The Legacy Of The Abraham Lincoln - 946 Words

Republican Abraham Lincoln was elected president in November 1860, and would be inaugurated on March 4, 1861. Tensions had been growing between southern slave states and northern free states. Lincoln hailed from the Northern free state of Illinois, and made his anti-slavery views as he campaigned. Lincoln did not receive any votes from the southern states; his name was not even on their ballots. All of the slave states were outraged when Lincoln was elected, and feared he would abolish slavery. As a result, South Carolina seceded from the union on December 20, 1860. This led many other southern states to consider seceding. 100 Mississippi delegates gathered in Jackson, Mississippi for a convention to discuss secession. An ordinance for secession was read aloud at the convention on January 9, 1861. Most of the delegates were in favor of secession; however, there were a small group of men who did not want Mississippi to secede. Three of these men each proposed one *amendment* to the ordinance in order to delay or halt the secession of Mississippi from the union. In the first proposal, proposed by Jacob Yerger, all the slave states would gather at a convention to â€Å"determine what amendments of the Constitution of the United States are necessary and proper to secure the rights of the slaveholding States in the Union, and to finally settle and adjust all questions relating to the subject of slavery in such manner as will relieve the South from the further agitation ofShow MoreRelatedThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1958 Words   |  8 PagesLeadership and Legacy: Background Research Paper Abraham Lincoln By:Audrey Knight Introduction Great leader and main topic Abraham Lincoln lived in the 1800’s where he accomplished many things in his 54 years of life. He lived in the U.S. through several major events in history and left a legacy that will never be forgotten. As the 16th president of the United States he brought about the emancipation of slavery, preserved the Union during the Civil War, and served the people. His heroic leadershipRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln933 Words   |  4 PagesSynopsis Regarded as one of the United States of America greatest heroes, Abraham Lincoln is famous for his unique appeal and incredible impact on the nation. He was the United States 16th president. His story is an astounding one rising from a humble background to become the most powerful man the land. However, at the time when his country needed him most, a tragic and sudden death strikes him. He is assassinated. He left a legacy that endured due to his unique humane personality as a leader of the unionRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln Essay2383 Words   |  10 PagesReport Name Abraham Lincoln paved a path of equality and freedom for slaves and people of the 1800s as well as having a major impact on society and government; Abraham Lincoln s engagement with the public people skyrocketed his career as being a president and a suitable leader to the people of the United States of America. Born on February 12th, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln in his later years would be known as one of the most influential leaders of all time. Abraham Lincoln was bornRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1217 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln was born in the year 1809 on February 12th in the town of Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. Growing up Lincoln had no proper education, consequently he read books and educated himself. During Lincoln’s young adult years, he worked a various number of jobs as a shopkeeper, surveyor, and a postmaster. In 1832, Lincoln became a captain of the Hawk War against the Native Americans. Shortly after the war was over, he began his political career and was elected to theRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1817 Words   |  8 Pagesmore than any of these other men: Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed the slaves. Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky, is widely considered to be one of the greatest presidents to have ever been in office. During the course of his presidency, Lincoln not only lead the Union during the Civil War and tried to unify the nation through a harsh time of crisis, conflict, and bloodshed: through his beliefs, his example and his legacy, Lincoln freed the slaves, gave them the rightRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln Essay2382 Words   |  10 PagesAbraham Lincoln paved a path of equality and freedom for slaves and people of the 1800s as well as having a major impact on society and government; Abraham Lincoln s engagement with the public people skyrocketed his career as being a president and a suitable leader to the people of the United States of America. Born on February 12th, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln in his later years would be known as one of the most influential leaders of all time. Abraham Lincoln was born intoRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1826 Words   |  8 Pages Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the 1860 presidential election, was a beacon of hope for many slaves in America. Becoming the 16th president of the United States serving from 1861 to 1865, Abraham Lincoln is one of America’s most celebrated heroes. Holding office during the years of the American Civil War, Lincoln preserved the Union, while creating a new era that consisted of emancipated African American slaves. After winning a victory at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, he issuedRead MoreLegacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Legacy Essay1582 Words   |  7 PagesLegacy Leader: Abraham Lincoln A legacy leader is someone who has left a positive and lasting impression in society due to his or her leadership qualities and/or traits. Abraham Lincoln is a prime example of a legacy leader due to the leadership traits he displayed throughout his presidency. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He exhibited great leadership qualities such as integrity, duty, and selfless service. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and hisRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1500 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln has been studied more than any other in American history. In fact, over 15,000 different books have been written about our 16th president. Throughout the pages of these books, President Lincoln is affectionately referred to by many different names, such as the Railsplitter, Honest Abe, and the Great Emancipator. A vast majority of these written works honor Lincoln as one of our greatest presidents. Not everyone feels that way, however. Charles Adams, in his book, When in the CourseRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1292 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln has been called the greatest president in all of American history. His principles were dedicated to the survival of the United States during one of the most gruesome and bloody wars in the country s history, the American Civil War. During his presidency, he fought for the emancipation of slaves because he believed the institution of slavery was morally unjust. His ideals, which appealed to the founding principles of the country, energized and mobilized the union and kept it alive

Suicide A Controversial And Thought Provoking Issue

Discussing suicide can be a very controversial and thought provoking issue. At first glance, one may just think it’s a very black and white topic, and most would agree that suicide consists of someone voluntarily taking their own life. For most people, they would believe it is wrong, but what about in certain cases where the person that chooses suicide is enduring severe suffering? What is the appropriate view about assisted suicide? Why is teen suicide so prevalent? This book addresses these questions, along with many others. The book â€Å"Suicide† gives many different views from many different writers regarding the discussion of suicide in hopes of bringing a new thought and outlook on the topic. (Connors). There are several other discussions in the book, such as suicide bombing, but to focus on a certain aspect of the book I will leave that topic out. In the first section of the book, it begins with asking the question of whether suicide is immoral or not. This boo k offers both sides of this argument, which is very interesting. Those that argue that it is immoral give different views to why that is so. The article â€Å"Christians Believe in the Sanctity of Life† in the book discusses the issue of PAS, which is physician assisted suicide, being legal (p.24). The article discusses the fact that generally Christian conservatives are for preserving state’s rights. However, in the case of PAS, as it relates to the law in Oregon that allows it, Christian conservatives feel thatShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Charles Colsons Essay on Gay Marriage896 Words   |  4 PagesIn his essay titled â€Å"Gay Marriage: Societal Suicide,† Charles Colson talks about his reasons for opposing same-sex marriage. The essays’ main argument is built around Colson’s belief that legalizing same-sex marriage would lead to the decoupling of marriage, and ultimately result in what he describes as: â€Å"an explosive increase in family col lapse, out of wedlock births - and crime.† Colson shares his personal experiences as a prison minister, various studies, statistics, and real world examples toRead MorePersuasive Essay Pro Euthanasia954 Words   |  4 PagesPersuasive essay 6 October 2017 Euthanasia legalization The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. Aristotle Being one of the most fervid and controversial topic of all, euthanasia, also known as physician-assisted suicide, has initiated a very sensitive discussion on life and death under one’s ability to choose either side. Euthanasia is defined as a â€Å"the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injuredRead MoreEuthanasias Place in a Civilized Society Essay763 Words   |  4 Pageswhich included methadone. Euthanasia will lead to many incidents similar to Dr Harold Shipmens. Another point which must be taken into consideration, is that euthanasia represents suicide. There is no difference between euthanasia and suicide and most religions are strongly against suicide. Take Islam for example, the Quaran says Every human being belongs to God, the creator of life, and no-one may end it or ask another to take it. Euthanasia unquestionably shouldRead MoreHamlet1304 Words   |  6 Pagest With underlying themes of revenge, incest, and suicide, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet was remembered by many Elizabethan Era viewers as both a philosophical and oft-debated masterpiece (Dickson). These controversial themes attracted viewers everywhere, enticing them to see the play. One scene in particular from the original text of the play where this proves true is act IV, scene iv, lines 31-65, in which the titular character Hamlet decides that the time for revenge is at hand in an insightfulRead MoreVisual Ad Analysis On Video Games1577 Words   |  7 Pagestheir classmates because of video games.† One prime example of the effects of video games and television is illustrated in a lego ad created by DDB Communications Group in early 2009. The ad uses numerous strategies such as violent images and thought provoking captions to not only appeal to the audience’s values, but also to create an impactful impression that pushes their product to the next level. The ad pictures a man who appears to be in his late teens, early twenties, sitting on a couch withRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Elastic Heart, By Sia Furler1275 Words   |  6 PagesSia Furler is an Australian Pop-Singer who often brings her personal trauma and messages to life through symbolic music videos and heartfelt lyrics. Her music video Elastic Heart, published on January 7th, 2013, has been a controversial topic of debate since its premiere, showcasing a very convoluted message that has often been misinterpreted as pedophelia or abuse, amongst other things. Though it’s indeterminate representation is purposeful to spark a conversation, one interpretation that is popularRead MoreSylvia Plaths Lady Lazarus1281 Words   |  6 Pagesis no doubt that Sylvia Plath is definitely one of the most diverse controversial poets of our time. Sylvia Plath was born October 27, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts and unfortunately passed away on February 11, 1963 in London, England due to her battle with suicide. The poem relates to her life and also her perspective of the world. As a matter of fact, critics often characterized her as â€Å"extreme,† due to the deep emotional issues that she would write about. As time has passed, Plath is often referredRead MoreNo Ordinary Time By Doris Kearns Goodwin1688 Words   |  7 Pagesfactories, bringing forth a meeting between the leaders and the president, a promotion of a black soldier to Brigadier General, and an executive order being signed banning discrimination in defense factories and unions. Overseas, Germany invades Russia, provoking Roosevelt to start aiding Russia so they can survive the assault. The Roosevelts suffer personal losses: Franklin’s mother and Eleanor’s brother. Continued political attacks on Japan accumulated with Pearl Harbor on December 7th, causing AmericaRead MoreFilm Analysis : Me Before You1898 Words   |  8 Pagestopic wonderfully and others grossly misrepresent the topic. Me Before You is an example of a popular film that skillfully handles topics surrounding death and dying. This film discusses the topic of physician-assisted suicide in an unprecedented way—it lets the audience view this issue from the position of the person choosing to end their life. Also, this film shows the necessity of creating and regularly updating a will to ensure the assets of the deceased go to the right people. Finally, Louisa’sRead MoreBlack Like Me, By John Howard Griffin1797 Words   |  8 PagesOver fifty years ago, a Texan named John Howard Griffin decided to start a revolutionary experiment--to change the color of his skin and experience racism in the South firsthand. While considered extremely controversial at the time, the arguments and teachings of Griffin in his book, â€Å"Black Like Me,† are still scrutinized and discussed today. The book has continued to enlighten readers to the oppressive, violent racism in America, and aided the m in realizing that racism, while it may be hidden, is

Influence of Western Music in India free essay sample

The creation, performance, significance and even the definition of music vary according to culture and context. Music can be divided Into genres and submerges, although the delving lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. Within the arts, music may be classified as a performing art, a fine art, and auditory art. To many people in many cultures music is an important part of their way of life. By all accounts there is no single and intercultural universal concept defining what music eight be. Music in India includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, and classical music. Indians classical music tradition, Including Carnation and Hindustan music, has a history spanning millennia and, developed over several eras, It remains fundamental to the lives of Indians today as sources of spiritual Inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment. India Is made up of several dozen ethnic groups, speaking their own languages and dialects. Having very distinct cultural traditions.However, over the past few decades, there has been a significant influence of various esters forms in India owing to globalization and increase in the use of developed technologies. This research is an attempt to observe this influence over traditional Indian Music and to study whether it has hampered or has added value to Indian music. 1. 2 Reason for selecting this topic Music has been an Integral part of my life since childhood. Have always been emotionally attached to this form of art. The various compositions, Instruments and forms of music have Intrigued me Immensely.This curiousness has led me to choose this topic for research and has enabled me to understand music, especially Indian sic in a better way. 1. 3 Research objective o To study the entry of western music in India. O To study the use of western instruments in combination with Indian instruments. O To study whether the listeners prefer western music over Indian music. 1. 4 Research Problem The mall Idea of research Is to study the entry and Influence of western music on various forms of Indian Music namely, folk music, classical music, film music etc.The focus Is also on the Increasing effect of various western Instruments on Indian music and how the traditional form of music has given way to modern sounds through hey prefer western form over Indian music. 1. 5 Scope and Limitations Like any research project, this research is limited by several constraints that could serve as starting points for further research. While the research report gives an idea about the influence of various forms of Western Music in India, it does not give a thorough indication of which is a better form of music.It only throws light about the preference of the listeners and is completely unbiased in its inference. A second constraint of this research is the time limitation. The research was carried out within a limited time frame of two months. The third constraint is the sample size of the study. The primary research was carried out with a small sample size of 50 respondents, majority of which were students in and around the suburbs of Iambi. 1. 6 Defining the variables Independent variable: Music Dependent variable: (I) Preference of listeners (it) Instruments used 2.LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1 Theoretical Literature Review Indian music unfurls the timeline of that undaunted Journey from the Vided hymns to the music of the contemporary era. Indians were always comfortable in illustrating themselves amidst the artistry of tune; raga, tall and sure. Quite ideally therefore, Indian music has gradually become one of the much acknowledged genres of the varied art form. The rich chronicle of Indian music unveils its voyage from the ancient Vided hymns to the recent era where music has gained a whole fresh face.Indian music has therefore witnessed a lot of alteration in regard to its style, diction and approach. Gone are the times of Sanskrit songs and it is with the introduction of the Pop, Rock, and western fusion and brass bands, Indian music has become lot more contemporary. The characteristics of Indian music will be evident if compared with Western music. There are essential differences between the two systems: the first is based on melody-single notes played in a given order, while the second is harmonic: a group of notes called chords played simultaneously.The late Dry. Arbitrating Étagà ¨re who was acquainted with both the systems put it thus: The world by day is like Europeans music-a flowing concourse of vast harmony, composed of concord and discord and many disconnected fragments. And the night world is our Indian music: one puree deep and tender raga. They both stir us, yet the two are contradictory in spirit. But that cannot be helped. At the very root, nature is divided into two, day and night, unity and variety, finite and infinite.We men of India live in the realm of night; we are overpowered by the sense of the One and Infinite. Our music draws the the lonely region of renunciation which lies at the root of the universe, while European music leads us to a variegated dance through the endless rise and fall of human grief and Joy. Basically Indian music evokes a spiritual sentiment and discipline-a longing for realization of the self salvation. Vocal singing is an act of worship and not an intellectual display of mastery over raga-technique.In the West, he singing of a song is a secular and formal exercise, not involving devotion or piety as in the case of Indian music. The Guru-sashay tradition responsible for the deep attachment and dedication of the student to the teacher. In the West, usually a music teacher is Just a person hired for giving lessons and there is no intimacy between the teacher and the taught. Indian music, like Western music, is based on melody and rhythm, but it has no foundation of harmony and counterpoint so vital to Western music.Indian music is modal-based on the relationship between the permanent individual noted called the tonic, with the successive notes. That is why the drone is played in the background of vocal music to remind one of the tonic note. The Indian system is horizontal, one note following the other, while the European is vertical- several notes at a time. Hide Menu, the noted composer and musicologist, highlights the difference between the two systems by describing Indian music thus: The appreciate Indian music, one has to adopt a completely different sense of values. .. En must orientate oneself and at least for the period concerned, forget there is a time-clock ticking away and merely sink into a kind of subjective, almost hypnotic trance. In that condition, the repetitive features of Indian music, both rhythmic and melodic, acquire an extraordinary fascination and charm Despite the domination of this hypnotic mood, a characteristic of Indian music is that far from deadening the intellect, it actively liberates the mind. Another notable difference is in the place of composition in both the systems.In Western music, a composer first composes the music and puts it in notation: later the players play the music under the guidance of a conductor. There is hardly any improvisation, and the value of performance lies in the uniformity and the pre-determined conduct of tone and peed of music. In an Indian musical performance, while the grammar of melody and rhythm is fixed, the skill and ingenuity of the musician lies in his improvisation and creativity, especially in evocation of the mood and Rasa of the particular raga.In this connection an international musicologist writes: In the West, we construct solid blocks of music. After having carved out geometrically, in large sections, like building stones, the seven degrees of the diatonic scale, lined them up and placed them on top of each other according to cleverly worked out architectural laws which are called counterpoint and harmony. In this way we erect ed splendid edifices in sound. In the East, no one dreamed of dividing sound into blocks; instead they refined it to a wire- thin thread.They strove meticulously to stretch out the sound, to refine it to the point of extreme delicacy. No standardized materials, no building of two or six or ten floors; rather a simple variegated silk thread which unwinds and rises and falls imperceptibly, but which in every tiniest portion evokes a world of feelings and sensations. In Indian music, melody and rhythm are more developed and offer a great variety of subtleties, not possible in Western music.Indian notes are divided into small units called sureties (22 microphones in all), whereas Western music has microphones adorned with gravestone (gammas) produce a magical effect. Western music is capable of producing many moods and feelings. While Indian music has generally a principal mood or emotion in a raga. The Indian musician improvises according to his own creative genius within the framework of a raga, but in Western classical music such range of individual improvisation is inconceivable, except in Jazz. Moreover, the great use of drums in Indian music emphasizes its essential rhythm.It s only by keeping ones ears and minds open that one can appreciate the special sequences and melodies different from ones own. This will apply equally to Indian audiences attending performances of Western music, and to Western audiences listening to Indian music. Let us not forget that the two kinds of music are complementary, like two halves of classical music. Since the last century, Just as India has assimilated western culture via its language, arts, dress, etc. , so has it absorbed and assimilated the western music in exactly the same way. A progressive culture is never afraid of foreign influence. Even when an excessiveness of imitation does manifest itself, our culture will ultimately reject it and progress towards an all encompassing unity. The long history of India is full of accounts of our defeats at the hands of foreigners and tales of their reigns. However none were successful in uprooting our civilization and culture and sowing the seeds of foreign influence in our soil; rather, India has always managed to enhance its own greatness by absorbing whats good in them.The classical music of the West and India has evolved very differently and consequently though they are worlds apart. In neural the Indian system is either solo with tambala or drone instrument and a percussionist or in a small group setting, whereas its counterpart in the West has developed a highly evolved harmonic system that involves written compositions and arrangements for a multitude of instruments played simultaneously. Trying to combine the t wo worlds does take away something from each others universe and this is a fact. In every age, music not only expresses the style of the times, but is also engaged in the creation of new styles. Thus Chalky was created from Thread, and Thumbs was created from Chalky, followed by other forms of light music. But the source of all of these musical forms is still the traditional Indian folk music. The freedom of the individual and freedom of expression that manifested itself towards the end of the nineteenth century has culminated in todays modern music.The inspiration behind this lay in Indian popular music. It is this freedom of expression which has been successful in breaking the narrow bonds of musical grammar, and to enable the use of new instruments such as the violin, clarinet, harmonium and piano. Even after a thorough research of the old classical Indian musical forms todays sic composer may conclude that these ancient practices, scale patterns, etc. Are inadequate for his own expressive needs.Very early, with the introduction of sound films in the sass, the cinema industry in India discovered that if films were to be successful they had to include songs, and to this day nearly all successful productions are similar to the musicals of the West. The songs were initially taken from traditional Indian sources, folk, devotional, and classical, as well as galahs and seawalls and were presented in a more or less traditional manner. New new instrumentation and techniques were introduced.The influence of Western music was delayed, partly by the fact that India had no indigenous tradition of orchestral music, which involves lengthy compositions and accurate performance from notation. Neither of them were part of the training of the traditional Indian musician. There was also the lack of experience with harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration, techniques which the West had gradually developed over a period of several hundred years. In the early period of ass and the progenitor was of course All Kafka Khan.Later it is in the hands of Rave Shank, the great sitar maestro, western fusions gained its desired contour. The year 1962 is indeed an important year in the history of western fusion in India as for the very first time the musical traits of east Jelled well with melodic attributes of the west. The release of Improvisations which is of course a classical effort of unifying Jazz and sitar aided in taking Indian music that steady step in the arena of global music. The late sass and the early sass were however marked as the Rock and roll era in Indian music history.The Hindustan classical songs coupled with its raga and tall was then not the only genre of music that enchanted a million souls as then the western fusion plopped quite rapidly to befit the requirements of ass whilst captivating the intellectuals. In the modern Indian film songs, the melody generally retains its Indian character and the singer often uses traditional vocal ornaments. Music in modern India has a huge variation that is created keeping in mind the preferences of the new generation.To create a subtle difference in tunes and mood, the blend of tunes and faster beats are added. Sometimes, fusion is created with blending Indian classical music with western music. Keeping pace with the modern world, India pop music is also created. This type of music is created with the amalgamation of Indian and western pop music. Sometimes, raga and tall which are the most important parts of Indian music are removed from the latest compositions to make the music fit to the modern trend.The tunes, usage of some western musical instruments, words and the trend tend to create a new type of music though the replica of western and Indian fusion is always extant in them. The style of orchestration used in Indian music is also borrowed from the western tradition. The tonal quality and instrumental precision of foreign musical instruments have won the hearts of our people, and these instruments have also made it possible to orchestrate Indian music. Orchestral compositions also include Indian musical instruments.Our instrumental artists have always been careful in improving their style and the quality of their playing. While playing in an orchestra it is vitally important to follow systematically the registered notation method. For this reason these artists feel greatly the need for utmost precision in the recording of musical notation, even though we have not yet achieved our desired goal in this matter, and our system of notation is not universally used. Even without amplifying on the topic of the continuous improvement of Indian Orchestral Instrumental Music it may be said that it has developed in response to new needs. And at the root of this innovation and transformation have always been our music composers. All of the efforts to maintain the integrity of Indian music and to effect its improvement are a source of continual inspiration to me. The efforts of the Indian government to hold classical certificates and titles upon talented and knowledgeable artists are all steps full of hope in the advancement of Indian music. Against modern Indian music there has been an accusation by a certain select group that modern Indian music is not Indian at all.This charge has been made by a select and quite influential group of music aficionados. This group is of the firm opinion that: a) Modern Indian music does not follow any of the raga note patterns of Indian music, b) This music has none of the characteristics of being typically Indian in other words Indian folk-music, and c) For accompaniment with this music, it is all too easy to use foreign orchestral The above accusation has been made primarily aroun d Indian Film music. It is through Film music that Modern Indian music finds its most popular expression. Among the above mentioned group of critics is a section which has cultivated the strong viewpoint that the melding of Indian music and western music and the Joint use of these different styles of music is not possible. Contrary to the tendency to blast western music, ace vocalist Bandit Ajar has said pop music and Battles posed no threat to Indian classical music, rather the alien influence has heralded in demagnification of the art unlike the past when masters dealt the accompanying musicians with contempt. The sources of Indian music are endless and its potentials are without limit.In the past Indian music obtained its inspiration and its ingredients from generations of inherited popular and classical music, as well as from western music. Today, as nations have achieved a much greater degree of closeness and cultural exchange has become so much easier, the opportunity for Indian music to disseminate widely and to expand its vision presents itself. Indian music has a great deal to o ffer to the music of the world because it has a rare depth, dignity, and above all a beauty of mood and expression. Behind all of sophisticated techniques of world music today lies a reflection of the individual. Into this, Indian music will infuse life by bringing to it a reflection of the soul. Indian music will send a message of peace and tolerance. And this noble responsibility will have to be borne by the modern Indian music composer. 2. 2 Research based Findings The exposure of music in India to Western influence did not as one might suppose, begin during recent decades as a consequence of the intensifying of international trade, colonization, missionary activity and wars. In point of fact, there has always en a cultural exchange between the West and India, so far as our knowledge of history informs us.In this cultural exchange, as it is affected the domain of music in antiquity and medieval times, it was not only the Orient that was a source of elements of its own musical cultural to people of Asia and India. During the late nineteenth and the early twentieth century, post-Indian rebellion, when the British Raja consolidated its bureaucratic power over many aspects of Indian life, Indian music was examined and researched as part of the scientific description of India, wrought both the mapping of traditional Indian culture for political and bureaucratic purposes and continuing scholarly investigation of Indian music by Western musicologists.Music played a role as a symbol of Indian culture for the incipient nationalist moment, and it was within this sphere of activity that some of the most trenchant debate about the Indian and Western music took place. Western music was being adopted by Indians, notably in the world of princely patronage, where the presence of a European orchestra or professor was a sign of progress, modernization and prestige.The Maharaja of Moser, Inlaid Cruickshank Woodward, for example, maintained a western wind band, string orchestra and full orchestra under the dire ction off European bandmaster tuned to the Indian scale of microphones. The invasion by European and American folk music during the twentieth century has overwhelmed the native music of India during the past decades to such an extent that the national music has often been extensively undermined or completely obliterated. In recent times, partially new national styles have arisen in which Western and Indian cultural heritages have undergone amalgamation.In India, with the continuation of old traditions in music and musical theory, a new national music has emerged which has been evolved by the poet and composer, Arbitrating Étagà ¨re, in conscious imitation of Western music from stylistic elements of classical Indian music. The music of Arbitrating Étagà ¨re School is an amalgamation of the principles of the European art song with the traditions of the Indian art of singing. From the standpoint of the European, the Indian elements make the dominating impression whereas the Indians are more aware of the European model.The novelty n this music is the renunciation of the cramping rules of the Indian music theory. The system of the Ragas and the Atlas is relinquished, the formal scheme of the Variation-suite is abandoned in favor of the concise song form, the far too exuberant mannerisms of tonality, rhythm and melodramatics make way for a simpler, more popular formation. The contribution of maestros like Millie Meta and his son, Cabin Meta, to the enrichment of Western music are such as would make every one of us proud. Besides, we have a number of talented performers in Western music with a large following in India.The impact of Western music in our country is particularly evident in our commercial films and time alone will tell whether it is desirable or not. But it is equally true that our film industry has afforded much scope for gainful employment to a large number of musicians, music arrangers and music directors trained in Western music. Music in modern India imbibes not only the western influence but in some cases the traditional Indian music are presented in the veil of modernity. Following the age of British rule, the Indian mind was especially attracted to the western way of thinking.In music, though the analogy is not that straightforward, the influence of western music is none the less present in a similar way. But as to the question of whether it is possible to meld Indian music with western music, we have already found the answer in recent times and in the century. We live, so to speak, in an era of internationalism. In the welter of confusion caused by conflicting art-theories and art-forms, we also hear a few voices clamoring for expanding Indian music by making it international. And the potent way to internationalism it, we are told, is through orchestration and choral singing to make it acceptable to Western cars. The fundamental point sought to be conveniently overlooked here is that internationalism implies free intercourse of art between different countries which, incidentally, is already there. Introduction of harmony, as understood in the West, will divest our music of its most unique feature. No doubt, Indian music has an unlimited potential for development along orchestra and choral lines.But melody must always remain a dominant factor in these media of expression. They should by all means be allowed to grow along with our traditional vogues and not displace them. The real problem facing our music today is to preserve its traditional values and yet create new forms of expression which would emerge as an organic growth from the past and still be nearer to the idiom of contemporary life. The problem, by and large, involves the stupendous task of making Indian music strong and dynamic to meet the exigencies of modern times.What is needed today is a free and unbiased understanding of the art of music in the context of Indian life and thought. A happy synthesis of the music of the past with the music of the present will be possible only with an appreciation of its past achievements and n equally dispassionate assessment of its future possibilities. One should not forget the fact that heritage of world music is marvelously varied, that its different aspects can speak to us at different times in our lives if only we open our hearts and minds to listen.

Modern Material Inc Case Study free essay sample

Introduction of Supply-Chain-Management2 Key Individuals and their Effectiveness3 Companies Involved5 Organizational Issues:6 Business Processes Impacted7 Management Takeaway10 Areas of Agreement10 Areas of Disagreement/Concerns11 Recommendations:12 Lessons Learnt16 References17 Objectives (What do you think the author is trying to demonstrate or bring out in the case? ) * A company’s competitive position and profitability can be improved through the use of Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) which if successfully implemented will lead to exemplary customer service. Oz, 2009) * System requirements should be clearly defined and the necessary processes analyzed and agreed upon by all key players/groups before software is coded to avoid reworks and unnecessary spending. * Cohesiveness, coordination, communication and leadership should be evident between stakeholders and management for the successful implementation of a project. * Information systems strategy must be in alignmen t with business strategy and processes to ensure business continuity. Company Background Modern Materials, Inc. (MMI) was established in 1927 and grew through a series of small mergers and acquisitions ultimately earning its name in 1991, when it took over a major competitor and subsequently broadened its product line. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Material Inc Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page MMI manufactures products that are used as raw materials by large manufacturers and the construction industry and was described as one of the giants in the manufacturing industry with two of its facilities producing basic products with special properties and shapes. However, due to difficulties being faced by the manufacturing industry such as overcapacity, foreign competition and reduced profits; spiralled by a depressed manufacturing economy, the company came under immense financial pressure. Ultimately, the company lost money in two of five years and downsized in 1998 which left the remaining workers stretched thin and working at a hectic pace. After the mergers, MMI had several issues as each premerger company became a division of MMI, and each division inherited the Information System (IS) organization of the company from which it was formed, hence, reducing effectiveness. To ensure that a single IS strategy was being maintained and adhered to; MMI outsourced its IS operations to STC, a major player in the IT outsourcing business in 1994. As part of the contract, STC offered employment to all of MMI’s IS staff, most of whom accepted the employment offer. Notably, STC did not evaluate the software and hardware employed by MMI to determine efficiency and applicability. In addition, only a small group of analysts was retained by MMI to address concerns regarding problem definition and process analysis. Introduction of Supply-Chain-Management In 1995 Harvey Woodson was hired as vice president for quality to improve MMI’s competitiveness and profitability. He believed exemplary customer service was the best strategy to do this using the supply-chain management technique. Oz (2009) describes supply-chain-management as the coordination of purchasing, manufacturing, shipping, and billing operations, often supported by an enterprise resource planning system. This system involves entering an order, creating a manufacturing order to guide it through to the required manufacturing process, scheduling it into production, producing, warehousing, shipping and routing it so that it arrives at the proper time, invoicing and billing it, and handling any testing issues or claims that might arise. The company’s information systems however needed to be aligned to Woodson’s plan as supply-chain-management is dependent on efficient processes supported by appropriate information processing systems. Key Individuals and their Effectiveness Several persons were involved in Modern Materials Inc’s attempt to implement a Supply Chain Management system (SCMS) in the company with varying levels of effectiveness. They are as follows: 1. Harvey Woodson, Executive VP, Quality was passionate in his resolve to improve MMI’s competitiveness and profitability. He believed that improving customer service would give MMI competitive advantage and subsequently pushed to develop the company’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) by reengineering its business processes and having efficient information systems to support this drive. He used his seniority to motivate workers to do their best. It can be argued that Woodson was very effective in carrying out his role and drove change within the organization by utilizing several soft techniques. After all, he promoted the project among employees, extolling its benefits and how it would ultimately improve the company. His knowledge about the system and strategies was not shared with others, hence when he departed in 2000, the project was in trouble. Being responsible for a project of this magnitude, he could have ensured that the policies and procedures re succession planning were properly developed and documented. Overall, Woodson was effective given the limitations identified above. 2. George Leach, Director of Planning in Construction Division Although Leach was a sophisticated IT user, he never had the IS expertise to undertake the SCMS project. The case postulates that he understood the SCM process. However, understanding SCM and being a user of technology does not necessarily translate into someone who has the skills/expertise to ensure that the system is well implemented and that there is clear coordination among all stakeholders. He attempted to keep the project on schedule; however his incorrect definition of requirements further delayed the implementation of the MMI order entry system. The case explained that â€Å"when the requirements for a system component fell behind schedule Leach would step into the breach and assist in defining the requirements and specifying appropriate processes†. While this is commendable, as Project Leader, Leach should have been managing the process in such a way to ensure that it remained on schedule. Leach’s lack of IT experience affected his effectiveness. 3. Charles Hastings, Chief Information Officer – Hastings’ selection to the post of Chief Information Officer was a reactive rather than a proactive move. It can be argued that being in charge of IS at one of MMI’s plants was not enough for him to be employed in this post. After all, the system being developed was to be spread across all MMI’s departments. His IS experience may have been limited; however he assessed the project in a timely manner and provided overall IS leadership where it was lacking. The case shows all the problems Hastings found; lack of project management responsibility and lack of communication and provided only a cursory glance at what Hastings accomplished. He emphasized that the order entry system was successfully installed, coordination issues were being addressed and the project plan was redone. However, the case does not provide any information to indicate the degree of success the order entry system had or how Hastings planned to address the deep rooted coordination problems. There was also no indication of how realistic the new project plan was. It can be argued that the most effective move Hastings made was to hire the consultant, Carol Young, to take a comprehensive look at the project. 4. Matthew West, Financial Vice President – Based on the financial history of the company, West strongly believed that the project should be abandoned or put on hold for revisiting at a later date. However, he was effective in presenting the financial context in which the project operated. 5. Carol Young, Project Manager – Young’s experience and expertise in project management was unquestionable and her business-like approach to the task was commendable. In her assessment of the project, her findings showed a great level of research. While, Hastings’ projections were on the surface, Young was detailed. For example, she and her team interviewed the functional persons involved (first time they were being included in anything related to the project) and identified the implications for lack of testing and staffing needs. Young did a â€Å"health check† of the project where she evaluated the company’s risk, financial and schedule management. She highlighted Leach’s short-comings as a project manager as well as criticized his ‘big bang’ approach that was costing MMI time and money. She recommended the ‘rolling wave’ approach as a better option. While her recommendations were valid, Young’s tone was confrontational and was interpreted by Leach as being offensive. Young’s involvement in the case was effective as she was able to present a realistic picture of the project and identify a clear path to successfully implement the project. GROUP The Task Force * Comprised of four senior executives and chaired by Woodson * Responsible for developing a proposal to be presented to MMI * Appointed UCA to develop the new system Also had the alternative of enhancing the current system Companies Involved STC – The case describes STC as a major player in the IT outsourcing business. In accepting MMI’s contract, most of the MMI’s IT staff were offered jobs. STC also became responsible for MMI’s hardware and software and were responsible for coding, testing and installing the system. They were also responsible for solving th e company’s Y2K compatibility issues and bringing in Carol Young as consultant on the orders of the Chief Information Officer. There was no indication as to how STC was chosen and whether or not their track record was successful. It can be argued that the lack of leadership at MMI led to STC’s poor performance. United Consultants Associates (UCA) – Appointed by the task force under Woodson’s leadership, hence management thought they were a good fit. They were employed to develop a single plant operation that would be expanded and enhanced to suit MMI. They provided the code for a system developed for MMI’s competitors, lead the requirements definition effort and helped to develop the system design and program specifications. However, a few red flags were raised when it became clear that the system to be developed was far greater than what UCA had previously done. Also, the fact that the IS system implemented by UCA had only 50 – 60 per cent functionality was questionable. It would have been more realistic to get a company that had 100 per cent functionality. Individuals Mary Ellis – Construction Division representative on steering committee Organizational Issues: MMI is a multibillion dollar manufacturing company and one of the giants in the industry. The company has, however, experienced many organizational challenges which affected the successful implementation of the SCMS project. These included; lack of leadership, teamwork and clear policies and procedures to guide the implementation process. Some of these challenges are detailed below: * MMI experienced difficulties such as overcapacity, global competition and a depressed manufacturing economy that plunged profits and as a result the company had to downsize. In order to regain market share and boost profitability, MMI developed a strategic plan and sought to develop new information systems. The organization had a conventional IS structure with each division/department having their own systems and eventually outsourced its IS organization to STC. This meant that STC had control of MMI’S hardware and software. * The organizational culture seems to support hiring within as opposed to hiring the most suitable candidate, even if it meant looking externally. This was eviden t in Leach’s appointment. * There was a lack of cohesiveness, teamwork and effective leadership within the organisation. Business Processes Impacted The case indicated that MMI’s production processes were â€Å"highly automated, with exceptional computer controls,† however the inadequacies of the business processes and supporting information systems does not facilitate outstanding customer service. Modern Materials Inc. implemented a new Supply Chain Management System in order to provide outstanding customer service and improve the company’s position and profitability. Supply chain management involves the â€Å"oversight of material, information and finances as they move in a process from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer. It involves coordinating and integrating these flows both within and among companies. † The objectives of the new Supply Chain Management to be implemented by MMI are highlighted below; 1. Reducing inventories 2. Increasing market share 3. Enhancing profits 4. Reducing operating costs 5. Increasing customer service The following business processes were reengineered and replaced by the new Supply-Chain Management System (SCMS): * Sales-order entry * Sales forecasting * Order status * Pricing * Scheduling and planning * Manufacturing data collection * Inventory control * Quality tracking * Traffic Shipping * Invoicing * Billing * EDI Additionally, with the implementation of SCMS, the following business functions will be impacted: * Customer Service One of MMI’s main objectives is to improve profitability through exemplary customer service. This includes, taking orders, producing the product and getting it the customer at the right time and the best cost. SCMS would enable MMI to achieve this goal by managing customers’ orders more efficiently and reducing the delivery time from 120 days to 45 days; ultimately enhancing customer relationships through better service levels and value-added services. Marketing SCMS would allow MMI to identify its profitable and non-profitable products which would help to drive the company’s marketing efforts. The compatibility of the MMI’s marketing concepts with SCMS will help to ensure that the company satisfies customers at a profit through inter-functional coordination. * Finance and Accounting SCMS maximizes efficiency and provides the opportunity for the company to realize cost savings. The system will track and record payments, cash receipts, and all cash movement. SCMS will help MMI to create the visibility that leads to improved budget management, effective cost-reduction strategies and more accurate forecasting. SCMS also facilitates the easy tracking of financial transactions, thus allowing for detailed analyses of trade payables and receivables. With the implementation of SCMS, MMI will have a better view of the long-term financial health of the organization. * Operation The implementation of SCMS facilitates reduced inventory because of the expected improvement in the delivery time. Operational information regarding supply chain management is usually available in real time. * Human Resource Management With the implementation of the new SCMS, staff will need to undergo training so that they can be equipped with the knowledge and skill sets needed to maneuver and manipulate the system. This will ensure effectiveness and efficiency of staff before, during and after the system has been implemented. SOFTWARE: Applications: * Microsoft Excel * Microsoft Access SYSTEMS Production systems which were replaced with one integrated system The data processing systems: Supply chain management system * Sales-order entity system * Sales forecasting system * Order status system * Pricing system * Scheduling and planning system * Manufacturing data collection system * Inventory control system * Quality tracking system * Traffic system * Shipping system * Invoicing system * Billing system * EDI system Management Takeaway The case provides an interesting glimpse into the life of a company and specifically the dynamic relationships and issues that manifest themselves when implementing a project. After analysing the case, it is clear that in implementing the SCMS project, Modern Materials Inc could have handled the process better, however, there were areas in which they excelled. This section will highlight the areas with which we agreed and disagreed as well as make some recommendations and indicate lessons learnt that MMI could possibly consider in moving forward and in implementing other projects in the future. Areas of Agreement 1. Hiring Woodson as project leader for the SCMS. He understood leadership and was a good change agent who spent time explaining inconsistencies and encouraging others. . The decision to establish the Chief Information Officer position (CIO) and appoint Charles Hastings to fill the post. This decision, even though a bit overdue, was very instrumental in bringing leadership to the project. The CIO was charged with the responsibility of straightening out the problems with the SCMS systems. 3. Business process reengineering BPR helped MMI to fundame ntally rethink how they do their work in order to dramatically improve customer service, cut operational costs, and become world-class competitors. 4. Leach’s role in defining systems requirements; however this must be done in consultation with the person responsible for that area or processes. 5. Leach’s recommendation that MMI continue with the SCMS as this will give the company a competitive edge and provide an integrated supply plan for the entire organization in real time technology. 6. The following recommendations made and actions taken by Carol Young: Recommendations * The need for an elected project manager who takes full control of the entire project and promotes effective communication between all stakeholders. Employing more efficient business processes. * Completing each stage of the project as opposed to Leach’s strategy of working on a number of the phases independently; thereby ensuring that each stage works properly, ultimately saving the company money by eliminating the process of reworking if a fault is found after the fact. Actions * Performing a â€Å"health check†, interviewing func tional and end users of the project and reviewing the project plan. * Researching what needed to be done to make the project a success Areas of Disagreement/Concerns 1. Decision to devote most of STC’s resources to dealing with Y2K compatibility issues which resulted in less resources being spent on the SCMS project and added to its non-completion. 2. The decision by UCA to begin the systems design and program specifications without input from the users. 3. Despite the numerous benefits to be had from SCMS, the importance of trust comes into play and hence MMI must develop mutual trust and understanding between parties (suppliers etc) to achieve collaboration. 4. Reorganizing the task force and replacing senior managers with middle level managers. This project required MMI changing the way it does business, and considering its importance to the long term viability of the company; MMI should have kept the senior managers. 5. Mathew West’s recommendation that the project be abandoned. As the Vice President of Finance, West considered the overall dire financial condition of the company, highlighted the financial context within which the company operated and questioned the affordability of the project’s completion. It can however be argued that West failed to assess the benefits to be derived if the project was to be completed and implemented on time. 6. MMI not having a project leader with demonstrated experience in implementing projects of this magnitude and nature; distinct from the leader of the steering committee with overall responsibility for the project’s implementation. 7. MMI not conducting a risk analysis or having IT governance of the project in place. As such, the project was not properly planned, and possible risks, obstacles and setbacks were not considered. 8. Carol Young’s affiliation with STC and her recommendation that she be brought in to manage the project. This can be viewed as a conflict of interest as she was a hired consultant of STC, an affiliate company. Recommendations: 1. MMI should proceed with the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS). Despite the obvious monetary challenges that the company is presently facing MMI should implement the system as planned because of the array of benefits to be derived from SCMS, inclusive of regaining market share and increasing profitability. 2. Appropriate Technology to support SCMS. MMI should consider purchasing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which has a system that allows information about a product to be recorded. â€Å"It contains an electronic product code (EPC) which provides much more information than the Universal Product Code. The tag can include the date of manufacturing, the plant in which the product was made, lot number and many other details that help track its movement and sale†. This would help MMI to improve its service and enhance its customer relations. 3. Project Managers should be clearly identified. Effective project leaders are critical for the successful completion of any project. If MMI decides to proceed with the project as recommended, a project manager should be appointed. 4. Feasibility Analysis. MMI should  undertake a  feasibility analysis of the project on an economic, technical, operational and temporal basis. This would  better assist MMI to determine project outcomes ahead of time, thus allowing the stakeholders to make better/more sound decisions. 5. Customer Relationship Management. MMI should consider implementing customer relationship management (CRM) systems to support its SCMS so that it can plan its resources. CRM systems increase the quality of customer service information captured which can be further analysed to learn about the buying habits and service preferences of customers; ultimately enhancing strategic planning. 6. Project implementation should have a clear deployment strategy. This involves planning how and when execution takes place, the training of operational staff, data conversion and piloting (acceptance testing). IT projects undertaken should first be ‘piloted’ in all departments that will be affected by the change. To this end, staff directly involved in /affected by the changes should be frequently informed on the project’s progress. The company should ensure that sufficient time is dedicated to testing. There should first be unitary testing, once this is successful then MMI should proceed to integration testing. If there are any issues, this must be dealt with before full implementation. 7. An independent audit should be commissioned by MMI’s management team, MMI should invest in an independent external audit. It is recommended that the audit be carried out by a company/organisation that has no prior affiliation with the SCMS project so that an unbiased and objective analysis of the project’s status and the way forward can be determined. 8. An organizational structure should be outlined for the project. A representative from every facet of the project should be accounted for in the organisational structure to ensure that information is communicated in a structured manner. This will increase the efficiency of the communication process thereby reducing delays. 9. A clearly defined communication strategy/plan should be developed for the project. Developing a communication strategy or plan will facilitate the smooth running of the project. This may help to identify potential areas of concerns, allowing for project leaders to be proactive rather than reactive. A communication plan would have proven beneficial to MMI in its dealings with independent/outsourced contractors UCA and STC. This was due to a breakdown in communication between the companies which accounted for a great percentage of the delays in the beginning stage of the project implementation. These companies should have specific service level agreements which have a clause for consequences of non performance 10. Alternative cost saving measures should be considered by management instead of staff cuts. It is recommended that instead of cutting staff, management look at alternative cost saving measures. Management should consider that the project is still in its implementation stage and the existing staff is already stretched beyond its full potential. As such cutting staff may have a negative impact on the successful completion of the project. 11. Effective monitoring mechanisms should be introduced by management. Management should implement project management systems to facilitate tighter control and monitoring of projects. This will help to ensure that delays are minimised, deliverables are achieved, deviations dealt with immediately and the project is kept on schedule. 2. Policies and Procedures should be adequately documented and updated on a timely basis to facilitate knowledge management. There should be documentation and timely updating of processes and procedures used during a project’s implementation so that team members are aware of how particular systems work. 13. Mapping of business processes should be undertaken by the relevant department manager. IT projects an d processes must be implemented based on what the actual specifications are and not on what the IT specialists think they ought to be. Therefore the project leaders must ensure that consultants liaise with the required department head before designing a project. The processes and requirements should be properly defined and signed off by affected parties before coding is done. 14. MMI should ensure there is succession planning in place. In the case of the SCMS, too much of the project was in the hands of one person. When under taking a new project, management must ensure that its project management team has the requisite systems and people in place to facilitate easy handover if necessary. Developing a succession plan will aid in minimising completion lags and cost-overruns where there is a change in the team composition 15. The composition of the Information System Steering Committee should be reviewed. This committee should consist of the CEO (Chair), all senior executives, Chief Information Officer, selected technical managers, selected users, domain and subject matter experts and champions. 16. MMI should employ effective IT governance. This is critical if MMI wants to earn value from IS/IT. Effective IT governance helps to clarify business strategies, measures and manages the amount of money spent and assigns accountability for organizational changes. (Solutions, 2007) 17. MMI should implement a business recovery plan. The business recovery plan will assist MMI in outlining the procedures for bringing the business to normal operations after a disaster or other emergency. The plan will also help MMI’s management to better identify their key staff, vendors, equipment and clients; establish a communication protocol and identify any alternate emergency location for work to resume. Lessons Learnt 1. A project plan should be implemented with clear communication strategies. 2. Poor project planning, insufficient communication, ineffective management (process, project and change), failure to align with constituents and stakeholders and poor or missing methodology and tools are recipes for the failure of any project. (Gulla, 2012) 3. Business activities outsourced should be monitored, similarly to any internal activity, in an effort to  prevent loss of control and damage to the organizational brand. 4. System requirements and definitions should be properly established/agreed upon before the project is embarked on. . Management should ensure that stakeholders are in agreement with the project so that there is cohesion and no dissent. 6. Change project and process management are key to successful implementation of any project. 7. When embarking on large company wide projects as in the case with MMI, persons with demonstrated Project Management experience and relevant technical exper tise should be appointed to spearhead same. 8. For IS to be effective, the necessary business processes and support systems must be in place and must be aligned with company objectives. 9. When undertaking projects, risk analysis must be done and contingency plans drafted. References Gulla, J. (2012, February ). Seven Reasons IT Projects Fail. Retrieved October 28, 2012, from www. ibmsystemsmag. com: http://www. ibmsystemsmag. com/power/Systems-Management/Workload-Management/project_pitfalls/? page=3 Oz, E. (2009). Management Information Systems 6th Edition . Massachusette, USA: Course Technology . Solutions, H. G. (2007, October ). How to prepare a business recovery plan. Retrieved November 6, 2012, from www. hostway. com: http://www. hostway. com/newsletter/2007/08/