The Presidential System Is Better Than The Parliamentary System Of Democracy

The world as a conglomerate of nations needs a sound system of administration which could justify things and effectively manage various responsibilities for the smooth functioning of the nation’s numerous affairs. It is for this reason that the need of a system of administration that could represent the whole country and take decisions on their behalf arises.

In earlier days a hierarchical system of administration was followed wherein the king ruled with or without the consent of the general public, and the successor of the king went on to become the new ruler. For the common man, in those times, getting a good ruler was a more luck based situation as he had no choice but to accept whoever was imposed upon them. With changing times things changed and eventually saner and logically correct system of administration came in.

Two of the most prominent democratic administrative systems that emerged were the Presidential system and the Parliamentary system. Though both these systems are forms of administration where the supreme power is vested in the people, they differ on more than one front. The major difference between the two systems is in the process of selection of the head of state and in the power bestowed upon them. In the Parliamentary system people get to choose the political party of their choice and then the elected party decides as to who their leader, or Prime Minister, will be, so the public in Parliamentary system is not directly involved in choosing its leader. Also, in a Parliamentary system the head of state and chief executive are not the same, in contrast to the Presidential system where the head of the state, the President, is also the chief decision maker. In a Presidential system people get to directly choose their leader hence bestowing more powers in him as compared to the elected leader in a Parliamentary system.

Now, ever since their inception, there has been a raging debate as to which of the two systems hold precedence over the other. Although both these systems have there own advantages and limitations, I feel that the Presidential system of administration holds an edge over the Parliamentary system. Agreed that the Parliamentary system offers more disciplined and organized structure for decision making but in the process aspects such as speed and decisiveness are rendered useless.

Humans in general and on different laterals need a leader to show them the right path, a leader who enjoys full faith of his pupil and is able to take decisions in the best interest of people whom he leads. While both the systems emphasize on the importance of a leader, the Parliamentary system cramps its chief executive by limiting his powers, thanks to the arduous and rigid process followed in order for a decision to be implemented. Even after the Prime Minister has decided on a particular decision he needs to have the consent of both houses of Parliament to see his plan go into effect. This limitation imposed on the chosen leader of a nation leads to a very slow and rigid system of decision making wherein the opposition can play a decisive role in hindering the approval of a plan.

Unlike what is followed In a Parliamentary system, the Presidential system provides more flexibility and speed in terms of decision making, this system emphasizes on the power of a President by establishing the Presidency and the legislature as two parallel structures. The Prime Minister in a Parliamentary system is always under the threat of removal and hence cannot be as decisive and strong minded as the President in a Presidential system who enjoys more stability, by virtue of a fixed term.

As the Presidential system allows the people to directly choose their leader it provides more legitimacy to the power of the chosen one. The all powerful leader in a Presidential system is provided enough backing to be able to take bold and progressive decisions, his say is the say of the public and his decisions are based on the motive of public good, hence providing him with the necessary powers is a rational step towards creating a rapidly progressive nation, with no internal hindrances.

Now, the point that many of those who dispose the Presidential system bring forward is that by rendering the President as all powerful we actually are promoting a tendency towards authoritarianism, which indeed is an undesirable thing. However, what they tend to forget is that it is not just anyone who is being handed over control of powers, it is a person chosen by clear majority of the country and if most of the nation thinks that a person is competent enough while he turns out to be an authoritarian, it is the public, who chose him, who is to be blamed and not the system. Also, the impediment for a regime change causes many to think against the Presidential system, whereas the fact is that it is this very aspect that enables the President to take bold steps without any fears of impeachment.

Now, the choice is ours, do we want a nation which is moving at a snail’s pace owing to its politically correct yet rigid approach or do we want a nation which is governed by a leader not bound or afraid to take crucial decisions? Do we want the potentially useful laws to be lost in the lengthy approval process on the name of discipline or are we confident enough of our own decisions to allow the leader to take the country forward? The choice at the end of the day is ours, the people of the nation, the base of democracy, and if we are not laden with doubts on our own choices then be rest assured that the Presidential system of Democracy offers a path to growth and development of the nation, as a whole.

By - Faisal Abidi

Does online marketing work?

‘Marketing’, what is there in this 9 letter word that forms the crux of any prudent business plan? Why do all sagacious firms and organizations go hysterical when it comes to marketing? The answer to such questions can be given if we dive into the depths of the true meaning of marketing, in terms of profitability, and its impact on the growth of an organization. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines marketing as equivalent to “expose for sale in a market”, and this definition pretty much sums up the underlying motive of any marketing campaign.

Marketing as a major subject is taught extensively in various top notch Business schools, and the obvious reason for this is the high demand for creative marketers who could bring in innovative ideas and eventually contribute to the growth in sales, the ultimate target of any organization looking to make profit. Marketing is a very effective tool to get the word across to potential customers, and in this highly competitive era the firm having a marketing edge over the rival firm wins hands down.

However, this is not as easy a job as it sounds, had it been, then it would be very difficult to distinguish between the efficiencies of various marketing strategies. The traditional approach towards marketing involves creating awareness amongst people by means of communication media such as television, radio or newspaper. But with the growth of the World Wide Web, new horizons have been discovered for marketing in a more convenient and effective manner. Online or Internet marketing is the term used for marketing campaigns carried out over the web.

Such campaigns are identical to the conventional ones and adhere to the basic 4Ps, namely, Product; detailed specification of the product or service offered Pricing; judiciously deciding the price, Promotion; Advertising and branding efforts and Placement; Mode of distribution. Online marketing is refreshingly different from the regular marketing on lots of fronts and scores over the conventional strategies by utilizing the core power of Internet.

Online marketing is a mutual beneficial strategy wherein the customer enjoys the convenient, interactive & immediate interface offered by online purchase, and the marketers bask in the flexibility, global market access, reduced cost and common platform that online marketing provides. There are mainly two business models associated with marketing in general, Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C). B2B model copes with business between two companies whereas B2C model covers business conducted directly between the customer and the company.

As per Thomas Freidman, with millions of websites and enhanced modes of communication, the world has become ‘flat’ and all the information in the world is just a mouse click away, this ‘flat’ world allows the flow of information to any corner of the world, rather seamlessly. It is this aspect of Internet that online marketing exploits; potential consumer irrespective of his geographic location can gain ample information on the product and can make purchases round the clock, 24/7. Moreover, online marketing greatly reduces the cost incurred as it doesn’t involve physical aspects such as a sales force, for instance.

There are various ways for a company to carry out online marketing campaigns but the most trusted and tried are creating an electronic storefront and placing ads online. Both these efforts usually engage the potential customer in an interaction that would eventually lead to purchase or other marketing outcome. So, in a nutshell, online marketing provides exposure to national and international markets at a relatively cheaper rate and at an efficiency which is times higher than any of its counterpart.

No surprise the importance of online marketing has been increasingly growing ever since its inception. Recent global research by Forrester and B2B Magazine has shown that 72% of all marketers (both B2C and B2B) said they were going to increase their online marketing spend and B2B businesses have already shifted 25% from offline to online media. On the branding side, Forrester reports that 40% of B2B marketers consider online marketing to be extremely effective for building a brand image. What can be conclusively derived from this report is that both B2B and B2C businesses are coming to terms with the fact that internet offers an abundance of marketing opportunities. Be it a company in any part of the world, the main focus is on two things- First & foremost, generating leads or information regarding (or provided by) a consumer that may be interested in making a purchase and secondly achieving branding goals for acquiring new customers and retaining the older ones. Online marketing provides solution to both these aspects and as a result it is fast becoming one of the most sought after and in demand form of marketing.

The idea of the success of online marketing can be conjured if we have a look on the various firms that have exclusively used web as a medium of marketing and have gained uncharted success. One of the path breaking companies that realized the potential of Internet earlier than its rivals was Dell Corp. which followed an internet based retail model. So the only medium of sale for Dell computers is via Internet, yet they are amongst the leaders as far as number of sales is considered, hence reaffirming the power of online marketing. To further strengthen my view point I would like to bring to notice the phenomenal success that online retail firms such as ebay and amazon have enjoyed, they hardly have any other marketing medium apart from the Internet but still manage to sell as much, if not more, than any of their offline counterparts.

These are just a few examples that go on to demonstrate the effect online marketing has on businesses around the world. Online marketing is on a steep upward path towards creating unparalleled success and now, with the advent of Web 2.0, the second generation of web based communities and hosted services has arrived and those organizations which are too adamant to accept the very fact that online marketing holds the key to the future, will be left behind.

Author - Faisal Abidi

Can Coaching Centers Replace Classroom Teachings?

Now before I proceed debating on the topic, Can coaching centers replace classroom teaching, I must confess that I was deeply intrigued when I started the process of thought flow on this very debatable question that arises in the minds of innumerable students.

Although I have mixed reactions to this question but the part of my intellect in favour of Coaching centers scores over the one against it. Admittedly, its school and not the coaching center that forms the crux of the primary identity of a student. But nevertheless in this fiercely competitive world of cut throat competition it is coaching and its various manifestations that prove pivotal in enabling success that would have been unimaginable otherwise.

Core of the class room teaching comprises of classroom teachers and course books, which suffice for us in the early period of our education, however, as the level rises and pressure to perform builds up a student looks out for more grueling and competition oriented help and guidance. It is at this point that coaching centers step in with a dedicated team of teachers and a practice oriented & exhaustive study material.

Now, in order to gain advantage over other students, it is coaching centers one heads to, no surprise some coaching centres have more competition than the actual exam for which they prepare. The reason for this phenomenal success of various coaching can be attributed to their result oriented and adaptive teaching methodologies which are often found missing in the classroom education system. Moreover to make things worse the study material provided in schools though consisting of basics lacks the details and practice material an average student desires in order to get a grasp of things. No wonder large volumes of students are migrating to the coaching centers in a search for respite, and thankfully they seldom disappoint.

I will not be shocked one bit if majority of students including those who disagree with the importance of a good coaching center have themselves subscribed to some coaching or the other, after all we have to change with changing time and its needs, and the fact is that though every student has a school to boast of, it is the study undertaken at a coaching center that a student perceives with utmost sincerity. Whether or not the homework of school is finished, the coaching work has higher priority. And the reason why students have prioritized coaching over school, is because of the simple fact, COACHING DELIVER WHEN NEEDED.

Results speak for themselves and if there was an honest student pole, there is no doubt in my mind, that high majority of students who have had the experience of both systems, coaching and classroom, will be tilted in my favor, that indeed coaching centers can replace classroom study seamlessly.

Now a point that those disagreeing with this concept strongly put forward is that coaching centers have made students dependent and they do as they are asked to do by the coaching. The reply to this question summaries and concludes my post, If unquestioning faith that our detractors call dependence is the price we are asked for in return for success and glory in our respective fields of study, DO WE MIND ?

I hope i have been able to bring forth the facts that we all know but tend to ignore.

-Faisal Abidi.

Education curriculum has stopped producing intellectuals

India is a country that is accredited for being amongst the leading flag bearers to enlighten the primitive world dominated by ignorant people. It was India that realized the importance of aspects of life other than filling the stomach and covering the bodies, man is a special animal, special because of the grey matter God provided and it was India that by promoted free & radical thinking helped in quenching the thirsty brains. But on comparing the past with the present we find a sharp contrast in terms of the quality of intellectuals produced by the country, in the mad race for materialism it seems that the basic fundamentals that made us a great country are being trampled underfoot.

Intellects are people who see the world from a different perspective and on the larger canvas, It is such people who contribute to the world hence moving it in a progressive direction as is a saying ‘Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people’. The intellectual growth of a person begins right from childhood when he starts to develop a thinking brain, when he questions the different aspects of life and the process continues till the individual survives so the primary reason for the stark decline in the level of intellect has to be improper foundation and upbringing in terms of the type and style of education bestowed upon them.

Nowadays, due to the education curriculum in practice, a lot of emphasis is given on the bookish knowledge, be it the class works or the strenuous homework, a student is confined to the boundaries of books and is restricted by the deadlines of assignments. The world is too diverse to be reduced to dull uniformities of rules. Education practice such as this pushes the student in a niche thereby closing his mind to the joys and beauty of life.

As a general practice a student is always asked to replicate the notes provided by the school teachers and swaying away from the set path leads to deduction of marks hence creativity is nipped in the bud. No student is ever asked what he likes to do or what he is good at rather the custom education curriculum is imposed resulting in mental fatigue and frustration so a student who if allowed to grow in a free environment could have contributed to the nation in a big way is transformed into a normal individual with no freedom of thought. As a direct consequence the quality of intellectuals found in our country is decreasing at an exponential rate.

The point stated above is proved when we have a look into the education system followed by the developed western countries where individuality is given foremost importance and their education curriculum is based on the same principle. As a result individuals with free mind and great ideas are produced contributing to the growth of their country in general and the world in particular.

Our education policy induces a herd mentality and hence curbs the growth of free thinking individuals who could lead to great ideas and discoveries. Small students are made to carry extremely heavy school bags harming them physically and then they’re made to follow the customary norm without expressing their feedbacks, hurting them mentally.

And now with the increase in the number of suicide cases amongst students it is clear that students are finding it tough to cope with the immense pressure of mugging up books aimlessly without being able to contribute something back. It is of grave importance to identify and combat this very serious matter else we will be living in an India where finding intellectuals would be a rarity.

I would like to end by saying that it is imperative to tackle one of the most urgent but overlooked of the litany of potential show-stoppers looming for the future Indian intellectuals.

By: Faisal Abidi

RESERVATION A HURDLE IN THE PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY

Reservation what is there in this 11 letter word that has rocked the nation ever since its outset? What is it that’s fueling the generally harmless students to come out on roads and face the atrocities of water cannons and tear gas? Where is the future of our great country heading? Such questions can only be answered if we abstain from biased opinions and rise above emotions to come to a logical and well thought out conclusion.

Quota system was introduced in order to uplift the oppressed societies of Pre-Independence India, the idea was to bring those who have been suffering for years at par with the society, a noble thought indeed.

But the underlying problem of this country is that though we plan well the executioners of those plans, our politicians, seldom follow it and what is left is a good plan gone wrong. Reservations have become a political agenda for parties to contest elections and the real motive is trampled underfoot.

Giving seats without merit promotes hatred amongst those who are more capable and it further increases the gap between societies, moreover, by admitting less competent people in educational institutes we are leading the country in a wrong direction. An incompetent doctor with a scalpel is no less than a butcher with a knife. India is growing fast and is being recognized world over for its talent and brain, continuing the existing quota system shall lead to an increase in brain drain and the world shall benefit from those who could have stayed on and made India a better place to live.

Another question that comes to mind is that why is the quota system not applied to every walk of life? why isn’t quota applied to the defense services? why isn’t quota applicable in private sectors? or better still, why not allocate quota to the Indian cricket team? The answer is once again not very intricate, govt understands that these positions are performance based and altering with them might seriously affect the outcome. But, what it doesn’t understand is that in a haste of increasing reservations it is pushing the future of the country in a grave situation. Killing merit and promoting quotas is defying the point which led to the proposal of inducing reservations, that was social equality.

Instead of blindly increasing the quota, the govt should try to bring the oppressed academically at par with the society by promoting and providing good quality education right from the starting. This way backward class people and merit based selection could go hand in hand without comprising with the quality. It is the youth of today that go on to become the future of the nation and if the gravity of the whole situation is not understood and acted upon with an immediate effect that day is not far when we might be living in a socially divided India, very unlike of what our forefathers dreamed of for an independent India.

-Faisal Abidi

My true colour

Overcoming Mind's Rigidity

It is good to be a man of principles & be emotionally stable so as not to be swayed too easily from a set path of life. Strength of convictions is necessary but what is dangerous is lack of flexibility & of openness of the mind. The truth is that rigid persons break soon under situation of stress.
A rigid person wants everything to happen according to his set formula. In a world where individual difference is the rule these pathetic people expect everybody to look upon life & its manifestations as they do.The world is too rich to be reduced to formulaes & to dull uniformity of rules. The other man is as important as you are & a tolerance for difference is a must for a working interpersonal relationship.
If a person closes his mind, he closes it from the light & joy that comes from life. Fear & friction must be the direct consequence of a hide bound mentality. It results in lonely & frightened people, & this state of perinial fright & tensions is full of dangerous possibilities for mental health.
What causes rigidity of the mind in most cases, it is early upbringing & the rigid family environment together with lack of affection & appreciation from the elders that freezes the individual into following a hard pattern of behavior.
Certainly one would need a daily excercise in loving others & appreciating merit wherever it is found, to develop a flexible outlook.
As with the muscles, so with the mind, Excercise in love & appreciation that is the way to overcome the rigidity of mind.
'Mind is a parachute, it doesn't work untill open'