SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING (SRZ)....FIRM THAT'S NOT WORTHY INVESTMENT Research Paper

SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING (SRZ)....FIRM THAT'S NOT WORTHY INVESTMENT - Research Paper Example The company operates in a high competitive market in US where Assisted Living Concepts Inc and Brookdale Senior Living Inc are two major competitors of it. Financial ratio analysis has shown that company is not at all profitable in terms of major profitability ratios. Though it has quite good asset turnover but capital structure of the company is very much unstable. Liability holds 90% of the totals assets and 10 times more than equity capital. Therefore, it operates with a huge amount of debt which indicates high possibility of bankruptcy in near future. By projecting key financial parameters for next financial year, it is identified that net profit would remain negative in next financial year. Profitability of the company would also remain very much weak compared to its competitors. The company is also much behind in terms of market share, profitability and operating efficiency than its competitors. From, detailed analysis of the company in financial and non financial perspective, it can be recommend that currently the company is not investment worthy. Introduction This paper deal with detailed analysis of Sunrise Senior Living Corporation, a US based multinational senior care service organization. ... The company operates in healthcare industry and provides senior living services to the aged people. It operates through 300 locations in home country United States and also in Canada and United Kingdom. Sunrise offers independent living, Alzheimer’s care, assisted living and personal carte, short term stays and nursing and rehabilitative care. This healthcare organization specializes in assisted living for the old people along with Alzheimer’s care through skilled nursing. The company is listed in fortune 1000 company. Recently, Sunrise Senior Living Corporation has been acquired by the Health Care REIT. SSL was established in 1981 in Virginia by Paul and Terry at an aims of long term healthcare to look after the senior citizen of the society. This objective of the business was termed as assisted living. Within next few decades the company penetrated throughout the United States and expanded in United Kingdom as first foreign market. In 2001 the company expanded its for eign market into Canada. The company changed its name as Sunrise Senior Living from Sunrise Assisted Living in 2008. It closed down all centers in Germany in 2010. Currently, the company employees near about 31,000 employees to provide senior living services through healthcare centers in more than 300 retirement communities across the world. Industry overview and trend Sunrise Senior Living operates in healthcare sector and long term care industry. This industry has been growing in western countries like United Kingdom, United States and Canada. Increasing life expectancy among the people, falling of birth rate are the key drivers for growth of this industry. According to the

Clinical Journal One Essay Example for Free

Clinical Journal One Essay The nursing process is an assessment, diagnosis, plan, implementation and evaluation of our patients. As a practical nursing student this is something we are learning and improving on daily. Assessment is the most important part of the nursing process. This process is becoming clearer every day spent in the clinical setting. The assessment part of the process is done with every interaction of our patients we are taught in school. I thought how could that be assessing something takes a considerable amount of time so assessing every patient, every interaction sounded absurd to me. Currently my clinical setting is a post surgical unit. The nurses on this unit are registered nurses with varying amounts of experience. As I observe the nurses, I have noticed they actually do assess everyone, every time. I was amazed how easy this skill seemed to them of course experience helps in that area. I had the opportunity to participate an assessment of a month old child. During this experience I was able to understand the doorway assessment I learned about in growth and development and it made more sense to me . I was able to take a set of vitals on this baby, weighed a diaper for the IO and was shown how to assess the IV site on an infant. I realize how very important a quiet baby is during the assessment because of this experience. Assessing an infant is different than adults. Infants are a bit harder to assess if they are not calm. Upset babies respirations will increase. I learned how to feel for the fontanel and dehydration signs in infants. There is so many parts to assessment and each and every part is an important step in keeping your patient on the path to recovery. Post-op assessment require that you check patients pedal pulse, this is something I would not have thought to be important but I have since discovered that pedal pulse is a warning sign for post-op patients. The  smallest part of assessing a patient is just as important as the biggest parts. So a pedal pulse takes a minute or two to be sure it’s present and equal in both feet but the importance of doing this step in your assessment lasts forever because you deterred your patient a problem by doing a full head to toe assessment. Though, hands on assessments are most important, I have learned I do not always have to touch my patient to assess their condition. I can learn a lot from them just by listening to them and taking a good look at them. Patients also need more than a physical assessment. Physical head to toe is done at the beginning of your shift but you do and you can assess everyone with every interaction. There are many parts to assessment. The physical, of course, but as a nurse you must figure out the needs of each patient beyond the physical. They need emotional support as well. We must look at the whole picture when assessing. Do they need physical therapy? Home care? Support services? Are they going to need additional information on ways to be safe at home. Maybe the patients going to a rehabilitation facility after discharge so they may need to be assessed for which facility they would  gain the most from. We must assess if they require special equipment to improve on their independence. Assessing your patients doesn’t stop at taking a pulse or blood pressure.  So, assessment is very important and is easily done at every interaction once you see it done in the clinical setting. I still have so much to learn when doing a patient assessment but now I understand my role of assessing the patient as a licensed practical nurse and I understand the importance of every interaction assessment. Clinical Journal One Milford Regional Medical Center The nursing process is an assessment, diagnosis, plan, implementation and  evaluation of our patients. As a practical nursing student this is something we are learning and improving on daily. Assessment is the most important part of the nursing process. This process is becoming clearer every day spent in the clinical setting. The assessment part of the process is done with every interaction of our patients we are taught in school. I thought how could that be assessing something takes a considerable amount of time so assessing every patient, every interaction sounded absurd to me. Currently my clinical setting is a post surgical unit. The nurses on this unit are registered nurses with varying amounts of experience. As I observe the nurses, I have noticed they actually do assess everyone, every time. I was amazed how easy this skill seemed to them of course experience helps in that area. I had the opportunity to participate an assessment of a month old child. During this experience I was able to understand the doorway assessment I learned about in growth and development and it made more sense to me . I was able to take a set of vitals on this baby, weighed a diaper for the IO and was shown how to assess the IV site on an infant. I realize how very important a quiet baby is during the assessment because of this experience. Assessing an infant is different than adults.

Threat To India Or Economic Need Of China

Threat To India Or Economic Need Of China I have always thought that it is important, even essential, that these two countries of Asia, India and China, should have friendly and, as far as possible co-operative relations. It would be a tragedy, not only for India, and possibly for China, but for Asia and the whole world, if they develop some kind of permanent hostility  [1]   Jawahar Lal Nehru India and China have laid the ghost of the 1962 war to rest, and have turned their faces to the future. Prem Shankar Jha INTRODUCTION For more than 60 years, Pakistan and India and have been arguing and periodically coming to blows over one of the most beautiful places in the world i.e. Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). India, Pakistan and China are in possession of various parts of Jammu Kashmir. China-Pakistan relations have always been a matter of concern for India, however due to the increased involvement of China in POK the matter has worsened further. With presence of an estimated 11,000 soldiers of the Peoples Liberation Army in POK, one can confidently state about the growing foot-prints of China in POK  [2]  . This prompted views among many Indian military and political leaders and journalists that Islamabad is handing over the de-facto control of the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region of POK to China. Further it is believed that as the years proceed, Pakistan will emerge as an instrument of Chinas force projection into South Asia.  [3]   With this as background, it is imperative to examine and understand Chinas interests and strategy in POK as these developments hold large significance for Indias security interests. INDIA CHINA RELATIONS India and China are two of the oldest civilizations of the world and in spite of the present economic, political and military environment and compulsions, these two countries have a long history of friendly relations. However, since 1913-14 Shimla Conference, the Sino-Indian border as part of the issue of Tibets status has been a matter of dispute in relations between the two countries and has resulted in military conflicts. Presently the renewed tensions between the two countries have been dominating diplomacy with issues like Chinas refusal of visa to a top Indian Army General and aggressive Chinese intrusions across the LAC. Pakistan Chinas strategic equation with Pakistan is another issue which is a hindrance to any meaningful improvement in Indias relations with China. China has been the biggest supplier of military hardware to Pakistan, some of which is made available to Kashmiri militants. The increasing involvement and presence of Chinese soldiers in POK has raised concerns in India. Economic A strategic partnership was announced by China and India in 2005 and both countries have in recent years successfully attempted to reignite diplomatic and economic ties and consequently, the two countries relations have become closer. Presently, China is Indias largest trading partner and has recently changed its stance on Indias bid seat at UNSC. This is viewed as beginning of a maturity period in Sino-Indian relations. CHINAS ECONOMIC GROWTH In 1949, Chinas economic system changed to a communist system and as Chinas contribution in world trade has grown; its importance to the international economy has also increased. China is the worlds second largest economy after the United States by purchasing power parity and is the worlds fastest-growing economy. Unequal Regional Development Deng Xiaoping, orchestrated Chinas reform and opening-up 30 years ago, once said that some areas must get rich before others.  [4]  This was due to the countrys massive scale, the economic development could not happen all at once across China. Planning and implementation of such an economy would take years, even decades and some areas would inevitably be developed before others and thus coastal regions of China were the best place to place to start, due to the natural advantage of access to Asian and overseas markets via the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea.  [5]  The two areas which benefited most from this economic strategy of China were the Yangtze River Delta region in the East and Pearl River Delta region in the South.  [6]   West China the New Economic Story Chinas unequal transportation system, combined with differences in the availability of resources (natural and human) and industrial infrastructure has resulted in large variations in the regional economies of China. Although Chinas coastal regions continue to develop, the initial boom has already slowed.  [7]  Furthermore, foreign investors are beginning to grow weary of the increasing costs of doing business in cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen.  [8]  Therefore, now both domestic and international businesses are looking towards the interior of the country, where overhead costs are lower. Chinas Western region will emerge as the most interesting economic development story of the coming decade. This Western region comprises of 28% of Chinas population and 70% of its landmass and presently it also accounts for 17% of the countrys GDP, but surely this is set to change for the better.  [9]   In 2001, the Chinese government implemented its Western Development Strategy also known as the Go West policy. The plan called for large infrastructure development in urban and rural areas. The main components of the strategy included the development of infrastructure (transport, hydropower plants, energy and telecommunications), enticement of foreign investment, increased efforts on ecological protection (such as reforestation), retention of talent flowing to richer provinces and promotion of education. The Western Development Bureau affiliated to the state, had released a list of 10 major projects in 2008, with a combined budget of 436 billion Yuan which included projects like, new railway lines connecting Guiyang and Guangzhou, Lanzhou and Chongqing, Kashgar and Hotan in Xinjiang; highways between Wanyuan and Dazhou in Sichuan Province, Shuikou and Duyun in Guizhou Province and airport expansion projects in Chengdu, Chongqing and Xian.  [10]  They also include building of hydropower stations, coal mines, gas and oil transmission lines and also public utilities projects in the western region. By the end of 2007, China had started 92 key construction projects in Western region, with a total investment of more than 1.3 trillion Yuan. The Big Western Line, also known as the South-North water transfer project, is another project being planned to be undertaken for diverting water from six rivers in Southwestern China to the dry areas of Northern China through a system of tunnels, reservoirs and rivers. A robust growth is already in place in the West, reaching 11.9% in the last year.   Over the past 10 years, the railway capacity has increased by 160%, Highway capacity by 280% and the energy capacity by 550%.  [11]  Fixed investment of West was 3,600 billion Yuan and per capita gross domestic product rose to 1,933 dollars per year in 2008, which is just 41.9% compared to the per capita GDP of East. In early July 2010, China announced fresh investments to the tune of 100 billion dollars for 23 infrastructure projects to promote rapid and healthy development of western areas.  [12]   CHINAS ECONOMIC SECURITY Chinas spectacular economic growth is largely responsible for its rising energy demands. While energy production in China sharply increased since 1980, consumption exceeded production by the end of the 1990s and the gap between consumption and production is continuing. Chinas natural gas supply is even more limited than oil. The IEA 2006, forecasts that Chinas oil import will increase five folds by 2030 from slightly less than 2 MMBD in 2002 to 10 MMBD, when imports will account for 80% of Chinas total oil needs. Moreover, as in the rest of Asia, China will become heavily dependent on the Persian Gulf (70% of oil by 2015) for future supplies and its oil will increasingly have to transit a series of vulnerable maritime choke points.  [13]  The constant and safe importation of oil has become a crucial issue in Chinas energy sector. SINO- PAK ECONOMIC NEXUS Gwadar Port Pakistan inaugurated its third deep sea port at Gwadar in 2005 and it became operational in 2008. Work for phase II, at estimated cost of US $ 932 million is in progress for building nine additional berths (including two oil terminals with capacity of 2, 00,000 DWT ships). Other then the economic and military advantages to Pakistan it is important to examine Chinas role and strategic interest in this project. It is widely claimed that there is Chinese interest in reaching the blue waters of Arabian Sea.  [14]  This is considered to be a strategic move by Chinese as they funded US $ 198 million (out of the total Phase I cost of US $ 248 million) and also provided 450 engineers onsite. Towards success of Chinas Go West policy, Gwadar provides access to a port at just 1500 km as compared to the Eastern ports at 3000 km for the products produced in Western China. Gwadar is the ideal transit corridor for China to import oil and gas from Iran and the Persian Gulf. It offers an alternative route which is safer and cheaper as compared to the Strait of Malacca, where China faces problems of piracy and is under US sphere of influence. In Oct 2010, Pakistan government also decided to build a connecting gas pipeline from Gwadar to Xinjiang, China.  [15]   Official sources confirm that an understanding has already developed at highest levels between Pakistan and China that the Gwadar port is to be taken from the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) and handed over to the Chinese. The port should have gone to the Chinese, who built it largely from their own investment, in the first place, says Baloch nationalist Rauf Khan Sasoli, who accuses former President Pervez Musharraf of giving it to the PSA to please his American masters.  [16]  This will result in not only transfer of power at the Gwadar port but will also allow Chinese to build Gwadar as tax-free industrial center, including oil and gas refineries and a network of roads and railways from Gwadar to China through the ancient silk route. An ambitious deal to build railways along the Khunjrab pass has already been signed between Pakistan.  [17]   There is another thought to this project where Gwadar is considered as the Naval base for the Chinese as part of its String of Pearls strategy and providing defence to its oil movement as part of energy security. However, China had always denied that Gwadar will be used by Chinese military. Pakistan occupied Kashmir The geopolitics amongst China, Pakistan and India has been under the influence of development in POK. The building of the Karakorum Highway proved to be a turning point and was instrumental in strengthening the Sino-Pakistan strategic relations. The Karakorum highway was constructed by Chinese engineers and was completed in 1986. It connects Chinas region of Xinjiang with Gilgit-Baltistan. China and Pakistan had signed a deal in 2006 to widen the Karakoram highway by almost 20 meters wherein China had promised US$ 350 million for the project and once the project is completed, the transport capacity of the strategically significant region will increase significantly which will facilitate Chinas free access to the oil-rich Gulf through the Pakistani port of  Gwadar.  [18]  Thus, it may be visualized that the Gwadar port will be an integral part of Chinas Foreign Trade route in future.   In return for Chinese assistance in the building the highway, Pakistan ceded the Trans-Karakorum Tract to China.  [19]  Since then, it has been a constant source of supply of arms, ammunition and nuclear material to Pakistan from China and other countries like North Korea. Apart from this, goods manufactured in China have crept into Pakistan on a massive scale due to this highway. The Sino-Pak collaboration in hydro-power projects in the POK region including controversial Diamer Bhasha Dam on the Indus River is also a matter of concern for India. During Zardaris visit to China in 2009, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on construction of a hydro-power station at Bunji, in the Astore district of POK, with the agreement to construct the hydro power project (7000 MW) on build, operate and transfer basis, which means that all the investment ($ 6-7 billion) will be made by Chinese entrepreneurs.  [20]  Further, there were agreements for cooperation in fisheries, agriculture, education, dams and investment. China has contributed substantially to the rehabilitation and rebuilding projects in POK after the devastating earthquake of Oct 2005. These investments have helped China strengthen its control over POK. China has also encashed on the deprivation and alienation of people in POK both at political and social level. The Karakorum highway has helped in providing the necessary support during the rebuilding and trading opportunities for people of POK. It has been reported that of an estimated 7,000 to 11,000 soldiers of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army are in POK. Many of the PLA soldiers entering Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to work on the railroad and some are extending the Karakoram Highway, others are working on dams, expressways and other projects. In a way, these developments in POK brings out that, since Pakistan Army is unable to handle multiple conflicts, thus it apparently gave the Chinese army de facto control over Gilgit and Baltistan regions. For China, it is a win-win situation, as it stands to gain unfettered road and rail access to the Middle East through Pakistan.  [21]  The map of karakorum highway is shown below for better appricaition of the situation and its impoartance for Western Chinas economic growth. Karakoram Highway Map Karakorum Highway AN ALTERNATE VIEW TO INDO-CHINA RELATIONS China has finally moved away from Deng Xiaopings principle of hide your strength, bide your time so as to adopt a more proactive role in international affairs. The transformation that China is currently undergoing is clearly visible. Its changes in the socio-political and legal conditions confirm that the regime has changed away from the label of authoritarianism. The course of making decisions and strategy has slowly become decentralised and actors like media, think tanks, academic institutes/ university and voluntary associations and interest groups constitute major linkages between the government, its mechanism and the governed.  [22]   Visit of the Indian External Affairs Minister to China in 1999 marked the resumption of high-level dialogue. The joint declaration signed during the visit of Indian Prime Minister to China in June 2003 stated that China was not a threat to India.  [23]  Special representatives were appointed by the China and India in order to provide thrust to border negotiations. India also acknowledged Chinas sovereignty over Tibet and pledged not to allow anti-China political activities in India. On its part, China had acknowledged Indias 1975 annexation of the former monarchy of Sikkim and later rectified official maps to include Sikkim as part of India.  [24]  India and China are in the second stage of exploring the framework of a final package settlement covering all aspects of the India-China boundary dispute, which will be followed by the final stage of delineation and demarcation of boundary.  [25]   Convergence of Interests India and China have found substantial convergence of interests at the international level wherein they both share similar concerns about the growing international dominance of the US, the threat of terrorism disguised as religious and ethnic movements and the need to accord primacy to economic development. Both nations also favour more democratic international economic regimes.  [26]  They have strongly resisted efforts by the US and other developed nations to link global trade to labour and environmental standards. China and India put forward a joint Sino-Indian position in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and International trade negotiations. Chinas Neutrality Towards Indo- Pak Relations There has been a subtle shift in Beijings stance on Pakistan vis-à  -vis India. Chinas neutral position during the Kargil conflict, during Indo-Pak crisis following the terrorist attack on the Indias Parliament and during Mumbai terrorist attack is seen as sincere attempts of Chinas to improve ties. Towards Chinas attempts to project itself as a responsible regional player, it is supporting peace and anti-terrorist efforts in South Asia by cooperating with the India and US. China is also seen to be instrumental in encouraging Pakistan to negotiate with India by using its linfluence over Pakistan. On, 02 Dec 1996, when Jiang Zemin famously advised the Pakistani senators to set aside the Kashmir problem and improve their relationship with India, he thereby decisively distanced China from the Kashmir imbroglio.  [27]   Bilateral Trade As India and China have found a distinct convergence of their interests on world stage, they have used it to strengthen their bilateral relations on social, military and economic front. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs government had made it clear that it favoured closer ties with China and would continue to work towards improving and strengthening bilateral relations with China. Among the most encouraging developments in India-China ties is the rapid increase in bilateral trade. A few years ago, India Inc had a fear of being swamped by Chinese imports, whereas today, it is estimated that the bilateral trade between the two countries will grow by 20 per cent to reach beyond $60 billion in 2010-11 from the present US $ 50 billion. Political Initiatives Chinese premier Wen Jiabao told Manmohan Singh during the Indian Prime Ministers visit to China in Jan 2008, that there was enough space for China and India and the two leaders resolve to promote building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity through developing the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between the two countries. China and India also cemented a shared vision for the 21st century by agreeing to raise the annual volume of bilateral trade to $ 60 billion by 2010 and to play role in transforming Asia and the World. In 2009, China and India witnessed frequent high-level interactions. Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) summits in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Premier Wen Jiabao interacted with Manmohan Singh at the East Asia Summit in Thailand and the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.  [28]   CHINAS PRESENCE IN PAKISTAN NOT A THREAT TO INDIA China and India know that any conflict would have devastating effect on both countries, because of the nuclear threat and thus the ability to co-operate and solve disputes through diplomacy is in the interest of both countries. India is continuing to improve its relations with China on the convergence of interests that the two nations have achieved in recent years. In respect to Indo-Chinese cooperation it is noted that while they are rivals, they are not enemies and that they knew how to work together with common interests in mind which is exemplified by their burgeoning trade relationship and the potential to work together on a number of key issues, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, global trade and climate change.  [29]   China is presently busy in Xinjiang region trying to calm the Uighur separatist movement, it is trying its best to hold Tibet, the military intervention in Taiwan is now a possibility and war of words with Vietnam has already started. Importantly, Indias relations with China are improving with improved bilateral trade, increased political initiatives and military co-operations. Thus, having studied the Chinese need and strategy for development of its Western region, the importance of Gwadar port and POK for the western region and Chinas energy security concerns, it can be confidently stressed that Chinas presence in Pakistan is not a threat to India but is the economic need of China.

Ted Kaczynski: The Unabomber :: Biography Biographies Essays

Ted Kaczynski: The Unabomber Over the years, there have been many criminals who have eluded the authorities, but very few have been able to avoid them for as long as the infamous Unabomber did. For 17 years the Unabomer was able to reek his havoc without getting caught. In 1978, the Unabomber started sending his bombs. Only after 17 years of searching, was the Unabomber caught and charged for his crimes. Theodore (Ted) Kaczynski was arrested in April of 1996 after the investigators searched his tiny 10x12 foot cabin in the woods of Lincoln, Montana. Ted built the cabin in 1971 and lived there by himself, with his closest neighbor being 1/4 of a mile away. The cabin had no running water, no electricity, and no plumbing. Ted's family knew there was something wrong with him ever since he was a baby. His mother said that he had strange lapses as a child where he would go silent and still. As he got older the "shut-downs" (as they became known as by his family,) started to be accompanied with rage. He never fit in with anybody his own age. For instance, when Ted was 10 years old, his father tried taking him to a boyscout meeting but Ted would not have anything to do with the other children, so his father gave up. The only thing Ted liked doing was reading and playing his trombone. Ted proved to be very smart and at the young age of 15 years, was given a scholarship to study Greek tragedy for the summer at the University of Chicago. Ted went to Harvard and graduated with a degree in Mathematics, when he was 20 years old. Ted was then offered a tenured-track job at the University of California and taught there until his abrupt resignation in 1969. His family knew nothing of his resignation until he showed up at his parents house to move in. Ted stayed with his parents for two years and during that time he had many low paying jobs, the first being a gardener at the local mall. In 1971, Ted's parents woke up to find Ted gone and only a note thanking them for letting him stay with them. The note was so short and to the point that his father thought that it he was going to commit suicide. Ted's life was far from over.

Knowledge Management Essay

It involves applying the collective knowledge and abilities of the entire workforce to achieve specific organizational objectives. State agencies should feel free to adapt and use information and tools on the following pages as necessary within their organization. It is provided to be a starting point for sharing knowledge and experience, allowing those who remain with the organization to continue providing quality service. Capturing and sharing critical knowledge and expertise should be occurring continuously among employees. In many cases, however, it is not and this need becomes pressing when a valued employee is preparing to retire or change positions. When an organization is considering implementing a knowledge transfer plan it is important to answer several questions: 1. Is the organization going to fill the vacant position or reassign the duties? 2. Are all the duties of the position still important to the mission of the organization? 3. Is there a need to update the position description? 4. Will the position change, remain as is, or be eliminated once the employee leaves? What is knowledge transfer? David DeLong’s book â€Å"Lost Knowledge† describes knowledge as the â€Å"capacity for effective actions or decision-making in the context of organizational activity†. Accordingly, lost knowledge would decrease this vital capacity and help undermine organizational effectiveness and performance. The goal of transferring knowledge to others [known as Knowledge Transfer] is to: 1. Identify key positions and people where potential knowledge loss is most imminent. 2. Assess how critical the knowledge loss will be. Develop a plan of action to ensure the capture of that critical knowledge and a plan of action to transfer it. Why is knowledge transfer important? A significant percentage of the state’s workforce is nearing retirement age over the next ten years. These employees have acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge about how things work, how to get things done and who to go to when problems arise. Losing their expertise and experience could significantly reduce efficiency, resulting in costly mistakes, unexpected quality problems, or significant disruptions in services and/or performance. In addition, faster turnover among younger employees and more competitive recruiting and compensation packages add significantly to the mounting concern about the state’s ability to sustain acceptable levels of performance. What are the benefits of a knowledge transfer program? Knowledge transfer [KT] programs prevent critical knowledge loss by focusing on key areas. Some of the immediate benefits of KT programs are: 1. They provide reusable documentation of the knowledge required in certain positions or job roles. 2. They result in immediate learning and knowledge transfer when carried out by individuals who can either use the transferred knowledge themselves or have responsibility for hiring, training, mentoring, coaching or managing people within an organizational unit. 3. They reduce the impact of employee departure. 4. They integrate staffing, training, job and organization redesign, process improvements and other responses. 5. They aid in succession planning. 6. They prevent the loss of knowledge held only in employees’ heads when they leave the organization or retire. They enhance career development. Generally Accepted Definitions for Knowledge Management and Transfer Knowledge Management (KM) refers to practices used by organizations to find, create, and distribute knowledge for reuse, awareness, and learning across the organization. Knowledge Management programs are typically tied to organizational objectives and are intended to lead to the achievement of specific outcomes such as shared intelligence, improved performance, or higher levels of innovation. Knowledge Transfer (an aspect of Knowledge Management) has always existed in one form or another through on-the-job discussions with peers, apprenticeship, and maintenance of agency libraries, professional training and mentoring programs. Since the late twentieth century, technology has played a vital role in Knowledge Transfer through the creation of knowledge bases, expert systems, and other knowledge repositories. To understand knowledge management and knowledge transfer, it is helpful to examine the differences between data, information, and knowledge. Data is discrete, objective facts. Data is the raw material for creating information. By itself, data carries no judgment, interpretation or meaning. Information is data that is organized, patterned and/or categorized. It has been sorted, analyzed and displayed, and is communicated through various means. Information changes the way a person perceives something, thus, affecting judgment or behavior. Knowledge is what is known. It is richer and more meaningful than information. Knowledge is gained through experience, reasoning, intuition, and learning. Because knowledge is intuitive, it is difficult to structure, can be hard to capture on machines, and is a challenge to transfer. We often speak of a â€Å"knowledgeable person,† and by that we mean someone who is well informed, and thoroughly versed in a given area. We expand our knowledge when others share theirs with us. We create new knowledge when we pool our knowledge together.

Since the introduction of Dex-cool in 1996, vehicle owners have been plagued with problems.

Since the introduction of Dex-cool in 1996, vehicle owners have been plagued with problems. Problems with DexcalSince the introduction of Dex-cool in 1996, vehicle owners have been plagued with problems. The Intention of this project is to provide unbiased information about the use of Dex-cool and problems associated with Dex-cool, to those individuals that need it. The project document is intended for the use of General Motors to guide policy changes and recalls, if deemed necessary.The primary target audience of this project are high-level engineers and administrators within the corporation. The engineers and administrators are educated professionals with a clear understanding of how the cooling system on an internal combustion engine work. It is assumed they have an above average knowledge of vehicles and vehicle manufacturing. They may not have specific knowledge of the properties of Dex-cool. These individuals make policy changes and/or issue recalls.It is anticipated that corporation legal staff will use the project documentation for work in ongoing class action litig ation.Dex, Henry Saxe, 1977

Machiavellis View Of Human Nature Essays - Italian Politicians

Machiavelli's View Of Human Nature Essays - Italian Politicians Machiavelli's View Of Human Nature In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. These interests were gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power.1 His understanding of human nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed and taught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an effectively governed principality.2 Though in come cases Machiavelli's suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these views were derived out of concern Italy's unstable political condition.3 Though humanists of Machiavelli's time believed that an individual had much to offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quick to mock human nature. Humanists believed that An individual only 'grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally- through participation' in the life of the state.4 Machiavelli generally distrusted citizens, stating that ...in time of adversity, when the state is in need of it's citizens there are few to be found.5 Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of the citizens and advises the Prince that ...because men a wretched creatures who would not keep their word to you, you need keep your word to them.6 However, Machiavelli did not feel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens. This suggestion once again to serve the Prince's best interests. If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests, it would be better for him to be feared bey the citizens within his own principality. He makes the generalization that men are, ...ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well they are yours.7 He characterizes men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest of the state,[and when the prince] is in danger they turn against [him].8 Machiavelli reinforces the prince's need to be feared by stating: Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself loved than to one who makes himself feared. The bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures they are, break when it is to their advantage to do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective.9 In order to win honor, Machaivelli suggests that a prince must be readily willing to deceive the citizens. One way is to ...show his esteem for talent actively encouraging the able and honouring those who excel in their professions...so that they can go peaceably about their business.10 By encouraging citizens to excel at their professions he would also be encouraging them to ...increase the prosperity of the their state.11 These measures, though carried out in deception, would bring the prince honor and trust amongst the citizens, especially those who were in the best positions to oppose him. Machiavelli postulates that a prince must also deceive those who attempt to flatter him. [In] choosing wise men for his government and allowing those the freedom to speak the truth to him, and then only concerning matters on which he asks their opinion, and nothing else. But he should also question them toughly and listen to what they say; then he should make up his own mind.12 Since each person will only advice the prince in accord to his own interests, the prince must act on his own accord. Machiavelli discourages action to taken otherwise ...since men will always do badly by [the prince] unless they are forced to be virtuous.13 Machiavelli actively promoted a secular form of politics. He laid aside the Medieval conception of the state as a necessary creation for humankinds spiritual, material, and social well-being.14 In such a state,[a] ruler was justified in his exercise of political power only if it contributed to the common good of the people he served, [and] the ethical side of a princes activity...ought to [be] based on Christian moral principles....15 Machiavelli believed a secular form of government to be a more realistic type. His views were to the benefit of the prince, in helping him maintain power rather than to serve to the well being of the citizens. Machiavelli promoted his belief by stating: The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among those who are not virtuous. Therefore, if a prince wants to maintain his rule he must learn not

Three Reasons to Develop Solar Energy essays

Three Reasons to Develop Solar Energy essays According to the Solar Energy Industries Association reports there was a 67% increase in the solar industry from 2009 to 2010 in the United States. In addition to 67% sales increase, the U.S. solar equipment was installed in 2010 a total capacity of 956 megawatts, and the same year, a total generating capacity of the global solar equipment 17GWp. These statistics show that many people consider solar electric power systems as the future of alternative electric production. Nowadays most people move away from depending on fossil fuel based power generation to alternative energy sources like wind and solar. Hundreds of families have turned to residential solar power generation to control their future electric cost and supply. Nowadays, solar energy is used to provide electricity to homes, schools, businesses, universities and space vehicles used by NASA. Solar power is the energy of the future because it is environmentally safe, it is financially profitable, and it is energy independent . The first reason why solar power is the future is that it is environmentally safe. According to Sean Russell and his article "Environmental advantage for solar energy," solar energy does not produce any environmental risk. It is considered to be the cleanest and safest way to produce energy nowadays. Solar power is generated in such a simple and clean manner that it does not leave behind toxic waste and by-products as opposed to a chemical or nuclear form of energy, which poses health and environmental danger on its production and maintenance. In fact, there are many reasons why solar power can easily become the world's most environmentally friendly alternative fuel source. According to the article "Shining A Light On Solar Power Benefits," solar energy production does not have any bad impact to human beings, animals or natural environment as its generation does not create greenhouses gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. As opposed to other...

Britishness is defined as having a long history with tradition and Essay - 1

Britishness is defined as having a long history with tradition and culture. Westminster Abbey is designed to define britishness by the architecture and the functions - Essay Example The Westminster Abbey stands out as one of the most-conspicuous architectural masterpieces in Britain that have been designed to symbolize the long history of British culture and tradition. From its design in architecture to its design in the functions that take place within and around its premises, the Westminster Abbey is a classical representation of ‘Britishness.’ The history of Westminster Abbey stretched back to 1065 when King Edward the Confessor built a new church as a dedication to Saint Peter. Following his death, King Edward befitted the first person to be buried at the Abbey and William, the new Conqueror, became the first person to be crowned at the Abbey. In close resemblance to the Canterbury Cathedral, the Abbey became a center for pilgrimage due to the shrines of kings and queens and other important individuals in the society. After many years in the desolation, King Henry III decided to re-build the Abbey in 1245, and the resultant design reflects the Abbey’s current appearance. The history of Westminster Abbey is long and continue to this day. For example the buildings, houses and apartment tell a lot of the historical journey from when it commenced to today. For more than one thousand years, Westminster Abbey has maintained a unique architectural, historical and symbolic significance where the tradition and culture of t he English state, church and monarch and law are inexorably intertwined. As a group, the architectural pieces that form the Abbey symbolize masterpieces of monumental architecture since the medieval times, and which derive from the best of historic construction methods and traditional craftsmanship (Levy 8-12). Thus, it is plausible that the design of the Westminster Abbey was meant to be a constant representation of British culture and tradition for many years after its construction. On the design of its functions, it is the Abbey’s pre-eminent

Current space system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Current space system - Essay Example This is to imply that it has a geostationary orbit (Chesley 202-211). In the provision of remote sensing imagery, satellites provide the greatest deal and through their unique sensing characteristics they are able to provide detailed imagery formation. Additionally, this adds to the fact that the rotation of the earth from west to east causes the satellite swath to shift position, and be able to cover a new area with each consecutive pass. The complete coverage of the earth imagery is made possible by the rotation of the earth and the orbiting of the satellite. The technology that swaths use is that which relates to the crystal video receiver that was used in the enhancement of World War II. With this form of technology, the satellite swath is well thought-out to have been the foremost to use a high tech automated system of processing data, and be able to handle hundreds of radar pulses per second. However, the swath and the size of the scene both depend on the type of sensor used by the satellite (Chesley

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Effect of reverberation and amplification on sound localisation Essay

Effect of reverberation and amplification on sound localisation - Essay Example Binaural cues are based on the processing of differences in intensity, time and frequency correlation between both ears in the central nervous system. Localisation can be affected by any number of factors, including age, hearing loss, gender, handedness, environmental conditions and sound variations. An important factor in sound localisation is reverberation, which affects auditory perception and can provide listeners with a cue for sound distance. Reverberation refers to the acoustic environment that surrounds a sound, and is defined as the combined effect of multiple sound reflections within a room. Hearing loss may affect listening in reverberation by distorting the speech spectrum, therefore it is interesting to further investigate the effect of reverberation on speech localisation. Sound localisation may also be affected by hearing aids, as these may affect the localisation cues. Sound localisation therefore can be both negatively and positively affected by hearing aids. Directi onal microphones may disrupt binaural cues for localisation, as they can artificially change the inter-aural level and phase differences, which are both critical cues for localisation. ... However, previous studies are contradictory as to whether bilateral or unilateral hearing aids are better when in terms of sound localisation. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the contribution of adding reverberation on a listening environment to the abilities of normal hearing and hearing impaired listeners in localising speech and non-speech signals, and to evaluate whether it is necessary to add reverberant environments in clinical testing. Another objective of the study will be to determine if adding reverberation makes localisation more challenging for hearing impaired listeners in comparison to normal hearing listeners. The second main purpose of the present study is to understand the effect of the hearing loss and the hearing aid amplification systems on the utilization of the localisation cues in reverberant and anechoic environments. These two factors will be investigated separately by comparing the hearing impaired performances with and without hearin g aids in both listening environments. 1.2 Thesis Outline Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Background and Literature Review. This chapter introduces the concepts and literature on horizontal sound localisation in both normal and hearing impaired listeners. Background information on reverberation, and what is known on the effects of reverberation on our ability to localise sound sources in the horizontal plane, is also introduced. Chapter 3 Experimental Design. This chapter describes the experimental set-up and apparatus used in the localisation experiments in the thesis. It will further provide some details of the stimuli, reverberation, and the methods, used in simulating different reverberant environments. Chapter 4 KEMAR Measurements. This chapter reports the measurements

Euonymus alata - Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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International Trade & Finance Speech or Presentation

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Effect of reverberation and amplification on sound localisation Essay

Effect of reverberation and amplification on sound localisation - Essay Example Binaural cues are based on the processing of differences in intensity, time and frequency correlation between both ears in the central nervous system. Localisation can be affected by any number of factors, including age, hearing loss, gender, handedness, environmental conditions and sound variations. An important factor in sound localisation is reverberation, which affects auditory perception and can provide listeners with a cue for sound distance. Reverberation refers to the acoustic environment that surrounds a sound, and is defined as the combined effect of multiple sound reflections within a room. Hearing loss may affect listening in reverberation by distorting the speech spectrum, therefore it is interesting to further investigate the effect of reverberation on speech localisation. Sound localisation may also be affected by hearing aids, as these may affect the localisation cues. Sound localisation therefore can be both negatively and positively affected by hearing aids. Directi onal microphones may disrupt binaural cues for localisation, as they can artificially change the inter-aural level and phase differences, which are both critical cues for localisation. ... However, previous studies are contradictory as to whether bilateral or unilateral hearing aids are better when in terms of sound localisation. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the contribution of adding reverberation on a listening environment to the abilities of normal hearing and hearing impaired listeners in localising speech and non-speech signals, and to evaluate whether it is necessary to add reverberant environments in clinical testing. Another objective of the study will be to determine if adding reverberation makes localisation more challenging for hearing impaired listeners in comparison to normal hearing listeners. The second main purpose of the present study is to understand the effect of the hearing loss and the hearing aid amplification systems on the utilization of the localisation cues in reverberant and anechoic environments. These two factors will be investigated separately by comparing the hearing impaired performances with and without hearin g aids in both listening environments. 1.2 Thesis Outline Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Background and Literature Review. This chapter introduces the concepts and literature on horizontal sound localisation in both normal and hearing impaired listeners. Background information on reverberation, and what is known on the effects of reverberation on our ability to localise sound sources in the horizontal plane, is also introduced. Chapter 3 Experimental Design. This chapter describes the experimental set-up and apparatus used in the localisation experiments in the thesis. It will further provide some details of the stimuli, reverberation, and the methods, used in simulating different reverberant environments. Chapter 4 KEMAR Measurements. This chapter reports the measurements

International Trade & Finance Speech or Presentation

International Trade & Finance - Speech or Presentation Example Imports and Exports balancing Maintaining surplus balance of payments is critically important for the economic growth of a country. Exports bring more foreign currencies to a country which in turn can be used for making payments for importing necessary goods or services. Excess exports to imports result in favorable balance of payments whereas excess of imports over total exports of a country during a stipulated period of time result in unfavorable or deficit balance of payments. When there are surplus imports to US, for instance, since it largely depends on foreign oil products, the balance of payment can be said to be deficit. Until 2011, America’s dependence on foreign oil products such as crude oil, natural gas, fuel oil etc has always been driving trade deficit. In 2011, US imported $ 332 billion of petroleum related items and this was greater than what it exported (Amadeo, 2012). When there are surplus imports of a particular product or service in to a country, traders i nvolved in selling of the same will have to face import barriers if they are already in effect. Tariffs and quotas are thus examples of trade barriers and they cause traders increase their expenses of tax and other charges. International trade and GDP Foreign trade in goods or services is primarily a channel for economic integration and this seems to be a critically important tool for small countries since small countries are more integrated in relation to their gross domestic product. Small countries, in contrast to large countries like USA, Canada, India, China, specialize in a limited numbers of sectors and thus they need to export and import more goods and services to satisfy the domestic demands (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2010, p. 58). Within the domestic market, increase in exports mean that GDP is high and since exports bring foreign currency to the domestic market, more and more traders will be able to meet their payments for importing highly de manded products or services from other countries. Similarly, when there are surplus imports to the domestic market, it may adversely affect home products and balance of trade figures as well. For university students, international trade is benefitting in a way that they gain wider access to large numbers of universities abroad, scholarships, information, libraries and so on. Trade restrictions and international relation Trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas are found to have impacted adversely on the economic as well as political relation between countries. Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on imports of certain products from certain or all other foreign countries. Quotas are physical limiting for importing gods from certain or all foreign countries. By imposing these two restrictions, for instance, the country attempts to minimize bringing of certain goods or services from certain countries and this in turn affect the exports of those countries. This is how tariffs and quotas impact the economic as well as political relationship between two countries. Foreign Exchange rates In international trade, countries need to exchange goods and services for currencies that are acceptable between buyer and seller. Different countries do accept different currencies and therefore buyer needs to exchange their currencies with seller’s currencies to make payment convenient between them. Foreign exchange rate is the price of one currency in

The Life of Yukio Mishima Essay Example for Free

The Life of Yukio Mishima Essay Yukio Mishima is a pseudonym of Kimitake Hiraoka, a famous Japanese novelist, playwright and short story writer, actor and social activist, Radical and aesthete, who is considered to be one of the most talented and influential Japanese artists of the 20th century. Mishima was a very prolific writer, who worked in various literary styles and genres and whose creative legacy amounts to more than hundred literary works including 40 novels, 18 plays and screenplays, as well as traditional Kabuki and Noh style theatre dramas, etc. Mishima was born in Tokyo in 1925 to a family of aristocratic samurai ancestry. Future writer was raised by his paternal grandmother, Natsuko Hiraoka, who separated the little boy from his mother for some years. She was a very tough and authoritarian woman, who was keeping the boy in severe discipline. At the same time, she developed in the heart of her grandson a true love for Japanese and European cultures, as well as for theatre, literature and art: in particular, for the works of Izumi Kyoka. He was back to the family at the age of 12. Being a student of the Peer’s School, Mishima started writing the first stories inspired by his favorite Japanese classic writers and Oscar Wilde. Some of this works were published in school magazine and received positive reaction from students and teachers. But, unfortunately, his father, a governmental officer, was strictly against such literary â€Å"exercises† of his son. Therefore, couple of years later Mishima decided to take a pen-name in order not to be revealed by his anti-literary parent. After finishing high school Mishima studied law in Tokyo University. In 1947 after the graduation he worked as an official in the Ministry of Finance, but a year later he made up his mind to resign and completely dedicate himself to writing. His first conceptual work, a semi-autobiographic novel Kamen no kokuhaku (Confessions of a Mask), which was exploring the difficulties of homosexual culture in Japanese society, was published in 1949 and marked a start of bright career and great worldwide popularity of Mishima. In his works Mshima was discussing the issues of love, death, suicide, human beauty and sexuality, personal and religious values, etc. The novels which are the most known in America and Europe include The Sound of Waves (1954), The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (1956), After the Banquet (1960) and, finally, the trilogy The Sea of Fertility (1969-71), which describes the fall of Japanese culture in the beginning of the 20th century. His writing style can be characterized with unique presentation and paying a lot of attention to details, along with engaging some exclusive allegories and elements of paradoxes. But certainly, Yukio Mishima was greatly esteemed on his own lands for his numerous theatre plays. With his pieces The Damask Drum, Hanjo, Kantan and others, he is supposed to be the first writer of modern times who worked in old-fashioned Noh theater style. Several dramas, including Madame de Sad and My Friend Hitler, were written in modern genre Shingeki. Besides, Mishima wrote a number of plays in traditional Kabuki style, which requires some special talent and very rich cultural background. It is necessary to mention that traditional Japanese values were of great importance for Mishima, influencing significantly his life and works. He was particularly disturbed by global imagination about Japan as â€Å"a nation of flower arrangers†, so he devoted his life to reviving of bushido, the traditional code of conduct and values of samurais. Also, he was a fierce antagonist of any Westernization of Japan, arguing in public to spend every effort on preserving Japanese culture and traditions. (Schoenberg Trudeau). As a real Japanese patriot, Mishima had a reputation for discipline, order and self-organization. He used to work on his literary masterpieces from sunset to dawn, spending the daytime in his various social activities. Mishima was three times nominated for the Noble Prize for Literature. He died in November 1970, committing a spectacular ritual suicide seppuku after his unsuccessful speech against the existing pro-American Japanese constitution and anti-emperor regime. Bibliography: †¢ Liukkonen, P. (2003). Yukio Mishima 1925-1970. Pegasus. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto, Finland. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://www. kirjasto. sci. fi/mishima. htm . †¢ Schoenberg, T. L. Lawrence J. Trudeau (Eds.) (2006). Mishima, Yukio:   eNotes. com. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://www. enotes. com/twentieth-century-criticism/mishima-yukio/introduction? print=1. †¢ Yukio Mishima. (2005, November 18). UXL Newsmakers. 5-6 (1): 87-88. †¢ Yukio Mishima: A 20th Century Warrior. (1995, January March). New Dawn Magazine. 29 (1): 23-24.

Examining The National Disaster Management Policy Information Technology Essay

Examining The National Disaster Management Policy Information Technology Essay 1. Till recently, the approach to Disaster Management has been reactive and relief centric. A paradigm shift has now taken place at the national level from the relief centric syndrome to holistic and integrated approach with emphasis on prevention, mitigation and preparedness  [1]  . These efforts are aimed to conserve development gains as also minimise losses to lives, livelihood and property. 2. Natural calamities have had a more devastating impact in India because of inadequate policies relating to disaster management and no institutional support systems. However off late, the government has initiated a series of measures towards institutionalized and integrated approach to disaster relief in the country. Background 3. Brief History. The history of disaster management in the Indian context can be traced back to the Great Famine of 1876-1878, which led to the setting up of the Famine Commission in 1880  [2]  . The famine relief code was adopted thereafter, and contained the details of relief to be provided by the government to famine stricken people. India thus had the worlds first disaster relief code. Erstwhile Disaster Management Set Up 4. Disaster management and relief as a function of the Civil Government were entrusted to the Agriculture Ministry  [3]  . The Central Government laid down general policy and exercised overall control and co-ordination. Relief operations were planned and executed by the state and local authorities within their own areas  [4]  . The salient aspects were as follows:- (a) National Policy on Disaster Management. The role of the centre was restricted to policy formulation and allocation of resources for disaster management. The quantum of assistance to be provided depended upon Gravity of the natural calamity, scale of relief operations and requirement of central assistance. (b) Calamities Relief Fund. The Centre had earmarked two funds i.e. Calamities Relief Fund (CRF) and National Fund for Calamities (NFCR). The nodal agency for monitoring natural disasters and recommending the release of these funds was the Crisis Management Group (CMG) in the Ministry of Agriculture headed by the Central Relief Commissioner. (c) Government Response. The Government response to disaster broadly was in two ways viz. Policy and Administrative Response. At policy level, the Prime Minister and Cabinet Committee and the nodal agency i.e. Agriculture Ministry took initiatives to activate administrative machinery to assist and monitor relief operations. The salient aspects of government response were: (i) Preparatory Stage. This involved formulation of National Policy, installation of forecasting and warning system, and advise and assistance to states in policy formulation. (ii) Emergency Stage. Emergency stage involved provision of additional relief assistance, provision of assistance from armed forces and other CPOs, and arrangement and coordination of assistance from foreign countries. (iii) Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. This stage involved assessment of damage and allocation of financial resource for long term relief. 5. National Crisis Management Committee. This committee (NCMC) was constituted in the Cabinet Secretariat with the Cabinet Secretary as its chairman and secretaries of important ministries as its members  [5]  . It gave directions to the crisis management group. The Crisis Management Group was constituted under aegis of Ministry of Agriculture. The Additional Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture was the Relief Commissioner. He was also the Chairman of CMG and looked after matters relating to relief. The resident commissioners of the states affected by the calamity were to be co-opted during the period of crisis. 6. State and District Level Organisation. The state and district level organization was similar to the existing organization with disaster management committees functional at the state and the district level, with the Chief Minister and the District Commissioners responsible for coordination  [6]  . Drawbacks of the Erstwhile Setup 7. The erstwhile setup had a few drawbacks, some of which are as listed below:- (a) The National policy was not comprehensive and measures were adhoc. (b) The implementation was influenced by power groups with vested interests. (c) The central plans lacked coordination, as plans, procedures, organisation and even damage assessment differed widely from state to state. (d) Forecasting and warning though fairly well developed, did not meet requirements completely. (e) There was a lack of national coordination. (f) Inadequate community involvement. (g) An excessive compartmentalisation or sectorisation led to duplication of efforts and consequently development planning drifted away from an integrated nature. Present Disaster Management Set up 8. Background  [7]  . In 1999, the Government of India set up a High Powered Committee (HPC) to develop disaster management plans at the national, state and district levels. While the HPC was engaged in consultations with various stakeholder groups around the country, the super cyclone which hit Orissa in October 1999 and the Bhuj earthquake which hit Gujarat on 26th January 2001 exposed major weaknesses in our disaster preparedness and emergency response capacities. The National Committee on Disaster Management constituted by the Government of India reviewed the High Powered Committee Report and approved some of the recommendations, one of the most significant ones being the shifting of the primary responsibility for disaster management from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Government of India. India became one of the first countries after the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004 to declare a national commitment to set up appropriate institutional mechanisms for more effective disaster management at the national, state and district levels. 9. The Disaster Management Bill was unanimously adopted by both houses of Parliament and the Disaster Management Act 2005 demonstrated the national vision of a paradigm shift from post-disaster response to improving the pre-disaster disaster preparedness, initiating disaster mitigation projects and strengthening emergency response capacities in the country. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 stipulated the establishment of requisite institutional mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of the government for prevention and mitigating the effects of disasters, and for undertaking a holistic, co-ordinated, and prompt response to any disaster situation. The New Legal and Institutional Framework 10. The Disaster Management Act 2005 envisaged the establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), chaired by the Prime Minister of India, as the apex body for disaster management in the country, the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) chaired by the respective Chief Ministers at the state level and the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) chaired by the respective District Collectors and co-chaired by the elected representative of the Zilla Parishad in the respective districts. 11. A dedicated agency called the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been established with personnel from the para military forces for strengthening the preparedness and emergency response in the country. Ten battalions of the NDRF (see appx ) have been setup and deployed in strategic locations in the country and the NDRF personnel are being trained and equipped with state-of-the-art life saving equipments, search and rescue equipments, inflatable boats, etc. The NDRF personnel are also being trained for preparing and responding to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. Since their inception, NDRF personnel have been deployed in many natural disaster situations to assist the local administration. During the Kosi floods in Bihar in 2008, the NDRF personnel evacuated more than 100,000 people from the flood-affected villages through the sustained effort of NDRF search and rescue teams using inflatable boats, bauts and local country boats. 12. The National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM) has been established as the apex training institute for disaster management in India. NIDM coordinates the capacity building efforts of disaster management faculty in State Training Institutes and is also offering a few distance education programmes in disaster management in collaboration with the World Bank Institute. The NIDM also hosts the SAARC Centre for Disaster Management. The National Vision  [8]   13. The Disaster Management Act 2005 envisages a paradigm shift from the erstwhile relief-centric response to a proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness-driven approach, so as to conserve the developmental gains and also minimize losses to lives, livelihoods and property. The National Vision for disaster management is to build a safer and disaster-resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-hazard and technology-driven strategy. This will be achieved through a culture of prevention, mitigation and preparedness to generate a prompt and efficient response at the time of disasters. The entire process will centre-stage the community and will be provided momentum and sustenance through the collective efforts of all Government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). 14. The National Disaster Management Act. The National Disaster Management Bill was introduced by the Government on 08 May 2005 and promulgated into an act on 25 Dec 2005  [9]  . The law on disaster management provides for requisite institutional mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of Government for prevention and mitigating effects of disasters and for undertaking a holistic, coordinated and prompt response to any disaster situation. 15. The Disaster Management Bill, 2005 provides for setting up the following:- National Disaster Management Authority under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. State Disaster Management Authorities under the Chairmanship of the Chief Ministers. District Disaster Management Authorities under the Chairmanship of District Magistrates. Ministries / Departments to draw up department-wise plans in accordance with the national disaster management plan. National Disaster Response Force. National Institute of Disaster Management. National Fund for Disaster Response and the National Fund for Disaster Mitigation and similar Funds at the State and District levels. (h) Specific role for Local Bodies in disaster management including Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as Urban Local Bodies like Municipalities. 16. National Disaster Management Policy. The National Disaster Management Policy is a comprehensive document that articulates the vision of the Government of India towards achieving the goal of a disaster resilient India  [10]  . The objectives of the policy:-. Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education. Encouraging mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability. Mainstreaming disaster management into the developmental planning process. Establishing institutional and techno-legal frameworks to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance regime. Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of disaster risks. Developing contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and failsafe communication with information technology support. Promoting a productive partnership with the media to create awareness and contributing towards capacity development. Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerable sections of the society. (j) Undertaking reconstruction as an opportunity to build disaster resilient structures and habitat for ensuring safer living. (k) Promoting productive and proactive partnership with media in disaster management. 17. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). This has been established under the Chairperson of Prime Minister and nine members, including a Vice Chairperson nominated  [11]  . The duties of NDMA are as given below:- Lay down policies on disaster management. Approve the National Plan and plans prepared by the ministries or departments of the Government of India. Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan and different ministries or departments for integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects. Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policies and plans for disaster management. Recommend provisioning of funds for the purpose of mitigation. Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as determined by the Government. Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management. 18. The NDMA may constitute an advisory committee consisting of experts in the field of disaster management and having practical experience of disaster management at the National, State or District level to make recommendations on different aspects of disaster management. (a) Organisation of NDMA. National Disaster Management Authority has been constituted with the Prime Minister of India as its Chairman, a Vice Chairman with the status of Cabinet Minister, and eight members with the status of Ministers of State.   Each of the members has a well defined functional domain covering various states as also disaster specific areas of focus and concern. A functional infrastructure has been built which is appropriate for disaster management involving uncertainties coupled with desired plans of action. Each member of the Authority heads disaster-specific divisions for specific disaster and functional domains. Each member has also been given the responsibility of  specified states and UTs for close interaction and coordination. The NDMA organization is enclosed along with. The NDMA Secretariat, headed by a Secretary is responsible to provide secretarial support and continuity. It is proposed to have two Disaster Management Wings under the Secretariat. They are :- (i) DM I Wing. This wing will deal with mitigation, preparedness, plans, reconstruction, community awareness and dealing with financial/administrative aspects. (ii) DM II Wing. This wing is proposed to be composed of the National Disaster Management Operations Centre with the state-of-the-art multi-redundant communication systems, to carry out the tasks of capacity development, training and knowledge management. 19. The National Executive Committee. It consists of Secretary from Ministry of Home Affairs as the Chairperson and members as the Secretaries from the Ministries of Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Defence, Drinking Water Supply, Environment and Forests, Finance (expenditure), Health, Power, Rural Development, Science and Technology, Space, Telecommunication, Urban Development, Water Resources and the Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC)  [12]  . Duties. The duties of this committee include :- Prepare the National Plan to be approved by the National Authority. (ii) Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy. (iii) Lay down guidelines and provide technical assistance for preparing disaster management plans by different ministries and the State Authorities. (iv) Evaluate the preparedness at all governmental levels for the purpose of responding to any threatening disaster situation and give directions thereon. (v) Plan and coordinate specialised training programmes for disaster management for different levels of officers, employees and voluntary workers. (vi) Coordinate response in the event of a disaster situation and give directions to concerned ministries and State Governments. (vii) Require any department or agency of the Government to make available to the National / State Authority such men or material resources as are available with it for the purposes of emergency response, rescue and relief. The Mandate. The NEC is the executive committee of the NDMA, and is mandated to assist the NDMA in the discharge of its functions and also ensure compliance of the directions issued by the Central Government. NEC is to coordinate the response in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster. NEC will prepare the National Plan for Disaster Management based on the National Policy on Disaster Management. NEC will monitor the implementation of guidelines issued by NDMA. It will also perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the NDMA. 20. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC). For effective implementation of relief measures in the wake of a disaster, the cabinet has set up a National Crisis Management Committee. The concerned Secretary shall provide all necessary information and seek directions of the Cabinet Committee in all matters concerning relief and step for effective implementation of its directions. In the absence of such a Cabinet Committee all matters relating to relief shall be reported to the Cabinet Secretary. The composition of the committee will be as under :- (a) Composition. The composition of the NCMC is as under: (i) Cabinet Secretary Chairman. (ii) Secretary to Prime Minister Member. (iii) Secretary (MHA) Member. (iv) Secretary (MOD) Member. (v) Director (IB) Member. (vi) Secretary (RAW) Member. (vii) Secretary (Agriculture Cooperation) Co-opted Member. (viii) An officer of Cabinet Convener. 21. Cabinet Committee on Management of Natural Calamities(CCMNC). CCMNC has been constituted to oversee all aspects relating to the management of natural calamities including assessment of the situation and identification of measures and programmes considered necessary to reduce its impact, monitor and suggest long term measures for prevention of such calamities, formulate and recommend programmes for public awareness for building up societys resilience to them  [13]  . 22. High Level Committees. In the case of calamities of severe nature, Inter-Ministerial Central Teams are to be deputed to the affected states for assessment of damage caused by the calamity and the amount of relief assistance required. The IMG, headed by the Union Home Secretary, will scrutinize the assessment made by the Central Teams and recommend the quantum of assistance to be provided to the States from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). The HLC comprising the Finance Minister as Chairman, and the Home Minister, Agriculture Minister Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission as members approves the central assistance to be provided to the affected States based on the recommendations of the IMG. The constitution and composition of HLC may vary from time to time. The Vice Chairman, NDMA will be a special invitee to the HLC. 23. Role of Central Ministries. Nodal Ministries for various disasters have been designated. These are: (a) Natural Disasters Agricultural and Cooperation. (b) Chemical Disasters Environment and Forest. (c) Nuclear Disaster Department of Atomic Energy. (d) Biological Disaster Health. (e) Civil Strife Home. 24. Control Room (Emergency Operation Room). An Emergency Operations Center (Control Room) exists in the nodal Ministry of Home Affairs, which functions round the clock, to assist the Central Relief Commissioner in the discharge of his duties  [14]  . The activities of the Control Room include collection and transmission of information concerning natural calamity and relief, keeping close contact with governments of the affected States, interaction with other Central Ministries / Departments / Organizations in connection with relief, maintaining records containing all relevant information relating to action points and contact points in Central Ministries etc., keeping up-to-date details of all concerned officers at the Central and State levels. 25. Contingency Action Plan. A National Contingency Action Plan (CAP) for dealing with contingencies arising in the wake of natural disasters has been formulated by the Government of India and it is being periodically updated. It facilitates the launching of relief operations without delay. The CAP identifies the initiatives required to be taken by various Central Ministries/Departments in the wake of natural calamities, sets down the procedure and determines the focal points in the administrative machinery. 26. State Level Organisation. The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the States. In view of their autonomous jurisdiction, the States have evolved their own relief machinery. At State level the Relief Commissioner or Revenue Secretary, is the nodal agency for direction of relief effort. In most states, a state level committee, chaired by the Chief Minister, acts as a policy formulating forum and monitoring body. Some states have evolved efficient disaster management plans with the requisite infrastructure and organizational support. These as in the case of Maharashtra, include an Emergency Operations Centre in the State Secretariat, which is linked to the district by an efficient wireless and satellite based communication network. This is backed by a computerised District Management Information System Community Disaster Preparedness Programmes. (a) State Disaster Management Committee. At the State level, the SDMA, headed by the Chief Minister, lays down policies and plans for disaster management in the State. It will, approves the State Plan in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the NDMA, coordinates the implementation of the State Plan, recommends provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures and review the developmental plans of the different departments of the State to ensure integration of prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures. (b) State Executive Committee (SEC). This has state Chief Secretary as the Chairperson with four Secretaries of appropriate departments. It performs the same functions as the National Executive Committee as regards coordination, monitoring and implementation of State Plan in accordance to the National Plan, including all measures for prevention, mitigation and capacity building 27. District Level Organisation. At the district level, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), will act as the district planning, coordinating and implementing body for disaster management and will take all measures for the purposes of disaster management in the district in accordance with the guidelines laid by NDMA and SDMA. The District Control Rooms would be the nodal facility for directing all operations on disaster emergency situation, and hence are required to be supported by disaster management information and communications to function efficiently. The DDMAs would be established for every district in the State and shall consist of the Chairperson and seven members. It shall consist of the following:- (a) The Collector / District Magistrate / Deputy Commissioner of the district as the Chairperson. (b) The elected representative of the local authority who shall be the Co-Chairperson. (c) The Chief Executive Officer of the District Authority. The Superintendent of Police. The Chief Medical Officer of the district. (f) Two other district level officers, to be appointed by the State Government. Enunciation of Policy 28. Disaster Management : Tenets in Indian Context  [15]  . A disaster refers to a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence from natural or man-made causes, which is beyond the coping capacity of the affected community. Disaster Management involves a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient for the following :- (a) Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster. (b) Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences. (c) Capacity building including research and knowledge management. (d) Preparedness to deal with any disaster. (e) Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster. (f) Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster. (g) Evacuation, rescue and relief. (h) Rehabilitation and reconstruction. (j) Community involvement and awareness general. (k) Close interaction with corporate sector Non Governmental Organisations and media. Strengths and Weaknesses of National Disaster Management System 29. Weaknesses of Indias Disaster Management System. (a) Political Interference and Myopic View. Our political system is dominant in all our policies and programmes. The policy makers look for short term gains to keep their vote banks intact, resulting in myopic view of entire disaster management system. Policies and programmes requiring long term planning and implementation take back seat. (b) Relief centric approach. Our system is primarily focused on relief rather than prevention of disasters. Majority of the effort and organizations are preparing towards the actions after the occurrence of a calamity. (c) Community Awareness and Development. During most of the disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, etc the main reason for the high loss to life is due to ignorance of the affected populace about the actions which they are required to do. There are number of incidents, specially during earthquakes, wherein people due to panic moved inside the buildings and got buried in the debris. The Therefore concerted effort in this direction is a mandatory requirement. The community needs to be well informed about the physical features of their location / settlement and the hazard events they are likely to experience. Such a social consciousness about disasters leads to building an organization / network within the community for risk reduction. But, due to lack of concerted efforts, the masses are still quite ignorant of the linkages between development and disasters, nature conservation and role of community in prevention, reduction and relief in case of disasters. A case in point is t he tragedy wherein over 400 school children who were parading out in the open in Village Anjar (Gujarat) were taken inside the school building on occurrence of the earthquake. Nearly all the children died when the school building collapsed. (d) Lack of Role Clarity and Integration of Role Players. Disaster Management is an exercise which involves a large No of players eg Central and State Govts, Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Police Forces, NGOs, PSUs, Private Sector, Community and so on. The integration of disaster risk management functions within local institutions is key to achieving urban risk reduction. Their role has to be clearly defined during various stages of disaster management to avoid ambiguous situations. During the relief and rehabilitation stage post Gujarat Earthquake, a No of tasks were getting duplicated by various NGOs, State Govt and the army columns, resulting in wastages of efforts and confusion. (e) Sub-Optimal Outcomes. Due to lack of integration of efforts, our disaster management system suffers from lack of synergy at various levels. (f) Early Warning System, Forecasting and Communication Infrastructure. Not all disasters can be forecasted but areas vulnerable to disasters can be identified and measures taken in advance to reduce own losses to minimum eg in spite of knowing that Gujarat was in seismic Zone V, a large No of high-rise buildings were allowed to be built in Ahmedabad in the areas where water bodies existed a couple of years ago. Most of the buildings which collapsed were hose which had not complied to the Code of construction I earthquake prone areas. (g) Disaster Management Training. The training culture in India leaves much to be desired. In the case of Gujarat earthquake, while the rescue equipment / heavy equipment eg iron concrete cutters, excavators were provisioned, not many locals knew how to operate these. There is dearth of personnel who are trained in rescue and relief operations. Most are trained in elementary techniques. (h) Absence of Strategic Thinking and Infirmities in Decision Making Process. There is an overall lack of strategic thinking and swift decision making in our system owing to bureaucracy and politicization of all issues. The two if taken care of will enhance our preparedness to a large extent. (j) Financial Support and Corruption. One there is a deficiency of funds to plan and implement disaster Prevention and Reduction Programmes eg linking up of all the rivers, construction of dams etc. Two, of whatever funds get allotted only a small percentage gets to reach the grass roots level owing to rampant corruption in the system. (k) Inadequacy of Specialized Equipment. A major weakness is the inadequacy of state-of-the-art equipment required for rescue and relief operations. A lot of equipment is requisitioned from foreign countries on being hit by a calamity. (