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Keeping fit

A sick man is a nuisance for himself and a nuisance for others about him. A sick person
cannot go about his duties efficiently. He will not be able to work hard and he may not be
mentally alert also. If he is regularly sick others will suffer in many ways. Indirectly it is
a strain on the government because it will have to run more hospitals for the sick.
Economically a nation whose people are often sick cannot be strong because the hours of
work will suffer. Look at the Europeans and the Japanese. They are hardy and are capable
of longer hours of work, which means more wealth to the nation. That is why even after
being beaten in a devastating war Germany and Japan have become rich nations once
again within a period of thirty years.
Of course climate may be one reason why certain people are not keeping fit. It may be
due to hot moist climate, or mosquitoes and other pests. But where man cannot improve
upon natural causes he can try to keep himself fit by trying overcome them. For instance
by eradicating malaria, one can be healthy in such areas where malaria was once
prevalent.
Let us now look into the ways of keeping fit. First and foremost is the diet. Unless one
takes a proper, balanced and nutritious diet one cannot be healthy. It is said that a large
part of the population in the third world suffers from malnutrition which means wrong
diet as well as insufficient diet. While this may sound a social problem, it is also an
individual problem. One must take care what he eats and how he eats. One must plan to
diet in such a way that it is well balanced, meaning it should contain the necessary
quantity of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins and so on. He must keep his
surroundings clean and neat, which is called environmental sanitation. He must be regular
in his personal habits like answering calls of nature, bathing and so on. Even one's
clothing contributes to keeping fit.
Keep fit also means how a man lives, his hours of work, his sleep, rest and relaxation.
While everyone has to work to deserve his food, it should not be all work. There must be
hours of relaxation. It may be some reading, playing with children, taking a stroll or
taking up a healthy hobby. Hobbies play a major role in keeping one fit.
The mental attitude also is greatly responsible for keeping fit. One must take to work like

a fish to the water. One must be swinging like a wheel in his work. Work can be play and
play can be work. So if one were to take to his work cheerfully then no worry about his
keeping fit. Laziness, envy and jealously are some of the reasons which make one hate
his work, and in the long run he becomes unfit.
To keep fit some physical exercise is necessary. This may be according to the age of the
person. Some out-door exercises like running, jumping, swimming or climbing are for the
hardy youth. Walking and jogging are good for the old. Some fruitful occupation like
gardening may give the required physical exercise but also contributes to the mental
satisfaction.
Above all, to keep fit depends on one's attitude towards life. If one can accept success
and defeat equally then one is said to be a fit person. Even choosing company may
contribute to keeping fit.
Finally it means to avoid bad habits like smoking, drinking, doping and so on. One must
be warned against these as they make holes in one's pocket as well ruin one's health.
Accidents at home

Let us cite some examples of accidents at home. Cutting, burning, scalding, hurting to
cause fractured, bones and getting electric shock are some of them. These may happen
anywhere, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, or on the staircase.
These accidents may lead to temporary disablement or permanent ones. Sometimes they
may prove fatal. So as in many cases in life it is always better to prevent them; hence the
proverb 'prevention is better than cure', but one must be aware of the cure also.
Let us consider the preventive aspect first. One must be careful in using cutting
instruments in the kitchen. One must learn from those who have experience how to use
the knives, manglers and so on. Care must be taken in handling hot things. Use good
tongs to remove hot vessels from the oven. Hot things must not be placed anywhere,
otherwise one would get scalded. Steam causes a greater injury than hot water so one
must be careful where steam is involved. Since pressure cookers work on steam one
should be careful when removing the lid of the cooker. So too with hot oils. Here care
must be taken not to add water to hot oil when it is on open fire because it will catch fire.

Falling down by false step is another accident. Bathrooms, poorly lit landing places, ill
fixed mattresses on the staircase are worst offenders. Oil drops or soap bits must not be
dropped down in the bathroom as these may help slipping down. The staircase must be
well lit so that no false step is possible. The mattresses must be well fixed. Fall from
ladder and stools are common. Unless there is somebody to hold or unless the ladder is
well fixed, one must be very careful in using ladders. Trying to reach a higher point from
a ladder always results in slipping down. So too with stools; broad based three legged
stools are to be preferred to four legged ones because of the stability of the former.
Electrical wiring must be periodically checked. Frayed wires must be removed. When
handling electrical equipment it is always advisable to have the mains off. Too many
leads may not be taken from a single pin point as it results in heating and hence some
accidents. Electrical appliances must have insulated or protective handles. When using
the electric iron it is better to stand on a rubber sheet or dry wood plank. No wet cloth
must be hung on any electrical wire for, in case of any leakage, it would prove fatal.
Medicines must be kept away from the views of children and kept under lock and key.
Otherwise they may be tempted to swallow or drink the wrong medicine and may prove
dangerous. Youngsters must be taught how to use knives and other sharp instruments.
Nowadays gas is being used for cooking. It must be seen that there is no leakage of gas
lest there would be some explosive accident. Children must not be allowed to play with
the valves for even breathing of the gas is dangerous. Beware of leakage of gas.
In all these cases by being a bit careful, many an accident can be avoided.




Precious water

Water is one of the things we need most besides air, and thank god water is plenty
generally speaking, because three fourths or so of earth's surface is covered with water.
This is only a general fact and not all places on earth are having enough water and

healthy potable water is a rare commodity. Rivers may bring water and lakes may be
having it. From the health point, they may not be fit for drinking. Most of these waters
are contaminated and may contain mineral as well as organic impurities, and sometimes
epidemic spreading bacteria like those causing cholera and typhoid. Nowadays the
chances of contamination of water sources are quite common with industries coming up
and sending out their effluents indiscriminately. So to make these waters potable they
must be treated before being supplied to a population.
Treating water and supplying it to a town or city means cost. The water has to be filtered
for suspended impurities and then chlorinated and then pumped to a storage tank from
where the water is distributed through pipes. So one must remember that when one draws
water from the tap, one is actually buying or paying for water. This has become
inevitable with the growth of cities and towns.
Once we bear in mind we will be careful in using water. There are many ways in which
water is wasted. The tap may be leaky whereby water may be spilled. That means some
periodic attention must be paid to the plumbing and leaky taps. The tap may be open and
the water running out and nobody would care to stop it. Unless there is need, the tap must
be kept closed. This must be particularly remembered when one leaves home on holiday,
otherwise throughout their absence water may be flowing out. Just as we see if the
electric mains are off when we are away for some time so too is the water tap.
Major part of the water is used for bathing, washing, and cleaning. In all these needs
water must be prudently used, Take bathing for instance; when one is scrubbing or
applying soap to one's body the shower need not be running. Water economy must be
remembered in the use of bath tubs. One need not be a Rhino to be in one's bath for hours
on end. This prudence in the use of water may be practised in washing and cleaning.
Since these consume a lot of water, the municipal corporation, if it is affluent and water is
in plenty, can have a separate system supplying water for washing and cleaning alone.
The industrial houses must not be allowed to draw from public water system for their
industrial use except perhaps for drinking water.
One must bear in mind when one wastes water one is depriving another of his share of
water.

Good water may get scarcer in days to come. With the advent of rapid industrialization
contamination of water sources poses a threat. So the industrial people must feel it their
duty not to add to water pollution. In areas of acute water scarcity steps may be taken for
recycling water.
Remember one of the casualties of the so called modernization is that we have to pay for
nature's goods of which water is one.
How to make your life successful

What we call life is a very complex affair. It is not simply eating, reproducing and finally
dying. Every creature does these. But in the case of man he has to lead a highly
complicated life. It is like going through a maze and coming out. He is an economic
being and a social animal. He has to earn, make a home, look after his people, attend to
his obligations to the society and the Government. So in order to be successful, in all
these, he has to develop certain qualities.
What do we mean by saying a man is successful? If in his occupation he can do
satisfactorily both for himself and others then he is successful. He must be able to look
after his people and bring up good children. If he becomes a professional man like an
engineer, doctor or lawyer, making money should not be the only criterion; he must also
be able to satisfy his clients and be honest at it.
In order to be successful one should develop certain qualities. At first he must realize his
purpose; in other words what he would like to be. This is the crux of the problem, for the
choice does not come to him. Parents decide it very often for them. Let us suppose he
decides to be somebody in his life. Once having decided he must work for attaining
certain standard in that line. Only hard work would make him fit for the job. It is rightly
said that it is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. One must deserve before desiring.
One must remember one's education does not stop with the school or college. it is a life
long process. Professional people must keep themselves up to date.
Then one must get on with others. In the chess board of life one may find himself in any
position; it may be the all powerful queen or simply a pawn. It must be remembered that
given the chance, even a pawn can destroy a queen. This means in a complex society,

everyone finds oneself in a particular position; there may be some above and some
below. One need not be favoring and flattering those above and be arrogant with those
below. "What can I do for you' is the correct attitude and having done it go about your
duty. In getting on with others sweet temperament is really an asset; then only others will
like to transact with one. One must not be easily irritable nor give irritants to others. Then
one must be reliable. One may be clever but if he is not reliable, he cannot achieve
success in a great measure because others will have very little to do with him.
Another important quality that would make up for success is doing things then and there.
Procrastination is the thief of time. Postponement of doing things means swelling of work
for the next day. A small chink may be easily closed today but tomorrow it may be late. If
we analyze the life of successful people we could easily see they have been through and
never postponed doing things.
Still another quality is not to argue. The other may be really wrong. By pointing out that
he has been wrong you are not going to improve matters, on the other hand you can help
him correct. Arguing not only takes away precious time but also causes irritations.
Especially one's superior may not like situation something like this. 'You may be right,
sir', or 'This is all right', but 'what about our alternative' and so on.
One must be capable of learning from experience. One must be able to learn from the
mistakes of others. Only when nations and individuals fail to learn from the past
mistakes, they are ruined. History is replete with examples
Life in a high-rise flat

Man is the only home making animal. He alone can enjoy the warmth of his hearth and
family circle. Man has evolved from tree dwelling to the modern flat. Primitive man was
the master of his hut and it was his castle. Till recently the house had been a complex
affair. There were the gardens, barn, poultry, cattle shed and so on. The house itself was
having different portions spacious enough for all the family members to move about.
These villas till recently were popular. Even today we may come across these villas in the
countryside.
There was good neighborliness. In sorrow and joy the neighbor shared. They were

helping each other in many of life's needs and operations. They had enough leisure. They
had time to sit over a pipe or glass of drink and gossip. In short everybody was known to
everybody and the society was in one sense self contained.
But those days are gone though there may be vestiges in remote places. The onslaught of
Industrial Revolution and the growth of industries as a result have caused the birth and
growth of towns and cities. Though even in ancient days there were cities, they were the
capitals of kings and emperors, otherwise there were not many cities. Any student of
history could appreciate this point. So the growth of cities is a modern phenomenon,
concomitant to the growth and concentration of industries.
In an industrial area space becomes scarce and as more and more families pour in they
cannot find space for houses. Not only the space but also the cost becomes prohibitive.
So an average office goer or a worker cannot have the luxury of owning a house. Still
they want some shelter to lay their heads down when they have returned from their office
or factory. The answer has been the high rise flats of several floors. They are either built
by building societies or by the Housing Boards of government.
These flats are provided with all facilities like water, electricity, good drainage, airy
rooms and so on. In every high rise flat there may be even lifts to take people up and
down. In the flats the tenants may be independent.
But there are more disadvantages in living in a high flat. The movement will be restricted
and conditioned according to the circumstances. One may have to live with all sorts of
people, the homogeneity which was the rule rather than the exception will be wanting.
One does not know who his neighbor is, so though living in the midst of many one may
feel lonely. Since all facilities are artificially controlled any breakdown in them would
paralyze life. For instance, if there is any defect in the water system, life will be upset.
For want of space, one must plan carefully what one must own. Whereas in olden days
people had enough space to entertain guests and relatives. It is the children who would
suffer most for there won't be enough space for them to run and play about. Unless one
has the facility to take them out, they will develop complexes of closed space. Since the
cannot easily mingle with other children, there may be blind spots in their character.
Living such artificial surroundings may even tell on their health and growth. In short they

will feel like caged birds. This may be true of even grown ups.
Further if there were to be accidents like fire or the breakout of epidemics, the high rise
flats will suffer most. From aesthetic point of view also the flats do not add to the beauty
of the city.
In short one may conclude that life in a high rise flat is necessary evil in a big city.
My favorite outdoor game

Soccer is my favorite game. Ever since I joined the school, I have been playing soccer.
The luscious grass field is very much suited to run, to roll over and kick.
The game is played between two teams of eleven players each though sometimes lesser
number like six or seven may be there in a team. Among the players of a team, some may
be forwards, others mid-fielders and defenders, and one goal keeper. Unlike the other
players the goal keeper can handle the ball as the situation calls for.
As it is a team game, all must cooperate. The forwards must be fast, able to take the ball
through the legs of the opponent. The midfielders help not only in defense but also help
the forwards in clearing and supplying the ball. Defenders must offer strong defense. The
goal keeper must be agile, quick to see, correct in anticipation and should kick the ball
high and far.
There are well established rules and foul play will be penalized. The referee's job is tough
and there have been instances when the poor referee has been man handled by the
onlookers. It is the bane of the game that the audience turn partisan.
Among the great soccer nations Argentina, Brazil, England, Russia and Germany are a
few. The name of Pelee, the great footballer of all times has become a household word
among the soccer fans.
Football is a manly game so I like it. Whenever I find time in the evening, I never fail to
play for an hour or so. I take the forward position because I feel there is more fun in
pursuing and heading the ball.
Those who do not know much about the game say it is a rough game. Of course there are
cases of broken heads, muscle twisting and sometimes even fractures. But these are
caused when one does not play according to the rules. Of course they are inevitable in a

game like soccer. Nowadays people protect themselves with guards. But for the risks the
game is all right. If it is all soft then there won't be any game at all.
Obedience to parents and elders

To be obedient is to obey the orders of one's elders and superiors. There cannot be order
unless there is obedience. One has to obey the laws of the country, otherwise the society
cannot exist. The laws may be irksome, but, for the overall good of the law one must
obey them. For instance, the laws to be obeyed on the road ensures road safety. The laws
pertaining to property help society continue without hitches and hindrances. Even in our
body our limbs obey the commands of the brains unless they are diseased. Obedience is
essential for the enforcement of order.
Obedience includes obedience to one's parents and elders. Parents are the best well
wishers of their children. From their experience, they know what is good for their
children. They would never mean ill for them. For the sake of the well being of the
children, parents insist on obedience. Obedient children grow into fine children. They are
not only loved by their parents but also by others connected with the household and by
the neighbours. When children obey parents they are happy.
Circumstances as they may be, parents may set certain norms. Children may not
understand their implications, but if they obey, very often they will steer of dangers. For
instance, the parent may warn his son of bad company. If the son obeys, he will grow
unscathed. The parents may insist on personal cleanliness, keeping things neat and tidy,
being regular in studies and so on and so forth. If the boy or girl obeys the parents in such
and other things, he or she will surely grow into a finer one.
Of course the parents' example may be forceful enough. If the parent shows how he is
obedient, the son will naturally be obedient.
There cannot be a better story than Casabianca on the deck. The father had asked the boy
not to leave the deck until the parent returned. The ship was on fire, the father was dead
and other sailors asked Casabianca to leave the deck and escape for life. But the boy
would not leave, for father had asked him not to. The fate of the boy could be conceived
but Casabianca has become immortal because he obeyed his father.

Being obedient to parents and elders will have to be followed in life. An obedient servant
is always liked and respected. But for the unquestioning obedience of servants big
establishments cannot be run. Unless one knows the value of obedience and has been
practising it, suddenly he cannot become obedient. Servants who are obedient are
preferred to clever ones.
One may argue that blind obedience won't do good. Where one can prove the other is
wrong, strict obedience can be waived. This happened sometimes; a junior may have a
brilliant idea and without infraction of obedience he may put up his idea in the
appropriate manner.
Obedience, just like charity must begin at home. Parents have a duty in bringing up
children to be obedient and loving.
The pleasures of reading

Animals may have moments of pleasure but only man has got a lot to do with it. It is
through our sense organs that we enjoy pleasure. The sense of smell, sight, hearing, touch
and taste each brings pleasure. Even the baby as soon as it is born feels the pleasure of
sucking and the comfort of being cuddled in the wads of cloth in the mother's lap. But for
the pleasing smell we will not be able to enjoy our food. We are thrilled by the sight of
ice capped mountains or the roaring water falls of the Niagara. So they are the senses that
help us to get pleasure.
There is no end to the sources of pleasure. But reading for pleasure belongs to a higher
order and stands as a category by itself. While external things bring pleasure to the sense
organs, reading brings pleasure to the mind. Greater the mind is cultured, greater will be
the derived from reading for reading makes a full man.
Reading is the end product of writing. Unless there is something written one cannot read.
So good writing is a concomitant of reading. Man alone can write, in other words put his
ideas in black and white. In fact even before printing came into being man was writing
and it is as old as modern civilization. Man can preserve his thoughts and ideas through
writing. Thus the whole world of literature is there far one to read.
Now reading material is available for all tastes. A scholar may go through serious writing

for the sake of enriching his knowledge. Another may read a magazine or a picture book
for whiling away the
time. One chooses the reading material according to his moods, his literary background,
the time at his disposal and the purpose if any. A teenager may like stories of romance
and an old man may prefer books on philosophy and religion. Some gifted with
imagination and the faculty to reflect may read poetry.
One who takes pleasure in reading always tries to build his library. Very often a good
library may serve the purpose.
The greatest advantage in reading is when one comes across great minds. Whether you
agree with what is there to read or do not agree there will not be any quarrel. You may
pronounce your judgement on the writer. There will be no harm if your judgment is silent
and not published.
Given the proper atmosphere like a good silent place, soft light and comfortable seat, one
can read and read and enjoy it.
There are great masters of writing in all great languages of the world. English Language
abounds in such great authors. Again it may be poetry, novel, fiction, drama, travelogue,
and letters. Biographies and autobiographies, form a sizable part. In these days of rush
good magazines supply the material for reading. For example, one may cite the Reader's
Digest.
In order to enjoy reading, one must cultivate that habit. Reading is not the 'be all' and
`end all' of life. Yet, it can be ennobling. There is dignity in reading habit.
Computer and their uses

Perhaps the single greatest invention of the century is the computer. The computer is
essentially a machine that enables humans to complete tasks that may be time consuming
or very repetitive in nature. This it achieves by imitating human thought processes. In
much the same way that humans think using pathways in their brains that conduct minute
electrical currents, computers too use tiny electrical circuits which tell it what to do. The
difference being that computers do this at incredible speeds.
In this modern age man has grown to be heavily dependent on computers to carry out all

kinds of jobs that were done manually before. In banking for example computers allow
for millions of transactions to be carried out involving large sums of money which would
otherwise require thousands of bank tellers. Computers do the job in a much shorter time
and practically free of any errors. Computers are responsible for air traffic control and the
running of trains to ensure that travel is made as smooth as possible. In factories
nowadays computers operate mechanical devices that produce goods we require for
everyday living, in such quantities that would be otherwise impossible to achieve if these
factories were run by humans alone.
Perhaps the greatest advancements have been made in the field of communications. All of
us are by now familiar with the 'Internet'. The internet is a collection of computer systems
and individual terminals linked up worldwide through telephone lines and other channels.
It offers a cheaper alternative to communicating with people within a country and
internationally through computers. It has also been described as an immense pool of
knowledge just waiting for applications it has given rise to a new means for countries to
carry on trade with each other through 'E-Commerce'.
It must however be kept in mind that as useful as computers are. They are not capable of
independent thought and still require human input. In recent times scientists have
developed' Artificial Intelligence' in computers that may enable them to function
independently of man in the future.
Our neighbor

Living next to next is the principle of a neighbor. Good neighborliness is the ideal to be
aimed at and pursued. People live in the same neighborhood for many reasons.
Sometimes it may be aesthetic and very often convenience. It may be the nearness to
one's office of work, school, traffic centers and so on. As the saying goes, no man is an
island; he has to live with his neighbors. To make life tolerable and bearable one must
cooperate with one's neighbor.
One's neighbor may be temporary as in the case of traveling by bus or train. Here the
neighbor is with one for a few minutes or few hours. Even here if there is understanding
between the neighbors the travel will be pleasant. Good neigborliness generates good

company and especially during travel it helps to take away the boredom. There are cases
when such travel has culminated in longstanding friendship.
Whether one likes it or not, one cannot do without neighbors. Even where houses are
isolated as in the case of bungalows there is inevitably the neighbor. Normally one may
think one can do without neighbors because one can command all comforts and services,
so the services or the need for a friend may not arise. However serviceable the radio or
the TV may be in providing the recreation, they cannot supply the human elements. The
sympathy, the admiration and the appreciation which a neighbor may offer will have a
great humanizing influence. To share one's view and sometimes even one's sorrows one
needs some neighbors. Because man is gregarious he cannot live in isolation.
But all neighbors are not always keeping the cordial relationship. Stresses and strains
develop because of misunderstandings. The cause may be very trivial or flimsy, still
tension develops ending in animosity and feud. Jealousy may be another cause for such a
tension. The neighbor may be doing fine, has earned a lot of money, his children are
doing well, he gets quick promotions, these and such others may create jealousy. Once
this is generated, this leads to non cooperation and petty quarrels. Very often children
may be the cause for strained feelings.
Children may quarrel drawing the elders into the fray. The neighbor's son may pick a
flower or a fruit from your garden and an argument may erupt. Again he may throw his
ball at your window pane damaging it. These are not unnatural so far as the younger one
is concerned but it is for the elders to view at them with equanimity and make up for it.
This may read easy on paper but not so in practical life. But with some broad outlook one
must be able to tolerate.
Another reason for tension may be the animals. Your neighbor's dog may be a real
nuisance or his poultry which would come into your garden and eat away the young
saplings.
In all these cases to keep up good neighborliness some understanding between the
neighbors is important. Small differences can be easily patched up or ironed out. Care can
at times play the good samaritan and helps the neighbors in a small or big way. Nobody is
perfect and it is better not to speak disparagingly of your neighbor.

A cheerful word or a nod or a casual enquiry will strengthen the feeling of good
neighborliness. Negatively, one must not pry into what the neighbor is or what he does.
Tolstoy speaks in one of his stories how neighbors should behave. A child was wearing a
new shirt and the neighbor's child threw mud on it and thus spoiled it. Women folk
started the quarrel and men folk entered into the fray ending in a few heads broken and so
on. By then the children forgot all their quarrel and were playing. Tolstoy draws a moral
from the story namely neighbors must be quick to forget small wrongs done.
Neighborliness is not only for individuals but it is important also in a great measure
between neighboring countries. History has got a lot to teach in this respect. Unless
countries learn to live as good neighbors, there cannot be peace on earth. So children
must be taught at home and in the school to cooperate with the neighbors and be friendly
with them. The basic principle is to give and take and to develop a sense that the other
man has as much right as you have and some degree of tolerance is very necessary.
Road Safety

Why think of road safety at all? It is because of the accidents that occur everyday on the
road, in which all sorts of vehicles and human beings and even animal are involved.
These accidents mean loss of life and loss of property and more often than not
obstruction to traffic. In this age of speed and fast moving vehicles and with the
congestion on roads, these accidents have became almost an everyday affair. So unless
everybody is educated on the importance of road safety, the loss and the sorry spectacles
cannot be avoided.
Prevention is better than cure. This holds good even in the matter of road accidents.
Accidents are due to many causes and may occur under different circumstances. The
simplest but at the same time dangerous perhaps is people slipping down on the road
caused by an orange or a banana peel. Without meaning any harm, quite innocently a
person may throw away the orange peel or the banana skin on the road or the sidewalk.
When a person, walking briskly, steps on, it he or she will slip down ending in fracture of
bones and sometimes even more dangerous than that. So people must take care they do
not throw the pealings on the road but should deposit them in a dust-bin. In some

countries the offenders are severely punished. The second cause of accident is due to
careless crossing in busy roads. While crossing one must look to the right and left for
moving vehicles and then cross.
Where there are Zebra crossings on the road for the pedestrians to cross, one should cross
along them. One should keep to the margin of the road while walking and the vehicles
must keep to their lanes in busy streets.
In the case of accidents involving vehicles there are many causes. One is trying to
overtake and very often taking risk. Another is wrong judgment in crossing. Sometimes it
may be not caring for the signals. In crowded streets accidents may take place in a snap
second because one does not care for the signal. "Stop, look and go' is the best precept; it
will save vehicles from accidents. But where one takes a foolish step, the result is the
inevitable accident. Jay riding may be another cause. Riding two or three abreast is
always dangerous. Especially one must be aware of this. Scooter riders become victims
of road accidents. But if they just wear the helmet as required by law they could easily
avoid fracture and hence death.
Very often the cause of accidents is the failure of the brake system which means the
owner of the vehicle does not bother to keep the machine in good condition. By attending
to the vehicle regularly a lot of miseries could be avoided.
Road safety is a matter of education in which the school can play a significant role.
Through scouting, Red Cross and social education classes, children can be taught the
importance of observing the rules of the road. Children must be taught their limbs and
lives are very valuable and they must not take risk, especially when leaving the school.
As soon as the bell goes children rush out and accidents do happen. Under the
circumstances the teachers must feel it their duty to regulate the traffic near the school.
The police can cooperate with the school in this respect.
To make the people road conscious, the mass media can play a useful role. The
newspaper, the wall poster and the cinema and now the TV come in handy. Shots in the
cinema or TV emphasizing the importance of road safety can be highlighted. There may
be speeches over the radio by the police officials. During peak hours in crowded areas,
the police may direct the traffic and ask people to keep to their lanes.

Assess the danger that the industrial society may collapse
by the middle of the 21st century through the exhaustion of
raw materials

Before actually assessing the danger as contemplated let us first of all know about the
certain premises raised here. To begin with let us be clear about an industrial society. In
such a society for all his needs man look to the machines which symbolize the
industrialized society. Many of the things would have been automated, for example, the
sorting of eggs or the baking of bread. In such and many other cases man may be working
but he is only a cog in the wheel. Everything is on a mass scale; everything follows a
system; everything is made to order. The USA and most of the West European countries
come under this category. Japan is the Eastern nation which is highly industrialized.
For all their industries, all these societies use many raw materials. They may be forest
products, the fossil fuels, or the ores from the bowels of the earth. Their quantity is
limited and the way the industrialized societies are exhausting them, create the fear that
stock may be exhausted sooner or later.
For instance, forests are being denuded in many countries for the manufacture of paper
and furniture. It is easier to fell hundreds of trees a day than to grow one. But the demand
for paper is growing very fast that unless some alternative to wood is found in forest
based industries, there may not be enough paper.
So too with fossil fuels whether it be oil or coal or natural gas. The way they are being
used has led to the speculation that there may not be any petroleum by the turn of this
century. Perhaps the stock of coal may last a few decades more. Anyway in the case of
coal the stock is only limited and not inexhaustible. If forests take only decades to come
up the fossil fuels require geological ages to form and unlike trees they cannot be made to
order.
Then there are other minerals especially ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Some of the
metals are in abundance while others are scarce. After all mines are not milch cows and
even milch cows would become dry and old.
But by the middle of the next century things may not be gloomy after all. Science and

ingenuity of man will work together to find a way out of the impasse. Newer materials,
newer processes and recycling may have the answer. Already we are having a taste of
what may come. Look at the man made fibers and plastics. A few decades ago none
would ever have thought of them but now there is none who does not use them. In fact
they are made from things which were considered useless or which were going to waste.
With the advent of television and other still more sophisticated methods of
communication, the need for a big bulk of paper, may be reduced. Instead of writing
letters, they may be tape recorded. Instead of books we may have microfilms of books.
Recycling has a great promise. Since matter is indestructibly, one useless stuff can be
converted into something really useful. Nature does it in fact as in the case of
photosynthesis or keeping the nitrogen cycle going. After man has set his foot on the
moon, a lot of thinking has gone into recycling. So we may think of a day soon when
there will be not waste material. By changing the constitution of materials they may be
made to do wonderful work. An example is fiber glass which has the strength of steel.
Then there is the sea floor which has not been exploited as much as land. Remember
three fourths of the earth is sea.
Man is the only animal who can take the challenge and if previous history has anything to
teach, it shows that man has stupendous and fantastic capacity to survive.
Five things I love the most

This world is full of many wonderful and lovely things. Man is trying to utilize the
maximum resources of his intellect for finding out various types of inventions and
discoveries and thus endeavoring to make the things more lovely and worth enjoying.
The process of beautifying the world is a continuous process. There is no end to it.
Since there are many beautiful and lovely things, it becomes very difficult to pick and
choose. Somehow, with great care, I have selected five things I would like to adopt in
my future life.
Firstly, I love nature. I am fed up of this artificial and momentary pleasure which we
derive from the city. I would like to settle in some village where I would be able to
enjoy nature. Nature can be a true friend and guide for man. Wordsworth, the great

lover of Nature, has also acknowledged this fact in his poems. I am very anxious to go
and enjoy the scenery of steep hills; greenery of the own valleys, cool breeze and other
natural things. There I would find people who will be quite different in nature from the
city dwellers. Their motto of life is "simple living and spiritual thoughts" Thus I will
have the privilege of coming in contact with simple and straight forward people.
Secondly, I would like to take up teaching as my career. I am deeply pained to find
illiteracy in my country. For the successful functioning of Democracy, it is essential
that we reduce illiteracy to the minimum. I want every young man and woman to get
educated. There is a dire need for spreading education to every nook and corner of the
country. I hope that by selecting this profession, I would be serving my country in the
most appropriate way.
Thirdly, I am a keen and voracious reader. Reading novels is my favorite pastime.
Reading widens the door of knowledge. They give us an insight into this world.
Sometimes we are able to resolve many difficult problems by reading. We are able to
chalk out many schemes which can be useful in our day-to-day life.
Fourthly, I love my country. I can forego anything just for the honor of my country. If
somebody were to ask me to go to a foreign land and serve there, and get a handsome
salary I will be the first to bluntly refuse this offer. I am very fond of the way of life,
food and sunshine of my country. If I were to go to a foreign country for employment, I
would not be doing justice to my Motherland.
The last but not the least, I love my home sweet home, The saying "East or West, home
is the best" is correct. I live in a small house which does not contain all the modem
amenities, but still it is not less than a paradise. I have been to my friend's houses where
I find ultra modern decorations and lavish furnishing. I do not like this type of artificial
life or home.
The selected items above are the five things which I hold dearest to my heart and are
the very essence of my being.
My most interesting dream

Dreams are the products of our subconscious state of mind. Dreams are of many kinds.

But the dream which I had last Saturday was the most interesting I have ever had. I was
transported into a fairy land where beautiful fairies were dancing and singing.
I dreamt that I had gone to Paris. There I went into night club and saw many exciting
happenings. Twist, Ballroom and Shake dances were going on in full swing with the
music blaring away. As I was watching the spectacle of dance and drama, a beautiful girl
gazed upon me. I was attracted by her rosy cheeks, alluring eyes and sweet smile on her
face. I at once recollected the famous poem by Keats known as "La Belle Dame Sans
Merci". Her silent expressions of love enthralled me. I was really captivated by her charm
and sweetness. She was really communicating with me with her silent expressions of love
and her eyes. I thought I must respond to her facial and other expressions.
I walked up to her, introduced myself and talked to her. She also passed very lovely and
witty remarks. We then both took our cup of coffee, while sipping our coffee we had a
long talk to our heart's content. At the same time I was remembering and recollecting the
eternal lines of Shakespeare:
Love is not love that alters
When it finds alterations;
Or bends with the remover to remove,
Now I was in two minds. Whether her love was true or false. But I tried to be true to her.
I sincerely expressed my love to her in the most unambiguous terms. We ultimately
promised to marry and live as life long companions.
Soon the dance and music came to a close. With that she got up and went somewhere,
saying that she would be returning soon.
But she did not turn up. I was repenting for falling in love. I was thinking that I had been
betrayed by this girl who had deceived me. As I was pondering over this heart-stricken
subject, my eyes opened but my mind was still groggy. I thought I was in Paris but to my
surprise I found myself still in Kuala Lumpur.
In this dream I have come across a woman who has been well described by John Keats in
his profound poem "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" i.e. "The Beautiful Woman Without
Mercy".

Are scientific inventions making us happier ?

One of the most popular questions which is often asked is: "Are scientific inventions
making us happier ?"
Science today has given us such comforts as were unimaginable years ago. Today we
switch on the radio and listen to music, We have electricity, telephones, televisions,
washing machines, refrigerators, air-conditioning plants and a host of other gadgets. All
these things have made the life of man very easy and comfortable. The flush-lavatories,
shower-baths, electric fans, cinemas, cars, trams and "planes" are among other scientific
inventions which have increased the ease and happiness of, mankind.
Science has made traveling easy and efficient. The world has become small for us. But
those exciting adventures and romances which traveling gave us in the past have all
disappeared. Modem traveling is a dull business.
People who live in big cities like New York or London have benefited in some ways and
lost in many other ways. The city people do not have any leisure. Their life is so busy and
mechanical that they do not have any time "to stand and stare" as well as to see and
appreciate the beauties of nature. Their lives have become artificial, devoid of charm and
delight.
Modern age is an age of science. As science is advancing it is at the same time thwarting
our civilization. In the world of science, the words love, emotion and sentiments are quite
foreign. So what is the use of science to man if he gains the whole world but loses his
soul ? Spiritualism is on the wane while materialism is on the increase. Philosophy,
culture and love are rapidly fading from the surface of the earth because of the
advancement of science.
On the destructive side, science has invented weapons which are dreadful and disastrous.
The invention of U-boats, Rockets, Atom Bombs, Hydrogen Bombs and other harmful
nuclear devices have increased the chances of human destruction. Thus, if these weapons
of science are misused. they would spell disaster for entire mankind. This is the peak of
scientific civilization.

Thus the opinion generally remains divided on the above subject. No one can claim that
science is beneficial or a complete curse. While a scientist makes inventions, a politician
misuses them. Mainly, it is this wrong application of scientific inventions by the
politician which has brought humanity to a bad state. In this respect science has
dehumanized us. Nowadays we have better drugs and surgical instruments but men are
becoming weak constitutionally. What an irony of fate it is ? Today, we have a sensitive
'heart', a sensitive 'lung' and a sensitive liver' due to fast speed, smoky atmosphere and
dusty roads. Thus science, while it makes mankind happy by its latest achievements, also
makes it unhappy when it shows its destructive power. But, broadly speaking, science can
be used for happiness but the mad mind of the man and particularly of the politician
misusing the discoveries of science, makes us unhappy.
The funniest incident in my life

Everyone in his life experiences some incidents good or bad. There may be the happiest,
the saddest or the funniest incident in one's life.
One Sunday morning I received an invitation from a friend of mine Mr. Sudhir, as I had
come from the U.K. back to my native land. I got up early in the morning and started
preparing myself. My sister gave me a cup of tea early in the morning. Then I took my
bath, and got ready. My sister then again asked me to take some snacks and tea but I
refused to take as I was very anxious in getting to my friend's house. She kept insisting
me to take a heavy breakfast but I did not care for it. I walked out to the Bus Stop. Soon a
bus came and I got into it and asked the conductor for a ticket for Babar Lane. The
conductor frowned at me saying "This bus is not going to Babar Lane. It s going in the
reverse direction, you can get down at the next stop and catch another bus." I was baffled
for some time at this sudden bit of information. Then I alighted from the bus and again
waited for the next bus for Babar Lane.
I boarded the bus and reached 15, Babar Lane. But when approached my friend's house,
the door of his house was all locked up and closed. I was wondering whether I had come
to the right place. As I was gazing and pondering, a neighbor of my friend came and
asked me, "Why are you standing here? Do you want to meet someone?" I replied. "Yes,

I want to see Mr. Sudhir living in Quarter No. 15". He replied "He has moved house on
Wednesday and has gone to Changi."
Frustratedly, I came back to the bus stop. I was feeling thirsty and hungry. Soon it started
drizzling. I was now in a fix as I had no umbrella. My confusion became worse with the
pouring rains. I thought for a while that I had refused my morning breakfast in the hope
that I would take it at my friend's house. At this stage my anger was mounting. I was
cursing myself as well as my fate, I was soaking wet and instead of going home, I made
up my mind to meet Sudhir, come what may.
An idea hit me. I telephoned the Enquiry Office at Changi. The operator told me his
address. So I made my journey to Changi. I reached the Address given to me by the
operator. I rang the door bell. Tapan, a tiny tot (Sudhir's youngest brother) came out and
greeted me with a "Hello, uncle." The moment I entered the drawing room, I saw the
parents of Sudhir sitting on the sofa. They offered me a seat and I sat between them. As I
was going to ask about the invitation extended to me by Sudhir, Dolly (Sudhir's sister)
came with a tray of tea. She was a pretty and vivacious girl. I remembered that I used to
love Dolly during college days and had written to her many love letters, proposing
marriage. Now Sudhir's mother began to talk very politely. "Look son, the invitation to
tea was a joke, as you know today is the First of April" But you are fortunate in the sense
that your proposal of marriage has been accepted by all the members of the family." I was
thrilled to hear this news from Dolly's mother.
My joy knew no bounds. My spirit felt lifted. Dolly was looking at me silently, her eyes
expressing her love for me. We had tea to our heart's content. I rushed home to give the
glad news to my parents. This day, indeed, is the most funniest and happiest day in my
life.
Memories of childhood

The memories of childhood have their own kind of nostalgia. With the passage of time,
one feels more attached to this childhood, the best period of a man's life . A child has no
worries, anxieties and no work. He is free from the dirty and filthy noises of the world.
His motto of life remains: eat, drink and be merry. The charm of childhood cannot be

forgotten. These memories have everlasting impression on one's life.
When I recollect the days of my childhood, I feel very delighted over that pleasant period
which I spent in high spirits. In my childhood I was carefree, having no worries at all. I
used to wander like a deer in the open field and enjoyed the natural beauty in the gardens
along with my other companions.
Certain incidents are still fresh in my mind:- For instance, at the age of five, I got a severe
attack of typhoid. In those days medical science was not so advanced, so in the absence
of a proper diagnosis, I was reduced to a skeleton. After taking medicine for a long
period, I was cured. The doctor advised me to go to some hill-station. So my father took
me to the Cameron Highlands. Due to this attack in my early age, I became very weak
and I still have not been able to recover my health.
The other incident was about a juggler who came with two monkeys. He exhibited a
show with the monkeys. The male monkey fell in love with the female monkey. The
female refused to marry the male. The male went to his father in-law's house the father-
in-law was the juggler himself. After some persuasion the female agreed to many the
male monkey. They were dressed up in a colorful costume for the ceremony which was
performed by the juggler. The juggler and his show with the monkeys stand out in my
memory.
Another thing which I still remember is my swimming accident. It was on a Sunday that I
went with my friends for a picnic at Port Dickson. Some of us were expert swimmers but
unfortunately I did not know much about swimming. My friends plunged into the sea in
order to swim and persuaded me to do the same. Soon I was caught by the swift current
in the water and was carried away. My scream of panic was heard by my friends who
rescued me from drowning. I was really very grateful to them for saving my life.
It is this period of childhood which has been described by poets and writers. To recollect
the past is to plunge ourselves in a state of nostalgia. Wordsworth, the immortal poet of
England, and a great worshipper of nature, describes in his poems his childhood period,
which, to him, was full of pleasant memories. I too miss those good old days which had
flown by so quickly.
If I were a millionaire

We often hear elderly people advising their young ones to forget the past and the future
and care for the present only. But there is hardly any one who has no ambition for a
higher status than his present one. This constant struggle for a higher position and money
remains with a man till the last day of his life. This struggle, in fact, is essential for
achieving higher ends in life.
I belong to the middle-class. I can never think of earning millions of dollars but there is
nothing wrong in harboring the hope that I might win a lottery. Suppose I am fortunate
enough to win a lottery of millions of dollars, I will try to spend it in the most appropriate
manner so as to derive the maximum pleasure out of it.
My colleagues advise me that at the very outset, I should endeavor to improve my lot. I
should have a huge mansion to live in and a car for the family. But my idea of life is quite
different. Rather than improving my lot, I am much more interested in uplifting the
condition of the poor masses of the country.
My country is poor. There are people in my country who hardly get two square meals a
day, what more to speak of enjoying the comforts and luxuries of life. They are semi-fed
and semi-clad. Most of these people are living in villages, where the main occupation of
the people is agriculture. I will offer them a loan at a very nominal interest to enable them
to purchase tractors, fertilizers and better seeds. This scheme will save the villagers from
the village money lender.
I will invest a good portion of my money in constructing a hospital with all the modem
amenities. I will employ highly qualified doctors. This hospital will be run free of charge
for the poor masses. Charities will always be awaited from the rich classes. This will save
people from the jaws of death.
Many people, particularly in villages, have no means of recreation, I shall spend a part of
my wealth to provide means of recreation for the Many people, particularly in villages,
have no means of recreation, I shall spend a part of my wealth to provide means of
recreation for the poor. I shall open various social and educational centers at various
places.
Since there is no adequate provision for the support of orphans and widows, I would,

therefore, lose no time in opening new centers for widows and orphans. They will work
and earn their livelihood honorably. This will certainly help in the cause of country's
advancement.
There may be people who will jeer and mock at my utter foolishness of spending millions
of dollars in this manner. Probably they do not realize that a man gets inner happiness in
helping the poor, which is much more than the sensual pleasures that a man can get from
the money he possesses. To spend money like this, will be my dearest hopes and
aspirations.
Why is it that a play can tell a story in far fewer words than
a novel ? Illustrate your answer with reference to particular
plays and novels

The fundamental difference between a play and a novel is that in one the actors present
themselves and act and speak what is en the play. In a novel except for the contrived
conversations et is only a narration. The flesh and blood have to be supplied by the
novelist to create an atmosphere. In a play emotions are almost seen (even while reading)
but in a novel they are not specially displayed. In a play, the events are not isolated
islands; one sees the direct link. In a novel one has to go about looking for the events. If a
single illustration could help, it is like this; a play is like being at a shop and the novel is
like going to a shop. The things are there in the one instance and in the other one has to
visualize and wait to move. The play has a more direct appeal to our senses than the
novel.
There is a famous lore in 'Julius Caesar'. The conspirators struck Caesar and among them
was Brutus, the one time friend of Caesar. When Caesar saw Brutus striking him he said,
'Et tu Brute! Then falls Caesar'. He dies so saying. These sex words describe the whole
world of relations between the two and the emotions involved. If it were to be a novel,
the whole situation may require not six words but six pages. At the hands of say Scott,
Hardy and others it would have taken even a whole chapter.
Again let us look at the pitiable Othello who had murdered his wife out of jealousy.
Having killed her, he says en self pity, 'I have no wife'. Those who have been following

the play thus far can easily understand Othello's mental torture. These words would be
meaningless in a novel unless description followed as to how he wept, howled and tore
his hair. The play shows the act but the novel only describes.
'Oliver Twist' is a powerful novel indeed and Dickens has shown his deft hands there; but
the same in the form of a play is more powerful. Just imagine the scene where Oliver asks
for more. Dickens has, in fact made it more dramatic; but the scene in a drama can be
shorter and more effective. The play allows you to visualize and almost you are a party
there but it is different in the case of a novel.
Satires, puns and jokes are more poignant in a play than in a novel. We enjoy a Falstaff, a
Touchstone or a Jaques in their flesh and blood in the play. There is some identity and
there is sympathy. In the play you are not told certain things but you are an unconscious
actor, never so in the case of a novel.
In the novel the climax is worked out very quickly and one need not wait for hours to see
the end coming. You sense it and is ready for the end to come. In the case of the novel the
climax and the end are far apart. This can be seen in 'Hamlet', 'King Lear' or 'Macbeth'.
In a novel small things do not play any role at all as in the case of a play. A kerchief, a
chain and a flower may be almost a character. Thus the kerchief plays a role in Othello,
the chain in 'As You Like It'.
Comparison and contrasts are brought out efficiently in a play not so easily in the novel.
Characters small and big are there to see side by side, one acting as a foil to another. Thus
we find in Adam, the old servant of Orlando who is faithful and the treachery of Oliver.
In short, a play while it economizes on words can illuminate the characters much better
than the characters in the novel. While a novel is like an intricate canvas with all its
magnificence only an art critic can appreciate and comprehend. A play is like the laughter
of a child or a tear in the eye of one's beloved which requires no explanation.
Discuss the difficulties that arise from the existence of
more than one language in a country

The essay implies there are real difficulties existing in a country where there are more
than one language. The way out is not sought, so let us confine to the difficulties alone.

The first difficulty will arise regarding the court language or state language besides, of
course, the language to be chosen of international communication. Each language may
compete for the coveted post of becoming a court language. When may languages are
spoken by different people in one country, to pick out one of them and say that is the
state language will lead to conflict and more often then not as witnessed in some
countries. The safest course would then be to have all the contending languages as court
or state languages.
Though this arrangement is possibly the best, it is wrought with practical difficulties, In
the offices more forms will hove to be printed, more officials will have to be appointed,
very often proficiency in more than one language will be insisted upon. In that case
people who learn languages easily may get into the offices to the chagrin of others. Since
all records will have to be in all languages, more paper work will be involved. Many
useful hours will be spent in translation, though simultaneous translation has become
practical with the advancement of technology.
In official business each language may claim superiority to the resentment of others. In
legislatures such controversies may surface very often and this is detrimental to the unity
of the country. Though simultaneous translation has obviated the difficulty today, still
translation may not be correct because the idioms and nuances peculiar to o language will
be lost in translation.
Perhaps the greatest difficulty that may arise refers to what is called the linguistic
minorities. In any area the people speaking different languages may not he of the order of
percentage. The number of those speaking one language may out number those speaking
another language and thus they claim numerical majority. Those who speak the minority
language are looked down upon. Very often feelings get strained and there may flare up
language riots. To keep the people speaking different languages under restraint and make
them live amicably is difficult. What is called the linguistic chauvinism has not become a
thing of the past.
The real difficulty will be with education. Any government or state cannot brush aside
the claim of a section of her people to educate their children in their own mother tongue.
That means more schools, more teachers and above all more text books in different

languages. The question of language comes up in conducting public examinations, As
many papers will have to be set up in different languages, this adds to the administrative
burden.
In such a country the study of literature becomes hard, because each language may be
having a good literature and unless due recognition is given to literature it may not grow.
A practical difficulty will be felt in travel and communication. A person from one area of
a predominant language will find it difficult to go and do business in another area having
a different predominant language.
When all these difficulties are viewed dispassionately one must agree there must be one
national language. It is worthwhile to think of a national language. Purists may quarrel
but the national language may absorb good words and idioms from other languages. This
is a way out of language difficulties.
The best performers the world has ever seen are those who
start on themselves ( George Bernard Shaw ). Discuss

There is more truth in the statement than what appears on the surface. When reformers
are mentioned very often the names or pictures of social reformers come first to vision
readily. But the pictures must include the great religious reformers as well.
These reformers had visions themselves before they could pass them on to society. They
thought and worked out the reforms and preached them without fear or favor. They had a
lot of suffering in the form of ostracism, privations and physical attacks. Still we could
see they themselves were the schools where they practiced the reforms. The tremendous
success of those reforms which they conceived and gave birth to is even in usage today.
Let us take a few examples. We can start with the Buddha He was born a prince and was
brought up a prince. But when he chanced to see the sufferings of life his heart melted
with compassion. He relinquished his wife and child and went in search of `knowledge'.
He found the truth and hence he became the 'Buddha'. He preached what he himself had
lived through and thus a great part of the then known world came under the influence of
Buddhism. The languages and climates were not a bar to the spread of Buddhism.
The next picture which comes to our mind is that of Lord Jesus Christ. He preached love,

good neighborliness, service to the poor and the diseased and finally his surrender and the
forgiveness he gave to the mankind. The Roman Government sentenced him to die for
preaching. The personal example of Jesus is worthy of note.
Think of Mahatma Gandi as the modem apostle of non-violence, though he himself had
admitted that he was greatly influenced by Jesus Christ. An important weapon in his
repertoire was Satyagraha or civil resistance. He learnt its importance while he was in
South Africa. He suffered a lot form the hands of the Whites there but he put up with
them very gallantly and upheld the standard of non violence. Even Smuts was converted
to his way of thinking later on. When Gadhiji returned to India he used the some weapon
of non-violence and Satyagraha against the British and was able to see that India got
independence. The greatest thing in India was to uplift the untouchables. He gave them o
noble name and called them the 'Harijans'. He proved himself what o great reformer he
was. To the lost he stood for the Hindu-Muslim unity which cost him his life just like
Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther King, the Great American Block leader was influenced very much by the
teaching of Gandhi and he practiced non-violence against the Whites. He was able to
open the eyes of the American Government and like Gandhi he was tragically murdered.
His mortal person may not be there but what he did for the American Blocks will stand
for ever. What Martin Luther King did in our own times was attempted by Abraham
Lincoln a century earlier.
Turning to social reformers, Florence Nightingale or "The Lady With The Lamp" as she
was popularly called, may he mentioned. During the Crimean war she did o great lot to
lessen the sufferings of the soldiers at Scutari. Quite rightly she is recognized as the
mother of modem nursing.
Then the name of Dr. Schweitzer comes to the mind. He went to the heart of Africa and
started his hospital for the Africans at Lamberene. It was gargantuan task which would
hove broken even the bravest heart. But the great doctor looked upon it as a life's mission
for him because life was so sacred.
There had been o number of less worthies but they too had spent their lives for the sake
of reforms.

Why study history ? Is it perhaps to learn from past
mistakes, to yearn for lost glory or for some other reason ?

What is history ? History is the story of men and women on the face of the earth at a
particular period of time who played their part to make up something like a story.
Individuals may influence the course of history, but history as such is the sum total of all
the actions put together culminating in some shape which the historians conveniently call
the period. History may be looked at as the story of the growth of a people or peoples.
History may again reflect the interaction of human emotions ending up in a certain form
of society. History may indicate how societies were formed and how they grew. If certain
societies survive the onslaught of time while others disappear altogether, history helps
understand the forces at work. In short we may not be far from right if we say that history
traces the growth of human society.
Then why study history ? The above mentioned ideas of history have the answer to this
question. There have been periods in history which shows the rise and fall of societies,
where great men and women play their part. Each country boasts of a certain golden era
when a great personality, a king or queen or an Emperor had so much power that he was
the centre of the picture. To know the picture is to know the person. Just to quote an
example, take the period of Queen Elizabeth I in England. It was a period of expansion
for England, it had its moments of glory, it saw the flourishing of art and so on. To know
the period, we learn all about the life of the actors on the stage.
Individuals may influence the course of history. The great religious founders like the
Buddha, Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohamed had influenced the course of history. Quite
recently we know how the writings of Rousseau and Voltaire and others influenced the
course of the French Revolution that was to follow. In recent times we know how the
works of Marx and Engels brought about almost universal revolution and the course of
which has not stopped. To know the growth of a people we read history. This is best
illustrated by studying the History of the USA. How a few religious people who ran away
from their mother country to avoid prosecution went in waves to colonize and almost a
powerful country was born. Here one is easily aware of the accidents of history.

History of the Industrial Revolution and the consequent labor movements and many other
things which have been the off-shoots of the Revolution are very interesting to know.
To know the growth of societies, one must look into history. Thus a study of ancient
societies throws light on how such societies were formed and grew. Some forces act as
destructive ones, some forces act as incentives and some others go to consolidate the
society. A classical example is Munroe which helped the uninhibited growth of USA for
nearly a hundred years. History traces the growth of society. This seems to be a major
idea today; the old insistence on dates, acquisition, battles and treaties have been
relegated to the background.
It is said that history repeats itself. That means human nature being, it repeats the same
mistake without learning from the past. If we know the past mistakes perhaps we could
have avoided them. That is what the United Nations has been trying to do. Its predecessor
the League of Nations had been built in weakness. But it cannot be said that the UNO is a
completely revised version because one or two of the basic mistakes which the League of
nations suffered from. It is a great pity that humanity cannot learn from the past mistakes.
The next proposition is whether the study of history is a yearning for past glory. To some
extent this is true. In oriental countries which have been under colonial rule, they really
look back for some glory. They cull it from the past art and literature and have a sense of
fulfilment. The invention of printing has revolutionized the world of thought. The
invention of the Mariner's compass has helped navigation to such a great extent that all
the seas have come under the control of man. The invention of gun powder, the discovery
of coal and petroleum, the invention of the motor car, and the splitting of the atom,
almost all of them have changed the course of history. Now there are two great questions
staring at the world; one is the atmospheric pollution and the other is the population
explosion. Now that man has a knowledge of their presence and has the tools to tackle
them; he can to some extent shape his future.
Discuss the importance of other kinds of history than
political history

Normally when we speak of history, people take it to mean the political history because

all along it has been the impression created in the academic circles. So when a student
says he studies history, more often than not, he means only the political history which
deals with the rise and fall of a nation, the various dynasties that came on the scene,
battles won or lost, treaties signed, territories gained or lost and so on and so forth.
However it is worthwhile to remember there are histories which are as important as
political history. Thus there are social history, constitutional history, history of literature
and history of philosophy. Man's knowledge and achievements have grown so fast in the
last few centuries, literally speaking, there is no faculty which cannot boast of a
respectable history of its own.
After all history treats with the beginning, stages of growth, agents of progress, or
otherwise, the personalities on the scene, the action and reaction both within and without
and so on in a particular area. Man has to know a lot today because of the complexities of
life. A non-scientist may as well be interested in the Martian probe by Viking as a
specialist in the field. In helping him appreciate the achievements of Viking he may learn
the history of space probe.
Let us look at the social history of a country. This will be woven round society as the
nucleus. This will deal with the social forces acting on them, religion, industry, the social
set up of the family, the ruler and the ruled, the force of law and in general how the life
flowed at that time. It may reveal how a particular incident, discovery or invention
changed the course of history and as such the life of the people in general. Thus the
coming of the steam engine changed life, in England; the opening of the Suez Canal and
the Panama Canal changed the course of commerce. The discovery of Petroleum and
invention of vulcanized rubber completely revolutionized road transport.
Similarly a student of constitution studies the history of constitution. He could compare
and contrast the various constitutions of the world, their historical bearing and the social
forces that went to effect certain constitutional changes. Whatever may be the form of the
Government, a student of constitution must have a competent knowledge of different
constitutions to evaluate the constitution he is specializing in.
Then take the history of literature. This is as vast as the political history. Each language
of the world has its own history. This will deal with the progress of literary thought of the

time as reflected in the writings of poets, dramatists, novelists and so on. This will help to
appreciate the social history of a time because literature of that time may throw lucid
light on the persons, manners, customs and the prevailing notions at that time. For
example, if one studies Shakespeare he can easily appreciate Elizabethan England; so too
if one studies Dickens one can have a clear idea about the England immediately after the
Industrial Revolution. The 'Tales of Two Cities' for example, portrays France during the
Revolution and the horrors of the guillotine can be vividly seen in the fate of Sydney
Carton.
Then there is the history of science. Perhaps many are not aware that science too has a
charming history of its won. From the time man learnt to make fire till to date, the
progress of science has been steady and in recent times it has been so fast that is has
overstripped the grasp of ordinary man. There had been great giants of science whose
names are a household word today. Which student of science does not know the name of
Newton? One peculiarity about the history of science is, unlike the case of political
history where conflicts and ruin are common, here it is one of construction still better
knowledge of things and forces around man. The history of science is charming indeed.
The importance of studying various histories can be appreciated.