What changes would you like to see in your
school ?
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If you were to see the number of suggestion slips stuffed into my school's
Suggestion Box, you would be shocked. Granted, some of the suggestions
are rubbish but I do agree with many of them. There are many ways in which
my school could be improved, many weaknesses that need seeing to.
Firstly, and most importantly, teachers in all schools should realize
that they are responsible for their students' future. This is especially
true for children from less affluent homes who cannot afford to
supplement the school's teaching with extra tuition. Teachers should
not shirk their responsibilities towards their students.
I am emphasizing this point because some teachers do not seem to feel the slightest obligation to do their job well nor the slightest feeling of guilt when their students fail in the examinations. In fact, in my school, teachers are sometimes found sipping coffee or even having a snack in the school canteen when they are supposed to be in class teaching. Of course, there are teachers who are truly committed to their job and do deliver the goods. They stay up late into the night to finish correcting their students' work and to prepare effective lessons for their students. Some teachers will even devote Saturday mornings to conducting extra-curricular activities, such as the Scouts movement. Now, if only all teachers were like this! Furthermore, wouldn't the school be a much better place to spend our adolescence if we did not have to cope with teachers who vent their foul moods on us? We should not have to walk on eggshells because our teacher has had a bad day. Another aspect of the school that needs changing is the set of school rules. Some are so irrational or petty! Take, for example, the rule on short hair for boys. What is the rationale behind this? Do the people in authority believe that everyone with long hair will turn out to be a thug or a villain? Well, look at Hitler: he had very short hair and he almost caused the extinction of the entire Jewish race! On the other hand, punishments for serious acts of indiscipline should be made more effective, even if they have to be harsher. These days, students may get away with only a warning or a "booking" for offences such as breaking the school's tables, chairs and even doors. I strongly feel that these vandals should be made to pay for what they have destroyed. Furthermore, I feel that criminal action should be taken against students who beat people up, or threaten to do so, to extort money from them. If you behave like a criminal, you should be treated like one. Another area that needs reform is the school curriculum. One major problem is the subject called "Moral Education". You just cannot learn good morals the way you learn any other academic subject, memorizing facts for examinations. Good morals have to be internalized. So, "Moral Education" should either be taken off the school curriculum after primary school or changed to emphasize practical application rather than "head knowledge". Our school hours take up a large portion of our day. Let us spend these hours usefully, in a secure, caring, fun-filled atmosphere. Our school years take up a large proportion of our lives. This is the time that we are molded, intellectually and morally. Help us to grow into worthy citizens of our nation. |
What occupation do you see yourself in after
you have completed your schooling ? What are you going to do to achieve this
ambition ?
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I climb into the cockpit and sit myself down on the metal seat of the
F-16 "Falcon", one of the best supersonic planes ever invented. I run
a routine check on all the aircraft's dials and gauges as well as the
weapon systems through the heads-up display.
The sergeant gives me the thumbs-up sign from the far run way,
indicating that all the external parts of the plane are in order and
functioning well. I return the gesture to indicate that all internal
systems are working well and that I will be taking off.
I flick the start button and feel the soft vibration begin. I hear the hum of pure power. Pushing the throttle to three quarters, I feel the acceleration of the plane taxiing off the runway and into the air ... . I have always aspired to be a fighter pilot. My dream began when I was about seven years old. One day, my uncle took me for a ride in his private plane. It was a momentous experience for me! Soaring freely in the sky, high above the rest of civilization, I knew that I would never want to do anything as much as I wanted to fly. As I grew older, I began to read books on aviation and air adventures. I was especially fascinated with accounts of air battles. Biggles was my hero above all other heroes. Thus, my ambition narrowed from just wanting to fly a plane to becoming a fighter pilot. The thought of scudding through the sky with the ability to defy gravity with a multi-million dollar piece of machinery and patriotic fervor excited my soul. The requirements for fighter pilot candidates are many and difficult to fulfill. Among them are academic excellence, perfect eyesight, a fit body, quick reflexes and the ability to stay cool under pressure. Well, I have never been the kind of person to leave things to chance: I am constantly aware of the need to work towards my goals. Thus, throughout my childhood years, into adolescence and up till now, I have always made time for exercise. I play games regularly, run ten kilometers a day and work out in the gym at least three times a week. It is crucial for a fighter pilot to be fighting fit. He must be able to withstand the high and low g's when piloting a jet at high speed. I have always been conscious of the need to preserve the perfect eyesight that God has blessed me with. So, I have always curtailed my hours of television-viewing. When I do watch television, I make sure I sit a good four meters away from the screen. I have always been careful to read only in well-lit areas. In addition, I watch my diet, eating food rich in vitamin A, which is essential for healthy eyes. In school, I never stint on my study times. I made sure I qualified for the science stream in High School, as a pilot must have a good understanding of physics and mathematics. My hard work has paid off and I have been topping the class in these subjects. I have just sat for the O levels. The results will not be out for months but I feel confident that I have done well. Next year, I plan to do my A levels. And after that, I shall enlist in the US Air Force. There is not much longer to wait. My dream is almost within my grasp. I pray with all my heart that it will become a reality and not remain just another of my boyish fantasies. |
It is better to be the eldest child than the
youngest one in the family. "Write a debate speech, proposing or opposing
this motion.
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"Mr. Chairman, honorable judges, misguided members of the
opposition, and members of the floor: Good day to all.
"Standing here today on this breezy morning as the third speaker
for the proposition, I wish to continue where my team-mates left off to
correct the misleading information presented by the opposition. "For instance, the second member of the opposition claimed that the youngest child will be treated more leniently than the others. Now, is this an advantage? By being treated too leniently, the child might think that his misbehavior is perfectly acceptable. Ever heard of the expression "Spare the rod and spoil the child"? It is true. Without strict and loving discipline, a beloved child might end up being the black sheep of the family. Now, the opposition contends that it is an advantage to be spoilt in this way. How can this be? "The opposition has also pointed out that the youngest child is usually more pampered. I agree. But, again, is this good? It is indeed enjoyable to be fussed over, pampered and mollycoddled but what will this pampered child grow into? It is a maxim that too much or too little is no good: Once a pampered child grows up, he will be overly dependent on others, in other words, spineless. Would you like to be this spineless adult? I leave you to decide. "Ladies and gentlemen, having straightened out a few delusions of the opposition, I shall present my own points. One of the advantages of being an eldest child is that he is used to being respected and obeyed by his siblings. This is because they know he is wiser and more experienced. This is a good feeling and it creates high self-esteem. This self-esteem will motivate him to succeed in every aspect of life. "Undeniably, the eldest child will shoulder more responsibilities. He will often be left in charge of the younger ones. The eldest child is also cast as a role model for the younger ones. Thus, he has to try harder to maintain discipline and a high standard of behavior. "The eldest child, having to cope with his siblings' antics, will also develop patience. He may have to give in to his siblings because `they are too young to understand'. Thus, he develops tolerance and understanding of other people's weaknesses. "All these points were described as 'disadvantages' by the opposition. They are only disadvantageous if you are unable to see the long-term benefits. You see, these momentarily trying circumstances will shape the child and prepare him for the challenges that lie ahead. According to a survey conducted by the Home Ministry, an average of 3 out of 5 successful people -- corporate leaders, lawyers, politicians -- were the eldest children in their families."On to my next point, which centers on the word 'privileges'. In most cases, the eldest child will inherit the greater share of the wealth. According to Chinese custom, the eldest son carries on the family name, therefore he deserves a larger share of the property. In monarchies, the eldest child is the heir to the throne, as in the case of Prince Charles. If you think that the eldest child is only privileged if he belongs to a wealthy family, you are wrong. The distinction is even sharper in poor families where the eldest child may be the only one whom the family can afford to educate or feed properly. "So, there you have it. Clear arguments to demolish the opposition to this motion. And now I hand over to my opponents, to give the sensible ones amongst them a chance to start defecting over to our side. Thank you." |
Should our school examination system be
abolished ? Give reasons for your stand.
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From primary school to the end of their tertiary education,
students face the daunting task of preparing for examinations every
single year. So much time and emotion is poured into preparing for
examinations.
Advocates of the system contend that annual examinations are a
good way of training children for the stress of life after school - where
deadlines and sales quotas need to be met, and work completed
methodically and with minimum fuss. Government examinations are also said to be the necessary yardstick for measuring the capability of each person for further education or employment. Yet, are examinations an accurate yardstick? A person's true abilities may not be shown by written examinations. Take Winston Churchill, for example. He was a school dropout and yet he became one of England's greatest statesmen, a national savior in World War II. Clearly, some talents and forms of ingenuity go undetected in examinations. Another problem related to our system of examinations is that teachers become too "exam-orientated". They race through the syllabus so that they can cover everything in it in time for the examinations regardless of whether their students have understood the material. The weaker students often end up the victims in this race -- they are left far behind the rest of the class. They become more and more discouraged as they understand less and less of the lessons, to the point that they hardly care if they pass or fail. Sadly, this attitude will be carried with them into adult life. What about the "swots"? Well, speaking as one, I confess that I often wonder whether it is worth it. We rush from one tuition class to another and we spend most of our time studying for tests and examinations, or doing our homework. All through the school semester, we only have one thought in mind: to excel in the examinations. Is this really living? A related point is that some students are so occupied with their studies that they do not develop their potential in other fields. It is true that there are many clubs and societies in the school. However, many students just do not have the time to make full use of these extracurricular activities. They have to study, study, study. So, our emphasis on examinations is indirectly producing people who are only trained to study and reproduce facts rather than well-rounded individuals. In conclusion, while I realize that it will be impossible to do away with all examinations, I feel that they should be given less importance within the school system. For example, instead of basing entry qualifications on one examination, students should also be evaluated through the cumulative marks of tests and assignments. Furthermore educationists, employers, parents and the students themselves should always be reminded that the results of examinations are not equal to the sum of the net worth of the individual. |
"Cleaning toilets should be part of the
school curriculum." Do you agree ?
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About two months ago, our Education Minister brought up the
subject of school toilets. He suggested that cleaning these toilets
should be part of the school curriculum. The public reaction to this
issue was so strong that people have been flooding the mass media with
opinions for and against his suggestion.
One of the reasons the Education Minister gave for his proposal
was that cleaning toilets will teach students humility and respect for
others. Firstly, the students will be able to understand the humility of
the school workers when they have to clear up other people's messes
in the toilets. This job is looked down upon and considered one of the
lowest. "They will also be able to respect the cleaners because he is able
to do the necessary job, regardless of the low status it accords him.
Another advantage of this proposal is that the students will try to keep
the toilets cleaner as their friends will be the ones forced to clean up
any mess they create. On the other hand, there are countless reasons for me to be apprehensive about this proposal for making toilet cleaning part of the school curriculum. Firstly, which student in his right mind would be happy about having to clean a toilet? Most school toilets are dark, dirty and smelly. Cleaning them will be most unpleasant. Furthermore, a spell of cleaning toilets will certainly be a blow to their ego. Of course, in a wholly girls' or boys' school it would not be so humiliating. However, if it were a co-ed school, the male ego would certainly suffer a lot of pain. Imagine girls laughing and teasing a guy who is forced to clean toilets. Some egoistic guy will create havoc in retaliation! Then, there is the consideration that most students are playful, anyway. Imagine them expressing their playful nature in the toilets. Other than the fact that excessive water is sure to be splashed all over the place, the students may slip and fall in their merriment. More ill-behaved ones may even purposely push each other into the toilet bowls. One other possibility that cannot be excluded is that students may be so turned off at the thought of toilet cleaning that they may decide to skip school on the days that it is their turn to learn this skill. Thus, the teachers of other subjects may find it hard to complete the syllabus, due to the rise in absenteeism. In conclusion, I feel that the Ministry of Education should really ponder on this issue carefully. Frankly, I do not agree at all that cleaning toilets should be part of the school curriculum. Actually, jobs like toilet cleaning make one think of prison camps, where the inmates are forced to do humiliating chores. School is supposed to be a place where young people can imbibe knowledge and good values in a pleasant, enjoyable atmosphere. It is important that young people actually like to come to school. |
Write a debate speech in support of
advertisements.
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"Mr. Chairman, honorable judges, my most worthy opponents and
everyone else present here today. Good afternoon. Before I begin on
my main points, I would like to express my disagreement with one of
the points expressed by the proposition team.
"The second speaker for the proposition said that advertisements
cause people to keep buying low-quality goods. Now, I feel that people
generally are not so naive. Even the members of the proposition team
have been able to note the various tricks and so-called brain washing
maneuver. So, the tricks haven't worked, have they? Actually, few of
the usual purchases that we buy are heavily advertised on television or
anywhere else for that matter. For example, do you choose the most
highly advertised tissue paper or toilet paper? At most, we would try a
much advertised product only because it was something new. Take the
Cherry Coke advertisements. Its advertising mode probably fits all the
descriptions made by the proposition team member. However, how
many of us were so influenced by these advertisements that he or she
has started to drink the beverage weekly, or even monthly?
"Now for my first point, I would like to state the benefits of advertisements from the economic side. Advertisements can help companies to introduce their latest products to the market. If the companies are not able to inform the public about their new products, they will not have the confidence to try to produce it. It is undeniable that advertisements play a crucial role in increasing a company's sales. This may sound capitalistic, but we must remember the importance of these factories to the nation. With the increase in sales, the company can afford to give better pay to the workers and offer more jobs. "Now, another point is that it is only with proper circulation of the products made possible by advertising that the companies are able to mass-produce their products. Mass production is more economical and allows the producers to lower the price of these goods! As a result, consumers can purchase these goods at reasonable prices. As you can see, millions of consumers benefit because of advertisements. "Thirdly, industries can also greatly contribute to the expansion of a company from regional to international status. Let me give a real example. One man started a small and humble cottage industry of jeans-making. Because of its increasing popularity through advertising, this industry gradually weaved its way into the market until it started to prosper. From a cottage industry, this industry grew into an international company known by both the young and old. The name of this brand of jeans is none other than Levi's. This company was able to grow due to advertisements, creating job opportunities for millions of people, not only in America but also in Levi's factories in Indonesia, the Philippines and other third world countries. "Fourthly, advertisements of the latest technology and inventions are also beneficial for the consumers, for it means they can find the right kind of product for themselves easily and quickly. Here is another real-life case. My grandmother used to have too many lizards crawling around her house and she is paranoid about them. Then, one day, she saw the advertisement for a lizard spray that can paralyze lizards temporarily. End of lizard problem. How could my dear grandma have found out about such a strange but useful product without advertisements? Jokes aside, through reading the advertisements in newspapers or magazines, many people find just the product required to take care of their particular problem. Estate managers can find out about the right fertilizer or pesticide; computer owners can find the best software; doctors can find out about the latest medications. Imagine all the bother one must go through to find out the product one needs amongst the rapidly expanding array of products and inventions available, without advertisements. Why, one would have to phone just about every shop in town! Nowadays, we can just flip open a newspaper or even the Yellow Pages. See how advertisements have been such a blessing! "I rest my case. Thank you." |
Write a speech for an elocution contest
entitled " Should men be househusbands ?"
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"I would like to share my thoughts with you on a subject that has
always been close to my heart, that is, whether men should be
house-husbands. You see, as a member of the male sex I feel guilty. I
feel that
man has always dominated, or should I say, bullied, the fairer sex.
Women have long been downtrodden and forced to mind the house.
"There was a very good reason for this in ancient times. Eking out a
living then consisted mainly of running around with a club or spear, hunting
deer, moose, or dinosaurs. However, now that we're approaching the year
2000, there has been a vast change. Bringing home the bacon in
modern times needs intelligence and sensible thinking. And, as we all
know, women can and do think as sensibly and intelligently as men. "Thus, more and more women now qualify as doctors, lawyers and scientists. So, then, who will stay at home to take care of the children? Usually in cases where the mother works, the children are left in daycare centers. This is not healthy. Children need parental care. So, what often happens is that the wife has to quit her job. Is this fair? Not really. The men should be given the duty to mind the house occasionally, especially when the wife has better qualifications. "Some people doubt that a man can manage a household. You see, the women have been doing it for centuries. People have thus come to the conclusion that it is the woman's duty to mind the home and it shall be her role forever. "Actually, men are perfectly capable of performing domestic chores and minding children. And, as fathers, men can give the affection and care that the children need. And that's what really counts. "Personally, if my wife insists on being the breadwinner, I will be relieved of the stress of running in the rat race. I could even play golf every morning while the kids are at school. What's so bad about that? So, let's give the women the chance to work at those jobs that they've always wanted, while we men opt for more 'relaxed' lifestyles. And, who knows, perhaps the country would be run better. After all, looking at the current state of the world, what with wars, famines and nuclear weapons, perhaps we men should just stay at home to mind the house and let the women run the world!" |
"Friends should never hide anything from
each other." Do you agree ?
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No man is an island. Everyone depends on his friends to a certain
extent. Ever since man formed a system of verbal communication, all
people have been in constant chatter with one another. Relationships
are important to man, so much that people may shape their entire
lifestyles simply to find favor with their clique or circle of friends.
Therefore, much caution must be applied when dealing with our
friends, especially in our speech. So then, must we always tell our
friends the whole truth and nothing but the truth or is it sometimes
simply none of their business?
One thing is clear: finding out that your friend has lied to you
always hurts. In cases where lies have been told to hurt you or other
parties on purpose, the friendship will never be the same. If the lie
caused you great damage, the friendship will not be salvageable. Who
would want a treacherous person for a friend? Yet, even when the
matter is not of great importance, little lies can lead to the spoiling of
relationships. I have a friend who often tells little untruths. Sometimes,
he exaggerates circumstances a little, just to impress others,
sometimes he tells half-truths to get out of trouble, sometimes, he
makes up stories just to entertain his friends. Personally, I just do not
feel comfortable with him. You see, I just never know whether he is
telling the truth or one more of his little lies. Apart from the question of maintaining credibility, sharing one's problems and joys with a friend can also be helpful as we deal with the problems of daily living. As the saying goes, shared joy is double the joy and shared sorrow is half the sorrow. Sharing the good times can brighten up a friend's day if he feels down. Sharing one's problems and despairs with a friend will bring forth the encouragement and advice we need to hear. Sometimes simply having an ear to hear our heart's cries and knowing that someone understands us will make us feel better. People have been saved from suicide just by having a friend to listen to their troubles. It is clear, then, that some things need to be said to our friends without any twisting of the truth. However, there are times when telling a friend too much can also lead to problems. An all-too-common example of such a time is when one hears rumors. Gossip can start simply because someone thought a rumor was true and shared all her thoughts on the rumor with a friend. The friend, who actually had no real knowledge of the matter, passed all her thoughts and ideas to another friend and so on and so forth. The final result can be a mangled product which could really hurt the parties involved. The thing to do about rumors is not to spread them, even if you have strong opinions, about them. Another noteworthy fact is that sometimes, telling the truth may be worse than saying nothing. If an ugly girl with an inferiority complex were to ask you if she was unattractive, it would be a very bad idea to tell her just how unattractive she was. One must use his discretion in such situations, stressing on her good qualities, of course. Telling the whole truth in this case would destroy her remaining shreds of confidence. In conclusion, I feel that friends, even the closest of friends, need not tell each other everything they know or feel. Some matters, of course, should be discussed with friends, while some others should be hidden. We have to balance our love for truth with the practicalities of the situation. Not being perfect, we are bound to make mistakes, of course. So, one must then be prepared to make up with our friends, apologizing for our verbal blunders and forgiving them for theirs. Well, that's what friendship is really about -- accepting people for what they are, imperfections and all. |
"The Golden Age of Youth". How true is this
description of your life as a youth ?
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"The Golden Age of Youth"? Who coined up that expression? I am
certainly not experiencing "golden" days in my life as a youth.
Furthermore, many of my friends' complaints seem to attest that their
experiences
of youth roughly match up with mine, that is, life as a youth is tough!
Firstly, being young automatically means that I have limited
knowledge and no job skills, which means that no one will employ me
for any worthwhile job. This means, clearly and simply, "No
Independent Income". Now, it is undeniable that without money, you
become severely limited in your options. You cannot buy anything, go
anywhere or do anything. Obviously, this is a problem for me.
Unable to function without cash, I have to rely on my parents financially. Unable to buy a car, I have to rely on them for transport. Unable to buy a house, I have to rely on them for accommodation. This means, theoretically, that my parents are my Supreme Commanders. When they tell me to jump, I have to jump. In such a situation, I am deprived of the vital human right that caused the American Civil War - Freedom. Secondly, as long as you are not too old or too ill to walk, people will always be measuring you by your achievements. This is especially true for people in their youth. Parents, teachers, society and the government love to gauge us scholastically, physically, socially, morally and in whatever means they can think of. Thus, school examinations become so important that many of us will study hours on end to perform well in them. Actually the pressure on us to perform well at all times is great. The pressure from our family gets stronger the older we grow. Since we started schooling, our parents have been comparing our test results with those of the children of their friends', who happen to be equally goal-orientated parents. In fact, since we were born, our parents have been comparing the ages at which we first started talking or walking, our kiddy IQ test results and such other traps for vainglory. If I were a piece of chicken, I'd consider myself "Kentucky Fried", not because I was "spicy" or "original" but because I have been chopped into pieces, tenderized, pressure-cooked and well-fried. Then, there is the question of romance. Practically speaking, youth is the worst time to get romantically attached, because, as was earlier explained, we lack the time and money to maintain a special boy-girl relationship. Yet, during our youth, we are at our peak; physically, we are at our most attractive. Furthermore, our hormones are swinging about wildly as we mature sexually. Unfortunately, this causes us to be more prone to getting involved in romantic relationships, which leads to heartache and causes us to perform badly in our examinations. I think that the government should have chosen a better time to set all the major examinations than at this time, don't you? So, youth is a traumatic time. It is definitely not "golden". In my opinion, the idea of "The Golden Age of Youth" must have been an illusion dreamt up by fools. Perhaps we should call it the "Iron Pyrite (Fool's Gold) Age of Youth". |
What qualities would you look for in a future
wife or husband ?
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Along the road from cradle to grave many of us get married. This
in itself can cause more emotional disturbance than all the other events
of our lives combined. Many factors make the difference between
marital bliss and having "an old ball-and-chain" but the most important
factor is probably whom we choose to marry. That is why I often
meditate on the qualities I would seek in my future wife.
To be honest, the first thing I notice when I meet a girl is whether
she is pretty or not. Long lashes and sparkling eyes do not cause
someone to "fall in love at first sight", of course, but few people go
round seeking ugly mates. I am no different.
Of course, I would also prefer to have a wife who is intelligent. Some men have the stereotyped "dumb blonde" image of a perfect woman. However, I know my life will be enriched by having an intellectually stimulating partner to share my thoughts with, and to offer fresh insights to old situations. More importantly, a husband and wife should be intellectually matched so that they can understand each other. Sports and games and other recreational activities are fun and foster closer ties. Who better to enjoy sports with than my wife? This will draw us even closer together. A wife should, after all, be a true friend whom I can have fun with and want to spend my leisure activities with. So, my ideal mate will be someone who participates in the games and sports I like or at least, be willing to learn them. Often, quarrels between husband and wife concern other family members. Your wife may be perfect but her parents may be irritating beyond comprehension. There was, for example, an incident in City Center where one man's mother-in-law came to stay. One day, she cooked and ate his pet dog for dinner! So, I always say that one's future in-laws should always be checked carefully before one makes decisions about marriage. If you are dead tired after a long, frustrating day at work, a loving wife who comforts you and listens to your problems can really make a difference. So I would say, a sympathetic, caring kind of woman is the only one with whom I would make any commitments for marriage. Commitment is very important on her part, too. If a girl isn't prepared to be faithful to you but she marries you anyway, chances are she's going to run away and leave you one day, for your best friend, perhaps. I realize that I have listed a whole string of qualifications for my future wife. Well, if I can find all these qualities in one woman, I will really consider her The Ideal Wife. However, chances are, with a girl like that, everyone else will be trying to win her hand, too. So, I'll be in for a tough time! Furthermore, as the proverb goes, "The best laid plans of mice and men can fail". More than likely, I will meet a girl one day, fall in love and get married. And even though she might not be perfect, I'll love her, and, through the years, that might just be enough. |
Write a composition entitled: How I know my
mother loves me.
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When I was very young, I was a sickly child. In fact, I had to spend
most of my life away from school and in bed. Not surprisingly, I was
miserable. I fretted a lot and constantly demanded my mother's
attention. I was a spoiled brat.
During the day, I would demand that my favorite delicacies be
served to me and that my favorite stories be read to me. At odd hours of
the night, I would ask for a hot drink or a cookie, or just some company.
"Mummy, stay with me!" was my constant whine. Not once was that demand refused. Not once did my mother groan or grumble. She answered every unreasonable demand of mine with unfailing patience. My mother would put everything aside to comfort me. My world was very small then. There was just me and Mummy. My world consisted of the feel of her cool palms soothing my brow and her floral scent as she leaned over me to tuck in my blanket. I remember her low voice, hushing me as I fretted about the pains in my joints. Most of all, I remember the look in her eyes, of deep concern for her sick child. That was how I knew my mother loved me then. Miraculously, I have outgrown my childhood ailments. Now that I am on the threshold of adulthood, my world has grown to include many exciting friends. Set free from the prison of the sickbed, I revel in the fun that the world has to offer. My relationship with my mother has suffered from my wild pursuit of fun. She criticizes my choice of friends and tries to enforce rules and regulations to curb my activities. Two nights ago, I stayed out way, way past my "curfew" hour, which is eleven o'clock. It was almost 1 a.m. when I reached my house. To make matters worse, I had been unable to call home to inform my mother that I would be delayed. There were no phones where we were "hanging out". I knew that I was in for it! My mother flung open the door the minute she heard my friend's car pull in. Her face was red, sweat was pouring down her temples. My friends made a quick exit as she ranted at me, her arms waving wildly. I didn't say a word, in case one of those hands should find its mark on my face. I was ordered straight to bed. As I got into bed, she stood in my room, still ranting at me for my disobedience and "wild behavior". I was tired. I just wanted to sleep. I looked up at her face to try to gauge if her scolding would be continuing much longer. Then I saw something familiar about the look in her eyes. It was the same look of concern that she had always had when I was so sick. I saw in her eyes all the fears that she had suffered that night as she waited for her daughter to return safely. This is how I know my mother loves me now. |
How do you measure success in life?
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Reaching the top of the tree in one's chosen occupation or profession is
the usual
standard by which success in life is measured, at least in the Western
world. However many Asians would reject this criterion. The
contemplative religions assert that
success is only
measurable in terms of religious advancement and of the acquisition of
the virtues. Thus, success would be in inverse ratio to material
advancement.
Most of the world accepts the definition of material advancement, its objectives being
affluence and perhaps power over others, both being the most important means of self-expression.
Some are born into positions which already confer affluence and power, so success to them might lie merely in the preservation of the family business or estate and perhaps its enhancement for the benefit of the next generation. Most people have to work hard to to achieve success. The western concept of success is not always satisfying and some people, at the height of their affluence and power, reject it in favor of the simple life. This happens for a variety of reasons. Beyond a certain point the acquisition of money proves unsatisfactory. The difference between the lifestyle available to a millionaire and that available to a billionaire is marginal. Unhappily money making can become an obsession, and some very wealthy people become very mean. Money also creates anxiety since it usually has to be put at risk if more is to be made. Other anxieties may be created when a large number of people become dependent on a financial empire. Money confers power which may corrupt. It is often made at the disadvantage of others, and it may damage a business man's relationships both with his peers and with his subordinates. These pressures and anxieties often have a detrimental effect on health and on family life. One's wife and children are inevitably neglected and unhappy. The children of successful capitalists or career workaholics sometimes reject everything the father or parents stand for. Success thus means failure. It is of course possible, though unlikely, that worldly success can be combined with a sensitive and therefore successful approach to the problems outlined above. If a man or woman can achieve this then he or she truly has the right to be called successful. However success is not strictly related to the externals of power, prominence and affluence, though these are often its attributes. It is more to do with happiness and fulfillment. What then are its features? First, mental and spiritual peace. A satisfying yet balanced way of life makes for the former and a religion or at least a philosophy for the latter. The body should not be neglected; physical well-being is usually the result of good food and exercise; absence of strain is at least as important. A successful life depends crucially on good personal relationships both within and outside the family. To ensure the well-being and happiness of others forms a large part of success. Perhaps the fundamental way to achieve success is first to be sure of what you want to do with life and then to be sure that you are capable of doing it. Some people are strongly motivated to a profession or to politics or to social campaigning from early days; others have to find their own role in life by trial and error. Many of these careers will not confer much success in the worldly sense but they will lead to the success of happiness and fulfillment. |
In what circumstances is the invasion of one country by another justified?
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Invasion is never justified if there is a possibility of resolving disputes by diplomatic
means. The U.N., drawn up by the San Francisco Conference in 1945, in succession to the
League of Nations exists to maintain international peace and security. Its Security Council
can urge members to take economic or military sanctions, or can provide a peace-keeping
force drawn from member - nations. Its powers however amount to little more than those
of the old League, since the two world-power centers remain NATO and the Warsaw Pact
association.
This having been said, invasions do occur. Recent examples include the invasion of
Iraq by Iran, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, and that of the Falkland Islands by
Argentina. Motives for invasion vary; how cynical they are is a matter of opinion. There
is national pride; the desire to annex territory which rightly belongs to a country but
which has either become independent or has become the dependency of another. There
is the instinct to expand, or not to become encircled, or to gain strategic territory, or to
gain access to minerals such as oil, or to food. The naked aggression of Hitler in Europe
was totally unjustified, so the Second Front invasion of Europe by the allies in 1944 can be
amply justified. Sometimes, as in the case of Afghanistan, the
ostensible reason was to
establish a stable government in a country which, bordering on the USSR was claimed to
constitute a threat through instability. That invasion was not justified. The ground for military invasion is usually prepared by other means. If there is instability and national discontent, or even two extremist parties each claiming the government, infiltration is much easier. An actual invasion becomes a mere formality when a government accepts perhaps thousands of military advisers, massive war equipment, and no doubt extensive economic aid from one of the great powers. A physical take-over can sometimes be achieved without shedding a drop of blood. What is certain is that after such a takeover a large section of the population will remain discontented. Future troubles, as in Afghanistan, are inevitable, and lead only to further repressive measures. The guiding principle governing the justice of invasion is surely this; do the majority of the people want such a take-over? A case in point is the invasion of the Falklands by Argentina, which country was at the time suffering internal troubles and needed a famous victory abroad. The Falklands, close at hand and regarded as an easy number, were an obvious choice, particularly since Argentina regarded the 'Malvenas' as their historic property. However, the islanders wanted to remain British, so the British armed forces had to throw the Argentines out. That particular invasion by the British was justified, particularly since, in fact, the Argentines were refusing to negotiate. However, realistically it becomes another matter to retaliate when the major powers become involved. Nobody wants to risk a full scale war for the sake of a principle. Nobody forgets Vietnam. So to invade or not to invade involves a crucial balancing of factors. |
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Describe the system for maintaining law and
order in your country. Can you suggest any improvements?
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One hundred and fifty years ago a Conservative British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel,
founded the modern police force. This replaced the old system of town and village constables
in their local peace-keeping role under the beadle. Very quickly the new force obtained a
national respect which it had never previously enjoyed, and despite a vocal left-wing and
liberal minority, it retains that general respect today.
In case of serious trouble, behind the police force stands that section of the British
Army which is home-based. It has, with reluctance, been called on in various roles during
domestic emergencies. To man essential services during a general strike, or a
strike of one or more of the essential services, including railways, buses,
power-stations, water works, ambulance drivers and fire brigades. A less
frequent role has been to quell
riots and this is unpopular with the army since
soldiers do not like inflicting injury or even death on fellow citizens.
Examples are riots in pre-war London stirred up by the National
Socialist movement, and more recently the riots in Liverpool. Birmingham
and London attributed to a
mixture of ethnic discrimination and unemployment. British people accept
the need on
occasion for this military back-up, but prefer it not to be used.
Today the police are controlled by the Home Secretary, who is also responsible for that other troubled part of Britain, Northern Ireland, through the Secretary of State for Ireland. Ireland has always caused more headaches than the rest of Britain put together, and in that country the Royal Ulster Constabulary, an armed force, needs the presence of armed and equipped British troops, who are constantly called into para-military action. Opinions vary from those who advocate a 'troops out' policy, leaving Ireland to get on with a civil war, to those who would like to bring the whole of Ireland, forcibly, back into British hands. Since the Irish Free State came into existence in 1922, and before then, during the First World War Southern Ireland has tended to side with the enemies of Britain. The county police forces of the rest of Britain are controlled by chief constables responsible to the Home Secretary, and the Metropolitan Police Force by a commissioner, also responsible to the Home Secretary. Because of crime increase, and the modern mobility of criminals there is more co-operation between these separate forces than before, and often, when the ramifications of crime cover a large area, joint operational headquarters are set up, their work being aided by data banks in a nationwide computer system. Apart from straightforward crime, the situation is further complicated today by crime in a new guise i.e.. political violence, mostly in London. This often consists of a group of extremists from one foreign country attacking the embassy of another, and trying to buy publicity or political advantage with threats and the taking of hostages. To deal with these we now use a quiet little section of the armed forces known as the SAS just as we use a new section of the police force to quell street rioting, looting and arson, known as the SPG. So far these have not often been needed. The traditional police force has only been armed with a whistle and a short truncheon, maintaining law and keeping order on the streets by presence rather than violence. Some of us deplore the tendency to issue firearms, but recognize that the police are at a disadvantage otherwise. Do we have to accept that the world must become more violent, meeting violence with violence, or work for a diminishing crime rate and a more peaceful and law-abiding community? If the latter, there will need to be fundamental as well as cosmetic changes in our national life. The cosmetic changes include less policing by vehicles, and more on foot; more community policemen back on 'the beat' and knowing their area and people, and being known by them. Another will be to restore confidence in the policeman's fairness and integrity in areas where interested parties have sought to erode this confidence. Local authority police committees to monitor police activities are in the hands of anti-law and order elements, and do no good. They merely erode police morale. The fundamental changes needed go deeper. Since the motion to restore the death penalty was defeated in Parliament, a life-sentence must mean what it says. Firearm availability must be more strictly controlled. Above all children and young people should be less exposed to television and film violence, kept off drugs and alcohol, and taught, in the home, a new respect for law and order. |
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