Bend It Like Beckham Free Essays

Field Experience A feedback on the movie â€Å"Bend it like Beckham† ——-From the perspective of Cross-cultural communication : : :201120327 :2011? 10? 11? A feedback on the movie â€Å"Bend it like Beckham† ——-From the perspective of Cross-cultural communication Abstract: Based on the English movie â€Å"Bend It like Beckham†, this paper is going to reveal the cultural phenomenon hidden in this story. Divided into three parts, this paper mainly makes an analysis on two aspects, one is religion, and another is family culture. Finally, the author points out: it is very important for people of different cultures to understand and respect each other. We will write a custom essay sample on Bend It Like Beckham or any similar topic only for you Order Now Thus, a peaceful and harmonious world would be around us! 1. Introduction and analysis of the movie: Before the 1980s, African culture and Asian culture got terrible restriction in UK, however, after the 1980s; a large number of movies that describe immigrants’ life have emerged in film industry in England. Bend It like Beckham† is such a movie, which borrows cultural and racial difference between England and India, reflects how the two cultures co-exist and accept each other in a hard procedure As the immigrant of the second generation, Jess, a girl with talent to be a football player, shows her great admiration to Beckham,hoping, one day, she can play for England with Beckham shoulder by shoulder, while her mother believes that Jess has two great duties in life: to learn to prepare a complete Indian meal, and to marry a nice Indian boy. However, Jess never wants to be a housewife who can only cook. Jess’ love of soccer crosses over into a love of life. She runs onto the field as if simply at play, in her eyes’, football is not one part of aboard culture,but a natural thing in her living environment,however, it was not included in her clan and family culture,therefore, what she has to confront is the strait of the cultural conflicts caused by two co-existing culture. In fact, â€Å"Bend It like Beckham† is a product of cultural clash. One day, Jess was playing soccer with boys in the park; Of course, an Indian girl should not play soccer at all, since in her mother’s mind the game consists of â€Å"displaying your bare legs to complete strangers. † Jess is seen in the park by Juliette, who plays for the Hounslow Harriers, a woman’s team, and is recruited to join them. The coach is a young Irishman named Joe. Although she deceives her parents about her join into the football team, she loves them and understands their point of view. The cultural conflict is still upgrading when Jess falls in love with her coach,, which is undoubtedly an earthquake for Indian family, but, at the end of this movie, we can feel hope, the two family members shake their hands together, and Jess’s boyfriend begin to play cricket together. It seems that, English people are being accepted by Indian family. And the old Indian people get out from the dark shadow in their heart. Historically speaking, India was the colony of England for a long time, English people usually were gentlemen, but they look down upon Indian people. Jess’s father was a excellent cricket player, owing to cultural diffusion,he lost the chance to play cricket , fortunately, Jess got her family’s support and realized her father’s dream. Then, in the following part, I will give a detailed analysis about cultural differences under the influence of two different tradition and religion, 2. Cultural analysis 2. 1. Culture and family Although, a culture’s core values and world view derive primarily from its predominant religious view and cultural history, the family is the primary caretaker of these views and values and transmits them to new members of the culture. In this story, there are two families, the representatives of the two cultures, one is the ordinary England family, observed from the surface, and it is an open, modern, and fashioned family. However, In this story, Juliette’s mother misreads Jess and Juliette’s friendship as lesbian, so painful that she cried secretly, according to her attitude toward lesbian, we will realize English people is conservative in soul. The other one is an emigrate family from India, Indian parents are strict and traditional, they have strong religious belief. Which indicate what kind of Jess’s family is. As expected, it is incredible and unsupportable for a girl playing football. Family gives children knowledge about their historical background, information regarding the permanent nature of their culture, and specific behaviors, customs, traditions, and language associated with their ethnic or cultural group. In short, the family tells us, and others, who we are and what groups we are part of. ( K. A. Ocampo, 1993, 106). So next, I will render the different interaction pattern in English family and Indian family from two aspects: gender role and individualism- collectivism 2. . 1. gender role In India, males are usually considered the superior sex, as Samovar points out, men make most of the important decisions, inheriantance is through the male line, and a woman lives in her husband’s village after she marries. (Samovar, 2000,). Therefore, in India, boys give much freedom of expression than the girls, and girls are asked to help with the chores that keep the family functionin g. However, in British, women usually have the equal right as man does in family life, even in social activity. 2. 1. 2. ndividualism and collectivism Individualism and collectivism are learned through the family, which teaches children whom they must obey and who the dominant figures are in their life. In this movie, the Juliette from English nuclear family is much more self-reliant and self-responsible than Jess who from Indian Family, because, India is a typical country of extended family, people in India, share property, all material possession, food, work and love, perform religious rituals together, and often live under the same roof. There is a scene in this movie: when her sister’s would-be parents-in-law discovered her intimate behavior with Juliette whom was mistaken for a English boy,. Just because of Jess’s so-called â€Å"shameful behavior†, they break off her son’s engagement with Jess’s family according this story, it’s not difficult to get conclusion that India family is a typical collectivism; one people’s thing is the thing of the whole family. 2. 2. Culture and Religion: In this movie, you will find lots of religious elements in the story, to some extent, cross-religious communication is the cross-cultural communication. When religion jumps to life it displays a startling quality. It takes over. All else, while not silenced, becomes subdued and thrown into a supporting role†¦It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed journey across the jungles, peaks, and deserts of the human spirit (H. Smith, 1991, P9). So, from differ ent religions, we can understand different people’s spiritual and psychological needs or their behavior and habits, here, taking the Sikhism as example, we will have a better understanding of Jess’s family, Sikhs, followers of the Sikh religion, centered in Punjab State, in northwestern India. Sikhism is an ethical monotheism fusing elements of Hinduism and Islam. It was founded around 1950s, In Jess’s family’s living room is a large portrait of a Sikh spiritual leader, called Nanak, but above Jess’s bed is her own inspiration–the British soccer superstar David Beckham, and there is a distinctive contrast between Indian traditional belief and modern British cultural shock. According this story, it’s not difficult to get conclusion that it is incredible for Indian people to get married with a pagan or people without same belief, but, in British, Christianity is the dominant world view. In this land, it is not a easy job to infuse with the native Indian Sikh religion, and vice versa. Conclusion England is the birthplace of modern football game, English people’s enthusiasm to football caused football culture’s coming into being, which exactly stands for the national culture. While India is a country of dances and songs. The scene of Indian jolly wedding with dance and song in this movie is just the epitome of Indian culture. Young people always can accept new things easily, in this movie; it is the two girls who play the role of fusion of two cultures. There indeed are some cultural shocks during people’s communication around the world, no matter which aspect it is, religion, ethnic, family or something else. Now that we live in the same earth, it is very important for people of different cultures to understand and respect each other. Thus, a peaceful and harmonious world would be around us! References [1]. K. A. Ocampo, M. Bernal, G. P. Knight, (1993) â€Å"Gender, Race, and Ethnicity: The Sequencing of Social Constrancies,† New York: New York Press. [2]. Samovar, A. l. , Porter, R. E. , Stefani, A. L. (2000) Communication Between Cultures(Third Edition). Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press [3]. H. Smith, (1991)The World’s Religions. New York: HarperCollins. How to cite Bend It Like Beckham, Essay examples Bend It Like Beckham Free Essays Field Experience A feedback on the movie â€Å"Bend it like Beckham† ——-From the perspective of Cross-cultural communication : : :201120327 :2011? 10? 11? A feedback on the movie â€Å"Bend it like Beckham† ——-From the perspective of Cross-cultural communication Abstract: Based on the English movie â€Å"Bend It like Beckham†, this paper is going to reveal the cultural phenomenon hidden in this story. Divided into three parts, this paper mainly makes an analysis on two aspects, one is religion, and another is family culture. Finally, the author points out: it is very important for people of different cultures to understand and respect each other. We will write a custom essay sample on Bend It Like Beckham or any similar topic only for you Order Now Thus, a peaceful and harmonious world would be around us! 1. Introduction and analysis of the movie: Before the 1980s, African culture and Asian culture got terrible restriction in UK, however, after the 1980s; a large number of movies that describe immigrants’ life have emerged in film industry in England. Bend It like Beckham† is such a movie, which borrows cultural and racial difference between England and India, reflects how the two cultures co-exist and accept each other in a hard procedure As the immigrant of the second generation, Jess, a girl with talent to be a football player, shows her great admiration to Beckham,hoping, one day, she can play for England with Beckham shoulder by shoulder, while her mother believes that Jess has two great duties in life: to learn to prepare a complete Indian meal, and to marry a nice Indian boy. However, Jess never wants to be a housewife who can only cook. Jess’ love of soccer crosses over into a love of life. She runs onto the field as if simply at play, in her eyes’, football is not one part of aboard culture,but a natural thing in her living environment,however, it was not included in her clan and family culture,therefore, what she has to confront is the strait of the cultural conflicts caused by two co-existing culture. In fact, â€Å"Bend It like Beckham† is a product of cultural clash. One day, Jess was playing soccer with boys in the park; Of course, an Indian girl should not play soccer at all, since in her mother’s mind the game consists of â€Å"displaying your bare legs to complete strangers. † Jess is seen in the park by Juliette, who plays for the Hounslow Harriers, a woman’s team, and is recruited to join them. The coach is a young Irishman named Joe. Although she deceives her parents about her join into the football team, she loves them and understands their point of view. The cultural conflict is still upgrading when Jess falls in love with her coach,, which is undoubtedly an earthquake for Indian family, but, at the end of this movie, we can feel hope, the two family members shake their hands together, and Jess’s boyfriend begin to play cricket together. It seems that, English people are being accepted by Indian family. And the old Indian people get out from the dark shadow in their heart. Historically speaking, India was the colony of England for a long time, English people usually were gentlemen, but they look down upon Indian people. Jess’s father was a excellent cricket player, owing to cultural diffusion,he lost the chance to play cricket , fortunately, Jess got her family’s support and realized her father’s dream. Then, in the following part, I will give a detailed analysis about cultural differences under the influence of two different tradition and religion, 2. Cultural analysis 2. 1. Culture and family Although, a culture’s core values and world view derive primarily from its predominant religious view and cultural history, the family is the primary caretaker of these views and values and transmits them to new members of the culture. In this story, there are two families, the representatives of the two cultures, one is the ordinary England family, observed from the surface, and it is an open, modern, and fashioned family. However, In this story, Juliette’s mother misreads Jess and Juliette’s friendship as lesbian, so painful that she cried secretly, according to her attitude toward lesbian, we will realize English people is conservative in soul. The other one is an emigrate family from India, Indian parents are strict and traditional, they have strong religious belief. Which indicate what kind of Jess’s family is. As expected, it is incredible and unsupportable for a girl playing football. Family gives children knowledge about their historical background, information regarding the permanent nature of their culture, and specific behaviors, customs, traditions, and language associated with their ethnic or cultural group. In short, the family tells us, and others, who we are and what groups we are part of. ( K. A. Ocampo, 1993, 106). So next, I will render the different interaction pattern in English family and Indian family from two aspects: gender role and individualism- collectivism 2. . 1. gender role In India, males are usually considered the superior sex, as Samovar points out, men make most of the important decisions, inheriantance is through the male line, and a woman lives in her husband’s village after she marries. (Samovar, 2000,). Therefore, in India, boys give much freedom of expression than the girls, and girls are asked to help with the chores that keep the family functionin g. However, in British, women usually have the equal right as man does in family life, even in social activity. 2. 1. 2. ndividualism and collectivism Individualism and collectivism are learned through the family, which teaches children whom they must obey and who the dominant figures are in their life. In this movie, the Juliette from English nuclear family is much more self-reliant and self-responsible than Jess who from Indian Family, because, India is a typical country of extended family, people in India, share property, all material possession, food, work and love, perform religious rituals together, and often live under the same roof. There is a scene in this movie: when her sister’s would-be parents-in-law discovered her intimate behavior with Juliette whom was mistaken for a English boy,. Just because of Jess’s so-called â€Å"shameful behavior†, they break off her son’s engagement with Jess’s family according this story, it’s not difficult to get conclusion that India family is a typical collectivism; one people’s thing is the thing of the whole family. 2. 2. Culture and Religion: In this movie, you will find lots of religious elements in the story, to some extent, cross-religious communication is the cross-cultural communication. When religion jumps to life it displays a startling quality. It takes over. All else, while not silenced, becomes subdued and thrown into a supporting role†¦It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed journey across the jungles, peaks, and deserts of the human spirit (H. Smith, 1991, P9). So, from differ ent religions, we can understand different people’s spiritual and psychological needs or their behavior and habits, here, taking the Sikhism as example, we will have a better understanding of Jess’s family, Sikhs, followers of the Sikh religion, centered in Punjab State, in northwestern India. Sikhism is an ethical monotheism fusing elements of Hinduism and Islam. It was founded around 1950s, In Jess’s family’s living room is a large portrait of a Sikh spiritual leader, called Nanak, but above Jess’s bed is her own inspiration–the British soccer superstar David Beckham, and there is a distinctive contrast between Indian traditional belief and modern British cultural shock. According this story, it’s not difficult to get conclusion that it is incredible for Indian people to get married with a pagan or people without same belief, but, in British, Christianity is the dominant world view. In this land, it is not a easy job to infuse with the native Indian Sikh religion, and vice versa. Conclusion England is the birthplace of modern football game, English people’s enthusiasm to football caused football culture’s coming into being, which exactly stands for the national culture. While India is a country of dances and songs. The scene of Indian jolly wedding with dance and song in this movie is just the epitome of Indian culture. Young people always can accept new things easily, in this movie; it is the two girls who play the role of fusion of two cultures. There indeed are some cultural shocks during people’s communication around the world, no matter which aspect it is, religion, ethnic, family or something else. Now that we live in the same earth, it is very important for people of different cultures to understand and respect each other. Thus, a peaceful and harmonious world would be around us! References [1]. K. A. Ocampo, M. Bernal, G. P. Knight, (1993) â€Å"Gender, Race, and Ethnicity: The Sequencing of Social Constrancies,† New York: New York Press. [2]. Samovar, A. l. , Porter, R. E. , Stefani, A. L. (2000) Communication Between Cultures(Third Edition). Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press [3]. H. Smith, (1991)The World’s Religions. New York: HarperCollins. How to cite Bend It Like Beckham, Papers

Quintessential Kelly Essay Sample free essay sample

Andrew Kelly has been employed by the Wearever Tire and Rubber Company for more than 25 old ages. Kelly is. despite his long service. merely 43 old ages of age. He began employment in the mail room right after high school. received several publicities. and was. at the age of 21 transferred to the recognition section. Kelly has been at that place of all time since and is now the senior employee in the section of 60 people. Kelly is the quintessential â€Å"valuable employee. † His trueness to the company has neer wavered or been questioned. His attending and promptness records are virtually without defect. He is a consistent worker. though. â€Å"no mastermind. † and has efficient work wonts that merely old ages of service bring to a adult male of his kind. Kelly is friendly but non gregarious. He makes no moving ridges. and when he sees a job. he takes attention of it without remark. We will write a custom essay sample on Quintessential Kelly Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Kelly was frequently portrayed by his supervisors and co-workers as a â€Å"good soldier. † Robert Bennington. who had been recognition director for 26 old ages. has announced his retirement. Management is now faced with the job of choosing his replacing. This is no easy undertaking since Bennington and Kelly have been good friends for many old ages. The retiring director has. as would be expected. recommended that his friend Kelly replace him. Top direction. nevertheless. long ago pegged Kelly as â€Å"not good direction stuff. † While the people who originally rated Kelly have long since retired. the present direction merely believes Kelly is non aggressive plenty to be the effectual leader of 59 other workers. Furthermore. a younger adult male with five old ages of experience in recognition has caught management’s oculus. Mike Fitzmaurice is 30 old ages old and â€Å"looks similar direction stuff. † Too. he outclasses Kelly in instruction with an accounting grade from a outstanding school of concern. along with some extra work toward an MBA. From the start. Fitzmaurice has been a Wearever â€Å"junior executive† in the company’s preparation plan. He appears to do up for his limited experience with thrust and originality. Peoples atWearever seem to believe he can â€Å"go far. † Top direction would wish to advance Fitzmaurice to the place of recognition director but frights that the senior employee. Kelly. might be so pained that his effectivity as a hard-working employee would be diminished. There is besides an component of management’s looking thankless for Kelly’s old ages of service. Other employees might come to believe that service counts for nil. Wearever. like many other big houses. has rewarded worker length of service with a bundle of benefits. inducements and frequently publicity. The retirement of the recognition director has forced the issue. Wearever must now make up ones mind on old dependable Kelly. or the bright fledgling Fitzmaurice. Case Questions: 1. Should the company promote Kelly on the footing of senior status and dependability. What are the hazards if it does? What are the hazards if it doesn’t? 2. What options exist beyond the simple Kelly-or-Fitzmaurice pick?

Fundamental of Investing Case Study of Mr.A

Question: Describe about the Fundamental of Investing, a case study of Mr. A? Answer: Introduction In the current investment market scenario, investment is a procedure that helps the people to mobilise their savings. In the current case study, Mr.A has retired from it MNC firm for which he has been compensate him with SGD 350000. Since then MR. A is looking for investment opportunities in order to multiply his savings for the future return (Brentani, 2004). There are several offers has been given by the several companies from mutual fund companies to real investment to investment in energy related asset. The study will take through the various risk and return phase in the present investment options. Supply and Demand Analysis Mr. A is considering the Michael offers to invest in energy. The price of the oil has been increased has been increased rapidly. The Singapore is one of the premier hub of oil and gas which is valuable sectors that contributes more than 5% of Singapore GDP (Fanchi Fanchi, 2013). Apart from that, National energy policy report of 2007 shows that, growth in the energy is sector is higher than any other investment. As per the report of SP, in 2015, Singapore oil and gas sector will be grow with SGD 1.47 billion. Apart from that , investment in various mutual fund portfolio like equity, insurance and debt and bonds are some of the major investment areas. Since, the Ms. Kelly has asked the Mr.A to invest SGD 100,000 in their business which will give return of nearly 8-12% per annum (Goldstein Razin, 2002). The demand of shares and equity is been rising but there is higher risk because of 2008 market crash. Moreover, the demand for the real estate is in Singapore as per the Singapore land authority is higher but due to housing bubble in 2008 has been one of the major drawback of pricing of the pretty has been increased since 2008. But the rumor has it that, it will be bounce back in 2016 (Kaminsky, Lyons Schmukler, 2001). Investor Profiling Since Mr.A is very much Non aggressive and looking for long term returns. Investor portfolio as per the Singapore market Investment profiling for Mr. A Total investment % Total amount SGD (Total amount in cash1.5 million) Equity 5% 7500 Bond 20% 30,000 Insurance 25% 37500 Investment in energy sector 50% 75000 Real Estate 20% 30,000 Graph 1: Investor profiling (Source: Abdul karim Fleming, 2012, pp-220) Life cycle Energy sector is one of the inflation protected securities sector which has been growing since 2005. Apart from that, government bonds are non taxable income against the inflations change. Investment profiling for Mr. A Years of investment Return in % Return of investment Equity 2 years 18% 8850 Bond 3years 50% 45000 Insurance 10 years 10.5% 41437.5 Investment in energy sector 3 years 12% 84000 Real Estate 5 years 20% 36000 From the above , it has been found that , life cycle of the investment shows that, Mr.A will have greater return on investment from insurance , bon sand energy sector because of high invest are made in these portfolios (Wu, 2012). Legal framework and Ethics As per the legal framework SFA (Securities and future act) and the financial advisors act 110 has set the regulations for entering into the capital market of Singapore. Market intermediaries those have CMSL capital market licensing are under the act of administrated by the MAS. A person who is looking to trade in these areas needed to be manage need to have the authorization from these houses for equity and bond market (Nelken, 2006). As per the given report, SGX have more than 1110 market intermediaries under the MAS. The companies act 50 deals with the entire company related stock market from incorporating to winding up. Ethical trading While conducting trade within the capital market or investing in the capital market, SGX follows some set of norms: No sharing of company internal information (insider trading) Taking the fair brokerage prices from the every single customer. Fair and equal means opportunity for every investors (Kaminsky, Lyons Schmukler, 2001). No coercion and forcing to customers to invest in any form of investment Risk and Return Capital market: Investment in capital market has been growing as per the SGX report since 1999. The growth in equity, bond and insurance are some of the major growing market is more than 12% per annum. However, there is risk associated with the share and bond market is higher because of the uncertainty and non guaranteed areas (Goldstein Razin, 2005). Real estate: Real Estate market is open of the growing market as per the global property guide .com. however, during the 2012, the Singapore housing and land cost is bubble burst because it is decrease of 0.7% in third quarter is one of the major areas of concern (Akiba Iida, 2004). Investment in energy sector: Investment in energy sector is one of the better investment opportunities for the investors because the return is more than 3% of total GDP . There is high chances of gaining the higher return (Bellace, 2014). However, forming cartel by the OPEC nation and reform laws are one of the major loopholes areas that can increase the price of oil. Time value of money For the chosen the investment patter shows that, equity market would give higher return with 8-12% in SGD. With help of NPV , the entire investment of Mr. A will analysed (Cartier, 1998). This will help the Mr.A to choose the best options viable for him. Investment profiling for Mr. A Years of investment Return in % Return of investment Equity 2 years 18% 8850 Bond 3years 50% 45000 Insurance 10 years 10.5% 41437.5 Investment in energy sector 3 years 12% 84000 Real Estate 5 years 20% 36000 Equity :NPV=-150000 + 8850 /1.18 +8850/(1.39) =-150000 + 7500+6367 =-136133 Bond : -150000 +45000/1.5+ 45000/2.25+ 45000/3.37 = -150000 + 30000+ 20,000 + 13353 =-88647 From the above, it has been found that, time value of money for the each of the investment would be different each other. The Reason for taking 1$ today rather than at some point of time because the dollar received today can be invested to make more money in future (Chua Chou, 2010). Apart from that, saving today allows to earn interest on their saving of 1$ which will give higher return in future. Analysis of different investment Investment in capital market: Investment is capital is one of the most prominent way to increase the investment. However, MR. A has to keep track of the every invested money that has been invested in the separate mutual funds including bonds, insurance , equity , foreign stocks and foreign currencies (Fu Jennen, 2008). Investment in real estate market: Investment in real estate market in the Singapore is current not worth because of housing bubble scenarios is going to burst (Lecomte Ooi, 2012). Although the Mr.Lawrance promises to pay more than 20% of the return but the chances of losing the money is higher. Investment in Energy sector: As per the given report, company Z Michael promise the return would be more than 3% growth at every quarter which is one of the lucrative investment. However, these energy sector are very much under government regulations norms which is gain very risky for more than 1 year of investment (Tu, Ong Han,2008). Money market: Other major areas of investment would be money market where the bond is purchase for less than six month and return are fixed guaranteed by the public sector banks. Analysis different investment Proposal From the above analysis, the chosen investment area for Mr. A is capital market and investment in energy and retail sector. Energy sector: Energy sector companies like AD TEK Pty Ltd and EZRA holdings of Singapore has growth of more than 23% from next year (Ema.gov.sg, 2015). Mr.Micheal has made right kind of offer which helps the Mr.A to gain the double the present investment. Rest, mutual funds and real estate is also booming industry but investment in the land and real estate can be very much risky because of the growth rate of the company is decreasing every year by 2.3% which can creates housing bubble (www.garp.org,. 2015). On the other hand, investing mutual funds would increase the investment with growth of more than 9.05% approximately. Recommendations Credit risk: Credit risk for energy sector Credit risk in energy sector of Singapore Percent (%) Too much of borrowing 8.3% Weak statements 22.67% Poor previous record of energy sector 17.3% Total debt 5.2% Method of operation: Energy sector in Singapore uses multi attribute utility theory (MAUT) which help the industry or companies to convert the utility into total quantity. There are various trends within the energy sector of Singapore such as wholesale trading, pricing volatility , real time pricings and environmental regulations and advance technology (Okp.listedcompany.com, 2015). Major profit are coming from the whole selling of the products to the offshore companies and in ASEAN region. The guarantee: The investment in energy sector is very much has higher return which is backed by the EMA (Energy market authority). Energy market authority is very is regulatory bodies that promise to protect the interest of investors (Tu, Ong Han,2008). Energy sector: Investment in energy sector would helps the Mr. A to fund their children higher education along with pay the net and taxes of his monthly expenditure (Fu Jennen, 2008). Conclusion From the above study, it has been found that, Mr.A has various option for investment. Investing mutual fund will help the Mr. A to gain the ROI with 8-12 % per annum. Apart from that investment in real estate will give the Mr.A return worth of 20%. Lastly investment in energy sector would help the Mr.A to gain more than 20% of growth. However, there is risk in mutual fund because of the recent recession. Moreover , there is huge risk in investing in the real estate where the chances of housing bubble is higher as per the SGX report. Reference List Books Brentani, C. (2004). Portfolio management in practice. Oxford [England]: Burlington, MA. Fanchi, J., Fanchi, J. (2013). Energy in the 21st century. Singapore: World Scientific. Goldstein, I., Razin, A. (2002). An information-based trade off between foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment. Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research. Goldstein, I., Razin, A. (2005). Foreign direct investment vs. foreign portfolio investment. Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research. Kaminsky, G., Lyons, R., Schmukler, S. (2001). Mutual fund investment in emerging markets. Washington, DC: World Bank, Development Research Group, Macroeconomics and Growth. Nelken, I. (2006). Hedge fund investment management. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann. Wu, K. (2012). Energy Economy in China. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company. Journals Abdul karim, n., Fleming, e. (2012). factors affecting foreign direct investment in malaysia's manufacturing sector: An analysis across states. Singapore Econ. Rev., 57(04), 1250015. doi:10.1142/s0217590812500154 Akiba, h., Iida, y. (2004). Some empirical evidence of exchange market pressure in singapore. Singapore Econ. Rev., 49(01), 55-69. doi:10.1142/s0217590804000792 Bellace, J. (2014). American unions and the economy the unheard voice of a shrinking sector. Singapore Econ. Rev., 59(04), 1450029. doi:10.1142/s0217590814500295 Cartier, C. (1998). Mega development in malaysia: from heritage landscapes to "leisurescapes" in melaka's tourism sector. Singapore J Trop Geo, 19(2), 151-176. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9493.1998.tb00257.x Chua, K., Chou, S. (2010). Energy performance of residential buildings in Singapore. Energy, 35(2), 667-678. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2009.10.039 Fu, Y., Jennen, M. (2008). Office Construction in Singapore and Hong Kong: Testing Real Option Implications. J Real Estate Finance Econ, 38(1), 39-58. doi:10.1007/s11146-008-9145-z Lecomte, P., Ooi, J. (2012). Corporate Governance and Performance of Externally Managed Singapore Reits. The Journal Of Real Estate Finance And Economics, 46(4), 664-684. doi:10.1007/s11146-012-9377-9 Tu, Y., Ong, S., Han, Y. (2008). Turnovers and Housing Price Dynamics: Evidence from Singapore Condominium Market. J Real Estate Finance Econ, 38(3), 254-274. doi:10.1007/s11146-008-9155-x Websites Ema.gov.sg,. (2015). EMA : Home. Retrieved 25 February 2015, from https://www.ema.gov.sg/index.aspx www.garp.org,. (2015). CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT. Retrieved 25 February 2015, from https://www.garp.org/media/489989/credit%20slides.pdf Okp.listedcompany.com,. (2015). OKP Holdings Limited - Financials. Retrieved 25 February 2015, from https://okp.listedcompany.com/financials.html.

Bi

Introduction Bi-lens, a company incorporated in the United States of America where its headquarter lies, operates from the headquarters and has targeted markets all over the world.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Bi-lens specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s products seem to have stronger market coverage in foreign markets as compared to the home market. The Bi – lens Company manufactures digital cameras for its customers. The company faces a strong competition from other companies within the same industry. To continue its path along a successful operation, the company needs better strategies. This essay seeks to present a proposal of multi-assembly strategy, labor and compensation strategy, financial strategy and an analysis of the company using Michael porter five forces. Entry/multi-assembly strategy It is important for multinational companies to develop a good foreign market entry strategy. Foreign markets are different from the local ones based on politics, legal issues, social issues and cultural differences. Political issues in a foreign country should be of great interest to a multinational business because changes in laws and regulations affect the performance and operation of a business. For instance, if the Government of one of the European countries imposed a law that increases tax on imported goods, the company’s products would be a little bit more expensive. Higher product price is a weight felt by the customers. That is, the customers would pay more for the cameras than usual. Based on the law of demand and supply, the products’ market demand would be less and Bi-lens would risk losing its customers to the competitors. Another tricky issue involving foreign market entry is the cultural and social life.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Culture defines the way people live in a society. Social activities on the other hand are based on the cultural dimensions like language and moral practices. Products whose consumption cause moral conflict in the society are not saleable. Therefore, it is better to understand the moral practices of a particular target market in order to produce goods and services that are friendly to the market’s popular culture and conforms to customers’ moral practices. A proposed foreign market entry strategy for the Bi -Lens Company would be assemblies. In this strategy, Bi-lens would locally production the parts of the digital camera and transports them into a foreign market to be assembled. This strategy is suitable for the company because it is cost effective in matters related to transportation and custom tariffs. The strategy will also enable the company to exploit local employment, which will facilitate foreign market penetration thus help overcome potential cult ural and social obstacles like a different language. This strategy will enhance the domestic firm’s full concentration on research activities that seek for product development and improvement of production skills. Assembling strategy restores all management voice with the domestic firm. This will ensure that the share ownership lies entirely with the domestic firm thus facilitate quick decision-making.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Bi-lens specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, this strategy will bring a great success to the company because it is cost effective and needs less of the company’s attention thus more focus will be on product development (Tielmann, 2010). Labor and compensation strategy Labor is one of the most important factors of production. An employee of a company is the provider of this most important factor of production and therefore, is an important part of the compan y too. They offer their time, skill and effort toward ensuring that a company’s plans and objectives are met. Therefore, for their dedication, time and skill, they are rewarded through wages and salaries. Employees are the most difficult and more delicate part of a company thus should be handled with a lot of care. The whole idea of handling employees with care is to keep them happy. A happy employee will dedicate full time and skills toward the production of quality products and better service delivery. It should be keenly noted that constant quality delivery is a key to attracting and maintaining customers. In addition to that, constant quality delivery is a core competence. The second reason for keeping employees happy is to avoid moral-hazard related losses at work place. Cases like employee theft at work places are deterrence to achievement of organizational goals. The third reason for keeping employees happy is to be able to obtain highly skilled labor force at a cheape r cost.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Employees would like to associate themselves with a company that takes good care of its employees therefore recruitment costs would be minimized because it would be easy to obtain employees. To be able to keep employees happy, the company should provide a secure and free working environment and implement a lucrative remuneration plan. The concept a secure and free working environment would involve reducing or eliminating employee monitoring and inspection. The introduction of inspection-free working environment makes employees feel like they own their job and are trusted. It is in that feeling where employees derive their freedom. A secure working environment would involve taking measures like implementing hazard control equipments. For instance, installation of enough fire extinguishers to minimize fire damages. Another necessary security measure is the provision of protective gears like gloves and jumpsuits appropriate for various tasks if necessary. Lastly, another security measu re is to ensure availability of enough ventilation to avoid cases of suffocation (Glo-bus: Developing winning competitive strategies, 2013). A compensation strategy would involve provision of a reasonable amount of wages and salaries matching with the level of service delivered or the quality of a product completed. The company should introduce incentives like bonuses for higher work rates in order to encourage employees to complete more cameras. The proposed labor and compensation strategy would ensure that the employees’ needs are taken into consideration thus would be a core competence (John Allen, 1998). Financial strategy Every business idea remains an idea unless implemented. Implementation of the idea requires a large amount of money for setting up operations and implementing procurement plans. Bi-lens needs finance for both start up and continuation. The company will have to prepare five-year forecasted figures of its financial statements like cash flow and profit an d loss. The significance of preparing the cash flow forecast is to be able to ascertain the operations that would bring in cash to the company and those that would take cash out. Cash flow forecasts should show periodic cash balances and cash flow patterns for the intended period. It is from the forecasted cash flow that the business evaluates whether its operations would provide enough working capital for survival. Cash flow forecast enables the company to ascertain periods of peaks and troughs in the cash balance trend thus use the knowledge to plan borrowing. The best source of a start up capital for the company is equity shares. The advantage of shares is that it is long term and is last to be paid in the event of liquidation. Borrowing would be another preferred source of finance suitable for expansion purposes. Debt financing has different terms and conditions because unlike equity finance, it requires security. Potential lenders would require security just in case the company defaults on its obligations to repay the loan when due. The lenders would want a quick look at the company’ s operations activities to ascertain whether it is capable of generating enough cash to facilitate the payment of interests and ultimately, the principle amount. This information would be obtained from the cash flow forecasts. It would also be advisable for the company to prepare five-year profit and loss forecast to ascertain the level of profitability or loss. This information is needed to evaluate whether the company’s activities are beneficial or not. Lastly, another cheaper and easily accessible source of finance is retained earnings. The business could use that source to finance its operations without incurring any cost (John Allen, 1998). Michael Porter’s five forces The company faces stiff competition from five other companies in the same industry. Competition would bring a business down if not handled carefully. Within the industry that Bi-lens operates, sources of competition are rival firms producing similar products. Rival firms are a competitive threat because they make strategies that are intended at countering those of Bi-lens. In that case, Bi-lens can only be successful if it implements strategies that would provide a competitive advantage over the plans of the competitors. For instance, implementing better employee remuneration plans than the rival firms. The company should be keen on noticing any changes in the strategies used by the rival firms in order to implement a counter strategy. Potential entry of new competitors It is considered a threat if new firms would easily enter into the industry. The new entry would cause an increase in the competition among firms because the new entrant sometimes introduces higher quality products at lower prices compared to those of the existing firm. The new entrants also come along with a substantial amount of marketing resources thus conquers the market faster. Bi-lens shoul d therefore identify the new competitors entering the industry and keenly monitor their strategy in order to develop appropriate counter strategies. For instance, developing a barrier to entry or a counter strategy would consist of building a strong brand preference and develop a strong customer loyalty through consistent provision of quality products that meet customers’ needs. Potential development of substitute products Bi-lens faces a strong competition from other firms that produce substitute products. Just for the sake of showing how it is a problem source, substitute products are those that can replace Bi-lens’ products. Therefore, if customers like substitute products, Bi-lens would lose customers to its competitors. Bi-lens should monitor features of the substitute products and thereafter, produce those with better features in order to counter substitute products. The bargaining power of suppliers Bargaining power of suppliers influences the intensity of compe tition in an industry. Suppliers prefer firms that offer good prices for their supplies. For the sake of sustainable competition, Bi-lens should develop a loyal relationship with its suppliers by agreeing on a desirable supply price. The bargaining power of consumers It influences the level of competition in an industry. Bi-lens should offer other services like extended warranties and other special services to gain customer loyalty thus competitive advantage (John Allen, 1998). References Glo-bus: Developing winning competitive strategies. (2013). Web. John, R., Allen, M. (1998). Global business strategy. London [u.a.]: Thomson. Tielmann, V. (2010). Market Entry Strategies: International Marketing Management. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH. This case study on Bi-lens was written and submitted by user Tomas Carlson to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Nelson Mandela - A Biography

Nelson Mandela - A Biography Nelson Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa in 1994, following the first multiracial election in South Africas history. Mandela was imprisoned from 1962 to 1990 for his role in fighting apartheid policies established by the ruling white minority. Revered by his people as a national symbol of the struggle for equality, Mandela is considered one of the 20th centurys most influential political figures. He and South African Prime Minister F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their role in dismantling the apartheid system. Dates: July 18, 1918- December 5, 2013 Also Known As: Rolihlahla Mandela, Madiba, Tata Famous quote:   I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. Childhood Nelson Rilihlahla Mandela was born in the village of Mveso, Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918 to Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa and Noqaphi Nosekeni, the third of Gadlas four wives. In Mandelas native language, Xhosa, Rolihlahla meant troublemaker. The surname Mandela came from one of his grandfathers. Mandelas father was a chief of the Thembu tribe in the Mvezo region, but served under the authority of the ruling British government. As a descendant of royalty, Mandela was expected to serve in his fathers role when he came of age. But when Mandela was only an infant, his father rebelled against the British government by refusing a mandatory appearance before the British magistrate. For this, he was stripped of his chieftaincy and his wealth, and forced to leave his home. Mandela and his three sisters moved with their mother back to her home village of Qunu. There, the family lived in more modest circumstances. The family lived in mud huts and survived on the crops they grew and the cattle and sheep they raised. Mandela, along with the other village boys, worked herding sheep and cattle. He later recalled this as one of the happiest periods in his life. Many evenings, villagers sat around the fire, telling the children stories passed down through generations, of what life had been like before the white man had arrived. From the mid-17th century, Europeans (first the Dutch and later the British) had arrived on South African soil and gradually taken control from the native South African tribes. The discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa in the 19th century had only tightened the grip that Europeans had on the nation. By 1900, most of South Africa was under the control of Europeans. In 1910, the British colonies merged with the Boer (Dutch) republics to form the Union of South Africa, a part of the British Empire. Stripped of their homelands, many Africans were forced to work for white employers at low-paying jobs. Young Nelson Mandela, living in his small village, did not yet feel the impact of centuries of domination by the white minority. Mandelas Education Although themselves uneducated, Mandelas parents wanted their son to go to school. At the age of seven, Mandela was enrolled in the local mission school. On the first day of class, each child was given an English first name; Rolihlahla was given the name Nelson. When he was nine years old, Mandelas father died. According to his fathers last wishes, Mandela was sent to live in the Thembu capital, Mqhekezeweni, where he could continue his education under the guidance of another tribal chief, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. Upon first seeing the chiefs estate, Mandela marveled at his large home and beautiful gardens. In Mqhekezeweni, Mandela attended another mission school and became a devout Methodist during his years with the Dalindyebo family. Mandela also attended tribal meetings with the chief, who taught him how a leader should conduct himself. When Mandela was 16, he was sent to a boarding school in a town several hundred miles away. Upon his graduation in 1937 at the age of 19, Mandela enrolled in Healdtown, a Methodist college. An accomplished student, Mandela also became active in boxing, soccer, and long-distance running. In 1939, after earning his certificate, Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts at the prestigious Fort Hare College, with a plan to ultimately attend law school. But Mandela did not complete his studies at Fort Hare; instead, he was expelled after participating in a student protest. He returned to the home of Chief Dalindyebo, where he was met with anger and disappointment. Just weeks after his return home, Mandela received stunning news from the chief. Dalindyebo had arranged for both his son, Justice, and Nelson Mandela to marry women of his choosing. Neither young man would consent to an arranged marriage, so the two decided to flee to Johannesburg, the South African capital. Desperate for money to finance their trip, Mandela and Justice stole two of the chiefs oxen and sold them for train fare. Move to Johannesburg Arriving in Johannesburg in 1940, Mandela found the bustling city an exciting place. Soon, however, he was awakened to the injustice of the black mans life in South Africa. Prior to moving to the capital, Mandela had lived mainly among other blacks. But in Johannesburg, he saw the disparity between the races. Black residents lived in slum-like townships that had no electricity or running water; while whites lived grandly off the wealth of the gold mines. Mandela moved in with a cousin and quickly found a job as a security guard. He was soon fired when his employers learned about his theft of the oxen and his escape from his benefactor. Mandelas luck changed when he was introduced to Lazar Sidelsky, a liberal-minded white lawyer. After learning of Mandelas desire to become an attorney, Sidelsky, who ran a large law firm serving both blacks and whites, offered to let Mandela work for him as a law clerk. Mandela gratefully accepted and took on the job at the age of 23, even as he worked to finish his BA via correspondence course. Mandela rented a room in one of the local black townships. He studied by candlelight each night and often walked the six miles to work and back because he lacked bus fare. Sidelsky supplied him with an old suit, which Mandela patched up and wore nearly every day for five years. Committed to the Cause In 1942, Mandela finally completed his BA and enrolled at the University of Witwatersrand as a part-time law student. At Wits, he met several people who would work with him in the years to come for the cause of liberation. In 1943, Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC),  an organization that worked to improve conditions for blacks in South Africa. That same year, Mandela marched in a successful bus boycott staged by thousands of residents of Johannesburg in protest of high bus fares. As he grew more infuriated by racial inequalities, Mandela deepened his commitment to the struggle for liberation. He helped to form the Youth League, which sought to recruit younger members and transform the ANC into a more militant organization, one that would fight for equal rights. Under laws of the time, Africans were forbidden from owning land or houses in the towns, their wages were five times lower than those of whites, and none could vote. In 1944, Mandela, 26, married nurse Evelyn Mase, 22, and they moved into a small rental home. The couple had a son, Madiba (Thembi), in February 1945, and a daughter, Makaziwe, in 1947. Their daughter died of meningitis as an infant. They welcomed another son, Makgatho, in 1950, and a second daughter, named Makaziwe after her late sister, in 1954. Following the general elections of 1948 in which the white National Party claimed victory, the partys first official act was to establish apartheid. With this act, the long-held, haphazard system of segregation in South Africa became a formal, institutionalized policy, supported by laws and regulations. The new policy would even determine, by race, which parts of town each group could live in. Blacks and whites were to be separated from each other in all aspects of life, including public transportation, in theaters and restaurants, and even on beaches. The Defiance Campaign Mandela completed his law studies in 1952 and, with partner Oliver Tambo, opened the first black law practice in Johannesburg. The practice was busy from the start. Clients included Africans who suffered the injustices of racism, such as seizure of property by whites and beatings by the police. Despite facing hostility from white judges and lawyers, Mandela was a successful attorney. He had a dramatic, impassioned style in the courtroom. During the 1950s, Mandela became more actively involved with the protest movement. He was elected president of the ANC Youth League in 1950. In June 1952, the ANC, along with Indians and colored (biracial) people- two other groups also targeted by discriminatory laws- began a period of nonviolent protest known as the Defiance Campaign. Mandela spearheaded the campaign by recruiting, training, and organizing volunteers. The campaign lasted six months, with cities and towns throughout South Africa participating. Volunteers defied the laws by entering areas meant for whites only. Several thousand were arrested in that six-month time, including Mandela and other ANC leaders. He and the other members of the group were found guilty of statutory communism and sentenced to nine months of hard labor, but the sentence was suspended. The publicity garnered during the Defiance Campaign helped membership in the ANC soar to 100,000. Arrested for Treason The government twice banned Mandela, meaning that he could not attend public meetings, or even family gatherings, because of his involvement in the ANC. His 1953 banning lasted two years. Mandela, along with others on the executive committee of the ANC, drew up the Freedom Charter in June 1955 and presented it during a special meeting called the Congress of the People. The charter called for equal rights for all, regardless of race, and the ability of all citizens to vote, own land, and hold decent-paying jobs. In essence, the charter called for a non-racial South Africa. Months after the charter was presented, police raided the homes of hundreds of members of the ANC and arrested them. Mandela and 155 others were charged with high treason. They were released to await a trial date. Mandelas marriage to Evelyn suffered from the strain of his long absences; they divorced in 1957 after 13 years of marriage. Through work, Mandela met Winnie Madikizela, a social worker who had sought his legal advice. They married in June 1958, just months before Mandelas trial began in August. Mandela was 39 years old, Winnie only 21. The trial would last three years; during that time, Winnie gave birth to two daughters, Zenani and Zindziswa. Sharpeville Massacre The trial, whose venue was changed to Pretoria, moved at a snails pace. The preliminary arraignment alone took a year; the actual trial didnt start until August 1959. Charges were dropped against all but 30 of the accused. Then, on March 21, 1960, the trial was interrupted by a national crisis. In early March, another anti-apartheid group, the Pan African Congress (PAC) had held large demonstrations protesting strict pass laws, which required Africans to carry identification papers with them at all times in order to be able to travel throughout the country. During one such protest in Sharpeville, police had opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing 69, and wounding more than 400. The shocking incident, which was universally condemned, was called the Sharpeville Massacre. Mandela and other ANC leaders called for a national day of mourning, along with a stay at home strike. Hundreds of thousands participated in a mostly peaceful demonstration, but some rioting erupted. The South African government declared a national state of emergency and martial law was enacted. Mandela and his co-defendants were moved into prison cells, and both the ANC and PAC were officially banned. The treason trial resumed on April 25, 1960 and lasted until March 29, 1961. To the surprise of many, the court dropped charges against all of the defendants, citing a lack of evidence proving that the defendants had planned to violently overthrow the government. For many, it was cause for celebration, but Nelson Mandela had no time to celebrate. He was about to enter into a new- and dangerous- chapter in his life. The Black Pimpernel Prior to the verdict, the banned ANC had held an illegal meeting and decided that if Mandela was acquitted, he would go underground after the trial. He would operate clandestinely to give speeches and gather support for the liberation movement. A new organization, the National Action Council (NAC), was formed and Mandela named as its leader. In accordance with the ANC plan, Mandela became a fugitive directly after the trial. He went into hiding at the first of several safe houses, most of them located in the Johannesburg area. Mandela stayed on the move, knowing that the police were looking everywhere for him. Venturing out only at night, when he felt safest, Mandela dressed in disguises, such as a chauffeur or a chef. He made unannounced appearances, giving speeches at places that were presumed safe, and also made radio broadcasts. The press took to calling him the Black Pimpernel, after the title character in the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel. In October 1961, Mandela moved to a farm in Rivonia, outside of Johannesburg. He was safe for a time there and could even enjoy visits from Winnie and their daughters. Spear of the Nation In response to the governments increasingly violent treatment of protestors, Mandela developed a new arm of the ANC- a military unit that he named Spear of the Nation, known also as MK. The MK would operate using a strategy of sabotage, targeting military installations, power facilities, and transportation links. Its goal was to damage property of the state, but not to harm individuals. The MKs first attack came in December 1961, when they bombed an electric power station and empty government offices in Johannesburg. Weeks later, another set of bombings were carried out. White South Africans were startled into the realization that they could no longer take their safety for granted. In January 1962, Mandela, who had never in his life been out of South Africa, was smuggled out of the country to attend a Pan-African conference. He hoped to get financial and military support from other African nations, but was not successful. In Ethiopia, Mandela received training in how to fire a gun and how to build small explosives. Captured After 16 months on the run, Mandela was captured on August 5, 1962, when the car he was driving was overtaken by police. He was arrested on charges of leaving the country illegally and inciting a strike. The trial began on October 15, 1962. Refusing counsel, Mandela spoke on his own behalf. He used his time in court to denounce the governments immoral, discriminatory policies. Despite his impassioned speech, he was sentenced to five years in prison. Mandela was 44 years old when he entered Pretoria Local Prison. Imprisoned in Pretoria for six months, Mandela was then taken to Robben Island, a bleak, isolated prison off the coast of Cape Town, in May 1963. After only a few weeks there, Mandela learned he was about to head back to court- this time on charges of sabotage. He would be charged along with several other members of MK, who had been arrested on the farm in Rivonia. During the trial, Mandela admitted his role in the formation of MK. He emphasized his belief that the protestors were only working toward what they deserved- equal political rights. Mandela concluded his statement by saying that he was prepared to die for his cause. Mandela and his seven co-defendants received guilty verdicts on June 11, 1964. They could have been sentenced to death for so serious a charge, but each was given life imprisonment. All of the men (except one white prisoner) were sent to Robben Island. Life at Robben Island At Robben Island, each prisoner had a small cell with a single light that stayed on 24 hours a day. Prisoners slept on the floor upon a thin mat. Meals consisted of cold porridge and an occasional vegetable or piece of meat (although Indian and Asian prisoners received more generous rations than their black counterparts.) As a reminder of their lower status, black prisoners wore short pants all year-round, whereas others were allowed to wear trousers. Inmates spent nearly ten hours a day at hard labor, digging out rocks from a limestone quarry. The hardships of prison life made it difficult to maintain ones dignity, but Mandela resolved not to be defeated by his imprisonment. He became the spokesperson and leader of the group, and was known by his clan name, Madiba. Over the years, Mandela led the prisoners in numerous protests- hunger strikes, food boycotts, and work slowdowns. He also demanded reading and study privileges. In most cases, the protests eventually yielded results. Mandela suffered personal losses during his imprisonment. His mother died in January 1968 and his 25-year-old son Thembi died in a car accident the following year. A heartbroken Mandela was not allowed to attend either funeral. In 1969, Mandela received word that his wife Winnie had been arrested on charges of communist activities. She spent 18 months in solitary confinement and was subjected to torture. The knowledge that Winnie had been imprisoned caused Mandela great distress. Free Mandela Campaign Throughout his imprisonment, Mandela remained the symbol of the anti-apartheid movement, still inspiring his countrymen. Following a Free Mandela campaign in 1980 that attracted global attention, the government capitulated somewhat. In April 1982, Mandela and four other Rivonia prisoners were transferred to Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland. Mandela was 62 years old and had been at Robben Island for 19 years. Conditions were much improved from those at Robben Island. Inmates were allowed to read newspapers, watch TV, and receive visitors. Mandela was given a lot of publicity, as the government wanted to prove to the world that he was being treated well. In an effort to stem the violence and repair the failing economy, Prime Minister P.W. Botha announced on January 31, 1985 that he would release Nelson Mandela if Mandela agreed to renounce violent demonstrations. But Mandela refused any offer that was not unconditional. In December 1988, Mandela was transferred to a private residence at the Victor Verster prison outside Cape Town and later brought in for secret negotiations with the government. Little was accomplished, however, until Botha resigned from his position in August 1989, forced out by his cabinet. His successor, F.W. de Klerk, was ready to negotiate for peace. He was willing to meet with Mandela. Freedom at Last At Mandelas urging, de Klerk released Mandelas fellow political prisoners without condition in October 1989. Mandela and de Klerk had long discussions about the illegal status of the ANC and other opposition groups, but came to no specific agreement. Then, on February 2, 1990, de Klerk made an announcement that stunned Mandela and all of South Africa. De Klerk enacted a number of sweeping reforms, lifting the bans on the ANC, the PAC, and the Communist Party, among others. He lifted the restrictions still in place from the 1986 state of emergency and ordered the release of all nonviolent political prisoners. On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was given an unconditional release from prison. After 27 years in custody, he was a free man at the age of 71. Mandela was welcomed home by thousands of people cheering in the streets. Soon after his return home, Mandela learned that his wife Winnie had fallen in love with another man in his absence. The Mandelas separated in April 1992 and later divorced. Mandela knew that despite the impressive changes that had been made, there was still much work to be done. He returned immediately to working for the ANC, traveling across South Africa to speak with various groups and to serve as a negotiator for further reforms. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their joint effort to bring about peace in South Africa. President Mandela On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first election in which blacks were allowed to vote. The ANC won 63 percent of the votes, a majority in Parliament. Nelson Mandela- only four years after his release from prison- was elected the first black president of South Africa. Nearly three centuries of white domination had ended. Mandela visited many Western nations in an attempt to convince leaders to work with the new government in South Africa. He also made efforts to help bring about peace in several African nations, including Botswana, Uganda, and Libya. Mandela soon earned the admiration and respect of many outside of South Africa. During Mandelas term, he addressed the need for housing, running water, and electricity for all South Africans. The government also returned land to those it had been taken from, and made it legal again for blacks to own land. In 1998, Mandela married Graca Machel on his eightieth birthday. Machel, 52 years old, was the widow of a former president of Mozambique. Nelson Mandela did not seek re-election in 1999. He was replaced by his Deputy President, Thabo Mbeki. Mandela retired to his mothers village of Qunu, Transkei. Mandela became involved in raising funds for HIV/AIDS, an epidemic in Africa. He organized the AIDS benefit 46664 Concert in 2003, so named after his prison ID number. In 2005, Mandelas own son, Makgatho, died of AIDS at the age of 44. In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly designated July 18, Mandelas birthday, as Nelson Mandela International Day. Nelson Mandela died at his Johannesburg home on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95.

Applying Your Understanding of Fallacies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applying Your Understanding of Fallacies - Essay Example What may seem as a simple marketing campaign became an issue for moral panic. For one, critics viewed the ad as racist since it promotes white skin as the foremost criteria in being beautiful. Sadly, Singapore is also a melting pot of various Asian races such as Filipinos, Thais, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian and Japanese. This ad imposed on the mind of Asian women that fair skin makes one beautiful and brown Asian skin is unacceptable. This is where Focault’s regime of truth sets in. As Hall ( 1997 , p.49) argues â€Å" not of the truth of knowledge in the absolute sense, a Truth which remained so, whatever the period, setting , context- but of a discursive formation sustaining a regime of truth†. The media disseminates a certain truth that public unknowingly digests and accepts as valid. Most ironic of all, the product does not really promise fair skin but better skin texture. stereotype that affects the behavior of the general population. Aside from this, the adv ertisement is misleading since the product delivers something different from what is promised. The second fallacy is about sports nutrition. Gatorade has been very aggressive in promoting its new line of products because it faces tough competition from Powerade.

Individual and Collective Responsibility in the Society Assignment

Individual and Collective Responsibility in the Society - Assignment Example In developing his society, Alexie uses the ordinary people in any other society such as fathers, sons, husbands, laborers, and artists among many others. He develops a perilous poise between external responsibility and self-preservation through family, art and the entire world through by extrapolation. â€Å"Yes the kid was a decent athlete, yet the kid was a descent yes the kid was a decent person. But he had broken into my house† Alexie 14. The adults interact with the children effectively and in a bid to create a peaceful and cohesive society, they must maintain a sense of order by addressing such social vices and deterrence to peace as theft, which the author portrays here. He develops a good child who epitomizes the desirable qualities, but due to lack in the society and poor upbringing, the child breaks into other people’s houses and steal. The society must develop ways of punishing and rectifying such. Relations and interactions exist at different levels in society. In their relations, the characters maintain the decorum that is mandatory in the development of a cohesive society. In portraying the relationship among the character, Alexie develops the balance between self-portrayal and external responsibility by defining the specific individual and communal role. At family levels, the characters maintain a level of intimacy required of couples by sharing fundamental information that sustains such relationships, â€Å"My wife paused before answering, and in the pause, I heard all the doubt and fear. So I got out of bed, dressed and left the house† (Alexie 15). Alexis develops communal responsibility as that which everyone must maintain in order to achieve a desirable and society in which people observed laws and maintained the social order â€Å"But this time when those black people walked in slow motion in front of mei did not smile or laugh.