Interview with a unique personality

Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein  he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.

Every once in a while I wonder how would things differ if Professor Shukkur ( Calicut university) would have had a different personality, diverse qualities and unknown talents. Would his life be as wonderful as it is right now? I guess not, and that it the moment I stop thinking "what if” because He is who He is and that is the reason of him being a unique man. I realize that He is content as He is and therefore,wouldn't change a thing about himself.

I consider that his positive values are abundant and equal in importance, there is one that outstands the others. This gifted quality is originality. He love to do things differently than others and with this he has expanded his creativity- another quality that makes him distinctive among people-. These two particular traits have made him outstand in particular projects within college and in his daily life.
After reviewing some of his positive characteristics, I must say that there is one negative feature that is troubling my mind. My professor is too obsessed with perfection. Although many people consider this characteristic a good one, for me it is just an excess of worrying the mind to obtain something faultless, a thing that couldn't be better. He spend too much time in giving projects and will not stop working on it until it is close to perfection.

These qualities are very important for his body because they are the ones that form his personality and therefore his life. If humans wouldn't have different characteristics, the world would be filled with lifeless bodies walking through the streets. All of these positive and negative facts about him and each citizen are the ones that make up our irreplaceable individuality. He loves to give heavy works to students and I felt that is this necessary?. But, in the long run it happened useful .I haven’t seen in my entire life such a dedicated man and a human being. Eventhough he makes his students to work hard he is good at heart and try’s to understand  problems. He was an orphan and has to battle hard with his life through his career. He often donates his salary to orphanages and visits once in every week. He says being alone in the world is the biggest tragedy and he is a helping hand to many who are alone. He is such a good soul, a kind hearted man and also a good teacher.

Values are more than just a set of personal rules, they are guidelines for a way of living and a reflection of one's character. His life is directed by many values, including the concepts of  moral, physical, and intellectual strengths within, which can show a lot about a person. His moral beliefs are something that he shows faith in. He do not allow his moral beliefs to be swayed in opposing directions by others. Physical strength is also a major component. Staying in shape and being healthy helps to improve the way he live. Taking Ncc classes has helped him to become more athletic and competitive. Intellectual strength, in my opinion, is most important in life because I use my personal intellectual strength each day in everything I do. I feel that life lessons are learned when one is strengthened intellectually. He personally believes that beliefs, customs, and traits define a person. He value the fact that he is an individual and always make sure to create his own direction in life and not take after the path of others. Having his own unique and irreplaceable personality is something that I truly portray as a gift. Standing out from others is not something people would normally want, but I find that being one of a kind is a positive way to be remembered. These values, Vires and Mores, give meaning and aspiration to life. I know that by attending Christ University, I will be able to apply these ideas to everything that I do there and be led to success.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”  

                                                   A Talk with grandparents



• What were your memories of Independence Day during school days?

In school days I didn’t even realized the importance of the day and I only thought of an extra holiday. But, I like going to school on that day. The entire school will be decorated with colours and in the playground the principle hosts the national flag. There was also sweets distribution thereafter and me and my friends used to enjoy a lot. It was a day of joy and pride that our nation was freed from the british rule. The media was not an effective factor on that period but our teachers used to read news in class to keep us informed. When I recall my memories it bring tears. That was the golden age for me.

• How did you view  Gandhi’s  concept of  India?

Gandhi famously led Indians in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km Dandi Salt March in 1930, and later in calling for the British to Quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned for many years, upon many occasions, in both South Africa and India. Gandhi attempted to practise nonviolence and truth in all situations, and advocated that others do the same. He lived modestly in a self-sufficient residential community and wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn hand-spun on a charkha. He ate simple vegetarian food, and also undertook long fasts as a means of both self-purification and social protest. Gandhi's vision of an independent India based on religious pluralism. He was a true freedom fighter and lead from the front.

• How was the news of Indian independence welcomed by the people?

Indian Independence was greeted with great joy and happiness and I still remember my dad gifting me a new pair of dresses. At that time I was studying in third standard and I wonder why peoples are out in the streets and busy celebrating. We came to know the news of Indian independence one day later as media was not effective in our state. The whole city was enjoying the day. Me and my friends went out to play the entire day and we doesn’t even knew the importance of the day. The historic day were our nation was freed after a long struggle and pain.  Everyone was busy listening to the speech in Radio and those days are unforgettable in my life.

• Do you think that the British has destroyed India? Did they do anything good for our nation, what are your views on that?

Britishers has looted many of our resources and they used our men and army to fight battles for their gain and political interest. They overthrow the concept of our nation and made us slaves. We were forced to work day and night in their farms on nasty conditions. They pulled us away from our loved one’s and has done a lot of damage to our family bonding’s and culture.

           They also did something good for the nation too especially in Kerala. The britishers built schools, colleges, and bridges which are still in kerala. I completed my college education in st. Stephens college Kolenchery, which was built by the British. The college is built in a good structure and they also built bridges in many parts of Kerala. The muvattupuzha bridge was the first bridge in kerala which was built by the britishers. They also constructed dams and slightly changed the face of our state. Even though they made us poor, they also did something good for the public too.    

          Mechanics of writing

Ø The Right Word:

1.   The students of English Literature have read a lot of books, journals, magazines, and held discussions and debates, about Elizabethan age.

Reworked: The students of English Literature have read various literary sources and created discourse about Elizabethan age.

Ø Remove qualifiers and intensifiers:

1.   My teacher is very much accountable as he expects me to stick to the deadlines.

Reworked: My teacher is accountable as he expects me to submit Mass Communication assignments on time at regular intervals.

Ø Remove Tautology:

1.   Over two decade period, we can ascertain the quality of education in Indian universities, advanced forward without any proper vision statements.

Reworked: We can ascertain, lack of educational vision in the past two decades by Indian Universities

Ø Avoid\Replace repetitive words:

1.   Psychoanalysis is one of the radical ideologies in the 20^th century. Psychoanalysis emerged in 1960s, and psychoanalysis became the most influential interpretative, theory of post-war era. The main propagators of psychoanalysis are Sigmund Freud, and Jacques Lucan.

Reworked: Psychoanalysis is one of the radical ideologies in the 20^th century. It emerged in 1960s, and became the most influential, interpretative theory of pos-war era. The main propagators of this theory are Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lucan.

Ø Improve Verbs\Nouns:

1.   Freud employed three stages of human development, which proved fatal to the other existing theories.

Reworked: The theory of three stages of human development by Freud proved fatal to the other existing theories.

Ø Use precise adverbs and adjectives:

1.   An exciting India Bangladesh match has attained its peak, in ICC Cricket World Cup 2016 on 23^rd march.

Reworked: A breathtaking India Bangladesh match is coming to a simmering boil in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Ø Avoid there and that traps:

1.   It is said that, today, there is lot of encouragement for research in literature.

Reworked: Today, lot of encouragement is given to research in literary field.

Ø Avoid\Replace overworked words:

1.   Basically, a woman riding a bike on the road throws up lots of challenge to our pre-set notion of Gender identity.

Reworked: A woman riding a bike on the road, throws much challenge to our pre-set notion of gender identity.  

Ø Write in other words:

1.   Eldho is my name. I study Masters in English in Christ University.

Reworked: My name is Eldho, and I’m perceiving Masters in English in Christ University.

Ø Focus on facts:

1.   The word Media has become pretty much detached from any kind of ethical and moral vision.

Reworked:  we assume media to be technologically advanced medium of communication and helping us to improve our lifestyles and up gradation. But we often forget the problems accompanying media. The Facebook and other social media brings about variations in the brainwaves which might badly affect one’s health, especially children’s health.  This is one of the reasons why people face  communication problems in the modern days. It becomes one of the reasons for mental stress of the people, which might lead to many issues in life.

A Voice from Koodankulam @ The World Court of Women against War for Peace, 2015, Bangalore

The World Court of Women against War for Peace, 2015 was convened at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, India on November 16, 2015. Along with several other esteemed personalities, the event was blessed with the presence of Dr. S. P Udayakumar, the long-standing activist leading the protests against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu. The following is an excerpt from the conversation he had with a few students from Christ University, Bangalore.

1.    Koodankulam has hit the headlines many times and the issue has gained much public support. How did you succeed in mobilising the people for this cause?

I believe in the truth of our goal. We are not against development though we are very often labelled so. I could make people understand the real dangers of this venture. The fact that the very existence of the people is in question lead them to organise such a mass movement.

2.    Considering that many of the inhabitants of the place are not very educated or exposed towards an issue like this, how difficult was it to mobilise people to come up with the protest?

In my experience, what I observed is that, though they were not the privileged people, the level of confidence they have is incomparable. That is our greatest strength. Education is not a determining factor determining their willpower. Strong convictions and incorrupt morale is what is guiding the activists. Once the people realised that this is a struggle not only for themselves but also for the future, there was not any difficulty in any respect.

3.    As someone who is working closely with the so called backward sections of the society, do you see any gender issues at work with regard to Koodankulam protest?

As I know it, the women of this area has shown impeccable courage and responsibility. They do not see themselves as victims or less fortunate anymore. The women activists, very much conscious of their rights and duties as citizens, are in no way inferior to any other group. In fact, their grasping abilities and unique thinking are far better than mine.

4.    How hopeful are you about this movement’s future and what according to you is the backbone of responses like this in our country?

I have no doubt about the success of this movement. My hope is in the students like you who are well aware of what the society demands at this point of time. I have immense hope in the potential of young activists and informed leaders. The response of the student community in many incidents is promising.

5.    What is your message to the student community?

You are all lucky enough to have quality education. This can work wonders. Students like you should seriously think of the plight and the rights of people around you and intervene in issues constructively.

                                 Upside  Down

Upside Down presents the relationship between developed (or “first world”) and developing (or “third world”) nations, illuminating the influences of the colonizer over the colonized. Seeing life as "upside down" becomes the central metaphor for looking at experiences throughout the book. Galeano’s epigraph clues the reader into this by farcically posturing Al Capone, as an authority on honor, law, and virtue. It is frightening that Capone delivers a truthful message about the realistic and corrupt state of affairs, given the business he works in.

Galeano suggests that we can start to understand our perceptions of power as based from media interpretations when these "facts" are turned upside down again and forced to stand on their own, inherently dropping all media constructed falsities. Common views of power and hierarchy within societies, institutions, and media begin to look less believable when held against the raw numbers Galeano presents to his readers. Galeano also challenges the First World, eurocentric readers with the question of why Europe and America are always presented on the top of the world, and why can't Latin America and Australia and Africa be seen as the top of the world.

The method of questioning also forces his readers to critically analyze themselves and their roles in these power dynamics.In Upside Down, Galeano makes a set of rhetorical and visual choices that expose the intentions of his book. Beginning with the title, "Upside Down: A Primer for the Looking-Glass World", Galeano uses the term "primer" to convey the educational goals of the book. Later on he uses the term "practicum" to reinforce such goals. Primer, in this case, both indicates Galeano’s wish for this to be the initial textbook that engenders a new structure of thought and also suggests a secondary meaning; he views Upside Down as a text that provides a clear foundation. Galeano's prose is accessible to intellectuals as well as non intellectuals; many examples are developed in very clear and simple terms. His desire to change his readers' manner of thinking is shown through the accessibility of this non-fiction piece. Overall, Galeano's choices seem to always enhance accessibility.

People are drawn to capitalism with the promise of choice, but as Galeano points out, those who are allowed to actually make those choices are limited often by money, gender, and race."This world, which puts on a banquet for all, then slams the door in the noses of so many, is simultaneously equalizing and unequal: equalizing in the ideas and habits it imposes and unequal in the opportunities it offers". Some of the ideas that Galeano puts forward as equalized are of what systems to reward and what to fear. For example, failure is condemned while injustices are often overlooked as a mere fact of life. Fear has taught us to look towards furthering security instead of justice.

For example, Galeano references the relief that most feel every time a criminal is killed, therefore choosing security over justice. Furthermore, Galeano points out that the idea of equalization works against the beauty of variant individual identities and cultural identities, molding numerous people into a common identity that fits better with today's capitalistic society. As globalization continues, the difference between the rich and the poor of the world just keeps growing, and with this increased polarization has come a new vocabulary of degradation to describe class and racial differences.

                        

                   PR  CRISIS  MANAGEMENT

A crisis is any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of a company. Public relations is the discipline which looks after reputation, with the aim of earning understanding, support and influencing opinion and behavior. There have been several examples of public relations crises that were handled. At the same time, there are even more instances where companies have failed to properly manage crisis situations. What can, and must be managed is the response. Each crisis situation is unique and, therefore, requires a tailored response.

Public relations is the systematized function that evaluates public attitudes and behaviors; harmonizes the goals, policies, and procedures of an individual or organization with the public interest; and executes a program of action to earn public understanding, acceptance, and supportive behavior.

In today’s competitive market, reputation can be a company’s biggest asset, the thing that makes you stand out from the crowd and gives you a competitive edge. Effective PR can help manage reputation by communicating and build good relationships with all organization stakeholders. Public relations is about reputation  the result of what you do, what you say and what others say about you. Public relations  is the discipline which looks after reputation, with the aim of earning understanding and support and influencing opinion and behavior. It is the planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organization and its publics. Public relations take many forms in different organizations and come under many titles, including public information, marketing or customer relations.

A great example of a American company acting quickly is Breeze, who’s juices were contaminated.  Despite where  contamination took place (though it was found that some of their oranges contained the E. coli making consumers ill), they knew they needed to recall their juices. They also changed their methods of making the juice to avoid and lower the possibility of contamination. Breeze is a juice company that built its reputation  and its business  on providing natural  juice drinks to health-conscious people. After drinking Breeze drinks containing apple juice contaminated by the E. coli bacteria, 65 people, including many children, became severely ill. Then, when it looked like the worst was over, one of those infected by E. coli, a 16-month-old girl, died.

The company is still feeling the effects of the crisis, but its financial picture is improving. Its products are still on the shelves, customers are coming back, and stock prices are up, so the company’s future looks positive. The picture today might be very different if  Breeze had looked at the E. coli contamination problem from a purely risk management standpoint. Since risk managers seek to minimize the company’s risk it might have taken the very different strategy of denying liability for the contamination  or  of  waiting to act until the link to its products was proven. Instead, Breeze considered its philosophy and its customers in formulating its approach. In doing so, it protected its most valuable asset - good name. And that’s what effective public relations is all about. Any company runs the risk that a problem with its products or actions could affect its reputation. Having an action plan ready before crisis strikes will help you act quickly and correctly. Like your buildings or inventory, your company’s reputation is a valuable asset that deserves protection. Public relations, used properly, can help you protect this asset.

Every organization is vulnerable to crises. Used effectively, public relations can prevent a critical situation from resulting in irreparable damage to the business’s reputation and goodwill. Any action is better than nothing and it is surely better than the denial that some managers tend to do with the public and the press. A better action is to choose a well-trained spokesperson that can give the bad news in a ″sweet″ way in order to gain the respect of the people and at the same time not expose every detail that is harmful. During a crisis, effective spokespersons must, through their non-verbal cues, leave their audiences with the impression that they are: compassionate, competent and confident.

                     

Letter to the Editor: The Hindu
Date: January 4

                

                     Trump video for Triumph

The video released by Al-Qaeda featuring Donald Trump's message to ban Muslims from the nation has created a stir among the citizens. I beg to differ with the views of Trump to ban Muslims from the nation. it will lead America as country of institutionalized prejudice against blacks and Islam. Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric was a gift to jihadist propaganda. The comments made by Trump will boost many peoples to turn to Al-Qaeda and IS groups. The footage also strengthens jihadist groups to reach to common citizens of the nation and can easily convince them about why they have to wake up and to fight against U.S. At the end of the day, its all politics and it will lead America to chaos.