The Importance of Moral Values in Our Life Essay

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Life used to be fun for 'teenagers'. They used to have money to spend, and free time to spend it in. They used to wear teenage clothes, and meet in teenage coffee bars and discos.

Some of them still do. But for many young people, life is harder now. Jobs are difficult to find. There's not so much money around. Things are more expensive, and it's hard to find a place to live.

Teachers say that students work harder than they used to. They are less interested in politics, and more interested in passing exams. They know that good exam results may get them better jobs.

Most young people worry more about money than their parents did twenty years ago. They try to spend less and save more. They want to be able to get homes of their own one day.

For some, the answer to unemployment is to leave home and look for work in one of Britain's big cities. Every day hundreds of young people arrive in London from other parts of Britain, looking for jobs. Some find work, and stay.

Others don't find it, and go home again, or join the many unemployed in London. There used to be one kind of teenage fashion, one style, one top pop group. Then, the girls all wore mini-skirts and everyone danced to the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

But now an eighteen-year-old might be a punk, with green hair and chains round his legs, or a skin head, with short, short hair and right wing politics, or a 'rasta', with long uncombed hair and a love for Africa.

There's a lot of different music around too. There's reggae, the West Indian sound, there's rock, there's heavy metal, country and western, and disco. All these kinds of music are played by different groups and listened to by different fans.

When you read the newspapers and watch the news on television, it's easy to get the idea that British young people are all unemployed, angry and in trouble.

But that's not true. Three quarters of them do more or less what their parents did. They do their best at school, find some kind of work in the end, and get married in their early twenties.

They get on well with their parents, and enjoy family life. They eat fish and chips, watch football on TV, go to the pub, and like reading about pop stars. After all, if they didn't, they wouldn't be British, would they?

International organizations and international cooperation

There are many organizations in the world, which work and cooperate together in dealing with international problems. Some of them are official, the other are public. Among them are the United Nations Organization, The Red Cross League, Greenpeace and many others. Let's take, for example, the United Nations. It is an organization to which nearly all the countries of the world belong. It's headquarters are situated in New York. Its central aim is to maintain peace and security in the world, to develop friendly relations among nations.

Greenpeace is an international organization, which deals with ecological and environmental problems. It was formed in 1971. Now it is a powerful organization, which works all over the word. There are many serious actions in the list of Greenpeace activities. The national offices exist in 27 countries of the world. In Russia Greenpeace was formed in 1992. It works here on four directions: Wood Campaign, Antinuclear Campaign, and Campaign for preservation Lake Baikal. Greenpeace tries to attract public attention to different problems in the world and find out who is guilty. It is financed by personal voluntary donations of its supporters. One more organization I'd like to speak about is the World Wildlife Fund. It was formed in 1961 by a small group of people. Now it is a large organization. The aim of it is to sake animals and plants of the world. It has raised over 35 million pounds for conversation projects and given support to National parks in five continents. As for me, I'd like to join Greenpeace organization. I am extremely concerned in ecological problems in our country, especially in our region. It is very important what water we drink, what food we eat. Besides, it is the place where I live. We must save our land for future generations.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an internationalnon-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada, United States and the United Kingdom. It is the world's largest independent conservation organization with over 5 million supporters worldwide, working in more than 100 countries, supporting around 1,300^[4] conservation and environmental projects. WWF is a foundation,^[5] in 2010 deriving 57% of funding from individuals and bequests, 17% from government sources (such as the World Bank, DFID, USAID) and 11% from corporations.^[3]

The group says its mission is "to halt and reverse the destruction of our environment".^[6] Currently, much of its work focuses on the conservation of three biomes that contain most of the world's biodiversity: forests, freshwater ecosystems, and oceans and coasts. Among other issues, it is also concerned with endangered species, pollution and climate change.

Largest privately supported international conservation organization in the world. Founded in 1961 by a small group of European scientists, naturalists, and business and political leaders, including Peter Markham Scott, the organization raises funds and channels them to other conservation groups. It directs its efforts toward protecting endangered environments such as coral reefs, saving endangered species, and addressing global threats such as pollution. It has helped establish and manage parks and reserves, and was instrumental in saving the giant panda (whose image it uses as its symbol) and other endangered species.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/wwf#ixzz1w9HJgp4q

Some progress has been already made in this direction. 159 countries-members of the UNO have set up environmental protection agencies. They hold conferences discussing ecological problems, set up environmental research centres and take practical urgent measures to avoid ecological catastrophe. There are numerous public organisations such as Greenpeace that are doing much to preserve environment. The 5th of June is proclaimed the World Environmental Day by the UNO and is celebrated every year.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity in Britain that promotes animal welfare. In 2011, the RSPCA investigated 159,759 cruelty complaints and collected and rescued 119,126 animals.^[1] It is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world^[2] and is one of the largest charities in the UK, with 1,505 employees (as of 2008).^[3]

The charity's work has inspired the creation of similar groups in other jurisdictions, starting with the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (founded in 1836), and including the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1839), the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1840), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1866), the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1882), and various groups which eventually came together as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (1981).

The RSPCA is funded entirely by voluntary donations.^[4] No state or lottery funding is received. In 2008, total income was £119,926,000, total expenditure was £114,090,000, and reserves were £70,656,000.^[3] Its patron is Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - the UK's leading animal welfare charity. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of thousands of animals each year. We offer advice on caring for all animals and campaign to change laws that will protect them, which we will enforce through prosecution. Our work relies on your support, so get involved or donate today. You can make a difference.

· We're the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and we've been here, looking out for animals, since 1824.

· It's our vision to work for a world in which all humans respect and live in harmony with all other members of the animal kingdom.

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Every day, with the help of our people and our generous supporters, we take steps to achieve our mission. From rescuing a stranded deer to changing the law, we've already achieved so much and come so far.

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Take a look around these pages to discover all about our history and heritage and find out what makes us the leading animal welfare charity.

·
The RSPCA is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity number 219099.

The Family Relationships

The family is very important as a unit in our society. Nothing else but family can be an emotional center of people's life, can be a transmitter of culture and raising children. Every mother feels great affection for her children and tries to bring them up in a proper way. Understanding between the members of the family and consideration for others are very important in family relationship. Tenderness, warm-heartedness and respect must always be present in the family to make it friendly. A lot of activities help members of the family to be on friendly terms: discussing all the family plans together, going on trips hikes together, visiting museums, theaters, exhibitions and exchanging opinions about them, sharing the same joys and sorrows. If you think of the others in the family you show your love and attention in everyday life, you can hurt them if you are selfish, not sincere and rude. It is very important to visit relatives on holidays, on birthdays, on anniversaries and develop close relationship. We feel more affection for our relatives when we are parted from them. The proverb says, " /Absence makes the heart grow fonder". When the family is friendly, everybody has the warmed feelings of returning home where dear relatives are waiting for them. There are different opinions on how children should be treated if they disobey their parents, break the rules, do forbidden things, don't keep their words or promises. Some people think that parents should be patient, kind and understanding. The rules and children's behaviors are discussed in such families. But others believe that children ought always to obey the parents and if they won't they should be punished. From my point of view, such principles won't do a lot of good. Fear and punishment will lead to selfishness, cruelty and lies. But "love and kindness will save the world". We are the family of two. I live with my mother.

We don't have such problems as misunderstanding between the members of the family. I think that it is due to the age of my parents and their character. My mother is 40 years old, she is layer. She is a kind, clever and responsible woman. My mother always ready to give me necessary information, moral support and a good advice. It is common knowledge that there is no place like a home. We are dedicated to our homes, we give them much love, care and enthusiasm. A man's house is his castle. I like my home and I want to tell you more about it. I live in Kuprijanov st. in center of our city. We moved into this flat several years ago. Now it is a place where I feel it ease and enjoy every minute of my stay there. We have a washing-machine, a vacuum cleaner, a refrigerator, a freezer, hand-mixer, computer and other things which I consider to be quite necessary as they make our life easier and help to solve a lot of problems in the shortest possible time. We have 2 rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. When you drop into our flat you come into a lobby, where you can take off your coat, shoes and hat. I'm very happy to have a room for myself, where I feel quite and comfortable. It is a place where I can relax, read a book and listen to music.

There are yellow blinds and a writing table, a sofa, a bookcase where my favorite books are situated. There are a lot of things in my room which can tell about myself, about my friends and relatives. You can find frames with photos of my parents and best friends on the walls, little pictures. They remind me happy moments of my life and that is why are very dear for me. You may be surprised, but the most popular and favorite place with all of us is the kitchen. Every Sunday my mother makes a cake and we gather together, discuss our problems and make plans for the next week. Our kitchen isn't large and looks the usual modern kitchen you can see in many other homes. I can tell a lot about my home, but to make a long story short I can say, that speaking about my home, I don't mean a flat as it is , I mean people, who are dear to me, who love me and are always waiting for me. That is why, wherever I were I would always hurry home.

Family is important. It takes commitment and hard work to improve family relationships. With all the negative influences around us, we struggle to hold our families together. But it's a battle that is well worth it.

Family must come first and foremost before anything else, even before our career. "No other success can compensate for failure in the home. The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches." - David O. McKay

I believe that love, communication, and respect go a long way. I know of five rules that can improve relationships and make a family closer.

1. Parents and children must "show" love by helping each other. Giving service and sharing is what it's all about.

2. Take time for one another by going on dates with your spouse or having family outings. It's amazing what a picnic can do for a family.

3. Communicate with each other and take time to listen. Richard L. Evans said, "If only we could feel we have been heard! If only we would listen when we should!"

4. Show respect to each family member. Never demean another person.

5. Pray together. Abraham Lincoln said, "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."

Money, wealth, and great careers shouldn't come before family. Money won't buy your family's love or happiness. Eugene Hansen said, "I learned money and material possessions are not the keys to happiness and success. Even with the constant financial challenge, we still had a good life. There was love in the home. Home was the place where we wanted to be. We did have two very significant items: we had a piano and we had a bookcase. How significant those two somewhat simple possessions were in the development of productive talents and interests so important in our early years."

What our children need is love. Material objects will never replace affection or our absence. "We have been so anxious to give our children what we didn't have that we have neglected to give them what we did have." -Author Unknown.

The relationship between husband and wife is important, also. It should not be neglected. Marriage is a sacred bond between man and woman. We must always work on our relationship. Never embarrass or hurt the feelings of our marriage partner intentionally. Build up the other's self-esteem. Treat your partner with respect. Children watch, listen, mimic and follow in our footsteps. They learn quickly. When we show lack of respect to our partner, so will they.

We have to work at marriage. It's a lifetime commitment. Mary Stewart Cutting said, "A woman can stand anything but being forgotten, not being needed."

Richard L. Evans said, "All things need watching, working at, caring for, and marriage is no exception. Marriage is not something to be indifferently treated or abused, or something that simply takes care of itself. All things need attention, care and concern, and especially so in this most sensitive of all relationships of life."

Everyone has to work at Family relationships. It's doesn't come easy. It's something that needs a lot of work, but it's worth it. Thomas Jefferson said, "The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family."

Written by Linda Weaver Clarke, author of Melinda and the Wild West, a Semi-finalist for the "Reviewers Choice Award 2007." To contact the author, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com

The Perfect Family

Is the family you grew up in different from the ones that exist today? Is your family different from the ones you see on television? The answer is probably yes to both of these questions because so much has changed in the American family and so much was always myth about the way family was portrayed vs. the way it really is.

The Myth:

We hear a lot about the influence that violence has on everyone who watches television and movies. What is often neglected is the impact of other messages on the beliefs and attitudes of viewers of all ages. Specifically, I am thinking of the portrait of family life that is communicated to people of all ages who view these programs and movies. An example is the very old television program from the 1950's called Father Knows Best. Another program from that era was Leave It to Beaver.

These were two benign and optimistic programs whose episodes demonstrated the warm, humorous, and well functioning side of family life. Despite some difficult situations that the children got into, the wise and all knowing parents and adults resolved issues in ways that best showed the power of moral thinking and good, religious, American values. At the end of each episode problems were resolved and everyone was happy. Of course, Father "Knew" best, followed by mother and then all of the other members of the community. This was all very heart warming but, was it realistic?

I have known many people who watched, and were influenced by, these programs. Some of these people were friends and family members. Later, after I was a therapist, some of the individuals who reported being influenced by these programs were patients, either in individual or family and marital therapy. Almost all of them expressed distress that their past and present family experiences did not even remotely resemble what they had seen.

Even if attitudes about family life were not influenced by the media, there are many social mores, values, and myths about what healthy family life comprises.

Some of the myths are as follows:

1. Healthy families are made up of parents who do not quarrel.

2. Siblings in healthy families are always cooperative with their parents and willing to help one another.

3. Healthy families are harmonious and without conflict.

4. Parents have total control over their children, including where they go and what they do.

5. In a healthy family, the father goes to work and the mother remains at home to raise the children.

6. Everyone lives in nuclear families. A nuclear family is made up of father, mother, and children.

Many of the myths about the nuclear family were the result of Post World War II American life. The perfect nuclear family was expected to live in the suburbs, in homes with neatly kept lawns and lovely neighbors. The very funny and entertaining Dick Van Dyke Show was an example of this paradigm of family life. On the Dick Van Dyke Show the father worked in Manhattan while the wife and mother, played by Mary Tyler Moore, was at home happily tending to the chores of raising her child, shopping, cooking, and keeping the house. Even Lucy of the comedy I Love Lucy fit this same paradigm. Ricky, the husband and professional entertainer, worked and was a responsible member of society, while Lucy was a scattered brained red-headed wife who was always getting into trouble. Ultimately Lucy and Ricky, who began their married life living in Manhattan, moved out of the City to the inevitable suburbs.

While all of these programs were fun and entertaining, they were totally inaccurate about what family life is really like.

Now, let’s look at the facts surrounding some of the myths mentioned above:

1. Even couples who are happily married report that they quarrel. Marriage is difficult, bringing with it a period of adjustment soon after marriage, and continued work as the couple’s circumstances change. The problem is not that parents argue but how they argue. Those couples who argue and find solutions to their problems move on with their family lives.

2. Family studies and surveys show that most siblings grow up arguing with one another. As long as parents do not get involved and allow the youngsters to work it out themselves resolutions are found. Of course, it is sometimes necessary for parents to step in if the argument is getting loud and out of control. In fact, several studies show that siblings who argued while growing up become friends as adults.

3. It would be difficult to define what is meant by a happy family. Life brings with it constant change and the need to adjust to changing circumstances. Even changes that represent great success for the family are stressful for members to adapt to. The fact is that elderly family members die, many families experience economic problems, and illness, accidents, and tragedy have a way of interrupting all families.

4. Not only do parents not have total control over their children but it is necessary for them to prepare children for greater independence and autonomy as they grow. Once children become adolescents, they place distance between themselves and their families by starting to date the opposite sex, socialize with peers, spend time in sports competitions, and prepare for the final moving away by thinking about college, the military, or work. In addition, with most parents working, there is often no way to completely monitor where their children are after school.

5. In point of fact, the history of the family shows that mothers worked long before the industrial revolution. While fathers farmed the land, women worked at home in cottage industries, sewing clothing for sale, usually regulated by contractors. Even before the age of cottage industries, women collected a lot of food for the winter and did the preservation and storing of food stuffs for the entire family.

6. The nuclear family has had a brief history as will be seen next in this essay. If anything, most people lived in extended families made up of many generations such as grandparents and great grandparents in addition to aunts and uncles.

7. Today, many people are either delaying marriage or are electing not to marry at all.

Family Reality Today:

1. There are single parent families that are headed by a mother or father and this is usually the result of divorce, death or:

2. Because standards of sexual behavior have changed so much over the years, there are now many single parent families that are the result of women deciding to have children outside of marriage.

3. Something that would never have been imagined years ago is the fact that there are gay families. These are families in which gay couples decide to have children in one of two ways: If there are two women, one of them may decide to be artificially inseminated with donated sperm so that the baby will be raised by two mothers. The other way for gay couples to have children is to adopt and raise them together.

4. There are blended families that are the result of two divorced people deciding to marry and raise their sets of children together.

5. Yes, there are nuclear and extended families today and it would be a mistake to believe that they have disappeared.

However, with a more than fifty percent rate of divorce, the nature and type of family life has undergone enormous change.

So, if you have complaints about the way you were raised, try not to feel too bad. There are no ideal families, conflict is an inevitable part of family life, and large numbers of children know what it is like to grow up without seeing one of their parents, especially their fathers.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that if you are having marriage problems or difficulties with the behavior of the children, you are not alone. Partly, it is the job of children to test the limits with their parents as they learn about themselves and begin to assert their individuality with opinions and tastes that parents may not like.

Of course, if either marriage problems or difficulties managing children are becoming too great, then it is time to seek professional help. This can come in the form of psychologists or social workers who specialize in marriage and family problems.

So, remember, there are no perfect families and there are no perfect marriages or relationships.

True Value of Life

Is it possible to put an actual dollar amount on the value on someone’s life? Many have different opinions. Amanda Ripley asked the question, “Is a poor man’s life worth less than a rich man’s?” (1). To answer this question, there is no definitive response. Our society has placed a dollar amount on life; however, I think the value of a person’s life should be determined by how happy we are, the experiences we have, and the relationships we acquire.
Our society has its priorities in the wrong order. We think that professional athletes, singers, or actors are “worth more” than people who have good hearts but who do not make as much money. If money can’t buy happiness then how do we, as a society, put very large price-tags on celebrities who live miserable lives and only pretend to be happy when there’s a camera pointed in their direction? Currently, our government has set up a specific formula on how much money a life is worth when there is an accident and someone is killed.

There are charts made up to determine how much money each family will receive. “The charts, while functional, are brutal, crystallizing how readily the legal system commodifies life” (Ripley 2). This formula, while trying to be helpful, has actually made Americans more heartless and desensitized towards the taking of lives. With all of the violence in movies in video games that it pumped into the minds of children at rather young ages, it makes them disregard the true value of life.
Everybody's life is different, and therefore, of different value. Some people are successful and are motivated to live their lives to the fullest and to enrich the lives of those around them. Other people simply idle away their lives and do not care what comes of it. It is not society's job to necessarily "assign" us a value for living because it comes down to each individual person. I would consider someone to be valuable if they changed your life significantly for the better. If my grandmother had...

The Importance of Moral Values in Our Life Essay

Positive moral values are important because they allow you to have an overall feeling of peace and joy. Moral values can give meaning and purpose to your life. You are able to direct your behavior towards beneficial and fulfilling activities.

When you live your life according to moral values that are based on honesty, compassion, courage, modesty, and forgiveness, then you can also form positive bonds with other people.

Incorporating the moral value of honesty in your life make you trustworthy. You will have a clear conscience because you can respect yourself. The people that you come into contact with will be able to count on you to be fair and sincere. Your integrity will allow you to advance in both your personal and professional life. There are more opportunities for you to fully experience life when you are an honest person.

In addition to honesty, you also need to incorporate the moral value of compassion into your life. Compassion allows you to have sympathy for the misfortunes of other people. It also motivates you to want to give them any type of assistance that you can. Compassion results in your having feelings of mercy towards other people. When you have compassion as a moral value people are more likely to put their trust in you because you will be non-judgmental of their circumstances.

Thirdly, the moral value of courage gives you the determination to face anything that impedes your progress through life. You will also be able to overcome any obstacles because you won’t let fear hold you back. Others will feel confident relying on you for encouragement because you find solutions to whatever problems arise in your life. When courage is one of your moral values, you can bravely face the world.

In life it is essential to your survival to have modesty especially in respect to courage. Modesty allows you to realize what your limits are. It helps you to stay focused and keeps you from becoming overconfident and reckless. People will feel comfortable around you because you are humble and you don’t try to belittle them.

Lastly, it is also important to incorporate the moral value of forgiveness in your life. Forgiveness allows you to move past hurtful or damaging situations. It allows you to abandon feelings of anger or resentment against others or yourself. You can be emotionally healthy when you practice forgiveness because it keeps you from holding onto pain and resentment.

In conclusion, moral values are extremely important for your overall well-being. Moral values provide a structure for your life. Honesty makes you respectable. Compassion makes you sympathetic to others. Courage gives you the bravery to overcome life’s challenges. Modesty keeps you focused and humble. Forgiveness allows you to be emotionally stable because you don’t hold onto anger and resentment. These attributes will allow you to live your life in a way that reduces your stress levels. You will also have peace and harmony in your life. Moral values allow you to live your life in a manner that you can be proud of. The bonds that you form with others will also be more fulfilling because you live your life according to honesty, compassion, courage, modesty and forgiveness.

Seven sins: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character,commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle.

-Mahatma Gandhi

Just in case you believe that great social problems are beyond your scope, consider this story: God said to me: Your task is to build a better world. I answered: How can I do that? The world is such a large, vast place, so complicated now, and I am so small and useless. There nothing I can do. But God in his great wisdom said: Just build a better you.

- Anonymous

The moral values present a true perspective of the development of any society or nation. They tell us to what extent a society or nation has developed itself. Values are virtues, ideals and qualities on which actions and beliefs are based. Values are guiding principles that shape our world outlook, attitudes and conduct. Values however are either innate or acquired. Innate values are our inborn divine virtues such as love, peace, happiness, mercy and compassion as well as the positive moral qualities such as respect, humility, tolerance, responsibility, cooperation, honesty and simplicity.

Acquired values are those external values adopted at your "place of birth" or "place of growth" and
are influenced by the immediate environment. Examples of acquired values are one's mode of dress, the way you bless, cultural customs, traditions, habits and tendencies.

The main causes of moral degeneration are:

- Lack of respect for the sanctity of human life.

- Breakdown of parental control of children in families

- Lack of respect for authority, seen through the brazen breaking of the law and

Total disregard for rules and regulations

- Crime and corruption

- Abuse of alcohol and drugs

- Abuse of women and children, and other vulnerable members of society.

- Lack of respect for other people and property.

To solve all these type problems it is necessary to know the main causes of the above problems. We know today children are tomorrow's citizens. If we give good education to the present day children, the future of the next generations will be well. My opinion education is the solution for all types of the problems. Now we are living in the modern century. If we use science and technology in the proper way it is not difficult for us to solve all the problems of the non-moral and value things.The main object of the study is to inculcate moral and value based education in schools and colleges and to know the attitude of intermediate students towards moral values. Gandhiji advised the inmates of Sabarmati Ashram on the practice of the following values in their day-
to-day life:

1. Ahimsa

2. Non-stealing

3. Non-possession

4. Swadeshi

5. Manual work

6. Fearlessness

7. Truth

8. Chastity

9. Equality of religion

10. Removal of untouchability

11. Control of palate

Important life goals and personal characteristics:

Life goals and Personal characteristics are very necessary for all types of persons in the society.

Life Goals:

- A world at peace (free of war and conflict)

- Freedom (independence, free choice)

- Wisdom (a mature understanding of life)

- Happiness (contentedness)

- An exciting life (a stimulating, active life)

- Equality (brotherhood, equal opportunity for all)

- A comfortable life (a prosperous life)

- Self-respect (self-esteem, feeling good about yourself)

- Salvation (religiously saved, eternal life)

- Mature love (sexual & spiritual intimacy)

- Social recognition (respect, admiration)

- A sense of accomplishment (I've made a lasting contribution)

- Family security (taking care of loved ones)

- True friendship (close companionship)

- A world of beauty (beauty of nature and the arts)

- Inner harmony (freedom from inner conflict)

- Pleasure (an enjoyable, leisurely life)

- National security (protection from attack)

Personal Characteristics:

- Self-controlled (thinks first, restrained, self-disciplined)

- Honest (sincere, truthful, disclosing)

- Loving (affectionate, tender, caring)

- Ambitious (hard working, aspiring)

- Cheerful (lighthearted, joyful)

- Responsible (dependable, reliable)

- Independent (self-reliant, sufficient)

- Broad-minded (open-minded, able to see other viewpoints)

- Polite (courteous, well mannered)

- Forgiving (willing to pardon others)

- Intellectual (intelligent, reflective, knowledgeable)

- Helpful (working for the welfare of others)

- Obedient (dutiful, respectful)

- Capable (competent, effective, skillful)

- Logical (consistent, rational, aware of reality)

- Clean (neat, tidy)

- Imaginative (daring, creative)

- Courageous (standing up for your beliefs, strong)

Hogan (1973) believes that moral behavior is determined by five factors: (1) Socialization: becoming aware as a child of society's and parents' rules of conduct for being good. (2) Moral
judgment: learning to think reasonably about our own ethics and deliberately deciding on our own
moral standards. (3) Moral feelings: the internalization of our moral beliefs to the degree that we feel shame and guilt when we fail to do what we "should." (4) Empathy: the awareness of other people's situation, feelings, and needs so that one is compelled to help those in need. (5) Confidence and knowledge: knowing the steps involved in helping others and believing that one is responsible for and capable of helping.

Today we facing so many problems like terrorism, poverty and population problem. It is necessary to inculcate moral values in curriculum. Education is an effective weapon. Education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it is his handsand at whom it is aimed. (Joseph Stalin)

Curricular Activities:

Due to liberalization, industrialization and globalization rapid changes are occurring in almost all social sciences. The value possessed and their attitudes according to the changes should be known up to date vast changes are occurring in the education. So called philosophical foundations of India are declining day to day with the country in a state of social turbulence, the goals and functions of formal education need to be reassessed and updated. Through education we can change the world.

- By giving a place for moral values in the curriculum.

- Moral values can be explained through stories and illustrations.

- Through poetry, novel and stories we can inculcate moral values in the students.

- Role play of a good story in the lesson.

- Educate students through posters, advertisements and dramatizations; those are all a part
in the curriculum.

- By introducing a course on moral values as a part of its Master Degree in Developmental
Administration.

- Giving course training to students to develop moral values in the society.

- By educating citizen through direct contact by setting up local offices across the religion.

- First of all educate women in the society. Mother is the first teacher. Motivate every woman
to know about moral values through special course like "Gandhian Studies".

"IF WEALTH IS LOST NOTHING IS LOST"

"IF HEALTH IS LOST SOMETHING IS LOST"

"IF CHARACTER IS LOST EVERYTHING IS LOST"

BEST OF ALL THINGS IS CHARACTER - FATHER OF INDIAN NATION MAHATMA GANDHI

Kostroma city is an administrative center and capital of Kostroma oblast of Russia. Kostroma city is situated on the both banks of Volga River. Kostroma is a large river port. There is also an airport in the city. Kostroma is located about 350 km northeast of Moscow city.

Kostroma population - 270,000 (2009). Land area - 145 sq. km.

The phone code of the city is +7-4942, the postal codes - 156000-156xxx.

The current local time in Kostroma city is May 28, 2012, 12:40 pm (+3 UTC).

Kostroma city flag

Kostroma city coat of arms

Kostroma city map, Russia

Kostroma history

Kostroma was first time mentioned in chronicles in 1213. The official foundation date of Kostroma is believed to be 1152 and the founder is Yury Dolgoruky. In 1238 the town was captured and sacked by Mongols army. Later Kostroma town was bought by Moscow state tsar Ivan I.

Because of its location Kostroma was the place of Moscow state leaders retreat during Moscow city sieges in 1382, 1408 and 1433. The town was growing quickly in the 16th century. One of the possible reasons is the creation of Moscow Company trading with Dutch and English merchants through Archangel town port located on the north of Moscow state.

Kostroma was captured by Polish armies two times. One of the most known heroes of wars with Poles is peasant Ivan Susanin. There are several monuments dedicated to him in Kostroma city.

In 1612 Kostroma town was the place where Moscow embassy offered Michael Romanov Russian crown. It was the end of Russian “Time of Troubles” and the beginning of Romanov’s dynasty reigning on the throne of Russia.

Kostroma city was heavily damaged during the fire in 1773. After the fire Kostroma was completely rebuilt. All streets of the city were radiating from a single point located near the river.

Kostroma views

Kostroma city street view

Author: Dmitry A. Shchukin

Kostroma city scenery

Author: Yuriy Chulkov

Kostroma Russia city scenery

Author: Alena Amplieva

Kostroma economics

In the past Kostroma city was traditionally a textile city, nowadays it is a modern industrial center. Machine building and metal-working, electronics and tool-building, furniture and light industries, power engineering, wood-processing, forest, jewelry industries - these are branches characterizing new industrial outlook of Kostroma.

Kostroma is an important transportation juncture. It is crossed by highway of federal importance Moscow - Yaroslavl - Kirov - Perm - Ekaterinburg. The city has a river port and an airport.

Kostroma sceneries

Kostroma city view

Author: Yuriy Chulkov

Kostroma city architecture

Author: Alena Amplieva

Kostroma city wooden house

Author: Alena Amplieva

Kostroma attractions

Kostroma city was celebrating its 855th anniversary in 2007. Kostroma is one of the cities on the well-known tourist route “Golden Ring of Russia”.

The historical structure of planning is preserved in the old part of Kostroma city. The general plan of the city was affirmed by Emperor Catherine II in 1781.

Among the most interesting architectural complexes and monasteries of Kostroma city are:

· Ipatyevsky monastery founded at the end of 13th century. Mikhail Romanov lived there in 1613 before he was enthroned. Ipatyevsky monastery is famous for its boyar Godunovs clan burial-vault and famous Ipatyevsky chronicle;

· Epiphany-Anastasya monastery;

· Resurrection church on the Debra, a masterpiece of 17th century architecture, it is considered to be the pearl of Upper Volga region;

· Museum of wooden architecture;

· Civil architecture of early 19th century (1800-1820) - Trade rows;

· Borshyov house;

· Guard-house and fire-observation Tower.

Also some buildings of civil architecture of 20th century are worth seeing like Communications House (1934) and The Exhibition of Economic Achievements.

Among the environmental places of interest is a unique elk-farm.

All in all there are 535 monuments of history and culture in Kostroma city including 60 monuments of federal importance and 475 - of regional one.

Kostroma was ruled by one of Konstantin of Rostov‘s numerous brothers (Vladimir) in the 13th century and was sacked by the former for that reason. As a reminder, Konstantin, called “the Wise,” battled his brothers after their father’s death, finally made peace with them prior to his own death, and told his own sons to please get along (or do as I say, not as I do).

Old Kostroma - the Resurrection Church

New Kostroma - the bridge

Our hotel in Kostroma is a bit of a throwback to Soviet times with cramped elevators that take forever to arrive. People are tired but that doesn’t excuse them pushing ahead. One woman who forces her way in around me forgets to push the button for her floor in her excitement of getting in first. “Serves you right,” I think in satisfaction. She’ll be riding up and down for a while.

In Russia, the heat doesn’t get turned on till October. This applies to all buildings – public facilities, hospitals, apartment buildings. Hospitals and schools get heat first. I recall that a friend of mine who lived and worked in the Soviet Union in the 1990′s would freeze in her hotel room in Novosibirsk as the heat would be switched on no earlier than October 15th no matter what the weather. I was expecting the same during this trip and prepared for the worst but every hotel I stay in is heated – some of the rooms are almost unbearably warm but I am not complaining. Especially when our tour director mentions that the heat in her apartment building hasn’t been turned on yet. The temperatures are now about 6 or 7 Celsius (in the low 40′s Fahrenheit) so it is certainly time.

We arrive in Kostroma in the evening and I have dinner with one of the ladies from our group, Galina. The meals are pre-ordered and everything is very efficient. In the morning, there is a breakfast buffet and the items are even labeled in English although that would not be of much help to non-Russian speakers in some cases as the bread is labeled “lye bread.”

Galina lives in Birobidzhan, a city in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast far to the east in Siberia. I had talked a bit about my journey and mentioned the problem of getting a train ticket from Krasnoyarsk to Harbin. At dinner, she tells me that I can come to Birobidzhan and stay with her and she will arrange for me to get to Harbin. She says there are plenty of bus tours that leave from there and they are cheap. Later, she gives me her home address and phone number. I hope it won’t come to that but who knows? If I am stranded in Siberia it will be nice to know that there is someone I can call. At this point, I have tentative plans to fly to Khabarovsk from Krasnoyarsk and then take the train to Harbin. She notes that this takes a couple of days. It doesn’t seem that far on a map but I take her at her word (she is right). She tells me that there is a lot of passenger train traffic between northern China and Moscow now and since there is only one train a week from Moscow to Harbin, all the tickets get purchased immediately by sales people from China who are returning home from Moscow.

I watch the news in the evening and there is a story about how people in a certain neighborhood of Moscow are fed up with the drivers who park their cars on the sidewalks . They are going around putting signs on the cars which say “I don’t give a damn about anyone. I park wherever I want.” A couple of car owners are caught returning to their cars and there are no apologies here. One woman tears up the sign and hisses that she works for a living unlike these bums how have nothing better to do than harass citizens. Another guy looks straight at the camera and confirms that the sign is correct – he most certainly does NOT give a damn about anyone. At one point, it reaches the stage of fisticuffs. I empathize with the protestors. The automobile will be the downfall of urban life here - its noise, its pollution, its intrusiveness.

Kostroma has a small historic section. It includes market arcades built in the 18th century (much of the town burned in a fire in 1773). It is cold and raining so the area is deserted but one gets the idea of what the city was like in the olden days, bustling, with merchants selling their wares. Our guide tells us the story of local hero Ivan Susanin, who saved the city during the Polish invasions in the 17th century. He led the Poles into a swamp and they were unable to get back out since he evaded them and only he knew the way. The guide tells us that she had a difficult moment once when she was conducting a tour for a group of Polish visitors. She notes that deviation from the script was not allowed so she had to tell the story of Susanin as usual. Luckily the Poles had a sense of humor – one of them said, “So, Susanin was the fellow who gave Poles their first tour of the area?”

Kostroma

Kostroma is one of the most beautiful old Russian cities and a part of the Golden Ring of Russia. One of the most ancient cities, Kostroma is not only a cultural and historical centre boastin a wide range of sights, but also an important industrial centre of the Kostroma Region.

Kostroma is located not so far from Moscow – just 330 kilometres away. It is interesting to note that Kostroma stands on both banks of Volga river and Kostroma river. For this reason the basic transport means habitual for Kostroma dwellers is river shipping. Lots of moorings and ports are located on Kostroma quay.

There are about 288 000 people living in Kostroma, though the city is not considered to be a large one. The ethnical structure is quite simple: the Kostroma’s population is generally Russian. The language people use in everyday life is mostly Russian but there is one particularity about the pronunciation: Kostroma’s inhabitants do pronounce the letter {o} distinctly which is unusual of Central Russia’s way to pronounce words.

Kostroma is also famous for a number of prominent people who lived and acted in Kostroma. During the time of Polish-Lithuanian intervention in the beginning of the 18th century Kostroma played a prominent role in the formation of people's volunteer corps leaded by Minin and Pozharsky. Another representative of Kostroma, peasant Ivan Susanin took the enemies to thick woods and deadly swamps, where he met his death, but where the enemy troops vanished, too.

The city was destroyed by fire in 1773, nevertheless the centre was rebuilt all at once, in remarkable Russian classical style. The central district now comprise buildings and complexes built during the period between 1770-1830. It’s a fine example of a unique, monolithic complex.

Yet the nicest thing to do in Kostroma is to walk along quiet central streets with trading arcades and wooden houses. The charm of the ancient trading city remained, and its special location, right on the shore of such a large river gives it brightness and a special atmosphere. A good place to walk is also the embankment of the Volga River.

Sights of Kostroma:

On a visit to Kostroma, it is a must to take a walk in the city centre with its ancient architecture, white-stone churches, antique shopping street, and a splendid fire watchtower, which is a trademark of Kostroma.

One of the major historical monuments of Kostroma is the Ipatievsky Monastery. The unique Museum of Wooden Architecture located on the territory of the Ipatievsky Monastery exists since 1958. The city also has the unique Museum of Ivan Susanin’s Feat, the only one in the world. It is known, that Ivan Susanin was a native of one of the villages of Kostroma.

Special attention should be paid to the Kostroma State United Arts Museum, the collection of which is constantly replenished as a result of expeditions around the Kostroma Region. In Kostroma there is also a well-known Literary Museum, opened since 1996. The A.N.Ostrovsky State Drama Theatre is another worthy point of interest in Kostroma.

It is hardly possible to enumerate all the sights of Kostroma, so many there are. The list is so big that it will take more than a week to visit all the well-known places of the city. Thanks to the big number of its sights and picturesque scenery Kostroma enjoys popularity as an attractive tourist place.

The market arcades

We visit two monasteries the next day – the Ipatievsky and Bogoyavlensky. The Ipatievsky Monastery includes the Trinity Cathedral which has a gorgeous iconostasis and frescoes. I witness a clash of customs. An older man in our group is wearing a cap and is asked by a woman working in the Cathedral to take it off. He refuses. He becomes belligerent about not taking it off and she timidly backs off. He is traveling with his wife and is obviously here for the historic aspect of the tour only. I think he is unnecessarily rude and his anger at her request seems out of proportion. This anger is of a person who grew up in the atheist Soviet Union, taught that religion is the opiate of the people, and a sign of backwardness. Now he is expected to follow customs that mean nothing to him.

Ipatievsky Monastery

Trinity Cathedral

Frescos

The Bogoyavlensky Monastery church has an unusual interior, not the usual ornate gold leaf but all white. It gives a completely different feeling when entering an all white interior as opposed to the colorful frescos of the Trinity Cathedral or the gold leaf that is almost ubiquitous in all of the newer churches. Photos are not allowed as this is a functioning church.

Bogoyavlensky Monastery

One of my all-time favorite films was made in Kostroma - A Cruel Romance (Zhestokiy Romans). A young woman in 19th century Russia is led astray by a rake (Nikita Mikhalkov is the actor in the part). A simple story but marvelously filmed and Mikhalkov, as always, enchants.

Kostroma

Sights of Kostroma:

Kostroma was founded in 1152 on the conjunction of Volga and Kostroma rivers by Yury Dolgoruky (he was the one who founded Moscow also) to secure the north- east part of his Rostov-Suzdal principality. Many times Kostroma was completely devastated. In the beginning of the 13th century Kostroma was burned because of a quarrel between Russian princes, who couldn't divide the country. In 1238 the Tartars invaded and plundered the town, in 1318 Moscow princes plundered Kostroma again, in 1375 the town was invaded by the river pirates, who came from Novgorod and ransacked the town. St Ipatiev monastery, located at the place where Kostroma river meets Volga river, was securing the town. In the beginning of 17th century the monastery was captured by Lzhedmitri II, who claimed to be the Tsar (king) of Russia, but he was banished by militiamen. By the end of the 17th century Kostroma became the third biggest town in Russia, after Moscow and Yaroslavl. It ceased to be a significant fort, and became an important cultural and commercial center.

Slavonic colonists come to the forests of the Middle Volga region in the end of XI century, attracted by wealth of woods, furry animals, fish and salt deposit. They found a small settlement where the Kostroma River flows into the Volga. Later, in 1152-1157, prince Yuri Dolgorukiy founds a frontier town-fortress Kostroma, which becomes the centre for further colonization of the wooded Volga region.

The wooded Volga region is rich in bogs and primeval forests, thus civilization develops here quite slow. Historians suggest that word “Kostroma” originates from the ancient Slavonic pagan festival of Kostroma, which is a man of straw and one of the most important summer celebrations of the ancient Slavs.

Kostroma is first mentioned in the Russian chronicles in 1213 in connection with the conflict between sons of the Great Prince Vsevolod “Big Nest” III of Vladimir – Konstantin, prince of Rostov, burns Kostroma, which belongs to his brother Yuri, and sends Kostroma dwellers to Rostov. In the thirties of the XIII century Kostroma is burned one more time, but by the Tatars, who destroy every city on the Volga River. After 1239 Kostroma is reconstructed by Yaroslav of Vladimir, who builds in the city a wooden church of Saint Fyodor.

In 1246 Kostroma goes to Yaroslav’s junior son, Vasiliy, who rules the town for 30 years till his death in 1276. When Vasiliy becomes Great Prince of Vladimir, he stays in Kostroma, making it the capital of North-East Russia. During his reign the town gets Spaso-Zaprudnensky monastery, church of Voskresenie (Resurrection) on Debra and Uspensky cathedral. In 1272 prince Vasiliy wins a battle against Tatars. After his death Kostroma again becomes a provincial town.

Kostroma’s favourable location on the left bank of the Volga affects town’s development – Kostroma stands away from main trade paths, connecting Rostov, Yaroslavl, Suzdal and Moscow, however, the town hides Moscow princes during Tatar attacks. The town population grows, replenished by resettlers from other cities. In XIII-XIV centuries Kostroma gets surrounded by fortified monasteries, protecting town’s outskirts.

Kostroma meets the XV century as a big town, until it burns down during great fire of 1413. Moscow prince orders to build new stone houses in the town. The town welcomes craftsmen and merchants, until Polish interventionists invade the town in 1608 and start attacking nearest towns. In winter troops from Galich and Kostroma free the town. In 1613 the Council decides to appoint Mikhail Romanov, nephew of first wife of Ivan the Terrible, as Russian tsar. At that time Mikhail Romanov is in Kostroma, hiding in the Ipatievsky monastery. Same year Russian peasant Ivan Susanin performs his deed – he guides a group of enemies to the forest and dies there with them.

After Mikhail Romanov becomes a tsar, members of the Royal family consider necessary to come to Kostroma to the Ipatievsky monastery. Every arrival of a royal person brings something new to the town. Twenties of the XVII century mark a new stage in the town’s development. Neighbouring Yaroslavl flourishes, standing on the crossroad of main trade paths. Kostroma becomes the first town of the Volga region after Yaroslavl, where foreign merchants settle together with Russian ones. Kostroma sells and buys meat, milk, salt, bread, icons, iron and furs.

In 1619 citizens start building a new larger town and fortify it with ditches and a wooden wall with 23 towers and 6 gates. Inside the wall are several churches and other buildings. In 1650 the town boasts 2086 homesteads. Craftsmen export white soap, which foreign commercial agents claim to be the best soap ever. Arts and crafts flourish in Kostroma. However, fires and pandemics do not leave the town alone, but nothing can stop town’s economic growth now. Citizens keep re-building the town. In 1702 Kostroma is fifth largest city in Russia.

During XVIII Kostroma keeps growing as an industrial, trade and political centre of vast territory. Textile mills, brick works, bell plant, printing-works and other enterprises appear in the town. Town planning scheme is approved in 1781 and requires much effort, since fire of 1773 changes the town completely. Kostroma raises many Russian cultural figures – actors, painters, artists and writers.

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