Risks and Responsibilities of Coaching

The purpose of this paper is to look at the area of risk management with reference to the sport of swimming. There is no doubt that the ability to prevent any types of injury to athletes is of the utmost importance. The safety of the athletes should therefore be the primary concern of both facility managers and coaches. By working together, one would hope, that all unnecessary injuries could be prevented. One of the most severe injuries that can occur is that of a spinal injury. The area of prevention that addresses this issue is that of spinal injury management and it will be looked at more closely later in this paper. Even with all the extra emphasis in this day and age on safety issues, these kinds of injuries are still far too prevalent. In 1996, Michael Berger and Judith Middleton state that in the United Kingdom, there are around 40,000 children each year that suffer from head injuries. Some of these individuals will have received severe injuries, in that they will have been unconscious for at least 20 minutes and so will most likely have suffered brain damage. The sport of swimming has the obvious danger of drowning. There are also potential risks of spinal injuries caused by collisions with the floor of the pool, the walls in the pool and other swimmers. Many other injuries can be the result of a slippery deck or training equipment not correctly stored away. There is also a risk of injury from the chemicals which are present at a pool such as chlorine. Aquatic injury prevention should be part of any facilities risk management program. Risk management involves identifying and reducing dangerous conditions that can cause injuries and financial loss. Thus, the aim of a risk management is in a way a kind of preventative medicine, to tackle the issue of a problem thus ensuring that those kinds of accidents will not occur. There are some that would contend that those individuals that suffer an injury are unfortunate victims of circumstance. Many injuries can be avoided through an understanding of the factors that can cause injuries to occur and then a knowledge of how to go about preventing such situations to occur. Charles Bucher and March Krotee (1998) explain that there is an added risk in any physical education exercise as opposed to a regular class because the children are moving around and not sitting in a chair. The hiring of competent, qualified and certified employees in crucial not only for the planning but also for the conducting and supervising of activities. By making these simple efforts, the risk of injury can be minimized. Not only should the staff be up to par but also any equipment used as well as the facility being as safe as it could be. All coaches need to have fully up to date certificates and licenses. All necessary measures need to be taken to prevent any injuries from occurring and the correct level of supervision is crucial. Bucher and Krotee explain that the coach is required to act promptly in performing first aid and CPR and nothing more. Coaches should always show all necessary levels of care in their professional activities. The American Red Cross (1995) suggest that by understanding how injuries are caused, this will help prevent them from occurring by increasing the staff†s awareness of risks and hazards, helping patrons to avoid risky behavior and developing an attitude of safety at your facility. The Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches (April 1997) explain that by identifying not only what is a potential hazard but also assessing their risk level, and then evaluating whether or not all necessary precautions have been taken, this should help to prevent anyone getting injured. The ISTC, were not only referring to swimmers as potential victims but also to coaches, teachers, lifeguards, cleaning staff and receptionists. According to Bucher and Krotee, there is no doubt in today†s society that there are ever more increasing cases of teachers, coaches, schools and teams being sued in court. It seems as though lawyers are readily available, also the public are becoming much more aware of their rights, as far as what they should be protected from a safety standpoint. It is suggested that the risk of legal action can be minimized by following some simple steps. Collecting all pertinent facts about the health of your athletes. Purchasing only the best equipment form the most reputable dealers and acquiring used equipment from companies renowned for high quality reconditioned merchandise. Not laying the blame of an injury on anyone verbally but by carefully wording the exact nature of the injury and the preceding events on an accident report. Good supervision and instruction in very important. An emergency action plan should be drawn up, rehearsed and be ready to be activated at a moment†s notice. All necessary insurance precaution should be taken. Perhaps this is the most comforting defense for a coach. According to the United States Swimming, Inc. 1998 Insurance Summary, all swimmers registered with United States Swimming are covered by the USS Insurance policy as long as the injury suffered by the member was received during an approved activity under the policy. All USS swimmers are covered when they are participating in competitions, meets or events sponsored or sanctioned by USS, participating in organized, scheduled practice sessions and in organized, supervised travel to and from sponsored and sanctioned events or organized, supervised practice sessions. Anthony McCaskey and Kenneth Biedzynski (1996) explain that coaches are those principally the defendants in law suits as it is generally agreed that coaches have the most control of those individuals in their respective sports. A coach may be found negligent if he does not follow his duty to conform to a standard conduct that protects others from unreasonable risk of harm. Participants are termed as either those directly or indirectly under the control of the coach. Case law demonstrates that coaches responsibilities include: supervision, training and instruction, safe usage of all equipment, provided high quality assistants, warning of potential dangers, providing prompt and correct medical care, preventing injuries to competing athletes. The American Red Cross (1993) explain that lawsuits are becoming a concern for those giving care. Hence in the case of an emergency, the lifeguards and coaches are becoming increasingly apprehensive about giving care to victims of injuries. The American Red Cross suggests that by being aware of some basic legal principles, individuals may lessen the chances that they may later be found to be negligent in some area or another. All lifeguards have a duty to care. That is, they are legally bound to provide care to a injured party if the giving of such care is laid out in their job description. The rescuer should follow a reasonable standard of care and failure to do so may result in a chance of being found negligent. The Good Samaritan Laws protect anyone giving care as long as they are not negligent and they act in good faith. Consent should always be obtained from the individual. If the victim is an adult and they refuse care, one must not force care upon them. In the case of a child, the consent must be obtained form a parent or guardian. Any victim that is either unconscious or confused is assumed to give implied consent as it is assumed that if that person were fully aware of their predicament, they would accept the care that was offered. To obtain consent, the rescuer must identify themselves to the victim, give their level of training, explain what could be wrong and explain what care is planned. Once care is begun, a rescuer cannot stop giving care until advanced medical professional arrive at the scene. Confidentiality must also be observed. Only the facility or team spokesperson may speak to attorneys or the media . A rescuer should only speak with law enforcement officers and the rescue squad when it arrives. Finally, record keeping is essential. The documentation is considered to be almost as important as the care itself. Bucher and Krotte (1998) state that coaches and instructors are expected to carry out their activities with all necessary levels of care. If this is not the case, then they are leaving themselves open to a potential lawsuit filed against them for negligence. There is a requirement for the coach or instructor to take protective measures. Failure to do so will result in a lawsuit. In Roth versus New York (1942), all necessary measures were taken and a bather drowned after walking into deep water. There was nothing to stop this happening. The state was found to be liable. Bucher and Krotee explain that the failure to supervise correctly is the most commonly litigated situation. By having alert lifeguards and coaches, a facility can seriously reduce to chances of injuries occurring. According to the American Red Cross (1995), effective surveillance has four elements. The ability to recognize the ways in which a drowning or distressed swimmer behave in the pool. An example of this would be that a swimmers would have rhythmic breathing, relatively coordinated movements, have a horizontal body position and be making recognizable forward progress in the water. In contrast a distressed swimmer would be breathing but also be calling for help, waving and be making very little forward progress in the water, if any at all. A passive drowning victim would be considerably different to a swimmer. A Passive drowning victim would not be breathing, have no arm or leg movement, could be face down near the surface or in a submerged position and so obviously would be making no forward motion in the pool. Appropriate scanning techniques should also be employed to locate swimmers having problems in the pool. Lifeguards should be carefully and strategically placed throughout the facility. Each lifeguard should be fully aware of their responsibilities. Coaches are responsible for teaching swimmers all necessary skills to compete, the correct procedures to reduce the risks of injury and making sure that their swimmers are physically fit enough to compete. The failure to provide adequate training or instruction to reduce the risk of injury has been a commonly cited reason in recent litigation. Supervision is absolutely critical when the consequences of depriving the body of oxygen are considered. Soon after breathing stops, then too will the heart. After six minutes or so, brain damage is possible. Between six and ten minutes without breathing, brain damage is likely. If breathing is stopped for more than ten minutes, usually the brain damage is irreversible. Thus it is very important to be aware of the varying depths of water within the pool. In this way it is much easier to make sure that the children do not wander into water which is too deep for them. Also, this could help prevent spinal injuries from occurring by making patrons aware of when and where in the pool it is considered safe to dive. Without doubt, patron surveillance is one of the most important parts of a risk management strategy. The Certified Pool Operator (Fall 1997) states that it is very important to regulate the use of pools, by watching children and though constant supervision of the pool. The Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches (April 1997) mentioned that in some pools there may be blind spots resulting from the positioning of features, glares and reflections. All of these factors can hinder surveillance and so through careful planning, these problems should be attempted to be eliminated by strategic placing of lifeguards. This comes directly under the realms of a good risk management program. According to the Certified Pool Operator (Fall 1997), it is critical to identify areas of the pool that become slippery when wet. These range from the deck itself to corridors leading to and from the pool, locker rooms and snack areas. Communication can be used as a tool for helping to prevent injury and so is considered another ‘gear in the engine† of risk management. Patrons need to be made aware of potentials for injury. They also need to be educated as to the risks from inappropriate behavior. All rules and regulations necessary for the prevention of injuries need to be forcibly enforced. Signs are needed to warn pool users of danger areas. Since spinal injuries are more common in individuals visiting facilities for the first time and so are unaware of shallow areas. The side of the pool itself needs to be mark both on the deck it self and on the side of the wall facing the water to warn swimmers in the pool as to the changing depth of the water that they are in. In addition to signs depicting â€Å"No Diving† and the depth of the water, facility rules and regulations should also be clearly displayed. Running should never take place around the pool. As the side of the pool gets wet, it become treacherous. Signs should be posted prohibiting to consumption of food and drinks in and around the pool. There is the obvious potential for injury from broken glass on the pool deck or in the pool from bottles that are accidental dropped on the pool side. Pool rules are not designed to prevent the patrons from having fun but more so to allow them to have fun in a hopefully relatively risk free environment. The pool rules should be displayed clearly on the wall of the pool. There are many great examples of pool rules, on would be that diving is only permitted in diving designated areas. The deck needs to be checked daily for loose floor materials. There is also a risk for standing water on the deck itself. All such findings should be immediately reported to the facility manager. The deck should be kept clear of equipment and anything else that could be a potential hazard. The American Red Cross (1992) recommends that in areas where the water is less than five feet deep, there should be signs clearly stating ‘Danger-Shallow Water- No Diving†. It is suggested that these signs are close to the edge of the pool in contrasting colors to the pool deck. If starting blocks are removable, they should be during recreational periods and should be stored in a safe location. If they are not easily removable, then they should be coned off or clearly marking as out of use to recreational swimmers. All kick boards and pull buoys should be stored away in their correct location and not left strewn about the pool deck. Any item left on the pool deck is a hazard. Any risk management program would include keeping the deck clear of obstructions. The American Red Cross (1988) states that all rescue and first aid equipment should inspected on a regular basis. This equipment should also be easily accessible. Any piece of equipment that is found to be damaged in any way should be removed, repaired or replaced immediately. Following an emergency, all equipment that is used should be replaced promptly. Other areas should also be checked on a regular basis, such as the showers, locker rooms and restrooms which should be kept clean and hazard free. Coaches are also responsible for taking all necessary measures to ensure that all equipment used by their swimmers is of an adequate standard. This issue is far more critical in a contact sport such as football where inadequate padding may lead to serious injury. Anyone working with chlorine should wear protective clothing such as gloves, goggles and clothing covering the rest of the body to minimize the risks of chlorine coming in contact with the naked flesh. Chlorine can enter the blood via absorption through the skin. Direct contact with the eyes can cause severe injuries. The American Red Cross (1995) terms chemical hazards as harmful or potentially harmful substances in and around the pool. Storage areas of chemicals should be clearly marked hence warning both staff and patrons of possible dangers. The doors to such storage areas should be kept locked. Any suspicious odors in these regions should be reported immediately. The American Red Cross (1992) recommend storing all chemicals and chemical testing kits in child proof containers and out of children†s reach. Every year many individuals are injured from diving related injuries. These injuries are usually caused by collisions with the bottom and sides of the pool. Thus it is of paramount importance that coaches and instructors take all precautions to prevent such injuries form occurring. Diving should not be taught unless all necessary safety equipment in readily available such as a back board and staff trained in spinal injury management are present. Coaches should make sure that all swimmers are educated in the obvious safety precautions. Never dive when someone else is in the water in front of you. All dives should be of a flat nature. All swimmers should enter the water fingers first and not head first, thus helping to cushioning the blow should the swimmer crash into the floor if the pool. Never hold or position objects in the pool. A great example as to why it important to keep the diving area clear of obstructions is given by the American Red Cross (1992), which referred to the case Bill Brooks. One day, he dived into a pool and hit his head on an inner tube. He could remember laying face down in the water and being unable to move. Brooks, who once played college baseball, is now a C5 quadriplegic and will never walk again. The best protection against possible injuries is an informed, safety-conscious swimmer. The Certified Pool Operator (Fall 1997) stated that in a typical year there are about 400 events that result in a quadriplegic injury in aquatic environments. According to the CPO, a quarter of these occurred in pools. The article went onto explain that 95% of the pool related injuries occurred in the shallow ends of pools. Through careful supervision and prudent coaching, swimmers can be educated as to safe methods of entry into shallow water. The Swimming Times (1997) suggests that the depth of the water should be taken into account in relation to the ability and height of the pupils. Hence, none swimmers should not be taught in water that is ten feet deep and likewise, competitive swimmers should not be coached in shallow water. McCaskey and Biedzynski (1996) swimming incident rates come be totally eliminated if swimmers did not use racing dives into shallow water during practice or meets. According to McCaskey and Biedzynski, there has not been a direct injury in college swimming since a non-fatal one in 1982. The American Red Cross (1995) reveals that sports related injuries account for 13% of all spinal injuries. These figures were derived from the National Spinal Cord Injuries Data Base. According to the American Red Cross, about 1000 people each year suffer spinal injuries from diving mishaps. The American Red Cross suggests the following ways to help prevent the occurrence of such injuries. The water depth should always be ascertained before entering. Only trained swimmers should be using the starting blocks. Coaches should be aware of these aspects and make sure they correctly supervise their swimmers during warm ups at competitions and at practice. All these measures mentioned so far in the paper appear to be obvious, but unless they are adhered to tightly then mishaps can occur. It is not worth gambling with your swimmers† health. If a suspected spinal injury occurs, then the area must be stabilized and immobilized. There are certain situations when a spinal injury must always be assumed to have occurred. It is always better to be safe than sorry. If proper precautions are not taken when caring for injured victims, then that lack of risk management leaves the coach and facility open to legal action. A spinal injury should be assumed for any injury involving a diving board, diving into shallow water, a fall from a height greater than that of the victim†s height. Also any visible bumps or depressions to the head, altered consciousness or complaints of back or neck pain from the victim. In some cases, the victim may be face down in the water. Although, the victim should be moved as little as possible following a suspected spinal injury, in this situation, the victim needs to be removed form the water. If the victim is not removed, drowning will take place, the heart will stop and soon there after, brain damage will occur. The American Red Cross First Aid Manual (1993) explains that head injuries can rupture blood vessels in the brain causing pressure to build up leading to brain damage. The American Red Cross (1992) describes the typical recipient of a diving injury as a first time visitor to a location, not warned by a sign about the potential dangers, when lifeguards were not present and the water depth was less than four feet deep. Any good risk management program could dramatically reduce the risk of this kind of injury. By having vigilant lifeguards, water depths clearly marked and no diving signs clearly posted on the deck, most of the risk can be reduced. These are all components of a well rounded risk management program. Since most spinal injuries occur when a person dives into water less than five feet deep, on arriving at a pool, a coach should check the poolside for all relevant safety warnings and make his swimmers aware of this risks. The facility staff should also be highly alert at all times. All pools should have an emergency action plan. The EAP should explain exactly what procedure should be followed in the event of an aquatic emergency. The initiation of the EAP is the responsibility of the lifeguard. A typical signal to all pool patrons and staff is three long blows of a whistle. This would draw the attentions of the other pool patrons and then they would be more easily removed from the water for the protection of the victim. Also, other staff members throughout the building would be alerted of the EAP being activated. The next stage is to begin whatever rescue or emergency action that needs to be taken. After determining the nature and extent of the emergency, another lifeguard or staff member will call the police, fire or rescue squad as necessary. The emergency number is usually 911 but may vary from area to area. If the pool a which you coach is in a new area, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are fully aware of the number to call in the event of an emergency. The required first aid should be continued be given to the victim until advanced medical care arrives. Once care is commenced, it cannot be withdrawn, if it is, this constitutes abandonment which is a liable situation. Once advanced medical care arrives, all necessary accident reports are filled and the aid in crowd control. More often than not, only one person is designated as the spokesperson for a facility. This person and this person only is allowed to talk to anyone except for the police and the rescue squad. The Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches (April 1997) explains that whether or not a pool operator believes that his pool is a high or low risk facility, it is essential to have an emergency action plan. According to the ISTC, an emergency is anything considered to of danger to a bather or employee. The following all come under that general description. Overcrowding is a situation where too many people are in a confined area. This could be fatal in a swimming pool. A good risk management program would outline maximum numbers for a pool. These levels would be set well below that of over crowding, hopefully eliminating this risk. Disorderly behavior is also a common cause of emergencies. With vigilant surveillance and firm enforcing of pool rules and regulations, this too could be eliminated as a risk. Lack of water clarity will occur when the chemical levels in pool be out of balance. This too is a liability. If a child dives into water which he assumes to be deep but is in fact shallow, this could lead to a lawsuit. Especially because of the fact that the water clarity may have directly affected that child†s judgement. The ISTC explains that as a coach, it is your responsibility to know how to raise the alarm, how to get help form other staff members, how to initiate the appropriate rescue, who should summon the emergency services and so on. Qualified lifeguards are trained to act as a team in the case of an emergency, thus it is crucial for a coach or instructor to be able to contribute positively to an emergency situation. The Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches (May 1997) states that teachers and coaches must be trained in what to do in the case of an emergency and in turn should make the pupils understand and be aware of the procedures involved in the EAP. The pupils needs to know where to congregate in case of an emergency and possibly if they will be required to stand near a particular doorway to attract the attention of the advanced medical care when it arrives. The Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches (1996) stated that 93% of the schools in a survey had a formal emergency action plan. Two schools stated that they did not have one. Most of the schools in this survey had had swimming as part of their curriculum for more than six years. Coaches and other facility staff should go through regular in service days to rehearse emergency procedures. The emergency action plan should be rehearsed most importantly. For this procedure is what could make the difference between life and death for a victim. In service training should cover the following points: review the potential hazards at the facility, review and update rules and regulations, practice the emergency action plan , practice rescue skills, carry out physical conditioning. Following an emergency, an accident report needs be filled out by the members of staff involved. The facility information such as address and phone number. Personal data of the injured party should also be included: name, age, sex, address. The location of the incident should be included as well as the a description of the incident. It is very important to include what care was provided; was medical attention welcomed by the victim or refused? All of these issues are very important as law suits are far too prevalent in this day and age. Remember, consent must be obtained from the victim. To obtain this, the care provider must identify himself to the victim, give his level of training, explain what he thinks is wrong and then explain what he plans to do. If the victim refuses care, the care provider must try to convince the victim to receive care. According to the American Red Cross (1993), record keeping is nearly as important as the actual care given. The record is a legal document and is vital if legal action is taken. Risk management is an important function of a sport program. A coach should be fully aware of all legal and ethical responsibilities that come with his position. Any form of negligence on his or her behalf resulting in increased risks of injury can lead to the increased chances of legal action. Risk management is not only concerned with limiting the chance of injuries being suffered but also reducing the chances of financial losses following such an incident. Coaches† Quarterly (1998) states that effective in 1998, all United States Swimming coaches must have the following qualifications: Safety Training for Swim Coaches, First Aid and CPR. The Certified Pool Operator (1997) blames the individuals for their careless behavior. According to the article, pools are becoming safer. The main reasons for injuries today are victim†s carelessness. In a perfect world no one would need to know rescue techniques. Everyone would be careful, and safety would not be a problem. But ours is not a perfect world. Because of dangerous situations, careless or carefree people, and changing water conditions, many dangers are in and around water. Risk management in a pool environment is basically concerned with aquatic injury prevention. A highly developed risk management program will substantially reduce the risks of injury. By understanding how injuries are caused, one can better prevent them. Effective communication with patrons is critical for helping to prevent injuries. Through this communication, the patrons can have fun in a safer environment.

Unity in Diversity

INTRODUCTION One of the greatest leaders that the world has ever seen, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was a political figure, a social and political reformer, a humanist, a visionary and a spiritual leader, who took the country on the road to freedom. Gandhi, popularly known as the Mahatma, not only led the freedom struggle in India but also performed a pivotal role in the struggle of the Indians for civil rights in South Africa. Victimized by incidents of racial discrimination, Gandhi embarked on a crusade against injustice in South Africa that he continued the rest of his life.The twenty long years that Gandhi lived in South Africa, had a considerable influence on the formation of his political ideologies and the philosophies of his life. It was in South Africa that Gandhi's stature gradually began to gain height. His experiences and activities in South Africa provided the necessary background for his subsequent emergence onto the Indian political scenario. His greatest achievement in South Africa was perhaps the unification of the heterogeneous Indian community that comprised of disgruntled merchants and the bonded laborers.The ideological concepts with which Gandhi revolutionized the Indian political scenario were molded to a large extent in South Africa. The celebrated notion of Satyagraha emerged as a consequence of various influences that worked on him. He extensively read religious books on Hinduism, like the BhagwatGita, and Christianity in South Africa. The works of Henry David Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy, John Ruskin and Ralph Waldo, also had significant influences on his thoughts.The notion of non co-operation, as a civilian weapon to fight governmental tyranny was discussed by all these major writers, but it was Gandhi who gave practical shape to the concept. He was the first one to organize Satyagraha struggle in South Africa. For Gandhi the doctrine of Satyagraha entailed passive resistance and commitment to the forces of truth. His second weapon, non viol ence or ahimsa also evolved in South Africa. This cardinal principle of Gandhian philosophy was imbibed from Jainism and Vaishnavism. Gandhi showed to the world how non violence could be used as an ffective political tool to fight the injustices hurled by an oppressive government. For Gandhi, ahimsa entailed self control, swaraj or self rule, and chastity. Alongside, Gandhi embraced a philosophy that disapproved of the norms of Western civilization and conceived of moral reformation of the Indians. Gandhi's Arrival in South Africa Upon returning from England with a degree in law, Gandhi began a legal practice in Mumbai and Rajkot, Gujarat. However, he was unsuccessful to establish a career as a lawyer in both the places.At this point, Gandhi received an offer from the firm Dada Abdulla Seth and Company, to be the legal representative of the firm in South Africa. Gandhi accepted the offer and set sail for a whole new world in April, 1893. In the month of May, 1893, Gandhi reached Dur ban. Accompanied by Dada Abdulla, one of the richest Indian traders in Natal, who also happened to be his employer, he went to visit the Durban Court. The European magistrate at the court instructed Gandhi to remove his turban. He not only disobeyed the commands of the magistrate but issued a protect letter to the press.This was, however, just the lull before the storm. The final provocation took place during his journey to Pretoria from Durban shook the consciousness of the young lawyer to such an extent that he assumed a staunch position against racial prejudice. This incident played a major role in carving out the future course of Gandhi's life. As Gandhi was preparing to return to India, after the completion of his lawsuit, the news of a proposed bill, to be introduced by the Natal Government, reached him. This bill would lead to disenfranchising of the Indians in South Africa.Pleaded by his fellow Indians, Gandhi remained back and took up the issue. Although the bill was passed inspite of Gandhi's attempts, his crusade continued for twenty long years. As part of his struggle, he drafted memorandums, distributed petitions and wrote to the newspapers. His activities in South Africa enabled him to gain an image as the patron of Indian civil rights and an important political leader. In the year 1896, Gandhi returned to India for a period of six months. During this period, he sought to present before the Indians, the pitiful situation f their fellow men in South Africa. However, Gandhi's activities were blown out of proportion by the press in South Africa. When he landed in South Africa, an agitated mob comprising of the whites, attacked him. As the news of this attack, spread rapidly, Joseph Chamberlain, enjoined the prosecution of the assailants. During his second phase of stay in South Africa, Gandhi adopted a simple mode of living, renouncing the lavish standards of living. When the Boer War broke out, Gandhi requested the Indian community, to extend their support to the British.In 1901, Gandhi returned to India but he had to return to appear before Joseph Chamberlain, to plead the Indian case. However, he failed to win over the understanding of Joseph Chamberlain. It was also at this time that Gandhi resolved to lead a celibate life and took to reading Ruskin. Satyagraha in South Africa The first Satyagraha struggle that Gandhi launched in South Africa was against the background of the passage of Asiatic Registration Act by the government of Transvaal in 1907.Realizing that his techniques of prayers and petitions had been rendered ineffectual, the tactic of passive resistance emerged as the new method of opposing. He urged the Indian community to disobey the Act and resort to picketing of the major offices like the permit offices. In 1908, in the month of January, Gandhi and other satyagrahis were jailed. Following this a movement commenced where the satyagrahis began to burn the certificates in a bonfire. In the month of September, Gandhi was arrested for the second time, this time sentenced for two months.The following year, saw Gandhi once again behind the bars for three months. It is pertinent to mention here that Gandhi founded a small colony by the name Tolstoy Farm, where his fellow satyagrahis could lead a bare existence. The Indian women joined the Satyagraha struggle, with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court judgment that annulled all Muslim, Hindu and Zoroastrian marriages. As the women satyagrahis were arrested following their march to Newcastle, several Indian miners, under the guidance of Gandhi, decided to cross over Transvaal border, resorting to non violence means.Even Gandhi's wife Kasturba Gandhi was included among the imprisoned women satyagrahis. In the year 1913, in the month of November, fifty seven children, one hundred and twenty seven women and two thousand and thirty seven men resumed the march. Following the ‘blood and iron' policy adopted by government of South Africa, two Christian men Pearson and C. F Andrews were sent to aid Gandhi. This initiative was taken by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, one of the most prominent Indian politicians. The Viceroy of India, Lord Harginge, criticized the policies of the South African government.Pressurized by London, negotiations commenced between South African Government and Gandhi. In an agreement that was finally arrived upon, certain concessions were made. The 13 taxes imposed on the previously indentured laborers were abolished, marriages performed according to Indian customs received legal acceptance and a domicile certificate, with the thumb impression of the holder, was adequate to permit entrance into South Africa. With a trail of significant achievements behind him, Gandhi finally returned to India in the year 1915, and within a brief span of time became the leader of the Indian Nationalism.Champaran First Satyagraha Gandhi, the exponent of the  Satyagraha  movement, staged his first Satyagraha in Champaran, in Bihar. It was in 1917. The poor peasants, the  indigo  growers, of the district invited Gandhi to go there to see for himself the grievances of the much exploited peasants there. Champaran was on the North-western corner of the  Bihar  Province. The River Gandak flows through this area. The river changed its course from time to time, leaving large lakes along its dried up courses. It was along the banks of these lakes the indigo factories were set up.There were two towns and three thousands villages in Champaran. 98 per cent of the people out of the 2 million lived in villages. And most of them were Hindus. Indigo farming was going on there for almost two centuries. In the beginning, the land was owned by the local people. But the white people from Britain grabbed the land and instead of the traditional sugar cane cultivation, the land grabbers compelled the people to enter into indigo cultivation. The British Indigo planters coerced the poor people to grow indigo on 15 per cent of their land and part with the whole crop for rent.Indigo cultivation was profitable only for the British. The local peasants had only misery and penury and poverty. It was on hearing about this predicament of the poor farmers there that Gandhi decided to go there. He left for Champaran along with a Bihari called Rajkumar Shukla. Babu Rajendra Prasad, who was to become the chairman of the Constituent Assembly for drafting a constitution for the new Republic of India, and who became the first President of the Republic of India, was not there, as he was practicing in the far away Patna as an advocate.He was a special person with lot of interest in public affairs and so Gandhi went straight to his house to find that he was away in  Patna. ————————————————- Champaran, Bihar In Champaran, a district in state of  Bihar, tens of thousands of landless  serfs,  in dentured laborers  and poor farmers were forced to grow  indigo  and other cash crops instead of the food crops which was necessary for their survival. These goods were bought from them at a very low price.Suppressed by the ruthless militias of the landlords (mostly British), they were given measly compensation, leaving them mired in extreme poverty. Now in the throes of a devastating famine, the British levied an oppressive tax which they insisted on increasing in rate. Without food and without money, the situation was growing progressively unlivable and the peasants in  Champaran  revolted against indigo plant cultivation in 1914 (at  Pipra) and 1916(Turkaulia) and  Raj Kumar Shukla  took  Mahatma Gandhi  to  Champaran  and the  Champaran  Satyagraha began.Gandhi arrived in Champaran with a team of  eminent lawyers:  Brajkishore Prasad,  Rajendra Prasad,Anugrah Narayan Sinha  and others including Acharya kripalani. ———â€⠀Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€- Kheda, Gujarat A famine had struck the district and a large part of Gujarat, and virtually destroyed the agrarian economy. The poor peasants had barely enough to feed themselves, but the British government of the  Bombay Presidency  insisted that the farmers not only pay full taxes, but also pay the 23% increase stated to take effect that every year. ———————————————— Gandhi's solution While many civic groups sent petitions and published editorials, Gandhi proposed  satyagraha  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ non-violence, mass  civil disobedience. While it was strictly non-violent, Gandhi was proposing real action, a real revolt that the oppressed peoples of India were dying to undertake.. Gandhi also insisted that neither the protestors in Bihar nor in Gujarat allude to or try to propag ate the concept of  Swaraj, or  Independence. This was not about political freedom, but a revolt against abject tyranny amidst a terrible humanitarian disaster.While accepting participants and help from other parts of India, Gandhi insisted that no other district or province revolt against the Government, and that the  Indian National Congress  not get involved apart from issuing resolutions of support, to prevent the British from giving it cause to use extensive suppressive measures and brand the revolts as treason. In Champaran Gandhi established an  ashram  in Champaran, organizing scores of his veteran supporters and fresh volunteers from the region.He organized a detailed study and survey of the villages, accounting the atrocities and terrible episodes of suffering, including the general state of degenerate living. Building on the confidence of villagers, he began leading the clean-up of villages, building of schools and hospitals and encouraging the village leaders hip to undo purdah, untouchability and the suppression of women. He was joined by many young nationalists from all over India, including  Brajkishore Prasad,Rajendra Prasad,  Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ram Navami Prasad and  Jawaharlal Nehru.But his main assault came as he was arrested by police on the charge of creating unrest and was ordered to leave the province. Hundreds of thousands of people protested and rallied outside the jail, police stations and courts demanding his release, which the court unwillingly did. Gandhi led organized protests and strike against the landlords, who with the guidance of the British government, signed an agreement granting more compensation and control over farming for the poor farmers of the region, and cancellation of revenue hikes and collection until the famine ended.It was during this agitation, that Gandhi was addressed by the people as  Bapu  (Father) and  Mahatma  (Great Soul). In Kheda In Gujarat, Gandhi was only the spiritual he ad of the struggle. His chief lieutenant,  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel  and a close coterie of devoted Gandhians, namely  Narhari Parikh,  Mohanlal Pandya  and  Ravi Shankar Vyas  toured the countryside, organized the villagers and gave them political leadership and direction.Many aroused Gujaratis from the cities of  Ahmedabad  and  Vadodara  joined the organizers of the revolt, but Gandhi and Patel resisted the involvement of Indians from other provinces, seeking to keep it a purely Gujarati struggle. Patel and his colleagues organized a major tax revolt, and all the different ethnic and caste communities of Kheda rallied around it. The peasants of Kheda signed a petition calling for the tax for this year to be scrapped in wake of the famine. The government in Bombay rejected the charter.They warned that if the peasants did not pay, the lands and property would be confiscated and many arrested. And once confiscated, they would not be returned even if most compli ed. None of the villages flinched. The tax withheld, the government's collectors and inspectors sent in thugs to seize property and cattle, while the police forfeited the lands and all agrarian property. The farmers did not resist arrest, nor retaliate to the force employed with violence. Instead, they used their cash and valuables to donate to the Gujarat Sabha  which was officially organizing the protest.The revolt was astounding in terms of discipline and unity. Even when all their personal property, land and livelihood were seized, a vast majority of Kheda's farmers remained firmly united in the support of Patel. Gujaratis sympathetic to the revolt in other parts resisted the government machinery, and helped to shelter the relatives and property of the protesting peasants. Those Indians who sought to buy the confiscated lands were ostracized from society. Although nationalists like  Sardul Singh Caveeshar  called for sympathetic revolts in other parts, Gandhi and Patel fir mly rejected the idea.The Government finally sought to foster an honorable agreement for both parties. The tax for the year in question, and the next would be suspended, and the increase in rate reduced, while all confiscated property would be returned. Gujaratis also worked in cohesion to return the confiscated lands to their rightful owners. The ones who had bought the lands seized were influenced to return them, even though the British had officially said it would stand by the buyers Non-Cooperation Movement The  Non-Cooperation Movement  was a significant phase of the  Indian struggle for freedom  from  British rule.This movement lasted from September 1920 to February 1922. It was led byMahatma Gandhi  and was supported by the  Indian National Congress. It aimed to resist British occupation in India through non-violent means. Protestors would refuse to buy British goods, adopt the use of local handicrafts, picket liquor shops, and try to uphold the Indian values of honour and integrity. The  Gandhian  ideals of  Ahimsa  or  non-violence, and his ability to rally hundreds of thousands of common citizens towards the cause of Indian independence, were first seen on a large scale in this movement.Among the significant causes of this movement were colonial oppression, exemplified by the  Rowlatt Act  and  Jallianwala Bagh massacre, economic hardships to the common man due to a large chunk of Indian wealth being exported to Britain, ruin of Indian artisans due to British factory-made goods replacing handmade goods, and popular resentment with the British over Indian soldiers dying in  World War I  while fighting as part of the  British Army– , in battles that otherwise had nothing to do with India.The calls of early political leaders like  Mohammad Ali Jinnah  (who later became communal and hardened his stand),  Annie Besant  and  Bal Gangadhar Tilak  (Congress Extremists) for  rule were accompanied only b y petitions and major public meetings. They never resulted in disorder or obstruction of government services. Partly due to that, the British did not take them very seriously. The non-cooperation movement aimed to ensure that the colonial economic and power structure would be seriously challenged, and British authorities would be forced to take notice of the people's demands. Here we should know that many evolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad were supporters of this very movement but were really dissatisfied by the dismissing of movement by Gandhiji. Civil Disobedience Movement Under the leadership of Gandhiji, the Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in AD 1930. It began with the Dandi March. On 12 March 1930, Gandiji with some of his followers left the Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad and made their way towards Dandi, a village on the west coast of India. After travelling for twenty-five days and covering a distance of three hundred and eighty-five kms, the group reached Dandi on 6 April 1930.Here, Gandhiji protested against the Salt Law (salt was a monopoly of the government and no one was allowed to make salt) by making slat himself and throwing up a challenge to the British government. The Dandi March signified the start of the Civil Disobedience Movement. The movement spread and salt laws were challenged in other parts of the country. Salt became the symbol of people’s defiance of the government. In Tamil Nadu, C Rajagopalchari led a similar march from Trichinopoly to Vedaranyam. In Gujarat, Sarojini Naidu pretested in front of the slat depots.Lakhs of people including a large number of women participated actively in these protests. The Civil Disobedience Movement carried forward the unfinished work of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Practically the whole country became involved in it. Hartals put life at a standstill. There were large-scale boycotts of schools, colleges and offices. Foreign goods were burnt in bonfires. People sto pped paying taxes. In the North-West Frontier Province, the movement was led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’. For a few days, British control over Peshawar and Sholapur ended.People faced the batons and bullets of the police with supreme courage. No one retaliated or said anything to the police. As reports and photographs of this extraordinary protest began to appear in newspapers across the world, there was a growing tide of support for India’s freedom struggle. The Civil Disobedience Movement led by M K Gandhi, in the year 1930 was an important milestone in the history of Indian Nationalism. There are three distinct phases that mark the development of Indian Nationalism. In the first phase, the ideology of the moderates dominated the political scenario. This was ollowed by the prominence of the extremist ideologies. In the third phase of Indian Nationalism the most significant incident was the rise of MK Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, to power as the leader of Indian National Movements. Under his spirited guidance, the National Movements of the country took shape. The Indians learnt how apparently philosophical tenets like non violence and passive resistance, could be used to wage political battles. The programs and policies adopted in the movements spearheaded by Gandhi reflected his political ideologies of ahimsa and Satyagraha.While the Non-Co-Operation Movement was built on the lines of non violent non co operation, the essence of The Civil Disobedience Movement was defying of the British laws. Through his leadership to the National Movements, he not only buttressed his political stance but also played a crucial role in unification of the country, awakening of the masses, and bringing politics within the arena of the common man. Factors Leading to the Civil Disobedience Movement The prevalent political and social circumstances played a vital role in the launching of the Civil Disobedience M ovement.The Simon Commission was formed by the British Government that included solely the members of the British Parliament, in November 1927, to draft and formalize a constitution for India. The chairmanship of the commission rested with Sir John Simon, who was a well known lawyer and an English statesman. Accused of being an ‘All-White Commission', the Simon Commission was rejected by all political and social segments of the country. In Bengal, the opposition to the Simon Commission assumed a massive scale, with a hartal being observed in all corners of the province on February 3rd, 1928.On the occasion of Simon's arrival in the city, demonstrations were conducted in Calcutta. In the wake of the boycott of the recommendations proposed by Simon Commission, an All-Party Conference was organized in Bombay in May of 1928. Dr MA Ansari was the president of the conference. Motilal Nehru was given the responsibility to preside over the drafting committee, appointed at the conferen ce to prepare a constitution for India. Barring the Indian Muslims, The Nehru Report was endorsed by all segments of the Indian society.The Indian National Congress pressurized the British government to accept all the parts the Nehru Report, in December 1928. At the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress held in December, 1928, the British government was warned that if India was not granted the status of a dominion, a Civil Disobedience Movement would be initiated in the entire country. Lord Irwin, the Governor General, after a few months, declared that the final objective of the constitutional reforms was to grant the status of a dominion to India.Following this declaration, Gandhi along with other national leaders requested the Governor General to adopt a more liberal attitude in solving the constitutional crisis. A demand was made for the release of the political prisoners and for holding the suggested Round Table Conference for reflecting on the problems regarding the constitution of the country. None of the efforts made by the Congress received any favorable response from the British government. The patience of the Indian masses were wearing out. The political intelligentsia of the country was sure that the technique of persuasion would not be effective with the British government.The Congress had no other recourse but to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement. In Bardoli, the peasants had already taken to Satyagraha under the guidance of Sardar Patel in the year 1928. Their non tax agitations were partially successful. The Congress took the decision to use the non violent weapon of Satyagraha on a nation wide scale against the government. The Launch of the Civil Disobedience Movement MK Gandhi was urged by the Congress to render his much needed leadership to the Civil Disobedience Movement.On the historic day of 12th March 1930, Gandhi inaugurated The Civil Disobedience Movement by conducting the historic Dandi Salt March, where he broke the Sa lt Laws imposed by the British Government. Followed by an entourage of seventy nine ashramites, Gandhi embarked on his march from his Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi that is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea. On 6th April 1930, Gandhi with the accompaniment of seventy nine satyagrahis violated the Salt Law by picking up a fistful of salt lying on the sea shore. They manually made salt on the shores of Dandi. Dandi Salt March had an immense impact on the entire nation.Each and every corner of the country was gripped in a unique fervor of nationalism. Soon this act of violation of the Salt Laws assumed an all India character. The entire nation amalgamated under the call of a single man, Mahatma Gandhi. There were reports of satyagrahas and instances of law violation from Bombay, Central and United Provinces, Bengal and Gujarat. The program of the Civil Disobedience Movement incorporated besides the breaking of the Salt Laws, picketing of shops selling foreign goods and liquor, bonfir e of cloth, refusal to pay taxes and avoidance of offices by the public officers and schools by the students.Even the women joined forces against the British. Those from orthodox families did not hesitate to respond to the call of the Mahatma. They took active part in the picketing exercises. Perturbed by the growing popularity of the movement, the British government imprisoned Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, in a bid to thwart it. Thus, the second struggle for attaining Swaraj launched by the Congress, under the able guidance of Mahatma, served the critical function of mobilizing the masses on a large scale against the British. Gandhi-Irwin PactIn the March of 1930, Gandhi met with the Viceroy, Lord Irwin and signed an agreement known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The two main clauses of the pact entailed; Congress participation in the Round Table Conference and cessation of The Civil Disobedience Movement. The Government of India released all satyagrahis from prison. Renewal of t he Civil Disobedience Movement Gandhi attended The Second Round Table Conference in London accompanied by Smt. Sarojini Naidu. At this Conference, it was claimed by Mahatma Gandhi that the Congress represented more than eighty five percent of the Indian population.Gandhi's claim was not endorsed by the British and also the Muslim representative. The Second Round Table Conference proved to be futile for the Indians and Gandhi returned to the country without any positive result. The political scene in India thereafter assumed an acute dimension. The Viceroy, Lord Willingdon, in the absence of Gandhi, adopted the policy of repression. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was violated and the Viceroy took to the suppression of the Congress. The Conservative party, which was in power in England, complied with the decision to assume a repressive stance against the Congress and the Indians.The Congress was held responsible by the government to have instigated the ‘Red Shirts' to participate in The Civil Disobedience Movement, led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar and provoking the cultivators of U. P to refuse to pay land revenue. Adding to this was the serious economic crisis that took hold of the country. Under such circumstances, the resumption of The Civil Disobedience Movement was inevitable. The Congress Working Committee took the decision to restart The Civil Disobedience Movement, as the British government was not prepared to relent.Gandhi resumed the movement in January 1932 and appealed to the entire nation to join in. The Viceroy was also informed of the stance assumed by the Congress. Four ordinances were promulgated by the government to deal with the situation. The police was given the power to arrest any person, even on the basis of mere suspicion. Sardar Patel, the President of Congress and Gandhi were arrested, along with other Congressmen. The second phase of The Civil Disobedience Movement lacked the organization that marked its first phase.Nonetheless the entire nation put up a tough fight and the movement continued for six months. Gandhi commenced his twenty one days of fast on May 8th, 1933, to make amends for the sins committed against the untouchables by the caste Hindus. The Civil Disobedience Movement was suspended, when Mahatma Gandhi withdrew mass Satyagraha on July 14th 1933. The movement ceased completely on April 7th 1934. Although The Civil Disobedience Movement failed to achieve any positive outcome, it was an important juncture in the history of Indian independence. The leadership of Mahatma Gandhi had a beneficial impact.The warring factions within the Congress united under the aegis of The Civil Disobedience Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Satyagraha was put on a firm footing through its large scale usage in the movement. Last but not the least India rediscovered its inherent strength and confidence to crusade against the British for its freedom. Quit India Movement The ascendancy of Mahatma Gandhi in the political scenario of pr e Independence India, bears a close relationship to the roles that he discharged in the three National Movements; namely The Non Co-Operation Movement, The Civil Disobedience Movement and The Quit India Movement.All the three movements were structured following the celebrated political ideologies of Gandhi. Satyagraha or passive civilian resistance and ahimsa or non violence became the unique weapons of Indian National Movements. However, The Quit India Movement departed significantly from the preceding movements in that it lacked organization and widespread violence became a common feature of the movement. Nevertheless, The Quit India Movement occupies a special place in the history of Indian struggle for freedom for taking the final step towards India's independence under the able leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.Gandhi's inspiring statement – â€Å"We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery† ignited the sen timents of Indians across the nation. Factors Contributing to the Launch of Quit India Movement In 1939, with the outbreak of war between Germany and Britain, India was announced to be a party to the war for being a constituent component of the British Empire. Following this declaration, the Congress Working Committee at its meeting on 10th October, 1939, passed a resolution condemning the aggressive activities of the Germans.At the same time the resolution also stated that India could not associate herself with war as it was against Fascism. There was hardly any difference between British colonialism and Nazi totalitarianism. Responding to this declaration, the Viceroy issued a statement on October 17th wherein he claimed that Britain is waging a war driven by the motif to strengthen peace in the world. He also stated that after the war, the government would initiate modifications in the Act of 1935, in accordance to the desires of the Indians.Gandhi's reaction to this statement wa s; â€Å"the old policy of divide and rule is to continue. The Congress has asked for bread and it has got stone. † According to the instructions issued by High Command, the Congress ministers were directed to resign immediately. Congress ministers from eight provinces resigned following the instructions. The resignation of the ministers was an occasion of great joy and rejoicing for leader of the Muslim League, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He called the day of 22nd December, 1939 ‘The Day of Deliverance'. Gandhi urged Jinnah against the celebration of this day, however, it was futile.At the Muslim League Lahore Session held in March 1940, Jinnah declared in his presidential address that the Muslims of the country wanted a separate homeland, Pakistan. In the meanwhile, crucial political events took place in England. Chamberlain was succeeded by Churchill as the Prime Minister and the Conservatives, who assumed power in England, did not have a sympathetic stance towards the clai ms made by the Indians. In order to pacify the Indians in the circumstance of worsening war situation, the Conservatives were forced to concede some of the demands made by the Indians.On August 8th, the Viceroy issued a statement that has come to be referred as the â€Å"August Offer†. However, the Congress rejected the offer followed by the Muslim League. In the context of widespread dissatisfaction that prevailed over the rejection of the demands made by the Congress, Gandhi at the meeting of the Congress Working Committee in Wardha revealed his plan to launch Individual Civil Disobedience. Once again, the weapon of Satyagraha found popular acceptance as the best means to wage a crusade against the British. It was widely used as a mark of protest against the unwavering stance assumed by the British.Vinoba Bhave, a follower of Gandhi, was selected by him to initiate the movement. Anti war speeches ricocheted in all corners of the country, with the satyagrahis earnestly appea ling to the people of the nation not to support the Government in its war endeavors. The consequence of this satyagrahi campaign was the arrest of almost fourteen thousand satyagrahis. On 3rd December, 1941, the Viceroy ordered the acquittal of all the satyagrahis. In Europe the war situation became more critical with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the Congress realized the necessity for appraising their program.Subsequently, the movement was withdrawn. The Cripps' Mission and its failure also played an important role in Gandhi's call for The Quit India Movement. In order to end the deadlock, the British government on 22nd March, 1942, sent Sir Stafford Cripps to talk terms with the Indian political parties and secure their support in Britain's war efforts. A Draft Declaration of the British Government was presented, which included terms like establishment of Dominion, establishment of a Constituent Assembly and right of the Provinces to make separate constitutions.These wo uld be, however, granted after the cessation of the Second World War. According to the Congress this Declaration only offered India a promise that was to be fulfilled in the future. Commenting on this Gandhi said; â€Å"It is a post dated cheque on a crashing bank. † Other factors that contributed were the threat of Japanese invasion of India, rule of terror in East Bengal and realization of the national leaders of the incapacity of the British to defend their India. Gandhi's Call for Quit India Sir Stafford Cripps left the country amidst unprecedented excitement.Immediately after the return of Sir Stafford Cripps, Gandhi announced ‘Quit India' as the war cry for the Indians. To quote Gandhi, â€Å"The presence of the British in India is an invitation to Japan to invade India. Their withdrawal removes that bait†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å". Gandhi realized that the time was ripe to take some strong and quick actions. He wrote a series of articles in Harijan wher e he urged the people to rise in action. He was in favor of resorting to direct action. In order to give effect to the Mahatma's views, The Congress Working Committee adopted the well known ‘Quit India' Resolution, on July 14th 1942 at Wardha.The All India Congress Committee accepted this resolution with some modifications, on 8th August, 1942 in Bombay. The very next day, on 9th August, eminent Congress leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel, Jaeaharlal Nehru and Abul Kalam Azad were arrested. The masses were left without any guidance. Gandhi's ‘do or die' call for the people created an upheaval in the country. But at the same time, Gandhi mentioned specifically that mass movement should be conducted following non violent means.The Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, adopted a policy of harsh repression all over the country and gory instances of British atrocities abounded all over. This ruined the atmosphere of non violence in the country. Unlike the other two movements, the Non-Co-Operation and the Civil Disobedience Movement that unleashed under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi, the Quit India Movement captures the quintessence of a ‘spontaneous' rising by the people. The Quit India Movement, inaugurated at the call of the Mahatma, unfolded in four phases. In the first phase there were strikes, processions, demonstrations and processions.This phase lasted for a period of three to four days and commenced from the day of Gandhi's arrest on August 9th, 1942. The factory and mill workers rose to the cause and displayed maximum vigor and enthusiasm. The government took recourse to repressive measures to subdue the movement. In an incident of open fire in Bombay, the casualties included large number of women and children. Raids of municipal and government buildings characterized the second phase of the movement. Police stations, post offices and railway stations were attacked and set ablaze.Attempts were made by the agitated mobs to capture court buil dings. Troops fired to control mob fury. September 1942, marks the beginning of the third phase of the movement. It is said that during this phase of the movement, the mob threw bombs on the police in Madhya Pradesh, Bombay and Uttar Pradesh. With the emergence of the movement into the fourth phase, it gained back its peaceful character and extended till Mahatma Gandhi was released from prison in May, 1944. Quit India movement was Gandhi's final bid to secure India's independence.Although, many diverse political ideologies crowded the scenario of Indian National Movement at that time, yet it was the Satyagraha adopted by Gandhi that finally had the most telling effect in challenging the British authorities. India was at the very threshold of Independence by the end of the Quit India movement and Gandhi's long cherished dream was about to be realized. Quit India movement sealed the success for satyagraha as a policy of political resistance, and Gandhi's role as the chief moving force behind India's Independence came to be universally accepted, although dark clouds of a communal fissure still lurked in the background.

Fear Is Inevitable

Change is inevitable, no one can avoid it, but the way you deal with the change and the emotions that come along with it can alter the outcome of the change, either in a positive of negative way. This comes under the aspect of change, known as fear. We are always fearing change, fearing how and what its going to change our path in life. You will find that inâ€Å"The Book Thief† by Marcus Zusak and â€Å"Rain Man† by Barry Levinson both explore how if we fear change or push it away, it wont get you anywhere the change will always happen. I have also shown my aspect of change through my visual representation. You can have the power to alter the way you percieve change you can fear it, or push it away. But you can also accept the change. If you go with the change, you might even be able to percieve the change in a more positive and accepting way, changing it from a negative situation to a positive situation. For example in my visual representation, there is someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, if they take on a positive outlook and want to help themselves by getting treatment, the outcome is more positive. Acting in a certain way can almost defnately help to change your situation of change into a positive one, just like how in the film rainman Charlie adapts to raymonds need for his t. v programs so he doesnt fight this and buys raymond a portable t. v. Accepting the change is also explored through the book theif, when leisel accepts max the jewish fist fighter into her family, Leisel looking at this change in a positive way lead her down that positve path as she had now formed a loving bond with him, as he has in some respects morphed into a surrogate brother for leisels dead brother. The alternate way you can percieve change is to fear change and fight against it. In my visual representation if you did decide to fight against this cancer and almost tell yourself that it isnt happening,will get you no where, because no matter how you look at the diagnoses you still have canceer and the healthier option would to deifnately go and get treatment. Fearing change is understandable, as it is something that will change who you are and where you are headed as, charlie from rainamn discovers. Charlie fears the change that Raymond might make on his life, as he cannot connect with him due to his disability. Charlie's way of displaying his fear of this is to act out and get frustrated at his brother on many occasions, as he comments â€Å"You know what I think Ray? I think this autisticism is a bunch of shit! Because you can't tell me that you're not in there somewhere! † Acting out, and getting frustrated was soon realised by Charlie that he was scared of facing the reality that this was his brother and he had to accept him for who he is and there for accepting the change and getting over the fear. The main fear displayed in â€Å"The Book Thief†, is central to the character of Max the Jewish fist fighter the Hubbermanns were hiding from the Nazis. They feared that they were going to loose this important person who had just lifted their life. Fearing this change wasn't the best thing that they could have done, if instead they had just gone with this change realising that he would have to leave him at some point would have maximised their time with max. My visual representation illustrates that change can be percieved in two different ways leading you down two completely different paths. If you see the massive change of being diagnosed with cancer in a more accepting light, you will head down the positive path. Although if you see this change as something your stuck with and nothing can help you and you wont let anything of anyone help you, you are pushing this change away and not accepting it. By doing this you are more than definitely not going to help yourself and will head down the negative path. My visual representation explores how just by changing your attitude towards the change, the outcome can vary massivly.

Essay on a disease ( OBESITY) Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On a disease ( OBESITY) - Essay Example He has been battling this disease since his teens and by age fifteen he was 23 pounds overweight and by thirty he was 45 pounds in excess of what his normal weight should have been. Brett was not skinny as a kid but just a regular chubby guy and like all kids adored sweets and junk food, and as an only child he was indulged in both. Not that this may have been the only cause, since both his parents were also on the heavy side, not exactly obese but definitely generously proportioned and quite alien to the concept of healthy food and exercise. From a chubby kid Brett morphed into a fat pre-teen and soon into an obese teenager. Through the years he has tried various diets, exercise regimes and numerous weight loss products that have all guaranteed weight loss, but each time he failed and lost hope. In fact the constant yo-yo dieting and weight loss products have contributed to his weight gain and health problems. Obesity has not only caused him numerous physical problems like diabetes and sleep apnea, but this disease has mentally demolished him as well. Due to his weight stigma he became withdrawn as a teenager unable to deal with the constant ridicule and later a complete recluse, refusing even to attend family gatherings. Doctors again have been more of a hindrance than help due to their biased perceptions and weight stigma. Disease implies some form of physical failure, and is associated with some form of damage to the body, that is usually accompanied by suffering, or by death. Obesity easily fits all of these criterions as it produces malfunctions in many organ systems and structures, and leads to inexpressible misery, and results in large number of deaths. Obesity actually is the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue2 i.e. body fat to such an extent that it causes health difficulties. There are many causes for obesity like genetic and hormonal problems,

Gettysburg (1993), directed by Ron Maxwell Movie Review

Gettysburg (1993), directed by Ron Maxwell - Movie Review Example Raiding each other was also a major contributor to the fighting. None of the troops were willing to surrender hence the retaliation to any form of attack was to fight back. Some of the reasons that they fight about are as simple as shoe supplies. It is witnessed in the movie that Brigadier General John Burford’s cavalry engages with Henry Heth’s troop that had organized a move into Gettysburg to restock their depleted shoe supply (Maxwel, 1993). The other reason for the fighting was to ensure that the union never took any part of Gettysburg; every effort had to be made to ensure that advances of enemy troops towards Gettysburg were seen from a far and dealt with accordingly. The fighting was further for the purpose of taking or conquering new areas such as the â€Å"Devil’s Den†. The army had to fight to ensure they took control of the key grounds that would work to their advantage when it came to war, therefore, fighting was paramount in ensuring all the important area were under the army. Each head of a cavalry had their own role to play. The roles ultimately comprehended one another so that the entire army could be firmly held together under the same strong pillars. Major General JEB Stuart’s cavalry was recognized as the eyes of the army and when it decides to go on a raid without informing the rest of the army, it leaves the entire operation in danger of failing (Maxwel, 1993). Conflict sometimes develops between the confederate generals and the confederate soldiers due to the difference in opinion concerning the way forward during the war. The generals feel that they cannot accommodate whatever the soldiers try to offer are they are driven by the assumption that the soldiers are only meant to listen to orders and execute them rather than having a role to play in the formation of war tactics. There is also struggle between the generals and the soldiers as some of them refuse to take part in their duties,

Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 39

Art - Essay Example Lithographic images, unlike etching processes, may utilize stone plates in addition to those made of metal as long as the surface is initially smooth. These characteristics are due to the process adding to the base material, rather than removing it as occurs in etchings. Lithographic presses work by evenly pressing ink against a roughened base surface on which an image has been crafted using polymers. The desire to unite these tools has fueled research in a range of fields, including physics (Adalsteinsson & Sethian, 1997). Monotyping and monoprinting are very similar processes, as both are defined by the creation of a sole image source that can only be used to print a limited number of unique images. The main difference between the techniques is that monoprints can be reused, while images on monotyping source materials are impermanent and deteriorate after a couple of uses at most. Monoprinting can be used to produce many images, but the guide is altered with every pressing, guaranteeing the inability to massively duplicate an identical image from a single monoprint plate. The concepts of scale and proportion are easily confused because they both relate to size (Mag Uidher, 2012), but the differences are clear enough to warrant more attention than they have typically been afforded. Scale describes the size of an object as it compares to a separate item of reference. The human body is a common frame of reference for size, but the possibilities for comparison are virtually endless. In contrast, proportion is the relative size of the parts of an image as they compare to the whole. For example, the size of an eye can appear different based on the size of the entire face. This form of referencing is different than scale judgements because it does not depend on the use of an independent image. In visual art, representation refers to the role of direct symbolic

DuPont divests Conoco Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

DuPont divests Conoco - Case Study Example The divestiture should be made from a financial perspective and not arbitrarily in order to create more vaule for the firm by breaking the firm into more pieces. Considerations must be made to analyze what effect a carve-out could have on the company? What effect could a spin-off have on the company? What effect could an asset sale have on the company? All these options must be considered in relation to market, firm return and net return. The main benefit of divestiture is the production of wealth for the parent company. Historically the divestiture of a company has caused a positive Net Present Value (NPV) based on the size of the company based on â€Å"Takeovers, Restructuring and Corporate Governance†. â€Å"Alchian and Demsetz (1972) and Jensen and Meckling (1976) suggest one reason why corporate divestitures might create wealth. If the divestitures improve managerial incentives or better enable shareholders to monitor managerial performance, then the separation of a corporation into different pieces can improve the efficiency of operations and thereby increase the combined value of the assets.†

How Personal Can Ethics Get Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

How Personal Can Ethics Get - Essay Example Personal differences and preferences can impart a negative impact on organizational ethics, especially if it is up on the hierarchical level. Favoritism and Partiality has forever been known for violation of equal rights – a policy that most organizations carry on their sleeves. If an executive practices partiality in his/her choices of human resource, it not only affects the morale of the competitor individual but also diminishes the overall efficiency of the organization knowing a suitable candidate was rejected for a project against an incapable one. Additionally, this will also demoralize other employees of the organization, knowing that the system for their career growth is corrupt by personal biases. If this partiality is backed by personal gains (monetary or otherwise) on behalf of the executive, it further deteriorates the organizational relationships – the employees tend to be uninterested in company decisions, disloyal towards the organization and low- perform ed. Turnover rate can also be expected to be higher than normal for such an organization. Also, it can be expected that such an organization will dissolve rapidly into non-existence. Business operations therefore strictly require the setting aside of personal differences and working in collaboration for common organizational goals. Ethics play a vital role in organizations and organizational commitments on behalf of employees. Ethics, if practiced properly, can guarantee organizational prosperity. This is because ethical environment ensures safeguard of employee rights, allowing them to concentrate on their jobs and prove to be productive members of the organization. The employees will be less pressurized to compromise their own ethics and values, making them comfortable and satisfied in their jobs. It will promote equality among all employees, controlling misconduct and sycophancy naturally. An employee will possess greater willingness to report misconduct, if any, knowing the organization will take appropriate actions against it. The employees will feel valued by the organization for their actual worth (Rhoden). Organizational procedures and policies reflect the ethical system of that organization. In most organizations, the code of conduct and policies are well-written pieces of deep-rooted ethics. However, in reality, these tend to be practiced solely on the surface. Same is the situation with the organization in the case study – Wisson possesses elegant and well-written organizational policies, which Valarie (the marketing manager of Wisson) later discovers are not adequately practiced. As vital as the clause for bribes and personal payments was being violated by Valarie’s boss, Waters. Such practices pose serious threats to organizational and personal ethics, creating a conflict between the two. As person-job fit is emphasized in most management guidelines, the importance of person-organization fit is now being increasingly recognized. If a person’s personal ethics and values are not in peace with the organization’s ethics, serious issues can arise in the for m of ethical dilemmas, greatly hampering one’s capability to perform. In the case under investigation, Valarie was undergoing the same ethical dilemmas posed by improper person-organization fit. She was a staunch believer of equal opportunities for all and widespread competition being healthy for

Minimum Test Battery for Assessing CANS Function Essay

Minimum Test Battery for Assessing CANS Function - Essay Example The following general points should be considered when choosing tests to assess CANS. The sensitivity of central auditory tests is important and can be determined by testing patients with well-defined lesions of the central auditory nervous system (CANS). Using a decision matrix model, the test results from these patients can be analyzed in reference to scores (Musiek 81-82). Test selection should be guided by the intended use of the results. Specific tests may be preferred for differential diagnosis and monitoring disease progression or recovery, whereas other tests may be used to reveal functional deficits, to guide intervention planning, and to determine counseling efforts. There should also be a careful consideration of the population for testing (Katz, Stecker & Henderson 12-44). The various populations for central testing should be divided into categories. This will enhance overall test efficiency because the best tests for a target population can be used. Therefore, the test b atteries for assessing CAPD are presented under several categories (Stapells & Oates, 257-280). The auditory test batteries that are used to assess CANS function or dysfunction as the case may be, falls into two major categories: Behavioral tests and Electrophysiological tests. The behavioral tests are usually divided into four subcategories: monaural low-redundancy speech tests, dichotic speech tests, temporal patterning tests, and binaural interaction tests (Picton 225). The selection of tests will depend upon a number of factors, including the age of the individual being assessed, the specific auditory difficulties the individual displays, the individual’s native language, and cognitive status, and so forth. Electrophysiological tests are measures of the brains response to sounds (Blattner et al 179-183).

Humanities-issues in science and societies 3b Essay

Humanities-issues in science and societies 3b - Essay Example Notably, the cost of the GM seed is twice or thrice the cost of the non-biotech seeds. Nevertheless, it is evident that the adoption of this biotechnology is by far high in industrialized countries than in the developing ones. Research indicates that almost 91% of the global fields planted by the GM seeds are concentrated in six foremost industrialized countries. They include Canada, Argentina, United States of America, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Further analysis shows that, USA alone contributes to 54% of the total GM food supply worldwide while the rest countries generate a total of 80%. There are several factors have contributed to this disparity and; therefore, the case presented is more likely to dominate unless otherwise stated (Miller & Lentz 240). Therefore, this paper seeks to show how political agendas in the untapped markets, problematic stands and uncertainties in health, high economic costs, and uncertainties in markets contribute to the disparity in GM seeds sold to industrialized countries and developing countries. It has been of considerable concern on the level industrialized countries have taken the privilege in exploiting the potential grounds in developing countries. Inadequate resources hinder the development of bio-technology in the developing countries. This hindrance is also as a result of inadequate transparency on the significance and the stages of implementing GM food production methods. A close observation of Africa, for instance, forms the basis of these politically inclined agendas. As a result of severe drought and resilience of the pests, the international corporations have strongly indulged in claiming eminent ability of crop yields in these zones. In the course of implementing this system of food production, there emerges opposition even when these corporations are willing to donate them (Koch & Askeland 180). Private companies and other foundation are in the hype of

Bystander Behavior and Concepts Essay Example for Free

Bystander Behavior and Concepts Essay Research reveals that the feeling of guilt can spur on the behaviour of helping. For instance, a survivor of a terrorist attack may be guilty of going to assist others. Lack of Personal Relationship Ideally, bystanders are more likely to assist when the know the person. In the case of emergency, people in the problem people may make personalized response even if strangers are keeping a distance. The bystanders’ presence in the scene of emergency limits the likelihood of any person will display any response to assist in violence. Schouml;llnberger, Mitchel, Redpath, Crawford-Brown Hofmann, (2007) notes that contrary to common sense, there is no safety in bystander in the presence of the bystander because they see and assume someone else will take responsibility. Both social norm and diffusion explanations predict a reduction in helping behaviour when a bystander is present. Pro-Social BehaviourThe psychological foundations of the pro-social behaviour are beneficial for doing my further research in my field of study. Besides, it can also assist me achieve my educational, criminal justice and social work in line of profession. More importantly, the theoretical understanding with practical implications can assist me in improving my health and philanthropy. The concept teaches the principles of help, sharing and giving that are all important for social relationships and assisting and being of benefit for one another in the society and finally feel good. Social Norms The principle of the social norm argues that people use other people’s actions to decide on when to help. Learning and understanding the social norms in the society will help me develop moral behaviour and learn how to make curate decisions. Making wiser choices is important for life developments and benefits of decisions. Humanism Humanistic psychology refers to a psychological perspective that major on the study of a person referred to as holism. The approach argues that the behavior of an individual is connected to his inner self-image and feelings. According to the humanistic perspective, every individual is unique and individual and is at liberty to change his or her lives at any moment. Because of the center view of the person or her or his personal, subjective perception and experiences of the world, the humanists argue that the scientific methods are inappropriate to study the behaviour. The most influential theory of holism is the cognitive theory (Schouml;llnberger, Mitchel, Redpath, Crawford-Brown Hofmann, 2007). The theory is relevant to my current and future life. Besides, the theory revolves around the studying of the mental process of acquiring knowledge. Since it deals with the perception attention and memory, it will help me achieve and maintain general healthy lifestyle. The theory can be use d to analyze mental illness hence providing healthy lifestyle. Behaviorist Perspective Behaviorists view people as controlled by the environment. Besides, it mentions that we are the result of what we have learnt in our environment. The perspective is important for learning how stimuli affect observable behaviour. The perspective highlights operant conditioning in which people learn from consequences and classical conditioning in which people learn by association. The perspective is beneficial for getting better academic and life grades. Understanding the concepts of learning will assist me achieve better learning procedures for justifying better grades. Reference Schouml;llnberger, H., Mitchel, R. E. J., Redpath, J. L., Crawford-Brown, D. J., Hofmann, W. (November 01, 2007). Detrimental and Protective Bystander Effects: A Model Approach. Radiation Research, 168, 5, 614-626. Source document

Alcohol abuse Essay Example for Free

Alcohol abuse Essay Alcohol is absorbed from all parts of the gastrointestinal tract largely by simple diffusion into the blood. However the small intestine is by far the most efficient region of the gastrointestinal tract for alcohol absorption because of its very large surface area. In a fasting individual, it is generally agreed that 10% to 20% of a dose of alcohol is absorbed from the stomach (the volume of alcohol affects the absorption) and 75% to 80% is absorbed from the small intestine. Because of this peak blood alcohol concentrations are achieved in fasting people within 0. 5 to 2. 0 hours, (average 0. 75 1. 35 hours depending upon dose and time of last meal) while non-fasting people exhibit peak alcohol concentrations within 1. 0, and in extreme cases up to as much as 4. 0 hours (average 1. 06 2. 12 hours). Because it is distributed so quickly and thoroughly the alcohol can affect the central nervous system even in small concentrations. In low concentrations, alcohol reduces inhibitions. As blood alcohol concentration increases, a persons response to stimuli decreases markedly, speech becomes slurred, and he or she becomes unsteady and has trouble walking. With very high concentrations greater than 0. 35 grams/100 milliliters of blood (equivalent to 0. 35 grams/210 liters of breath ) a person can become comatose and die. The American Medical Association has defined the blood alcohol concentration level of impairment for all people to be 0. 04 grams/100 milliliters of blood (equivalent to . 04 grams/210 liters of breath). The following is a generally accepted guide to the effects of alcohol. Distribution Alcohol has a high affinity for water and is therefore found in body tissues and fluids inasmuch as they contain water. Absorbed alcohol is rapidly carried throughout the body in the blood and once absorption of alcohol is complete an equilibrium occurs such that blood at all points in the system contains approximately the same concentration of alcohol. Elimination The liver is responsible for the elimination through metabolism of 95% of ingested alcohol from the body. The remainder of the alcohol is eliminated through excretion of alcohol in breath, urine, sweat, feces, milk and saliva. The body uses several different metabolic pathways in its oxidation of alcohol to acetaldehyde to acetic acid to carbon dioxide and water. Healthy people metabolize alcohol at a fairly consistent rate. As a rule of thumb, a person will eliminate one average drink or . 5 oz (15 ml) of alcohol per hour. Several factors influence this rate. The rate of elimination tends to be higher when the blood alcohol concentration in the body is very high. Also chronic alcoholics may (depending on liver health) metabolize alcohol at a significantly higher rate than the average. Finally, the bodys ability to metabolize alcohol quickly tend to diminish with age. Body Weight and Body Type In general, the less you weigh the more you will be affected by a given amount of alcohol. As detailed above, alcohol has a high affinity for water. Basically ones blood alcohol concentration is a function of the total amount of alcohol in ones system divided by total body water. So for two individuals with similar body compositions and different weights, the larger individual will achieve lower alcohol concentrations than the smaller one if ingesting the same amount of alcohol. However, for people of the same weight, a well muscled individual will be less affected than someone with a higher percentage of fat since fatty tissue does not contain very much water and will not absorb very much alcohol. Rate Of Consumption Blood alcohol concentration depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and the rate at which the users body metabolizes alcohol. Because the body metabolizes alcohol at a fairly constant rate (somewhat more quickly at higher and lower alcohol concentrations), ingesting alcohol at a rate higher than the rate of elimination results in a cumulative effect and an increasing blood alcohol concentration. Alcohol Content Its not how many drinks that you have, but how much alcohol that you consume. The concentration of the drinks that one ingest can have a slight effect on the peak alcohol concentration due to the differences in absorption rate of different concentrations of alcohol. Alcohol is most rapidly absorbed when the concentration of the drink is between 10% and 30%. Below 10% the concentration gradient in the gastrointestinal tract is low and slows absorption and the added volumes of liquid involved slow gastric emptying. On the other hand concentrations higher than 30% tend to irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and the pyloric sphincter, causing increased secretion of mucous and delayed gastric emptying. Food Food taken along with alcohol results in a lower, delayed blood alcohol concentration peak (the point of greatest intoxication). There are two major factors involved in this phenomenon. First, because alcohol is absorbed most efficiently in the small intestine, the ingestion of food can slow down the absorption of alcohol into ones system. The pyloric valve at the bottom of the stomach will close in order to hold food in the stomach for digestion and thus keep the alcohol from reaching the small intestine. While alcohol will be absorbed from the stomach it is a slower and less efficient transition. Second and equally important is the fact that alcohol elimination rates are inversely proportional to alcohol concentration in the blood. Therefore the suppressed levels of alcohol due to food ingestion cause the body to eliminate the alcohol that is absorbed at a faster rate. The type of food ingested (carbohydrate, fat, protein) has not been shown to have a measurable influence on this affect but the larger the meal and closer in time between eating and drinking, the greater the diminution of peak alcohol concentration. Studies have shown reductions in peak alcohol concentration (as opposed to those of a fasting individual under otherwise similar circumstances) of 9% to 23%. Medication If you are taking any medication, it could increase the effects of alcohol. You should always consult your physician or the medical information that accompanies the medication when drinking alcohol in conjunction with any medication. Fatigue Fatigue causes many of the same symptoms that are caused by alcohol intoxication. These and other symptoms will be amplified if alcohol intoxication is concurrent with fatigue. Tolerance Tolerance is the diminution of the effectiveness of a drug after a period of prolonged or heavy use of that drug or a related drug (cross-tolerance). There are at least two types of tolerance at work with alcohol. The first is metabolic tolerance in which the alcohol is metabolized at a higher rate (up to two times as quickly) in chronic users. Because of the higher metabolic rate for alcohol lower peak blood alcohol concentrations are achieved by chronic alcohol users than the average drinker when the same amount of alcohol is ingested. The second is functional tolerance in which there is an actual change in the organ or systems sensitivity to the drug. Studies have shown that chronic alcohol users can have twice the tolerance for alcohol as an average person. It is important to note however that even in light of these tolerance factors, it has been shown conclusively that even in heavy alcohol users functional impairment is clearly measurable at the blood alcohol concentration levels that are currently used for traffic law enforcement and safety sensitive job performance. Gender Differences As outlined above in the section on Body Weight and Body Type different body types coincide with different body water percentages. In general, but by no means in all cases, women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and thus a lower percentage of body water. Therefore, in general, if a man and a woman of the same weight ingest the same amount of alcohol the woman will tend to achieve a higher alcohol concentration. This, of course, would not be true if the woman was very fit and the man was somewhat obese, but on average, this is the case. Furthermore, total body water tends to decrease with age, so an older person will also be more affected by the same amount of alcohol. According to the table below the differences in alcohol concentration due to average body composition differences based on gender would be between 16% and 10% depending on age. ________________________________________ Average Total Body Water as a function of Sex and Age AgeMaleFemale 18 to 4061%52% over 6051%46% ________________________________________ Another gender based difference is in the elimination of alcohol. Although not explained, studies appear to show that women eliminate alcohol from their bodies at a rate 10% greater than that of men. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) and alcohol abuse are two different forms of problem drinking. †¢Alcoholism is when you have signs of physical addiction to alcohol and continues to drink, despite problems with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. Alcohol may control your life and relationships. †¢Alcohol abuse is when your drinking leads to problems, but not physical addiction. Causes, incidence, and risk factors There is no known cause of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes and how they work are not known. How much you drink can influence your chances of becoming dependent. Those at risk for developing alcoholism include: †¢Men who have 15 or more drinks a week †¢Women who have 12 or more drinks a week †¢Anyone who has five or more drinks per occasion at least once a week One drink is defined as a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor. You have an increased risk for alcohol abuse and dependence if you have a parent with alcoholism. You may also be more likely to abuse alcohol or become dependent if you: †¢Are a young adult under peer pressure †¢Have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia †¢Have easy access to alcohol †¢Have low self-esteem †¢Have problems with relationships †¢Live a stressful lifestyle †¢Live in a culture alcohol use is more common and accepted Alcohol abuse is rising. Around 1 out of 6 people in the world have a drinking problem. Symptoms People who have alcoholism or alcohol abuse often: †¢Continue to drink, even when health, work, or family are being harmed †¢Drink alone. †¢Become violent when drinking †¢Become hostile when asked about drinking †¢Are not able to control drinking being unable to stop or reduce alcohol intake †¢Make excuses to drink †¢Miss work or school, or have a decrease in performance because of drinking †¢Stop taking part in activities because of alcohol †¢Need to use alcohol on most days to get through the day †¢Neglect to eat or eat poorly †¢Do not care about or ignore how they dress or whether they are clean †¢Try to hide alcohol use †¢Shake in the morning or after periods when they have not a drink Symptoms of alcohol dependence include: †¢Memory lapses after heavy drinking †¢Needing more and more alcohol to feel drunk †¢Alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you havent had a drink for a while †¢Alcohol-related illnesses such as alcoholic liver disease Signs and tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical and family history, including use of alcohol. The following questions are used by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence: †¢Do you ever drive when you have been drinking? †¢Do you have to drink more than before to get drunk or feel the desired effect? †¢Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking? †¢Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking? †¢Have you ever missed work or lost a job because of drinking? †¢Is someone in your family worried about your drinking? Tests that may be done include: †¢Blood alcohol level (this can tell whether someone has recently been drinking alcohol, but it does not necessarily confirm alcoholism) †¢Complete blood count (CBC) †¢Liver function tests. †¢Magnesium blood test Medical Illness Associated With Chronic Alcohol Abuse DisorderIllness MetabolicAlcoholic ketoacidosis, alcoholic hypoglycemia, water and salt disorders NeurologicChronic problems with thinking such as Wernickes encephalopathy and Korsakoffs psychosis, alcoholic cerebellar degeneration, and central pontine myelinolysis leading to problems walking and other motor activities, acute and chronic dementia, alcoholic peripheral neuropathy MuscularAcute and chronic alcoholic muscle weakness. GastrointestinalFatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic pancreatitis, poor pancreatic function, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal carcinoma, erosive gastritis, chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, esophageal varices leading to bleeding into the GI tract Metabolic-endocrineHigh cholesterol, high levels of uric acid, low testosterone levels, impotence, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, irregular menstrual periods, reversible Cushings syndrome BloodAnemia due to poor production of blood cells or slow intestinal bleeding, poor white cell production, destruction of platelets, blood too thin to clot properly. CardiacDecreased cardiac function, arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure PulmonaryIncreased incidence of pneumonia, increased incidence of tuberculosis OtherIncreased incidence of severe intestinal infections, fetal alcohol syndrome, vitamin deficiency syndromes, trauma, sexual dysfunction, insomnia Social Problems Associated With Alcohol Abuse Accidental death and injury50% of fatal car crashes 25-fold increased risk of falls or drowning 50% of fire-related burns or deaths 20% to 30% of trauma seen in emergency rooms. CrimeFrequently involved in violent crime SuicideInvolved in up to 35% of suicides Economic cost$148 billion annually (estimated); 15% for health care and treatment OtherAssociated with increased rates of spouse or child abuse and increased spread of sexually transmitted diseases Treatment Completely stopping the use of alcohol is the ideal goal of treatment. This is called abstinence. A strong social network and family support are important in achieving this. Completely stopping and avoiding alcohol is difficult for many people with alcoholism. There will be times when it is difficult. You should aim to avoid drinking for as long as possible. Some people who abuse alcohol may be able to simply reduce the amount they drink. This is called drinking in moderation. If this method does not work, you should try to quit drinking completely. DECIDING TO QUIT Many people with alcohol problems do not recognize when their drinking gets out of hand. The ideal approach to treatment is to help the person realize how much their alcohol use is harming their life and those around them. Studies find that more people with alcohol problems opt for treatment when their family members or employers are honest with them about their concerns, and try to help them see that drinking is preventing them from reaching their goals. Withdrawal from alcohol is best done in a controlled, supervised setting. Complications from withdrawal can be life threatening. For more information, see: Alcohol withdrawal Your health care provider should order blood and urine tests to check for health problems that are common in people who abuse alcohol. LONG-TERM SUPPORT Alcohol recovery or support programs can help you stop drinking completely. These programs usually offer: †¢Counseling and therapy to discuss alcoholism and its effects and how to control your thoughts and behaviors †¢Mental health support †¢Medical care You may be treated in a special recovery center (inpatient), or you may attend a program while you live at home (outpatient). Medications are sometimes prescribed to prevent you from drinking again. †¢Acamprosate is a drug that has been shown to lower relapse rates in those who are alcohol dependent. †¢Disulfiram (Antabuse) produces very unpleasant side effects if you drink even a small amount of alcohol within 2 weeks after taking the drug. †¢Naltrexone (Vivitrol) decreases alcohol cravings. It is available in an injectable form. You cannot take these medications if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. The medications are often used with long-term treatment with counseling or support groups. Depression or other mood or anxiety disorders may be noticed after you stop drinking. These should be promptly treated. It is important that the patient has a living situation that supports their need to avoid alcohol. Some programs offer housing options for people with alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Support Groups Support groups are available to help people who are dealing with alcoholism. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a self-help group of recovering alcoholics that offers emotional support and specific steps for people recovering from alcohol dependence. The program is commonly called a 12-step approach. There are local chapters throughout the United States. AA offers help 24 hours a day and teaches that it is possible to participate in social functions without drinking. AL-ANON Family members of a person with an alcohol abuse problem often need counseling. Al-Anon is a support group for partners and others who are affected by someone elses alcoholism. Alateen provides support for teenage children of people with alcoholism. OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS Several other support groups are available. †¢SMART recovery teaches you have to change your thoughts and behaviors to help people with alcoholism recover. †¢LifeRing recovery and SOS are two nonreligious programs that offer support for people with alcohol abuse. †¢Women for Sobriety is a self-help group just for women. Moderation Management is a program for those who want to reduce how much they drink. It recommends abstinence for people who cannot do this. Expectations (prognosis) How well a person with alcoholism or alcohol abuse does depends on whether or not they can stop drinking. Alcoholism is a major social, economic, and public health problem. Problem drinking can affect every part of a persons life. If you have an alcohol problem, abstinence can help improve your mental and physical health and possibly, your relationships. Treatment programs can help you quit. However, drinking again after treatment is common. It is important to have a good support system. Complications Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can increase your risk of many health problems, including: †¢Bleeding in the digestive tract †¢Brain cell damage †¢Brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome †¢Cancer of the esophagus, liver, colon, and other areas †¢Changes in the menstrual cycle (period) †¢Delirium tremens (DTs) †¢Dementia and memory loss †¢Depression and suicide †¢Erectile dysfunction †¢Heart damage †¢High blood pressure. †¢Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) †¢Liver disease, including cirrhosis †¢Nerve damage †¢Poor nutrition †¢Sleeping problems (insomnia) Alcohol use also increases your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and violence. Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can lead to severe birth defects in the baby. Prevention The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends: †¢Women should not drink more than 1 drink per day †¢Men should not drink more than 2 drinks per day One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1? ounces of liquor.