Category: aaspiringwriter

A12 Casual Rewrite – aaspiringwriter

India: The Next Superpower?

India is the biggest successful democracy in the world and has a strong political system. It has made tremendous growth in the sectors such as: Information Technology, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Education, healthcare etc. However, if India wants to be a Superpower it will have to eliminate the problems such as corruption, Inflation, population explosion, illiteracy etc and start contributing more towards science, research and innovation, encouraging small business and keeping peace with its neighboring nations.

Corruption in India is severe. As per the World Corruption Audit conducted in 2015, India ranked 65th out of the 150 democratic nations. Almost every person in India has been asked to pay the bribe at-least once in their lifetime. According to the Indian Corruption Study 2005, “Common citizens of the country pay a bribe of Rs. 21,068 crores while availing one or more of the eleven public services in a year.” Lack of transparency in the public sector, poor tax regulation and licensing policies can be considered the root causes of corruption in India. Bribing a public servant to get the work done quickly has been a common ritual there and Indians have somewhat gotten used to it. However, an Anti-corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare in 2011 has been an eyeopener for both the government and the citizens. Ten’s of thousands of citizens joined the movement forcing the government to pass a new Anti-Corruption bill (Lokpal Bill) in the Parliament. In 2015, to fight against corruption; The Prime Minister of India took a drastic step and announced the demonetization of the rupee to control tax invasion and eradicate black money from the country. Such movements is a proof that if the people and the government of the nation unite and work together, they can eradicate the problems. Some effort made in the present can help India to be the superpower in the future.

Growing population has been the biggest hindrance in country’s growth and India is the second most populous country in the world after china. To be a superpower, the nation should be able to manage its man power and resources and distribute them evenly. But, because of the enormous population, it has been tough for India to maintain the balance. However, due to various population control campaigns and increase in the number of educated people, a slight decline in the growth rate  has been observed. Rema Nagrajan in her article, “The Myth of India’s population explosion,” stated “India’s total fertility rate — a measure of the number of children born to a woman during her lifetime — was down from 5.9 in 1951 to 2.3 in 2011.” If India successes in stabilizing its population then it has good chances of being the superpower.

To sum up, Corruption and Population explosion can be a big problem for any country. But despite of that if a country is able to make constant progress and at such a fast pace then it really has immense potential to be the Superpower.

Works Cited

2012. N.p.: Authorhouse, 2012. 11-12. Web.

“Home Countries India: World Democracy Profile.” India: World Audit Democracy Profile. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2016.

“India – Corruption.” Foreign Law Guide (n.d.): 1. Web.

“The Myth of India’s Population Explosion.” Times Of India Blogs. N.p., 22 June 2016. Web. 05 Dec. 2016.

A11 Definition Rewrite – aaspiringwriter

Potential Superpowers

Superpower nation possesses the ability to influence worldwide events and project its power on a global scale. Ever since the disintegration of the soviet union, America has been the only superpower. America has been dominating through the combined-means of technological, cultural, military and economic strengths. However, with more and more countries contributing to the global economy and becoming stronger in all the other aspects, there have been rise in the speculations of the next Potential Superpower. Potential Superpower is a term used for the countries who can possibly achieve superpower status in the 21st century; due to their economic potential, large markets, growing military and influence in international affairs. China, The European Union, India and Russia are the most speculated contenders for supremacy, but because of the problems such as poverty, corruption, population explosion and pollution these countries might simply remain emerging powers, as opposed to potential superpowers.

The predictions of the potential superpower are never perfect and keeps on changing with the changing economy of the countries and the power they posses on a global domain. For example, in the 1980s, Japan due to its large GDP and high economic growth was anticipated to be the next superpower.  However, Japan’s economy crashed in 1991, creating a long period of economic slump in the country which is yet to be recovered. As per the world bank annual GDP growth statistics; In 1961 Japan was estimated to reach a GDP of 12.5 by 2015. However, it declined to 0.5 by the end of 2015. Gaining supremacy is a tough task. It’s about gaining stability and keeping it consistent on a global level. Any of the countries who wish to attain the superpower status have a tough road ahead. The government and the people will have to work together and stand out as a strong and a united nation.

Talking about China, In the past few decades China has been identified as the most prominent economic growth and military superpower. China’s rise is demonstrated by its terrific share of trade in its gross domestic product. It has already outpaced USA in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).  Prableen Bajpai, in her article, “The World’s Top 10 Economies,” states that “China is estimated to pull ahead of the U.S. steadily in the following years, taking over the lead position as the world’s largest economy; in fact, in its October 2012 World Economic Outlook report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that China’s gross domestic product (GDP) would outpace that of the U.S. as early as 2017.” According to which, china is predicted to outpace U.S. in terms of GDP and be the number one economic superpower in the world. It is only possible if china continues to grow its economy. However, Chinese economy has recently taken a decline,  which is a major concern. Along with the economy, it must also meet its internal and external challenges and make some fundamental political changes. It must deal with its aging population and gender imbalance produced by its one child policy.  Also deal with its water shortage problems, pollution problems and create more and more jobs to deal with the unemployment. It must also make contributions in the field of science, research and innovation and build a stronger military in-order to become the superpower.

The biggest competition of China in the race of being the Superpower is India. India is the biggest democracy in the world and with its 1.2 billion population, mostly consisted of young people, it possesses a great potential. India can benefit from china’s declining economy and can quickly attain the spot of the fastest emerging economies in the world. In an Economic Times Article, “India’s growth rate set to surpass china this year: World Bank,” Kaushik Basu, World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, claims that “With an expected growth of 7.5 per cent this year, India is, for the first time, leading the World Bank’s growth chart of major economies,” which means India will surpass China whose growth rate is 7.1 per cent this year and be the major economy in the world. Along with the economy, the factors that plays in Indias favor are its magnificent resources, its foreign relations, role in international politics, science and technology, Indian Armed forces etc. On the other hand poverty, pollution, unemployment, illiteracy, communal violence, social divide, gender and caste inequality and disputes with its neighboring countries are the factors that don’t play in Indias favor and it will have to pass these hurdles to become the superpower.

The European Union(EU) is also a great contender for the superpower. With its large economy probably largest in the world, large population, high quality lifestyle and low inflation rates it certainly is in a very good position. Despite of that, it hasn’t been very successful in establishing a unified foreign policy and project strong military power, which are essential for a superpower nation. If we consider Russia it only has powerful armed forces at the moment and it hence may never become a superpower. Brazil is another emerging nation with great potential. It has managed to sought a serious global economic and political power, however presently it can only manage to be the emerging power rather than the potential superpowers, with a hope to shape the world in the future.

The World Wars and many other Cultural, Demographic and Geographic conditions have crumbled the superpower nations of the past and continues to crumble the current contenders. It’s difficult for countries to get back on their knees or fight against their problems. The  U.S. has never observed massive industrial destruction or civilian casualties unlike Europe or Asia. Post War it has been able to build up a strong industrial and technological infrastructure, advanced military strength which is the strongest in the world and has managed to retain it since. Other countries have a great potential in being the superpower but their problems are way more drastic and impossible to overcome, at least at the moment. They will have to be a lot more than just the biggest economy if they want to attain the title of the Superpower nation of the world.

Works Cited

(ICFAI), Prableen Bajpai CFA. “The World’s Top 10 Economies.” Investopedia. N.p., 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.

“World Economic Outlook Database October 2014.” World Economic Outlook Database October 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.

Pti. “India’s Growth Rate Set to Surpass China This Year: World Bank.” The Economic Times. N.p., 11 June 2015. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.

“Superpower.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.

“India as an Emerging Superpower.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.

“European Union as an Emerging Superpower.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.

A06: Visual Rewrite – aaspiringwriter

“Now”

0:01
The ad starts in the middle of a scene, where we are put behind the counter of a diner with a quick zooming back of the camera. The footage looks a bit dull and faded with minimal washed out colours, makes you feel as if it’s a home recorded video or some low-budget film, that is recorded for a real purpose.

Looking at the marble countertop before us, it seems as if the footage was taken perhaps from the kitchen or the service window. This is made clear as some ketchup bottles, sugar server, menu holders seen somewhat closer to the camera along with empty glasses kept upside down in a tray and a red top bottle of Angostura bitters, commonly used as a cocktail flavour.

On the counter are two young boys (one black, one white) sitting with a man. Both young boys are dressed in similar sport jerseys. The man is wearing a white T-shirt and a black Jacket and it appears to be gym clothes with a lanyard hanging around his neck. Probably a whistle hangs from it. This could mean he is a school coach and may be asking the two young boys to finish their food by repeatedly pointing at their plate. Maybe he doesn’t want the food to be wasted. The man looks to be in his mid 30’s and the two boys appears to be about 10-12years old.

Behind the three at the counter, there is another man and a woman also looks to be around their mid 30’s, occupy opposite sides on another table discussing something. It appears as if they are all sitting in a diner. The framed artwork hangs on the wall by the couple is a black and white photo of an urban street scene.

0:02
The camera zoomed in on the right face profile of the man, who turns to his right and starts talking. He has long sideburns. It is possible that someone is sitting next to him. He has a very comforting smile on his face. Maybe he is talking to a close-friend or relative.

0:04-0:05
Another young white boy approximately of same age as the other two boys, covers the frame with a wide smile on his face, rather feeling ticklish by the man’s hand moving around on his head, making him lean towards the man. He has very short blond looking hair and a very pretty smile on his face. He is wearing the same V-neck sport jersey as the other two young boys, as if they all belong to a same team. The coach seems to be teasing him in a friendly way. The kid has a wide smile on his face and is nodding his head as the coach is patting the kids head and talking to him. Their gestures appear to be really friendly and looks like they have known each other for a long time. They could be father and son.

0:05-0:06
There is a sudden change in the boy’s expression. His smile gradually disappears as he looks to be in some doubt due to some loud bang, followed by loud talking heard as if someone slammed their hand right on the table that moved all the glass items. He turns around with fear on his face, and looks on to the table behind them. This is when the frame is fully covered with a woman sitting just behind their table, with blonde, curly sort of short hair. She is wearing an ivory shirt. The woman quickly turns her head towards the boy and notices the boy staring her. She feels embarrassed and turns her head away from the boy toward the man sitting opposite him, who seems to be doing some loud talking.

0:07-0:08
The man comes in the frame again, with his right face profile as he was looking at young boy. He then grinds his teeth as if he has a hint of what’s about to happen after being disturbed by the bang on table followed by some loud talking. It appears if he is a bit disappointed of the whole situation. He looks down at his plate with displeasure on his face, he sighs as he picks up a fry off his plates and slowly eats it. It appears as if he is trying to avoid some situation.

0:09-0:12
With a slight zoom out in the camera this time, shows the man and the young white boy sitting on his left, along with the couple sitting behind their table. Both the man and white boy turn around in doubt to see the man and women sitting on the table behind them opposite to each other. The urban street artwork is also seen, right in the centre on the wall by the couples table. The man, with his left face profile slightly towards the camera and the young boy with his head fully turned around toward the couple are seen, as they try to figure out the ongoing scene between the couple. They see that the man has tightly grabbed the women’s hand with a look of anger on his face as he is pointing his index finger on his other hand towards her, still talking as loud. It appears as if they are arguing over something and he is shouting at her. The woman still feeling embarrassed about the whole situation and wanting it to stop. Next frame fully covers the man accompanied by the three young boys, looking away somewhere, thinking what to do as he grinds his teeth again with his mouth shut this time.

0:12
A question pops up with a black background.
“When do you get involved?”

0:14-0:21
The coach is in the frame again for some split seconds. The frame quickly keeps on switching between the two different ongoing scenarios. One is where the coach is sitting down thinking about the behaviour of the man on the other table towards his woman. Thinking whether he should get up and interrupt or let it be on the couple to be sorted on their own. The second switching frame shows different physical actions being performed by the man on the woman as she tries to resist, still wanting him to stop and calm down. The man is being somewhat violent and showing aggressive behaviour by pulling her by shirt and snatching her hair, wanting her to get up and leave the table as she keeps on resisting. The coach is still thinking something. And soon after, another question pops up with a black background. The question says “Now? “. This is quickly followed by a very violent reaction from the man, he hits the woman right in her face as she was resisting to leave the table and wanting him to stop, trying to get his hands off her. The coach is still thinking as the same question pops on the screen again “Now?”.

0:22-0:26
This time the camera is fully focused on the kid who was initially smiling, now completely frightened by the angry man’s behaviour. His face is full of fear, as he looks very uncomfortable, scared, disgusted, helpless. He is sympathetic towards that women. He is sad and uneasy and it looks like he is about to cry. It feels as if he wants to do something to stop this physical abuse. He looks at his coach in despair, hoping he would do something to stop this. He just wants someone to stop this. Then a sentence pops up with the kid in the background. The sentence says “The best time to get involved is Now.”

0:28-0:32
Another sentence shows up on the screen, “Teach boys that violence against women is wrong.” While the frightened young boy is still seen in the background.

0:33-0:37
Again the black background pops up with words fading in – “Teach Early. Call 800-End-Abuse.”

The End

Conclusion:
The advertisement conveys a really strong message on Violence against women. It shows the importance of teaching your kids the difference between the right and the wrong. Every adult is responsible for stopping this kind of behaviour. They should stand against it and teach their kids the same. Violence against women is wrong. Violence against anyone is wrong. Stand against the abuse and end it.