Thursday, February 26, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
132. Workforce Development
For Manpower, social responsibility extends well beyond just writing a donation check to a charitable cause. It’s about strengthening the diversity of our communities and creating opportunities for all people to participate in the workforce. It’s about focusing on the long-term view and developing solutions that are sustainable.
Whether it’s helping an unemployed single mother return to the workforce, or giving a job to an immigrant when no one else will, our reward comes from knowing that we make a real difference – today and in the future. All over the world, Manpower employees, partnering with community organizations, businesses and government, engage in workforce development programs that make a difference in people’s lives.
Because of our relationships with both employers and individuals, we are uniquely positioned to determine where current and future skills gaps are, identify people who need help engaging with the workforce, and develop solutions that bring these two groups together, mutually benefiting both. In this way, we function as a “bridge” to employment for many who would otherwise be unemployed.
Our systems, programs and policies are designed to make the connection to work a viable option for those who need it. Our industry leading skills assessment processes and hiring policies help us ensure that people are not discriminated against. Rather, we focus on people’s abilities – not their disabilities.
171. Tower of Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa italically called as Tonve Pendente Di Pisa is a medieval structure immortalized by the settling of its foundation, causing it to lean 17 feet(5.2 meters) from the perpendicular. The bell tower, began in 1174 as the third and final structure of the cathedral complex, was designated to stand 185 feet high and was constructed of white marbles. Three of its eight stories were completed when the uneven Settling of the foundation in the soft ground became noticeable.
Bonnano Pisano, the engineer in charge of construction of the present tower that leans in Pisa, sought to compensate for the lean by making the new stories slightly taller on the short side, but the extra masonry caused the structure to sink aside still further. Work was suspended several times as engineers sought solutions, but the tower was ultimately topped out in the 14th century and thus it stills leans. In modern times the foundation have been strengthened by injection of cement grounding, but is the late 20th century, the structure was still in danger of collapse, and various schemes were under considerations of saving it.
Galileo, the man who found out that the world is a big ball, round in shape was born in Pisa and the cathedral where the tower is present helped him. Galileo during his study in the college saw the swinging lamp in the bell tower in the leaning tower got the idea of a pendulum that helps in running a clock. The work of Bonnano Pisano was prefixed by Guglino pisano in 1162 and he made the first Pulpit. Bonnano pisano made the bronze doors in 1180, Nicola pisanoi, covered the baptisary pulpit in 1260 and Nicolas son Gicovanni pisano was the sculptor of the present cathedral pulpit in 1310.
Internal struggles help to bring about the occupation of Pisa by the frontiers in 1406. When the French army attacked Italy in 1404, Pisa temporarily, reasserted its independence. It had a lot of war until it was conquered by Florence in 1509. Thereafter, it declined as a provincial Tuscan town. It also has an important railway junction and famous light industries have brought the prosperity to them. Wind spread destruction took away the charm of the leaning tower during the World War II.
It appears to the present authors that Egypt has considerable potential for benefits from strengthening its international linkages. Some such strengthening would involve the nations of the Middle East, but should also involve the non Islamic world. As is known the nation is dependent upon the global economy as the source for various manufactured goods and thus must find ways to counter balance such imports with exports (McKee, Garner and AbuAmara McKee, 1999, 145).
In prosecuting such international business dealings Egypt is of course constrained by cultural and religious traditions. Handoussa and Khier El-Din were of the opinion that manufacturing growth can be encouraged through exports (1998, 65) and suggested that moves in that direction could utilize existing capacities in moving into higher value added products that they felt would stimulate growing specialization among suppliers of goods as well as auxiliary services (65).
They were also in favor of increasing the pace of incoming foreign direct investment and recommended links between Egyptian firms and multinationals. Such practices they hoped would generate employment and stimulate the use of modern technology and management (65). They saw practices facilitating Egypt in serving as a locus of activity for both European and Middle Eastern markets (65).
More specifically they recommended developing high tech industries to take advantage of existing engineers and technicians as well as other professionals (65). The views of those authors appear to be well founded. Egypt can certainly accelerate its development through an outward looking posture utilizing its strengths in developing linkages both regionally and beyond.
Gol Gumbaz, situated in Bijapur is an astounding engineering feat. Its enormous "Whispering" dome is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The dome is the second largest in the world, 124 feet in diameter.The Mysore Palace, built is Indo-Saracenic style with domes turrets, arches and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world.
The tastefully decorated and inticrately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms. The walls of the palace are painted with pictures of the Dassera processions and these paintings are painted in such a manner that from any angle you can see the procession coming towards you.
The royal throne of the Wodeyars is displayed during the Dassera festival. The palace has now been converted into a museum, which treasures the souvenirs, paintings, jewellery, royal costumes and other items, which were once possessed by the Wodeyars. It is said that the palace displays the largest collection of gold items, quantity wise.
The Durbar hall of the palace has an ornate ceiling and many sculpture pillars which are said to have been painted with gold. The palace was originally built of wood, which got burnt down in 1897 AD and was rebuilt in 1912 AD. The Palace Lit Up. This profusely decorated and gilded palace is illuminated every Sundays and on holidays.
Tirupporur (place of the sacred war) is one of the 33 major temples of Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Muruga, situated 25-km away from Chingleput and 45-kmfrom Chennai. Tirrupporur is an ancient temple dating back to the Pallava period. Tirupporur is known by different names like Poriyur or Yuddhapuri or Samarapuri. It is believed that after vanquishing Soorapadman at Tiruchendur, Skanda destroyed the rest of the demons at Tirupporur.
Inscriptions dating back to the early 10th century as well as from the period of Vikrama Chola of the 12th century can bee seen in the temple. Tirupporur flourished but faded into oblivion for some time. But Tirupporur was rediscovered and renovated by Chidambara Swamigal in the middle of the seventeenth century. Tirupporur was who is said to be a descendant of one of the poets of the "Tamil Sangam" of Madurai.
Previously this place was a forest covered totally by Palmyra trees. The image of the Lord Muruga (also spelt as Murugan) is believed to be as "Swayambhu Murti", which lay covered up by an anthill. Chidambara Swamigal is said to have discovered the image of 'Skanda' in the anthill, and then rebuilt the temple and reinstalled the image. The temple was later on looked after by the decedents of Chidambara Swamigal and brought it to the present day fame.
There are many legends related to Tirupporur according to one, Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi were subjected to the curse of Kanva rishi. In order to liberate them from its effects Lord Shiva came to this place and relieved them from its effects. Hence Tirupporur temple has a lot of significance where Lord Shiva and his son Muruga (also spelt as Murugan) are worshipped.
199. Sabarimala Temple
Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The sanctum sanctoram nestles 914 m above sea level, amidst the virgin forest wilderness of the Western Ghats. The Village of Sabarimala is named after Shabari who did severe penance in order to meet Rama who granted her wish for her devotion and faith during her penance.
The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. Regardless of caste, creed, colour, they wear black dhotis and carry on their heads, bundles containing traditional offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice. Transportation is available upto Pamba, from where one has to travel a distance of 5 kms on foot. Devotees undertake rigorous penance, ritualistic vows and fasts before they visit the temple.
Sabarimala is one of the most important Hindu temples of Kerala. The Sabarimala Temple festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Ayyapan who is revered by all in India.There are two main pujas called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which are celebrated from November to Middle of January in Kerala, during which time the devotees perform austerities and penance.
Devotees undergo rigorous penance and austere living before starting on the pilgrimage. Devotees wear black 'dhotis' and are bare-chested as they prepare for the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The temple is at the top of the Neeli hills and the devotees have to climb the treacherous route carrying their meagre provision in a bundle called "Iru Mudi" meaning in "two folds".
