In this day and age, anger is a major player in every society. People are driven by anger, meaning that they do not have any self control and the decisions made by them are actually decisions made by anger. We could even go so far as to call society an ‘Anger Driven Society’, where everyone is prone to anger outbursts.

If we observe our society for a while, we may be astonished to see that even children and teenagers are prone to anger outbursts as well. They are turning their negative energy into negative ways by attempting suicide, substance abuse, getting involved in violent activities, drinking alcohol, and so forth. Anger management is an issue that faces people of all ages and backgrounds. This is evident by the number of adolescent and teen anger management programs that are becoming commonplace. There are even free anger management advice lines for parents with troublesome pre-school kids.

Stress is playing a greater role in life nowadays and the stressors are so many that one may almost feel incapable of coping with them. The result is that each and every person is in a potentially hostile mood and if their trigger point is just slightly pressed, they will go out of control. This is not an example of a healthy society, and we should seek ways and means of anger management to turn all our negative energies collectively into positive energies and protect the foundations of a peaceful society.

On a governmental level, every country’s officials are angry amongst themselves and everybody wants things to go their way. Religious leaders throughout the world can be as angry as anyone and they want to impose religion on everyone. But let’s also remember that no religion teaches it is correct to impose things on anyone or talk rudely to anyone, or deceive someone, or to steal from someone, or to cheat someone, or to hurt someone. I can go on and on with the list and it will never end.

Every one of us is subjected, I guess almost daily, to some situations in which we just get mad and express ourselves in a negative way and think that our anger will resolve the issue. We expect someone will be intimidated by our anger and will do what we want them to, but it does not happen like this, it is not normal and the general point of view is that such people are in need of strong anger management therapy.

Honesty and decency is the best policy, but today, it is very difficult for an honest and decent person to survive in such society, because an honest person cannot hurt or cheat anyone. They expect honesty from everybody else that they are dealing with and they reserve the right of getting angry and reacting to the situation, in which they are being deceived, but they do not lose their control and never forget their principles of anger management.

They will often use diplomacy and negotiation as their main anger management techniques and call upon other anger management skills to enable them to ensure that their will does prevail, but without resorting to violence or dishonest means. If more people were to adopt this way of thinking then the world would be a better place to live in and honesty would be seen as the decent quality that it is, and not as some form of weakness as is often the case.

So, here’s a suggestion for everyone – let’s fight the negative energy, with all our might, and let’s be the first ones to take the steps towards positive thoughts and deeds in our anger ridden society, to make it a better place for the generations to come.

What is normal really? If you think about it in today’s society what really is normal? Is being a blonde normal or a brunette? What about your height? Is that normal? Think about your background for a moment, is that normal? There is so much that goes into just one person’s life story and how they got to where they are today, how can we classify anyone as being “normal.”

We all grew up in a society where most of us went to school, had peer pressure, and even parental influences in our life to be “normal.” But when you think about it there really is no normal. We are all different and unique energetic beings on this planet. We have all had different background growing up, different families, look differently, sound differently, and act differently. So why is there this pressure to be normal?

Society today has influenced multiple generations into this complexity in our life. It has placed the emphases on not being an individual but rather on being like other people. Do you have the latest clothes, hairstyle, car, gadgets? If you do then society says you fit in with others and are “normal” and if you don’t you are considered “weird” or “different.” But the wondrous thing about life is that we are all this way! We are all unique in our own right, and this is what the “normal” is for us. It isn’t about the material things in life, but rather it is about understanding that you are perfect just the way you are.

Think about it, was there every a time in your life when you didn’t feel normal or you thought if only I was normal. The normal is understanding that everyone is different and loving yourself for who you are. You have a perfect soul at your core and that you are unique in your own right.

On September 29th, a talk show about arranged marriages was hosted. For some reason, it sparked controversy. A couple of men and most women were upset about being forced to marry someone they didn't love. Yet, over 50% of marriages fail. That means, even though most couples enter matrimony in the name of love, the fairytale ends with a divorce. If so many divorcees married for love and the majority are divorced, what happened? Is love enough?

For thousands of years, marriages were arranged. It's a recent phenomenon that most people choose their own spouse. With an arranged marriage, you have the benefit of your parents and grandparents who shop for your mate. They have been watching specific families for compatibility. They would look at family values, attitudes of parents and children, socioeconomic class, ability to manage money, assets, etc. At the least, they would marry their offspring to someone in an equal socioeconomic class. At best, you can marry up. To do that, the children would have to be prepared to marry, understand their role and uphold the family name.

Today, you are on your own. On top of that, people are taught to be tough and independent. And the idea of ​​compatibility has been replaced by love and romance. At the same time, women initiate 70% of divorces. Does that mean women don't care about love? Does it mean women don't value men? Or are men ignoring the needs of women?

In the gay community, 20% of the marriages between men end on divorce. As for lesbian marriages, 45% end in divorce. It seems women are having a difficult time getting along with anyone. In fact, the complaints in lesbian marriages are the same as heterosexual. It seems women are more likely to have unrealistic expectations about their partner or their ideas about how marriage works.

With that said, perhaps people are completely unprepared for marriage. Marriage is a legal binding contract between two people. Its origins have more to do with protecting generational wealth. It ensures the assets the couple acquired are protected and passed down to offspring.

Instead of entering marriage as partnership, there are many who have fallen into the trap of Hollywood love. That means lots of fun, excitement and surprise gifts. Frolic becomes the priority over building a legacy. When the excitement wanes, the so-called chemistry disappears. That is often the path to divorce. Or infidelity becomes a substitute. When fun and excitement are the priority, you find the brain secretes dopamine from the fun stimuli. When the person no longer receives dopamine rushes, they will seek it elsewhere. In reality, that is like being married to a drug addict. They cannot function without their high. Going to the gym is a much better way to get a dopamine rush.

On my talk show, we discussed how the US arrived in this state of dysfunctional marriages. For the most part, it began with a book written in 1819 by John Keats. The book is called, La Belle Dame sans Merci . It was one of the first romance novels. Initially the book had little to no impact on US culture. However, by the 1850s, women started to desire the romance they read in Keat's novel. If you think about it, it may have been one of the most damaging blows to the institution of marriage. That book shaped how other romance novels were written. And it is responsible for Hollywood love themes. People have forgotten the intention of marriage. At one time, compatibility based on family values ​​superceded love and frolic. Besides, over time, the couple in an arranged marriage would grow to depend on one another and affinity would form. Keat's book derailed the old social structure and put society on a path of choosing a spouse based on feelings.

In addition, during the 1920s, the diamond company DeBeers created a slogan: diamonds are a girl's best friends. Before the 20s, only rich men purchased diamonds for their wives. After the DeBeers' campaign, all women expected diamonds. And they want a diamond that is larger than their friend's or sister's.

What's more interesting is the idea of ​​a man placing a diamond on a woman's finger goes back to ancient Greece. The Greeks saw precious stones as having spiritual powers. Diamonds were known as the strongest stone. As a result, it symbolized protection. When a man left home for extended time periods, he would place a diamond on his wife's finger to protect her while he was away.

The third aspect of society that has hurt marriage is the feminist movement. They convinced women that marriage is an institution where men completely dominate women. Men force women to take his last name. Then he influences her belief system and completely changes her. He also keeps her barefoot and pregnant. That mindset has women enter marriage with defensive and protective feelings. The marriage is doomed before it starts. Except, even lesbian marriages are failing. So it is not about men. So what's missing?

In the past, parents and grandparents were involved in the selection of a spouse. While there were forced arrangements, there were many marriages that were created with the children's best interest at heart. Parents want what's best for their children. They would rather see their child in a healthy union, instead of one filled with strife. Through their experience, they may have a better idea of ​​what is compatible with their child. That is not so much based on the child's personality. It is based on values. When you add the grandparents to the equation, it becomes easier to match your offspring.

Compatibility and values ​​is clearly demonstrated in the book, The Millionaire Mind , by Thomas Stanley. In his book, he writes about many millionaire couples he interviewed. He said they experience significantly less divorce than couples from lower socioeconomic classes. He said it was not money or image that kept them together. He found they were better at finding a mate who was compatible based on values. In fact, many of the millionaire couples did not have much money when they met. In other cases, the husband lost everything and the wife had to work. In some cases, they had success and later became homeless. Yet, they never split. The wife remained with the husband even when they had to sleep out of the car. At some point, their team effort allowed them to achieve success.

I say that to say marriage is based on compatibility, not feelings or dopamine rushes. When it is an arranged marriage, the two families thoroughly explore other families to ensure the spouses and families are compatible. They may even have businesses that complement one another, like one owns a cattle ranch. The other owns a leather manufacturing business.

In today's dating scene, when a man and woman are getting to know one another, a man can tell the women anything she wants to hear. When your parents and grandparents are seeking a spouse, they are interviewing the man and family. It is a serious process. Therefore, it will be much harder for a man to be a player, especially with the father and grandfather involved. They may want to know if the man can run the family business. Do you have the qualities of care and responsibility to look after their daughter and grandchildren? They are likely to ask questions and get answers. That means games are completely eliminated, which is the source of frustration for men and women today. When a woman is seeking a man on her own, she can be swept away by deception and the dopamine high. Conversely, the beauty and body of a woman can blind a man. When in fact, she may only care about his resources. And she has no intention of being a good caring partner to the man. In fact, she may even deny him access to her body by not having sex. There are many sexless marriages.

On a side note, many of you may squawk that you don't want to marry someone you don't love. On my talk show, I discussed a reality TV program called Beauty and the Geek . The show brought together 10 geeky men with 10 attractive women. The geeks proclaimed that these are women they would never have the guts to approach in real life. The women also stated that these are not the kinds of men that would interest them. Throughout the show, men and women teamed up to accomplish certain tasks together. As the show progressed, they rotated by teaming up with a different person. By the end of the show, it was amazing to see the affinity shared between them. The show was a social experiment that proved even unlikely people could create affinity. They simply need a bridge to bring them together.

To sum it up, arranged marriages could significantly reduce divorce in the US. If you leverage the wisdom of your parents and grandparents or aunts and uncles, you are more likely to choose or be paired up with a significant other based on compatibility. Since feelings are fleeting, love can come and go. However, compatible values ​​can be a stabilizing force.

Furthermore, since parents want their offspring to marry the best person, it would be wise to educate and prepare them for their role as a spouse. First, that will make them a more attractive candidate. Second, they don't have to play trial and error at everything. That gives the marriage a better chance of success.

When the marriage is arranged, both sides of the family are actively involved in the couple's success. Because the entire family has a vested interest in the marriage, they serve as a support structure when the couple goes through a rough patch.

Finally, successful unions would benefit society as a whole. The more successful marriages that exist the more people look forward to participating in a union of some kind. Even corporate America will benefit. Imagine. On any given day, approximately 50% of the workforce is headed for a divorce, in the middle of one or just coming out of one. That affects work productivity. Most are distraught when facing divorce. If you eliminate divorce from society, you create a happier and more productive workforce. Everyone wins.

What do you think? I would love to hear your feedback. And I'm open to ideas. Or if you want to write me about a specific topic, connect through my blog www.turnaroundip.blogspot.com .

So, do you believe that EDUCATION is absolutely necessary in today’s society? Does being educated make a significant difference in someone’s life?

Education is the process of learning and acquiring knowledge at school from a teacher, receiving knowledge at home from a parent, a family member, and even an acquaintance. Education is a key that allows people to move up in the world, seek better jobs, and succeed in life. Education is one factor that affects job positions people hold, advance in their further career, the income they make, and the title they hold. The more educated a person is, the more prestige and power that person holds.

However, unfortunately we have places in the world, where not everyone has an opportunity or chance to receive formal education. India is amongst the countries, where there is a high population of people who are illiterate. Almost, 55% of the population in India is illiterate. Partly, because most of the country resides in villages and not in cities, where education is more prevalent. Most of the people living in villages spend majority of their time in cultivating crops and harvesting their fields and don’t find it necessary to be educated in order to harvest their fields or to do household chores. The girls living in villages marry at a young age and later get busy with family and doing household chores. According to Indian belief, girls commonly get married at an early age and are advised to stay home and take care of the household instead of studying or working. That’s the reason why lot of parents in India are worried about getting their daughter married rather than her education. I can give you an example in my own life. When I was in India I wanted to get further education and fulfill my dream. On contrary to what society thinks, I wanted to pursue my career in the health care field to serve my own community. The support from my family, especially my grandfather, gave me the strength to keep my dream alive. I was 18 years old when we moved to the United States, and the transition to a country that is different culturally, academically, and politically was not easy. I did not know what I could do with my life when I came to the States. The transition was difficult for my parents as well. The need for finding a business, concern about my sibling’s education and me and adjusting in a new environment was definitely challenging. After doing most of college in India, it was hard for me to start over my college education. My dad’s brother, who is a physician, inspired me to keep my dream alive to pursue a career in medicine. I started my education at the community college, where I struggled with most of my classes in the first year as the educational system was different than the one I was used to. I joined clubs and other organizations at the college to know more about the medical careers. I got the knowledge that I required for pursuing a career in medicine but still, I had never experienced how things are in the real world of medicine. I have done everything that I could to help me fulfill my dream. I am currently an Emergency Medical Technician and I enjoy working in the allied health field.

I think being educated is the most important thing not only for success in one’s life, but the better educated population plays an important role in making a nation more successful and well rounded. Receiving formal education is vital, but to achieve success in life, informal education is essential. One can learn English, History, Math, Science in school, and be “book-smart”. Furthermore, one can learn how to live life by knowing what to say when, acting a certain way in specific situation, and be “street-smart”. You can have all the “book” knowledge in the world about a certain profession, but if you don’t know how to behave with your colleagues and your superiors than having “book” knowledge won’t take you too far. For example, if you are a Physician by profession, you have all the knowledge about the world of medicine and know much about health care, but if you do not have bed side manners and don’t interact well with your patients, co-workers, and the team, than what’s the point of having all “book” knowledge. To achieve success in life and reaching a point in life where people respect you for what you are is what makes a difference, because at that point you excel in both formal and informal education. Education is very important and no one should be deprived of it.

“No nation can leave its security only to the Police and the Army, to a large extent national security depends upon the education of citizens, their knowledge of affairs, their characters and sense of discipline and their ability to participate effectively in security measure.” – Kothari commission

A well educated population represents a well secured, well developed, strong Nation.

There are many advantages to having a bail bond system, and one of the most important is… it is our Constitutional right. It also reinforces the American justice system: innocent until proven guilty. Without a bail bond system our jails would be extremely overcrowded, it would cost more to house inmates, and many lives could be disrupted without a chance to be released from jail.

Federal and State laws regulate bail amounts and circumstances that could cause someone to be denied bail. The right to bail is not a guarantee. The number one priority and concern is safety when determining bail. Those individuals who may be a danger to society or their community, or possibly flight risks, or maybe even charged with a serious or violent crime, are often denied bail, or their bail is set so high that they are unable to make bail and get released.

Once someone is released from jail they typically go back to their normal routines while awaiting their court date or disposition of their case. This allows them to keep working, take care of their families, and continue to pay their bills. People could lose their jobs, homes, and possibly their children, if they were not able to hire a bail bondsman and be released from jail, all before they are ever convicted of a crime.

Another advantage to a defendant being able to hire a bail bondsman and be released from jail is their safety. There is so much overcrowding in our jails, as well as being a violent and dangerous place. The longer an individual is in jail, the more likely the chance of injury or even death. The Los Angeles Times reported, “Since 2000, 15 people have been slain in Los Angeles County jails, including several low-risk inmates killed by gang members or other dangerous convicts.”

There is simply no presumption of innocence without the right to bail. Individuals could end up remaining in jail for a long time, and may not even be convicted on a crime. While they are in jail, the government is responsible for housing defendants, ensuring their safety, and room and board. If these defendants are not given the option to bail out of jail, the overpopulation and financial burden continues to increase on a prison system that is already overcrowded.

To sum it all up, it appears the bail bond system has some solid benefits that help our society. That tax money is saved by not having to pay for the daily expenditures of housing an inmate, or trying to keep them safe while in an overpopulated jail. Additionally, the risk is assumed by individuals and private companies instead of state governments, and the rights of the defendant are protected. It doesn’t cost tax payers one penny!

My father (Dad, may your soul rest in peace) built a house in Akokwa, Nigeria which had a block back fence, with the top strewn with broken glass and nails. In spite of the sharps, lizards, especially those with red heads and droopy necks, rested and crawled on top of the fence, going from one corner to the other.

On the inner side of the fence, a foot or so in front of the wall, was a lean, tall pawpaw tree. The tree was almost barren, having fed and bled for so many hungry children during the Biafra-Nigerian war. Like the red-headed lizards, we children used to stare at the pawpaw tree, hoping that it would produce one more pod. Then we would stare at the lizards with hungry eyes and I would wonder what they would do next. Would they continue crawling along the fence, or skip over to the pawpaw tree, or would they go down, diagonally across the block fence and to the ground?

Many men at age fifty-seven face the same dilemma as the old red-necked lizards. Their main preoccupation is how to proceed in life. In that mental preoccupation space, they face at least three options. They could scale over to engage life at a higher level of existence. They could continue on the even pedestal of wear and tear, mirroring the way they have lived their whole lives. Their third option, which as I remember none of the lizards chose, would be to surrender to the demands of society and run aground.

It may sound unimportant, but the choices we make at age fifty-seven can determine the way we live out the rest of our lives. Not that the decisions (material and moral) people make at any age cannot make or break them, but whereas a young man can recover quickly from a bad decision, an older person may not.

According to an Igbo proverb, the wood people gathered when they were young are what they will use in old age. On the surface, this proverb implies that they should work hard when they are young, then fold up and rest when they are old. Such a practice, if carried out, would lead to a decline in physical and mental health. The evidence of those who have chosen to do that is clear to see. A resurgence of creative energy, rather than a winding down, is what people need when they get older.

Men who, at age fifty-seven, let their body and their senses run along the same crawling path will sooner or later surrender to the challenges of life. They might have considered themselves as living a stable life, but stability does not exist in the universe. Status quo is never found in nature.

No one needs more than a second of thinking to understand that there is ongoing decay within the perceived realm of balance. A wrinkled skin everybody can see, but nobody sees internal organs. Even though they are hidden, the brain, the kidneys, the liver, and the guts are still getting as wrinkly and as fatigued as the skin. This explains why men at fifty-seven rapidly run out of breath, put on weight if they drink a bottle of lager, stout, beer or Soda, develop brain fog if someone challenges their thinking, and often suffer from urinary and genital dysfunctions.

An active lifestyle rather than a stable lifestyle is the answer to old age. The body is like a house. To maintain cleanliness, houses have to be swept, painted, and aired. Likewise, for men who are fifty-seven to keep going, they must live an active lifestyle. Fat and the accumulation of fat is their greatest enemy. Move it! Don't get buried in fat. Go to the gym, jog, lift weights, play soccer, play basketball, run, and do all you can to remain as lean as the slender pawpaw tree.

Moreover, men at fifty-seven must choose what they eat. Salt is their greatest enemy. Avoid it with a vengeance! Half a teaspoon of iodized salt is all the body needs in a day. Resist being fed like a greedy baby who eats everything placed in front of him. Ask for meals that suit your new diet. At fifty-seven, you have earned the right to request what type of food somebody places in front of you. Cook them yourself, if for some reason those around you do not care for healthy life aspirations. Hopefully, your mother taught you how to cook when you were a child.

In his stage seven (Stagnation versus Generativity) psychosocial development theory, Erik Erikson envisioned men at fifty-seven as either being proud of their ongoing accomplishments or being sad if they lost motivation. Status quo would not cut it for men age this age. New inroads at this period in life, Erikson said, lead to a happier man, or woman. Like many psychologists and psychoanalysts, Erikson was interpreting what I think he witnessed in the interplay between man and society. What Erikson did not explicitly say, but which I find essential to understand, is that man is always answerable to the community, doing as society compels him to do.

On a closer look, any keen observer would conclude that society has always been both the bane and the savior of man. Society says, "Play your part and get out of the human stage or else we'll get you out." Man plays by the rules set forth by society. Age fifty-seven is about the perfect time to ditch society and chart our own destiny.

In what I call The Society Expectation Theory (SET), society expects old men to pass quickly so that younger people can occupy their jobs, their ranks, and of course inherit whatever wealth they have acquired. We need to be conscious of SET to guard against its consequences. SET, as one might imagine, is even worse in some cultures.

To all men who turned fifty-seven this year, I say to you, look ahead; take up a new endeavor. Let your brain and your mind turn like a windmill. If you are an engineer, get into law school; if you are an accountant, get into medical school. Start a philanthropic organization. Write a memoir. There is nothing anyone cannot do if they ignite their mind.

Whatever you choose, never take the easy way out and run yourself aground. None of the red-necked lizards descended from on top of the wall when we were watching them, and neither should men at fifty-seven.

End

It is very common to hear these days that romance is dead, or that love and relationships of the present age just do not have the passion of the old days. But how true is that? Were relationships of the past so filled with romance and so perfect as often described?

The truth is, all those amazing love stories that are told in great novels and movies, even when real, are the rarest of relationships. From an early age, a perception is created in people’s minds about love and relationships, that it should all be as in fairy tales or in a romance; that love, when it comes, will be forever and will be a perfect and a smooth ride. Human beings are not perfect, therefore their relationships can’t be perfect either.

We’re not that much different from people who lived centuries ago; our core is still the same, our desires and feelings are unchanged. What has truly progressed, on the other hand, is a society which has now a different set of values that changed the way people perceive love and relationships. A few decades ago a wedding ring meant it was forever, but not because the couple would love each other endlessly; it was only because it was not possible to break the vows of marriage. No matter what happened between the two, there were no exit doors. And even though we are given the idea of these perfect marriages, the unavoidable truth is there were problems. They were just hidden behind veils of lies and deceit.

The key to making love and relationships last and be happy doesn’t involve any magic, or a ring; it’s about both people committing themselves to the fullest. Often people are so lost in their search for the stereotypes they believe, that they forget commitment and love is truly important to make things work. This is something that will remain the same over the years.

Love and relationships haven’t changed that much over the centuries, because men and women still feel the same way and are still after the same desires. Their surroundings, on the other hand, have evolved the perceptions of these ideas. Before, just as it is now, relationships were haunted with many problems, doubts and struggles between the couple, but no one is interested in reading stories about failed romances of the past. And this is what creates the dream of perfection in the minds of people, that is so far from reality.

Whenever I hear a student or any graduate asking this question, I always think that the right question they should or ought to ask themselves in place of this is 'Did I allow my school to prepare me for society?'

School is described as an organized environment for the purpose of adding values ​​to the lives of members of a society through teaching and learning. What society does through schools is educating, that is, making known to the people of the society something that is previously unknown to them. So, knowing the unknown is what we call 'knowledge', and that is the essence of going to school – to possess knowledge, skills, minds and virtues which one needs to survive in the society, (and which hitherto going to school is completely unknown to them). If you say, 'did your school prepare you for society?' my question for you is, 'everything you know today, do they come to you by chance, without ever going to school, without any contribution from your schoolmates? Your teachers? ' if your answer is NO, then it means your school has performed or is performing its duty of making know to you; the problem might probably lies with you.

Whatever is credited to your brain are those things that you know – your knowledge; Whether you like it or not, society rates you based on your knowledge, and your chances of getting job or you creating jobs yourself is based and determined by that knowledge of yours. This is because all about school is society! Whatever you have come to discover about your society from school, whether good or bad, are all knowledge. Knowledge can be the discovery of a problem and it can also be the discovery of a solution to a particular problem. But whether problem or solution, all is called knowledge – and both are still parts of the same society and both can become money for you.

Schools are not there to help us discover only solutions to problem, they are also meant to help us discover problems as there might have been. There must be problem before solution. Your participation in learning age – whether through formal or informal means – is to know and discover something about something; what you want to know and discover something about is in the society. Society is the inspiration behind all its schools; it is the foundation for all of them and the reality of their existence and the reason for their establishment.

Society does not establish school without having reason for it. The need must be for it. Society needs people for some specialized services for its people sake; it needs those that will be managing its technological services; it needs people who will be protecting the lives and properties of its people and its territory; it needs people that will be helping it managing the financial issues – the cash flow, so that there won't be inflation or the other; it needs those who will be teaching its people how to access instruction and information, and the help of those who can stand between its people and the spiritual entities. And for these people to be qualified to handle such services, there must be a means of training them – and that training centers are schools of all kinds. That is the essence of establishing schools – training people to serve people for a benefit. And to ensure that the people to be trained are well equipped before their training period (learning age) elapsed, society arranges and organizes the last step of the period (university and other higher institutions) to look just as the society itself – that's why there are different kinds of religious bodies, organizations and associations within higher institutions with lots of chances and time for students to participate in some activities, such as doing student-based businesses, rendering volunteering services, watching educational movies, having time for group discussions, etc .

Then let me answer the question with Malcolm London's statement in his 2013 Tedtalk which he gave while he was still an undergraduate. He said, "I hear education systems are failing, but I believe they're succeeding at what they're built to do – to train you, to keep you on track …"

The truth, dear, is that your school is succeeding in its purpose of establishment. I don't believe there is any school that is failing in that aspect. If you have been seeing graduates out there who say their schools fail to prepare them for society ask them these questions as I'm asking you, now, 'How do you study while school?' 'Do you study both theoretically and technically?' 'How often do you put into practice on your own, aside assignment, all that you are being taught in classroom?' 'Are you only exploring the library or exploring the whole school in totality?' 'In your exploration of the school, do you explore it consciously or unconsciously, with aim of learning or with aim of flexing?' 'What can you confidently say you have allowed the school to change in you?' etc.

The reason for these questions is that while schools prepare for students both academically and practically, most students (larger percent) only prepare for schools academically. Only a few prepare for schools in both studies and these are the students society celebrates in truth.

I don't know how you've been going through your school or how you did while still there, but I do know that exploration of classrooms, library and lesson-notes only can give you as much as course or discipline knowledge, while it's only your self-teaching and school totality exploration that can give you elements of education such as outspokenness, confidence, inner strength, ability to decision, taking risks, knowledgeability, creativity or ability to improvised, etc which society needs. If your discipline knowledge gives you job; elements of education help you stay and grow in the job.

The only reason society allows the features of real society in higher institutions is to give you the elements of education. It is their exhibitions that will tell society and its people that you have really been to school because those elements will activate your knowledge, lift it up, direct it, sharpen it, position it, protect it, expand it, sustain it, advertise it and most importantly make you happy that you have acquired such discipline knowledge.

One of the reasons most graduates consider their course or discipline knowledge irrelevant and not useful in their society is because they lack those elements of education which can help them position it to the right place. As a matter of fact, these elements of education are what make a difference between two personalities of the same academic qualifications, and they are what most employers want to be sure of first in their prospective employees before considering their academic standard.

Friend, all schools make move to prepare students for society, but most students refuse to welcome the gesture. They won't explore the chance; they won't allow school to prepare. School is more than the teachers, the classrooms, the library, the textbooks, the assignment and the exams; school is all that contributes to your knowledge and these may include your friends, your association, your thinking and reasons, where you often go to, what you often do and say, etc. Along with the primary features of a school, those are secondary, but imperatively important to your mastery of what the primary features are teaching

Domestic violence is a reality in many families around the world. Since I come from a relatively secure environment I am nothing short of appalled by the fact of domestic violence. I used to think that this was a problem mainly in developing regions and among uneducated people but stood corrected once I became sensitive to ground realities. According to the global estimates published by the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical and / or sexual violence in their lifetime. Domestic violence isn't something that happens merely in purely and if I may add, harshly, patriarchal structures, but also in so called progressive cultures. It is as much of a problem in America as it is in India, although the levels and kinds of interventions may differ. Domestic violence is a sad occurrence for it reveals the lack of respect and honor given to women not only in society at large but within the boundaries of their own homes!

The National Crime Records Bureau reveal that a crime against a woman is committed every three minutes; a woman is raped every 29 minutes; a dowry death occurs every 77 minutes, and one case of cruelty committed by either the husband or relative of the husband occurs every nine minutes. This occurs despite the fact that women in India are legally protected from domestic abuse under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The Act provides a definition of domestic violence that is comprehensive and includes all forms of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual , and economic violence, and covers both actual acts of such violence as well as threats of violence. Despite having such systems in place, domestic violence still continues to carry on its demonic existence within families.

In the case of domestic violence, the victim is usually the woman who is perceived to be subservient to her male counterpart. According to the National Family Health Survey – 4 (2016) conducted by the Union health ministry, every third woman, since the age of 15, has faced domestic violence in various forms. The survey reveals that 27 percent of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15 in India. These are pretty disturbing figures. It does not matter that such cases are more common in rural areas than in urban ones. The cause of concern here is that something as demeaning and barbaric as this is even occurring in our country. India's listing according to a report by Thomson Reuters, as the "fourth most dangerous country" in the world for women does not help our cause. No country is without its flaws but for a country that worships women deities … it doesn't speak very well about us.

When we think of domestic violence, we are prone to think that husbands are the primary perpetrators. While this is true to a certain extent it is not the only offender. 31 percent of married women, according to the survey, have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their spouses. While married women are prone to receive trouble mostly from their husbands besides other family members like in-laws, unmarried women have also reported physical violence mostly from their mothers or step-mothers (56%), fathers or step-fathers (33%) , sisters or brothers (27%), and teachers (15%).

As if this was not enough to sour the mood, the surveyors discovered a chilling fact: Women in India are supportive of domestic violence! Yes, you read that right. Data shows that women between the ages of 40-49 were most supportive of domestic violence, with 54.8% in agreement. The percentage justifying abuse is surprisingly only marginally lesser among younger women. 47.7% of girls between the age of 15-19 agreed with domestic violence. 54.4% of rural women agreed with domestic abuse while 46.8% of urban women supported it.

Take a minute. Go over the numbers again and think about what they have to say. The Indian family is definitely not a healthy place. Nearly 50% of families are marred by domestic abuse be it from husbands, parents, in-laws, siblings, children or other relatives. This brought home to me the grave situation our country women are in. For most of my life, domestic violence was something I read about in the newspaper or watched on television. But after listening to a colleague who shared her experience of domestic abuse, I couldn't ignore its ugly existence any more.

This got me thinking: How can we prevent domestic abuse from taking place? Education has a pivotal role to play in alleviating this somber situation. The main distinguishing factor in acceptance of domestic violence is education, much more than income, or even age. The report stated that instances of domestic violence, including physical and sexual violence decreases sharply with schooling and education. Cases of physical or even sexual violence are significantly lesser among educated people than among un-educated ones. But this alone is not enough.

A legal framework is set up to tackle issues of domestic violence but often such issues don't make it to the court or even to the police because of the culture of conservatism and shame that is attached to them. However, women need to be made aware that there is the strong arm of the law behind them. Numerous NGO's are working around the clock to ensure that women's rights are met and their grievances heard. Domestic abuse is a blot on any society's character and concerted efforts must be made to erase it all together. The way ahead is tough and the battle has already begun. But have the soldiers prepared for the war? The side-effects of domestic abuse as well as those of external interventions are numerous and threaten the overall fabric of the family and society but justice must be done. How and by whom are important and urgent questions but if each one can take the bold step to prevent and / or address abuse appropriately, they would be playing no small in restoring the integrity of society's character.

Everything comes with positive and negative sides, especially if we talk about competition. On one hand, it brings plenty of hopes and advantages, while on the negative approach, it conveys ruinous jealously and gaucherie. Most people believe that competition makes their life more challenging and tricky.

One of my classmates at schooling level was often confused that why other students race with him in academics. He was an above-average student, who used to attain good marks and attention of teachers with the help of his brilliancy and knowledge, but he never was the topper in the class. I firmly believed that he was the most intelligent student of the class. Even after this, he never managed to get overgenerous marks, as he never believed in competition, in competing with other students. This approach never let him achieve what he wanted, because he never competed with anyone, as he believed that he would get whatever is in his mind, with the help of his knowledge and experience. Though, he succeeded initially in his career, but later on, his entrants, at his workplace, were blessed (or let us call it ‘cursed’) with competitive mindset, who were ready to take over his profile. They competed with him, which my friend never liked. So he started moving to new organizations and this is the sole reason behind the instability in his life. However, I still believe that he is going to get a great life ahead, but he needs to originate his competitive creature from his deep inside.

Why People Think Competition is Destructive

When I spoke to my friend about his non-competitive approach, he told me, “I hate jealously, where a person is ready to the cut the throat of others just for the sake of his betterment.”

Well, jealously is the only bad thing about competition. Otherwise, it is something, which has evolved the human race, from trees to mars. Without competition, the society would not have progressed to this height.

Why Competition is the Necessity

I strongly believe that – for a better environment and lifestyle, competition is necessary in the society. There are eight billion people on the planet. Without competing with others, you can not achieve what you want, as there are thousands of other people, who also desire to achieve the same. You can capture the scene of competition at schools, workplaces, markets, economy, and businesses, and even in your family. In the following snippets of the article, I have described some of the positive impacts of competition on our society – you can not keep away from these affirmative factors.

End of monopoly – It is a consumer-driven market, where monopoly is the greatest nuisance. When there is only one market player, there occurs domination, in which, the seller sets (hikes) the price of its poor-quality goods and services. If there will be other players, as well, in the market, there will be a healthy competition, which will pull down the exceedingly high prices. It will be beneficial for the society to have access to low-priced (and good-quality) goods and services.

Innovation – Due to antagonism, manufacturers will enforcedly prepare innovative products in order to earn their unique identity in the market. For instance, it was the competition (between US and Russia), which piloted the human space exploration program in the decade of 1960s. Additionally, competition also encourages political leaders to work in their constituencies.

Growth and Development – Competition promotes the growth and development of the nation and society. When hoping for a sustainable economy, finance minister lays the foundation of growth and development programs for the nation. This plan is made to take over the economy of some other the nation.