Stages of Criminal Trial Essay Example for Free

Stages of Criminal Trial Essay There are eight stages in a Criminal Trial, the trial initiation, jury selection, openings statements, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, judge’s charge to the jury, jury deliberations and the verdict. In this essay I will focus on the jury selection stage. A criminal petit jury is very important in a trial. The jury is responsible for deciding whether a defendant committed the crime as charged. In a criminal trial there are usually 12 members in a jury. The jury selection is conducted by both the prosecution and the defense attorneys. An examination process called voir dire is performed on each potential juror, to ensure any unbiased or preconceived notions of guilt or innocence doesn’t exist. Any person desiring or summoned by a judge to sit on the panel must meet certain qualifications. An individual must be 18 years of age, be a citizen, live in the judicial area for one year, and speak English, no mental or physical conditions or any felony charges. Certain people are excused from juror duty; armed forces, professional fire, police and public officers. The Jury Act will excuse a person from jury duty on the grounds of undue hardship or an extreme inconvenience. In Florida the case of Casey Anthony vs. The State of Florida, the jury selection was difficult. The problem with this case is that the media made a big mess of the information released. Many people saw, read or heard about the case, potentially causing them to be unbiased or perceiving a notion to whether Casey was guilty or innocent. The charges and details of the evidence were released to the public. Due to the nature of this case it was titled as a high profile case. Casey Anthony’s name was all over the country; I remember during the time of the trial, the only thing on television was something about her case. There were pictures of her daughter, family and personal life. A lot of suspected evidence was shared with the public as well as information about where evidence was found. A jury selection could normally take about one day. Jurors could be removed from the selection process for any reason. The judge (Belvin Perry) dismissed more than two dozen potential jurors. The potential jurors discussed the case while in a private room with other jurors. One male juror was held in contempt of court and fined $450.00 for attempting to talk about the case with a television producer. After the long process of selecting a juror panel, the trial lasted about eight weeks and the jury was sequestered. Sequestered is when the jury is isolated from the public  during the trial and deliberation. A decision was made and Casey Anthony was found not guilty. .

Coca Cola Companys Growth As A Multinational Corporations Business Essay

Coca Cola Companys Growth As A Multinational Corporations Business Essay Multinational Corporation (MNC) is one of type of potential firm in the world nowadays. A corporation can be categorized as MNC if there are 20% to 50% or more of its net profit from directs investment in one or more in foreign countries. (Iamsam, n.d)[ http://hubpages.com/hub/Multinational-Corporations-MNCs]. MNC are managed from one home country. With well- manage structure and due business firm good performance, it able to expand its products and services to foreign country. The growth of multinational corporations is measured by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). When business firm make an investment in a second nation, the investment is counted as part of the outward direct investment from the source country. FDI is an investment in foreign firms where the foreign investor owns at least ten percent of the ordinary shares. 1.2. Coca-Cola Company ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s History Coca-Cola is the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage that establish by a pharmacist, Dr. John Stith Pemberton in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia in 1886 with Coca-Cola syrup. Druggist Asa Candler bought The Coca-Cola Company in 1891. Within four years it was available in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. The Coca-Cola Company began building its global network in the 1920s. When Asa Candler purchased the recipe and established the Coca-Cola Company, he begins one of the largest franchise in the world. The government expanded the company and built 64 plants overseas in 1929. At the beginning of the World War II, Coca-Cola was bottled in 44 countries. Today, The Coca-Cola Company operates in more than 200 countries, 2400 beverage products are provided worldwide with approximately 1.5 billion serving rate each day. (http://www.just-drinks.com/market-research/the-coca-cola-company-swot-analysis_id92127.aspx) Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s largest marketer, producer and distributor of Coca-Cola products. It ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s operating in 46 U.S. states and Canada, they are the exclusive Coca-Cola bottler for all of Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco and the Netherlands. Coca-Cola Enterprises manages a network of approximately 84,000 suppliers of goods and serveces ranging from large international companies to small local suppliers. Today, With E. Neville Isdell  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s firm commitment, Coca-Cola Company have been revolute into new century, recognized as the world ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s most valuable brand. [http://www.123helpme.com/preview.asp?id=164239] 1.3. Management Structure A well structure company is important foundations of outstanding organization. Multinational Company is operating under International division structure. The international unit (parent company) control entire activities of subsidiary company. However, this division structure allows multinational companies to freely explore resources internationally based on geography, product or function. Figure 1 shows the outlook of international division structure. Figure 1 : International Division Structure Coca-Cola Company as a multinational company handles enormous capacity of business with well-organized structure. Coca-Cola has 5 operating geographically segmentation. There are United States, Latin America, European Community, Northeast Europe/Africa, and also Canada and Pacific Coca-Cola Company allows their division to customizing marketing based on Geographic segmentation. For instance, they alter the sweetness of drink according to local taste. Globalization The process of globalization has impacted on the world ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s business operation which is mostly driven by the development of MNCs. According Macmillan Dictionary, term of  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½globalization ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ defines as  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½concept a single economy and culture are developed as a result of advance in technology which easier the communications between two corporation and globalization mostly influence by multinational companies toward economic, financial, trade and communication. ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Besides, the United Development Program (1999) announces globalization is the most important integration of economy, political and cultural phenomenon across nation frontiers. (cited in Kiggundu 2002). [Moses N.Kiggundu, 2002, Managing globalization in developing countries and transition economies: Building Capacities for a Changing World, Praeger,Westport CT][page. 4][ http://www.questia.com/read/101335345]  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Globalization is the inexorable integration of markets, nation-states and technologies to a degree never witnessed before- in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper that ever before, and in a way that is enabling the world to reach into individuals, corporations and nation-states farther, faster, deeper, cheaper than ever before. ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½- Thomas Friedman Coca-Cola is a business which truly international in scope by signifying 67% of total its total net income from non- USD source. [ http://books.google.com.my/books?id=akn1_k1rVMICdq=coke+income+from+non-US+sourcesource=gbs_navlinks_s] (page 9-2) Impacts of Globalization 1.) Establishment of international alliances http://books.google.com.my/books?id=3pTFN8IdRpkCdq=international+alliances+example+on+coca-colasource=gbs_navlinks_s (page 435) The establishment alliances or coalitions which link firms of the same industry based in different countries. MNCs commonly engage in international alliances such as joint ventures and licensing agreements with foreign firms. Coca-Cola formed global joint venture with many industries to strengthen its company buy launching new products. Joint developments allow Coca-Cola to leverage its beverage expertise in connection with certain technology areas key to our business, such as packaging, vending equipment, foundation equipment and water treatment. Historically, these joint developments have led to the development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies for the beverage industry. Coca-Cola also engaged in licensing with companies that are affiliated with food or beverage company but not with companies that compete with Coca-Cola in the non-alcoholic beverage market segment. We do some licensing with suppliers to the beverage industry. Examples of these types of companies are various packaging and equipment suppliers to the beverage industry. We have also licensed with universities around the world where there is a particular expertise with an individual or group of professors or researchers. Coca-Cola has over 300 licensees who sell over $ 1 billion of licensed products each year. It is estimated that Coca-Cola generates over $ 70 million in royalty revenue and billions of incremental impressions from licensed products. Licensing agencies outside of North America which work with us are The Licensing Company in Europe and Redibra in Brazil. The manufacturing system also called  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½The Coca-Cola System ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ by Coca-Cola to license to dist ributors who can incorporate different world markets, resources, and technologies to maximize revenue. http://www.yet2.com/app/insight/insight/20010401_landgraff http://www.goldmarks.net/controvn_lic_exp.shtml These are the few joint ventures for Coco-Cola which doing well and earned huge profit on it. Coca-Cola joint venture buys Philippine drink company San Miguel, the Philippine food and beverage company, and its joint-venture partner Coca-Cola agreed yesterday to pay 14 billion pesos ($269 million) for the Philippines second-largest soft drink company, Cosmos. The purchase, which defeated a bid by PepsiCo, will give the joint venture, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, a 90 percent share of the Philippines $1-billion-a-year soft drink market. The deal was approved when Cosmoss majority owner, the RMF Corporation, agreed to accept a lower offer after San Miguel discovered that some Cosmos equipment was below Coca-Colas standards. Wayne Arnold (NYT) Joint venture between Coca-Cola and Nestle to tap rapidly growing beverage segments http://www.nestle.com/MediaCenter/PressReleases/AllPressReleases/CocaColaJointVenture-30Jan01.htm Coca-Cola and Nestle Refreshments (CCNR) is their highly successful joint venture formed on 1991 which operates directly in 24 countries and enjoys a strong position in the ready-to-drink tea category. On 30Jan2001, CCNR rename as Beverage Partners Worldwide (BPW) function as an entrepreneurial unit dedicated to tapping the growth potential of emerging beverage segments, actively expand into new beverage particularly ready-to-drink coffee, teas and beverages with a healthful positioning. BPW also focus on expanding its geographical with existing products include Nestea and Nescafe and new products inclusive of Tian Yu Di tea and Yang Guag tea businesses undertaking by Coca-Cola. Joint venture of Coca-Cola Company and Illycaffe Spa http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20080327_tccc_and_illycaffe_joint_venture.html They introducing three premium ready-to-drink (RTD) espresso-based coffee products. The products are: Products Description Caffe full-bodied character, real Italian chilled caffe. First ready-to-drink coffee to offer black (no milk) espresso-based coffee. Cappucino intense uplifting aromas of illy espresso, blended with milk and dark cacao. Latte Macchiato smooth fresh illy espresso experience, swirled with milk. The product will be available in stylish premium can to attract the consumer. The RTD first launch in 10 European countries including Austria, Croatia, Greece and the Ukraine as the firm aim of their joint venture. After 1 month, the additional countries in Asia, North America, Eurasia and the Pacific as the expansion of the sales and will be delivered through the Cola-Cola system. The highly profitable RTD coffee category globally is valued at just under $16 billion and has experienced several years of growth that is expected to continue. Globally (excluding Japan), the ready-to-drink coffee category has grown at an average rate of 10.1 percent over the past five years. 2.) Development and Improvement of Technology The improvement of the whole organization in order to address challenges or problems, for in line with the participation in globalization is the increase in the number of problems to be encountered. With this, it can be understood that along globalization is the need to develop, improve, innovate, and adopt new strategies and methods in relation to systems modification to enable adjustment to the changes and challenges being encountered by the organization. Modification and restructuring in the organization is needed because along with the company ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s intention to expand and widen its target market is the need for additional workforce and management processes and styles that would enable the company accommodate the increase in changes. Restructuring and remodeling of the company, thus, serves to be a good way of adjustment. Both the Friedman ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s definition and  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½The Coca-ColaSystem ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ as well discuss stress the importance of integration of markets and innovation of technology. Technology revolution can have important effects on the decisions taken by international business. The improved of technology can transform a firm to become a successful international business. With the current technology, innovation can be done by a firm to develop a new product which can attract the current consumers as well as the new buyers. In the case of health trend and changing taste of the consumers, Coca-Cola responded to this through innovation and change. The primary objectives of product innovation are to create value, to obtain a competitive advantage, and to achieve long-term success through the development and commercialization of new products and services (Sundbo and Fuglsang 2002). Innovation for Coca-Cola Company accomplished through development of new products. A range of products such as the Coca-Cola Zero, Enviga, Diet Coke, Gold Peak,Cherry Coke, Diet Cherry Coke, Vanilla Coke, Coca-Cola with Lime, Coca-Cola with Lemon and other variants of Coke. Below shown some of the products with description: Year New Products Description 2005 No-Calorie Drink (Coke Zero) The introduction of Coke Zero was motivated by the increasing consumer demands for healthier products. Coke Zero offers the same taste as Coca-Cola with no calories First launched in North America 2006 Calorie Burning Tea (Enviga) This product is intended to complement healthy lifestyles. By drinking three cans of Enviga each day, consumers can burn an extra 60-100 calories daily. This innovative product is added with a powerful antioxidant EGCG that speeds up metabolism and increase energy use, especially when combined with caffeine. 2006 Gold Peak A premium ready-to-drink iced tea. It ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s with homemade taste revives the timeless flavour of classic, authentic iced tea. By introducing new products, Coca-Cola aims to strengthen its brand image as the home quality beverages. Besides, Coca-Cola fill the gaps between markets and its products. Coca-Cola Company innovate a range of new products including health concerned products to meet consumer ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s demand that are health conscious. 3.) Renewing Systems and Structures The organisational form of Coca Cola is the Entrepreneurial start-up which is the simplest structure. According to Mintzberg (1992) the structure is described as having a little or no techno structure at all, it only has few support staffers, restrained division of labour, minimal differentiation in the work place, and a limited hierarchy in management. The overall setting is informal because there are no strict rules and regulations except the punctuality and absenteeism. Moreover the behaviour within the organisation, particularly in the convenience store is not that formalised wherein it utilises minimal planning, training and liaison devices. After the impact of globalization, the new organization was formed in Coca-Cola business. As we can see in Hong Kong, it would be Machine Bureaucracy. According to Mintzberg, the machine bureaucracy is an organisational structure wherein there is a clear configuration of the design parameters wherein it consistently held up researches it includes specialised routinely operating procedures, formalised procedures in the centre of operations, propagation of rules and regulations, proliferation of formalised communication throughout the company, dependence on the functional basis for tasks wherein it needs group work, comparatively centralised power for decision-making, and a complexly detailed administrative structure with sharp differences between the line and staff. In this form of organisational structure Coca Cola will be able to monitor the efficiency of the performance of the workers because there would be standard procedures and more elaborate structure of management. 4.) increase in competition among other firms in the same industry Last major impact of globalization is the increase in competition among other firms in the same industry. A global firm may be in a better position to compete with its global rival, as it can enhance its resources globally ( 2003). Being able to participate in its foreign target market makes the global firm more advanced and more developed compared to its rivals in the same industry, for it is able to meet the standards and demands of its foreign customers. From this perception, major suppliers and stakeholders would prefer the global firm to other firms. Due to the impact of globalization, there are some local brands compete with Coca-cola. For example, Big Cola  ¿Ã‚ ½C a brand in South and Central America and it act as a Fast-growing competitor to Coca-cola. Secondly, the Corsica Cola in French island of Corsica which is made by brewers of the local Pietra beer growing fast as Coca-cola also. Furthermore, Breizh Cola is available in the French region of Brittany. Because of the increasing in the competitors, The Coca-Cola Company forced to purchase its brand, a registration of Coca-Cola as their own brand mark in 1999. Globalization brings benefits to The Coca-Cola Company and it also led the company to compete with other big company which is in the same industry in whole world. Pepsi Company (PEP) the major competitor that most people familiar with. Usually, people will take Pepsi as their second choice, but in some certain markets, Pepsi outsells more than Coca-Cola. Another big competitor to Coca-cola is Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS). DPS starting its soft drinks business since 1885 and they compete in terms of the packaging, price, availability and so on. 5.) Global Products Coca-Cola Company need to concern on the languages that they used while doing the advertising, promotion and so on. Respect to the consumer culture is an important things in order to attract them for purchasing the product. For example, The Coca-Cola company has to change the logo and the description on their packaging from common English to Mandarin on Taiwan and China markets. this can help the company launch the product successfully by follow consumer mothers language in their countries. Coca-Cola company have to research on the most suitable flavor on carbonated drinks that did suit the eastern countries like China and Taiwan. This had to be replaced by products such as Asian Tea and fermented milk drinks. This needed a lot of research and development to make sure that the relevant product can suit the market. The following are brief overviews of a few countries where Coca-Cola has used their strategies to help their drinks become globally sell. Year of First Introduced Countries Detail on Coco-Cola Company 1942 Argentina -On the first day the product hit the streets, seven 24-bottle cases were sold, plus eighteen single 185 milliliter bottles. -By the end of 1943, sales in Argentina amounted to 300,000 cases using 20 distribution trucks. -Coca-Cola de Argentina S.A. sells around one thousand times more products annually than first year introduced. 1927 Belgium -Belgium is among the world ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s top 20 countries in terms of per capita consumption of Coca-Cola products. 1933 France -Introduced in the  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Caf ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ de l ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Europe ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ in Paris. -Number one soft drink in France since 1966. -Its total sales have doubled in eight years. -Coca-Cola France has created more than 1000 jobs. -Invested more than 3 billion francs in France since 1989. -Today, French consumers drink an average 88 servings of Coca-Cola products each year. 1927 Italy Currently employs approximately 3,000 people. Italian consumers drink an average of 100 servings of Coca-Cola products each year. -There are 12 bottling plants throughout the country, serving more than 500,000 retail outlets, -Producing a wide range of Coca-Cola products, including Fanta, Sprite, Nestea, Kinley Tonic Water, Beverly, Bonaqua and Minute Maid products.

Rendell Company Case Study Essay -- Business Case Study Essays, solut

Rendell Company Case Study Executive Summary This report will give us a clear perspective as to what the optimal organizational structure that suits Rendell Company plus some additional control system in attaining the company’s main objectives. We will be also tackling the roles, functions and responsibilities of a controller in an organization. This case takes us into Rendell Company which is currently having problems between the corporate controller and the divisional controller. We assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the organization structure of Martex whether it can be applied and be implemented to Rendell Company in order to resolve the problem. Through the frameworks and issues, we concluded that while current setup would cause some budgetary discrepancies because of the lack of loyalty between the divisional controllers to the corporate controller, changing the organization structure of Martex would cause a disparity between the division manager and the divisional controller thus resulting in an anxiety in their working environment which is too costly as compared to maintaining the current setup. I. Case Context Rendell Company is experiencing some difficulties in implementing its modern control techniques due to the irking relationship between the divisional controller and the corporate controller (Mr. Bevins) resulting in an added fat to the organization’s budgets. Now, with these problems, Mr. Bevins is interested with the organizational structure of Martex if this will be the solution of the current problem. II. Problem definition How Should Rendell resolve the current reporting relationship of the corporate controller and the divisional controllers to achieve goal congruence? Is the controller relationship of Martex better than that of Rendell’s current organizational relationships? III. Framework The group worked out on these following considerations in resolving the issue: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First we identify the company objective which is to achieve profitability and growth. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Attaining goal congruence within the organization is important to support the company’s main objective. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Analysis of the current organization and reporting structure by evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Assessment of the proposed organizational set-up (patterned from the set-up of Martex) by evaluating whether implementa... ...ke more active involvement in the budget VI. Basic Justification Since an accounting system is already in place in Rendell, change may not be easily accepted by the concerned divisions. Such changes may cause a dysfunction in the organizational structure since making division controllers report directly to corporate controller might cause destabilization in the structure of authority in the divisions. Loyalty issues may also arise because division managers may feel by-passed or spied-upon which may cause more problems in the long run. Thus, more importance should be given in preserving the power structure in each division. It is better that the company face the problem of having fats in the expense budget rather than give up order in each division and jeopardize the established line of authority. As a conclusion, maintaining the current setup would be better than changing it into the structure of Martex in achieving the goals and objectives of Rendell Company. VII. Operationalize / Implementing our Decision Implementing our decision would include retaining the current setup and adapt changes (as mentioned on our decision) from Martex to reduce the â€Å"fat† in the budget.

El Mercado :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  EL MERCADO   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Mexican Mercado is a historical, sociable, and wonderful experience. I believe it says a lot about Mexico's culture and how they have kept some of the ways of there ancestors. The Mercado is a thing that should be highly respected. Many things are related to the Mercado like bargaining, communicating, making friends, shopping, and agriculture. That right there describes Mexico's history and present.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the US I believe that people usually don't like to socialize as much as people in Mexico than people in the US. That is half of the reason people in Mexico go to the Market. People in Mexico like to negotiate prices and people in the US seem to be in more of a hurry. The US and Mexico have supermercados which are pretty similar to each other because they sell a lot of the same things. The traditional Mercado is an open-air market, which is similar to some of the farmers markets that the US has. Except people in Mexico have bigger markets and they have a bigger variety of stuff. They aren't as popular in the U.S. because of the differences in the history of the cultures. I think a lot of people would like to bring open-air markets to the US.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some advantages of the Mercado is being able to visit and get to know more people. There are also many shops with many varieties of things to choose from. Stores for everyone, they have flower shops, craft markets and many other shops. A disadvantage I would think is that it would always be crowded. I consider this a disadvantage, but there are some people that wouldn't. I'm not sure how fresh the fruits would be either, because you don't know how long they have been sitting there. Some advantages for the U.S. markets would be having the out-of-date prints on the things you buy and knowing that your fruit is fresh. Plus you have a better chance of getting a refund. Some disadvantages are not being able to negotiate with people for lower prices. In the US the grocery shopping isn't as much about visiting and talking, but getting your shopping done quickly because people are always in a hurry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Mercado was started by the Aztecs, this cultural activity is historical and a wonderful experience.

Benito Mussiolini :: essays research papers

Benito Mussolini, the Fascist dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943. He centralized all power in himself as the leader of the Fascist party and attempted to create an Italian empire, ultimately in alliance with Germany. The defeat of Italian arms in World War 2 brought an end to his imperial dream and led to his downfall.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Benito had a miserable young life who then made his future adult life positive. He had hoped that WWI would lead to a collapse of society that would bring him to power. He knew that he needed to gain the Italians support and he introduced fascism. To the Italians it was a symbol of order and strength. It was a great number of people together, which was stronger then what it was in the previous years. He was also, to the Italians, the leader who would get them out of the Depression. Mussolini knew how to make the voting class forget about the strength they had. He also threatened to make Italy ungovernable through violence unless he was promoted the Prime Minister. Mussolini made Italy a strong fascist state that stood behind him. He knew how to use propaganda, he knew how to use the media to promote fascism and himself. Like Hitler, he used propaganda to gradually build himself up as a legend who was always right and could solve all of Italy’s problems. He took control of everything from who wrote in newspapers to what children learned in school. Mussolini made Italy dependent on him, like Hitler did with Germany. Anyone who didn't feel this way about him was killed. He had strong aggressive nationalism and made it a must have to be a good fascist.

Compulsory Sports Educaion Essay

Education should mean a perfect balance between imparting physical and academic education to the child. Education means all round development of personality i. e. physical, mental, aesthetic and spiritual. As children grow, they need balanced development of both the body and the mind especially up to the teens when they spend a major part of the day in school. At least one hour of sports of any kind is essential to recharge the minds of the children for better concentration. Schools are not for studies only. This narrow sense of education is to be corrected in the minds of the parents as well. Of course, sports and games would be followed by schools depending on the sports infrastructure they possess. In today’s enclosed colonies with severe crunch of playing fields, sports in schools can be extremely beneficial for children. Considering the fact that the obesity graph for children has been growing drastically since the past few years, the value of sports for children in the school cannot be underratedr. Undoubtedly, games and sports help in recreation and are very good for de-stressing, encouraging team building and also teaching them to accept defeat. Sportsmanship and team spirit displayed by the players on the field can be imbibed by the students. Their display of punctuality and self-discipline could be adopted for betterment. Moreover, exercise invigorates the mind and body and helps to keep fit. Making sports and extracurricular activities mandatory at the school enables kids to realize their own strengths and that is what schools are for. When young kids enter school they are unaware of their strengths and are still developing interest in various things. If extracurricular activities would not be compulsory at school many kids will never get a chance to try them out. Sports should be made compulsory in schools to introduce a healthy lifestyle to all the school going children. However, there should be more variety of sports and activities like swimming, tennis, track and field, weight lifting (gym), as well as competitive and noncompetitive games. Outdoor games are recreational and they ensure that children are exposed to fresh air and exercise, which they may not get at home. The TVs and computers are dragging the students away from any form of physical workout. Unfortunately, in our country the state of sports is dismal and sportspersons lack proper training and sponsorship. Most of the schools lack the area and the infrastructure for sports. The State governments, school boards and Sports Authorities of India should enact laws to make sports a compulsory subject in schools and also provide financial assistance to schools. So, schools must consider the fact that games are not just wastage of time rather they are such rare treasures that shape the future prospect of a student. So students, Play games, not only to hit, But also to be 100% fit.

Iron Crowned Chapter 26

â€Å"So, let me make sure I'm following this correctly.† I sighed and shifted on the bed, knowing Dorian was repeating this conversation mostly because he liked seeing my discomfort. â€Å"Your ‘technology' can tell you you're having a boy and a girl, when they're due, and allow you to hear their heartbeats,† he continued. â€Å"But some medicine inexplicably totally counteracted the other one you take to prevent pregnancy.† â€Å"Took,† I muttered. â€Å"Seeing as it's kind of pointless now.† Dorian leaned back in a plush armchair, face expressing overly dramatic pondering. After fainting, I'd been given a guest room befitting my status, a good sign since â€Å"hospitality† simply meant protection and in no way related to one's accommodations. It wasn't quite as nice as Dorian's room, of course, but the mattress was thick and fluffy, and the green velvet canopy coordinated with the heavy brocaded bedding. As sick as I'd felt, I honestly would have been content to curl up on the floor somewhere. I'd been awake for about an hour now, alone in the vast room save for Dorian. â€Å"What a fascinatingly bizarre turn of events,† he mused, stroking his chin. â€Å"If you thought the Iron Crown scared people, just wait until this news spreads. Which, of course, it already has.† I draped a hand over my forehead. â€Å"Isn't it bad enough that I'm carrying a world-conquering prophecy child? Why all the political fallout?† â€Å"Because you're carrying a world-conquering prophecy child,† he responded. â€Å"It's the type of thing people tend to have strong feelings about.† â€Å"I thought almost everyone wanted to conquer the human world.† â€Å"Most,† he agreed. â€Å"But not all. Especially those who – after observing your record thus far – might fear you'll conquer this world first.† I rolled over to my side, giving me a better view of him. Since the earlier spectacle, Dorian had masked whatever personal feelings he had about my pregnancy, switching into cunning ruler mode. â€Å"But not you,† I said. â€Å"You've always been in favor of this – fulfilling the prophecy.† â€Å"I've never made a secret of that,† he agreed. â€Å"From the moment we met.† That was true, at least. He'd sat on that desire while we were involved, but I'd always known it lurked. â€Å"You've just kept other secrets instead,† I blurted out. He didn't answer me right away, but those green-gold eyes weighed me thoughtfully. â€Å"Yes. Yes, I have. Secrets I now regret.† That silenced me for several moments. I hadn't expected any kind of apology. Something in me softened toward him. â€Å"Really?† â€Å"If I hadn't deceived you about the Iron Crown,† he explained, â€Å"we would still be together.† I could only stare. The piece of me that had never stopped loving him tentatively reared its head. It was hard to believe he was here confessing his feelings, admitting that what we'd had had been more important than his scheming. It gave me a new insight into him, one that astonished †¦ yet pleased me. â€Å"And if we'd stayed together,† he continued, â€Å"I would have been the lucky beneficiary of this medicinal slip.† So much for new insight. I groaned and turned away. â€Å"Of course. Of course that's the real source of your regret. You don't get to lead the revolution.† I heard him get up and sit on the bed beside me. A few seconds later, he actually had the audacity to lie down. I wiggled over to make room. â€Å"It's more than revolution,† he said. â€Å"I also told you the first time we met that I'd have a child with you, regardless of any prophecy.† â€Å"I'm not convinced that the ‘with me' part was so relevant.† Dorian touched my cheek and turned my face toward his. â€Å"Do you really believe that? Do you really believe my feelings for you were so small that your being the mother of my child wouldn't have meant the world to me?† I started to snarkily correct him with worlds, but it seemed petty. â€Å"I don't know what I believe,† I said honestly. â€Å"I don't even know if I have the energy or motivation to analyze our relationship when I have this going on.† I rested my hand on my stomach. Dorian's eyes followed that motion, utterly captivated. â€Å"Despite your foolish fathering choices, this †¦Ã¢â‚¬  He reached toward my stomach as well, then pulled back. â€Å"This is a miracle. This is a prophecy fulfilled. This is life. And really, Kiyo is no longer relevant. He's given up any claims to these children. They are yours and yours alone now.† My fingers tightened on my stomach, not painfully, but more in a possessive type of way. My gaze grew unfocused. â€Å"I still can't believe that. I can't believe that he'd dismiss his own children so easily. That he'd dismiss me so easily †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I doubt it was easy. You aren't that easy to get over.† A small note of bitterness there. â€Å"But his opposition to the prophecy was too great. Just as my support is great enough to take you in – despite your betrayal – and embark in the madness to come.† Betrayal? I started to tell him he was the last one who should accuse anyone of that – but held back. â€Å"Will people think you're crazy to do it?† â€Å"Hardly,† he snorted. â€Å"Most will think they're my children anyway, ironically enough.† No one except Jasmine had heard my brief paternity exchange with Dorian in the hall. I frowned. â€Å"I think sometimes Kiyo does too.† â€Å"They can be.† My first reaction was that this was some sort of joke of his, but all humor had disappeared from his face. â€Å"I don't think you fully understand genetics.† â€Å"I understand that parenting is more than just blood,† he said, still deadly earnest. â€Å"And as I said: he's relinquished any claims. You are in control, and if even he and others question the children's parentage, then so much the better. Simply declare me the father. Have it recorded, and by our laws, the children will be mine for all intents and purposes.† Something about that set off my alarms. â€Å"What do you mean ‘intents and purposes'?† He shrugged – a bit too casually. â€Å"Titles. Prestige. Protection. Inheritance – if either is strong enough to hold my kingdom. Which, according to the prophecy, your son should be.† â€Å"I don't know,† I said. There might be some safety benefits to this sort of gentry â€Å"adoption,† but I had a feeling that Dorian wasn't telling me all of them – particularly things that benefited him alone. He was still upset with me. He didn't like Kiyo. There was no reason that I could see for this. â€Å"I have to think about it.† â€Å"Think fast,† Dorian said. â€Å"Things will be in motion soon, particularly once we get you back to your own lands.† â€Å"Why?† I asked. â€Å"Why would you want to claim someone else's children? I mean, I get your wanting to see the prophecy come true, but you don't have to take that extra step.† â€Å"Maybe someone else's children are better than no children at all,† he said. It was another odd statement from him, a surprising one. Both philosophical and touching. Yet, I still believed there was a deception here. This wasn't out of love for me. Not anymore. His hand moved toward my stomach again and he didn't pull it away this time, though he made sure to keep away from my hand. â€Å"Let me ask you a question,† he said when I made no response. â€Å"Why did you choose to keep these children? Do you fear the unholy procedure your people use to end life? Were you unable to live with your daughter's blood on your hands?† My mind rewound back to that day at the doctor's. That day? Hell. It had only been earlier today. So much had happened since then that weeks might have gone by. My horrible ordeal with Kiyo had blurred the memories, but now, the ultrasound came back to me, the sights and sounds as real and vivid as though I were experiencing them all over again. â€Å"I heard their heartbeats,† I said at last. â€Å"And I saw them.† Well, kind of. Those blurs still didn't look like much to me, but the point was irrelevant. â€Å"And when I did †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I groped to explain my feelings. â€Å"I just †¦ I just wanted them. Both of them. None of the rest mattered.† A slow, strange smile spread across Dorian's face. â€Å"That,† he declared, â€Å"is the most gentry thing I've ever heard you say.† Normally, I would have mocked him for using â€Å"gentry† instead of â€Å"shining ones.† It was a slip he sometimes made around me. His words' content, however, was of more importance. â€Å"That's ridiculous.† â€Å"Not so. Humans overthink things. They throw away life heedlessly. Honestly, after all this time, I was beginning to think you were more human than shining one.† â€Å"I hate to tell you, but I am,† I said. Dorian made himself more comfortable, and the hand on my stomach moved so that his arm lay over me, almost – but not quite – an embrace. It was possessive, like I was a prize that had fallen into his lap. â€Å"Are you, my dear? You're expressing philosophies very like my own. You're carrying a child that will allegedly conquer the human world – a world you can't go back to for a while, seeing as it would give the kitsune an edge. You're safer here in this world where, I'd like to add, you rule not one but two kingdoms. That,† he declared triumphantly, â€Å"makes you, by my reckoning, more like a gentry than a human.† I looked away, not meeting his eyes – because I had a crazy feeling he was right.