Oregon measure

Introduction In 1994, voters of Oregon passed Measure 11,which forced long compulsory prison terms for 16 designated violent and sex-related offenses, prohibited â€Å"earned time,†1 and provided for mandatory waiver of youthful offenders to adult court. This measure stood in sharp contrast to sentencing practices at that time, overlaying the state’s existing sentencing guidelines system for selected offenses, increasing the length of prison terms imposed, and reducing judicial discretion at the sentencing phase.The main challenge facing everyone is ‘Should Measure11 be repealed’.   Yes  Claims For Removal Of Measure 11According to studies undertaken, if measure 11 were repealed, Oregon would save over $612 million in the next 10 years. The savings on new prison construction alone would be $153.6 million dollars between 2000 and 2010. For some crimes that are money worth spending, but for stealing two tires, or stealing a petty amount, and bus pass or f ighting, that is wasting our tax dollars that should be going to schools/education, instead of prisons.Mandatory minimum sentencing means one has to serve every hour of every day of ones sentence no matter what. No good time, no early release, no boot camp. As high as 67% people, under Measure 11 ‘Are First Time Offenders’ and 35% are under 21 years of age.Instead of warehousing people and spending money on more prisons, we should be investing in prevention programs, and look for a substitute to sentencing plans that have been proven to be far more successful with far less cost.In the present form, Measure 11 sentences surpass any lesser existing guideline sentences for 21 violent and sex offenses —the original 16, plus 5 more added later.   Sentences range from 70 months for second-degree assault, kidnapping, robbery, and certain sex offenses, to 300 months for murder. Penalties may not be reduced because of the offender ’s prior record —regardle ss of whether an offender has a criminal record, or the length of such record, minimum sentences are the same for all offenders.Thus, some penalties are actually higher under sentencing guidelines in instances where an offender has an extensive criminal record. In general, however, Measure 11 penalties are longer than those imposed under sentencing guidelines. Juveniles aged 15 years or older are also subject to the measure.   Many people believe that the measure would negatively affect criminal justice system operations, and reduce system integrity. In terms of system operation, opponents expected the measure to lead to an increase in jury trials and prison populations, overburdening both the courts and the correctional system. At the same time, they expected an increase in jail sentences.People opposing this; feel that Measure 11 trials are an undesirable risk, because mandatory sentences eliminate any possibility of judicial caution in sentencing. Rep. Bowman believes that a ju dge should have some liberty, in setting the sentence for the person found guilty, after investigating all the facts in the case and the background of the defendant. Many of them think that juveniles deserve some consideration from the judge. Judges feel that Measure 11 is too harsh in some cases. Some Assault II and Robbery II charges are uncertain, and sex offenses are serious because of lifetime registry requirements, but judges have no choice but to impose the obligatory sentences.Judge Sullivan remarks opponents’ concerns about lengthy sentences for juveniles. There are very few services provided to those in the adult system. With no possibility of early release, juveniles have no incentives to re-establish themselves. Defense attorney Wehmeyer also mentions that prisoners cannot earn good time for earlier release and have no enthusiasm to behave. Jackson County officials are concerned that Measure 11 focuses on punishment instead of rehabilitation. Rep. Bowman believes that funds would be bettered spent on treatment and therapy than on mandatory prison terms.Rep. Bowman is concerned that Measure 11 discriminates against racial minorities and the poor, who cannot afford high-priced lawyers. She points to statistics that show that although African-Americans comprise only 2 percent of the state’s juvenile population, they are 16 percent of the juveniles serving time under Measure 11. Multnomah County’s Juvenile Crime Trends Report of March 1999 confirms that â€Å"despite being approximately 10% of the total youth population (10-17 yrs.). In Multnomah County, African-Americans are over-represented in the juvenile justice system at 21% to 23% of the offender population.†Opponents point out that juvenile crime had been decreasing both nationally and in Oregon before Measure 11 was implemented. They believe that the measure was harsh and inflexible, and that it discriminated against racial minorities and the poor.Counter ArgumentPro ponents of the measure believed that these enhanced penalties would improve public safety by deterring future criminal behavior and increasing the length of time that felons who commit serious crimes spend in prison.District attorney Hehn believes that the certainty of mandatory prison terms is a â€Å"real deterrent† to criminal behavior by juveniles. She feels that juveniles did not take the previous juvenile justice system seriously. District attorney Heiser also feels that Measure 11 has been a restriction for younger teens and a reflection that the public was â€Å"fed up with coddling teenagers.†Measure 11 did have an impact on the crime rates in Oregon. Crime rates, particularly for violent crime, declined in Oregon after 1995. According to various surveys the findings are consistent with the possibility that Measure 11 may have been at least partly responsible for this decline, such   findings   do   not   provide clear evidence   of a causal link. An examination of otherfactors, different opinions, and further surveys, would need to be made before definite conclusions can be drawn.The only things unforeseen about Measure 11 are, that the drop in crime has been far greater than expected and the cost has been far less than predicted. As per studies, Oregon's violent crime rate dropped 41 percent from 1995 to 2001 while the number of extra prison beds required by Measure 11 was less than half the original estimate.ConclusionMeasure 11 has been in effect for only four years. It is difficult to determine its total, long-term effects on public safety and justice in Oregon. It remains a highly charged and emotional issue.The result of various studies indicate that passage of Measure 11 has altered sentencing and case processing practices for those charged with serious person offenses in the state of Oregon. While some of these were planned system changes, others were unplanned and are not fully understood. The measure can be considere d a success in that it has accomplished its intended goal of increasing the length of prison sentences for offenders convicted of Measure11- eligible offenses. However, since passage of the measure, fewer offenders have been sentenced for the Measure 11 offenses, and a greater proportion have been sentenced for Measure11-alternate offenses.Analyses suggest that this move resulted from the use of prosecutorial caution and the reduction of cases which, though technically Measure11-eligible, were not deemed appropriate for the associated mandatory minimum penalty. Although the selective use of Measure 11, along with Oregon ’s prison construction program and reduced crime rates, has enabled the state to avoid the negative consequences of prison overcrowding, the process by which cases are being chosen for either full or partial prosecution is unclear. Prosecutors who were interviewed were confident in their ability to apply the measure properly; however, it is not clear what crit eria were used in making their decisions, or whether these criteria were constantly and equitably  applied. Further research should address how discretion is exercised and charging decisions made under Measure 11.Oregon ’s Measure 11 introduced bold changes into the sentencing structure of the state. Surveys addressed the execution and impact of the measure on prosecution, sentencing, and convictions, both statewide and in three other counties also. As with many policy changes, some of the observed consequences were expected, others were not. Further research and experience with the measure will provide more definitive answers to the questions raised.There are many things said about Measure 11.   This measure has its share of pros and cons.   Whatever be it, offenders above 15 should be given a fair chance for rehabilitation, proper education and good facilities. The offenders should have separate premises and not be clubbed with the adult offenders.   The introductio n of the Measure 11 is mainly to reduce the rate of crime in teenagers, and it should focus on that aspect only.Hence it is very necessary that Measure 11 should live up to its standards and abide by the rules and regulations of the law.Works Cited  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Oregon Mandatory Min Sentencing Law Measure 11† Oregon Department of Corrections Statistics, 6 December 2006. ;http://www.angelfire.com/ms/oregonmeasure11/;.Bob, Dee Dee Kouns, Crime Victims United, 6 December 2006;http://www.crimevictimsunited.org/measure11/rebuttal.htm;.League of Women Voters of Oregon Education Fund, 6 December 2006,

Numismatics – Gupta Coins

Introduction The story of coins is interwoven with the history of mankind. To trace its story, one has to look back to the remote past. When people settled in localities and the communities grew in size, the exchange of products became a necessity; then the mutual exchange of things took the shape of trade and the system of barter was evolved. In course of time, certain commodities got preference over others and a higher value was attached to them. They assumed the character of a medium of exchange and got a standard by which the value of other things was estimated. Thus emerged the notion of the unit of value. This was the first step towards the evolution of coinage. The reconstruction of ancient Indian history necessitates the importance of archaeological evidences of a particular period. Amongst the various archaeological sources the numismatical evidences are of prime importance. ‘Numismatics’ is generally known as ‘the study of old coins’ which are used for the reconstruction of ancient Indian history. The reign of the Guptas in Indian history is a fascinating one. As a matter of fact, it saw a prosperous and plentiful life. Towards the beginning of the 4th century A. D. , the dynasty of the Gupta emperors rose out of a small principality, situated somewhere in Eastern Uttar Pradesh or Bihar; and it lasted for more than two centuries. The founder of the dynasty was Sri Gupta. It was the most renowned, prosperous, ever progressing and self sufficient dynasty in ancient Indian history. This dynasty produced emperors of class who not only expanded and consolidated the political power of India but also administered excellent economic and administrative techniques which led to happy social living during their reign. As compared to the empire of the Mauryas, the Gupta empire was less extensive, but more enduring than that of the Mauryas. This period of the Guptas is known as ‘the classical age of Indian history’ because this period witnessed the growth of arts and sciences in all the conceivable branches of learning. Almost all Gupta rulers issued their own coins. The coins of the Gupta rulers are very useful for the reconstruction of their history. Features of the Gupta Coins The Gupta coins had certain remarkable features; which were originally an idea of the Guptas themselves. These features were more or less similar throughout the rule of different Gupta emperors. The coins are classified into 4 groups:- Gupta gold coins Gupta silver coins Gupta copper coins Gupta lead coins The Gupta emperor chiefly issued gold coins. They issued them in such a large number that a contemporary poet has rightly termed the phenomenon as â€Å"_a reign of gold_†. The earlier gold coins of the Guptas were deeply influenced by the coinage of the later Kushanas. But the later Gupta coinage show more superiority in their execution, and they are considerably original in their style. The influence of the Kushana coins on the early coins of the Guptas is seen especially in their dress and posture as depicted on their coins. For e. g. the early coins of the Guptas show the standing king at the altar. This is very much similar in pose and posture of the kings as shown of the Kushana coins. The king on these coins is seen wearing the Kushana long coat and trouser of the Kushana pattern or replace by Indian dhoti and form was changed as the king is shown bare- bodied. The Guptas retained the method of placing the name of the king perpendicularly in Chinese fashion on the left hand. They placed the circular Brahmi inscription around the king. On the reverse side of the early coins of the Gupta rulers, Greek goddess Ardokshowas retained. Gradually, this pattern was changed, and Lakshmi, an Indian goddess with a lotus in her hand is depicted on the coin. On some coins she is shown seated on a throne and on some others seated on a lotus. The archer type coins of the Guptas are the most commonly issued coins by all the rulers of the Gupta dynasty. These coins generally show the king holding a bow in his left hand. Sometimes the king also holds an arrow in his right hand. Another remarkable feature of these coins was the use of significant symbols and accompaniments like trees, alters, tulsi plant, dwarf, garuda, bows and arrows, animals like tiger, lion, horse, elephant, peacock, etc. These elements added more meaning to the coins and also reflected the artistic approach of the Guptas. Another interesting feature was the variety and sub- variety found in each type of coin issued by the different emperors. Also the debasement of the silver metal was an interesting and innovative feature which reflected the development of science in this age. Also, the art of writing which is depicted by the legends inscribed on these coins show that the literature of that period was at its peak and Sanskrit was a well researched language. Thus, the use of Sanskrit and the art of calligraphy marked an important feature of the Gupta coins. Coins of Samudragupta Samudragupta ruled from 335 A. D to 380 A. D. The title ‘Samudragupta’ meant that he was protected by the sea up to which his dominion extended. He was famous for his campaigns and conquests which earned him the title of ‘_Indian Napoleon_’. He expanded the Gupta Empire in all spheres from political, economical to cultural aspects. Samudragupta inaugurated a new idea in the history of Indian numismatics. He issued as many as 8 different types of coins in pure gold. He learnt the technique of minting coins from the foreign rulers who brought the techniques with them and then he added his own creative sensibilities and thereby evolved an indigenous pattern of coins which was acclaimed to be the best coins. Standard Type It is the earliest and the most common type of the Gupta coins. On the obverse the king is shown standing. A halo can be seen around his head. The dress like coat and trousers recall the Kushana influence. He is also seen wearing a long, rope necklace and earrings. He holds a standard in his left hand and sprinkles incense on the altar with his right hand. Besides the altar there is a garuda. The word Samudragupta is engraved on it along with a legend in the honour of the king. On the reverse, goddess Lakshmi is shown. She is seated on a throne, has ornaments and is seen holding a cornucopia- a symbol of fertility and prosperity. Her feet rest on a lotus. The legend of Parakrama is inscribed on the reverse side of these coins. Chandragupta Type The name of these coins is Chandragupta type because on the observe we see Chandragupta I and his queen Kumaradevi. This type is also called as Dynastic King and Queen Type. A halo is seen around the king’s head. He is holding a staff. On the left is the legend, Kumaradevi or Shrikumaradevi. On the reverse, goddess Durga is seated on a lion holding a cornucopia in her left hand and a lotus in the right hand. The legend is ‘_licchavi_’, it suggest of a special honour in which licchavi was placed by Samudragupta. He takes pride in his inscription to proclaim Licchavi Dauhitra. Archer Type Coins of the Archer Type of Samudragupta are very rare. They are frequently mistaken for the common Archer Type coins of Chandragupta II. From a study of their design, style, and fabric – it's apparent that these coins were struck during the early stages of Gupta Empire while the mint masters were still trying to refine the styling and design. King Samudragupta is shown as a young man on all of the coins of this type (as compared to coins of the Lyrist type where he is shown as an older person). These coins were most definitely struck during the early stage of his campaign to conquer majority of the neighbouring Kingdoms to unite them under a new unified Empire – the start of what was to finally become the magnificent Gupta Empire. On the observe, the king is shown standing. He holds a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand. A garuda standard is on his left. The reverse shows a seated Lakshmi. Battle Axe Type Usually, these coins are found in much worn condition. During Samudragupta’s early reign, while he was conquering all of the kingdoms from the North to the South, East and West, this type of coin must have been a very popular form of advertising the King's prowess and an excellent way to send a message to the unconquered regions of the upcoming siege. The Allahabad Pillar Inscription does not contain the description of Samudragupta as Kritantaparasuh, Battle-axe of the God of Death, although the epithet is invariably applied to him in later official documents. This type obviously celebrates Samudragupta’s many successful battles and showcases his military might. In this coin type, he holds a battle axe in place of a standard with one hand and his other hand is usually on his waist. In place of an altar (as shown on the Standard Type), there is a dwarf holding a crescent-topped banner. The circular legend on the obverse is Kritanataparasur-jayatya jita rajajetajitah; it describes the irresistible prowess of the emporer and states that ‘Victorious is the conquerer of unconquered kings, himself invincible as a veritable battle-axe of the God of Death' Tiger Slayer Type At the height of his power, Samudragupta now starts living the Royal life and his coins depict his Royal Stature for the populace. This coin is very unique in its style – for the first time in Indian history a coin shows a king as a brave and powerful king, killing the powerful Tiger. On the observe the King is standing on the left, wearing ceremonial turban and dhoti, drawing his bow and aiming at an open mouthed tiger which rears up in front of him as he tramples on it, legend Vyaghraparakramah at right, crescent above lion's head. On the reverse Raja Samudraguptah, in field right, the goddess Ganga standing on the left, on an elephant-headed fish (makara), she holds a long-stemmed lotus in left hand, her empty right hand is outstretched and a crescent topped standard decked with ribbons is in field. The progressive change is seen on these coins with regard to the design, execution and content. There is no trace of foreign influence. Asvamedha Type The Asvamedha coins of Samudragupta are probably one of most beautifully executed coin designs in all of Indian numismatics. The Asvamedha ceremony or horse sacrifice was a way for Samudragupta to celebrate the victories of his conquests of Northern, Western and Southern India. These coins were probably handed out as commemorative tokens during this hold ceremony and were probably not used as part of commerce. This may be the reason that Asvamedha coins discovered 2000 years later are still in good condition. This particular coin is a very rare variety of the Asvamedha type. The Queen is shown in the reverse as a Pregnant Queen. On the observe, A beautiful rendition of the horse, tied to a yupa, the letter si (short for siddham). Horse standing on the platform vedi. Penons of cloth flying from the top of _the yupa over the horse. Circular Legend: Rajadirajah pritvimavitva divam _jayatayahritavajimedhah (The King of Kings, who had performed the Vajimedha (Asvamedha) sacrifice, wins heaven after protecting (or conquering) the earth). On the reverse, Pregnant Queen (Queen Dattadevi) shown standing next to Yupa, holding a Chauri in hand and standing on a Lotus. Asvamedhaparakramah (One powerful enough to perform the Asvamedha Sacrifice). Lyrist Type On the observe, the king is shown sitting over a couch keeping a veena on his lap. He has only a waist cloth with big earrings and a necklace. The legend Mahadhiraja Sri Samudragupta is seen. The reverse of the coin depicts a goddess standing. Samudragupta’s personal accpomplishments as a musician is fully confirmed in this coin. The goddess, therefore, must be Saraswati as she is the muse for music in Indian Mythology. The Tiger Slayer and Lyrist type are the best specimens of Samudragupta’s coins with regard to his non- regal activities. With these coins, we can say that India had set her standard in the science of Art and Minting. Kacha Type On the observe, the king is shown standing, holding a standard which has a chakra on the top of it. He sprinkles incense on the altar. The legend reads, kacha after conquering the earth, conquers heaven by means of good deeds. On the reverse, goddess Lakshmi is shown standing. She holds both a lotus and a cornucopia. The legend reads, the exterminator of all kings. Coins of Chandragupta II Archer type This is the most common type coin. The observe shows the king holding a bow and arrow, while he is offering incenses to the altar. Besides him there is a standard with a garuda on the top. The legend shows Chandra. The reverse side shows Lakshmi holding a lotus and a cornucopia. The legend reads Srivikramah. The archer type has 2 varieties, the throne reverse and the lotus reverse. Couch Type These types of coins are rarely found and issued in the early king’s reign. On the observe, the king is seen seated on a couch, holding a lotus in one hand and resting the other on the couch. The king is wearing a waist cloth and jewellery and is completely Indianised. The legend reads Rupakriti and Vikramadityasya. The reverse side shows goddess Lakshmi seated on the couch with a lotus and a cornucopia in her hands with her feet on the footstool. The legend reads Srivikramah. These coins depict the king’s success and prosperity and are an expression of his physical and cultural qualifications. Chhatra Type Lion Slayer Type These coins represent a large variety of specimens. On the observe side of these coins, the king is dressed as a hunter, killing a lion. The legend reads, Narendrachandra Sinha Vikrmamah. On the reverse, goddess Durga is seated on a lion. It may be noted that Samudragupta’s Tiger slayer type signified his conquest of Bengal whereas Chandragupta’s Lion slayer type signify his conquest of the Gujarat region. Silver Coins Chandragupta II was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins. After conquering the Ksatrapa kingdoms in western India, Chandragupta started issuing silver coins which were very similar to the local currency in the region – the silver Ksatrapa coinage. The observe of these coins show the king’s bust with the date of the Gupta era. On the reverse, the symbol of the Saka coins is replaced by the figure of the garuda. These silver coins are very rare and few in number. They are mostly found in the western region of his empire. Copper Coins Chandragupta II Vikramaditya was again the first to issue copper coins. Generally on these coins, the king is seen on the observe and the garuda on the reverse with variations in their figures. Evidence shows that there was also a Chhatra type of copper coin. There were in all 9 types of copper coins. Copper coinage had not evolved to its maximum and they were also very rare and hard to find. Thus, the innovations in the coinage of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya comprise of gold, silver as well as copper coins. This was a remarkable progress in the art of coinage. Coins of Kumaragupta I Kumaragupta I reined from 414 A. D to 455 A. D. Historical evidence shows that he was also called Sakraditya and Mahendraditya. The power and the glory of the Guptas were at its peak and attained great heights under Kumaragupta. Besides other political, economical, social and administrative works, he is noted for the large number of coins he issued. The types and varieties of coins that he issued reflect the extent of the territory in which the coins were in circulation. He mainly issued gold, silver and copper coins. A few types of coins issued by Kumaragupta I are as follows : Archer type They were of different variety and types. The legends which appear on the observe are Kumara, Maharajadhiraja Sri Kumaraguptah, etc. While the reverse side bears a single legend, Sri Mahendrah. Swordsman type This was a type of innovation carried out by Kumaragupta I. The observe side of this new coin shows the king wearing a waist cloth and jewellery. He is seen casting incense on the altar with one hand and the other hand is on the sword that is tied at his waist. A garuda is seen on the left side and a legend is inscribed on it. The reverse side of this new type of coin shows goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus. She is seen with a lotus in her hand and a garuda is shown along with a legend which is similar to the one on the observe. Horseman Type The observe shows the king riding a horse and it has a variety of legends. The reverse side shows the goddess Lakshmi seated on a wicker stool with a lotus with a long stalk in her hand and there is a uniform legend, Agitamahendrah. This is consistent on all the varieties of this type. Lion Slayer Type The observe side shows the king wearing a waist cloth with a sash. He is also wearing jewellery. He is shooting a lion with a bow in one hand. The reverse side shows goddess Durga seated on a lion, holding a cornucopia and a lotus in her hands. The legend on the reverse is _Sri Mahendrasinhah or Sinha Mahendrah. _Varieties in this type are seen mainly in terms of legends which are differently attributed in excellent, flowery language. Tiger Slayer Type Like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta also issued both the tiger slayer and the lion slayer coins. They were similar to his predecessors but due to evolution of new techniques, skills and styles, these coins were more skilfully and meaningfully carved. On the observe we see the king wearing a head dress, waist cloth and jewellery and is shown in action of shooting a tiger. The bow is held in the right hand and the left hand is shown drawing the string of the bow. His right foot is shown trampling the tiger. The legend shown is Srimam Vyaghraybala parakramah – ‘the glorious king, whose strength and valour is like that of a tiger’. The reverse shows goddess Durga in a standing position. She is holding a long stalked lotus in her left hand and is feeding a peacock some fruit with her right hand. The legend reads as Kumaraguptadhiraja. The most outstanding feature of this coin is that for the first time a peacock is has been used in a Gupta coin. This was a new trend started by Kumaragupta. Peacock / Kartikeya Type Elephant Rider Type The king is shown on the observe holding a goad in his right hand and is seen seated on an elephant. Behind him is an attendant holding an umbrella over him. The reverse shows goddess Lakshmi standing on a lotus flower and also holding a lotus in her left hand. Kumaragupta’s gold coins were more skilful and refined. Though gold was the chief metal used, he even issued silver coins. Silver Coins Kumaragupta I issued silver coins in abundance. His silver coins are classified in 4 categories or classes with some varieties in each. The coins in the class I category was similar to Chandragupta II. The obverse had traces of corrupt Greek letters and a well executed garuda was shown on the reverse. In class II, one can see that the features of the Ksatrapas are done away with. Also the Greek letters from the obverse and the garuda from the reverse are omitted. Class III marked the return of Kushana features. The Greek letters are reframed and well executed and the garuda is seen with all body, no neck and prominent wings on the obverse. On the reverse a legend is inscribed. In the class IV coins all Ksatrapa features were omitted. The obverse was changed by eliminating Greek letters and replacing them with a Brahmi date. A peacock that is the vehicle of the god Kartikeya of whom Kumaragupta was a devotee was shown. Later on class V of coins was introduced. They were silver plated and had a copper core. This lead to the debasement of silver. Copper Coins Coins of Skandagupta Skandagupta, the son of Kumaragupta reigned from 455 A. D to 467 A. D. He was considered the sole hero of this dynasty. The Junagadh pillar inscription and the Bhitari pillar inscription gives us a detailed account about the life, succession, history and achievements of Skandagupta. Although the standard of coins decreased, the issuing of new coins did not. He issued different types of coins both in gold and silver. Archer Type On the observe, the king is seen holding a bow and arrow with a garuda to his right. The reverse shows goddess Lakshmi with a lotus with the legend Sri Skandagupta. This is the most common type of gold coin. King and Lakshmi Type On the observe he king is shown with a bow, arrow and a lady who is not the queen, but is goddess Lakshmi, with a garuda between them. On the reverse, again we can see goddess Lakshmi with a lotus in one hand. This type of coin is also called the King and Queen Type. Some historians say that they are somewhat similar to the Chandragupta type coins of Samudragupta, but this is not entirely true. Silver Coins Mainly 3 types; Garuda, Bull and Archer type. Coins of other Gupta Emperors Coinage of the Guptas was at its peak during the reign of Samudragupta, Chandragupta II Vikramaditya, Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta. After these rulers, the Gupta coinage saw a downward graph. After Skandagupta, Purugupta also issued gold coins of the Archer type. He also issued the Horseman type of coins. Kumaragupta II succeeded Purugupta. He took an active interest in issuing coins. He promoted minting of coins even during the lean days of the empire. Once again we see that his most commonly issued coins were of the Archer type. The reign of Buddhagupta is very important in the history of Gupta coinage because it is the rediscovery of the pride and prestige of the Gupta coinage after the dark ages it went through. He issued rare silver coins. Though the coins of the later Guptas reflect the decline of the dynasty and the art of coinage, one can see evidently that each ruler tried his best to continue the tradition of issuing coins of various types and forms. Conclusion A detailed study of the Gupta coinage reveals the outstanding features of the Gupta dynasty. The contribution of the Guptas to the field of coinage was remarkable and greatly appreciated. Though the art of coinage started very early, it reached its zenith in the classical age of the Guptas. The contribution of the gupta coins is of great help in the reconstruction of the history of ancient India. It not only serves as the numismatical evidence but also gives us an insight into the political, social, economic, cultural and religious life of that age. These coins give us knowledge about the various titles which were given to the various Gupta rulers, like, Vikramaditya, Maharajadhiraja, etc. Coins also reveal names of some unknown rulers. They also reveal the names of their queens, their sons and other family members. The coins also help us to fix the chronology and they give us dates and periods and other details. For example, Coins of Samudragupta give us exact dates of the various events that took place during his rule. The coins tell us about the territorial expansion of the empire. The economic advancement can also be gauged as per the number of gold coins found. These coins also throw some light on the dress, ornaments, furniture, weapons and general lifestyle of that time. The tiger slayer and lion slayer type of coins tells us about the passion of hunting of the rulers. The horseman and elephant type of coins reveal the love for riding and the lyrist type shows us the musical side of Samudragupta. Gupta coins are finally studied as pieces of art as they are the finest examples of Numismatic Art in India. Even though other dynasties issued coins they lacked the style and technique, skill and quality of the Guptas that are considered, so far, as the best Indian works in the field of coinage in Indian history. Hence, they are rightly quoted as the landmark in the field of ancient Indian coinage. Bibliography ?Samel, Elements of Archaeology, Museology & Library Sciences, Manan Prakashan, Mumbai, 2007 ? Parmeshwari Lal Gupta, Coins, National Book trust, India, 1969 ? A. S. Altekar, Coinage of the Gupta Empire, Numismatics Society of India, India.

Dowry System During The Medieval Times - 2451 Words

Arranged marriages in India have been dominant since then and up until now; likewise is the existence of dowry system. Dowry system is an ancient custom among two families involved in marriage and is now further customized into desperate business deals. Dowry has become a societal evil which degrades women’s respect and status. Hence, in a sociological perspective, this essay will showcase that the idea of asking or giving wedding gifts against on one’s willingness must be altered because it has become a means of economic fear among the bride’s parents, bride-burning and sexual infanticide. Historically, dowry system started in prehistoric times, wherein the father give their daughters â€Å"in marriage as religious gifts† and that â€Å"dowry was regarded as additional gifts†(Kumari, 1989, as cited in Rastogi Therly, 2006, p. 68, para 1). During the medieval times at 13th-14th century, dowry has prevailed through the hypergamous system of marriage among the upper-class families (Umar, 1998, as cited in Rastogi and Therly, 2006, p. 68). Parents consider marrying their daughters to a man who is economically well-off to increase their power and prestige; which is why, they pay the man at any cost to accept their daughter. Eventually, from the main context of giving gifts, it has become a groom entitlement; therefore, dowry has been seen as a property brought to their house by the bride as a compensation of her additional financial burden to the groom’s family. Anderson (2007a) hasShow MoreRelatedLife in the Feudal System During Medievel Times811 Word s   |  4 Pagessowing of the fields was on a three year cycle. Due to a Peasants place in the feudal system, they were obligated to fight for the local lord. Peasants usually went to war with little to no armor and fought with simply agricultural or hunting tools such as axes, long knives, spears, shields etc. In some situations, peasants were expected to bring and maintain their own equipment, but other times the lord or kind supplemented them with some of their own gear. The fighting ability of the menRead MoreWhat Status Did Women Have in Early Medieval England1549 Words   |  7 PagesThe status of women in the medieval period was mostly that of subjugation, very few options were open to women, and those that were are often resulted in a harsh treatment, of backbreaking labor. However even with such ill treatment, women were the integral part to societal growth and stability thus a women’s role was often narrowed and marginalized. To areas thought befitting woman, Such as child rearing, manual labor, the convent, or as a wife. This s ystem of casting not only served to maintainRead MoreEssay on Theories of Causation of Crime and Its Solution 1250 Words   |  5 Pages If we studied through the history of criminal theory, spiritual and natural theories are taken as major theories of causation of crime. During medieval period, spiritual explanations were taken as punishment given by god for doing wrong things and any natural disasters like flood, fires, etc were evaluated as curse of high power. In modern period, the basic theories of causation of crime are classical theory, biological theory, psychological theoryRead More Marriage in the Renaissance and Shakespeares As You Like It1507 Words   |  7 Pagesthe ritual of marriage (ceremony). William Shakespeare examines the customs of marriage practice of the Renaissance time period in his work As You Like It.    Marriage at the time focused on a heterosexual relationship between a man and woman. Kirsti S. Thomas, explains that marriage did not concern the true love element that exists in the typical marriages of today. At the time of Shakespeare, she states that marriage served to transfer wealth or property and to continue the family line (2)Read MoreIs Virginity A Path Towards Salvation?1688 Words   |  7 Pages During the Middle Ages, the positive qualities of virginity were practically universally agreed upon by both secular and non secular authorities. However, the main purpose of virginity was in debate between the two. Religious authorities saw virginity as a path towards salvation, â€Å"a treasure to be locked away and promised only to the Divine Bridegroom, Christ†(Heckel). It was a way to keep the obscenities of life on earth from spoiling the soul, and allowed a woman to distance herself from the â€Å"distractionsRead MoreEssay about Peasant Lifestyle In Davis ´ The Return of Martin Guerre1588 Words   |  7 Pagespeasant life are highlighted. The author gives a very effective and detailed insight to a peasant’s life during the time of Martin Guerre. Davis does a successful job of portraying the peasant lifestyle in sixteenth century France by accentuating the social, cultural, and judicial factors of everyday peasant life. Davis gives various examples of the social norms that peasants lived under during the sixteenth century. When Sanxi, Guerre’s father, and his family decided to leave their village, DavisRead MoreEssay about Differences in Gender Roles During the Middle Ages1836 Words   |  8 Pagesillustrates the cultural, economic, religious, and educational setting of the time. One such era is the Middle Ages or Medieval Period. This period that dates from around 850-1400, was defined by the â€Å"Italian Renaissance humanist, Francesco Petrarch, who coined the term Middle Ages to describe the period in European history from the end of the Roman Empire until his own time, the 1300s†. There were many changes that occurred during this span in history; such as the development of cities and the marketplaceRead MoreEffect of Bollywood on the Status of Indian Women1744 Words   |  7 Pageswrote V. Ramalingswami in an article of â€Å"The Asian Enigma†. Since the time of medieval India, women in the society have been subject to constant repression by their male counterparts. The age long oppression of women still carries on till date even though legally women have the same rights as men. Domestic violence, unlawful practices like sati and female infanticide, prostitution and dowry deaths still heavily prevail in modern Indian society. In such a world that we live in todayRead MoreGlobalization Is The Buzzword Of Today1362 Words   |  6 Pageswestern countries, are available across the globe. Work can be outsourced to any part of the world that has an Internet connection. Because of improvements in traffic infrastructure one is able to reach one s destination in a relatively short span of time. Globalization means increasing the interdependence, connectivity and integration on a global level with respect to the social, cultural, political, technological, economic and ecological levels. Globalization is an ongoing process by which mainlyRead MoreThe Roles of Women in Medieval Scandinavia Essay4028 Words   |  17 PagesWhen people think about Medieval Scandinavia they usually think about a cold northern region inhabited by a warrior people who spend all of their time sailing around in Viking warships and plundering from one another or going to war with their neighbors. While our archaeological evidence from this period may be rather scarce, many cite the Scandinavian pagan religions as a evidence of this warrior society due to the fact that men were encouraged to fight in order to be chosen by the gods to live

Business Description Steps to Building an Organizational...

The business being proposed is a new web development company that services other businesses by providing website templates, custom website layouts, and monthly website maintenance, at the discretion of the client. Although the company will be focused on providing layouts for other businesses, it will not turn down a client looking to create a personal website. This, however, will be less often than a business client will be. The company will be a new start up in the industry. It will mainly service the Sacramento, California region; however, due to the nature of the Internet, clients from other geographical locations may also be pursued. The business will be a partnership, in that a designer and programmer will be the owner’s of the company. This will provide stability to the company, as well as giving each owner a specific task to focus on. Involving partners that have differing strengths allows for greater success, as well as better designs and more thoughtful programming. D ue to the limited costs involving start up of the company, it is in its best interest to assume that the company will be a general partnership, in that both owners share responsibilities in operation of the business, as well as any liabilities that come with owning the business. This reduces the workload for either partner, as well as increases the customer satisfaction for the reason that there will be a dedicated programmer, as well as designer focused on creating efficient and aestheticallyShow MoreRelatedMarks Spencer: Organizational Change Using Kotters 8-Step Approach1636 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Organizational Change Using Kotters 8-Step Approach Introduction This study will examine Marks Spencer, a retailer in the United Kingdom and will utilize the 8-Step approach of Kotter in addressing organizational change. Marks Spencer has more than 375 stores and 11 million shoppers each week and employs 66,000 workers. The company is one of High Streets best known companies however, Marks Spencer, for a long time unchallenged, has undergone a chain of management and corporate structureRead MoreEssay about Hrm Hotel Paris Case1320 Words   |  6 Pageslike to summarize the hierarchy of links among the hotel’s HR practices, necessary workforce competencies and behaviours, and required organizational outcomes. Than I will draw a simple strategy map for the Hotel Paris. â€Å"The Basic HR strategy process is as follows: Management formulates a strategic plan. This plan in turn implies certain required organizational outcomes, such as improved costumer service. Those required outcomes in turn imply certain workforce requirements. Human resource managementRead MoreProject Management : Planning And Scheduling1039 Words   |  5 Pagesall task before implementing them into business and can give idea about all possibilities. It can help to break big task into small task and make process smoother. Planning is helping project manager to use their past knowledge in future project. Project planning is the process where project manager decide all the steps to implement and mapped based on the past data, their knowledge, and relative information. When project has been initiated, the first step is planning and scheduling. There are threeRead MoreHobby Lobby : Business, History, Culture, Locations, And Demographics1207 Words   |  5 PagesWhen analyzing and review a company’s human resource practices it is important to fully understand the company’s business, history, culture, locations, and demographics. Hobby Lobby is described as one of the largest privately owned arts-and-crafts stores in the world. Hobby Lobby’s business consists of over 32,000 employees and over 750 stores in 47 states. (Why choose hobby lobby, 2017) Their headquarters are located in Oklahoma City and have three overseas offices in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and ChinaRead MoreCase Workbrain1709 Words   |  7 Pageslife. Workbrain’s current organization state lacks structure, focus, and functional direction. The company is performing well but the coming expansion will require more extensive infrastructure. The external environment can be characterized by building pressure from investors, clients, and t he marketplace—all driven by the innovative characteristics of their product and industry. Workbrain management currently prefers generalists rather than specialized employees. A key resource for WorkbrainRead MorePerformance Management Plan For Landslide Limousine1413 Words   |  6 Pagesabout the request for the development of a performance management framework plan for Landslide Limousine via Atwood and Allen Consulting firm. To develop a plan that will be beneficial to Landslide Limousine we will review specific aspects of the business philosophy and methodologies in terms of relations to performance management. In creating this performance management framework, we will use applicable information provided by Landslide Limousine as well as make some general assumptions. We willRead MoreInnovation At Ike The Congruence Model909 Words   |  4 PagesInnovation at Ikea The congruence model includes useful components for developing a strategy that identifies and fixes organizational problems. Santoku, 2013 describe this model as â€Å"a roadmap for developing strategy reflective of a competitive environment and considering the role of the company in supporting any overall execution†. The first step in the organizational design is to understand the components: the environment, the resources, and the history, and how they relate. For the first inputRead MoreThe Impact Of Terrorism On International Business1268 Words   |  6 PagesOur paper explores the interesting phenomena of terrorism on international business. Grounded in the grave reality of terrorism and the international business literature, our research conceptualizes this compelling topic into a practical model worthy of future research. Unfortunately, the current data does not provide statistical evidence to support the unique firm level predictions from the conceptual model. However, our exploratory research leads us to believe that the lack of sensitivity in ourRead MoreOrganizational Leadership Is Define As The Management Staff1563 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to the Business Dictionary (2015), organizational leadership is define as the management staff that typically provides inspiration, objectives, operational oversight, and other administrative services to a business. Effective organizational leadership can help prioritize objectives for subordinates and can provide guidance toward achieving the overall corporate vision. In general, a job description for a college dean derives from memories of previous successes and failures and are not necessarilyRead MoreExecutive Summary : Fletcher Building Essay1418 Words   |  6 PagesFletcher Building is one of the top construction companies in New Zealand. Its market capitalization is over NZ $4.8 billion. This company split from Fletcher Challenge in 2001. It has around 19000 employees and over 50 businesses operating under the Fletcher building banner. Its headquarter is in Auckland, NZ. Its annual revenue is $8410 million. The area it served is New Zealand, Australia, Americas, Pacific Islands, Asia, Europe, Africa etc. The future planning of Fletcher building is that they

Why Leaders Are Born Or Made - 1337 Words

There is a well-known and often asked question of whether leaders are born or made. While the origin of the question is unknown, the answers in response to the question are numerous. The terms leadership and management have become increasingly prevalent in today’s workplace. They are often used in place of each other and in some cases the terms leadership and management are used identically to each other. This has not always been the case. Leadership has a long history that dates as far back as biblical times. According to Bass, â€Å"it is one of the world’s oldest preoccupations† (Bass, 1990). On the other hand, management as it relates to the workplace is a relatively new concept in that it became more visible in organizations around the time of the Industrial Revolution. It was during this time that large scale industrial plants with their high number of employees were in need of people and processes that would make their complex and disorganized orga nizations operate smoothly and more efficiently (Kotter, 1990). As a result, management as it is known today became commonplace. The evolution of management since the Industrial Revolution has undergone many changes. It was the catalyst that brought about changes in the way management was perceived and administered in the workplace (Kotter, 2013). The management needs of organizations since the Industrial Revolution still require regulation, order, and consistency. Many modern day organizations often useShow MoreRelatedWhy Leaders Are Made Rather Than Born: Essay examples1105 Words   |  5 Pagesmyth is that leaders are born -- that there is a genetic factor to leadership...Thats nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. (Bennis). Others starkly disagree with Bennis and hold to the opinion that leaders are born. The popular opinion of several psychologists is that leadership is an inherited characteristic, and those that don’t inher it this gift have no chance of developing it on their own. Contrary to the popular belief that leaders are born, I believeRead MoreCharacteristics Of A Great Leader1379 Words   |  6 PagesTo be a great leader one must have many attributes or qualities. Some of the most important are flexibility, communication, courage, humility, and responsibility. A great leader must be flexible as being a leader usually consists of dealing with new challenges all the time, especially in the technological age. Communication consists of effectively conveying expectations and understanding how people will interpret the leader’s directions. A great leader must have the courage to see the path that theRead MoreBiography Of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, And Nelson Mandela1430 Words   |  6 Pagessomething that you were born with, hence the very popular saying Great leaders are born, not made (What Makes An Effective Leader). Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela were all great examples of people who were natural born leaders. These three leaders were very charismatic, which enabled them to gather many followers. To some extent, being born a leader was true because according to David Celeste, Qualities such as charisma with which one is born, is a leadership qualityRead MoreWhy Employees Are More Motivated Than Others And Implications820 Words   |  4 PagesWhy some employees are more motivated than others and implications, do the differences Some employees are more motivated by others because they have achieved an element of self-efficacy, whereby they can to achieve optimum performance by putting the right amount of energy towards the same. This aspect most often than not comes from an immense form of experience in which people continuously do a given exercise to an extent that they get well acquainted with the job and, therefore, able to deliverRead MoreAre Leaders Born Or Made?1372 Words   |  6 Pagesrespondents to answer the question ‘are leaders born or made?’ The results showed that 52.4% believed leaders are made, 19.1% felt leaders are born and 28.5% thought it was equal. The executives had differing opinions but the ‘leaders are made’ view was more popular. It also revealed that those who indicated ‘leaders are made’ believe that experience is more important than traits or training and what people learn over time is important. Those who indicated ‘leaders are born ’ believe traits and experienceRead MoreTransformational Leadeship in Organizations in the 21st Century1671 Words   |  7 PagesUniversity of Technology, Jamaica July 17, 2010 Table of Contents Page Title Page 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Management versus Leadership 3 Are Great Leaders Born or Made? 5 The Role of Transformational Leadership in Organizational Performance 6 Conclusion 7 References 8 Introduction Globalization along with the increasing dynamics of business today,Read MoreLeaders Are Born Not Made1283 Words   |  6 PagesLEADERS ARE BORN NOT MADE To begin this essay I would prefer to give a little scenario by asking ourselves, can all managers go on to be a leader? For several years, the concern whether leaders are born or made is an issue of great controversy. From different opinions however, it could be a little bit of both hence proving that any manager can go on to be a great leader as well. Among other definitions, Maxwell (1993, p.11) has defined leadership as an ability to influence others. He also definedRead MoreSimilarities Between Traits And Behavior Leadership Theories1684 Words   |  7 Pages Born or Created? Comparison between Traits and Behavior Leadership Theories Karolina Baez Soto Rochester Institute of Technology Abstract Are the leaders born or created? This ancient question has had many answers. In the Great Man and Trait Phase, theorist attempted to determine which specific traits make a person an effective leader. Great leaders are the focus of trait identification. After many years, Behavioral theorist focused their attention in which particular behaviors and stylesRead MoreAre Leaders Born or Made - Essay729 Words   |  3 PagesRunning Head: LEADERSHIP AT WORK Are leaders born or made? MBA 525-Professional Development April 10, 2011 The definition of leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal. Put in even simpler terms, the leader is the inspiration and director of the action. He or she is the person in the group that possesses the combination of personality and skills that makes others want to follow his or her direction (Ward). Which brings us to the mostRead MoreAnalysis Of Hsun Tzu s Man s Nature Is Evil1720 Words   |  7 PagesSome people argue that leaders are born. Others argue that leaders are made because of the environment. Each person believes leaders possess certain characteristics that make them good rulers. I believe leaders are made, they are taught what is wrong and right, and they are taught how to be a certain kind of leader in the context of their environment. I want to discuss what makes someone a good leader. Is a good leader efficient and adaptable or is a good leader born with predetermined qualities

Nutrition and Clinical Outcome in Intensive Care

Question: Discuss about the Nutrition and Clinical Outcome in Intensive Care. Answer: Introduction Today people pay attention to the hectic schedules at work and other important responsibilities, hence limiting the amount of time spent on nutrition or eating patterns. Eating pattern is a totality of all foods and beverages that are consumed by an individual. Nutrition is what gives a person the required raw materials for growth, recuperation, and energy. I will, therefore, reflect on my beliefs about the dimensions of nutrition, factors that have influenced my belief about the health behavior and lastly, I will analyze how to conduct an important conversation with clients who do not share my beliefs about nutrition. Various beliefs are associated with the nutrition or eating pattern. The first belief is that it ought to favor frequent and smaller feedings instead of larger ones, throughout the day. When an individual feeds the body many times in a day, the persons metabolism normally increases. Therefore, the increased amount of fat that is in the body is usually burnt. Feeding frequency is also important, this is because an individual should eat in a frequency of fewer than three hours so as to ensure that the body does not switch to the state of catabolism -catabolism refers to the breaking down of complex molecules to simpler molecules (Thibault Pichard, 2010). The belief is that an individual should eat between to six meals in a day spaced at an interval of two to three-hour intervals. The decision usually depends on gender and goals. The other belief is that a meal ought to have protein, carbohydrates, and fat in their correct ratios. All the macro-nutrients ought to be present so as ensure the body can absorb them in the right manner. My belief is that the ratios should be in the following proportions: forty percent of carbohydrates, forty percent of proteins and twenty percent of fats Moderate consumption of alcohol is important since it can improve the health of an individual and may lead to a prolonged life. Proper attention ought to be paid to the key term moderation, which means that a woman is supposed to take one drink in a day on average and men are required to consume at most two drinks in a day. The women are saved from the risk of cancer of the breast, rectum, throat, mouth, esophagus and liver. Furthermore, alcohol and the health of the heart normally have a positive relationship. Finally, alcohol is important in boosting the brain power. Drinking eight glasses of water in a day is important for the body of a person to function in a proper way. A person should drink at specific intervals, to ensure that it does harm the body but helps it to function in a proper way. The first is drinking a glass of water after waking up; it is important to activate the internal organs. The water is believed to help in removing the toxins before taking the first meal of the day. It is essential to drink another one glass of water thirty minutes before the meal, so as to help digestion of the body. It is not right to drink the water too soon after or before the meal, as the water will dilute the juices of digestion. One should also drink a glass of water before taking a bath, so as to help in lowering the individuals pressure of the blood. Lastly, is taking a glass of water one before retiring to bed, this helps to replenish the fluid loss that normally occurs while sleeping. Risky Nutrition/Eating Pattern A risky healthy behavior is characterized by taking a meal after an interval of more than three to four hours. It is because when an individual fails to take a meal after an estimation of three to four hours, the body usually switches to a state of catabolism. A catabolic state is a state that an individual loses the muscles and gains the body fats. The body usually believes that it is undergoing body starvation, therefore, it starts to feed itself on tissues of lean muscles and stores calories as fat. Taking a meal beyond the interval of three to four hours is a risky eating pattern. It is my belief that eating before going to bed is not right. The body of an individual ought not to take large quantities of food before bedtime. The activity that involves the digestive system and process may lead to poor quality of sleep. A light snack is normally recommended so as to satisfy the cravings and to help the body at night. Going to sleep immediately after taking a meal increase the chances of stroke. One who waits for one hour after dinner before going to sleep decreases the chances of being attacked by stroke by sixty-six percent. Consumption of alcohol may also be harmful to the body of an individual especially in circumstances that are consumed in large amounts (WHO, 2014).The excessive alcohol usually interferes with the communication pathways of the brain, hence affect how the brain works and looks. The disruption normally leads to mood and behavior changes. Drinking too much for a particular occasion or for a long time may damage the heart, leading to problems such as Arrhythmias, stroke, Cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure. Heavy drinking may also lead to problems that associated with the liver such as steatosis, cirrhosis, alcohol hepatitis and fibrosis (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012).Additionally, too much alcohol normally increases the chances of developing particular types of cancers such as cancer of the breast, esophagus, mouth, liver and throat (Winstanley et al., 2011). I believe that eating too many carbohydrates is a risky health behavior since the excess carbohydrates are usually converted into fat in the body. As Mesas, Muoz-Pareja, Lpez-Garca, and Rodrguez-Artalejo (2012), excessive fat in the body increases the total amount of calories, which may lead to obesity. Therefore, I believe that the consumption of excessive carbohydrates is harmful to the body of an individual. Furthermore, failure to consume carbohydrates can lead to a lack of calories where the body will be forced to use the fats in the body to make up for the calories, which normally affects the metabolism process of the body. An individual is therefore required to consume carbohydrates in the required ration so as to avoid malnutrition. Factors Influencing the Beliefs about Nutrition/Eating Pattern I believe that culture and society are among the factors that influence nutrition or eating pattern when referring to the Health Beliefs Model. It is worth to note that there is a positive relationship between socio-economic factors and nutrition as McKinnon, Giskes, and Turrell (2014) suggest. Friends and families also influence the eating pattern. In situations where people are together, they tend to consume more or less, which may be different from a person can consume while alone. The type of food that an individual normally consumes when is with other people is also distinct from that that is consumed when one is alone. Increased consumption of meals that are rich in carbohydrates may increase the amount of fat in the body which may further lead to obesity. In some situations, people may decide to eat a lesser amount of food especially when they are with others; this typically leads to malnutrition. Family and friends gathering may lead to an increase in the alcohol consumption which may be harmful to the body as suggested by Molina, Donovan, and Belendiuk (2010). Additionally, I believe that technology and media have been acting as shaping forces in culture for various years. It is believed that children with the tendency to watch television are usually subjected to unhealthy eating patterns. In our culture, the trends of the eating patterns are often influenced by the marketing strategies that have been used. Advertisements for highly refined, highly processed, unhealthy food that are accompanied by sweeteners and fat have an adverse influence on the nutrition or the eating pattern. Many people especially the youth are usually susceptible to what is portrayed by the media. The media is, therefore, to blame for an epidemic that is associated with body dysmorphia and other issues that are related to self-image. Magazines that are full of muscular men and slim girls may result in a negative body image, hence encourage unhealthy nutrition. Therefore, this summarizes the influence of culture on nutrition. A culture that is associated with certain type of food culture is also affects the eating patterns or nutrition, for instance, if a culture is made up of vegetarians, an individual from such a culture will be a vegetarian since it is a norm in the culture. Some cultures do allow the people to consume some types of foods hence forcing its the populace in that society to consume food that lacks some of the essential macronutrients. It may, therefore, lead to malnutrition or excessive consumption of carbohydrates that frequently leads to obesity as stipulated by Barclay and Brand-Miller, (2011). The other factor is related to the gender of an individual. There is a belief that women typically need fewer calories than men. If on average a woman decides to consume some calories as that consumed by a man, she will end up gaining weight. The women are therefore predisposed to consume less amount of food which may lead to malnutrition. Men, on the other hand, will be encouraged by the fact that they are required to consume an increased amount of food. The increased consumption of food may lead to excess consumption of carbohydrates into the body, which is usually converted to fats, hence increasing the chances of been affected by obesity as suggested by Brown, Ioannidis, Cope, Bier, and Allison (2014). Conducting a Conversation with a Client with Different Beliefs The first thing that I will do is to carry out a thorough research on the important things concerning the eating patterns and nutrition. I will also take the chance to look at the factors that influence the healthy behaviors while referring to a particular Healthy Belief Model. Then I will use that opportunity to consult with the experts to confirm some of my beliefs. Once confirmed, I will be with be able to see the clients and help them to understand my beliefs. I will primarily converse by asking customers about some of their beliefs, especially those that they believe as true. Due to the research that I have conducted, I will take my time try to convince the clients what makes to alter their beliefs by using evidence-based materials. Once they are convinced, I will allow them to ask any question concerning their beliefs on the eating pattern and the convincing analogy that I have given to them. When their questions are answered, I will take my time to give a statement about my be liefs. I will explain to the clients about the beliefs that I have about the eating pattern and nutrition. I will start by mentioning the beliefs that are in my mind, and allow them to comment or suggest anything concerning the convictions. The move will be substantial since it will allow me to understand the specific place to begin my explanation. It will also enable me to be aware of any belief that the may have a little knowledge about it. The next step will be to explain each belief in details starting with what characterize healthy nutrition or good eating patterns. I will go to what characterize risky eating behavior, which will enable the clients to get a clear distinction of the healthy behaviors. After the explanation, I will allow the clients to come up with any questions concerning the healthy behavior or for clarification for any particular explanation. Then I will try to use examples so as to enable the clients to get a clear understanding of what I am trying to explain to them . I will then explain the factors that usually influence the healthy behavior paying much attention to a specific Healthy Beliefs Model. Once the clients understand the factors, it will be my time to ask some few questions that concern the healthy behavior. Finally, I will explain to customers about what I will believe one ought to do in an attempt to ensure that the individual is not affected by the healthy behavior. I will use evidenced-based materials to make sure that the client is convinced of my beliefs about eating patterns and nutrition. Conclusion The health beliefs that have been identified and explained about the eating behavior of an individual are valid and ought to be observed. Some of these my beliefs have been proven scientifically since they are based on evidence-based materials, which has been essential in explaining relevant facts to arising doubters of such beliefs. The scientific explanation of some of the above health beliefs helps to show that even the other beliefs are correct and individuals are supposed to adhere to them so as to ensure they lead a healthy life. It is worth noting that many authors and scientists have supported the health beliefs, hence requiring individuals to observe them so that they can be in a position to avoid the consequences associated with the failure to follow them. References Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2012). Australian Health Survey: First Results, 2011-12. CAT No. 4364.0.55.003, (1), 161. https://doi.org/ABS cat. no. 4364.0.55.003 Barclay, A. W., Brand-Miller, J. (2011). The Australian paradox: A substantial decline in sugars intake over the same timeframe that overweight and obesity have increased. Nutrients, 3(12), 491504. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu3040491 Brown, A. W., Ioannidis, J. P. A., Cope, M. B., Bier, D. M., Allison, D. B. (2014). Unscientific beliefs about scientific topics in nutrition. Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 5(5), 5635. https://doi.org/10.3945/AN.114.006577 McKinnon, L., Giskes, K., Turrell, G. (2014). The contribution of three components of nutrition knowledge to socio-economic differences in food purchasing choices. Public Health Nutrition, 17(8), 181424. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013002036 Mesas, a E., Muoz-Pareja, M., Lpez-Garca, E., Rodrguez-Artalejo, F. (2012). Selected eating behaviours and excess body weight: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews?: An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 13(2), 10635. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00936.x Molina, B. S. G., Donovan, J. E., Belendiuk, K. A. (2010). Familial loading for alcoholism and offspring behavior: Mediating and moderating influences. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 34(11), 19721984. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01287.x Thibault, R., Pichard, C. (2010). Nutrition and clinical outcome in intensive care patients. in Clinical Nutrition Metabolic Care, 13(2), 177183. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e32833574b9 WHO. (2014). Global status report on alcohol and health. World Health Organization, 1100. https://doi.org//entity/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/en/index.html Winstanley, M. H., Pratt, I. S., Chapman, K., Griffin, H. J., Croager, E. J., Olver, I. N., Slevin, T. J. (2011). Alcohol and cancer: A position statement from Cancer Council Australia. Medical Journal of Australia.

Zara SWOT Analysis

Literature Review Zara is one of the companies that operate under the Inditex Group. The company began its operations in the year 1974. As of today, Zara has managed to open approximately 1900 stores in more than 70 countries across the world. The company is headquartered in La Coruna, Galicia in Spain.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Zara SWOT Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For the ease of operation of its international subsidiaries, the company has established operational headquarters in each region in which it has set up its stores. The largest operational area of the company is retailing of fashion goods for women, men and even children. However, the company specializes in the retailing of women fashion products (Kurtz Boone, 2011). The company has ventured in the fast fashion segment in the larger fashion industry and is considered to be one of the pioneer companies in the fast fashion industry . The regions where the company has successfully established retail stores include the larger Europe, Oceania, South and North America, and Asia. These regions represent areas that represent the largest fashion markets in the world (The Soundings Group, 2011). Industry Analysis Zara operates in the fashion industry, specifically the fast fashion segment of the global fashion retailing industry. The fashion industry lies within the larger lifestyle and retail industry. The number of firms in the industry is quite large and they are differentiated by virtue of subcategories. The subcategories include ‘men/women/children’s’ clothing and footwear and fashion, among other sub-categories. The growth in the scale of the industry comes as a result of the efforts by firms in the industry to develop newer categories of products, which eventually extend to newer market segments.Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get yo ur first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is important to note that the fashion industry has a lot of players, who are motivated by the opportunities that prevail in the industry. The opportunities in the industry are promoted by the fact that there is globalization of culture, where fashion is a critical part of the culture. Fashion keeps changing within short cycles of time and so are the firms that are operating in the industry required to match up with the pace of change in the industry in order not to lose in the competition. Factors that promote the fashion industry and especially the fast fashion sector in which Zara operates in include the emphasis on the importance of fashion in the contemporary globe, the globalization of cultures, the growth of the population across the globe and the attachment of a lot of value on brands and fashion by the modern consumers (Tiplady, 2006). The fashion industry is a volatile industry. Its volatility is steered by the fact that mo st of materials that are used for the production of goods in the industry are drawn from the developing economies. Therefore, instabilities that often occur in the developing world easily result in the shooting up of the price of raw materials. Such a case in the textile industry was witnessed in the year 2004. This case denotes that the company is often vulnerable to the socio-political and economic dynamics that occur in different parts of the world. Zara has shown positive progress in terms of limiting the competitive pressures that come from its direct competitors by matching any event going out of hand to outwit the strategies that are used by its competitors in the market.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Zara SWOT Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The internationalization strategy has proved to be worth in the expansion of the operations and the scale of business by the company, thereby increasin g the level of competitiveness of the company in the market. Price regulation and cycles of efficient delivery of products form part of the competitive strengths of Zara (The New York Times, 2012). SWOT Analysis This is an evaluation of the environment in which a firm operates. The â€Å"internal† environment is assessed by evaluating the weaknesses and the strengths of the business, while the â€Å"external† environment is assessed by evaluating the threats and opportunities available to the business. This assessment helps the firm identify its current position and shape its future. SWOT represents â€Å"strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats† (Simoneaux Stroud, 2011, p. 76) that face a business. In this regard, a SWOT analysis is a tool that helps in reviewing a business plan to ensure that it remains alive. Through the results of a SWOT analysis, a firm is placed in a position to create goals in line with the business plan. Necessary strategies an d objectives are also formulated to guide the business in its current and future positions. Since change is ever happening in all industries, the SWOT analysis comes in handy in managing change, as well as forming the basis upon which realistic goals are set (Simoneaux Stroud, 2011). SWOT Analysis for ZARA Strengths The vertically integrated structure of the company as is embraced by the Inditex Group enables the company to be proactive in terms of the expansion of operations. Zara utilizes a low cost supply chain in managing its retail operations across the regions in which it operates (Choi, 2012).Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Operating under the Inditex Group remains to be a competitive factor for Zara since the utilization of the Inditex brand helps Zara to gain a competitive base in the new market in which the company stages it operations. This is argued to be one of the reasons why the company has managed to expand its operations in the four main regions of the world in which it operates today. By using the name of Inditex as its core brand in the international market, Zara has managed to build a resounding image in the markets in which it operates. The brand of Zara is, therefore, stronger and widely known in the market, which makes the company more competitive in the fast fashion industry (Bjerreskov et al., 2010). The other factor of strength in the company is that it remains proactive in terms of the development of strategy in the industry and the market in which it operates. With the retail fashion industry being a large industry, Zara chose to venture into one of the main sub-sectors in the indu stry; the fast fashion segment. It is, therefore, considered to be a pioneer in the fast fashion segment, a factor that makes most customers prefer the company over other companies that have ventured into the segment later. Coupled with sound human resource policies, the company is often in the forefront in terms of innovation in fashion. Innovation in Zara is boosted by the fact that the company has managed to fully adopt and use information technology in its management and design activities (Tiplady, 2006). The internationalization of the operations of Zara, which came as part of the expansion strategy of the company, gives the company an advantage over other companies in the industry. Unlike its competitors, Zara has managed to establish a global supply chain network that ensures that its stores are fed with the products on a timely manner, thereby appeasing customers always (Bjerreskov et al., 2010). It can be seen in terms of spreading the risk of the company, especially with t imes of economic uncertainties that have become common in the contemporary economic environment. The company has operations in four continents of the world, with retail stores established in more than 70 countries across the world with approximately 2000 active stores. The scale of business has, therefore, broadened by the virtue of the ability of the company to traverse the world and establish its operations across the world. The level of creativity in the company is quite advanced and is used as basis on which the company differentiates and segments its operations in the market to maintain market dominance. Although the company focuses on one product line, women fashion, it also designs and produces a ray of men and children fashion. The two other segments act as backup to the market segment in which Zara has fully ventured in. Each segment is highly differentiated in terms of operation, making the products and services in every segment to be distinct and unique in the market (Pah l Mohring, 2008). Weakness The marketing strategy of the company has often been on the limelight. Zara makes use of a marketing strategy that has no advertisements. This is risky in times when aggressive marketing is embraced across the fashion industry. Failure to embrace aggressive marketing can slowly result in the loss of competitiveness by Zara in the market (Pahl Mohring, 2008). It is quite difficult to attain and sustain customer loyalty in the segment of operation in which Zara has fully ventured into. This comes from the fact that the needs and demands of customers who feature in the market keep changing. Consumers in the industry can, therefore, easily turn their attention to seemingly newer and cheaper fashions in the market (Pahl Mohring, 2008). Opportunities Globalization is a key factor in as long as the operations of the fashion industry are concerned. Globalization of culture is one of the attributes that highly promotes the demand for fashion in the world. Global ization of culture is enhanced by growth in the culture of consumerism across the globe. Zara is, therefore, presented with a lot of marketing opportunities in as far as the zeal for people to test other cultures through fashion remains to be experienced in the world. Opening of trade in the world promotes the landscape on which firms can easily advance and expand their operations in newer and developing markets across the globe. Zara can, thus, easily expand its operations in the markets that are emerging (Pahl Mohring, 2008). The fashion industry is broad and the diversity in the needs of fashion makes the broader industry. Zara can, therefore, venture into other segments in which other companies have not fully ventured into. The level of creativity in the company is also desirable and can help the company in the development of new fashion and new market segments (Bjerreskov et al., 2010). The modern economic environment has been invigorated by the presence of information and com munication technology. The availability and adoption of information and communication technology in the company is bound to help in the promotion of marketing activities through adoption of e-marketing initiatives. E-marketing is one of the pillars of marketing in an industry that is as dynamic as the fast fashion industry (Choi, 2012). Threats Trends in the global fashion industry denote the quick pace at which the consumers of fashion keep changing their demands. This implies that fashions or goods and services in the fashion industry can fade at a quicker pace, thereby rendering the stocks of a company unsellable to the customers. This forces the company to keep changing its tactics in the market and keep investing in the design and development of newer fashions, which is an expensive affair for the company. It raises the cost of operation for the company (Pahl Mohring, 2008). Fashion is considered as an industry that deals mostly in secondary goods. On the other hand, economic uncertainties have been on the rise in the contemporary economy, which negatively affects the global markets. Examples are the recent global financial crisis and the global recession that hit hard on the global markets. Such uncertainties and the general rise in the rate of inflation in the global economy impact negatively on the sales trend in the fashion industry (Pahl Mohring, 2008). The other threat to the company is the increase in the number of firms that are venturing in the fast fashion industry across the world. This makes the competitive environment to be quite complex, bearing in mind that there are other key competitors in the industry that the company is battling with. Conclusion From the analysis in the paper, several deductions can be made concerning the scale of competitiveness in the global fashion industry and the competitive position of Zara. The global fashion is quite dynamic. The dynamism of the industry provides both opportunities and challenges to the compan ies that are operating in the industry. Zara has been quite active in terms of developing and implementing strategies that help it take advantage of the opportunities that prevail in the market. The company operates by basing more on strengthening its operations instead of matching the factors of competition that are posed by the competitor firms in the industry. References Bjerreskov, D. H., Bohlbro, D., Lars, K. J., Nielsen, B., Jack, M. (2010). Value-added logistics in supply chain management. Copenhagen: Academica. Choi, T.-M. (2012). Fashion supply chain management: Industry and business analysis. Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference. Kurtz, D. L., Boone, L. E. (2011). Contemporary business. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Pahl, N., Mohring, W. (2008). Successful business models in the fashion retail industry: Strategic audit of HM compared to ZARA. Norderstedt, Germany: GRIN Verlag. Simoneaux, S. L., Stroud, C. L. (2011). SWOT analysis: the annual check-up for a business. Journal o f Pension Benefits: Issues in Administration, 18(3), 75-78. The New York Times. (2012). How Zara grew into the world’s largest fashion retailer. The New York Times. Web. The Soundings Group. (2011). Zara: A global success story ( 2011). Web. Tiplady, R. (2006). Zara: Taking the lead in fast-fashion. Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Web. This article on Zara SWOT Analysis was written and submitted by user Kyra T. 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.