A shetland pony is probably one of the most interesting breeds of horse there is. When children see a shetland pony they immediately want one. When adults see them they want one too but may not admit it. But everyone loves shetland ponies.

Where do shetland ponies come from? They originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They can exist on very little food and have been utilized as pack horses as early as 1850. England imported some as did the United States.

It was in the United States that superior breeds of shetland ponies began to be produced. These new breeds are the ones we are most familiar with as children’s pets.

American Shetlands are not like the shetland ponies they descended from. The shetland ponies from Scotland were a very wooly breed, while the America shetland pony is more like a miniature horse. There are two types of shetland pony, the classic and the modern American shetland.

A registered American shetland can be no taller than 46 inches. Shetland ponies are not measured by “hands” as other horses are. Even though the classic is more directly related and not bred with other breeds of horse, the ones you see today are not like those shetland island ponies of the 1800s.

Enough history, this article is to help you learn what it takes to care for your pony if you decide to get your own shetland pony.

Your shetland pony, for the most part, needs the same grooming as any other horse. They need to be washed, combed, and cared for as you would any pet. They need regular vaccinations, de-worming, and veterinary care like all horse do.

The only thing that I can say you might want to pay more attention to is your shetland pony’s feet. They require more care. Miniature horses are a little more delicate in that area than their larger cousins. This requires daily care, so if you are thinking of getting your own shetland pony, please note that with it comes responsibility for their care.

Here are some tips for caring for your shetland pony’s feet.

Picking out your pony’s feet is one of the most important things you will do for your shetland pony. You may have to do it for an active pony several times per day. You should check your pony’s feet before you ride him/her every single time. Make sure there is no debris stuck in their hooves.

You will need to purchase a hoof pick. It’s a sharpened curved tool especially made for this task. Always use the pick aimed away from you as you should with any sharp object or tool. You will also need a hoof brush. Later in this article I will tell you how and when each tool should be used. The other item you will need is hoof oil. You can purchase it from your local feed store most likely. If not, ask your Veterinarian.

Not checking can result in serious problems for your shetland pony. The irritation caused by even the smallest pebble can lead to infection and injury. Think of how it feels to have a pebble in your shoe, then multiply that by ten.

As soon as you are through riding your shetland pony, you need to check their feet again. And of course you need to cool them down after riding and brush them. The more you care for your shetland pony, the more they will care for you and the longer they will be around for you to enjoy.

As with any horse, your shetland pony should be tied up while you check their feet. Most horse groomers have a method to how they do things. You and your horse benefit from this. You benefit by having a routine that helps you remember to do everything you need to do. Your shetland pony benefits by knowing what to expect.

I work from front to back, taking the time to gently rub the horse’s front calf while talking to him/her soothingly. Remember, for a horse or pony, lifting their foot and standing on just three feet is not a natural act. They need to trust you. And you need them to trust you and not try to kick you away.

When you think they are ready, use a command and grip the leg firmly to lift it up. Lean your shoulder into them as you do this and they will get the message. Your horse or pony will get used to the command associated with the lifting of his/her leg and it will get easier as time goes on.

You have to be the boss that’s why your grip and determination needs to be solid. However, if your pony resists dramatically, back off and try again, soothing them with your voice as you go. They will eventually learn you are not about to hurt them.

First check to see if your pony’s hoof is hot or cold. If it feels cool to the touch, everything is fine. If you feel heat, then there is a problem. You need to contact your Veterinarian in this case. Do not groom your pony’s feet if you felt heat there. Wait until the Vet can take a look.

Next, check your pony’s shoes if they have them. Make sure they fit tightly, there are no nails sticking out, and that their hoof hasn’t started to grow over the shoes. Contact a local Farrier to have your pony shod and to check your pony as the need arises or every 2 months to trim your pony’s hooves. Also note that your pony needs a qualified Farrier to trim their hooves even if your pony does not have shoes.

Now, if the hoof was cool, use the hoof pick working from heel to toe. This works best. Any debris that is lodged in the hoof needs to be removed. Do a good job with this and your pony will thank you. Never use the hoof pick on the sensitive part of the hoof called the frog.

This is where that hoof brush I mentioned earlier comes into play. Use it to brush the sensitive area of the hoof gently, but with enough pressure to remove any dirt and debris there. Wetting the brush can help remove more debris and will also help protect your shetland pony’s hoof from cracking.

Speaking of moisture, did you remember to get that hoof oil I mentioned? I hope so because after you are done picking and brushing your pony’s hooves, you will need to apply hoof oil. This oil is made to protect your pony’s hooves from cracking. Use it on the outside and inside of the hoof.

You can either do this as you do each hoof or do each thing separately, whichever routine you have chose. Just remember to do it all in the same order each time. Get your pony used to what you are going to do next and you may find them lifting their hoof in anticipation of what you are about to do or doing it on just a command.

I hope this article has helped you realize the care you need to take of your shetland pony. If you do not already have one of these beautiful creatures and are thinking of getting one, then I hope this article helps you understand what care your new shetland pony will need.

Technorati Tags: Caring, Pony, Shetland

Your horses health can be affected by lack of shelter and clean water. Horses living in fields are subject to hot sun, pouring rain and flies. Horses with no access to water can become dehydrated and die. Drainage ditches and stagnant ponds are not a suitable source of water for your horse. A shelter acts as a windbreak and a dry place to escape from flies.

Horses living at pasture must be checked at least twice a day. Grooming your pastured horse provides a good opportunity to inspect your horse for injuries. Grooming also keeps the coat clean and prevents matted hair. Dirt and matted hair reduces your horses ability to keep warm and encourages skin diseases such as rain scald or rot. That is the last thing you want to happen to your horse.

Depending on the quality of pasture, your horse may need supplemental feeding. Providing a mineral block to your horse in pasture provides a good source of nutrients. If you note your horse has lost weight you will need to increase his grain ration. As a good guide increase your horses grain before the cold of winter hits. Your horse will need all the nutrition it can get to last a long winter.

A horse living in a pasture offers you low-maintenance and less time commitment than a stabled horse. However a pastured horse should not be neglected simply because he is free in a field. Observing your horse will help will help to maintain its health.

Technorati Tags: Health, Horse, Understanding

Gabby Love stresses one to be creative in order to save on your wedding. A main way to cut cost could begin with the date and time of the wedding. Why not look at

having the wedding on Friday evening, Saturday morning, or even Sunday afternoon?

This will still work with your guests schedules,and also qualify for a reduced rates at a church ,or reception hall because it is during off peak times. By having the wedding during off peak times saves money on food. Food for your guest is a main expense for the wedding, especially large weddings. If you really want to have food cost really reduced then have an evening wedding with a dessert-only reception. Also keep the overall guest list down to the minimum which will mean less food ,less work, and less invitations,which will result with less money on weddings.

Another key focus of expense is what to wear during the wedding and how to keep the cost down.

A. Look into renting wedding gowns instead of buying it. Rent a tux as well . Also check around to see if there is a business that will cater the whole wedding party for a much reduced rate.

B. Explore key bridal shops and get a sample wedding as well as the bridesmaid dresses from off the rack. This will also cut down the cost .

C. Look into borrowing shoes from your friends or family members. Hey, there are other people who were married and have shoes from their wedding just sitting in their closets that could match your dress.

D. Get in touch with the tuxedo rental stores and see if they are offering special discounts and specials. Some even offer free tux rental depending on the amount of tux rented. They may even offer free limousine service as well.

E. Find out if there are any friends or family members can sew. If so this could cut down the overall expenses for dresses for the bride and bridesmaid.

F. If the wedding is a casual wedding, the focus will be on color which means that the men could wear their own suits and the bridesmaids could wear their own dresses, all of which in the same color.

The above is just key suggestions offered to keep the overall cost of the wedding to a minimum. The wedding day is just what it means …day. Don’t put yourself in debt.

Technorati Tags: Cheap, Tips, wedding

A romantic Wedding in Savannah is the dream of every discerning bride. The new trend is to get away from the madding crowd and get married in the tranquil lap of nature. Exchanging your wedding vows in one of Savannahs beautiful historical squares or romantic southern courtyard gardens would be like a dream come true. Those who prefer the serene atmosphere of a historic chapel can opt for that, complete with stained glass, brick flooring etc. You will be amazed to see its scenic beauty encircled by majestic live oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

The fascinating thing is that you will find the perfect scenic location according to your hearts desire in Savannah. The pictures taken within the beautiful sites of Savannah will be something you cherish for your entire life. Moreover, you can give the guests a few memorable days which will be etched in their memory for ever. There are wedding planners and consultants with lots of years of experience organizing distinct weddings throughout Savannah. They plan out the details of the wedding meticulously and implement them flawlessly.

A Wedding in Savannah is in fact, your choice for elegance and sophistication. There are Signature Wedding packages available and they organize the wedding in one of Savannahs historic parks, glorious mansions or romantic inns. Another option for the bride and groom is to choose beautiful seaside wedding packages. Though the packages are all-inclusive, there is flexibility to meet individual needs. In the experienced hands of the devoted professional the entire marriage ceremony would be simply awesome.

There is no need to fade your excitement in the fear of the unknown. Each bride and groom will be freed from the cares and worries of wedding planning as the wedding planners will arrange every thing associated with the wedding. Apart from the site, they arrange wedding music, musicians, non-denominational Christian minister, wedding photographer, wedding video, unity wedding candle, limousine etc. You can also have a private romantic carriage ride, if you wish so. The delicious cuisine, spectacular décor and heavenly music will remain the talk of the town for years to come. Professional consultants and designers with unparalleled commitment invariably bring in novel concepts that will turn the event into an unforgettable one.

Normally, arranging a wedding involves lots of tensions and headaches. In spite of your best efforts unforeseen troubles can crop up any time. Traffic problems and related issues remain a big problem that can dampen the spirit of even the most painstakingly arranged functions. But with a Wedding in Savannah, you are literally lifted to another world, free from all the mundane activities of a normal wedding function. In the calm and peaceful atmosphere of Savannah, you are sure to have an altogether different experience. You can enjoy the fun and laughter of celebrating your special day without any hassles. As you exchange your marriage vows, in the company of hand picked friends and relatives, you will feel heaven bowing down on you blessing you with a fruitful and long married.

Technorati Tags: Savannah, wedding

A pair of bridal shoes is often the last thing that a bride thinks about, you always imagine what you will look in your wedding dress on your big day but totally forget about the bridal shoes even though they are the second most important item after your wedding gown.

And the unexpected wide range of choice on offer can be daunting. But there are some key points to bear in mind when choosing your shoes. Firstly it is your day and just because the traditional way is to wear a plain ivory or white court shoe, there is a lot more choice and style on offer if you look around.

Timing is very important, if you are having your dress made or if your dress requires any alterations then you will need your shoes for the dress fitting to get the correct length for your dress.

Some of the key points to consider when looking for your shoes, if you are looking around shops then carry a fabric swatch with you to compare them, but remember although it may match the swatch the colour can look very different when seen against the whole dress, and in different light settings. It is also worth carrying a popsock with you if you intend wearing stockings or tights on your big day, and remember that your feet will swell later in the day.

The actual style choice is vast, from the very traditional court shoe to the contemporary open toe sandal, silk and satin is still the most popular choice of fabric and does enable the shoe to be dyed. Most brides prefer a higher heel but do remember that you will be wearing them for a long time on the day and that it will be difficult enough to walk in your dress, so they need to be comfortable and you need to be able to walk in them with ease. If you normally wear flat shoes don’t decide to wear a pair of 10 cm heel shoes as it could spoil your wedding day, there is nothing wrong with wearing a lower heel. Although a higher heel is very flattering to the leg, a shoe with an ankle strap is very flattering on all shoes even the lower heel shoes, and helps to keep the shoe secure on your foot.

If the heel height is a concern because you are taller than the groom, then consider the heel height on the groom’s shoes as well, it is possible to find men’s shoes with a discreetly higher heel than normal but without it looking like a left over from the 1970’s.

A big decision is colour, should you match the shoe or contrast the shoe with the dress. It is becoming very popular to contrast the shoes with the gown, especially for bridesmaids, for example a gold gown will give a gorgeous contrast with chocolate brown, or red shoes. Silver is a good choice of shoe to contrast with most dress colours, but do remember to co-ordinate any jewellery if choosing gold or silver shoes. If you are having your shoes dyed then consider whether to have them dyed to daylight or artificial light, as this can affect the colour of them.

If you’re getting married in the outdoors, consider having a shoe with a wedge, to stop you sinking into the ground. And for outdoor weddings in a hot climate it is advisable to consider a sandal to allow your feet to breath. A consideration for beach weddings is toe posts or slip on shoes, as they will allow the sand to pass thru the shoe.

Finding the right shoes for Bridesmaids can also be a struggle, especial if you have a wide age range of Bridesmaids, unfortunately most manufacturers do not offer a complete size range in the same shoe from very small to adult, they are usually available in staggered size ranges and different style i.e.: sizes 7-1 for the small bridesmaids and flower girls, then the junior size range of sizes 1-5 and finally the adult size range of sizes 3-8.

No matter where you choose to purchase your shoes from, be it a High Street shop, Bridal Shop or the online the best advice is to check the return and refund policy for the shoe, it is such a big day for you, you need time to make sure they are what you wanted.

Finally the best advice is, choose what is comfortable for you to wear and what you feel happy with whether that is an unusual colour or style, although you will only be wearing them for just one day, they will last in the wedding photo’s forever.

www.onlineweddingshoes.co.uk

Technorati Tags: Advice, Buying, Shoes, wedding

by Bennie McCann

According to the Bridal & Wedding Market Report, Gatlinburg, TN is the number two location for weddings in the United States. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Gatlinburg is located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains surrounded by gorgeous naturescapes including breathtaking mountain views, stunning waterfalls and beauty during all four seasons. What more could a bride ask for?

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall

A recently released Honeymoon Trends Survey reported the most popular months for weddings to be August and October. These are two fabulous times to visit the Smoky Mountains.

August’s warmest temperatures are mild compared with the rest of the country. Gatlinburg averages high temperatures of about 80F this time of year, giving a great deal of relief to those visiting from the west coast as well as mid-western, southwestern and southeastern states. August also brings lush green mountainsides and sparkling streams that create a perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony.

October, on the other hand, ushers in the changing of the leaves. The entire mountainside is utterly transformed into a painter’s palette swirled with rich tones of burgundy and hunter mixed with vibrant gold and orange. A chill fills the air and couples take advantage with a little extra snuggling.

Of course spring offers brilliant colors of flowers in bloom and wintertime opens the door for Mother Nature to blanket the area with a peaceful covering of white. Anytime is a good time for a Smoky Mountain wedding.

Accommodations

From chapels and churches for the ceremony to chalets and gorgeous log cabins for guests, the bride and groom, as well as the entire wedding party, can find comfortable accommodations without breaking the budget.

Don’t Forget the Honeymoon

Of course, no wedding is complete without a romantic and adventurous honeymoon! Start your new life together off on a romantic note with an in-cabin couple’s massage. When making plans for your honeymoon, ask the cabin rental company you’re working with about the availability of couple’s massages.

Professional masseurs visit your cabin or chalet and set up side-by-side tables for the bride and groom. Choose from your choice of gentle, soothing Swedish massage; relaxing hot stone massage; aromatherapy; mud baths and more.

Gatlinburg also gives you a virtually limitless range of activities. If you and your spouse love the water, you’ll have the perfect opportunity for whitewater rafting, canoeing, fishing, boating and other water sports. Prefer the adventure of a theme park? Dollywood is just a few minutes away. World-class golf courses are near at hand, as are guided tours and hikes.

Exceptional Dinning

Of course, food is always a big consideration when you’re away from home. Your wedding and honeymoon are no exception. Gatlinburg offers one of the most diverse arrays of restaurants available. From fast food for couples on the go to five-star elegance worthy of a honeymoon celebration, you can feast ’til your heart’s content!

When planning your wedding and honeymoon, follow in the footsteps of over 42,000 others who annually flock to Gatlinburg, TN for their special occasion. You’ll quickly discover a level of romance and adventure not found anywhere else on earth!

Technorati Tags: Discover, Mountain, Romance, Smoky, wedding

Every wedding starts with the engagement, the guy see a girl, then if they like each other, he asks for her hand (in other words to get marry), she might be a relative, neighbor, cousin, they might be work mates, or students in the same collage etc. First he goes with his parents to hers, and tells them his desire to ask their daughter to get marry, (if the girl’s father is dead, he should go to her eldest uncle).

The parents ask about the guy whether he is good, polite, co-operative, etc, in his work place or his collage, and they also ask about his family reputation.

Then after the agreement there is a tradition we call ” Mashaya” in which the men ( specially the most solemn men) from both families get the chance to meet each other , to get the good impression about each other, you see the lineage of the family is very important here..

When the girl says “Yes”, they buy the engagement rings, a golden one for the girl and a silvery or platinum one for the guy.

Then the engagement party (Khitooba) is the coming step, in this party the girl and the guy’s close family members are usually invited, (the parents, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts and cousins). In this party they wear the rings, the fiance also bring a golden gift to his fiancee, dinner will be served , music as DJ or a band is very important to celebrate this important event.

During the engagement time they begin to know each other more and more , and of course, they start shopping for their new house .In these days, as the life is very expensive, it is not easy for the young men to buy a house, that is why they may live in his parents’ house, they may build an apartment in the garden or as a second floor apartment.

Shopping includes buying clothes, jewelries, make-up stuffs, perfumes, the wedding “Nishan” and “Laylit al henna” party’s dresses, they also look for house’s necessities & furnishers ).

After that there is another party called ” Nishan “, where the traditions are so much fun.

Anyway, the bride wear many dresses ( long time ago in Mosul the bride used to wear 7 dresses, but now they wear 3-5 depend on their financial condition, I didn’t know that till my friend talked about her sister’s Nishan and how they follow the old traditions and bought seven dresses, red, blue, off-white, black, yellow ,and purple I don’t know what is the seventh colour ), both families and the fiance adduce golden jewels to the bride, now days the life become more expensive that’s why some bride’s family comprehend the groom’s financial condition , and not incommode him to bring much, only few grams, but there are still some families ask for very much gold, specially the Kurds, who adduce kilos of gold to the bride!!.

As they may make a heavy golden belt to her.

Nishan is like all the parties, there is music, dancing, then dinner, my mom’s Nishan started at 10 pm till 2 am!! But now because of the stroll bans and the very bad situation, the Nishan party starts at 3 pm till 6!!!! In spite of the very hot weather, it’s SUMMER for god sake.

What can people do?

My relative “Noor” want to have her Nishan party in a celebration arena, because their house is too small, but they can’t, it is not safe. My grandma told her that she is welcome to have her party in our large garden.

(Two years ago, we had Nishan party for my dad’s cousin in our garden, I was the DG girl, I have many music CDs and it was a beautiful Nishan party).

Anyway after Nishan or before it there is al-Qiran, it is the lawful wedding.

In Qiran, the judge joins the two bridegrooms to be a husband and wife.

After the Qiran union, the new couple allocates candies in special cups to everybody they know, neighbors, relatives, friends, colleagues etc, to inform them about their union.

A night before the wedding day, there is “Lailat Al-henna” party in this day; one of their relatives put the privet in the newlywed’s pinkie or palm. Some relatives may like to have privet in their hands too.

The bride’s mother, aunt, or anyone close prepare the Henna’s salver, they put green plant we call it” ace “, it really smells good, henna (means the privet), and some candles, I love the salver’s view. (The Shiite has different tradition in Qiran and lailat al henna, they put the seven whites, I wrote a post about that once).

Lilat al Henna is a small party, just like the engagement party, just for the new couple, their parents, brothers and sisters, close friends and some time uncles and aunts.

After the Lailit al Henna the Wedding day comes (finally , huh? ), it is just like yours, the bride wear her white dress, and the groom his new suit .they either bring a real band or DJ .the two couples dance as well as their friends and relatives, they make Dabka( special dance in my country), then cake ceremony comes next, and in most of the weddings the bride get jewelries from her family, her husband and his family and from some close friends. Then dinner is served too.

After that the honey-moon starts, as there are no hotels in the last three years, they spend their honey moon in their apartment, or if they have money they go to the north or our side Iraq.

There is another party after the wedding called the Fourth-day (Arb3t Ayam) in Mosul ,and the seven-days (Sab3t Ayam) in Baghdad, it is not necessarily after four days nor seven days ,some times they make it after two weeks or a month.

In this party the bride dress her wedding dress and many other new dresses or her Nishan dresses, in this party, the guests bring the gifts.

Technorati Tags: Iraqi, Traditions, wedding

INTRODUCTION:

India has around 1400 Business schools accredited by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and produces management graduates seven times than that of United Kingdom. But we could not produce the best business leaders and managers across the world from our B Schools. We often glorify frequently about our quantity of management education but not about the quality. Presently Harvard University stands first in the top US list of B schools and INSEAD stands first in the non-US list of B schools in the world. What is the official ranking of Indian management institutions across the world? Unfortunately none of our B schools stands in the top 100 list. What ails our B schools? It is high time we introspected honestly and thoroughly.

B SCHOOLS AND MBA:

Every year nearly two lakh MBA aspirants take part in Common Admission Test (CAT). Right now there are 1.25 lakh full time students and one-lakh distance education students pursuing MBA. What makes them to be crazy after MBA tag? Is it because it offers wider opportunities to grow professionally or to get fat pays and perks? It is, in fact, a debatable issue. Especially after the opening up of Indian economy in early nineties, many private players jumped into the bandwagon of creating many B schools with money spinning attitude. It is very difficult to predict how many institutions will survive and succeed and how many will go into the dustbins of history. The institutions are in a great hurry to create managers in quantity but not quality.

Students are also, in general, find it fancy to go for such courses so as to have firm foothold in their career. Statistics reveal that IIM-A selects one out of 400 aspirants as against the one in 20 aspirants of US B schools. Newspapers and magazines also come out with screaming headlines about the prestigious degree. Such headlines make the students crazier after MBA degree.

The MBA degree has its brainchild of American educational system and in early fifties Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) have been established in India to provide management education. Ever since, IIMs have become the official, authoritative and commendable institutions in India. Although it is nearly more than half a century, we could not produce Indian management gurus across the globe and it is a matter of great regret to note. The business education system is American in content and context and also by nature thus resulting in creating critical gaps in the system.

MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IN ENGG. STUDENTS:

The present trend indicates that there is more number of people of technical background (B.E and B.Tech) entering B schools. The MBA enhances career prospects for engineering graduates. Engineers, by qualification, are sound technically and can excell as technical leaders. But having an MBA becomes another extra lifeline to scale the corporate ladder quickly. The combination of technical and managerial skills will prove handy and make the people as an effective business leaders and managers. It is because of these reasons the engineering graduates need to pass in managerial subjects to groom them as effective managers.

The subjects like ‘Management Science’ (M S) and ‘Managerial Economic and Financial Analysis’ (MEFA) have been added in the JNTU (Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University) syllabus for engineering graduates. In Management Science, the basic concepts on management like production, work study, statistical quality control, material management, marketing, human resource management, SWOT analysis, Programme Evaluation and Review Techniques (PERT) and Critical Path Method (CPM) etc., have been briefly covered. In MEFA, the basics of managerial economics, financial accounting, demand analysis, demand forecasting, demand elasticity, theory of production, cost analysis, break even analysis, types of capital, capital budgeting and all the fundamentals have been covered.

The author is working as a permanent faculty in an engineering institution and the students asked on the very first day about the reason for inclusion of these two subjects in their academic curriculum. The author took pains in explaining the same since he had industrial and business experience besides academic management qualifications. Everybody is a manager whether at home or in office or in outside because everyone manages one way or the other many things in daily life. Learning management concepts at the academic level supplement the natural and practical skills in day to day managing.

MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IN NON-PROFESSIONAL DEGREES:

In India, there is a strong need to encourage students of Arts, Commerce, Science and Computers to go for MBA courses. And also inclusion of management subjects or topics or concepts in these areas will enhance their exposure to the field of management so that they can gradually develop an aptitude for management. When these non-professionals degree holders go for placement they find fully equipped to face the day to day challenges at their work place. In fact, the strength of non-technical graduates outnumbers technical graduates. As a result, there will be steady and strong growth of appetite for MBA qualification. Ultimately we can expect more number of managers from all fields of study.

WEAKNESSES IN PRESENT MANAGEMENT EDUCATION:

Henry Mintzberg is one of the strongest critics of MBA degrees. He found out many defects in the present management education system. The present system does not encourage entrepreneurial skills and abilities. It does not lay stress on ethical part of education. It is not able to inculcate or cultivate industry or sector specific skills. There are set of skills required for each sector, segment and industry. The inability to focus on the same became a major area of weakness. Real industrial problems are neither thought nor taught. It is not able to cater to Indian type of education and on the contrary, it began to believe in aping American method of education, which at times found to be highly irrelevant and superfluous. It does not focus on Total Productive Maintenance (TQM) where teams are forged and motivated to contribute their best without any egoistic considerations. It is devoid of multicultural experience. It is highly commercialized and commoditised. It is like a shop where goods and services are offered in exchange for money. Of course, no qualifications can be provided without money, as it is essential to ensure circulation of the entire organizational set up effectively. The degree of commercialization and commoditisation has become rampant. It is filled with antiquated, outdated and condemned pedagogic and teaching skills and needs to be overhauled thoroughly and immediately.

STRENGTHS:

The present management education survived for nearly five decades in India and struggling to expand beyond national and geographical boundaries. With the boon of rapid changing technology and communication, the educational system is undergoing drastic changes although the pace is slow. The students in B schools develop the ability to network and grow fast. The alumni links serve as strong launching pad.

WHAT THEY DO NOT TEACH IN B-SCHOOLS?

B schools teach the theoretical concepts and aspects, which will help the people to get tuned with the corporate terminology right from the school itself and also the meanings of the related concepts. The tools and techniques, which were taught in school, help them equip to take over the managerial/leadership roles in the corporate world. In fact B schools’ objective is to groom the business leaders for tomorrow.

It is always an well-admitted fact that there is vast chasm between theory and percept. The B school product when he finds himself in the hot seat in the industry, he finds himself suffocated as he finds vast gap in his dreams and realities. He needs to get his hands dirty in the real organizations, which he might have fantasized, from a totally different perspective.

The ability to deal with the people can not be taught in B schools and even if it was taught, it is very difficult to implement, as there would be so many bottlenecks. B schools only teach how to do but the corporate world only, indeed, teaches the practical way of learning. It is like learning how to swim, i.e. whatever the person learnt such as tools and techniques by way of theoretical explanations in school, he can only learn when he gets into the deep waters of the corporate world.

Traits like diplomacy and tactless and emotional intelligence can be learnt only by practical experience. The books and B schools have certain limitations. The efficiency and efficacy can be learnt only by involving oneself in real like situation. However the case studies one might have come across by way of thorough reading in school, the real life is total different from fantasized reel life. In a nutshell, a person comes from reel life to real life.

The concepts like brainstorming, reverse brainstorming, lateral thinking, vertical thinking, out of the box thinking, emotional intelligence, change agents, mind mapping, morphological analysis, six thinking hats, synectics, Type A personality and Type B personality could be better be understood and felt in the real corporate life.

B schools equip tons of information, data, knowledge, and case studies, which can help to get tuned with the real problems in the organizations to some extent. But it can not be summed up altogether that they produce the best managers in the industry.

B schools do not teach entrepreneurial skills and risk taking abilities. They teach about soft skills and communication skills, which can best be experimented in the battleground of corporate life and can be perfected. If the tools of efficiency are taught in B schools, the tricks of effectiveness is learnt in corporate world.

B schools do not talk much about building relations. Whatever the little so taught becomes too little in the practical life. In real business, it is always the products or services, which speak in volumes to the customers initially and the subsequent transactions, depend on relationships to a greater extent. Ultimately it is the satisfied customer who turns again and gives business. Therefore, much of the business solely depends on building relationships, which is again missing in B schools. B schools do highlight on evolutionary approaches but not revolutionary. But the practical business mostly talks of revolutionary approaches.

To lay more stress, if ‘what B school teaches’ is one side of the coin then the other side of the coin is ‘what one learns in organizations’. And the coin will have complete value only when these two are clubbed together. The combination of two sides creates a complete corporate personality.

FILLING THE CRITICAL GAPS:

There is a strong need to lay stress on the Indian-industry oriented management education. This does not mean to do away with the American methodology of concepts and teachings. What is now needed is glocal approach i.e. the combination of global and local approach.

The visiting faculty usually teaches in more than one institution and teaches more than one subject. As a result their approach is short term oriented and less focussed. Where as the permanent faculty works under one roof in the same system and subjects resulting in staying highly focussed in his approach. These people tend to have long term orientation and it pays off heavily for the students.

There is vast chasm between the salaries of academic and non-academic professions. At the industries, pay and perks are heavy and the best brains are naturally going to non-academic line. This does not mean totally that those who work in academic profession do not posses brighter talents and skills. There may be a segment of brains that would like to work in academic line because of their taste for teaching. The vast gap between these two in terms of salaries needs to be narrowed down and addressed. Sometimes, the teaching faculty may work outside on part time basis to generate more income. This again contributes in less concentration in teaching.

Recruiting the faculty who possess diversified academic back ground, experience and expertise will bring quality of education as these people can combine their multiple skills learnt from academic field along with their industrial or business experience. Similarly industries must come forward to encourage the trainee management graduates to do project work in their organizations which will enhance competency and confidence.

The present management education refers to many case studies related to other countries. Although it is good to have a feel of the case studies of foreign land, there is an element of nativity lost in teaching. It is necessary to generate our own case studies and explain the concepts or topics with native examples for understanding and enhancing the qualitative education. It is like, when you in Rome do as Romans do, but not as Greece do. The need of the hour is to create glocal mindset in the minds of management graduates.

Indian B schools must evolve its own tools and techniques in teaching and tune its B schools as the battlegrounds to create global management gurus.

CONCLUSION:

AICTE has a pivotal role to play in streamlining and overhauling Indian management education system with many checks and balances. Late Dhirubhai H Ambani and Laxmi Niwas Mittal have become corporate legends not by doing MBA but by business acumen and right application of available resources. MBA helps in enriching the minds of the business managers and leaders. MBA does supplement and does not substitute business acumen. Sound academic background with strong business and industry insights along with stimulated and simulated case studies can bring out the best results in quality of management education in India.

MESSAGE:

The best business managers and leaders can be created only by a successful synthesis of academic theory and business practice or industrial experience. The business education should be based on practical or simulated and effective case studies. If the educational infrastructure is sound then one can expect a strong superstructure in future. Imagine an India with a population of a more than a billion can produce how much number of Jack Welchs’ and Peter F Druckers.

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The honeymoon night of the 50’s or even earlier was a whole different ball game than a honeymoon night today. The biggest difference is the sex; more than half of newlywed couples polled by bridal magazines and websites admit that they are too tired for any lovemaking on their first honeymoon night if they leave right after the reception.

Wedding planning is also not what it used to be; from choosing vendors to picking bouquets and place settings for the 200 people you barely know is a tough job and it requires meticulous planning even if you hire a professional wedding planner. If you are into details, and most brides are for their once in a lifetime (hopefully) event, then they want to do most of the choosing and shopping even if they have a planner. All this spells out months of exhaustion and tension on the big day if everything will fall in to place.

After everything does go smoothly, all brides want to do is sleep. Some grooms may not share the same definition of a honeymoon night but they really can’t do much about it if their new spouse has dozed off on the way from the reception in the limo. Also because the majority of couples have already had sex before the honeymoon night, there really is little charm for going through the effort on the day when so much more is going on.

You could spice up your honeymoon night for traditions sake at least by postponing the honeymoon for a few days. By not leaving immediately after the wedding ceremony or reception, you get to recuperate from the exhaustion and can start the honeymoon on the right note Even though it sounds archaic in this day and age, but few (actually very few) couples are holding off sex until the honeymoon night. And just by waiting to sleep with one another after the vows, makes their honeymoon night that more special. Don’t fret too much about whether the flowers in your bouquet match the ones on the centerpieces; focus on your partner and the new life that you are about to begin. Even if ultimate intimacy is not on your things to do list, at least exchange a special gift, see the wedding pictures on your digital camera, relax in a hot tub for two or anything else that will make the honeymoon night more memorable than sleeping.

If you are a Brahmin parent looking for brahmin brides or grooms please check the URL http://www.brahminsmatrimony.com

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Gabby Love stresses one to be creative in order to save on your wedding. A main way to cut cost could begin with the date and time of the wedding. Why not look at

having the wedding on Friday evening, Saturday morning, or even Sunday afternoon?

This will still work with your guests schedules,and also qualify for a reduced rates at a church ,or reception hall because it is during off peak times. By having the wedding during off peak times saves money on food. Food for your guest is a main expense for the wedding, especially large weddings. If you really want to have food cost really reduced then have an evening wedding with a dessert-only reception. Also keep the overall guest list down to the minimum which will mean less food ,less work, and less invitations,which will result with less money on weddings.

Another key focus of expense is what to wear during the wedding and how to keep the cost down.

A. Look into renting wedding gowns instead of buying it. Rent a tux as well . Also check around to see if there is a business that will cater the whole wedding party for a much reduced rate.

B. Explore key bridal shops and get a sample wedding as well as the bridesmaid dresses from off the rack. This will also cut down the cost .

C. Look into borrowing shoes from your friends or family members. Hey, there are other people who were married and have shoes from their wedding just sitting in their closets that could match your dress.

D. Get in touch with the tuxedo rental stores and see if they are offering special discounts and specials. Some even offer free tux rental depending on the amount of tux rented. They may even offer free limousine service as well.

E. Find out if there are any friends or family members can sew. If so this could cut down the overall expenses for dresses for the bride and bridesmaid.

F. If the wedding is a casual wedding, the focus will be on color which means that the men could wear their own suits and the bridesmaids could wear their own dresses, all of which in the same color.

The above is just key suggestions offered to keep the overall cost of the wedding to a minimum. The wedding day is just what it means …day. Don’t put yourself in debt.

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