How to summarize a discussion

At the end of the discussion, when the topic has been discussed for a reasonable length of time, try to summarize the discussion. Giving up a good summary to the discussion will give you more credit.

When giving a summary, following things should be kept in mind..

We should cover all these points

• The problem in brief

• Majority point of view

• Dissenting viewpoints

Whether the group has been able to reach a consensus or not

Do not get upset if the group is unable to reach consensus. In a group of about eight persons, all with different points of view on a controversial subject, no one expects that a consensus will be reached in half an hour. All that is required is that an attempt should have been made to reach consensus.

Reaching consensus will depend on the topic itself. But if the group is so creative and able, reaching a consensus on a double sided coin is also not a different task. But the topic also determines the flow of discussion. We should not bother about the topic. We should present our points clearly and respond to others points without deviating from our stand.

Usually a discussion is summarized by a single person but in some cases there may be effort of more than one person to bring the discussion to an end, especially when the topics are controversial or   if they are having equally strong points on both sides. But we should always try to reach consensus.

Attempt to reach consensus is necessary because when a manager works with other persons with different interests and temperaments, some of them may not agree with a particular point of view. Yet discussions arrived at are deemed to be group decisions and the group has to accept responsibility for the same even if one or two of the members may have dissented.

Attempt to reach consensus is treated as an attempt to work in a team..!!

Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865

He was the president of the United States from 1861 to 1865. He led his country during the American Civil war, helped unite his people and ended slavery in America. He was also known as Honest Abe.

1) He was the first republican to become the US president. He was also the first American President to assassinate.

2) He is well known for his speech –the Gettysburg Address.

3) On the evening of April 14, 1865, Lincoln went to watch a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington. A few minutes after 10pm, while the play was in progress. John Wilkes Booth shot the president in the head. He died the following morning.

Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890

He was a famous artist but he did not have a successful career. In his lifetime, he sold only one painting. However, most of is paintings are priceless today. Dark –brown and green were his favorite colors. The names of some of his famous paintings are the potato eaters, portrait of Dr Gachet, sunflowers and the starry night.

Lord Baden –Powell 1857-1941

He founded the Boy Scout movement. He started his career as a soldier in the British army .he started the boy scouts in England in 1908. A few years later, he teamed up with his sister Agnes Baden –Powell to start the Girl Guides movement as well. Baden –Powel wrote a number of books on scouting and military matters. His full name was Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell.

He was one of the greatest statesmen and military leaders of ancient Rome. He helped Rome become one of the most powerful empires in the world. He delivered many famous speeches. His power scared many of his political opponents and a group of them assassinated. Julius Caesar’s last reported words to his friend Brutus, who had just stabbed him, were `Et tu Brute’ (meaning `even you Brutus’).

Koutilya (flourished 300BC)

He was a Brahmin who lived during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. His real name was Vishnugupta. He was adviser to King Chandragupta and helped him overthrow the Nanda rulers. He is also known as Chanakya.

Does the Indian youth need Western fashion ?

Everybody likes change in fashion. We should wear such clothes and adopt such fashion which we like. If the people like western style,let them follow it. The fashion doesn't affect the attitude and performance at all. One does not lose anything by wearing western dresses. Western wears are light and comfortable. Indian clothes are costly. People spends thousands of rupees in sarees and shawls. None of the western wears is so costly. Indian dresses are uncomfortable, especially those of women. Time has changed. Women today are working outside homes. They are participating in sports. They are involved in many other physical activities. Women in rural areas are working in farms. They wear sarees, which is uncomfortable for such a work.

We are living in the 21st century. People are talking of a new world and we are indulging in petty issues like fashion. The change in fashion is not an evil. What is to be kept in mind is how we look more smart, modernized, fit and successful in the global race. The fashion is one of the requirements to go with the world. Western fashion has become common in the world. Therefore, our people , especially the new generation , which is going abroad and working there, likes to wear that dress. People who have started wearing western dresses feel easy and comfortable.

The western dresses have more varieties and types of wears. The sale of such items is greater in the market, which indicates that people likes it. We see in the movies, how the actors and actresses look and act smartly in modern dresses. Our people  are following the same. They  find it more suitable and comfortable. On the contrary , the Indian women feel uncomfortable in sarees and other Indian dresses. This problem can be overcome by following western fashion.

The western wear for males and females is almost similar. That is helpful in bringing about uniformity and feeling of equality. When boys and girls have to work together shoulder to shoulder , why should they not wear the same type of clothes? The Western fashion makes that aspect possible. This is a matter of one's choice. There is no restriction on wearing western dresses. When we are constitutionally  holding rights and are free to wear the clothes as per our choice, why we should not agree with the liking of people. Let them wear western dresses. Western wear is good and enhances one's look and appearance.

India has been ruled by the British. Western fashion was brought by the British in India and it has continued. Coat and tie are examples of western fashion. Initially it was on a small scale. Now a large number of people wear them. The western fashion makes a person smart. It is seen that people, both male and female , are more conscious towards that dress and fashion. This brushes up one's personality trait, which helps in interviews and debates. Western fashion has become common these days in the world. It helps a person to adjust in any part of the world without generating a sense of strangeness. Because of induction of western dresses, numerous factories have also started making them where a number of people are getting  employment and earning their livelihood.

But looking into the other side of the coin, should we encourage our own culture. If yes, then why should we?

India has a rich culture and our fashion is evergreen. Indian people wear native dresses and are recognized all over in the world. Every Indian feels proud to be a symbol of the nation. Why should we leave our dress? Our culture..? It will be better if we motivate our people to promote our culture and fashion within our country as well as in the world with a wide publicity. Indian dresses always give one national feeling, sense of unity, belonging, and integration. We feel that we are Indians. Our fashion is old and followed throughout the country. Its our tradition passed through generations. Its our ancestors who taught us to wear it an live like an Indian. We should respect our culture. Not saying that culture lies in dresses. But dresses are visible manner of our culture. If we see our Gods and Goddesses , we find from their clothes that Indian fashion is very old, durable and acceptable to our countrymen.

The same clothes, style of dressing, and their wearing are being used today with the same keenness. There is nothing wrong in our fashion. But its more than a Fashion. Its our tradition and culture. Our fashion is the visual depiction of world's best culture; our Indian culture. It is quite sober by looks. It gear up one's look and appearance. Our clothes are cheap. We have been using hand made clothes, which are decent and cheap. Desire of Westernization in fashion has affected wearing of traditional dresses. There is a need to check this trend. Indian clothes are long lasting and available in various colors and designs. Our leaders and many renowed persons wear khadi dresses which are our own made. Our own tradition and practice.

These dresses remind the days of freedom struggle, when Gandhi boycotted the foreign clothes and motivated people to wear self made clothes of khadi to inculcate a feeling of self dependence, unity, and strength. It is true that the wearing of Indian made clothes show our culture and tradition.

Some people says that its not a good practice that we are discarding our own culture and going after Westernized fashion. Today's requirement is to educate and motivate others about the dignity of Indian fashion. We see some of the foreigners on their visit to India wearing our clothes. Ladies wear sarees and they enjoys that. It is observed that most of the non resident Indians, who have been living abroad for generations, are still following Indian Fashion. That shows their love and feeling of belonging to the mother country, India. Those who are living in India should ensure that our fashion is continued and it spreads all over the world.

We see that our old movies are seen with fondness even today. The main reason of their existence even today is that they were based on Indian culture and fashion. The people of the country were influenced by the actors of old movies who looked nice and great in traditional dresses. Their contribution towards Indian fashion has been great. The dances in Indian clothes attract outsiders also. Therefore, the old movies are long lasting. Indian fashion carries the sentiment of people. On the contrary, the new movies are not so attractive. The Western style of dancing and acting is not generally linked with us. Wearing of western dresses is costly and middle class and the poor people cannot afford.

So, we can say that both Indian and Western fashion has merits and demerits. Then how can we select one that we like? Better we have to choose our own fashion by ourselves. Select those dresses that gives you self confidence. But always remember that fashion should not become vulgarity...!!

Ramayya, the farmer, had a bull. It was a strong, healthy and beautiful animal and Ramayya was very fond o it. He gave it a bath everyday and brushed its body. He fed it with green grass, hay and gram with his own hands everyday.

One night a thief came to Ramayya’s house, when he saw the bull, he thought, ``it’s a beautiful bull. I will sell it and surely get at least six thousand Rupees.’’ So the thief took the bull away.

Next morning, Ramayya went t the shed to feed his bull. But the bull was not there. Ramayya searched or the bull in the village and in the fields. He asked his friends and the village boys. But nobody had seen the bull. Ramayya couldn’t find it anywhere.

On Sunday, Ramayya went to the fair in the next village. When he was looking for a suitable bull to buy, his eyes fell on is own bull. He ran to it and patted it on its back. Then he started shouting, ``this is my bull. Four days ago somebody stole it. I will call the police.

The thief, who had come to sell the bull, said, ``Hey, get away from it. This is my bull’’.

But Ramayya did not budge. By this time, many people had gathered around them. Suddenly Ramayya covered the bull’s eyes and said the thief, ``this bull is blind in one eye. If it is your bull, tell me which eye it is.’’

The thief was taken aback. But he said boldly, ``the right eye’’.

``No, you are wrong. It’s the left eye,’’ said Ramayya. ``It’s my bull. Ou don’t know anything about it, it’s mine.

But the thief was a bold fellow. Although he was a little afraid at heart, he did not show it. He said very confidently, ``Oh, I forgot. Actually I was thinking of my dog, who is also one –eyed. I know the bull is blind in the left eye.’’

Ramayya laughed and said to the people around him, ``this fellow is a thief and has stolen my bull.’’ Then he took his hand off the bull yes. ``Look, all of you. Look the eyes of this bull. Both his eyes are good. This bull is mine. Do we need any other proof for it?

The people looked at the eyes of the bull and shouted, ``Yes, the farmer is right. This man is a thief.’’ Some men caught hold of the thief so that he might not run away. A policeman in the fair came to see what the noise what about. He tied the thief’s hands and took him to the police station.

Ramayya petted his bull and said, ``Let go home.’’ He walked towards his village and the bull followed him like a faithful dog.