc’s response	Tightened the security, gunned down the perpetrators and people in large number expressing their support for the attacked magazine.
Connection	Charli Hebdo published a Danish’s cartoon depicting prophet Mohamed
Extremist’s view	Should not have depicted prophet Mohamed in the cartoon in such a way it hurt the religious feeling of Islam
Defender’s view	Democracy has freedom of speech as a central pillar and one should not attack on it
The middle path view	All though one has freedom to express in a democratic set up, one has to be conscious in her/his in exercising this freedom so as to not to create ethical issues in free expression

Discussion:

Almost all constitutional governments have ‘ freedom of speech’ assured to its citizen with some sort of rational restrictions. This restrictive part over freedom of speech by any form of legal government poses many question from time to time. It’s often in to controversial notion when free speech is condemned, it arises a detailed look out on free speech and ethical issues involved in it.

The legality of freedom of speech, for everyone, is a natural law beyond any doubt. The controversial expression on privacy, public life, customs and traditions are lightly taken, even thought, at times, it may appear controversial. The reason behind this “slight approach” is  clearly understood when one think of the present day’s world as a ‘Global Village’ – countries across the continent beginning to merge in all walks of life. This scenario presents a ‘true challenge’ to the home country where the changes due to assimilation of people. As a result of the this, inter-continental and inter-racial and mixtures  are apparent. These changes appear to be dominant in due course. If the particular change is positive, people right away accept it. If not, they resist it. It is the later – resistance to change are put to hard criticism if it comes in the way of religion.Often the changes are adjusted with dissent. It would not provoke large scale of violence. It won’t take anti-social elements fighting against the society or government.

For instance, the dress code in India for girls may be concerned. The radicalisms and a section of liberals would want the girls to be dressed as they like.  On the contrary, the conservatives would argue that the modern westernised dresses for girls is indignity to our Indian culture.

The argument for both section is still existing. It is likely to continue even with modern upgraded views, as our time goes on. Clearly, if one takes cognisance here, neither section of the argument take arms to win over their argument.  And neither the liberals nor the conservatives take path of violence to resolve their part of rights. So it continues as a topic under Indian culture. And the issue of dress code for the girls, surely is going to be  a topic for discussion for the years to come. Is  anything missing here? Yes, of course, why don’t this new age’s freedom fighters discuss on men’s dress code. Observe silence.

Before taking up a view, let us illustrate a few instances where freedom of expression and its proponents put in a lot of struggle to fight back their right to speak freely. Arunthathi Roy, social activist and the author of God of small things claims to a question in BBC podcasts that India is not really growing and the caste paradox still exist. And her views on far right groups and Gandhi are critical that they brought her many protest.

Sulman Rushdi is acclaimed writer, his remarks often turn controversial and people protest against him. Tasleema Nasren is another example where she had to obtain Indian citizenship to stay out of Bangladesh on account of her controversial book ‘Lajja’.

Wendy’s book, “Hinduism: an alternate history” caused the Hindu far right group to protest. And in its aggressive form the group made copies of the book withdrawn. Another famous Tamil writer Perumal Murugan, was put to hard criticism for his noval ‘Madhuorubhagam’.  Of course he was supported by many for his free speech. Charlie Hebdo attack in France is a recent testimony to the danger that the freedom of expression faces.

Now, let us take a final view on when the freedom of expression takes a violent form. Clearly, going by the news digest and reports one can conclude in observation the freedom of speech is at danger when the particular expression has particular relation to a religious faith. The end result is in violent form if that particular expression offends religious sentiments as the claimant’s argue.

At the end of  the day, every one has to realise that changes are welcome as a result of free speech. If the free speech brings ‘peace and love’ the same has to be fought and prevailed at any cost. 

Munchausen syndrome

The affected person exaggerates or create symptoms of illness in themselves/own child to gain attention,examination,treatment,sympathy and comfort from medical personnel.

Also known as "hospital addiction syndrome".

Named after Baron von munchausen, 18th century german officer who would tell fantastic and impossible stories about himself. 

 Possible Causes

•  History of  abuse or neglect as a child
•  History of illness requiring hospitalisation

Diagnosing is very difficult because of the dishonesty that is involved. Doctors must rule out any possible physical and mental illnesses,and often use a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures before considering diagnosis for munchausen syndrome.

Burning baby - a case of munchausen syndrome ??!

 SMART SYRINGE

The key features 

•    All components will be interlocked after use.The user can't pull the plunger back. So no one can use it for the second time. So the chances of spreading of infectious diseases will be reduced.

•   Automatically retracting needle that retracts back into the plunger only when the complete injection of medicine has occured. So this protects healthcare workers from deadly infections caused by accidental needle sticks.

Before injection

After injection

WHO calls the world nations to transition to the use of Smart syringes  (Click here ).