Globalization and developing countries Free Essays

Globalization is supposed to be good for all, either developing states or developed states. However, there is ever a few semisynthetic side effects that non merely Malaysia can non avoid, but besides every other states that invite globalisation into their fatherland. Globalization has its ain defect, the 1 that affects many states and 1000000s of people all over the universe, economically and financially. We will write a custom essay sample on Globalization and developing countries or any similar topic only for you Order Now The anti-globalizers may see this as a manner to halt globalisation from distributing its wings to other portion of the universe by connoting that globalisation promotes nil but poorness and inequality. On the other manus, pro-globalizers think that it really helps the hapless and disagreed with the â€Å"globalization is doing the rich richer and the hapless poorer† statement that the anti-globalizers came up with. Malaysia went through a batch of advancement since the epoch of globalisation. We ‘ve improved so much from the economic, politic, societal and cultural point of position. It is said that globalisation is a menace to our local civilization and that it will one twenty-four hours be trample by the planetary ‘consumer ‘ civilization introduced by the progress engineering. But there is no 100 per centum truth in it as civilization lives in the bosom and upbringing of people, non in the engineering. Equally long as people hold on tightly to their belief and the sense of integrity in each races and in between races are strong, nil could perchance bust up people ‘s sense of community and societal solidarity, non even globalisation. Sadly, in order to derive what we have now, our ecosystem has been badly damaged due to over development of delicate natural resources such as wood and piscaries. Although the Malaysia authorities has enforced several Torahs to protect our cherished hoarded wealth, but the greed of human existences to remain in front and to go financially powerful has blinded their sight to see what they are making towards our ecosystem. This proved that globalisation comes with a really expensive monetary value to pay. The chief job of globalisation that cause people to believe of it as a ‘beast ‘ alternatively of ‘beauty ‘ is the unstable planetary fiscal system which affected hapless states the most, go forthing them burdened with unsustainable debt. As we know, globalisation raises everyone ‘s criterion of life. Life to those with low rewards will go less low-cost and much more suffering. Government must endeavor for efficiency and seek to happen a remedy to this planetary ‘disease ‘ that the undeveloped state has been enduring for ages. Globalization should be the unstoppable force for development, supplying people with a comfy, modern yet healthy life, non the other manner around. In Malaysia, globalisation can be clearly seen in the urban country such as Kuala Lumpur. The cost of life in Kuala Lumpur is so high that people have to work excess hard in order to maintain up with the violently fast gait and at that place used to be people who lived in a h omesteader houses. Then, it was demolished by the authorities, and the homesteader occupants were provided with a low cost lodging. This shows that globalisation works both manner and the authorities is responsible for keeping the security and economic public assistance of their citizens. Globalization should non be position as a menace or ‘hidden enemy ‘ but it should be see as a ladder to mount up to the top of a more sophisticated political alterations, more stable economic position and more advanced engineering that will better our societal and civilization. Although it causes widespread of wretchedness, upset and unrest, but it besides provides people with a new markets and wealth. Therefore, globalisation can be said act as a accelerator to development and find in one successful state. The most of import is that states be given the right and infinite to reexamine the impact of globalisation and make up one’s mind for themselves which facets are good for future usage and which facets should be ignore. Bettering our apprehension of globalisation will assist us to come up with an elixir that aimed at both alleviation and the causes of it. There are many policies that can profit all people, either developing or developed states, therefore, supplyi ng globalisation with the popular legitimacy that it presently lacks. Globalization is non inalterable as it is comprises of a policies and a set of constructs created by human existences and therefore it can be modified, re conceptualized and altered to suits the demand of our state. We can believe of globalisation as medium of conveyance, a boat that has many riders on board, which represents different states. Everyone has the same end which is to make the port, but due to several ineluctable jobs, non all riders managed to make the port. Every state sit the globalisation ‘s moving ridges, but non all succeeded in going the universe leader as each state has a different gait to catch the globalisation ‘s current. Changes of globalisation from several sectors are bind together in really complex mode, doing it instead hard to sum up all the positives and negatives effects. Overall, globalisation has done a enormous occupation in Malaysia, doing us one of the successful universe leaders. Globalization has tremendous potency and every bit long as it is decently managed, it will impact all parties involved. How to cite Globalization and developing countries, Essay examples

Marketing Communications for Health and Welfare- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theMarketing Communications for Health and Welfare. Answer: Introduction Aldi is a leading brand in the retail industry globally. The company has more than 10,000 discount supermarket chains distributed in about 18 countries globally. The company has an annual turnover of approximately$55 billion. This report analyzes the strategies that the company has applied in various situations and depending on the environmental conditions that have helped the company to survive and succeed in the market for a long time(Rosenberg, 2011). The report will focus on the companys operations in Australia but will also cite examples from the companies` operations in other countries that the company operates. The report will be prepared using data from various sources. The man source of data will be from peer reviewed journal articles and from the other authentic online sources. Books will also be used to relate the marketing strategies applied by Aldi to the theories of marketing management. Background of the company The company is based in Germany and was formed by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in the year 1946. In the year 1960,the business was separated to become two distinct business with one located in Essen and the other in Mulheaim. The company started growing internationally in 1967 by acquiring the grocery chain Hofer in Austria. Aldi opened its first shop in Australia in the year 2001 and has grown over the years to attain 310 outlets throughout Australia (Plunkett, jack plunkett, jack 2009). The discount supermarket chain is famous for offering products at very cheap prices. In the year 2010, the company reported revenue of 53 billion euros.Aldi is owned by Siepmann Foundation (Aldi Sud) and Markus Foundation (Aldi Nord). This report analyzes the marketing strategies that the company has used for the previous years and has helped it to achieve unbelievable success over the years. The report also suggests the strategies and actions that the company should take to ensure that the succ ess continues for many years to come. Marketing analysis The Nature of Aldi`s Marketing Strategies Marketing is all about offering the right products at the right place at the right time and price. It is important to analyze the marketing mix of the company so as to understand the strategies that a company uses to reach its customers. These four Ps include Product, Place, Price and promotion. This tool is important when the company is preparing its marketing plan and therefore it is important to understand the marketing mix of the company so as to understand the strategies that the company uses over the years. Since Aldi is a discount supermarket chain, controlling of cost is at the top of the companies agenda. The companys business model has remained the same since the company was opened. T The supermarket chain offers a wide variety of products under one roof. Some of the products under the portfolio of the company fruits and vegetables, household consumer goods, electronics and home appliances, milk, packaged grains, chocolates, coffee, laundry products, Liquor skin care and beauty products(Kumar steenkamp,2016). Aldi Australia offers a wide variety of products to customers who shop at its outlets to ensure that they can accrue all the items that they need under one roof. The supermarket ensures that all the products that may be needed by consumers are available at the stores at the right time. Another strategy that Aldi Australia uses in relation to products is that if new product development. Aldi does not engage in manufacturing activities but it enters into contracts with its suppliers t help them acquire products that are unique in the market and at a low cost.(Mueller,2011) Aldi`s strategy on products also includes acquiring products from different manufacturers and suppliers in order to offer the customers a wide variety of options to choose from. This strategy has helped in the growth of Aldi in Australia since consumer choices are many compared to other supermarket chains in the country. Consumers can are offered the same product category but the products are differentiated since they are from different suppliers. This strategy helps to attract more customers in future. Place. Aldi distributes its products effectively throughout Australia. The company owns more than 300 stores across the country. The management of Aldi ensures that all these stores are supplied with all the products needed at the right time. The company has a wide variety of suppliers and each supplier is responsible of maintaining the shelves they have been allocated in the supermarket. The company ensures that it is in constant communication with its suppliers to ensure that no products run out of stock and hence resulting to customer inconvenience. Aldi stores are relatively smaller compared to those of competitors. This is one of the companys techniques to help minimize the cost of hiring the facilities. However, Aldi stores have ample parking space which encourages customers to shop as Aldi stores country wide. The packaging and display of the products on the companys stores is also cost effective. Choice of location of Aldi`s stores is also a very important strategy for the company. Aldi ensures that it opens a store at a location where it will be highly visible and strategic and the population of the area must be of more than 30,000 people. This helps to create ready demand for products hence cutting on advertising and promotional expenses. Aldi avoids branding products using its logo and brand because of the cost involved in this. Therefore the company is very conservative and unlike many of its rivals in the market, Aldi is not interested in stocking products that have its own products stocked in its stores. This strategy helps in minimizing costs for Aldi and hence the company is able to maintain its costs at a very low level. Aldi procures most of its products in large quantities so as to be able to enjoy economies of scale. Buying in bulk helps the company to get discounts from the suppliers and the company seeks to take advantage of these discounts so that it can transfer the same to the final consumers. Every Thursday, Aldi introduces a different range of products such as bathroom accessories, garden furniture, kitchen appliances and other household items. These items are not available in the stores on normal days and therefore they help to attract a higher number of customers on this day and they end up buying many more items. One of the factors that have been at the core of Aldi`s success is the unique advertisement techniques and methods that company uses. One of the unique marketing strategies Aldi adopted is its advertising through brand comparison. Aldi`s technique is aimed at convincing the customers that Aldi brands are of the same or even higher quality standards than those of competitors. Aldi conducted blind test experiments among customers that preferred popular brands. The experiment proved that the customers could not differentiate the two brands and therefore concluded that the products are of the same quality. This instigated the popular Like brands slogan. Aldi in all its advertisements and product promotion efforts carries a message that its products are only cheap but that does not mean they are inferior to those of competitors. Aldi designs and distributes more than 1 million copies of brochures every week to distribute to customers visiting the stores as well as to other people living in the surrounding areas and motorist (Hitt, ireland hoskisson, 2017). This technique of product promotion is very cost effective and enables the company to maintain low costs while at the same time creating awareness among new and existing customers. Aldi strategy is to avoid advertising as much as possible. However, sometimes the supermarket carries out advertisements in the print and broadcast media. Aldi has a strategy of attracting new customers who were loyal to competitors by demonstrating to them how much they can save by swapping from the other grocers to join Aldi. This campaign is known as Swap and Save. Aldi also uses social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate to its customers. One of the companies popular campaigns in the UK and many other countries is the Aldi Advocates campaign (Cameron heywood, 2012). This campaign encouraging consumers to recommend Aldi to other customers based on the things the customers liked about the supermarket. The supermarket gives rewards in form of shopping vouchers. Recommended marketing strategies for Aldi in future In order for Aldi to survive and perform better in the Australian supermarket retail industry which is becoming increasingly competitive, it is important for the company to come up with new ideas. More and more supermarket chains in Australia are competing on the basis of pricing and the pricing wars between the retailers may lead to Aldi loosing the competitive advantage of cost that it currently posses. Aldi Australia needs to enhance its market position as offering higher quality goods at cheaper price due to economies of scale and other cost reduction measures. This is important because, statistics indicate that the behavior of consumers in Australia is changing. Consumers are becoming less interested on the price of a commodity as compared to perceived quality of the commodity (Dahle?n, lange,2008). It is therefore important that in future, Aldi does not sell its products at very low products compared to rivals since this may create the perception that the products of Aldi are inferior and hence leading to loss of customers. Increasing popularity of the internet and online retailers has become a threat to most of retail supermarket outlets. Aldi should invest in online shopping to enable customers to shop while at home and the company will deliver the goods at their home at a cost. This will help Aldi to increase its market share in the country and to also offer customers increased convenience since they are willing to pay for the shipping costs. Apart from the generally low prices that Alda offers its customers.it would be more advantageous if the company introduced loyalty programs to reward loyal customers and to attract new customers(Hitt, 2017). This strategy will help Aldi to snatch some customers from its competitors. The swap and save campaign should be carried out on the receipts of customers. After they have purchased products from the supermarket, customers can be able to compare and see how much they have saved and hence encouraging customers to buy from Aldi outlets in future(Daft, kendrick vershinina, 2010). Conclusion Aldi`s strategy of cost and other marketing strategies have enabled the supermarket chain to acquire significant market share in the Australia retail market. Aldi has a strategy with its suppliers to ensure that all its suppliers supply Aldi with products at cheap prices. This helps to ensure that Aldi lives up to its bidding as a leading discount supermarket chain. The company chooses cheap promotion techniques such as social media marketing and use of brochures and word of mouth advertising. This strategy ensures that the costs for the company remain as low as possible. This report also gives recommendations on future marketing strategies that Alda should implement so as continue becoming more successful in the market. References Australian institute of health and welfare. (2012). Australia's food nutrition 2012. Canberra, australian institute of health and welfare. Cameron, b., heywood, v. (2012). One family one supermarket. Richmond, vic.: The slattery media group. Daft, r. L., kendrick, m., vershinina, n. (2010). Management. Andover, south-western/cengage learning. Dahle?n, m., lange, f. (2008). Marketing communications. Hoboken, n.j., wiley. Hitt, m. (2017). Strategic management. New york: Cengage learning. Hitt, m. A., ireland, r. D., hoskisson, r. E. (2017). Strategic management: Competitiveness globalization : Concepts. Boston, ma: Cengage learning. Kumar, n., steenkamp, j.-b. E. M. (2016). Private label strategy: How to meet the store brand challenge. Boston, ma: Harvard business school press. Mueller, b. (2011). Dynamics of international advertising: Theoretical and practical perspectives. New york: Peter lang. Plunkett, j. W. (2007). Plunkett's food industry almanac 2007: Food industries market research, statistics, trends leading companies. Plunkett research ltd. Plunkett, jack w., plunkett, jack w. (2009). Plunkett's food industry almanac 2009: The only comprehensive guide to food companies and trends. Plunkett research ltd. Rosenberg, m. (2011). Business advantage. Cambridge, cambridge university press. Zentes, j., morschett, d., schramm-klein, h. (2007). Strategic retail management: Text and international cases. Wiesbaden, gabler. Http://site.ebrary.com/id/10231870.

Learning and Performance

Introduction The concept of learning was extensively discussed by Bruner, a prominent scholar in the psychological field. However, several intellectuals considerably contributed to the subject, by employing several experiments and research projects, thus modifying the concept (Kellogg, 2002). They studied the theories of learning beginning from immaturity stage until the adult periods. Ultimately, they represented their findings in writing, which was later published for other educational purposes.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Learning and Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Describe the concept of learning Concept learning begins at a child’s birth and proceeds all through its lifetime period. It is further noted that concept learning only happens in the following ways, i.e., concept formation and assimilation. Concept formation entails how an infant struggles to learn and recognize shapes, col or, and names of things. For instance, under normal circumstances, a child should be able to learn all these, by the age of three. Concept acquisition often results from what we bump into such as new words, thus learning them. For instance, one may encounter a new word from a dictionary thus finding out its meaning. There are specific issues associated with concept learning, for instance, determining whether there are single or numerous mechanisms and the problem of determining what was done before an individual attain the knowledge. Concept learning is extensively influenced by certain types of knowledge, i.e., the casual and the schemas (Eysenck Keane, 2005). Several problems also characterize concept learning; for instance, lack of knowledge theories that may assist in inferring knowledge impacts. Additionally, it is tricky to have an extensive conceptualization of the factors that led to the attainment of knowledge. Distinguish between learning and performance There exist a con siderable difference between learning and performance. Learning is influenced by factors such as training, rewards, partial reinforcement, and interstimulus time; whereas, performance is influenced by motivations and individual effort (Benjamin, 2007). Tolman, prominent psychology, contributed to the difference by insisting that learning is unobservable, and it’s exclusively evaluated and deduced by performance. Tolman also mentioned that learning is an internal process; whereas, on the contrary, he regarded performance as a behavior (external).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Comparing and contrasting the conceptual approaches There exist two types of theoretical approaches, which noted as ecological and nonecological approaches. These approaches are directly linked to the study of learning, with different extensive explanations from several psychologists. It is noted that th ese two approaches consist of certain qualities; some of them are common to both methods, while others are not. The Ecological approach to the study of learning An ecological approach is considered as a product of traditional learning theory; in other words, the conventional learning theories played a vital role in developing the approach. However, despite its traditional origin, it is essential to acknowledge that, this theory approaches learning from a nontraditional perspective. The ecological approach also stresses that learning has certain features, which are decided by either two of the following reasons, i.e., previous happenings during the development period or by preontogenic factors that existed in their ancestors. The environment is one of the primary factors considered in defining and explaining the ecological factor. It plays a fundamental role in influencing the investigation and scrutiny of the learning process. Conclusively, the ecological approach connects learning with behavior, which is also extensively influenced by the environment. Nonecological approach to the study of learning The nonecological approach assumes a different position regarding the hitches of environmental explanations. It describes the environment as a collection of several stimuli and reinforcers. The application of stimuli on the approach utterly renders it nonecological, since it is unspecific to a particular person. It is noted that nonecological approach pilots the formation of several theories, although they are exclusively nonecological. Ultimately, it is also imperative, not to forget that tradition plays an extensive role in supporting the nonecological approach. Conclusion Bruner initially discussed the concept of learning, and then followed by several modifications by different scholars. The two concepts, i.e., learning and performance are dissimilar in various capacities, despite the extreme associations between them. There exist two types of conceptual approac hes, i.e., concerning learning; therefore, it is extraordinarily significant to understand the dissimilarity and the similarity within the terms, for a compelling understanding of the topic.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Learning and Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More References Benjamin, T. L. (2007). A brief history of modern psychology. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Eysenck, W. M. Keane, M. T. (2005). Cognitive psychology: a student’s handbook. New York: Taylor and Francis. Kellogg, T. R. (2002). Cognitive psychology. California: Sage. This essay on Learning and Performance was written and submitted by user Ally Branch to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Political Ideology of the Whig Party

Political Ideology of the Whig Party The Whig Party was one of the political parties in the U.S. that was formed during the Jacksonian period of democracy that was from the early 1830s to the mid 1850s. The name Whig was chosen in honor of a group referred to as American Whigs formed in 1776 to fight for the country’s independence. People who wore Whigs during that time were seen to oppose any tyranny and dictatorship.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Political Ideology of the Whig Party specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Political ideology of the Whig Party was to support the supremacy of Congress over that of presidency in the United States. The party also focused on political ideologies that were centered on modernization and economic protectionism (Mueller 11) The Whigs, who were modernizers and supporters of President Jefferson’s democracy, saw President Andrew Jackson as a threat to the modernization of the economic, social and poli tical forces in the country during that time. This parricular Party drew its political principles from the Jeffersonian democratic system that mostly centered on national unity, concession, a balance in regime control and support of the country’s transport network. The Whig party served to dissuade the Jacksonian Democrats who supported the governance and political ideologies of President Jackson (Mueller 12). One of the founders of the Party was Henry Clay who came up with the American system, a concept that promotes the rapid industrialization and economic growth of America during the Jacksonian era. The Whig party demanded the government’s support so that it could create a modern economy that was market oriented. This economy would see the skills and expertise of workers being utilized more than their physical strength. Bank credit and bank services would count more than land ownership or the ownership of assets. The party sought to increase industrialization in the country by proposing a business oriented money supply that was based on the national bank and a program that would see the road network facing major renovations and improvements. Political Ideology of the Jacksonian Democrats The Jacksonian democrats were viewed to be a political philosophy of President Jackson and his democrat supporters who followed Jackson’s policies after the era of President Jefferson’s democracy. The term Jacksonian democracy was derived from President Jackson’s equal political policy that emerged from the Jeffersonian democracy that was mostly characterized by a monopoly of the government.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The political ideology that underlined the Jacksonian democrats was to support the presidency and its executive branch rather than support the Congress. The Jacksonian democracy also sought to broaden the publicâ⠂¬â„¢s participation in the government’s activities by involving American citizens in voting and decision making exercises (Pearson 176). The Jacksonian democracy was built on certain political principles that included manifested destinies where Americans were destined to settle and expand their control from the Atlantic to the Pacific region of America, expanded suffrage where voting rights were extended to white men, banking where Jacksonian’s opposed the monopoly the government had on the national, federal and central bank, patronage where political supporters were placed in appointed offices, strict constructionism where Jacksonian democrats favored a federal government that had limited powers and an economy that incorporated a hands off approach (Pearson 178). The policies that were implemented by President Jackson were based on the political principles highlighted above. These policies saw the role of the national bank being terminated in the U.S. and there was a broadening of citizenry in the government. President Jackson also implemented policies that saw the country expanding its boundaries westward and removing the American Indian communities from the Southeastern parts of the country. These policies saw the president being labeled as a tyrant and dictator by the Republicans who came to form the Whig Party (Pearson 178). Jacksonian Democracy Era The Jacksonian era began when President Jackson lost his presidential election in 1824 to Republican John Quincy Adams who was one of the founders of the Whig Party. During this time President Jackson used the Democratic Party to launch his campaign bid for the 1828 elections by focusing on issues such property qualifications for officeholders where most U.S. offices elected state representatives rather than appointed them. Jackson also focused on voting issues that arose during the election campaigns where opponents were involved in smear campaigns, forgetting the pertinent issues that needed t heir address. A new party system was developed to deal with the high competition amongst presidential opponents but these new system required a lot of financial resources, people and organizations to run the campaigns and ensure that American citizens voted in the elections. Jacksonian Democrats believed in the strength of the common man and they did this by trying to protect the American Constitution and ensuring that there was political democracy in the country. The Jacksonians also advocated for the individual liberty of white males on suffrage and also for the economic equality of the average and low income American citizen (Johnson par.6). On entering political office, President Jackson protected the contents of the U.S.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Political Ideology of the Whig Party specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Constitution despite the fact he was protecting his presidency. He mostly advocated for the freedom of the states from any federal laws that infringed on the rights of the state’s citizens. President Jackson ensured the edifice of the constitution when he barred in the Congress a vital internal enhancement bill that would refute federal funding for the building of the Maysville Road found in Kentucky (Johnson par.2). President Jackson who was a firm believer in the common man used these issues to gain more votes that would see him securing the presidency in 1828. His Jacksonian supporters included both rich and poor American citizens, and people who practiced slavery and those who called for the abolition of slavery. Jackson promised his supporters economic freedom as well as ensuring that the average American had a say on how the government’s affairs would be performed. Such policies saw an increase of respect and empowerment of the common man in the United States. The Jacksonian democracy mostly centered on the presidency rather than the congress, a concep t that saw President Jackson utilizing the Union to negotiate for trade agreements with Britain and France. The democracy under President Jackson also focused on the nullification of federal laws that were used to govern the states by proposing that each state have its own laws and rights for its citizens without invoking the use of the Civil Union. President Jackson also advocated for the unification of the Northern and Southern parts of America to form one state so that citizens could move from one region to another without any form of hindrance or obstruction. The Jacksonian democracy also saw the reduction of high tariffs that had been imposed on imported goods by the Jeffersonian democracy to a lower rate. President Jackson lowered the tariff rate for South Carolina who had called for a nullification of the tariff rates. The actions indicated that he stood by the federal authorities that had been outlined in the constitution that stopped federal states from asserting whichever rights had not been approved (Johnson par.2). A notable achievement of the Jacksonian democracy was the two party system where the needs of the common man could be met and their opinions input into government policies that were developed to serve the interest of the average American citizen. This system was also preferable as each party had to compete for public support by meeting their needs and opinions. The Jacksonian era was seen to be the birth of the modern day Democratic Party in the United States. The Jacksonian era also protected the individual liberties of the average white male who had an entitlement to a position of power and authority in the government.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Jacksonian democrats were also guardians of economic equality amongst American citizens. When President Jackson eliminated the national and central banks, he did so because he thought these banks benefited the rich classes in the American society (Johnson par.5). Eliminating the federal and central/national banks in America during that time saw economic equality amongst average American citizens and the lower class citizens as the economic privileges taken away from the wealthy class were allocated to these citizens. This period of economic equality and stability saw a decrease in poverty levels as well as a stable economy in America during the 1820s and 1830s. Johnson, Cory. Flaws of Jacksonian democracy. 12 August 2008. Web. Mueller, Henry R. The Whig party in Pennsylvania. New York: Read Books, 2009. Pearson, Charles, M. A history of American political theories. New Jersey, US: Transaction Publishers, 2008. Print.

Basant as a Cultural Heritage of Lahore Essay Example for Free

Basant as a Cultural Heritage of Lahore Essay Basant as a cultural heritage of Lahore by Yasir Raza Naqvi Lahore is an exceptionally festive city. The people of Lahore commemorate many festivals and events throughout the year, amalgamating Mughal, Western and current trends. This blending is extended to include the grand and historically significant festival of Basant. Though religiously not a Muslim cultural event, it is widely celebrated by the Muslim majority population Lahore. It is precisely due to the same reason coupled with other ‘non-Islamic’ practices that it has come under severe criticism by the mullahs. The celebration of Basant grew at an increasing rate in the late 90’s till 2005 where it suddenly came under ban due to an increasing number of deaths caused by highly tensile glass coated threads. Due to the official recognition during Musharraf’s early regime, kite making had become an industry, employing hundreds of thousands of people. The implementation of ban of kite flying followed by the ban on kite making left almost 500,000 families employed. Political turmoil followed by the ban on Basant added misery to the already crawling economy of Pakistan as the number of tourists who came to Lahore just to see the magnificent event of Basant fell tremendously. Therefore, In this essay, I tend to analyze the tri fold significance that Basant holds for Lahore. I would briefly shed light on the history of Basant and its transformation over the years till today coupled with the criticism it faced by religious elements of Pakistan. I would later explain how Basant becomes the center of tourist attraction, and generates a lot of revenue for the local industry thus securing an important position in translating the cultural heritage of Lahore. I would also seek to mention the reasons for the implementation of ban on Basant and propose solutions to uplift it. In the pre-partitioned Punjab, Hindus, especially of Lahore- celebrated Basant by flying kites. It was precisely during that time that the Muslims of Lahore, almost equal in number-comprising of the 48% of the population of Lahore, were instructed by the mullahs of that time to refrain from celebrating the event as it was typically a Hindu festival. However, the youth of that time did take part in the event by flying kites. After partition, almost all the Hindus had left Lahore for India but their tradition of Basant remained; and even today Lahoris take pride in Basant and fly kites from their rooftops with the same enthusiasm. Being the historic capital of Punjab there is no other place where Basant is elebrated with as much vigour and enthusiasm as the ancient city of Lahore. Traditionally, a festival confined to the old-walled city, it has now spread throughout the city. The celebration of Basant is incomplete without the kites and it is for the same reason that Michael Palin in his book Himalaya says: â€Å"Everyone in Lahore flies their kites for a day. † (Palin) Marshall Cavendish in his book People of Western Asia briefly states about the history of Basant and its celebration in the following words: â€Å"Lahore’s spring festival, Basant (buh-SAHNT): also known as Jashen-e- Baharan), is celebrated in February or March each year. It is an ancient festival that has become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting visitors from other parts of the country. Basant is celebrated with feasting, music, dance and crafts, and the wearing of yellow costumes or scarves, a symbol of the new spring. The most striking feature of the festival is the kite flying. Thousands of kites of all shapes, sizes and colors fill the skies and soar from parks and city roofs. At night, music rings and while white kites are flown, which reflect lights and fireworks. Throughout Pakistan there are local spring fairs with folk dancing; feasting; fairground attractions, such as swings and ferries wheels (sometimes made of wood in rural areas); music; and sporting contests. † (Cavendish) The celebration of this event which includes the spending on the purchase of kites has constantly being termed by the mullahs as un Islamic. In an interesting piece written by Roy McCarthy in The Guardian (17th May 2003), a young woman supporter of the Jamiyat (religious party) is reported as vehemently arguing against Basant. It is not Pakistani culture. Pakistanis don’t need new festivals. The most obnoxious part of the Basant is that it encourages young men and women to dance together and drink alcohol. This is not Islam. This is not Pakistan. This is not part of our civilization. † (The Guardian) The cry by the Jamiyat and other religious parties to impose ban on purely religious grounds, that is, Basant being a Hindu festival and thus unIslamic; therefore it should not be celebrated for the same reason might not be a reasonable argument. Firstly because, Basant is more of an ethnic event and it was celebrated by the Hindus and Muslims (the younger lot) alike by flying kites on Basant day and kite flying is more of a sport in the contemporary world, so the question of kite flying being Islamic or unIslamic does not arise . Secondly, ‘there is no denial to the fact that religion is very important and integral part of the culture of Pakistan but we should remember that cultural traditions are also a cause to celebrate and if nothing else the celebration of Basant can be viewed by the specific gathering of the ethnic group. This is further strengthened by the statement made by Sheikh Saleem, lahori and a local kite maker, â€Å"eid musalmanon ki hoti hai or Basant lahoriyon ki†. Thus it is purely a cultural event and Basant and kite-flying contrary to fundamentalist perceptions had nothing to do with religion. Thirdly, Basant has always been supported by the sufis of the past who were the early preachers of Islam in the subcontinent and were all very close to religion of Islam. However, during times when the state comes under religious influences (MMA had an impressive victory in October 2002), there are efforts to discourage what is, after all, not a religious festival. Pakistan† (Rengel) Sufis of Sub-Continent have a convention of adjusting to the local culture and language of the places they visited to spread Islam. The Chishti sufis, have not only tried to relate to the South Asian culture and music, they even tested and developed different cultural forms. Basant is a living example of religious open-mindedness and respectfulness of other creations of God. Previously, it was these Dargahs and Khaneqahs, which served as basis where people could share equal liberty, message of transparency and oneness. Basant is a tradition initiated eight hundred years ago by the famous poet Amir Khusro. Thus, the sufis of the past, namely Nizamuddin Auliya, Baba Zaheen Shah, Amir Khusro also took part in celebrating the event of Basant through songs. The song sung on Basant commemorates a special event in a saint’s life. Blum and Neuman) Kite-making and kite-flying interdependent on one another spread from the confines of ‘undroon sheher’ across Lahore, and as the city of Lahore expanded, so did the trade. It grew to such a degree that it attracted people from around the world and made Lahore a place of great tourism for Pakistan and a dynamic source of income for its residents. The festival of Basant transformed over the years due to the introduction of kites of different shapes, sizes and colors and as Saeed writes â€Å"Kite Fighting is an integral part of the Basant Kite festival. Saeed) It is precisely this magnificent display of kite flying on Basant day that made Lahore famous and thus it became the center of tourist attraction. People belonging to upper as well as lower economic classes from around the country and beyond packed city hotels for a few days of late-night festivities. Thus, as the celebrations of Basant got bigger and bigger, more and more support started coming in the form of endorsements by the government, and sponsorship and advertisement by multi-nationals in the private sector such as Coca Cola, Pepsi and Nestle. Official statement of District Chief Nazim of Lahore, 2003, Basant had created a business of Rs. 2 to 3 billion in the province and provided lot of opportunities to common people and owners of cottage industries in the country. To some independent estimates overall euphoria of Basant would generate economic activities of Rs. 4 to 4. 5 billion in the province in 2004†. (Khan) Gradually, the event which was once a general celebration of spring became overly competitive and transformed from being a fun sport to a killer sport claiming hundreds of innocent lives. As the nature of Basant changed so did the demand for the kinds of kites needed and thus new models, enormous kites and ‘dors’ toughened with steel wire, chemical and glass to have room for the ‘kite-fighting’ of Basant replaced the traditional kite design, size and thin ‘dors’ that never utilized anything more than starch. These changes are in-fact the root of the present dilemma. â€Å"Kite flying on Basant has taken 505 lives in the last two years. The supreme court of Pakistan has mentioned 45 kite-flying related deaths in city over the last six months and 460 last year†. Zia) The factor that makes this activity even deadlier is that the dangers to human life from this commotion are multi pronged. In simpler words, the group of people affected by this cannot be specified. Actually, it is so large and all-around a group that the risks seem horrendous. Unlike other hazardous sports, the activity of celebrating Basant and more specifical ly more often than not, affects people who are not even slightly related to kite flying. The deaths quoted above are a testament to this argument. A majority of these deaths were of the unfortunate motorcycle riders who couldn’t endure the wounds after the stray strings, used for kite flying, cut open their throats. Then there were deaths due to the distraction caused by these stray strings. Young boys running after and chasing kites also add up to to this very ill-fated club. The number of wounded people and the number of accidents that kite flying on Basant has been causing is alarming to say the least. But the horror doesn’t end here. Many kite flyers were victims themselves; deaths caused by falling off rooftops, electric shocks due to the use of metal strings and obviously they too have the hazard of the stray thread slitting their throats. The killing of innocent people was not the only reason that the government imposed at a ban on basant. The monetary losses caused by kite-flying are astonishing. Fluctuations in the power supply and frequent electricity trippings have become identical with Basant. Pakistan Times show a grim picture: â€Å"As many as 48,173 power trippings were caused by kite flying were recorded in different parts of the provincial metropolis during the first quarter of current fiscal year. † (Pakistan National News Desk). Every year, the Basant days in Lahore are like a mini-blackout. And the people who have to take the toll are the people who have to work through days and nights to ensure that the people get uninterrupted power supply. The sharp strings and metal twangs can cut through the insulation of wires and every day, hundreds of transformers are left burnt and rendered useless. LESCO: â€Å"The losses suffered by LESCO 350 million rupees during the last 4 years ending 2003 out of which a loss of Rs. 20 million was caused in 2002 by metal wires. Moreover, one grid station had been damaged by metal wire every year during this period resulting in a loss of Rs. 8 to Rs. 9 million and the destruction of 210 feeders. † (LESCO) It is estimated that if there are 50 one-hour breakdowns, it costs Rs. 2. 5 million to WAPDA Steel and glass-edged wires are banned but manufacturers still report roaring trade. (Pakistan times†¦) Kite making is traditionally a family enterprise. Behind every kite is the effort of a minimum of six people. The skill is one that they acquire in their ‘virasat’ as Baqir Ali Butt stated. In some ways kite-making has been altered by the changing circumstances of Lahore but in other ways it has stayed the same. It continues to provide employment for men, women and children, including handicapped persons and the incomes of 500, 000 people are dependent upon the trade â€Å"Around 500,000 families, directly related to the kite flying business, have lost their sources of livelihood because of the ban on Basant†¦[†¦] The ban is costing them Rs 200 million annually, and at the same time damaging other businesses that are indirectly related to the festival. They said that the people related to the industry, including kite makers, twine (dor) makers, wholesalers and retailers, had lost their means of earning a living. The cost of the paper used in kite making is estimated at around Rs 90 million and the cost of the twine used for flying kites is estimated at around Rs 40 million. The process of making kites involves around Rs 40 million, said Lahore Kite Flying Association General Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Saleem. â€Å"These were taken two years back. Now the number must have jumped,† he said, adding that 500,000 families had suffered because of the ban. † (Dawn International) (Tasleem) â€Å"The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Punjab police to register and take affidavits from the manufacturers of strings for kite flying in the province that they would not produce metallic and other dangerous strings which play havoc with human lives and power lines during Basant festivities. The National Assembly was recently informed that Wapda lost Rs30. 2 million in revenues due to Basant-related mishaps in the Punjab from 1999 to February 2004. Basant as a Cultural Heritage of Lahore. (2017, Feb 24). We have essays on the following topics that may be of interest to you

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