Zoe’s Tale PART III Chapter Twenty-Four

I entered the storage deck of the other Obin ship. â€Å"So this is the human who has an entire race to do her bidding,† said the Consu waiting there for me. It was the only place on the Obin ship where he would fit, I guessed. I smiled in spite of myself. â€Å"You laugh at me,† the Consu said. It spoke perfect English, and in a light, gentle voice, which was weird considering how much it looked like a large and savagely angry insect. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said. â€Å"It's just that it's the second time in a day that someone's said that to me.† â€Å"Well,† the Consu said. It unfolded itself in a way that made me want to run screaming in the other direction, and from somewhere inside its body a creepily humanlike arm and hand beckoned to me. â€Å"Come and let me get a look at you.† I took one step forward and then had a very difficult time with the next step. â€Å"You asked for me, human,† the Consu said. I developed a spine and walked over to the Consu. It touched and prodded me with its smaller arms, while its giant slashing arms, the ones the Consu used to decapitate enemies in combat, hovered on either side of me, at just about head level. I managed not to completely lose it. â€Å"Yes, well,† the Consu said, and I heard something like disappointment in its voice. â€Å"There's nothing particularly special about you, is there? Physically. Is there something special about you mentally?† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"I'm just me.† â€Å"We're all just ourselves,† the Consu said, and folded itself back into its self, much to my relief. â€Å"That is axiomatic. What is it about you that makes hundreds of Obin allow themselves to die to get to me, is what I am asking.† I felt sick again. â€Å"You said that hundreds of Obin died to bring you to me?† â€Å"Oh, yes,† the Consu said. â€Å"Your pets surrounded my ship with their own and tried to board it. The ship killed everyone that tried. They remained persistent and finally I became curious. I allowed one to board the ship and it told me that you had demanded the Obin convince the Consu to help you. I wanted to see for myself what sort of creature could so casually demand this, and could cause the Obin to fulfill it at such a cost to themselves.† It looked at me again curiously. â€Å"You appear upset,† it said. â€Å"I'm thinking about the Obin who died,† I said. â€Å"They did what you asked of them,† the Consu said, with a bored tone. â€Å"You didn't have to kill so many of them,† I said. â€Å"Your pets didn't have to offer up so many to sacrifice,† said the Consu. â€Å"And yet they did. You seem stupid so I will explain this to you. Your pets, to the extent that they can think, did this intelligently. The Consu will not speak to the Obin for their own behalf. We answered their questions long ago and it does not interest us to speak further on the subject.† â€Å"But you spoke to the Obin,† I said. â€Å"I am dying,† the Consu said. â€Å"I am on† – and here the Consu made a noise that sounded like a tractor falling down a hill – â€Å"the death journey that Consu prepared to move forward are permitted if in this life they have proven worthy. Consu on this journey may do as they please, including speaking to proscribed creatures, and may if asked appropriately grant a final boon. Your pets have spied on the Consu for decades – we were aware of this but did nothing about it – and knew the route of the death journey and knew the ceremonial ships those on the journey travel in. Your pets understood this was the only way they could talk to us. And your pets knew what it would require to interest me or any Consu enough to hear them. You should have known this when you made your demand.† â€Å"I didn't,† I said. â€Å"Then you are foolish, human,† the Consu said. â€Å"If I were inclined to feel sorry for the Obin, I would do so because they had wasted their effort and diverted me from my journey on the behalf of someone so ignorant of the cost. But I do not feel sorry for them. They at least knew the cost, and willingly paid it. Now. You will either tell me how you demand I help you, or I will go and your pets' deaths will have truly been for nothing.† â€Å"I need help to save my colony,† I said, and forced myself to focus. â€Å"My friends and family are there and are under threat of attack. It is a small colony and not able to defend itself. The Colonial Union will not help us. The Obin are not allowed to help us. The Consu have technology that could help us. I ask for your help.† â€Å"You said ‘ask,'† the Consu said. â€Å"Your pets said ‘demand.'† â€Å"I demanded help from the Obin because I knew I could,† I said. â€Å"I am asking you.† â€Å"I do not care about your colony or you,† the Consu said. â€Å"You just said that as part of your death journey you can grant a boon,† I said. â€Å"This could be it.† â€Å"It may be that my boon was to the Obin, in speaking to you,† the Consu said. I blinked at this. â€Å"How would it be a boon to them just to speak to me if you won't at least think of helping me?† I said. â€Å"Then it would be you who wasted their sacrifice and effort.† â€Å"That is my choice,† the Consu said. â€Å"The Obin understood that in making the sacrifice the answer might be ‘no.' This is another thing they understand that you don't.† â€Å"I know there is a lot I don't understand here,† I said. â€Å"I can see that. I'm sorry. But I still need help for my family and friends.† â€Å"How many family and friends?† the Consu said. â€Å"My colony has twenty-five hundred people,† I said. â€Å"A similar number of Obin died in order to bring me here,† the Consu said. â€Å"I didn't know that would happen,† I said. â€Å"I wouldn't have asked for that.† â€Å"Is that so?† the Consu said. It shifted its bulk and drew in toward me. I didn't back away. â€Å"I don't believe you, human. You are foolish and you are ignorant, that much is clear. Yet I cannot believe that even you did not understand what you were asking the Obin for when you asked them to come to us for your sake. You demanded help from the Obin because you could. And because you could you did not ask the cost. But you had to have known the cost would be high.† I didn't know what to say to that. The Consu drew back and seemed to regard me, like it might an amusing insect. â€Å"Your capriciousness and callousness with the Obin interests me,† it said. â€Å"And so does the fact that the Obin are willing to give of themselves for your whims despite your lack of care for them.† I said something I knew I was going to regret, but I couldn't help myself. The Consu was doing a really excellent job of pushing my buttons. â€Å"That's a funny thing coming from someone from the race that gave the Obin intelligence but no consciousness,† I said. â€Å"As long as we're talking about capriciousness and callousness.† â€Å"Ah. Yes, that's right,† the Consu said. â€Å"The Obin told me this. You're the child of the human who made the machines that let the Obin play at consciousness.† â€Å"They don't play at it,† I said. â€Å"They have it.† â€Å"And it is a terrible thing that they do,† the Consu said. â€Å"Consciousness is a tragedy. It leads the whole race away from perfection, causes it to fritter its efforts on individual and wasteful effort. Our lives as Consu are spent learning to free our race from the tyranny of self, to move beyond ourselves and in doing so move our race forward. It is why we help you lesser races along, so you may also free yourselves in time.† I bit my cheek at this bit. The Consu would sometimes come down to a human colony, wipe it and everyone in it off the face of their planet, and then wait for the Colonial Defense Forces to come and fight them. It was a game to the Consu, as far as any of us could see. To say that they were doing it for our benefit was perverse, to say the least. But I was here to ask for help, not debate morals. I had already been baited once. I didn't dare let it happen again. The Consu continued, oblivious to my personal struggles. â€Å"What you humans have done to the Obin makes a mockery of their potential,† it said. â€Å"We created the Obin to be the best among us all, the one race without consciousness, the one race free to pursue its destiny as a race from its first steps. The Obin were meant to be what we aspired to. To see them aspire to consciousness is to see a creature that can fly aspire to wallow in mud. Your father did the Obin no favors, human, in hobbling them with consciousness.† I stood there for a minute, amazed that this Consu would tell me, in seemingly casual conversation, things that the Obin had sacrificed half their number for so many years ago but were never allowed to hear. The Consu waited patiently for my response. â€Å"The Obin would disagree,† I said. â€Å"And so would I.† â€Å"Of course you would,† the Consu said. â€Å"Their love of their consciousness is what makes them willing to do the ridiculous for you. That and the fact that they choose to honor you for something that your father did, even though you had no hand in it. This blindness and honor is convenient to you. It is what you use to get them to do what you want. You don't prize their consciousness for what it gives them. You prize it for what it allows you to do to them.† â€Å"That's not true,† I said. â€Å"Indeed,† said the Consu, and I could hear the mocking tone in its voice. It shifted its weight again. â€Å"Very well, human. You have asked me to help you. Perhaps I will. I can provide you with a boon, one the Consu may not refuse. But this boon is not free. It comes with a cost attached.† â€Å"What cost?† I said. â€Å"I want to be entertained first,† the Consu said. â€Å"So I offer you this bargain. You have among you several hundred Obin. Select one hundred of them in any way you choose. I will ask the Consu to send one hundred of our own – convicts, sinners, and others who have strayed from the path and would be willing to attempt redemption. We will set them at each other, to the death. â€Å"In the end, one side will have a victory. If it is yours, then I will help you. If it is mine, I will not. And then, having been sufficiently amused, I will be on my way, to continue my death journey. I will call to the Consu now. Let us say that in eight of your hours we will start this entertainment. I trust that will be enough time for you to prepare your pets.† â€Å"We will have no problem finding a hundred volunteers among the Obin,† Dock said to me. It and I were in the conference room General Gau had lent me. Hickory and Dickory stood outside the door to make sure we weren't disturbed. â€Å"I will have the volunteers ready for you within the hour.† â€Å"Why didn't you tell me how the Obin planned to get the Consu to me?† I asked. â€Å"The Consu here told me that hundreds of Obin died to get him here. Why didn't you warn me that would happen?† â€Å"I did not know how we would choose to try to get the Consu's attention,† Dock said. â€Å"I sent along your requirement, along with my own assent. I was not a participant in making the choice.† â€Å"But you knew this could happen,† I said. â€Å"As a member of the Council I know that we have had the Consu under observation, and that there had been plans to find ways to talk to them again,† Dock said. â€Å"I knew this was one of them.† â€Å"Why didn't you tell me?† I said. â€Å"I told you that attempting to speak to the Consu would come at a high cost,† Dock said. â€Å"This was the cost. At the time, the cost did not seem too high for you.† â€Å"I didn't know that it would mean that hundreds of Obin would die,† I said. â€Å"Or that they would just keep throwing themselves into a Consu firing line until the Consu got curious enough to stop. If I had known I would have asked you to try something else.† â€Å"Given what you required us to do and the time in which we had to do it, there was nothing else,† Dock said. It came to me and opened up its hands, like it was trying to make me see something important. â€Å"Please understand, Zoe. We had been planning to petition a Consu on its death journey for a long time now, and for our own reasons. It was one of the reasons we were able to fulfill your requirement at all. Everything was already in place.† â€Å"But it was my order that killed them,† I said. â€Å"It is not your fault that the Consu required their deaths,† Dock said. â€Å"The Obin who were part of the mission had already known what was required to get the attention of the Consu. They were already committed to this task. Your request changed only the timing and the purpose of their mission. But those who participated did so willingly, and understood the reason for doing it. It was their choice.† â€Å"They still did it because I didn't think about what I was asking,† I said. â€Å"They did it because you required our help,† Dock said. â€Å"They would have thought it an honor to do this for you. Just as those who will fight for you now will consider it an honor.† I looked at my hands, ashamed to look at Dock. â€Å"You said that you had already been planning to petition a Consu on its death journey,† I said. â€Å"What were you going to ask?† â€Å"For understanding,† Dock said. â€Å"To know why the Consu kept consciousness away from us. To know why they chose to punish us with its lack.† I looked up at that. â€Å"I know the answer,† I said, and told Dock what the Consu had told me about consciousness and why they chose not to give it to the Obin. â€Å"I don't know if that was the answer you were looking for,† I said. â€Å"But that's what this Consu told me.† Dock didn't say anything. I looked more closely at it, and I could see it was trembling. â€Å"Hey,† I said, and got up from my chair. â€Å"I didn't mean to upset you.† â€Å"I am not upset,† Dock said. â€Å"I am happy. You have given us answers to questions we have been asking since as long as our race has existed. Answers the Consu would not have given us themselves. Answers many of us would have given our lives for.† â€Å"Many of you did give your lives for them,† I said. â€Å"No,† Dock said. â€Å"They gave their lives to help you. There was no expectation of any compensation for the sacrifice. They did it because you required it. You did not have to give us anything in return. But you have given us this.† â€Å"You're welcome,† I said. I was getting embarrassed. â€Å"It's not a big thing. The Consu just told me. I just thought you should know.† â€Å"Consider, Zoe, that this thing that you just thought we should know was something that others would have seen as something to hold over us,† Dock said. â€Å"That they would have sold to us, or denied to us. You gave it freely.† â€Å"After I told you that I required your help and sent hundreds of Obin out to die,† I said, and sat back down. â€Å"Don't make me out to be a hero, Dock. It's not the way I feel right now.† â€Å"I am sorry, Zoe,† Dock said. â€Å"But if you will not be a hero, at least know that you are not a villain. You are our friend.† â€Å"Thank you, Dock,† I said. â€Å"That helps a little.† Dock nodded. â€Å"Now I must go to find the hundred volunteers you seek,† it said, â€Å"and to tell the Council what you have shared with me. Do not worry, Zoe. We will not disappoint you.† â€Å"This is what I have for you on short notice,† General Gau said. He swept an arm through the space station's immense cargo bay. â€Å"This part of the station is just newly constructed. We haven't actually used it for cargo yet. I think it'll suit your purposes.† I stared at the immensity of the space. â€Å"I think so,† I said. â€Å"Thank you, General.† â€Å"It's the least I could do,† General Gau said. â€Å"Considering how you've helped me just recently.† â€Å"Thank you for not holding the Consu invasion against me,† I said. â€Å"On the contrary, it's been a benefit,† Gau said. â€Å"It stopped the battle around the space station before it could get truly horrific. The traitor crews assumed I had called those ships for assistance. They surrendered before I could correct the impression. You helped me quash the rebellion before it could get started.† â€Å"You're welcome,† I said. â€Å"Thank you,† said Gau. â€Å"Now, of course, I would like them to go away. But it's my understanding that they're here to make sure we don't do anything foolish with our Consu guest while he's here. The ships are fighter drones, not even manned, but this is Consu technology. I don't imagine if they opened fire on us we'd stand much of a chance. So we have an enforced peace here at the moment. Since it works for me, not against me, I shouldn't complain.† â€Å"Have you found out any more about Nerbros Eser and what his plans are?† I asked. I didn't feel like thinking about the Consu anymore. â€Å"Yes,† Gau said. â€Å"Lernin has been quite forthcoming now that he's trying to avoid being executed for treason. It's been a wonderful motivator. He tells me that Eser plans to take Roanoke with a small force of soldiers. The idea there is to show that he can take with a hundred soldiers what I couldn't take with four hundred battle cruisers. But ‘take' is the wrong word for it, I'm afraid. Eser plans to destroy the colony and everyone in it.† â€Å"That was your plan too,† I reminded the general. He bobbed his head in what I assumed was an acknowledgment. â€Å"You know by now, I hope, that I would have much preferred not to have killed the colonists,† he said. â€Å"Eser does not intend to offer that option.† I skipped over that piece of data in my head. â€Å"When will he attack?† I asked. â€Å"Soon, I think,† Gau said. â€Å"Lernin doesn't think Eser has assembled his troops yet, but this failed assassination attempt is going to force him to move sooner than later.† â€Å"Great,† I said. â€Å"There's still time,† Gau said. â€Å"Don't give up hope yet, Zoe.† â€Å"I haven't,† I said. â€Å"But I've still got a lot on my mind.† â€Å"Have you found enough volunteers?† Gau asked. â€Å"We have,† I said, and my face tightened up as I said it. â€Å"What's wrong?† Gau said. â€Å"One of the volunteers,† I said, and stopped. I tried again. â€Å"One of the volunteers is an Obin named Dickory,† I said. â€Å"My friend and my bodyguard. When it volunteered I told it no. Demanded that it take back its offer. But it refused.† â€Å"Having it volunteer could be a powerful thing,† Gau said. â€Å"It probably encouraged others to step forward.† I nodded. â€Å"But Dickory is still my friend,† I said. â€Å"Still my family. Maybe it shouldn't make a difference but it does.† â€Å"Of course it makes a difference,† Gau said. â€Å"The reason you're here is to try to keep the people you love from being hurt.† â€Å"I'm asking people I don't know to sacrifice themselves for people I do,† I said. â€Å"That's why you're asking them to volunteer,† Gau said. â€Å"But it seems to me the reason they're volunteering is for you.† I nodded and looked out at the bay, and imagined the fight that was coming. â€Å"I have a proposition for you,† the Consu said to me. The two of us sat in the operations room of the cargo bay, ten meters above the floor of the bay. On the floor were two groups of beings. In the first group were the one hundred Obin who had volunteered to fight for me. In the other group were the one hundred Consu criminals, who would be forced to fight the Obin for a chance to regain their honor. The Consu looked scary big next to the Obin. The contest would be modified hand-to-hand combat: The Obin were allowed a combat knife, while the Consu, with their slashing arms, would fight bare-handed, if you called being able to wield two razor-sharp limbs attached to your own body â€Å"bare-handed.† I was getting very nervous about the Obin's chances. â€Å"A proposition,† the Consu repeated. I glanced over at the Consu, who in himself nearly filled the operations room. He'd been there when I had come up; I wasn't entirely sure how he'd gotten himself through the door. The two of us were there with Hickory and Dock and General Gau, who had taken it upon himself to act as the official arbiter for the contest. Dickory was on the floor. Getting ready to fight. â€Å"Are you interested in hearing it?† the Consu asked. â€Å"We're about to start,† I said. â€Å"It's about the contest,† the Consu said. â€Å"I have a way that you can get what you want without having the contest at all.† I closed my eyes. â€Å"Tell me,† I said. â€Å"I will help you keep your colony safe by providing you a piece of our technology,† the Consu said. â€Å"A machine that produces an energy field that robs projectiles of their momentum. A sapper field. It makes your bullets fall out of the air and sucks the power from missiles before they strike their targets. If you are clever your colony can use it to defeat those who attack it. This is what I am allowed and prepared to give to you.† â€Å"And what do you want in return?† I asked. â€Å"A simple demonstration,† the Consu said. It unfolded and pointed toward the Obin on the floor. â€Å"A demand from you was enough to cause hundreds of Obin to willingly sacrifice themselves for the mere purpose of getting my attention. This power you have interests me. I want to see it. Tell this one hundred to sacrifice themselves here and now, and I will give you what you need in order to save your colony.† â€Å"I can't do that,† I said. â€Å"It is not an issue of whether it is possible,† the Consu said. It leaned its bulk over and then addressed Dock. â€Å"Would the Obin here kill themselves if this human asked it?† â€Å"Without doubt,† Dock said. â€Å"They would not hesitate,† the Consu said. â€Å"No,† Dock said. The Consu turned back to me. â€Å"Then all you need to do is give the order.† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"Don't be stupid, human,† the Consu said. â€Å"You have been assured by me that I will assist you. You have been assured by this Obin that your pets here will gladly sacrifice themselves for your benefit, without delay or complaint. You will be assured of helping your family and friends survive imminent attack. And you have done it before. You thought nothing of sending hundred to their death to speak to me. It should not be a difficult decision now.† He waved again toward the floor. â€Å"Tell me honestly, human. Look at your pets, and then look at the Consu. Do you think your pets will be the ones left standing when this is over? Do you want to risk the safety of your friends and family on them? â€Å"I offer you an alternative. It carries no risk. It costs you nothing but your assent. Your pets will not object. They will be happy to do this for you. Simply say that you require this of them. That you demand it of them. And if it makes you feel any better, you can tell them to turn off their consciousness before they kill themselves. Then they will not fear their sacrifice. They will simply do it. They will do it for you. They will do it for what you are to them.† I considered what the Consu had said. I turned to Dock. â€Å"You have no doubt that those Obin would do this for me,† I said. â€Å"There is no doubt,† Dock said. â€Å"They are there to fight at your request, Zoe. They know they may die. They have already accepted that possibility, just as the Obin who sacrificed themselves to bring you this Consu knew what was required of them.† â€Å"And what about you,† I said to Hickory. â€Å"Your friend and partner is down there, Hickory. For ten years, at least, you've spent your life with Dickory. What do you say?† Hickory's trembling was so slight that I almost doubted that I saw it. â€Å"Dickory will do as you ask, Zoe,† Hickory said. â€Å"You should know this already.† It turned away after that. I looked at General Gau. â€Å"I have no advice to offer you,† he said. â€Å"But I am very interested to find out what you choose.† I closed my eyes and I thought of my family. Of John and Jane. Of Savitri, who traveled to a new world with us. I thought of Gretchen and Magdy and the future they could have together. I thought of Enzo and his family and everything that was taken from them. I thought of Roanoke, my home. And I knew what I had to do. I opened my eyes. â€Å"The choice is obvious,† the Consu said. I looked at the Consu and nodded. â€Å"I think you're right,† I said. â€Å"And I think I need to go down and tell them.† I walked to the door of the operations room. As I did, General Gau lightly took my arm. â€Å"Think about what you're doing, Zoe,† Gau said. â€Å"Your choice here matters.† I looked up at the general. â€Å"I know it does,† I said. â€Å"And it's my choice to make.† The general let go of my arm. â€Å"Do what you have to do,† he said. â€Å"Thank you,† I said. â€Å"I think I will.† I left the room and for the next minute tried very hard not to fall down the stairs as I walked down them. I'm happy to say I succeeded. But it was a close thing. I walked toward the group of Obin, who were milling about, some doing exercises, some talking quietly to another or to a small group. As I got closer I tried to locate Dickory and could not. There were too many Obin, and Dickory wasn't somewhere I could easily see him. Eventually the Obin noticed I was walking to them. They quieted and equally quietly formed ranks. I stood there in front of them for a few seconds, trying to see each of the Obin for itself, and not just one of a hundred. I opened my mouth to speak. Nothing would come. My mouth was so dry I could not make words. I closed my mouth, swallowed a couple of times, and tried again. â€Å"You know who I am,† I said. â€Å"I'm pretty sure about that. I only know one of you personally, and I'm sorry about that. I wish I could have known each of you, before you were asked†¦before I asked†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stopped. I was saying stupid things. It wasn't what I wanted to do. Not now. â€Å"Look,† I said. â€Å"I'm going to tell you some things, and I can't promise it's going to make any kind of sense. But I need to say them to you before†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I gestured at the cargo bay. â€Å"Before all of this.† The Obin all looked at me, whether politely or patiently, I can't say. â€Å"You know why you're here,† I said. â€Å"You're here to fight those Consu over there because I want to try to protect my family and friends on Roanoke. You were told that if you could beat the Consu, I would get the help I needed. But something's changed.† I pointed up to the operations room. â€Å"There's a Consu up there,† I said, â€Å"who tells me that he'll give me what I need to save Roanoke without having to have you fight, and risk losing. All I have to do is tell you to take those knives you were going to use on those Consu, and use them on yourselves. All I have to do is to tell you to kill yourselves. Everyone tells me you'll do it, because of what I am to you. â€Å"And they're right. I'm pretty sure about that, too. I'm certain that if I asked all of you to kill yourselves, you would do it. Because I am your Zoe. Because you've seen me all your lives in the recordings that Hickory and Dickory have made. Because I'm standing here in front of you now, asking you to do it. â€Å"I know you would do this for me. You would.† I stopped for a minute, tried to focus. And then I faced something I'd spent a long time avoiding. My own past. I raised my head again and looked directly at the Obin. â€Å"When I was five, I lived on a space station. Covell. I lived there with my father. One day while he was away from the station for a few days on business, the station was attacked. First by the Rraey. They attacked, and they came in and they rounded up all the people who lived on the station, and they began to kill us. I remember†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I closed my eyes again. â€Å"I remember husbands being taken from their wives and then shot in the halls where everyone could hear,† I said. â€Å"I remember parents begging the Rraey to spare their children. I remember being pushed behind a stranger when the woman who was watching me, the mother of a friend, was taken away. She tried to push away her daughter, too, but she held on to her mother and they were both taken away. If the Rraey had continued much longer, eventually they would have found me and killed me too.† I opened my eyes. â€Å"But then the Obin attacked the station, to take it from the Rraey, who weren't prepared for another fight. And when they cleared the station of the Rraey, they took those of us humans who were left and put us in a common area. I remember being there, with no one looking after me. My father was gone. My friend and her mother were dead. I was alone. â€Å"The space station was a science station, so the Obin looked through the research and they found my father's work. His work on consciousness. And they wanted him to work for them. So they came back to us in the common area and they called out my father's name. But he wasn't on the station. They called his name again and I answered. I said I was his daughter and that he would come for me soon. â€Å"I remember the Obin talking among themselves then, and then telling me to come away. And I remember saying no, because I didn't want to leave the other humans. And I remember what one of the Obin said to me then. It said, ‘You must come with us. You have been chosen, and you will be safe.' â€Å"And I remembered everything that had just happened. And I think even at five years old some part of me knew what would happen to the rest of the people at Covell. And here was the Obin, telling me I would be safe. Because I had been chosen. And I remember taking the Obin's hand, being led away and looking back at the humans who were left. And then they were gone. I never saw them again. â€Å"But I lived,† I said. â€Å"Not because of who I was; I was just this little girl. But because of what I was: the daughter of the man who could give you consciousness. It was the first time that what I was mattered more than who I was. But it wasn't the last.† I looked up at the operations room, trying to see if those in there were listening to me, and wondering what they were thinking. Wondering what Hickory was thinking. And General Gau. I turned back to the Obin. â€Å"What I am still matters more than who I am,† I said. â€Å"It matters more right now. Right this minute. Because of what I am, hundreds of you died to bring just one Consu to see me. Because of what I am, if I ask you to take those knives and plunge them into your bodies, you will do it. Because of what I am. Because of what I have been to you.† I shook my head and looked down at the ground. â€Å"All my life I have accepted that what I am matters,† I said. â€Å"That I had to work with it. Make accommodations for it. Sometimes I thought I could manipulate it, although I just found out the price for that belief. Sometimes I would even fight against it. But never once did I think that I could leave what I was behind. Because I remembered what it got me. How it saved me. I never even thought of giving it up.† I pointed up at the operations room. â€Å"There is a Consu in that operations room who wants me to kill you all, just to show him that I can. He wants me to do it to make a point to me, too – that when it comes down to it, I'm willing to sacrifice all of you to get what I want. Because when it comes down to it, you don't matter. You're just something I can use, a means to an end, a tool for another purpose. He wants me to kill you to rub my face in the fact I don't care. â€Å"And he's right.† I looked into the faces of the Obin. â€Å"I don't know any of you, except for one,† I said. â€Å"I won't remember what any of you look like in a few days, no matter what happens here. On the other hand all the people I love and care for I can see as soon as I close my eyes. Their faces are so clear to me. Like they are here with me. Because they are. I carry them inside me. Like you carry those you care for inside of you. â€Å"The Consu is right that it would be easy to ask you to sacrifice yourselves for me. To tell you to do it so I can save my family and my friends. He's right because I know you would do it without a second thought. You would be happy to do it because it would make me happy – because what I am matters to you. He knows that knowing this will make me feel less guilty for asking you. â€Å"And he's right again. He's right about me. I admit it. And I'm sorry.† I stopped again, and took another moment to pull myself together. I wiped my face. This was going to be the hard part. â€Å"The Consu is right,† I said. â€Å"But he doesn't know the one thing about me that matters right now. And that it is that I am tired of being what I am. I am tired of having been chosen. I don't want to be the one you sacrifice yourself for, because of whose daughter I am or because you accept that I can make demands of you. I don't want that from you. And I don't want you to die for me. â€Å"So forget it. Forget all of this. I release you of your obligation to me. Of any obligation to me. Thank you for volunteering, but you shouldn't have to fight for me. I shouldn't have asked. â€Å"You have already done so much for me. You have brought me here so I could deliver a message to General Gau. He's told me about the plans against Roanoke. It should be enough for us to defend ourselves. I can't ask you for anything else. I certainly can't ask you to fight these Consu and possibly die. I want you to live instead. â€Å"I am done being what I am. From now on I'm just who I am. And who I am is Zoe. Just Zoe. Someone who has no claim on you. Who doesn't require or demand anything from you. And who wants you to be able to make your own choices, not have them made for you. Especially not by me. â€Å"And that's all I have to say.† The Obin stood in front of me, silently, and after a minute I realized that I didn't really know why I was expecting a response. And then for a crazy moment I wondered if they actually even understood me. Hickory and Dickory spoke my language, and I just assumed all the other Obin would, too. That was a pretty arrogant assumption, I realized. So I sort of nodded and turned to go, back up to the operations room, where God only knew what I was going to say to that Consu. And then I heard singing. A single voice, from somewhere in the middle of the pack of Obin. It took up the first words of â€Å"Delhi Morning.† And though that was the part I always sang, I had no trouble recognizing the voice. It was Dickory. I turned and faced the Obin just as a second voice took up the counterpoint, and then another voice came in, and another and another, and soon all one hundred of the Obin were singing, creating a version of the song that was so unlike any I had heard before, so magnificent, that all I could do was stand there and soak in it, let it wash around me, and let it move through me. It was one of those moments that you just can't describe. So I won't try anymore. But I can say I was impressed. These Obin would have known of â€Å"Delhi Morning† for only a few weeks. For them to not only know the song but to perform it flawlessly was nothing short of amazing. I had to get these guys for the next hootenanny. When it was done, all I could do was put my hands to my face and say â€Å"Thank you† to the Obin. And then Dickory came through the ranks to stand in front of me. â€Å"Hey, you,† I said to Dickory. â€Å"Zoe Boutin-Perry,† said Dickory. â€Å"I am Dickory.† I almost said, I know that, but Dickory kept speaking. â€Å"I have known you since you were a child,† it said. â€Å"I have watched you grow and learn and experience life, and through you have learned to experience life myself. I have always known what you are. I tell you truthfully that it is who you are that has mattered to me, and always has. â€Å"It is to you, Zoe Boutin-Perry, that I offer to fight for your family and for Roanoke. I do this not because you have demanded it or required it but because I care for you, and always have. You would honor me if you would accept my assistance.† Dickory bowed, which was a very interesting thing on an Obin. Here was irony: This was the most I had heard Dickory say, ever, and I couldn't think of anything to say in return. So I just said, â€Å"Thank you, Dickory. I accept.† Dickory bowed again and returned to ranks. Another Obin stepped forward and stood before me. â€Å"I am Strike,† it said. â€Å"We have not met before. I have watched you grow through all that Hickory and Dickory have shared with all Obin. I too have always known what you are. What I have learned from you, however, comes from who you are. It is an honor to have met you. It will be an honor to fight for you, your family, and for Roanoke. I offer my assistance to you, Zoe Boutin-Perry, freely and without reservation.† Strike bowed. â€Å"Thank you, Strike,† I said. â€Å"I accept.† And then I impulsively hugged Strike. It actually squeaked in surprise. We unhugged, Strike bowed again, and then returned to ranks just as another Obin came forward. And another. And another. It took a long time to hear each greeting and offer of assistance, and to accept each offer. I can honestly say there was never time better spent. When it was done I stood in front of one hundred Obin again – this time, each a friend. And I bowed my head to them and wished them well, and told them I would see them after. Then I headed back toward the operations room. General Gau was at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for me. â€Å"I have a position for you on my staff, Zoe, if you ever want it,† he said. I laughed. â€Å"I just want to go home, General. Thank you all the same.† â€Å"Some other time, then,† Gau said. â€Å"Now I'm going to preside over this contest. I will be impartial when I'm observing it. But you should know that inside I'm rooting for the Obin. And that's something I never thought I would say.† â€Å"I do appreciate it,† I said, and headed up the stairs. Hickory met me at the door. â€Å"You did what I hoped you would do,† Hickory said. â€Å"I regret not volunteering myself.† â€Å"I don't,† I said, and hugged Hickory. Dock bowed to me; I nodded back. And then I approached the Consu. â€Å"You have my answer,† I said. â€Å"So I have,† the Consu said. â€Å"And it surprises me, human.† â€Å"Good,† I said. â€Å"And the name is Zoe. Zoe Boutin-Perry.† â€Å"Indeed,† the Consu said. He sounded amused at my cheekiness. â€Å"I will remember the name. And have others remember it as well. Although if your Obin do not win this contest, I do not imagine we will have to remember your name for long.† â€Å"You'll remember it for a long time,† I said. â€Å"Because my friends down there are about to clean your clock.† And they did. It wasn't even close.

Syrian Revolution

The Syrian Revolution is important on many levels. This importance is explored in the aspects of Syrians political government, economic and social status and the beginning of a wide spread resistance against dominating governments taking part in the Middle East. Hence, the Syrian Revolution plays a significant impact on the modern world and the future of the Syrian population. In March, 2011 an uprising took place by poor and unsatisfied citizens in the capital of Syria, Aleph, as a major part of theArab Spring (a series of revolts in triggered by citizens demanding law reforms and an improved government in the Middle East). Rebel groups then developed as a source of rebellion against the government of Basher AAA Sad, including The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. Countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Libya heavily influence the revolt in Syria after their protests and riots, in their own countries, to achieve Justice from their governments, have been reached but not entirely resolved. This topic has an excessive importance over me and my family.It has broadened my understanding f the world and the extent individuals will go to for power. The Syrian Revolution also impacts me culturally due to me originating from the Middle East. It has demanded the attention of the social media and people all over the world. I believe It will become an Immense icon In modern history over the years to come and that It will also lead to a colossal change In current Syrian society and for the further generations. To conclude, the Syrian Revolution of 2011 Is of great significance to modern society and the future of modern history for the world as well as Syrian citizens.

GM business report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

GM business report - Essay Example US president Barack Obama is not willing to provide any governmental aid to the company as he believes that first there should be serious restructuring plan before providing any financial aid. The company has decided to down size its workforce as a process of reorganisation. Moreover GM decided to sell its European arm Opel and Vauxhall to Magna International, a Canadian automobile parts manufacturer and supplier. After a long biding process Magna was selected and it was expected that Magna would invest around 700 million dollar into Opel. It was also expected that with this huge investment would create over 25,000 jobs in Germany. But in the later half of this year GM again decided that it would keep Opel with itself and cancelled that entire plan. The company has been going through such a situation over the past few months which it has never been before. It is been a century that GM is one of the largest automotive companies in the world. It was holding the number one position in terms of sales for 77 long years before Toyota surpassing it in 2008. Today there are 235,000 employees in the company. GM is operating business in 140 different countries while in 34 countries it has production facilities. Primary activities are directly involved in creating and delivering values and support activities are not directly associated in the process of value creation but play important role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness (Tutor2u, n.d.). General Motors has strong value chain which enables the company to be at the top for almost a century. GM’s inbound logistics are very strong as the company maintains good relations with its suppliers whom it get the inputs from. These inputs are converted into final product into its large number of production plants. It is already mentioned that the company has its production plants in almost 34 countries. Manufactured cars then reach to the buyers through a strong

One topic or theme that compares and contrasts traditional and more Essay - 1

One topic or theme that compares and contrasts traditional and more recent innovations in our understanding of equality and diversity - Essay Example abilities approach in managing diversity revolves around the ability to measure people’s abilities and what they can achieve as well as what they can become, in order to allocate the right amount and the right kind of resources in their development or welfare (Comim, et al, 2008, p.84). Capabilities are seen as opportunities for well being and therefore, justice is seen in terms of how an individual will achieve his well being (Kaufman, 2006 p.2). According to Hernandez and O’Connor (2009, p.165), the HR department has a lot of power in determining which titles will be given to who and who will get how much in their pay and this means that the HR department has a strong rein on how people develop in the organization. Managing diversity in the workplace is one of the biggest challenges and yet exciting processes in the workplace. Managing diversity is essential in meeting organizations goals and implementing its strategy (Wilkinson, 2009, p.232). According to Cornelius (2002, p.153), having workforce that is entirely diverse starts at recruitment and the HR department should and must have the right strategy for achieving this. With this regard, there are both traditional and modern approaches to managing diversity. Traditional methods of managing diversity were mostly from the US and were focused on creating a work environment that took care of ethnic differences. Managing diversity has, however, changed and today, not only it is a global management issue but it has taken a new route. Modern diversity management focuses on managing talent and making sure that people abilities are given equal opportunity without regard to their race, health or cultures. The difference between traditional strategies in managing diversity and the current approach is that the current methodology does not give minority groups in the work place more opportunity just because they are a minority. For instance, in the older strategies for managing diversities in the workplace, a

Argument style essay based on Judy Brady's argument in I want a Wife

Argument style based on Judy Brady's argument in I want a Wife - Essay Example At present, both women and men have equal roles in marriages. Women no longer have an inferior role in marriage. Women empowerment is largely seen in the societies around the world today. Several changes have taken place regarding the role of women in marriage since the time that Brady wrote this article. Harris and Firestone in 1998 stated that â€Å"the documented shift away from traditional gender role attitudes among women of different race and ethnic groups in the United States may produce changes in typical gender power dynamics† (479). They stated further that at the macro level, solutions could include creating programs that focus on social norms that favor female power in relationships. These findings prove that women are no longer considered second-class citizens; thus, their roles in marriages have undergone several changes. Even in the field of politics, the roles of politician’s wives have significantly changed. Michelle Cottle in her article â€Å"The Rea l Running Mates† stated, â€Å"Let's blame it on feminism! With women empowered to do more than nurture their husbands, political wives--in whom women often seek a more polished version of themselves--are increasingly expected to be more than just the perfect helpmeet.

Theory Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theory - Lab Report Example This is affected by electron intensity. If for example the intensity of the electrons is significantly high, there may be a lot of scattering which may produce a result which is far from what is expected. This is used to estimate the formation porosity and the formation density. Through the use of the litho-density the fluid type can also be established. The pore space of the oil and gas is also measured through the litho-density log. This refers to the amount of pores that are in a volume of a solid which is porous in nature. In this case, the value of the porosity is measured as a percentage. However, the true porosity includes the volume of the pores that are sealed. Clean formation is usually more than shales. As a result of this the bulk density will read less than the actual density. Therefore, the density porosity which is computed will be higher in terms of shales as compared to the actual porosity. The SP and GR log complement each other in the sense that Sp log uses electrical charge for the purpose of recording whereas the GR uses Gamma rays. Both of these measure different attributes which are existent in the well. These logs would not be advisable in situations where there is excessive radiation or electrical charge in the well. This is because these may cause fault in the equipment. They are, however, advocated in situations where the quantities of such attributes are average. The quality of caliper in this section will be low. This is because the porosity will take away a significant amount of materials from the region. The result of this is reduced quality of rock and

History of California indians from 1850 to 1968 Essay

History of California indians from 1850 to 1968 - Essay Example In order to be able to truly appreciate the scope of all of this, as must make ourselves familiar with that of the true diversity of the tribal, and this includes that of: population, geography, social, and political organization. Basically, one manner in which we can seek to understand about California Indians and their culture is to actually and seriously look at the tribes that inhibit similar climatic and ecological zones, and what will emerge from using this approach is that of an incredibly remarkable similarity in material aspects of the many different tribes that have inhabited in particular locations. There are many different tribes that settled in California, and each and every one of these tribes truly needs to be examined to the tenth degree, in order to be able to get the best grasp on the issue of California Indians in general. By doing this, we will be able to understand the difficulties and tribulations that the California Indians went through, as well as gain a bette r understanding on them overall. This is what will be dissertated in the following. California is a large area, and so in order to understand about California Indians, we truly have to begin by separating the state into two separate parts: Southern California and Central California. Southern California truly presents that of a varied and somewhat unique region of the state, and beginning in the North, the tribes that have been and are found in this area are as follows: Chumash, Alliklik, Kitanemuk, Serrano, Gabrielino Luiseno Cahuilla, and the Kumeyaay. In regards to Central California, this particularly vast territory includes that of: Bear River, Mattale, Lassick, Nogatl, Wintun, Yana, Yahi, Maidu, Wintun, Sinkyone, Wailaki, Kato, Yuki, Pomo, Lake Miwok, Wappo, Coast Miwok, Interior Miwok, Monache, Yokuts, Costanoan, Esselan, Salinan, and the Tubatulabal tribes. There are a number of vast differences between Southern and Central California, and especially between that of the groups of tribes that are located in each area; regardless, each tribe and community had its own chieftain and these were for the most part males but females sometimes filled the positions as well, and the duty of the chieftain was to organize all of the community events and to settle any conflicts that arose between the followers - they were basically considered as being the leaders, and the followers truly did look up to them in this way. The first California Indians arrived by 900 A.D., and this was with the Athapaskan relatives of the Navajo and Apache appearing last in the northwest; as well, the number of Indians that habituated in California was not that many at the time, only 150,000, and although this is considered a small number when compared to that of today, at the time California was actually the most densely populated region of the United States and Canada. In fact, most of the Indians in California today are actually native California Indians, and there are over 100 federally-recognized Indian tribes in California, and almost 100 Federal Indian reservations in the state, with about 40 Indian groups that were seeking to gain federal recognition.

Practice Intercultural Speaker Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Practice Intercultural Speaker Summary - Essay Example This acted as his core source of motivation that sought to unravel the finer details of what entailed the suffering of Indian minority in American land. At some point, he would even pose to question if the expensive infrastructural facilities across the American land would be in place if the American natives had not come there. Through his works, he explores consequences minorities face because of cultural differences. The majority forcefully try to assimilate the minority by making them believe that their culture is superior and superb. Sherman tries to bring out the raw picture of the plight of minorities in societies that are dominated by a majority. He goes ahead to state that the majority can do anything just to get away with their culture. In this pretext, he asserts that the Native Americans are the ones who suffered all kinds of humiliation ranging from ethnic cleansing to genocide not because they choose that was, but just because they fall victims of circumstances (Billmoyers.Com, 2013). That notwithstanding with the cultural gap that was evident between the minorities and the majorities it was for a minority to make up to understand the culture of the majority and not the other way round. That is why he says he knows the American culture more than anyone would think he knows the Indian culture. The majority will use all means possible including force to make the minority feel like they are in the wrong culture and thus the need to assimilate to the dominant culture. Throughout his literal works, Sherman Alexie was always trying to bring out the cultural indifference that existed between the Native Americans and Whites. He vividly narrates first-hand accounts of the suffering and indiscrimination that befall the Indians in American land because of being a minority in a white dominated land. The targeted audience may be the public but most specifically the audience will be divided into two; the majority who represent the whites for this

Human Freedom and the News Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Human Freedom and the News - Assignment Example Existentialism proposes that human acts in their own capacity, therefore abortion should be a personal decision that should occur or not occur without external influence. On the other hand, libertarianism establishes that liberty is the ultimate political end, therefore the government and the state should not be existent so that they are able to regulate abortion. Existentialism and libertarianism are two philosophical theories that attempts to explain human behavior. These theories can be applied in understanding why some individuals prefer the pro-life option while others are inclined to the pro-choice. Existentialism has a historical perspective; it was developed by Jean-Paul Satre and was identified with a certain cultural group in the Europe. The theory upholds the view that the philosophical thoughts of an individual starts with the person himself (Webber, n.d). There is a common consensus among some of the theorists that it is an individual that provides a meaning to life. On the other hand, libertarianism maintains that liberty is should be the ultimate political end. The theory emphasizes on the fundamental political freedom, the ability to associate independently and liberty as an individual. The theory proposes an empirical liberty where an individual has the sole mandate of doing, as they will. The theory takes two perspectives, i n the strictest way, it is proposed that individuals own themselves fully and have the moral rights to have external things (Institute for Humane Studies, George Mason University, 2014). In his article, Why progressives should oppose abortion, Christopher Hale is of the idea that human beings have their individuality but the right to life should be considered. He is inclined to the existentialism view that, the overall existence of a human being is the most important thing. He explores the reasons why he thinks that conception is the beginning of life. He continues to argue

Real Business Cycle theory Thesis Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Real Business Cycle theory - Thesis Proposal Example This is completely different form the supply shocks model in which technological or supply shocks would be the major driving force of the cycle. Real business cycle show growth in economic activity and Real Business cycle helps in explaining economic boom time as also recessions. This discussion draws out a comparison between Real Business Cycle theory and Theories of Business Cycle which highlights that demand shocks cause the cycle. The various aspects of the economy such as effects of wage hikes, productivity, and employment resources are also discussed in terms of business cycle models. Real Business Cycle theory explored by Muth (1961) and Lucas and business cycles were studied with the assumption that they were driven by technological rather than monetary shocks and changes in expectations. In real business cycle model, shocks in government purchases are also taken into consideration. Real Business Cycle Theory or RBC holds that the business cycle is caused by random fluctuations in productivity and recessions and periods of growth are seen as responses of output. The RBC theorists argue that the level of national output indicates that the government should not intervene through fiscal or monetary policy that could either minimize effects of recession or that of a rapidly growing economy. Business cycles, according to Real Business Cycle theory are considered as real and reflect the most efficient operation of the economy. This is different from Keynesian economics and Monetarism which consider recessions as the failure of some markets to clear. Some examples of the business cycles would be graphical representation on how advanced economies exhibit sustained growth over time and also depict higher levels of economic activity. There may even be random fluctuation in the growth trend and this would show how the latter economic activity could predict the earlier ones. The time series of an economy's output and gross national product or GNP indicating value of goods and services produced by a country would be useful for determining economic behavior. The first part of the discussion is about defining Real Business Cycle theory. Recessions are seen as a condition of market failure by mainstream macroeconomists. There is lack of demand, of workers and income and there is an adjustment of output but not the prices. The economy in certain cases is driven away from equilibrium and the output adjusts although if markets are in equilibrium, how are fluctuations in business activity explained' When people's marginal productivity drops, the real wage also drops and shifts work decisions. The real business cycle shows that a certain cyclical pattern of economic activity could hold over a longer period and when there is a technological shock that raises real wage, people work more and output increases and when technological shock lowers real wage, people tend to withdraw from work and output falls. Economic booms and recessions are explained with Real Business Cycle models although many economists do not endorse the real business cycle theo ry as technological shoc

Affirmative action at the work place Essay Example for Free

Affirmative action at the work place Essay Affirmative action is a concept used as a justice seeking tool comprising of policies to address intimidating aspects of a non dominant or minor group. Such groups include women, minority men and physically disabled people. Affirmative action increases these groups access to facilities such as employment and education. The motivation for affirmative action comes in times when a perception or actual negative aspect towards a certain group is experienced, but illegal according to legislative bodies. It is also applied in learning and service delivery institutions such as police forces, hospitals or universities to motivate them to act more responsibly to the people they represent. According to Bulman (2006), affirmative action at the work place is a concept that should be applied in all departments. This is because many working places are characterized by cultural, social and political diversity (p.45). This is to say that people come from different communities, races, religions, political backgrounds, gender, national origins, and age, physical and mental health capabilities. This calls for affirmative action to fight for the weak mass within the working place, as these upgrades the workforce diversity. Racial and gender based discrimination in a working environment comes in the areas of granting jobs, in promotional programs and admission to institutions causing unfairness and inhumanity aspects in the working environment. Affirmative action in an employment environment illustrates both the prescriptive indicators and double edge quality in working together. Strong form of affirmative action should be the abolishment of race and sex consciousness in the times of hiring, promotion and in layoff preferences. Â  The need and essentiality of constructing integrated society in the workplace is to develop a forward looking and pragmatic staff. The diversity bestowed on company employees signifies diversity in its location and therefore employers need a law to govern them for maintenance of the diversity. The ideology of preferences among equally qualified applicants has a negative perception at this time when diversity is so widely acknowledged. The support extended to workplace diversity leaves open both questions of means and ends. Enhancement of affirmative action can literally be done through encouraging application from disadvantaged groups during recruitment programs. As a result, some preferences may be extended to the groups perceived to be underrepresented. Affirmative action should be mostly adopted by government organizations for they are highly affected by discrimination along ethnicity and gender lines (Loury, 2003, p.13). Adoption of this will make state parties to diminish or eliminate situations which help in perpetuating discrimination. For the government to assist implementation of this, each company should be given some legal minimum requirements to comply, in the area of representation by the disadvantaged groups in their various departments of work. The matters of concern that should be addressed are equity ownership, representation within management, employee level up to board of directors level, procurement of businesses and other several social investment programs. Affirmative action prevents discrimination in lines with hiring bias, promotion, job assignment, compensation, retaliation and all sorts of harassments. Work place is a unique and important site for development of corporative and social ties of different groups. It has of late become the centre for corporation, socialization, and solidarity, which emerge as primary features of human psychology. This has also been tightened by affirmative action move, which has promoted equity in opportunity and demographic heterogeneity and the imposition of rudimentary virtues of freedom of association and communication (Mellot, 2006, p.7). The conventionality in the diversity argument hardly spins the value of demographic based on heterogeneity and is mostly made to ensure work place integration. The process of affirmative action thus starts with pooling different people of different identities and backgrounds together. Different experiences and attitudes thought to correspond to demographic variations in the work place are eroded easily, thus emphasizing on common ground and connectedness across the difference lines. In places where many people live and work together elements like friction in decision making, turnover and dissatisfaction are eminent. The challenge is devising the ways and means to ameliorate the emerging tensions. In the employment context, workers should be protected equally and completely rule out employment abuses such as unequal treatment of treating employees, job applicants and former employees due to differences in a group membership. Employers have to take care of pregnant mothers or related medical conditions. It is against affirmative action move to discriminate workers in lines of discharging, hiring, compensating, terms provision, conditions and employment related privileges (Mellot, 2006, p. 9). From societal point of it, the employees form a part of society. They have to take that as their own community, live in it and a system of governance should exist within. Application of many cooperative interracial interactions in the workplace ensures the living together and governance. Because of the diversity brought in by the globalization process, interactions that lead to reasonable and controllable frictions should be allowed to pave way to brainstorming and creativity. From the societal calculus, the side of the employer is less considered.

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Etisalat

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Etisalat Emirates Telecommunication Corporation Etisalat was founded in 1976 as a joint-stock company between International Aeradio Limited, a British Company, and local partners. In 1983 the ownership structure changed United Arab Emirates government held a 60% share in the company and the remaining 40% were publicly traded. In 1991 the UAE central government issued Federal Law No. 1, which gave the corporation the right to provide the telecommunications wired and wireless services in the country and between UAE and other countries. It also gave the firm the right to issue licenses for owning, importing, manufacturing, using or operating telecommunication equipment. This practically gave Etisalat both regulatory and control powers, which completed the monopoly of the telecom giant in the UAE. In order to safeguard the countrys economic development, the law made provisions for the development of the telecommunication sector in the country. The increase of exchange lines from 36,000 in 1976 to more than 737,000 in 1998 was one of the important indicators of Etisalat networks growth and development. An important milestone was Etisalats commencement of international operations in January 2001, when under the brand name of Ufone it started operating out of Islamabad. Today Etisalat stands 140th among the Financial Times Top 500 Corporations in the world in terms of market capitalization, and is ranked by The Middle East magazine as the 6th largest company in the Middle East in terms of capitalization and revenues. The Corporation is the largest contributor outside the oil sector to development programmes of the UAE Federal Etisalat has also won accolades from across the region for its nationalization programme Etisalat Building in Abu Dhabi, UAE In addition to its telecommunication services provider and carrier units, Etisalat incorporates a number of additional non-telecom business units under the umbrella of Etisalat Services Holding LLC. These units support the companys operations and even provide services to other operators and organizations, namely: training and consultancy services(Etisalat Academy, SIM/smart card manufacturing and payment solutions (Ebtikar), data clearing house services (EDCH), peering/voice and data transit (Emirates Internet Exchange EMIX), call center Etisalat is a major investor in Thuraya (34.5%), a satellite geo-mobile communication systems provider. In 2006 Etisalat started a major restructuring program that resulted in the de-merger of many of its non-core business units operating under the telecoms centralized and direct management; core services were consolidated and streamlined, reflecting the companys shift from a technology-driven telecom to a customer-focused services provider. As part of the program, Etisalat has launched a re-branding campaign, releasing a new corporate logo and identity in May 2006. The restructuring culminated in the incorporation of Etisalat Services Holding LLC, which as of 2008 oversees the operation of Etisalats non-telecom business units with huge success stories . Etisalat International Investments Etisalat International Investments is the business unit of Etisalat that operates outside the UAE and manages the corporations stakes in telecommunications carriers in Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Iran, the Ivory Coast, Egypt, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The International Investments unit also manages Etisalats minor stakes in other telecommunications services providers, such as Sudatel (a mobile, fixed and Internet services provider in Sudan), and Qtel (Qatar-based telecommunications services provider). Mobily Saudi Arabia One of Etisalats first international investments was the bid to become the second mobile services operator in Saudi Arabia. Etihad Etisalat, a consortium led by Etisalat, won the 2G GSM license by offering USD $3.25 billion. Currently operating under the brand name Mobily, Etihad Etisalat offers Saudi Arabia subscribers conventional and 3.5G mobile telephony services, and has floated shares on the Saudi stock market. PTCL Pakistan Among the acquisitions of Etisalat in 2005 was a 26% management stake in Pakistan Telecommunications (PTCL) that was put on sale by the Government of Pakistan as part of a large privatization initiative. In order to outbid competitors (which included Singapore Telecommunications and China Mobile), Etisalat offered USD $2.56 billion for the stake. According to some analysts, the telecom has overpaid, as the bid went far beyond the estimated USD $2 billion value of the package. Etisalat Egypt In July 2006, a consortium led by Etisalat was granted the rights to develop Egypts third mobile network, with a winning bid of 16.7 billion Egyptian pounds (EUR à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬2.29 billion euro). The venture, Etisalat Egypt, competes with existing service providers Vodafone and Mobinil. On September 12, 2006, it was announced that the network would be built by Ericsson of Sweden, and Huawei of China, at a cost of approximately USD $1.2 billion. In 2007, at the Comms MEA Awards ceremony Etisalat was presented with the Best New Entrant award for its Egyptian operations. Award winners were selected by a panel of experts from KPMG, the Arab Advisors Group and Oliver Wyman, Dubai. Canar Sudan Etisalat is one of the founding partner companies of Canar Telecom, a fixed-line telecom services operator. In September 2007 Etisalat has raised its stake in Canar from 37% to 82% at an estimated cost of AED 584.17 million (USD $159 million). Canar was launched on November 27, 2005. The operator is reported to use NGN and Wireless Local Loop (WLL) technologies for its voice, data, internet and multimedia services. Canar is one of the first operators in Africa to use an NGN network core. EMTS Nigeria Etisalat signed an agreement to acquire 40% of and manage Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services, Nigerias fifth GSM operator. It is now operating with about 5 million Subscribers, and recently signed an agreement with Main One cable company to launch one of the first major broadband service in Nigeria. Zantel Tanzania In January 1999, Etisalat acquired a stake in Zanzibar Telecom (a Tanzania-based mobile operator) for USD $2.4 million (AED 8.8 million) and has subsequently increased the stake by 17% in July 2007. Since then, Zantel has introduced telcom services that are typical for the African region, such as mobile banking services for customers without access to banking facilities (Zpesa Mobile Banking). Atlantique Telecom/Moov West Africa In Africa, Etisalat acquired 50% of Atlantique Telecoms shares in April 2005. Based in the Ivory Coast, AT owns mobile operators in Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger, Central African Republic, Gabon and Ivory Coast. In 2007, Etisalat increased its shares in AT to 70% and again in May 2008, to 82%. AT group subscribers totaled 2.9 million at the end of 2007, which is a 107% increase from the previous year. Ivory Coast: Moov, is currently Ivory Coasts third-largest cell-phone operator with a 1.5 million customer base. In 2008 Moov Ivory Coast introduced the first nationwide cell-phone coverage, based on Thuraya satellite access technology. It is the first time that such a service has been offered in sub-Saharan Africa, outside South Africa. It was expected that the expanded coverage introduced by the satellite service would help boost Moovs customer base and even overtake France Telecoms unit Orange as the top telecom services provider in the country. Benin: Etisalat operates in Benin under the Moov brand. On 24 October 2007 the government of Benin has reassigned Telecels operating license to Etisalat. In February 2008, His Excellency Dr. Boni Yayi, President of Benin, honoured Etisalat chairman, Mohammad Hassan Omran during a ceremony to celebrate Etisalats efforts in developing and promoting the telecommunications sector in Benin. XL Axiata Indonesia Indonesia-based mobile services operator PT XL Axiata (formerly PT Excelcomindo Pratama) is Etisalats first acquisition in the Far East. In December 2007 Etisalat took a 15.97% stake after paying USD $438 million (AED 1.6 billion). At the time of the acquisition XL had 15 million mobile subscribers. Etisalat Afghanistan Etisalat Afghanistan is a newly established GSM operator, 100% owned by Etisalat. It was established in May 2006 after the UAE telecom won the license to operate the fourth mobile services provider in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Etisalats bid for the license was USD $1.2 billion (AED 4.4 billion) and services were launched in August 2007. Etisalat Afghanistan operates out of Kabul and as of March 3, 2010, the company has achieved 24 per cent market share in 27 provinces of Afghanistan. Etisalat Sri Lanka Etisalat acquired the Sri Lankan Operation of Millicom International Cellular (MIC), Tigo (Sri Lanka) on 16 October 2009. The acquisition was completed with a total enterprise value of 207 Million US$, out of which 155 Million US$ was in cash. Tigo (Sri Lanka) under the then brand name CELLTEL started operations in June 1989 on a Motorola TACS system and was the first cellular operator in Sri Lanka as well as South Asia. In January 2007, Millicom replaced the local CELLTEL brand with Tigo, their international brand. In February 2010, Tigo was rebranded as Etisalat. It competes with international operators like Dialog Telekom (Telekom Malaysia), Mobitel (Sri Lanka Telecom), Hutch (Hutchison) and Airtel (Bharti Airtel), using technologies GSM/EDGE and hopes to launch UMTS/HSDPA services over 900/1800 and 2100 MHz in 2011. Etisalat India In 2009 Etisalat has announced that its Indian unit, erstwhile Swan Telecom (owned by Dynamix Balwas Realty and Reliance Communications), headquartered in Mumbai, is renamed to Etisalat DB Telecom India Pvt. Ltd Telecom Renamed Etisalat Telecom India Pvt. Ltd. The business unit has been awarded Unified Services Access License in 15 circles Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. In April 2010 Etisalat began signal testing in Chennai [IND 922], Delhi NCR [IND 913], Maharashtra Goa [IND 919], Mumbai [IND 916] and Gujarat[IND 914]. In May 2010, Etisalat was in talks to buy 25% stake in Reliance Communications, but the deal was not finalised. In 2010, following the $39 billion 2G spectrum scam, Etisalat DB, the Indian subsidiary of the company, was stopped from buying a stake in a Chennai-based company due to objections raised by the Indias home ministry(MHA). Etisalat DB was not allowed to buy back the 5.27 per cent stake held by Chennai-based Genex Exim Ventures since the home ministry raised objections based largely on security concerns. The MHA had pointed out four issues that needed to be resolved before allowing the company to come into Etisalat DB, a company that got scarce 2G spectrum at allegedly throwaway prices, First, vice-chairman Shahid Balwa should not be involved in the operations of the company in any capacity, because of his connections with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, second, the MHA raised objections about the commercial relationship between the Dubai-based Etisalat Group and Chinas Huawei. The MHA suspects, Huawei has links with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army the countrys military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces and has the capacity to manipulate equipment supply, third, it raised objections about Etisalats presence in Pakistan and its connection with Pakistans intelligence agency ISI. Etisalat owns a 26% stake in Pakistan Telecommunications and has a subscriber base of 3 million in Afghanistan and fourth, the MHA has also expressed concerns about the telecom surveillance software Etisalat had used in a Blackberry service it had introduced in the UAE and recommended that the company should not be allowed to offer Blackberry services in India. b) Social; technological: Etisalat Etisalat UAE is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and includes three regional offices Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Northern Emirates. Etisalat Company is owned by the UAE government and it is stipulated law that state, with seven out of 11 of the Board of Directors being government representatives, including the Chairman. Abu Dhabi Region Key positions: Etisalat Chairman: Mohamed Hassan Omran Etisalat A/CEO: Nasser Bin Abood Senior Vice President Marketing: Khalifa Al Forah Al Shamsi Group Senior Vice President corporate Communications: Ahmed Bin Ali Corporate Governance The General Assembly The General Assembly is composed of all shareholders of the Corporation. The General Assembly is entrusted with approving the Boards Annual Report on the Corporations activities and financial position during the preceding financial year. The Assembly is also entrusted with approving the report of the external auditors, discussing and approving the balance sheet and the profit and loss account for the previous financial year, appointing external auditors and approving the Boards recommendations regarding the allocation of profit. The General Assembly exercises all powers of the Corporation within the limits of the law and the Articles of Association. The Board of Directors The Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) is managed by a Board of Directors presided over by the Chairman and consists of eleven members, including the Chairman, seven of whom are appointed by Presidential Decree to represent the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, and the remaining Four elected by the 40% non-government shareholders of the Corporation. The term of the Board of Directors is three years, as applicable to each group of members according to the date of their appointment or election. The Board of Directors carries out the Corporations business and for that purpose, exercises all powers of the Corporation, except those reserved by Law or the Articles of Association for the General Assembly of the Corporation. The Executive Committee The Executive Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 20 of the Articles of Association. It is empowered to take decisions on behalf of the Board and/ or to make certain recommendations to it concerning particular matters. The Executive Committees functions and powers include organizational matters of the Corporation (such as overseeing statutory, organizational and employment matters and Corporate performance), planning and development (overseeing development plans and projects, and approval of the budget prior to submission to the Board), operations (reviews efficiency of service and lays down policies concerning investments of surplus funds), projects (sets the terms for the project agreements, approves relevant tenders over AED 50 million, and approves project overruns and variations over AED 10 million), procurement (approves purchases over AED 50 million), and investments (including international Investments and expansion projects). The Audit Committee Communicate Entertain Inform c) Internet services The number of Etisalats Internet subscribers reportedly stands at 1.02 million.[42] Some of the Internet services for home users that Etisalat offers include: 3G Mobile Internet access Broadband Internet services (Al Shamil[43] and eLife[44]) Prepaid and post-paid dialup Internet access Etisalat also operates iZone, a system of Wi-FI hotspots in central locations, such as shopping malls, restaurants, and sheesha cafes. iZone can be accessed by either purchasing prepaid cards (AED 15/hour, USD $4.5/hour), or if using an existing account with the operator (AED 3/hour for dial-up account holders, or AED 10/hour for broadband users). Dial-up and ISDN Internet access services are billed by the hour, whereas the domestic and residential cable and DSL connections have a fixed monthly rate depending on speed. Other Internet links, aimed at business users, have traffic utilization plans and relatively high rates when exceeding the allocated bandwidth quota. This has caused bad publicity for Etisalat and is a major source of criticism. Internet censorship Page Blocked Notice Etisalat operates an Internet content filtering system that blocks access to web resources. The web resources are claimed to be controversial or offensive (i.e. sexually explicit content, certain political and religious websites, anonymizers and proxies) or harmful (i.e. numeric IP addresses, known phishing or malicious websites, botnet command servers). The use of content filtering is mandated by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates. The type of content that is restricted by Etisalat includes: Pornography, nudity and sexually explicit content. The entire Israel country code top-level domain (.il) Certain media-sharing websites Anti-Islamic websites. Websites criticizing the United Arab Emirates (such as UAEprison and Arab Times) Anonymous proxy sites (such as vtunnel, pzeg, etc.), Gay and Lesbian Rights websites (such as Gaydar, Mogenic etc.) Numerical IP address links (for example, http://10.11.1.1/),Voice over IP services providers websites (such as Skype, Vonage) There are claims that Etisalat breaks the rules of net neutrality by throttling peer-to-peer, gaming and other types of network traffic in order to reduce the load on its oversubscribed international links. The effect of this interference is most noticeable during weekends or periods of high network use. The overall efficiency of the country-wide content filtering is unclear, as many of the technologically savvy users have discovered tools and methods to bypass the content filter, such as using Tor. BlackBerry In July 2009, Etisalat pushed an update to BlackBerry devices operating on the telecoms national network, citing performance improvements. However, it was later discovered that the update contained eavesdropping software, developed by the US-based software development company SS8, which specializes in electronic surveillance. It is reported that the software enabled the company to monitor and forward communications on BlackBerry devices to their servers.[48][49] Research in Motion, BlackBerrys developer, acknowledged[50] that the patch was a form of spyware, and issued a removal patch on July 20. On December 27, 2009, both Etisalat and Du (telco) have been mandated by the UAE telecom regulator to start filtering BlackBerry users web access and block illegal content. Due to concerns with the security and the provisioning of legal interception for Blackberry non-voice services, on 1 Aug 2010, the Telecommunication Regularity Authority of the UAE instructed Etisalat that all Blackberry e-mail, internet and messenger functions must be suspended on 1 Oct 2010 d) The Operating Structure of the Corporation In 2009 Etisalat implemented a group structure to manage its international expansion strategy, protect value from the Corporations United Arab Emirates operations, secure value creation from its seventeen international operations, and to gain the trust of its stakeholders by putting in place a solid structure and governance and adherence to best practices. At the level of the United Arab Emirates, the Group organization structure features two autonomous Operating Units: Etisalat UAE Unit (which is entrusted with provisioning Licensed Telecom Services in the United Arab Emirates);and the Etisalat Services Unit (a wholly owned holding company entrusted with providing certain non-core, non-telecom services to the Corporation, as well as to third parties). The Group exercises and sets its various activities and responsibilities and sets its key corporate policies, prepares plans, and monitors the operational and financial performance of its operating companies, and reports the same to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee on a regular basis. e) Consolidated income statement before the year ended 31 December 2009 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income a) DU History The Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) is a telecommunications company in the United Arab Emirates. Although Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company is its legal name, it was commercially rebranded as du in February 2006. The company has invested AED 2.4 billion in 2009 and added 1 million active mobile subscribers in 2009, bringing its subscriber base to 3.48 million. du offers fixed and mobile telephony, broadband connectivity and IPTV services to individuals, homes and businesses, and carrier services for businesses. On February 11, 2007, du launched its own mobile service with call tariffs almost identical to those of Etisalat, thus eliminating any possibility of price competition between the two providers. Subscribers to du mobile services can be identified by the dialing prefix 055 b) Social; technological: DU Chief Executive Officer Osman Sultan Chief Financial Officer Mark Shuttleworth Chief Commercial Officer Farid Faraidooni Chief Technology Officer Yatinder Mahajan Chief Human Resources and Corporate Services Officer Fahad Al Hassawi Chief Strategy and Investments Officer Raghu Venkataraman Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Ananda Bose du is committed to operating according to global best-practice throughout all aspects of its business. While the company has continued to achieve exceptional results, the world has witnessed significant challenges against a backdrop of the financial crisis. The need for commitment to good governance has never been greater. du has operated under a strong corporate governance culture, since the company was founded. The board of directors Leading our corporate governance efforts is a Board of nine Directors, chaired by Ahmad Bin Byat, which meets on a quarterly basis. Meetings are structured to allow open discussion. All directors participate in discussing the strategy, trading and financial performance and risk management of the Company. In line with ESCA and international guidelines, the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive du board and committees In addition, the company has a number of Board Committees, including the Audit Compliance Committee, Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and an Investment Committee, which are responsible for monitoring, reviewing and making recommendations for their respective areas. audit compliance committee The Audit Compliance Committee consists of three directors and meets quarterly. The internal audit function of du has a direct reporting line into the Audit Compliance Committee. This committee is responsible for reviewing dus results and financial statements, reviewing the activities of internal auditors and monitoring compliance with statutory requirements. Audit compliance committee members: Ziad Galadari (Chairman) Younis Al Khoori Fadel Al Ali Remuneration and nomination committee The Remuneration and Nomination Committee meets as required and consists of three directors and is responsible for the assessment and recommendation of policy on executive remuneration and packages for individual executive directors. Remuneration and nomination committee members: Waleed Al Muhairi (Chairman) Abdulhamid Saeed Abdulla Al Shamsi Investment committee The investment committee, which is not an ESCA requirement, consists of four directors. Its main function is to evaluate the companys investment plans to ensure that shareholders will see an appropriate return on investment. It meets a minimum of four times per year. Investment committee members: Eissa Al Suwaidi (Chairman) Ahmad Bin Byat Jassem Al Zaabi Fadel Al Ali c) Key management decisions -DU Censorship: Unlawful websites Users who tried to access a blocked web page were initially redirected to dus first block page. As rendered in the Opera web browser In March 2008, Du began selectively blocking VOIP traffic, preventing customers from using the computer-to-phone functionality of VOIP systems. The blocking is justified on the grounds that computer-to-phone VOIP services are illegal under UAE telecom law. Both of the telecoms providers in the UAE derive a large proportion of their income from expatriates making expensive international calls to their home countries. However, a specific exemption in the telecom law permits the use of VOIP for computer-to-computer calls, and so it is still possible to access VOIP websites, download VOIP software, set up accounts and use the software to make computer-to-computer calls, both audio and video. If a computer-to-phone call is attempted, it will typically fail to connect unless a VPN is used (see below). On April 14, 2008, du started instituting the same widespread censorship of the web that has been practiced by Etisalat for some years. Any attempt to access content deemed inappropriate by the UAE censor results in a blocked page. As well as pornography, blocking includes blogs, forums and news articles that are critical of the UAE, as well as a proportion of sites that seem to be accidentally blocked as they have no obviously In March 2008, Du began selectively blocking VOIP traffic, preventing customers from using the computer-to-phone functionality of VOIP systems. The blocking is justified on the grounds that computer-to-phone VOIP services are illegal under UAE telecom law. Both of the telecoms providers in the UAE derive a large proportion of their income from expatriates making expensive international calls to their home countries. However, a specific exemption in the telecom law permits the use of VOIP for computer-to-computer calls, and so it is still possible to access VOIP websites, download VOIP software, set up accounts and use the software to make computer-to-computer calls, both audio and video. If a computer-to-phone call is attempted, it will typically fail to connect unless a VPN is used (see below). On April 14, 2008, du started instituting the same widespread censorship of the web that has been practised by Etisalat for some years. Any attempt to access content deemed inappropriate by the UAE censor results in a blocked page. As well as pornography, blocking includes blogs, forums and news articles that are critical of the UAE, as well as a proportion of sites that seem to be accidentally blocked as they have no obviously controversial content. d) Operational changes-DU Achieved record revenues of AED5.3 billion and profits of AED528 million in 2009 Added over 1 million active mobile subscribers, bringing total to 3.5 million at year end Exceeded mobile market share target, reaching 32% in third year of operation Invested AED2.4 billion on network and infrastructure development in 2009 to enhance capacity and coverage Continued to provide innovation, value for money and performance to all our customers Well positioned to achieve long term growth and sustainable profitability Listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) under the ticker code: du Date of listing: 22nd April 2006 Net profit at 31st December 2009: AED528mln Earnings per share: 0.066 du is an integrated telecom service provider, offering customers throughout the UAE the best in quality, innovation, and competitive pricing. During 2009 it added more than 1 million active mobile subscribers, proving that we have established ourselves as the operator of choice for the majority of new subscribers in the UAE market. DU offered fixed and mobile telephony, broadband connectivity and IPTV services to individuals, homes and businesses, and carrier services for businesses. du is a rapidly-growing enterprise, with close to 2,000 staff, from over 60 countries, working to enhance and expand our range of service offerings. This wide variety of personnel allows us to mirror the rich cultural diversity of our nation, while being able to serve our customers in a number of different languages. Over 50% of senior management team and customer-facing staff are UAE nationals. Du is committed to provide opportunities for quality talent in a cosmopolitan working environment. e) Financial -DU Full Year 2010 results analysis Revenue Growth (AED Millions) Mobile Fixed Subscriber Growth (Thousands) Press Release du Announces Full Year 2010 Results Revenues exceed AED 7 billion with a 32% increase for the full year 2010 Net profit before royalty exceeds AED 1.2 billion with a 132% increase Dubai, 3 March 2011 Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2010, showing record revenues, and continued healthy customer additions. Highlights for the full year 2010: 856,000 net active1 mobile customers added during the year, taking the total at yearend to 4.3 million. Revenues reached AED 7,074 million, a 32% increase versus 2009 (AED 5,339 million). Gross margin grew by 31% year on year to AED 4,601 million versus 2009 (AED 3,507million). EBITDA2 grew 90% to AED 2,018 million versus 2009 (AED 1,064 million). Net profit before royalty increased by 132% year on year to AED 1,226 million versus2009 (AED 528 million). Net profit after royalty increased to AED 1,310 million from AED 264 million in 2009,following the announcement by UAE Federal Government that the royalty rate for the Company commences from 1 January 2010 and that royalty rate for the year ended 31December 2010 is 15%.3million). Task 3 Etisalat STRENGTHS Etisalat is a monopoly shared by DU in telecommunications which allows no competition whereby maximizing profits Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) is majority-owned by the Ministry of Communications (60%), with the remaining shares publicly-traded on the national stock exchange and held by UAE nationals. This report outlines the companys recent activities and corporate strategy Etisalat is a company established worldwide Etisalat is well developed company with wider penetration in UAE Etisalat weakness Etisalat investments globally is not direct hence they dont have direct control over these investments; hence they only get dividends which means they are a passive player not an active player. This will limit etisalats growth to advance in terms of commercials Etisalat is a monopoly

A student on parental effects on education

A student on parental effects on education This chapter gives an overall picture of the design of the study research tools used for the study, nature and selection of the sample, analysis and interpretation of the data in the light of other research studies. Academic achievement is one of the aims of education. A childs academic achievement is highly improved by parent-child relationship. It is also enforced by the nature of the school and teachers, students socio economic status, attitudes, motivation, personality factors, cognitive styles and intelligence which is indulged with the parents. The parent-child relationship is a good key factor for a child to have adjustment in environment and to perform well in academics also. The need for undertaking this research study is to replicate the parent-child relationship and how it enhances the childs adjustment ability. The friendly motivation given to the child enables him/her to empower concentration and boost them to explore in academics. The educational capacity of the student is judged by his achievement in the school. The academic performance in school subjects will lead them to choose the future course of life. In the high school level itself the basic things will be known by the students. This is an important stage not only for studying habits influencing the academic achievement, but also to bear on the whole personality of the school students. The investigator would like to know, Is there any relationship between parents behavior on the childs adjustment and academic achievement of the School students?. The knowledge of the relationship between these variables under study would help the parents and students to make the needed changes. Understanding the relationship between parents behaviour on the childs adjustment and his academic achievement will be of great importance in determining the interrelation between the variables under study. The results of the present study will be useful to understand the fact, whether parent child relationship has greater impact on the childs adjustment and academic outcome of the students. The findings can be utilized in the field of education to develop remedial measures, favorable relationship between the parent and the child which in turn will help the high school students. As a result healthier school community, society and the nation will be formed. The prime focus of this project was to examine developmental changes in parent-child relationships, and their associations with child adjustment related to academic achievement of them as students. 3.03 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The present investigation entitled A study on the effects of parent child relationship on the childs adjustment and academic achievement has been undertaken keeping in view the importance of explicating the effect of parent-child relationship on childs adjustment and academic achievement of high school students. 3.04 MEANING OF THE PROBLEM In the process of learning, Motivation is the central factor to get a perfect result. Adjustment is the process by which a person tries to strike a balance between his requirements ((i.e.) needs, desires, drives urges) and varying life situations. Adjustment is a continuous process by which a person varies his behaviour to produce more harmonious relationship between himself and his environment. Parents involvement is critical in facilitating childrens development and achievement and in preventing and remedying educational and developmental problems. Substantial evidence exists to show that children whose parents are involved in their schooling have significantly increased their academic achievement and cognitive development. Academic achievement is an important predictor of adjustment and has been associated with several factors such as parenting styles and parental involvement The present study is intended to study the following objectives. 3.05 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1. To find out the effect of Parent-child relationship, Parent-child adjustment and Academic achievement of students. 2. To find out the significant difference in the mean scores of the a) Gender b) Medium c) Types of School d) Types of management e) Locality 3.06 HYPOTHESES: Based on the objectives of the present study the following hypotheses were framed. 1. Gender does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to their different dimensions of Parent-child relationship. 2. Gender does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs relationship. 3. Gender does not show significant difference between the father-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of childs adjustment. 4. Gender does not show significant difference between the mother-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of child adjustment. 5. Gender does not show significant difference between the childs relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 6. Gender does not signify difference between the childs adjustments with regard to Parent-childs adjustment. 7. Gender does not show significant difference between the Academic Achievement with relation to Parent-childs relationship and Parent-childs Adjustment. 8. Medium of instruction does not show significant difference between the father-child relationships with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs relationship. 9. Medium of instruction does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs relationship. 10. Medium of instruction does not d show significant difference between the father childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs adjustment. 11. Medium of instruction does not show significant difference between the mother childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs adjustment. 12. Medium of instruction does not show significant difference between the childs relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 13. Medium of instruction does not show significant difference between the childs adjustments with regard to Parent-childs adjustment. 14. Medium of instruction does not show significant difference between the Academic Achievement with relation to Parent-childs Adjustment and Parent-childs relationship. 15. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of protecting behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 16. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Punishment Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 17. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Rejecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 18. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Punishment Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 19. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-child relationships with regard to dimension of Demanding Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 20. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-child relationships with regard to dimension of Indifferent Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 21. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-child relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 22. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-child relationships with regard to dimension of Loving Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 23. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 24. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-child relationships with regard to dimension of Neglecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 25. Type of School does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 26. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of protecting behavior of Parent-childs relationship. 27. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Punishment Behavior of Parent-childs relationship. 28. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Rejecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 29. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Punishment Behavior of Parent-childs relationship. 30. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Demanding Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 31. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationship with regard to dimension of Indifferent Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 32. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 33. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Loving Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 34. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 35. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Neglecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 36. Type of School does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 37. Type of school does not show significant relationships between the father-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of child adjustment. 38. Type of school does not show significant relationship between the mother-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimensions of Parent-childs adjustment. 39. Type of school does not show significant difference in child relationship with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 40. Type of Schools does not show significant difference between the child adjustments with regard to Parent-childs adjustment. 41. Type of Schools does not show significant relationship between the Academic Achievement with relation to Parent-childs relationship and Parent-childs Adjustment. 42. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of protecting behavior of Parent-childs relationship. 43. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationship with regard to dimension of Symbolic Punishment Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 44. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Rejecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 45. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Punishment Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 46. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Demanding Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 47. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Indifferent Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 48. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 49. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Loving Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 50. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Reward Behavior of Parent-childs relationship. 51. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Neglecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 52. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 53. Type of Management does not show difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of protecting behavior of Parent-childs relationship. 54. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-child relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Punishment Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 55. Type of management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Rejecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 56. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Punishment Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 57. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Demanding Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 58. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Indifferent Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 59. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Symbolic Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 60. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Loving Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 61. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Object Reward Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 62. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to dimension of Neglecting Behaviour of Parent-childs relationship. 63. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 64. Type of Management does not show significant relationship between the father-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of child adjustment. 65. Type of Management does not show significant relationship between the mother-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimensions of Parent-childs adjustment. 66. Type of Management does not show significant difference in child relationship with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 67. Type of Management does not show significant difference between the child adjustments with regard to Parent-childs adjustment. 68. Type of Management does not show significant relationship between the Academic Achievement with related to Parent-childs relationship and Parent-childs Adjustment. 69. Locality does not show significant difference between the father-childs relationships with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs relationship. 70. Locality does not show significant difference between the mother-childs relationships with regard to their different dimension of Parent-childs relationship. 71. Locality does not show significant difference between the father-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of child adjustment. 72. Locality does not show significant difference between the mother-childs adjustments with regard to their different dimension of child adjustment. 73. Locality does not show significant difference between the child relationships with regard to Parent-childs relationship. 74. Locality does not show significant difference between the child adjustments with regard to Parent-childs adjustment. 75. Locality does not show significant difference between the Academic Achievement with related to Parent-childs relationship and Parent-childs Adjustment. 76. There is no significant association between parent child relationship and parent childs adjustment. 77. There is no significant association between parent childs relationship and academic achievement. 78. There is no significant association between parent childs relationship and academic achievement. 79. There is no Correlation between Parent childs relationship and Parent childs adjustment. 80. There is no Correlation between Parent child relationship and Academic achievement. 81. There is no Correlation between Parent childs adjustment and Academic achievement of students. 3.07 METHOD OF STUDY Survey was made as per the present study among the Standard XII students in high schools of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts in Tamil Nadu to identify parent-child relationship, childs adjustment inventory, academic achievement and other related variables. 3.08 VARIABLES OF THE STUDY The variables selected for the present study are given below: 3.08.01 RESEARCH VARIABLES Parent-Child Relationship (independent variable) Childs Adjustment Inventory (dependent variable) Academic Achievement (dependent variable) The dimensions of parent-child relationship are given below: Protecting Symbolic Punishment Rejecting Object Punishment Demanding Indifferent Symbolic Reward Loving Object Reward Neglecting The dimensions of childs adjustment inventory are given below: Emotional Social Educational 3.08.02 OTHER VARIABLES Gender Medium Type of Schools Type of management of the schools Locality 3.09 TOOLS USED IN THE STUDY The investigator used the following tools in this study Parent child relationship scale (PCRS) Author: Dr.Nalini Rao (1989) Adjustment inventory for school students (AISS) Author: A.K.P.Sinha and R.P. Singh (1993) 3.09.01 PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP, CHILDS ADJUSTMENT INVENTORY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT To test the hypothesis framed for the present investigation, parent-child relationship scale and childs adjustment inventory has been used to collect information of the high school students. 3.09.02 Description The description of the parent childs relationship is given below: It is a 5 point scale. The tool contains 100 items categorized into 10 dimensions namely, protecting, symbolic punishment, rejecting, object punishment, demanding, indifferent, symbolic reward, loving, object reward and neglecting. Items of the scale are arranged in the same order as the dimensions and they rotate in a cycle through the scale. Each respondent score the tool for both Father and Mother separately. Items are common to both parents. The description of the childs adjustment inventory is given below: It is a 2 point scale. The tool contains 60 items categorized into three dimensions namely, emotional, social and educational. Items of the scale are arranged in the same order as the dimensions and they rotate in a cycle through the scale. 3.09.03 Administration Before administering the test, necessary instructions and directions were given to the students. No time limit is given to the students were asked to complete the inventory as early as possible. 3.09.04 Scoring Procedure Parent child relationship scale (PCRS) Respondents are asked to rate statements as to their own perception of their relationship with either father or mother on a five point scale ranging from Always to very rarely weighted 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 on the scale points. The scale is scored separately for each of the parent thus every respondent obtains ten scores for father form and ten for mother form on the ten dimensions of the scale. Each sub-scale yields a score found by summing the scores of the ratings on each item of the sub-scale. Table 3.1 Dimensions, Item of Number of Parent Child Relationship Scale S.No. Dimensions Item Numbers 1 Protecting 1,11,21,31,41,51,61,71,81,91 2 Symbolic Punishment 2,12,22,32,42,52,62,72,82,92 3 Rejecting 3,13,23,33,43,53,63,73,83,93 4 Object Punishment 4,14,24,34,44,54,64,74,84,94 5 Demanding 5,15,25,35,45,55,65,75,85,95 6 Indifferent 6,16,26,36,46,56,66,76,86,96 7 Symbolic Reward 7,17,27,37,47,57,67,77,87,97 8 Loving 8,18,28,38,48,58,68,78,88,98 9 Object Reward 9,19,29,39,49,59,69,79,89,99 10 Neglecting 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100 Adjustment inventory for school students (AISS) The questions were to be answered in Yes or No. The use of designer letters A, B and C corresponding to Emotional adjustment, Social adjustment and Educational adjustment enables the test user to discover readily questions relating to each measure. The total score indicates the general adjustment status. Table 3.2 Dimensions, Item of Number of Childs Adjustment Inventory S.No. Dimensions Item Numbers 1 Emotional 1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28,31,34,37,40,43,46,49,52,55,58 2 Social 2,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35,38,41,44,47,50,53,56,59 3 Educational 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30,33,36,39.42,45,48,51,54,57,60 3.10 PILOT STUDY As pilot study was conducted to determine the suitability of the tools used in the present investigation, Random samples of 240 students were selected for the pilot study comparing 80 from Government school, Government-Aided 80 and 80 from Private school, out of which 120 were boys and 120 girls and the reliability and validity were computed. 3.11 ESTABLISHING RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY: The reliability of the parent-child relationship was found out by correlation method and the obtained suitability co-efficient of 0.91 (N = 240) suggest that the parent-child relationship are valuable for using the standardized tools. Table 3.3 CORRELATION: S.No. Dimensions Father Mother Boys Girls Boys Girls 1 Protecting 2 Symbolic Punishment 3 Rejecting 4 Object Punishment 5 Demanding 6 Indifferent 7 Symbolic Reward 8 Loving 9 Object Reward 10 Neglecting 3.12 MAIN STUDY: The validated tool was used for the main study to collect the necessary data; the study was carried out in six schools in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur Districts in Tamil Nadu. In this investigation, the main aim is to study the effects of parent-child relationship on the childs adjustment and academic achievement of high school students. 3.13.01 SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE Random sampling technique has been adopted to choose the samples. Random samples of 1129 students from Standard IX were selected from Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur Districts in Tamil Nadu. Table 3.4 Distribution of Sample S.No. Name of the School Government/ Aided/ Private Boys Girls Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 3.13.02 SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION: Table 3.5 TYPES OF SCHOOL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL GOVERNMENT AIDED PRIVATE TOTAL The investigator obtained necessary permission from the principals of the school of education, for collection of data. The willingness and co-operation of the teachers from those institutions was also sought to administer the parent-child relationship, childs adjustment inventory and academic achievement marks. Thus the necessary data were collected during the academic year 2008 2010 from 1129 students of high school covering the whole taluk of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur Districts in Tamil Nadu. 3.15 STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES: Suitable statistical techniques were used to interpret the data to draw out a more meaningful result in the present study in the following statistical measures were used. Descriptive (Mean, Standard Deviation) Differential Analysis (t-test) Relational Analysis (Correlation) Chi-Square 3.16 DELIMITATIONS: The study is confined to high school children (i.e) children between the age group of 13 to 15. The boundary of the sample area is restricted to the Taluk of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur Districts not covering the whole Tamil Nadu. The study is confined to the effects of parent- child relationship. The size of the sample of high school children is restricted to 1129 for the study. 3.17 CONCLUSION: Parent-child relationships undergo important transitions during adolescence, including a decrease in time spent with parents and a shift from dependency to mutual reciprocity. Parents play a significant role in supporting their child with providing secure attachment during these transitions. Adolescents benefit from parental support that encourages autonomy development yet ensures continued monitoring and emotional connectedness. Specific parenting skills that promote attachment security and autonomy development include psychological availability, warmth, active listening, Behaviour monitoring, limit setting, acceptance of individuality, and negotiation rules and responsibilities. Parental support during stressful periods of transition e.g., entry to high school) predicts positive adolescent adjustment Children who have experienced chaotic and inconsistent parenting do not have the experience of regulation to guide their own efforts, nor the confidence in the caregiver (and consequently in themselves) required for self-regulation. Additionally, children who have been pushed to independence at too early age because of their parents emotionally unavailable condition or too strict to tend or to adopt rigid regular strategies, which they attempt to use on their own. They do not learn to turn to parents or others to help them with regulation.