Dowry System in India

Speech Topics on Dowry system

In olden days giving away dowry during marriages was very common. The aristocratic class celebrated their daughters’ marriages in pomp offering by land, jewellery, properties, vehicles and large sums of money to the bridegroom. In these days too the rich in several communities celebrate their daughters’ marriages in a very grand fashion. The Maharajas celebrated the marriages of their daughters by spending lavishly. Ordinary people wonder at the huge amount spent on marriages and the grand feast for thousands and thousands which include the choicest food items and choicest liquor.Speech topics in dowry system

Wealthy people, Zamindars and princely class can afford to spend on marriages as much as they wish. Unmindful spending in marriages is questionable when most of our people struggle to make both ends meet.Speech Topics on Dowry system

To the common man, giving dowry is very problematic. Some of the people in the society are employed in offices or do some petty business. In many families the earning member may be only one. He may get a meager salary and he may not have any savings. He may not have any close relative to help him in needy circumstances. He may have to marry off daughter when he is about to retire or after he retires. His retirement benefits may amount to a few lakhs of rupees. If he spends most of the money on the marriage of his one or two daughters how can be lead a comfortable life in the rest of his life? This is the condition for most of the families. Having spent most of the money a person gets on retirement he suffers during his last days. This situation is very pathetic. Unless he gives a sizeable amount as dowry and spends a large portion of his earning on his daughter’s marriage he cannot get his daughter married. Even an educated girl who earns well has to be given off in marriage with dowry. Unless the bridegroom’s parents are determined enough not to seek dowry this social evil cannot be abolished.

The married girl is often harassed if the dowry demanded is not given in full. She is ill-treated, abused and she suffers a lot. If her husband is not understanding enough her condition is pitiable and she silently suffers the torture. Even the educated, enlightened in-laws sometimes ill-treat a married girl. This is however the age of feminism. Gender equation is a vital message of our day. The constitution declares that “it is the fundamental duty of all citizens to renounce practices derogatory of women”.

Giving dowry to a girl during a marriage is nothing but underestimating her value. Marriage has sanctity. Marriage is a spiritual bond. Let us give marriage the high status which it rightly deserves.

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Value of Discipline

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 “There is not to make reply,

  Theirs not  to reason why,

  Theirs but to do and die”

These famous lines by Lord Alfred Tennyson, emphasizes the place of discipline in the army and during times of war. It is obvious that no army can function and no battle can be fought successfully if every soldier wants to know the reasons behind his superior’s orders or if he argues with him about the necessity of his order.essay writing Topics

Discipline is necessary not only in the army but also in every organization, in every walk of life, in every activity. In order to understand what discipline is. For any walk that is to be done, an individual must have before him a goal, and a purpose. The goal can best be achieved if the work is done in the most efficient way with complete concentration. One has to devote his time, energy, resources to the activity. Strict obedience to the required rules for any work or activity is called discipline.

Since adults are supposed to have some self-control, they can on their own, obey the necessary rules of work or activity. Hence discipline comes to them automatically. It is internal. But children are not in a position to understand the necessity of obeying certain rules, or even if they do understand, they may be swayed by immediate or unimportant interests or diversions. So discipline has to be included in them. It is external. Children must accept the authority of their parents and teachers and obey their orders or instructions seriously.Essay topics paragraph writing on discipline

Discipline, whether it is internal or external, requires a great deal of self-control. But it never restricts or reduces one’s freedom. On the contrary, it makes freedom all the more meaningful and creates the necessary conditions in which freedom can be exercised or enjoyed. Discipline is like the banks of the river which do not obstruct the flow of its water but make it possible for the river to flow smoothly with proper force in the desired direction. Similarly, discipline makes it possible for the individual to utilize his time, energy and resources in a better way to achieve the desired results.

Discipline makes all the difference between success and failure, progress and stagnation. Discipline is the very foundation on which success in any activity or work is based. The great writer Edmund Spencer has said, ” A stern discipline pervades all nature, which is a little cruel that it may be very kind.”

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The Electronic Media

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Nowadays, a very popular means of social interaction and propagation that has emerged along with the print media is the rise of Electronic media. The birth of electronic media took place with the invention of radio when single voice miles away thrilled millions across the continents who marveled at this miraculous hearing of a voice. People wondered and were over-joyed with this great invention. It was the beginning of an entirely new era. Science was hailed as the mistress of all knowledge because it had made the impossible happen-a voice travelled and reached every nook and corner of the world. Owning a radio became a symbol of pride and social status.

Essay TopicsWhen the voice got a face through Television, the people were left aghast. How could they see a person sitting miles away? And that hear him? So clearly so closely? It was the miracles of miracles wonder of wonders. Science is pack of magical things television is revolution in itself. The whole world got shrunk into that one room of the house then on September 15, 1959. Dooradarshan was inaugurated in India.Essay writing Topics

These also reflect upon the social impact that television has. With the introduction of Cable Television in 1993, electronic media has emerged as a greater social force than ever. Gone are the days when television was a monopoly of a few rich. ‘Now the idiot box’ as it has been called by many is found in every home, shop and office. Television now has invaded not only every home, but every sphere of life, in fact, in some way or other television now-a-days dictates our life. It has invaded and cut short our social life. People preferred to watch television instead of visiting people or socializing. It has severed all homely conversations.

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But blaming television for all this solely would be an utter foolishness. Such things happen when human beings are enslaved by technology, when they let such things guide their lives and master them. If used judiciously, the electronic media can prove to be very useful educationally as well as socially, politically and economically. TV can in fact, be used as a powerful medium to spread social awareness among the illiterate masses against various social evils. Discussions on various topics can help the educated masses increase their intellectual abilities and widen their horizons. The various news channels keep the vigilant citizens updated. Channels like Discovery and National Geographic keep the inquisitive mind busy and satisfy every intellectual query of a mind. Alone with these are endless number of entertainment channels is solely there amuse and tickle the audience. Now even a number of kid’s channels have come to cater to this special section of the society.

Internet is another electronic media which is fast growing and extremely popular. And internet can help popularize technology internationalize and universalize our outlook. Thus electronic media can play a great constructive role in helping build up the social and cultural infrastructure of the nation if used wisely within the limits of decency and intellectuality.

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Terrorism : A Threat to Society

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Terrorism is one of the gravest problems that the society faces today. It is an issue of global concern. The presence of terrorism can be felt across the globe. It is, today, a much debated issue in all the countries of the world-developing or developed. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon. But over the years terrorism like other avenues of life, has undergone tremendous changes. It has now become more lethal, more widespread and more difficult to control. Today it stands as a serious challenge before the civil society.Speech Topics

Terrorism has its presence everywhere ranging from Indonesia. Malaysia to Sudan. Somalia, Egypt, Nigeria, Peru, Chile. America to Ireland. Almost all the countries are directly or indirectly facing the problem of terrorism. It has sprung up everywhere. Terrorists are the greatest enemies of the society because they undermine its stability by creating chaotic conditions leading to mass killing, damage and destruction. Generally public places like airports, railway stations etc are their targets, but sometimes they shift their focus to some soft targets like schools, hospitals, trains and buses where security is lax and security forces are not very vigilant.

Every country has defined terrorism in its own way as per its own suitability. There is no universally accepted definition of terrorism. In fact, terrorism is an unlawful use of violence or threat of violence aiming to inculcate fear among the masses. It is a philosophy of violence which terrorists use to destabilize the economy of a country. In modern times terrorism is being used to deliberately create communal tensions, and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of a targeted society or country. The impact of terrorism has three motives-religious interests, ethnic minority interests and economic interests. But the real issue is the land, the power to hold it and to get maximum benefit from it.Essay writing Topics

Terrorists groups today are well-equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. Terrorists are increasingly making use of bombs and explosives. In addition, indiscriminate firing, bombarding and hijacking are also used by them as a tool to terrorist the society. Nuclear terrorism and bio-terrorism are the ways of modern terrorism. Terrorists in their operation of activities are very brutal and cruel. They act cold-bloodedly without any consideration to kindness, ethics and morality. Their sole aim is to cause destruction and damage.Essay topics

Terrorists today work under as part of global network. They have established contacts with groups in different countries and carry on their activities quiet collaboration with them. They offer training and finances to other groups. Sometimes terrorists activities are sponsored by bigger terrorist organizations. Ultimately whatever measures are taken, the conditions that give rise to terrorism has to be tackled efficiently.

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Happiness of Reading

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Reading has been one of the popular hobbies from early time. Reading is a source of knowledge for some, while to others it provides pleasure. Some seek inspiration in it, at the same time it serves as a source of strength for a group of people. Reading stimulates the mind directly. Reading is to the mind is what food is to the body.

Essay writing topicsDuring reading our sense organs convey to the mind the feelings that arise from it. When such feelings are agreeable to mind, they serve as pleasure. They relieve us of our tension and boredom. They remove our worries and instill in us a renewed energy which immensely helps us in taking life with enthusiasm and vigour. Reading is possible only in the educational society. An uneducated society which does not have a script, can never think of the pleasures of reading. With the invention of the Brail script, reading for the blind became a realization and true blessing.

There are a lot of reading material for the discerning people which include stories, dramas, plays, poems, comedies, verses jokes, thrills, suspense, etc. the choice of reading material differs from person to person. Reading is an excellent form of recreation.

Reading provides pleasure of learning new things, new places, new persons. The accumulated knowledge of mankind is available in written and printed form. It is by reading that one can expose that vast hidden treasure of knowledge and experience and can benefit from it. Through reading one can learn many things. During an interview Lokmanya Tilak emphasized the importance of reading by saying that he was ready to reside even in hell if it could provide him with sufficient reading material and reading time. Reading grooms personality. It shapes character. The benefit of pleasure received from reading is immeasurable. The habit of reading should be encouraged right from the early childhood.

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The modern era shows a declining interest in reading. The expansion of IT and growing TV culture revolutionized the interest and hobbies of people. They have opened up a whole new world, vivid, exciting and fascinating, before them. Prevailing social and political conditions are also responsible for this. However for men of good taste and purpose reading is always a rich source of immense pleasure.

Books provide good companionship, easily available, enlightened, dependable and lifelong. Reading dispels our thoughts of gloom and serves us as a source of comfort, hopefulness and patience. It brightens up darkness and adversity. Milton rightly said, ” A good book is precious life blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured upon purpose to a life beyond life.” Francis bacon asserted that “ Reading makes a full man…”

Despite myriad means of entertainment and recreation, books continue to enjoy a prominent position. Books have been great sources of knowledge from times immemorial. Though in the present says a shift to new interests and preferences are evident, reading enjoys a unique and distinctive status of its own in our society.

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Drug Abuse and the Youth

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Since the youth are the future citizens of India, they should be brought up and protected with the utmost care. Nowadays young people are very much independent and are not amenable to the reasonable, logical pleas of their parents, teachers and elders to walk past in the right direction.

As young people are carefree they get little chance of knowing the implications of the moral values of life. They think they can do anything they like and they are not bound by ethical rules and regulations. In these days, except a few, many students take to evil ways. Especially the youth who stay in hostels for a long time develop all kinds of bad habits and get themselves spoiled. Most of the youngsters who stay in lodges are exposed to bad habits like smoking, drinking and sexual relationship with strangers. Even a disciplined boy turns to evil ways because of his association with bad boys.Essay writing

Getting addicted to drugs is drugs is most dangerous. We believe that a person in hallucination experiences the pleasure of hearing a song from his inner being. He is totally in the grip of an illusion. It is true that a person who knowingly or unknowingly gets the taste of a drug is drawn to it and his addiction to it gradually becomes stronger and stronger making him a slave to drugs. All bad habits like addiction to liquor, drugs or seeking the company of harlots, enslaves one, and is apt to be in its grip for ever.

In many of the western countries addiction to drugs especially among the youth has caught on like wild fire and this trend forebodes disaster to the society. Drug-addiction strikes at the root of discipline of the youth misguiding them, leading them astray and make them muddle-headed.Drug-addicts have a tendency to add more and more persons to their company and they desire that others too should become victims of drug addiction.

The Central as well as the State Governments have established counseling and treatment centers for drug and liquor addicts. There are some private counseling and treatment centers for drug and liquor addicts all over the country. The youth should be advised to mould themselves into noble, responsible citizens to enable them to shoulder the responsibilities of the nation. They have to be warned and even castigated for their misguided enthusiasm in evil habits which would slowly and steadily lead them to their doom.

The youth of our country are tomorrow’s citizens and in this world of violence, mutual bitterness and deceit, they should be made to understand that they are the torchbearers of wisdom and discipline. The future of the nation is in their hands.

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AIDS – Cause and Effects

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Acquired Immuno Deficiency syndrome, popularly known by its abbreviation AIDS is a fatal disease as it attacks and destroys the immune system of the body. It is caused by a virus called Human Immuno Deficiency virus or HIV. This virus is even invisible to microscope and can remain in the body for years together without showing any visible symptoms. AIDS is the last stage of infection of the virus. It takes at least 10 years of period between getting infected with HIV and reaching the stage of developing AIDS. The first ever case of a person with AIDS was detected in America in 1959 which later emerged as a dreadfully widespread disease  in the 1980s. In India, it was reported in 1986.

HIV is a fast spreading disease in the world which if-not controlled can take epidemic proportions. As per the reports of Indian Health Organization(IHO), women and children are found to be more prone to the disease. The highest number of AIDS cases are found in Mumbai in India which is known as the AIDS capital of the country. A number of HIV cases are reported in recent years.

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As per the common myth, HIV infection is not contagious as is measles or chicken pox. The infection mainly spreads through a sexual route or blood to blood contact. HIV spreads mainly through a sexual relationship, whether heterosexual or homosexual with an infected partner, transfusion of HIV infected blood products, use of infected syringes or needles ans is passed on by an infected mother to her unborn child. It is therefore, foolish to believe that HIV spreads through mosquitoes, touching or shaking hands, coughing, or eating from the same plates, or attending similar schools or working together.

  AIDS in reality caused by a slow and gradual process. Medically, four stages have been in its long process. The initial HIV infection may show general symptoms like fever, body ache or head ache and then lie dormant for years together without showing any further signs. The infection can be passed on through next, a person may develop enlarged glands in the neck or armpits without any pain or other symptoms. Other symptoms can be fatigue, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, prolonged fever, cough, night sweats etc. Gradually the virus damages the immune system. The last stage of the disease takes at least 10 years to culminate into a fully blown AIDS. By this time, the patient’s immune system is totally destroyed and the person gets infected by various. This stage is easily recognized and a man survives only for about 3-4 years after entering this stage.

Two tests are carried out in order to confirm HIV infection- ELISA and Western Blot. Elisa is simple and the results can be known within a few hours but Western Blot is difficult, expensive and time consuming.

Awareness about the disease, its causes and treatment should be created among the masses. Schools and colleges can act as very effective medium of creating awareness among the youth. These youth in turn can be instrumental in spreading awareness among the other sections of the society. HIV patients need to be cared with compassion and be allowed to live and die with dignity.

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A Role Model Student

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Students are the future hopes of the country. A student is like clay which can be moulded into any desired shape. Hence, it is necessary that the students be brought up and taught in the right way. The environment of society is responsible for shaping up the character of students.

Discipline is the foremost quality of a student. He has to live in accordance with the strict rules of conduct and discipline. This is the time of life when the foundation of character is laid. A student without a sense of discipline is like a ship without a rudder. He should be obedient and cautious. He should he humble and simple. He should respect his elders and gain knowledge in that he may become a good citizen. A good student should be studious. He should not only study, but also others let study. For this he has to be law-abiding. He should spend a lot of his student develops the habit of reading good books. In order to widen his mental horizon.Essay writing Speech Topics

Students are the citizens of tomorrow. It is very necessary for them to be strong and healthy. The honour of a country cannot saved unless it has strong citizens. To keep himself healthy, a student must take part in games and extracurricular activities. He should be an all-rounder. He should select his friends intelligently and wisely. He must ensure that no evil tempts to him. An ideal student should be an amusing companion. He should have pleasing manners. He should not be coward, because a coward is a curse to society. So he should be bold and hardworking, and be ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of the country.

An ideal student must understand how much he owes to his parents. He should be a servant of humanity. He should also take an active interest in social service. He should be active in finding out solutions to various problems of society. An ideal student should be humorous. He should keep the atmosphere lively by his humorous nature. He should never be passive in mind and body. He should take an active part in the activities of the school. He should be a source of inspiration for others.

The school is a community, and an ideal student should learn to be a useful member of it. This means that he should have good relations with his authorities and friends. He should be frank and fearless. An ideal student will admit his mistake, get it corrected and learn from it. He is fully conscious of his duties and responsibilities. He sets an example for the younger generation. An ideal student has many good qualities. He presents an ideal model of character before others. Such a student will be an asset to the nation.

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The Evils Of dowry system

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The dowry system is the biggest evil of Indian society. The sacred institution of marriage is reduced to a business transaction. Dowry is the money and other items which the parents give away to their daughters at the time of their marriage.

This is a very old custom. It exists in all sections of Indian society. In recent times it has become widespread and problematic to parents and girls. In the past, it was a voluntary offer from the part of the parents of the brides, but now it has become compulsory. Now it is a necessary evil. The system has reduced the dignity of women. It shows that women are inferior to men. Poor parents borrow huge sums of money at high rates of interest to give dowry. Thus, it places the girl’s father in a weak position psychologically and economically, and the economy of the girl’s family is shattered for a long period. Some girls commit suicide just because their parents cannot give them dowry. Some people compel their daughter in laws to bring money even after the marriage.

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Many girls are put to a lot of trouble and some of them even end their lives not long after the marriage. There are instance of persecution and killing of girls by her husband’s relatives just because she has not brought the promised dowry. The system causes a rift between wife and husband or between the families of the boy and the girl. It may result in divorce or dowry death. This is a shame to our society. The dowry system has made the life of women an agony.

This inhuman practice must be put an end to at the earliest. Now there is a great demand by the people that this evil system of dowry should be abolished completely. The educated youth of the country should make aware of this evil and they should come forward to fight this evil. The government has taken many steps to put an end to this system. Law alone cannot produce any desirable result. People should co-operate with the government to wipe out this curse to society. A strong propaganda should be started against this evil by all responsible persons in the society. Then only the black mark on the bright face of our country can be removed.

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