The Mahabharata: a Brahminical Struggle for Power

The Mahabharata: A Brahminical Struggle for Power The desire for power has always been an issue throughout the ages. As foreign ideas and invaders became a threatening situation, the Brahmin caste during time of the Mahabharata responded by stressing the importance of dharma in society. The writers of the Mahabharata's twelfth book, The Book of Peace, place extra emphasis on dharma to not only maintain order within the kingdom, but also to preserve the social status of Brahmins and dissuade other castes from converting to new and foreign influences in the Mahabharata.To better understand why such an act was needed, this paper will discuss the Brahminical social status relative to other castes, the importance of dharma in society to Brahmins, the growing influence of the Buddhism in India, and lastly the presence of Jainism in society and it’s minor effect. During the period the Mahabharata was written, there was a clear defined four-tiered caste system consisting of the Sudras , Vaishyas, Kshatriya, and Brahmins. These classes were meant to maintain order by stressing that each class must to adhere to its proper dharma. The Sudras were the lowest level of the caste system.Known typically as slaves and workers, their dharma was to do be slaves or do hard labor. They held no power although they represented a large portion of society. They were owned by the Kshatriya, but they were considered â€Å"untouchable† by both Brahmins and Kshatriyas because of the impure stigma placed upon the class by the Brahmins. This idea of impurity of the Sudras pervaded even throughout the class itself, and at the pinnacle of the caste system, there were divisions within the Sudra class The Vaisyas were placed below the Kshatriya and Brahmins and â€Å"slightly above the Sudras† in the caste system.This class’s main focus was agriculture and livestock. Scholars such as Richard Fick state that, â€Å"Originally in the oldest Vedic age Vaiyas was a name o f the class of cattle-breeding and land-cultivating Aryan settlers, it later served the purpose of the theorizing Brahmins to bind together the unlimited number of social groups. † They were unable to receive education in Vedic traditions. Since they were the closest to Sudras in class, these two groups occasionally formed distinct classes referred to as â€Å"Gahapatis and Kutumbika†The Kshatriya class was known to consist of the warriors and kings of the caste system. They maintained a symbiotic relationship with the Brahmins. The Kshatriyas depended on the Brahmins to perform detailed rituals since they were the only ones who knew the knowledge to perform them. The Brahmins depended on the Kshatriyas for protection and sustenance. Although the Brahmins had the knowledge the Kshatriyas needed, this did not last. As the Kshatriyas gained access to Vedic literature, they demonstrated equal dedication to the texts as the Brahmins did .This access to Vedic literature prom pted the Kshatriyas to begin to question brahminical ways. As the Kshatryias became more educated, â€Å"kings were not happy with the parasitical life led by the brahminical class. † This questioning and dissatisfaction aided the development of new ideas and influences. The Brahmin class focused on performing rituals and the Vedic texts. They put new meaning to the saying, â€Å"knowledge is power. † Through their knowledge on how to perform complicated rituals and â€Å"special† mystical power, they were able to persuade all the other classes to give to them.Bhishma in the Mahabharata, â€Å"tells Yudhisthiria that priest of the sacrifice (rtvij), a family priest (purohita), a teacher, a disciple, relatives and kinsmen can be considered worthy of worship and honour if they are furnished with learning and virtue (Srutavrttopasamhita). † Essentially describing the Brahmins, Bhisma tells Yudhisthiria and all other classes to give to Brahmins since they ful fill the required criteria on who to give to. The Brahmins were the most organized class of the time, and this allowed them to declare their broad rule.It did not matter if the Kshatriyas had the thrown; the power over the thrown essentially made them the ruler of the land. Excess power corrupts, and the Brahmins were clearly overstepping their bounds. Kings began to see their relationship with Brahmins as parasitic rather than symbiotic. One of the most famous Kshatriya, Siddhartha Gautama, was raised with this mentality, and would use this as a base for Buddhism. However, Brahmins were still kept in high regard. In the Mahabharata, The Book of Peace is essentially a long argument in favor of Brahmins. It looked upon them as walking gods on earth who should be obeyed and honored. † Though this is the case, scholars such as V. S Sukthankar believe that â€Å"the tradition which revised and recast the epic according to the Vaishnava and brahmana need was the Brighu tradition. † One of these instances can be seen in â€Å"Top of the list of Bhargavas second only to Bhrgu himself, is Rama Jamadagnya, the militant brahmin hero responsible for the destruction of the ksatriyas, whether this story is intended to as a military or a literary victory. If Sukthankar’s theory is correct, the Brahminization of the Mahabharata exemplifies the power the Brahmins had in their era. They not only had the ability to influence public policy in the Vedic era, but also how they are portrayed in religious texts that transcend both borders and time. Braminization was not only a way to maintain power at the time, but ensure that their power be maintained for future Brahmins as well. Compared to all other classes, the brahminical class best understood the political and social needs of the time.This allowed them to gain increasing power and respect not only in their era, but future periods to come. Dharma was the way of life in the Vedic society. Adharmic acts are n ot taken lightly as seen in the Mahabharata when Yudhisthria’s chariot falls after half-lying about Asvattamma’s death. The idea of dharma can be traced back to the Vedic period when the concept of dharma was represented as the word rita . In Book 12, Bhisma defines dharma as, â€Å"it helps acquisition and preservation of wealth. The sages have declared that dharma restricts and limits all evil acts of men.All creatures prosper by the growth of dharma and deteriorate with its decay. † (12. 91, 14-15) Bhisma goes on to discuss how dharma is important in all parts of the caste or varna system. A majority of The Book of Peace is describing how a king should act, what should a kingdom provide, and how dharma needs to be followed (unless during special situations such as war), however, Bhisma spends time to educate what dharma means for those not in the position of king. Not only does Bhisma specify what type of lives Sudras, Vaishyas, Kshatriya, and Brahmins should live, but also how to live one’s life at specific ages.There are four modes of life that Bhisma reveals in The Book of Peace. The first is Brahmacharya Ashrama which instructs one to â€Å"lead a life of celibacy and obey the order of preceptor† (12. 168. 8. 10) . This time lasts from age 12 when a child goes to a preceptor and ends at the age of 25 when he returns. The next role is Grihastha Ashrama where Bhisma instructs one to â€Å"enjoy life, gratify his senses, follow all ethical sanctions enshrined in the Samayadarma and help people who were in distress† (12. 186. 11. 16) One should get married at the age of 25 and remain in this mode until 50 years old.At the age of 50, one enters Vanprastha Ashrama where he can accept the life of a hermit. At the late age of 75, one can enter Sanyasa Ashrama, where a hermit can detach himself further from the world and become an ascetic. These modes of life are directed towards the Bhramins, however, Kshatriyas can tak e on these roles, â€Å"after duly observing his caste duties, in his old age, could accept the hermit’s and ascetics mode of life† (12. 63. 16. 21) and â€Å"an aged Vaishya, after virtuously performing his duty and serving the king might adopt other modes of life with the king’s permission† (12. 3. 15) The class structures which include age are extremely structured. This is so because, â€Å"the social mechanism of dharma was a clear attempt to moderate class struggle and competition with the help of the varna system. † The caste system worked because of the wide understanding of dharma among its many followers. With the Braminzation Theory in mind, it is entirely possible that the Brahmins, through Bhisma’s voice, were the true advocates for dharmic living. The idea of dharma was to maintain the stability and the status quo of the time .The highly structured design acted as an instrument to fulfill the Brahmins desires. The importance of class structure focuses on maintaining the power of the Brahmins which is why it was alarming to witness Brahmins acting like Kshatriyas and vice versa. One of the developing influences during the Vedic period was Buddhism. Mentioned earlier, Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born into the Kshatriya caste. This provided him with a primary bias against them, but his reasons for going against the brahminical caste were much deeper than an underlying bias.The Buddha was disgusted by the animal sacrifices to the Gods, along with the hypocritical and lying nature of the Brahmins. He was also â€Å"critical to their advice to kings† and â€Å"opposed to the Brahmin claim over the Kshatriyas. † To gain followers, the Buddha took advantage of the ailing brahminical caste. He showed support for the sudras by â€Å"speaking against the caste and admitting the sudra castes into the snagha . † The Buddha convinced the Kshatriyas to convert by using his family roots, and stressing his supremacy thus implicitly stating that Kshatryas were supreme.After gaining the Kshatriyas on his side, the Buddha moved on to the Vaisya class lending them money at an interest, and since the Vaisya class focused on livestock, Buddha’s rejection of animal sacrifices only added more reason for the Vaisya to join his snagha. Buddhism even managed to recruit â€Å"a significant part of their elite from good Brahmin families and which scattered the countryside with shrines and monasteries. † Furthermore, Buddhism gained strong support by Asoka the Great, an Indian emperor, who converted to Buddhism. Asoka did not reject the entire brahminical tradition.He also strongly desired for his people to be dharmic. His strong adherence to dharma rivals that of the Brahmins. The danger of Buddhism was not only the converts it was amassing, but the stressing of equality across all caste and the ridding of the caste system all together. Since much of the Bra hmin’s power was a result from the strict caste system, it was in their best interest to preserve it any way they could. In response the surge of Buddhism, the Mahabharata was released to counter the threat of outside invaders and new influences.This new text served to learn from the mistakes of past mistakes of the overextended Brahmin caste. â€Å"But the text does not resemble the hymns of the Veda at all; it is a narrative text which is replete with all manner of didactic wisdom. And it is a text which has, in its intention, and in fact, moved away from the social exclusivism and esotericism of the Vedic Brahmin tradition. † The act of adaptation of the Brahminical tradition is impressive because it maintains the same concepts conveyed through the first four Vedas while presenting it in a new fashion that speaks to the audience of that era.Although a remarkable cause, Buddhism waned in India because â€Å"the Kshatriyas were afraid of Buddhism because it threatene d the very foundation of their existence as a class as oppressed people encouraged by its equality preaching were trying to rise† In response to this rising issue, the Brahmins and Kshatriyas formed a new alliance to reestablish the caste system , and as a result, Buddhism slowly faded in India. An additional threat to the Brahmins at the time was Jainism.Lead by Mahavira, a born and raised Kshatriya who renounced his caste, Jainism became an increasing threat to the Brahmins. â€Å"In this remarkable spiritual exploration of Mahavira, there was a break with traditionalism, the response and challenge to the orthodoxy of the Brahmins. † Although Jainism is not a considered a â€Å"revolt† against Brahmanism since it some of the tenets find roots in Vedic ideas , many of the ideas were alarming to the Brahmins. Mahavira did not think of the Vedas as authority and did not believe that the Brahmins â€Å"were the bearers of spiritual truth .He also viewed animal sac rifices as wrong and rejected the animal ritual sacrifices such as the Horse Sacrifice popular in Vedic Brahmanism. â€Å"There is no doubt that the emphasis on ahimsa, non-killing was a reaction against the Brahminic sacrifices which required sacrifices of live animals† Although alarming to the Brahmins, Jainism had unattractive qualities which dissuaded many from converting to the lifestyle. Since â€Å"Jainism was less of an anti-caste than anti-Brahmin movement† , those angry with the current caste system did not find much reason to convert.Kshatriyas found this new ideology unappealing because it asked them to forego their warrior and bloody lifestyle to one that had no blood or violence. Despite these unappealing qualities, Jainism still managed to amass a group a followers particularly from the Vaiysa caste which sought to increase their status and distinguish themselves from the Sudras. Although a smaller influential group, Jainism still was a threat to the Bra hmin way of life which demanded addressing. The ultimate goal of politics transcends time. In today’s society, politics emains the same – a constant battle for power. Through analyzing the Bhraminical social status relative to other castes, the importance of dharma in society, the growing influence of the Buddhism in India, and the presence of invaders during the time of the Mahabharata, it is apparent that they were on the top of the caste system and were reluctant to move from that position even when many pressures were apparent. It is quite remarkable how the Mahabharata not only serves as present day religion text, but also as a response to the growing influences of Buddhism and Jainism.It is further exemplified that dharma is used as a tool to maintain order within the kingdom and attempt to preserve the social status of the Brahmins. Although the brahminical power eventually ended, their epic passion and zeal to maintain their status is not only inspiring, but al so deserves some reorganization in the Indian Epic, the Mahabharata. Works Cited Ahir, D. C. Asoka the Great. Delhi: B. R. Pub. Corp. , 1995. 9-137. Brekke, Torkel. â€Å"Contradiction and the Merit of Giving in Indian Religions. † International Review for the History of Religions 45 (1998): 302.Chousalkar, Ashok S. â€Å"Social and Political Implications of Concept of Dharma. † Social and Political Implications of Concepts of Justice & Dharma. Delhi: Mittal Publications, 1986. 55-112. Fitzgerald, James L. â€Å"Journal of the American Academy of Religion. † The Great Epic of India as Religious Rhetoric: A Fresh Look at the â€Å"Mahabharata 51 (1983): 611-30. Fitzgerald, James L. The Mahabharata: 11. the Book of the Women, 12. the Book of Peace, Part One. Vol. 7. Chicago, Ill. ; London: University of Chicago P, 2004. 79-124. Gandhi, Raj S. The Rise of Jainism and its Adoption by the Vaishyas of India : a Case Study in Sanskritisation and Status Mobility. † Social Compass 24 (1977): 247-60. Hiltebeitel, Alf. â€Å"Empire, Invasion, and India's National Epics. † International Journal of Hindu Studies 2 (1998): 387-421. Ilaiah, Kancha. â€Å"Pre-Buddhist Society. † God as Political Philosopher: Buddha's Challenge to Brahminism. Kolkata: Mandira Sen for Samya, 2001. 27-43. Leslie, Julia. â€Å"Identifying â€Å"Valmiki in the Early Sanskrit Text. † Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki. Aldershot, Hants, Engand: Ashgate, 2003. 83.

Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Paying Respects Gilbert Bendetti liked his job, really liked his job. It was a government job, of sorts, so the benefits were good and the work easy. He liked working nights, too, it was quiet and he was usually in the morgue by himself, so he didn't have to feel self-conscious about his weight or his bad skin. He liked playing with computers and the lab equipment, and he liked answering the phone and acting official. Being the night man at the coroner's office would have been a great job even if he didn't get to fuck the dead, but with that, it was heaven. Tonight Gilbert was bubbling with anticipation. They had wheeled Miss Right in that afternoon and left him explicit instructions not to put her away, but to let her sit out to thaw for the autopsy. Some psycho had put her in a freezer. Sick bastard had put TV dinners under her arms. Now she was curled up on a gurney, teasing him. That cocktail dress, that red hair – he could hardly wait. He checked the log and locked his skin books in the desk drawer, then loosened his lab coat and went down the hall to test her for flexibility. The last time he checked she'd started to get a little flexibility, but he knew that inside she was – well – frigid, despite the Salisbury-steak gravy dripping from under her arms. He pushed through the glass door into the holding room and there she was, just as he had left her, her pouty lips beckoning to him, her lovely legs curled up behind her. â€Å"My angel,† Gilbert said, â€Å"shall I help you with those pesky panty hose?† He straightened her legs on the gurney and pushed her skirt up. She was still a little chilly, but she was movable. Good, once rigor mortis set in, passion could put you into positions that would challenge a yoga master. Gilbert had thrown his back out more than once. Her panty hose were sheer black, but except for her right big toe, her feet were dusty. She must have been walking in her stocking feet. Indulging himself in some foreplay, Gilbert had sucked her big toe clean shortly after they brought her in. Foreplay, sorta. He considered testing her with the meat thermometer, but she was so perfect, he didn't want to mark that lovely body. He reached up under her skirt, grabbed the waistband of her panty hose, and began to work them down. â€Å"Black lace panties, my goodness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He tried to remember her name, then checked her toe tag. â€Å"My goodness, Jody, how did you know I liked black lace?† He peeled her panty hose off, stopping to loosen the toe tag first, then ran his hands up her thighs after the lace panties. â€Å"And a natural redhead,† Gilbert said, dropping the panties on the floor. He stepped back a moment to admire her and slip out of his lab coat. He locked the wheels on the gurney, pulled the TV dinners out from under her arms, and unzipped his pants. â€Å"This is going to be so good. So good.† He climbed over the end of the gurney, careful to stay balanced. Nothing ruined the mood more than toppling to the linoleum and bashing your skull. He licked a path up the inside of her leg. â€Å"Tommy, that tickles,† she said. Gilbert looked up. No, it's my imagination. He returned to his pleasure. â€Å"No, let me shower first,† she said. She sat up. Gilbert pushed himself backward so violently that the gurney went up on its end, dumping Jody on the floor. Gilbert backed away from her holding his chest, his breath refusing to come, bis withering willy waving in front of him. Jody climbed to her feet. â€Å"Who are you?† Gilbert couldn't talk. He couldn't breathe. It felt as if barbed wire had been looped around his heart and was being yanked by a team of horses. He backed into a rack of drawers, banging his head. Jody looked around. â€Å"How did I get here? Answer me.† Gilbert gasped and fell to his knees. â€Å"Where's Tommy? And where the fuck are my panties?† Gilbert was shaking his head. He rolled on his side, took two more tortured breaths, and died. â€Å"Hey!† Jody said. â€Å"I need some answers here.† Gilbert didn't answer. Jody watched the black aura of his dying fade away, leaving only the residual heat signature of his body. â€Å"Sorry,† she said. She looked around: the gurney, the big file drawers of the dead, the instruments of dissection – this sure looked like the morgues in the movies. Something had gone seriously wrong while she slept. She checked her watch, but it was gone. The wall clock over Gilbert's body read 1 a.m. Why did I wake up so late? I've got to find Tommy and find out what happened. She picked up her panties from the floor and wiggled into them. The panty hose she left where they lay, instead looking around for her shoes. She didn't see them. She didn't see her purse anywhere either. Money. I'm going to need cab fare. She crouched by Gilbert's body and rifled through his pockets, coming up with thirty dollars and some change. Almost as an afterthought she tucked his exposed member back into his pants and zipped him up. â€Å"I did that for your family, not for you,† she said. Then thought, I'm getting worse than Tommy, talking to dead people. She started toward the door, then stopped and looked at the wall of drawers. The scenario cane over her like a sudden sneeze. Tommy is probably in one of those drawers. The vampire killed him, and when the coroner came, they thought I was dead too. But why did he spare me? And why did it take so long to wake up? Maybe it was that med student. Maybe when I missed the meeting he told the cops when to find me. But he didn't know how to find me. She went though the glass doors and down the hall where she stopped at the phone and called the loft. No answer. She dialed the Marina Safeway's number. â€Å"Marina Safeway.† She recognized Simon McQueen's drawl. â€Å"Simon, this is Jody. I need to talk to Tommy.† â€Å"Who? Who did you say you were?† â€Å"It's Jody. Tommy's girlfriend. I need to speak to him.† Simon was quiet for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was an octave lower. â€Å"You don't know where Flood is?† â€Å"He's not there?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"Is he okay?† â€Å"In a manner of speakin', he's okay. What about you? You feelin' all right?† â€Å"Yes, Simon, I'm fine. Where's Tommy?† â€Å"Well, ain't you a wonder. You're sure you feel okay?† â€Å"Yes. Where's Tommy?† â€Å"I can't tell you over the phone. I'll come get you. Where are you?† â€Å"I'm not sure; just a second.† Jody ran to the front door. The address was printed on the glass. She went back to the phone and gave Simon an address two blocks away. â€Å"Let me get someone to cover my section. I'll be there in a half hour.† â€Å"Thanks, Simon.† Jody hung up. What in the hell was going on? While she waited for Simon to arrive, Jody parried the propositions of two guys in a Mercedes who had mistaken her for a hooker. Not an unreasonable mistake considering she was standing barefoot on a back street in a low-cut cocktail dress on a cold San Francisco night. Finally, when she told them she was an undercover cop, their resolve softened and they drove off hanging their heads. Simon rounded the corner five minutes later and skidded to a stop in a cloud of smoking rubber and testosterone. He threw the door open for her. â€Å"Get in.† Jody leaped into the passenger seat. Simon seemed a little surprised that she hadn't used the two steps mounted under the door. â€Å"You're steppin' high tonight, darlin',† Simon said. Jody closed the door. â€Å"Where's Tommy?† â€Å"Hold your horses, I'll take you to him.† Simon put the truck in gear and roared off. â€Å"You sure you're feeling all right?† â€Å"Yes, I'm fine. Why couldn't you tell me what happened to Tommy on the phone?† â€Å"Well, he's hiding out. Seems the police want him for some murders.† â€Å"The Whiplash murders?† â€Å"Those be the ones.† Simon looked at her. â€Å"Ain't you cold?† â€Å"Oh, I lost my coat.† â€Å"And shoes?† â€Å"Yes, and shoes. Some guys were chasing me.† Jody knew she didn't sound very convincing. They were headed down Market toward the Bay Bridge. Simon grinned and pushed his black Stetson back on his head. â€Å"You don't get cold, do you, darlin'?† â€Å"What do you mean?† Simon hit the electric-lock button; Jody heard the lock go thunk at her side. Simon said, â€Å"You don't get hot either, do you? Or sick. Do you get sick?† Jody hugged the door handle. â€Å"What are you getting at, Simon?† Simon reached inside his jacket and came out with a Colt Python revolver. He pointed it at her and cocked it. â€Å"Now I know bullets might not kill you, but I'll bet they hurt like hell. And I put some little wood pegs in the hollow points just in case that does the job.† Jody had no idea what a bullet would do to her and she didn't want to find out. â€Å"What do you want, Simon?† Simon pulled the truck into an alley and switched off the engine. â€Å"Couple of things. I don't know which I want first until you answer some questions.† â€Å"Whatever you want, Simon. You're Tommy's friend. You don't have to be a hard-ass, just ask.† â€Å"That's right sweet of you, darlin'. Now tell me, do you get sick?† â€Å"Everybody gets sick, Simon. I get a cold every now and then.† Simon dug the gun into her ribs. â€Å"Don't bullshit me now. I know what you are.† Jody looked closely at Simon for the first time. He was burning up, the heat coming off him in red waves, even in the relative warmth of the truck cab. But below the heat aura she saw something else that she hadn't seen the first night she'd met him. Maybe because she hadn't known what to look for. Under the heat signature Simon was ringed by a thin black corona, as she had seen on other people – the death aura, but thinner, as if it was just growing. She said, â€Å"Are you sure you're not just being an asshole again, Simon? Holding up your friend's girlfriend?† â€Å"Don't get slippery on me, Red. I saw you sleeping that day we partied at your house. I touched you. You're cold as a witch's titty. And Flood always complainin' about you sleeping all day. And how he had to have them turtles alive. But I didn't put it all together until the Emperor started screaming about vampires and the cops took Flood away.† â€Å"You're nuts, Simon. None of that proves anything. There's no such thing as vampires.† â€Å"Oh yeah? Well, you know why they arrested Tommy?† â€Å"No, I didn't know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Because they found you dead in the freezer, that's why. He's in for your murder, missy. I still had some doubts until you called just now. You'll be my first dead piece of ass, not counting the time I choked my chicken over a picture of Marilyn.† Jody was stunned. A wave of panic swept through her, the inner voice shouting, Kill him, hide; kill him, hide. She fought it back. â€Å"You're doing this because you want sex?† â€Å"Well, that's part of it. You see, I ain't been well laid for five years – since I picked me up this bug. It's kinda hard to get yourself into a good three-toweler when you got the dick of death. I ain't no ass bandit, though. I let some whore from Oakland fix me up with a speedball. Six of us shared the needle.† â€Å"You're dying of AIDS?† Jody asked. â€Å"No need to candy-coat it, darlin'. Just come right out and say it.† â€Å"Sorry, Simon, but when someone has a gun on me and tells me he's going to rape me, I forget my manners.† â€Å"Ain't going to be no rape unless you want it. The other thing is more important.† â€Å"Other thing?† â€Å"I want you to change me into a vampire.† â€Å"No, you don't, Simon. You don't know what it's like.† â€Å"I don't need to know, darlin'. I know I'm going to die if you don't. It ain't just HIV anymore, it's full-blown. I can hardly get my boots on and off from the sores. The doctor's got me on enough pills to choke a horse. Now do it.† Jody felt for him. For all his arrogant cowboy panache, she could tell he was afraid. â€Å"I don't know how, Simon. I don't know how I was changed. It just happened.† He dug the barrel of the gun up under her breast and slid across the seat next to her. â€Å"You just bite my damn neck. Now do it!† â€Å"That doesn't work. That would just kill you. I don't know how to turn you into a vampire.† Simon took the gun out of her ribs and held it against her thigh. â€Å"I'm going to count to three, then I'm going to shoot you in the leg if you don't start turning me. Then I'm going to count to three and shoot you in the other leg. I didn't want to do this, but you got to see.† Jody could see tears welling up in Simon's eyes. He didn't want to do this, but she knew he would. She wondered even if she knew how to turn him if she would do it. â€Å"Simon, please, I really don't know how to turn you. Let me go. Maybe I'll find out.† â€Å"I don't have the time, darlin'. If I have to trade the daylight for a lifetime of nights, I'll take the nights. I'm counting now. One!† â€Å"Simon, don't. Just wait.† â€Å"Two!† Jody watched a tear roll out of his eye. She felt his body tense and looked down at the gun. The tendons in his hand were tightening. He was going to do it. â€Å"Three!† Jody shot out her right hand, palm open, and hit Simon under the chin while sweeping the gun away from her leg with her right. The gun went off, sending a bullet through the floorboard. The explosion covered the noise of Simon's neck snapping but she could feel the crunch against her palm. Simon slumped back in the seat, his head thrown back and mouth open as if he were frozen in a laugh. Over the ringing in her ears Jody could hear his last breath squeaking out of his lungs. The black aura around him faded away. She reached over and straightened his Stetson. â€Å"God, Simon, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.† Rivera drove. Cavuto sat in the passenger seat smoking and talking on the radio. He keyed the mike. â€Å"If anyone sees the Emperor tonight, detain him and call Rivera and Cavuto. He's wanted for questioning but he's not, I repeat not, a suspect. In other words, don't scare him.† Cavuto hung the mike on the dash and said to Rivera, â€Å"You really don't think that this is a waste of time?† â€Å"Like I said, Nick, homicide and the coroner are the only ones who know about the blood loss. Our guys wouldn't leak, but even if there was a leak in the coroner's office, I can't imagine anyone telling the Emperor. Whoever did these murders is behaving like a vampire. Maybe he thinks he's a vampire. So to catch him, we have to pretend we're tracking a vampire.† â€Å"That's bullshit. We've got enough evidence on the kid to get an indictment right now, and by the time forensics gets done with his apartment we'll have enough for a conviction.† â€Å"Yeah,† Rivera said, â€Å"except for one thing.† Cavuto rolled his eyes. â€Å"I know, you don't think he killed anyone.† â€Å"And neither do you.† Cavuto chomped his cigar and looked out the car window at a group of winos milling on a corner by a liquor store. â€Å"Do you?† Rivera insisted. â€Å"He knows who did. And if I have to walk his cute little ass right up to the chair to get him to tell, I will.† A call came over the radio. â€Å"Go ahead,† Cavuto said into the mike. The dispatcher's voice crackled over the speaker. â€Å"Unit ten is holding the Emperor at Mason and Bay. Do you want them to bring him in?† Cavuto turned to Rivera and raised his eyebrows. â€Å"Well?† â€Å"No, tell them we'll be there in five.† Cavuto keyed the mike. â€Å"Negative, we're on our way.† Three minutes later Rivera pulled the unmarked Dodge into a red zone behind the cruiser. The two uniformed officers were playing with Lazarus and Bummer, whose armor rattled and clanged as they frisked. The Emperor stood by, his wooden sword still in hand. Rivera got out of the car first. â€Å"Good evening, Your Majesty.† â€Å"Give me a fucking break,† Cavuto said under his breath as he hoisted his bulk out of the car. â€Å"And a good early morning to you, Inspector.† The Emperor bowed. â€Å"I see the fiend has us all burning the midnight oil.† Rivera nodded to the uniforms. â€Å"We got it, guys, thanks.† One of the uniforms was a woman. She shot Rivera a dirty look as she headed for the cruiser. Rivera turned his attention back to the Emperor. â€Å"You've been busy calling in reports of a vampire in the City.† The Emperor frowned. â€Å"And I must say, Inspector, I'm a bit disappointed with the lack of promptness of your response.† â€Å"Eat me,† said Cavuto. â€Å"We've been busy,† Rivera said. â€Å"Well, you're here at last.† The Emperor waved to Bummer and Lazarus, who were waiting at his heel. â€Å"You know the men?† â€Å"We've met,† Rivera said with a wave. â€Å"Your Majesty, you reported seeing a vampire† – Rivera pulled a notebook out of his jacket pocket – â€Å"three different times over the last month and a half.† Rivera took a copy of Tommy's mug shot from his notebook and held it out to the Emperor. â€Å"Is this the man you saw?† â€Å"Heavens no. That's my friend C. Thomas Flood, aspiring author. A fine, if confused, lad. I arranged for his employment at the Marina Safeway.† â€Å"But he's not the man you reported as being a vampire.† â€Å"No. The fiend is older, and has sharp features, of Arab descent, I would guess, if he were not so pale.† Cavuto stepped up and took the picture from Rivera. â€Å"You reported the body they found in SOMA, but you said you didn't see anything. Did you see this man anywhere near the scene?† â€Å"The victim was a friend of mine, Charlie. He left his mind in Vietnam, I'm afraid, but a good soul just the same. He had been dead for some time when I found him, though. The fiend left him there to rot.† Cavuto bristled. â€Å"But you didn't see this vampire guy at the scene either.† â€Å"I have seen him in the financial district, once in Chinatown, and at the marina last night. In fact, that young man gave me sanctuary at the Safeway.† Cavuto's beeper went off. He ignored it. â€Å"You saw Flood and this vampire guy together?† â€Å"No, I ran from the wharf when the fiend materialized out of mist.† â€Å"I'm outta here,† Cavuto said, throwing up his hands. He checked his beeper and went back to the car. Rivera held his ground. â€Å"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, my partner needs to learn some manners. Now, if you can just tell me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Cavuto beeped the horn and hung his head out the window. â€Å"Rivera, come on. They found another one. Let's go.† â€Å"Wait a second.† Rivera took a business card out of his wallet and gave it to the Emperor. â€Å"Highness, could you call me tomorrow, around noon? I'll come get you wherever you are – buy you and the men some lunch.† â€Å"Of course, my son.† Cavuto yelled out the car window, â€Å"Let's go, this one's fresh.† â€Å"Be careful,† Rivera said to the Emperor. â€Å"Watch your back, okay?† The Emperor grinned. â€Å"Safety first.† Rivera turned and walked to the car. He was still shutting the door as Cavuto pulled away from the curb. Cavuto said, â€Å"Another snapped neck. Body's in a pickup off of Market. Uniforms found it five minutes ago.† â€Å"Blood loss?† â€Å"They knew enough not to say over the radio. But there's a witness.† â€Å"Witness?† â€Å"Homeless guy sleeping in the alley saw a woman leaving the scene. There's an all-points out for a redheaded female in a black cocktail dress.† â€Å"You're bullshitting.† Cavuto turned and looked him in the eye. â€Å"The Laundromat ninja returns.† â€Å"Santa Fucking Maria,† Rivera said. â€Å"I love it when you speak Spanish.† The radio crackled again, the dispatcher calling their unit number. Rivera grabbed the mike and keyed it. â€Å"What now?† he said.

Nintendo Marketing Mix

QUESTIONS & IDEAL ANSWERS: . 1. Conduct a 4C's Stakeholders Analysis of the Nintendo Wii Market in 2006. Please note that an analysis is more than just a list. You need to describe each stakeholder and how they affect the strategy. †¢ Consumers (note: there's more than one target segment): The case notes that Nintendo targeted non-gamers in addition to gamers. This included consumers of any age and gender. Conversely, competitors like Sony focused on teens and males. The case also mentions moms/housewives and families as targets of Nintendo marketing. The ideal answer analyzed gamers and a few non-gamer segments, such as moms. Analysis should have included qualitative description — why is this segment interested in the Wii? — and quantitative data, such as the segment's size and value. Finding quantitative data required research beyond the case, perhaps to the U. S. Census website. Such data is not easy to find, but this extra effort is what distinguishes an â€Å"A† paper. Extra credit was given to creative segmentation, such as targeting businesses and office workers, who might play the Wii on breaks, or doctors who would recommend Wii to their patients. Company (keep this brief: focus on 2006 — no Nintendo history required): A company analysis is not a history report. It should describe the company's brand, resources, internal stakeholders, strengths and weaknesses. An ideal answer noted that Nintendo has a long reputation in gaming, but with the Wii it built a family-friendly brand â€Å"that puts smiles on surrounding people's faces. † In contrast, the competition had numerous violent games. In addition, unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo is not a diversified company. Its total income is much lower than either of its primary competitors (the case Appendix contains these figures), which meant fewer resources and much more at stake. Either the Xbox or the PS3 could fail, and the parent companies would survive; Nintendo could not afford to have the Wii fail. At the same time, the gaming focus helped position Nintendo as the only pure gaming company: its name is synonymous with electronic gaming. In terms of internal stakeholders, the case talks at length about Satoru Iwata, whose vision drove the company. In a footnote, the case mentions that Iwata had experience as a game developer. By contrast, the CEO's of Sony and Microsoft have no game development experience. †¢ Competitors (keep this brief: describe both direct competitors and indirect competitors, but focus on strengths and weaknesses — how much of a threat do they pose? ) The case discusses the key direct competitors, Sony and Microsoft. Sony had a strong reputation in high-quality electronics, and its PS2 and PS3 systems emphasized technological sophistication. Sony focused on hardcore gamers with increasingly violent games. This recipe translated into early sales success — but also high prices. Sony's weakness was its increasingly bureaucratic nature, and the decline of its other businesses. While Sony was cutting costs and laying off workers, they also had production problems with the PS3 — a complicated and expensive piece of technology that is supposed to be a multimedia entertainment hub. This made Sony vulnerable to a challenge. Microsoft was primarily a software company with a controversial brand. Research beyond the case reveals criticisms of Microsoft's monopolistic tendencies, and the fact that Apple was positioning Microsoft as dull and low quality. Research also reveals significant quality-control problems with the Xbox. Microsoft relied heavily on market timing and quantity of games to promote the Xbox, along with Xbox Live, which enables consumers to play each other online. Despite weaknesses, Microsoft and Sony were still formidable competitors — Nintendo knew it couldn't compete by doing the same things they were. Nintendo had to do something vastly different — even disruptive. Indirect competitors include PC games, Web-based games and phone-based games. You could even mention non-gaming entertainment, such as YouTube and Facebook, as indirect competitors. Community (focus on complements and collaborators): Game-software developers were both collaborators and complements. These developers worked with Nintendo to create games exclusively for the Wii — such games do not work on any other platform, so their fate is tightly tied into the Wii's. They were complements in that hardware sales affected software sales, and an interesting game could boost Wii sales. The broader community, according to the case, includes doctors and therapists who recommend the Wii Fit to patients. Thinking outside the case study, the community also includes the news media — like the New York Times — reviewed the Wii and reported on the shortage and long lines of buyers. This increased desire for the product, and enabled Nintendo to limit its advertising expenditures. 2. Create a positioning map. Your map must include the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox, and the target consumer segments you described in question 1. You may hand-draw the map or use any software you prefer, but the map must be pasted into the body of your document. †¢ You choose the criteria that are most relevant and important. You're allowed to guess what the consumer segments want, but you will receive extra credit if you can find any research or data on gamer preferences. †¢ Do you see any opportunities on this map for new competitors? We discussed positioning maps in the forum. You needed to draw a similar map here. The two criteria must be product features important to consumers. For video games, this might include price, complexity, family friendliness or graphics quality. It does NOT include sales (few consumers care how much money a company makes) — though you could argue for â€Å"scarcity† or â€Å"popularity† as viable criteria. Consumer segments should appear on the map according to their preferences. This example uses Price and Game Complexity as criteria: [pic] The blue star represents the Wii, the green triangle Xbox, and the red circle PS3. The PS3 combines the highest price with the highest complexity, while the Wii combines the lowest of both. Consumer segments are represented as letters: NG = Non-Gamers, CG = Casual Gamers, HG = Hardcore Gamers. The Hardcore Gamers prefer the PS3 in terms of complexity, but would like a lower price. The Non-Gamers want a low price (they don't want to pay anything) and a simple game. The Casual Gamers want something in between, but are closest to the Wii. You can see that the Wii appeals to two segments, while the PS3 and Xbox fight over just one segment. This leaves an opening in the middle for a competitor who can appeal to the Casual Gamers — the iPhone, perhaps? All these positions are based on qualitative analyses presented by the case. For this exam, I allowed you to simply estimate what consumers wanted. In the real world, you would conduct market studies and consumer surveys to find exact preferences. If you actually did find actual research or survey data on segment preferences in video games, I gave you extra credit. Also, on an ideal map, the symbols vary in size depending on sales and value. Since Wii led the market, its star would be bigger than either the circle or the triangle. Hardcore Gamers might be the most valuable segment, since they're willing to spend more money on games; the HG would then be bigger than the other letters. Drawing a positioning map tends to be the most challenging question in this exam, so I am fairly lenient in grading. However, many students still have trouble with it. That's why it's important to participate in the forum. 3. Describe Nintendo's Marketing Mix strategies for the Wii. Be sure to describe the strategies behind each element of the marketing mix, and how they differentiated the Wii from the competition. †¢ Product (keep this brief: focus on Wii's Unique Selling Proposition — what makes it truly different): The Wii's unique selling proposition — compared to the Xbox or PS3 — is simple games based on physical motion. Consumers don't need thick manuals or long learning curves to enjoy the Wii, which attracts casual gamers and non-gamers. You could also discuss Wii's family-friendly, non-violent games. †¢ Price (for the United States only): In 2006, the Wii sold for $250 (or $249) and included five games for a â€Å"complete† product, yet Nintendo still profited on each unit sold. (The games are less sophisticated and cost less to produce than the competition's. ) Sony's PS3 started at $599 and was cut to $499. The Xbox sold at $479. Despite these significantly higher prices, both Sony and Microsoft lose money on each unit sold. Neither the PS3 or the Xbox originally came with games, so to make a profit, Sony and Microsoft charged high licensing fees to game developers. This in turn translated into expensive games. †¢ Place (think in terms of retailers and product supply): The Wii sells through traditional and online retailers, such as Best Buy. More significantly, in 2006, the Wii was continuously in short supply. This is an important distribution (place) issue. If consumers can't buy your product, you not only won't make money, you send business to your competition. However, in the case of the Wii, the shortages actually increased consumer desire for the product. Since there were long lines and waiting lists for the product — and numerous major news stories about it — consumers assumed the Wii was good. Since there was a greater supply of PS3's and Xboxes than demand, consumers assumed they weren't as interesting. Consequently, some consumers simply waited for new Wii shipments; others searched stores and websites and paid higher than the retail price. Some analysts believe Nintendo had a policy of intentional scarcity. This is a common practice in marketing: some companies produce a limited supply of a certain product to increase its perceived value. For example, luxury car companies have â€Å"limited edition† models, fashion designers produce a few of each product, most universities do not accept everyone who applies. The Wii shortages increased both consumer desire and news coverage — which was key since Nintendo could not compete against Microsoft and Xbox in advertising. †¢ Promotion (describe the advertising budget and any ads): This required research, since the case was not explicit about advertising expenditures. Searching for Nintendo advertising budget on Google reveals a number of estimated figures, ranging from $85 million to $200 million. Any reasonable estimate was fine if it was referenced and came from a trustworthy source (not someone's personal blog). The important point was to have you practice corporate research, and to show that Nintendo did not rely on â€Å"word of mouth† alone to generate sales; it spent millions of dollars to get the word out. More research reveals the Nintendo Wii commercials (http://us. wii. com/tvcm_usa_gallery. jsp), which emphasize people enjoying the game, not the graphics. The very first commercial (found on YouTube and other video sites) shows two Japanese men visiting American homes with the game and announcing, â€Å"Wii would like to play. † This underscored the Japanese origins of the Wii, which enhanced its credibility. In addition, the case mentions a word-of-mouth campaign in which suburban housewives were given games in hopes that they would share its value as family entertainment. Overall, the promotions establish the Nintendo brand as family friendly, fun and physical. By contrast, ads for the Xbox and PS3 emphasized the sophisticated graphics and often fast, violent action — not an attraction for casual gamers. 4. Answer just ONE of the following questions. If you answer more than one, only the first answer will be accepted. This is your opportunity to use your imagination, so be creative. Your recommendations here had to make sense based on the company's brand and resources. You couldn't just say â€Å"spend more money on advertising† or â€Å"increase distribution. † Of course, all companies would like to do that (unless product scarcity is part of their plan) — but could they afford to? Your answers also had to be specific — you couldn’t just say you would make your product â€Å"higher quality† or â€Å"more fun. † You needed to state exactly what you wanted to achieve. More points were granted for originality and creativity. If you decided to work for Sony or Microsoft, and all you did was copy Nintendo, you didn't get many points. Above all, your answers had to be marketing driven. If you talked about improving factory efficiency or hiring the best engineers, those were answers for another class. A. If you were the VP of Marketing for Nintendo, what would you have done differently? This is the hardest of the three questions, since Nintendo was already successful. You could make more products available so that there weren't any shortages, but how would this affect the benefits of product scarcity? Also, assuming Nintendo was already producing as many games as it possibly could, where would it get the extra production capacity? You could argue that Nintendo should have launched with a higher price, using a skimming strategy to profit off early adopters, and then lower pricing as production caught up. That would make sense — but it wouldn't have created the buzz of the product shortages. Some other ideas could involve different target segments, such as schools or hospitals. B. If you were the VP of Marketing for Sony, how would you respond to the Wii? One of Sony's advantages is that it's the only one of the three companies to produce entertainment content, such as music and movies (like â€Å"Spider-Man†). How could they have leveraged that content to make the PS3 more attractive? Sony also produces other electronics equipment. Could you have integrated those products, perhaps in a bundling special (buy a Sony HDTV and get a PS3 free) or by making a game that uses a Sony Camcorder? C. If you were the VP of Marketing for Microsoft, how would you respond to the Wii? Microsoft's key advantage is that it creates the operating system that runs most of the world's computers. Is there a way to combine personal computers and the Xbox? (That would have helped them compete against Apple, as well. Since Microsoft lost money on the Xbox console, why not just focus on the software market? D. Is there another competitor that might be a significant threat to all three of these companies? If so, who is it, and why are they a threat? How should Nintendo respond to them? PC Games and the phone-based games are two possible competitors. Dell, for example, makes sophisticated gaming computers under its Ali enware brand. Nintendo's response could include making its controllers compatible with Dell computers. Or perhaps Nintendo could collaborate with Apple to make iPhones interact with the Wii. There were lots of possibilities here.

Creating a Social Program for the Prevention of Child Abuse Essay

Creating a Social Program for the Prevention of Child Abuse - Essay Example As the discussion highlights  the effects of abuse do have very far reaching consequences in the lives of the abused. Many of them develop psychiatric disorders in their future life. There is more chance for them to experience teenage pregnancy, or commit violent crimes. They are more likely to turn to be alcohol and drug addicts in the future. All these factors have intensified the need to have a strong and organized counter strategy to fight against child sexual abuse. Child abuse results in the development of many harmful effects in children: â€Å"The symptoms can include post-traumatic symptoms, precocious sexualization, depression, anxiety, guilt, fear, sexual dysfunction, dissociative symptoms, eating disorders, substance abuse, prostitution, regressive behaviors such as a return to thumb-sucking or bed-wetting, runaway behavior, and academic and behavior problems.†Ã‚  This paper discusses that  identifying the abused children is an important factor to provide them with the necessary guidance and counseling. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, â€Å"learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect† is the first step in helping abused or neglected children and â€Å"a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family.  It is necessary to have an understanding of the prevailing Governmental and Non- Governmental Organizations that aim at the prevention of child abuse in the United States through various social programs.

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Popular Music, Youth and Education - Essay Example Green’s Music on Deaf Ears: Musical Meaning, Ideology and Education explains the status that popular music plays on a social standpoint. Green explains that the set-up of music in classrooms came about because of the roles and eventual division social classes in society. Because the only way to measure skills and set classifications for music was based on the performances of the students, the students who received the most education had enough money for private lessons (Green 51). Therefore, on a social level, it was the higher-class students whose parents set the standard for what music was going to be like in the school system. The study showed that students who had parents that were higher up on the social ladder were more interested in music than students who had parents lower on the social ladder (Green, pp 47-48). The higher class of students also had a higher appreciation for the classical training and thought they had a better understanding of the need, awareness and w isdom that this music brought to an educational setting (Green, 51). The willingness to learn and the likelihood that the students in the higher classes listened to this type of music out of the classroom were higher than students who did not receive this opportunity (Green, 52). The liking of classical music in the upper division and the fact that students who were fond of popular music over classical music not being represented in this study shows the role that music played in society and the relevance in education (Green, 45, 48).

Spectators in Sport Essay Example for Free

Spectators in Sport Essay Spectators in sport are often an identity and sometimes novelty within themselves. For viewers of any standing, fellow spectators can often make, break, sweeten or sour a sporting experience. Some spectators can become annoyed by the antics of spectator groups such as English cricket’s ‘Barmy Army’, American College Basketball’s Duke University ‘Cameron Crazies’ or locally, even the infamous ‘Joffa’ and the Collingwood Football Club cheer squad. To others, the appeal of experiencing or even simply viewing these groups in action is a novelty and can make up a lot of the reason for people to be enticed to watch. When considering sports spectators there are 2 ends of the spectrum that initially come to mind. One is the die-hard, dedicated supporter who stands by their club through thick and thin and can conduct themselves in a responsible manner, the other is the rowdy, one eyed version that can present safety disruptions in crowds or take part in less than savoury behaviour of sports hooliganism. Spectators, however, don’t always necessarily need to be avid supporters of a team or the sport in general. It is possible for spectators to be casual, mildly interested and maybe just intrigued by the spectacle or showcase of top tier physical abilities and attributes within the sporting domain. Sometimes it is this lure of simply sitting back and watching without any vested emotion, the superstardom of some of the world’s greatest athletes. This could’ve been the reason the Chicago Bulls sold out every arena, home or away, in almost every season during the Michael Jordan era, for example. To gain a better understanding of spectators and spectator traits, Giulianotti used English Football as a baseline and devised a way to identify and catergorize contemporary spectator identities. He identified that spectators can be either ‘hot’ or ‘cool’ with regards to their emotional attachment, and either ‘traditional’ or ‘consumer’ based in their motifs for watching. A hot, traditional spectator was considered a ‘Supporter’, was emotionally vested in and loyal to the club, usually purchasing shares/memberships/merchandise and feeling an obligation to show thick personal solidarity to that one club. Supporters often attend live events as a public display of their allegiance. Conversely, a cool, traditional spectator was considered a ‘Follower’. Followers had other reasons for spectating than the club itself as they may  find appeal in a player or coach for instance, allowing them to willingly follow the progress of the club without being deeply emotionally vested in being part of the journey. Followers can show a thick or thin solidarity toward a club and will often use electronic media to simply keep tabs on the goings on. A hot, consumer spectator was labelled a ‘fan’. Fans often have a primary interest in the celebrity of a team or player or club identity. Fans can be financially invested in the club similar to a Supporter, but usually for differing reasons. Fans can take part in cheer squads and preach their alliance to the club, but are usually unidirectional in their affections. Lastly, a cool consumer spectator was given the title of ‘Flaneur’. Flaneurs were considered to be the result of mass media allowing for the following or consumption of sports worldwide of any scale and were often appealed to by the novelty, vividness or aesthetic sensations and experiences of sports in general. Flaneurs as spectators have the least amount of solidarity to a particular club of all the 4 catergorized. Though it is interesting to sociologically categorize people by considering factors and variables that impact them and Giulianotti has a reasonably comprehensive synopsis of the 4 evolving spectator types, one thing is certain, spectators are integral to sports on many levels and the study of such can allow for clubs and sports in general to find better ways to target and appeal to each of the aforementioned subgroups in a holistic sense for not only their fulfilment, but the club or sport’s financial and supportive prosperity in the future.

Analyse the dramatic effectiveness in Act 3, Scene 5 Essay Example for Free

Analyse the dramatic effectiveness in Act 3, Scene 5 Essay Looking closely at the characters and language in Romeo and Juliet, analyse the dramatic effectiveness in Act 3, Scene 5 William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in 1954, although the basic plot can be traced back as early as the third century. In the play, Shakespeare relies heavily on the poem The Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke. Most of the people in the Elizabethan era were perceptive enough to concentrate on how the play was being performed and engaged themselves in the language the characters were using. Shakespeares audiences had different expectations towards his play, as many of them recognised the story already, they were settled enough to watch it providing the dramatists interpretation proved to be unique and original. I have been looking closely at Act 3, Scene 5 where Romeo and Juliet have just been secretly married. The scene opens with the two lovers having to part quickly after the Nurse informs Juliet her mother is swiftly approaching. Already a dramatic atmosphere is created, the audience is almost waiting for Romeo and Juliet to be caught out, this they know can simply not happen. Juliet is understandably tearful; Romeo is sympathetic towards her, showing he really cares for her: I will omit no opportunity That will convey my greetings, love, to thee All this is in comparison to later scenes in the play showing Juliet solitary and unsupported. Between the two lovers, there is a great difference, Romeo appears more optimistic than Juliet who is full of fear, sensing premonitions of her next seeing Romeo dead in a tomb. Her premonitions affect the audience, making them apprehensive and tense: O God, I have an ill- divining soul! Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low As one dead in the bottom of a tomb. The audience hears these harsh, severe words and are reminded of Romeos earlier startling premonition that he would die young: . My mind misgives Some consequence not yet hanging in the stars.. By come vile forfeit of untimely death. A chilling effect is created on those viewing the play as they start to realise and understand the significance of the two premonitions. By looking back into earlier scenes, dramatic effectiveness is created. Juliet uses language that shows how she is fearful of how her life with Romeo could easily be destroyed. She speaks to him strongly, showing a strong contrast to her soft words used previously. The strong bond that has been created between the two lovers before the audiences eyes is momentarily going to be destroyed; tension is created as an aftermath of this feeling. This tension carries on and becomes hugely greater as the news of County Paris proposal is first heard of. The audience watch, already aware of the proposal, as the news is given to an extremely shocked Juliet. They wait anxiously for Juliets sake as she learns of it, and so a dramatic effectiveness is cast over them. The scene is made effective by the use of irony from Lady Capulet. As Lady Capulet refers to her joyful tidings and Juliets response is ironically a pleased one: And joy comes well in such a needy time But then the audience sees the real reason of Lady Capulets announcement and the hesitation of the crucial words proves to be highly dramatic, Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride Juliets intense anger would make great drama on stage, she shows her raging reaction well: Now by Saint Peters church and Peter too He shall not make me there a joyful bride! Juliets response shows exactly how she is feeling about the matter; she does not hold back at all. The audience knows the dilemma she is facing, one of bigamy, they are deeply involved and show much needed sympathy to Juliet. In the conversation that follows the cold and sharp language both Juliet and her mother used are very effective. Both sides address each other very formally, Juliet calling Lady Capulet, My Lady, Mother where Lady Capulet calls Juliet girl and child. This doesnt seem to be the language one would expect from a close knit and loving family. This could lead to the conclusion that Juliets relationship is far from the relationship she has with Romeo; a loving and stable one. When Lord Capulet enters Juliets room, it proves to be a significantly dramatic scene because of the violence and fury portrayed by Lord Capulet. He arrives in her room in a threatening manner; his wife shows fear warning us to expect the worst, Here comes your father. Tell him so yourself And see how he will take it at your hands. Lord Capulet does not expect Juliet to disobey him, he would simply expect grateful thanks and obedience from his daughter. He portrays himself as someone who is used to getting his own way and the way that he regards himself as royalty emphasises to his huge ego and elevated formal language,Have you delivered to our decree? He shows great enthusiasm as he enters Juliets room, he seems delighted with his plan and congratulates himself on stage. Being the only man on stage, he is showing domination and the audience can see that he likes to be in control. He makes the women afraid; his centre role on stage shows this. The language that he uses is indeed very dramatic and effective. He poses questions to Juliet, being sharp and short when he does so showing how bewildered he is, and he vociferously attacks his daughter overwhelming her with numerous with numerous questions which she does not have time to answer, How? Will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Capulets sentence construction is cleverly disjointed emphasising greatly on his anger that is building up rapidly. He shows more of an interest in finding a way to answer Juliets questions and his concern is more about his cleverness than the distress of his only daughter. He uses aggressive terms to Juliet, you greensickness carrion, young baggage, both examples are very aggressive and devegiating.

Public and private sector banks in india

Public and private sector banks in india Financial Institutions Services A comparative Study on Public and Private Sector Banks in India Public Sector A public sector enterprise is an organisation which is Owned by public authorities including Central, State or Local authorities, to the extent of 50% or more; Is under the top managerial control of owning public authorities Is established for the achievement of a definite set of public purpose Is consequently placed under a system of public accountability Is engaged in an activity of business character Private Sector The private sector enterprise is an organisation which is owned, managed controlled by private individuals or a group of individuals or both. This is also engaged in business activity but with the motive of profit maximisation rather than public service like in case of public sector enterprise. Objectives of Public Sector Enterprise Helps in rapid economic growth industrialisation of the country creation of necessary infrastructure for economic development, To earn return on investment thus generate resources for development, To promote redistribution of income and wealth, To create employment opportunities, To promote balanced regional development, To promote import substitution, save and earn foreign exchange for the economy Acts as a countervailing force and put up an effective competition to undertakings in private sector and To gain control over the commanding heights of the economy. The following are the list of Public Sector Banks in India Allahabad Bank Andhra Bank Bank of Baroda Bank of India Bank of Maharastra Canara Bank Central Bank of India Corporation Bank Dena Bank IDBI Bank Indian Bank Indian Overseas Bank Oriental Bank of Commerce Punjab Sind Bank Punjab National Bank Syndicate Bank UCO Bank Union Bank of India United Bank of India Vijaya Bank List of State Bank of India and its subsidiary, a Public Sector Banks State Bank of India State Bank of Hyderabad. State Bank of Indore. State Bank of Mysore. State Bank of Saurastra. State Bank of Travancore. State Bank of Bikaner Jaipur. Private Bank The first Private Bank in India to receive an in principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India was Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, to set up a bank in the private sector banks in India as part of the RBIs liberalization of the Indian Banking Industry. It was incorporated in August 1994 as HDFC Bank Limited with registered office in Mumbai and commenced operations as Scheduled Commercial Bank in January 1995. ING Vysya, yet another Private Bank of India was incorporated in the year 1930. Bangalore has a pride of place for having the first branch inception in the year 1934. With successive years of patronage and constantly setting new standards in banking, ING Vysya Bank has many credits to its account. List of Private Banks in India BANK OF PUNJAB. BANK OF RAJASTHAN. CATHOLIC SYRIAN BANK. CENTURION BANK. CITY UNION BANK. DHANALAKSHMI BANK. DEVELOPMENT CREDIT BANK. FEDERAL BANK. HDFC BANK. CICI BANK. NDUSIND BANK. NG VYSYA BANK. AMMU KASHMIR BANK. KARNATAKA BANK. KARUR VYSYA BANK. LAXMI VILAS BANK. SOUTH INDIAN BANK. UNITED WESTERN BANK. UTI BANK . PUBLIC BANK Allahabad Bank Established on April 24, 1865 in Allahabad by a group of European, Allahabad Bank is also the oldest Joint Stock Bank of India .Allahabad Bank is one of the leading banks in India. Allahabad Bank was one of those. Currently it offers a whole range of financial services to thousands of customers across the nation through its 2260 branches, besides its Internet banking services. In the year 1969, the Government of India nationalized 13 commercial banks Allahabad Bank has its headquarter located in Kolkata. Brief History After its establishment in 1865, Allahabad Bank became a part of P O Banking Corporation in 1920 with a bid price of Rs. 436 per share. In 1923, considering the business opportunities, the headquarter of the bank was shifted to Kolkata. On July 19, 1969, when the Government of India nationalized Allahabad Bank along with 13 other banks, it had 151 branches across the nation with deposits of Rs. 119 crore and advances of Rs. 82 crore. In 1989, United Industrial Bank Ltd. merged with nationalized Indian bank. Allahabad Bank also instituted a wholly owned subsidiary for Merchant Banking, called Allahabad Bank Finance Ltd. Allahabad Bank released its first Initial Public Offer (IPO) of 10 crore (face value Rs. 10 per share) in October, 2002. It reduced the Government shareholding to 71.16%. It again released Follow on Public Offer in April, 2005 of 10 crore equity shares . It again reduced the Government shareholding to 55.23%. It was June, 2006 when the Allahabad Bank went international to open up its first Representative Office at Shenzen in China. In October, 2006, Allahabad Bank went high-tech for roll out its first branch under Core Banking Service. It opened up its first overseas branch at Hong Kong in February 2007. In March 2007, the business of Allahabad Bank crossed Rs. 1,00,000 crore mark. Products Following are the list of products offered by Allahabad Bank to its customers: Deposit Products Flexi-Fix Deposit. Rs. 5 Banking. All Bank Mahila Sanchay Account. All Bank Vikash SB Account. All Bank Premium Current Accounts. Current Plus Deposit Scheme. Sishu Mangal Deposit Scheme. Retail Credit Products Housing Loan. Education Loan. Car Loan. Personal Loan for Pensioners. Personal Loan for Doctors. Loan Against NSC/KVP. Allahabad Bank Rent Loan. Allahabad Bank Property Scheme. Allahabad Bank Furnishing Loan. Gold Loan Scheme. Allahabad Bank Mobile Scheme. Overdraft Facility in SB Accounts. Allahabad Bank Abhushan Scheme. Allahabad Bank Trade Schem. Allahabad Bank Gyan Dipika Scheme. Allahabad Bank Reverse Mortgage Scheme. Other Credit Products Allahabad Bank-Expo. Allahabad Bank Kisan Shakti Yojana. Allahabad Bank Kisan Credit Card. Other Services The Following are the list of other services offered by Allahabad Bank. Depository Services. Depository Services. Visa Debit Cum ATM Card. Gold Card Scheme for Exporters. Charter for MSMEs. Government Business. National Electronic Funds Transfer. Regional MSME Care Centres. MSME Care Centre in Jharkhand State for All Banks. All Ayshman Bima Yojana. Cash Management Services. Real Time Gross Settlement. Corporate Details: Bank of Baroda India from an organization based on private capital and state ownership, at present is embodiment of enterprise and corporate governance, situated in Mumbai. The new logo of the bank comprises dual B alphabet, holding the sun rays. It was founded by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad in 1908 in Baroda. It is referred as the Baroda Sun. Activities: The general product and services offered by the Bank of Baroda India are, Corporate wholesale banking, deposits, loans and advances, appraisal and merchant banking, cash management and remittances. Personal deposits, Gen-Next Services, retail loans, credit cards, debit cards, Baroda Health, Multi City Cheque , lockers. Business deposits, loans and advances, Multi City Cheque, BoB money express, Collection services, ECS, lockers. International NRI services, FCNR loans, offshore banking, export and import finance, international treasury. Treasury domestic and forex operations. Rural deposits, priority sector advances, remittances, pension, lockers. Performance: The Baroda bank secured the ISO 9001:2000 certification for its15 branches, and by the end of 2007 it has a target to achieve this quality mark for 54 more branches. Financial Highlights the business results of the Bank of Baroda India as recorded on 31st March, 2006 are, the total deposits Rs.93,661.99crores, total advances Rs. 59911.78 crores, total investments Rs.35114.22 crores, total assets Rs.113392.53 crores and net profit Rs.826.96 crores. Andhra Bank Andhra Bank was registered on 20 November 1923 and commenced business on 28 November 1923 with a paid up capital of Rs 1.00 lakh and an authorised capital of Rs 10.00 lakhs. The Bank crossed many milestones and the Banks Total Business as on 30.06.2008 stood at Rs.83,256 Crores with a Clientele base over 1.74 Crores.The Bank is rendering services through 2139 Business Delivery Channels consisting of 1371 branches, 66 Extension Counters, 38 Satellite Offices and 664 ATMs spread over 21 States and 2 Union Territories as at the end of June, 2008. To provide value-added services to Customers, the Bank has set up its own 664 ATMs as on 30.06.2008. Of which 03 Mobile ATMs and two with Biometric access. Besides, ATM sharing arrangements with several Banks including SBI group, IDBI Bank, UTI Bank, HDFC Bank, Indian Bank and others under National Financial Network Switch covering 24856 ATMs.All Branches are 100% computerized, 1186 units viz., 1101 Branches, 68 Extension Counters, 15 Service C entres networked under Cluster Banking solution and providing Any Branch Banking. Real Time Gross Settlement Facility and National Electronic Fund Transfer facility has been introduced in 723 Branches. Bank is migrating to Centralized Core Banking Solution 118 Branches have already migrated to CBS. It is proposed to cover 550 branches by September 2009. This will benefit the customers, who will have access to banking and financial services anytime, anywhere through multiple delivery channels.[clarification needed] Andhra Bank is a pioneer in introducing Credit Cards in the country in 1981 . Our Bank introduced Internet Banking Facility to all customers of cluster linked branches.[clarification needed] Rail Ticket Booking Facility is made available to all debit card holders through IRCTC Website through a separate gateway. Corporate Website is available in English, Hindi and Telugu Languages communicating Banks image and information. Bank has been given BEST BANK AWARD a banking technology award by IDRBT, Hyderabad for extensive use of IT in Semi Urban and Rural Areas on 02.09.2006.[citation needed] IBA Jointly with TFCI has conferred the Joint Runner-up Award to the Bank in the Bet Payments initiative in recognition of outstanding achievement of the Bank in promoting ATM Channel.Bank successfully conducted Bancon 2006, a two day event at Hyderabad, deliberating on Inclusive Growth A New Challenge. Kiddy Bank Scheme, with insurance benefits, was relaunched to inculcate savings habit among the children. Bank has mobilized nearly 90000 new accounts during 2007-08.[citati on needed] As a part of Financial Inclusion, Bank adopted two districts, namely, Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh and Ganjam in Orissa and achieved 100% coverage. Bank has introduced Smart Card Scheme Pilot project in Warangal District and the same will be extended to other Lead Districts in due course. Bank has opened 2.11 lakh accounts under No-frill accounts category till 30.06.2008. Andhra Bank, along with A P State Government, NABARD, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, IOB and SBH sponsored the Andhra Pradesh Bankers Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, which will offer training to unemployed youth for improving their skills in Andhra Pradesh. Bank adopted Gundugolanu village, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh birth place of Dr.Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya for all-round development. A comprehensive budget with an outlay of Rs.5.50 Crore is finalized for improving health, sanitation, education and social service facilities in the village. Bank has been ranked No.1 in terms of number of Life Insurance Policies mobilized amongst all the Agency Banks dealing with Life Insurance Corporation of India. Bank also has tie-up with United India Insurance Company Limited under Bancassurance. Bank was ranked 532nd for the year ended 31.03.2007 amongst Top 1000 Banks in the world by The Banker a London based publication based on Tier I Capital as defined by Basels Bank for International Settlements . Bank is in the process of forming a Joint Venture in Malaysia in association with Bank of Baroda and Indian Overseas Bank. The Bank opened its Representative Office in Dubai in May, 2006 and Representative Office at Jersey City, New Jersey (U S A),in June 2009. Bank feels United States would be an ideal location as Andhra Bank has been a household name among many NRIs there. A foothold in New Jersey is strategic for the 84 year old bank as it has a large number of non resident Indians from Andhra Pradesh. Thus Bank accords utmost concern to customer satisfaction by offering innovative and need based financial products and services using state-of-the art technology. Deposit Schemes Savings Accounts Current Accounts Term Deposits Arogyadaan Scheme Bancassurance Life Bancassurance (Non Life) Bank of India Bank of India was established on 7th September, 1906 by a group of reputed businessmen from Mumbai. The Bank was under private ownership and control till July 1969 when it was nationalized along with 13 other banks. It is starting with just one office in Mumbai, with a paid-up capital of Rs.50 lakh and 50 employees; the Bank has made fast progress over the years and blossomed into a mighty institution with a strong national presence and sizable international operations. The Bank gets a premier position among the Nationalized Banks in India. Main Activities Amongst the standard services provided by Bank of India the special service that it provides is Multi Branch Banking. Multi Branch Banking service is available to customers of networked branches of the Bank. Under this service, the customer of one branch will be able to transact on his account, from any other networked branch of the Bank. This facility is at present available at 200 cities/towns across the country. A list of MBB branches is available at the end of this page. Services available in MBB Cash Deposits Cash Payments Transfer Of Funds Statement of A./c For a Given Period. Balance Inquiry. Marking Stop Payment Of a Cheque. Fate Of a Cheque. Other Value Added Services such as â€Å"Centralized Telebanking†, â€Å"SMS Banking†, â€Å"PC Banking† would also be available at these networked branches. Performance Since mid-2005, these employees have been seeking low cost deposits. It was chiefly due to this that the bank was able to outperform the industry with a 78 per cent growth in net profit for the third quarter of the current year,2006. After Bank of India introduced Core Banking Software, many employees became redundant. The bank redeployed about 1,200 of them into marketing. This kept the cost of funds under control. Further, the bank had been very selective about credit expansion in 2005-06, when advances grew 23 per cent, lower than the industry average. At a press conference, BOIs Chairman and Managing Director, Mr M Balachandran, said that current account deposits grew 32 per cent during the quarter. Punjab National Bank of India Punjab National Bank of India, the first Indian bank started only with Indian capital, was nationalized in July 1969 and now the bank has become a front-line banking institution in India with 4525 Offices including 432 Extension Counters. The corporate office of the bank is at new Delhi. Punjab National Bank of India has set up representative offices at Alm Kazakhistan Shanghai and in London and a full fledged Branch in Afghanistan Activities: Current Account PNB Smart Roamer, PNB Vaibhav, PNB Gaurav Fixed Deposit Schemes Mahabachat Schemes, Spectrum Fixed Deposit Scheme, Anupam Account, Multi Benefit Deposit Scheme. Credit Schemes PNB Flexible Housing Loan, Car Finanace, Personal Loan. Social Banking Krishi Card, PNB Farmers Welfare Trust, Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme Corporate Banking EXIM finance, Gold Card scheme for exporters. Business Sector PNB Vikas Udhami, PNB Karigar credit card, PNB Kushal Udhami, PNB Pragati Udhami. Savings Fund Account PNB Prudent Sweep, Total Freedom Salary Account, PNB Vidyarthi SF Account, PNB Mitra SF Account. Performance: The total expense was Rs. 2830.44 crore and the net profit was Rs.237.70 crore.The total income of the Punjab National Bank of India as recorded in the quarter ending 31st march 2007 was Rs. 3712.79 crore as compared to Rs. 2926.93 crore on 31st march 2006. The Punjab National Bank of India has launched the concept of Any Time, Any Where Banking through the introduction of Centralized Banking Solution and has recently introduced On line Payment Facility for railway reservation through IRCTC Payment Gateway Project and On line Utility Bill Payment Services, allowing Internet Banking account holders to make their payments anytime from anywhere. Another step taken by Punjab National Bank of India is the launch of its ATM- cum- Debit card. Private Banks in India Initially all the banks in India were private banks, which were founded in the pre-independence era to cater to the banking needs of the people. In 1955, after the declaration of first-five year plan, Imperial Bank of India was subsequently transformed into State Bank of India. In 1921, three major banks i.e. Banks of Bengal, Bank of Bombay, and Bank of Madras, merged to form Imperial Bank of India. In 1935, the Reserve Bank of India was established and it took over the central banking responsibilities from the Imperial Bank of India, transferring commercial banking functions completely to IBI. Allahabad Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, etc. Thus, public sector banks revived to take up leading role in the banking structure. In 1980, the GOI nationalized 6 more commercial banks, with control over 91% of banking business of India. Following this, occurred the nationalization of major banks in India on 19 July 1969. The Government of India issued an ordinance and nationalized the 14 largest commercial banks of India, including Punjab National Bank . In 1994, the Reserve Bank Of India issued a policy of liberalization to license limited number of private banks, which came to be known as New Generation tech-savvy banks. Global Trust Bank was, thus, the first private bank after liberalization; it was later amalgamated with Oriental Bank of Commerce . Then Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited became the first to receive an in principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to set up a bank in the private sector. At present, Private Banks in India include leading banks like ICICI Banks, ING Vysya Bank, Jammu Kashmir Bank, Karnataka Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, SBI Commercial and International Bank, etc. Undoubtedly, being tech-savvy and full of expertise, private banks have played a major role in the de velopment of Indian banking industry. They have made banking more efficient and customer friendly. In the process they have jolted public sector banks out of complacency and forced them to become more competitive. Major private banks in India are: Bank of Rajasthan A leading private sector bank, the Bank of Rajasthan was founded on the auspicious day of Akshya Tritiya on May 8, 1943, at Udaipur. Shri Rai Bahadur P.C. Chatterji, the then finance minister of the erstwhile Mewar Government, extensively contributed towards the establishment of the Bank. Catholic Syrian Bank With the Swadeshi Movement of early 20th century as its base, Catholic Syrian Bank was incorporated on 26th November 1920, in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The bank commenced its operations on 1st January 1921, with an authorized capital of Rs. 5 lakhs and a paid up capital of Rs. 45270. Dhanalakshmi Bank Limited The foundation of Dhanalakshmi Bank Limited was laid down on 14th November 1927in Kerala. A group of innovative entrepreneurs had started the bank with a capital of Rs.11,000 and only 7 employees. Federal Bank Federal Bank Limited was founded as Travancore Federal Bank Limited in the year 1931, with an authorized capital of Rs. 5000. It was established at Nedumpuram, a place near Tiruvalla, in Central Travancore (a princely state later merged into Kerala), under Travancore Companys Act 1956. HDFC bank Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, more popularly known as HDFC Bank Ltd, was established in the year 1994, as a part of the liberalization of the Indian Banking Industry by Reserve Bank of India . It was one of the first banks to receive an in principle approval from RBI, for setting up a bank in the private sector. ICICI Bank ICICI Bank started as a wholly owned subsidiary of ICICI Limited, an Indian financial institution, in 1994. Four years later, when the company offered ICICI Banks shares to the public, ICICIs shareholding was reduced to 46%. In the year 2000, ICICI Bank offered made an equity offering in the form of ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange . ING Vysya Bank ING Vysya Bank Ltd came into being in October 2002, when erstwhile Vysya Bank Ltd was merged with ING, a global financial powerhouse boasting of Dutch origin. Vysya Bank Ltd, one of initial banks to be set up in the private sector of India Jammu and Kashmir Bank The origin of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited, more commonly referred to as JK Bank, can be traced back to the year 1938, when it was established as the first state-owned bank in India. The bank was incorporated on 1st October 1938 and it was in more precisely on 4th July 1939. It commenced its business, in Kashmir (India). Karnataka Bank Karnataka Bank Limited is a leading private sector bank in India. It was incorporated on 18th February 1924 at Mangalore, a town located in the Kannada district of Karnataka. The bank emerged as a major player during the freedom movement of 20th Century India. Karur Vysya Bank The Karur Vysya Bank Limited commonly known as KVB was set up by Late Shri M.A. Venkatarama Chettiar and the Late Shri Athi Krishna Chettiar, the two great visionaries in 1916 in Karur, a textile town in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Kotak Mahindra Bank Kotak Mahindra Bank is one of Indias leading financial private banking institutions. It offers banking solutions that covers almost every sphere of life. Some of its financial services include commercial banking, stock broking, mutual funds, life insurance and investment banking. SBI Commercial and International Bank SBI Commercial and International Bank, SBI Commercial is a completely owned private auxiliary of Indias biggest banking and financial services set up, the State Bank of India. Established in 1995 to back SBIs corporate and international banking services, the SBI Commercial and International Bank is the only bank in India to be been awarded ISO-9002 quality systems certification for the Bank as a whole UTI Bank Axis Bank was formed as UTI when it was incorporated in 1994 when Government of India allowed private players in the banking sector. The bank was sponsored together by the administrator of the specified undertaking of the Unit Trust of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and General Insurance Corporation ltd. Yes Bank Yes Bank is one of the top most private Indian banks. Awarded by the only Greenfield license award by RBI in last 14 years, this bank is established and run by Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapur with the financial support of Rabobank Nederland, the worlds single AAA rated private Bank. Citibank India Citibank India, since 1902, is at present one of the leading consumer finance lender providing its customers best products and services. Activities: The Citibank India offers a varied range of financial assistance to its customers like: Banking Suvidha Account, Debit Cards, Citibanking, Citi Gold Wealth Management Citi Business Current Account, Loans, CitiBusiness Card NRI Services Rupee Checking Account, India Deposits Online Services Internet Banking, Bill Payment, Statement on E-mail, E-Commerce, Citi Alert Credit Cards Citibank Gold Card, Jet Airways Citibank Gold Card, Hutch Citibank Card, Indian Oil Citibank Card, Shoppers Stop Citibank Card, MTV Citibank Card, Citibank Silver International Card, CRY Card, WWF Card, Times Card, Citibank Cricket Visa Card Deposit Accounts Savings Accounts, Current Accounts, and Term deposits. Loans Personal Loans, Home Loans, Loan against property, Auto Loan, Ready Credit Investments Mutual Funds, Demat. Insurance Life Insurance Solutions, Credit Insurance, Health Insurance, Travel Insurance. Performance: There is a relationship manager who guides the clients on the investment issues along with foreign exchange, transaction requests and trade services. Citibank India by launching the CitiBusiness Card have for the first time offered the customers a vast range of benefits, services, business intelligence, deals and discounts that are generally at the disposal of large corporations so far. Moreover without paying any extra charges the customers are assured of world-class transactional convenience like pay orders, demand drafts and payable-at-par cheques .There is a relationship manager who guides the clients on the investment issues along with foreign exchange, transaction requests and trade services WAYS OF PRIVATIZATION DISINVESTMENT CONTRACTING FRANCHISING PREMITING PRIVATE SECTOR ENTER INTO PSU RESERVED AREA LIQUIDATION LEASING NEWS RELATED BANK Banking Sector in Budget 2008 The Union Budget of India for the year 2008-2009 was announced by the Indian Finance Minister, Mr. P Chidambaram, on 29th February 2008. The policies and initiatives taken in the Union Budget of India 2008-2009 on the Indian Banking sector were in tandem with the requirements of the Indian economy. Small and marginal farmers have been relieved of all farm loans, disbursed till March 2007 and also all loans, which are due till December 2007 and was unpaid till February 2008. These farm loan waivers would be facilitated by all the concerned Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks of India. A total of Rs 60,000 crores would be waived-off under such scheme. The settlement of these loan-waivers will be offered through special type of scheme. Further, the Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks of India were also suggested, to bring within their fold, a minimum of 250 rural household accounts at every branch every year. The Indira Awas Yojana was brought under the ambit of Public Sector Banks. Loan limit up to Rs 20,000 per unit at 4% interest was fixed under differential rate of interest (DRI) scheme. The Finance Minister also advised the Indian PSU Banks to open 288 branches in minority districts of India. Further, he also asked the Indian banking industry to embrace total financial inclusion. In another landmark decision, the Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram said that the Ex-banking servicemen in India would be offered employment opportunities in the banking sector. Another major announcement was that, the much talked-about Banking Cash Transaction Tax (BCTT) would be withdrawn from the financial year 2009-2010. Experts believe the impact of the decisions and policies taken during the Union Budget of India 2008-2009 on the Indian Banking sector would be mixed. It is expected that the Indian PSU banks will face pressure on their net interest margins due to the waiving-off of agricultural loans. Further, the cumulative cost that will be incurred for opening up of new Regional Rural Banks in India may substantially increase the operating cost for the banks. The inclusion of the Indira Awas Yojana houses under the differential rate of interest scheme and at 4% interest will increase the proportion of sub-PLR lending for the concerned banks. The major Public Sector Banks of India like the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank may see their net interest margins shrinking till the subsidy for waiver of agricultural loans is being completely released. Moreover, experts are skeptical about the long term benefit of such agricultural loan waiver as offered through the Union Budget of India 2008-2009. The Development Credit Bank, a private sector lender has launched its credit card business called DCB Advantage Card on 4th March 2008. The Bank has tied up with ICICI Bank in order to extract the best skills out of it as well as to utilize its experience for a successful execution of the task. The credit card business launched by the Development Credit Bank is available to all its potential customers all across India. The credit card holders of DCB will enjoy a wide