THE BASIC ESSENTIALS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

(1) - THE BEATITUDES (Matthew 5:1-12)

1 - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2 - Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
3 - Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
4 - Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
5 - Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
6 - Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
7 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
8 - Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(2) - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Exodus - Chapter 20)

1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day
4. Honor your father and your mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bear false witness
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

(3) - THE TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS (Matthew 22:37)

1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
2. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

(4) - THE FIVE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH ( CCC 2041-2043 )

1 - You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor
2 - You shall confess your sins at least once a year
3 - You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season
4 - You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church
5 - You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

(5) - THE FOUR MARKS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1 - Unity (Romans 12:5)
2 - Sanctity (Ephesians 5:25-27)
3 - Catholicity (Matthew 28:19-20)
4 - Apostolicity (Ephesians 2:19-20)

(6) - THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS

1. Baptism (Matthew 28:16-20)
2. Confirmation (Acts 8:14–17, 9:17, 19:6 and Hebrews 6:2)
3. Holy Communion (Luke 22:19 -20)
4. Confession (John 20:21-23)
5. Marriage (Genesis 2:24)
6. Holy Orders (1 Peter 2:9)
7. Anointing of the Sick (James 5:14)

(7) - THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS (CCC # - 1866)

1. Pride: Unrestrained appreciation of our own worth.
2. Greed: Immoderate desire for earthly goods.
3. Lust: Hankering for impure pleasures.
4. Anger: Inordinate desire for revenge.
5. Gluttony: Unrestrained use of food and drink.
6. Envy: Sorrow over another's good fortune.
7. Sloth: Laxity in keeping the Faith and the practice of virtue, due to the effort involved.

THE SEVEN CAPITAL VIRTUES TO OVERCOME THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

1 - Humility (overcomes pride)
2 - Generosity (Overcomes greed)
3 - Chastity (Overcomes Lust)
4 - Meekness (Overcomes Anger)
5 - Temperance (Overcomes Gluttony)
6 - Brotherly Love (Overcomes Envy)
7 - Diligence (Overcomes Sloth)

(9) - THE THREE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES (1 Corinthians 13:13)

1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Charity

(10) - THE FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES (Wisdom of Solomon 8:7)

1. Justice
2. Prudence
3. Fortitude
4. Temperance

(11) - THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12)

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Fortitude
4. Counsel
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord

(12) - THE NINE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4)

*Class of Gifts of the Holy Spirit known as Charismata:*

1. Gift of speaking with wisdom and knowledge
2. Gift of discipleship or apostleship
3. Gift of Faith
4. Gift of healing
5. Gift of miracles
6. Gift of prophecy
7. Gift of discerning spirits
8. Gift of tongues
9. Gift of interpreting speeches

(13) - THE TWELVE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22-23)

1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Long Suffering
8. Mildness
9. Faith
10. Modesty
11. Continence
12. Chastity

(14) -THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

1 - To admonish the sinner: "...there will be more joy in Heaven at the repentance of one sinner than at ninety-nine of the righteous who had no need of repentance." Lk. 15:7

2 - To instruct the ignorant: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." Mk. 16:1

3 - To counsel the doubtful: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you...Let not your hearts be troubled..." Jn. 14:27

4 - To comfort the sorrowful: "Come to me, all you grown weary and burdened, and I will refresh you." Mt. 11:28

5 - To bear wrongs patiently: "...Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you." Lk. 6:27-28

6 - To forgive all injuries: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Mt. 6:12

7 - To pray for the living and the dead: "Father, I desire that they, too, may be with me where I am..." Jn. 17:24

(15) - THE SEVEN CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

1- To feed the hungry: "For I was hungry and you gave me to eat." Mt. 25:35

2 - To give drink to the thirsty: "...I was thirsty and you gave me to drink..." Mt. 25:35

3 - To clothe the naked: "I was...naked and you clothed me..." Mt. 25:36

4 - To visit the imprisoned: "I was in prison and you came to me." Mt. 25:36

5 - To shelter the homeless: "...I was a stranger and you took me in..." Mt. 25:35

6 - To visit the sick: "...I was sick and you cared for me..." Mt. 25:36

7 - To bury the dead: "Amen, I say to you, insofar as you did it for one of these least of my brothers, you did it for me." Mt. 25:40

(16) - THE FOUR SINS CRYING TO HEAVEN FOR VENGEANCE

1. Willful murder (including abortion) : And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10).

2. The sin of Sodom: Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry which has come to me.” (Genesis 18:20-21).

3. Oppression of the poor: “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you do afflict them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry.” (Exodus 21-23)

4. Defrauding laborers of their wages: “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brethren or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns; you shall give him his hire on the day he earns it, before the sun goes down (for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it); lest he cry against you to the Lord, and it be a sin in you.” (Deuteronomy 24:14-15).

(17) - THE SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 12:31 )
Looking at the Catechism of the Catholic Church, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the “deliberate refusal” to accept God’s mercy and forgiveness (no. 1864). Six species of this sin have been identified over time as

1. Presumption of God's mercy. (CCC # 2092)
2. Despair. (CCC # 2091 , 1817)
3. Impugning the known truth. (CCC # 2089)
4. Envy at another's spiritual good.
5. Obstinacy in sin.
6. Final impenitence (CCC # 1430-1433)

(18) - NINE WAYS OF BEING ACCESSORY TO ANOTHER'S SIN

1. By counsel.
2. By command.
3. By consent.
4. By provocation.
5. By praise or flattery.
6. By concealment.
7. By partaking.
8. By silence.
9. By defense of the ill done

(19) - THE THREE EMINENT GOOD WORKS ( Tobit 12:8 also known as the three pillars of Judaism)

1. Prayer - Mathew 6:5-6
2. Fasting - Mathew 6:16-18
3. Almsgiving - Mathew 6:2-4

(20) - CONDITIONS FOR SIN

1. Grave matter
2. Full knowledge
3. Deliberate consent

(21) - THE THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS

1. Voluntary poverty
2. Perpetual chastity
3. Entire obedience.

(22) - THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

1. The Apostles Creed
2. The Seven Sacraments
3. The Ten Commandments
4. The Lord's Prayer

(23) - THE THREE PILLARS OF THE CHURCH'S AUTHORITY

1. Sacred Scripture - 
All of the books of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

2. Sacred Tradition - 
The living tradition of the Church, the Church Fathers, the Sacred Liturgy.

3. Living Magisterium - 
The teaching authority of the Pope and all those bishops worldwide united with him.

(24) THE THREE MUNERA (Duties of the ordained)

1. Munus docendi (duty to teach, based on Christ's role as Prophet) 
(Matt. 13:57 , Matt. 13:57)

2. Munus sanctificandi (duty to sanctify, based on Chris's role as Priest) 
(Heb. 6:20 , Heb. 9:11 , 1 Tim. 2:5)

3. Munus regendi (duty to shepherd, based on Christ's role as King)
(Matt. 27:11 , Matt. 27:11)

(25) THE THREE PARTS OF THE CHURCH

1. The Church Militant (Christians on Earth) (Matthew 16:18, Acts 11:25-26)
2. The Church Penitent (Christians in Purgatory) (I Corinthians 3:11-15)
3. The Church Triumphant (Christians in Heaven) (Revelation 19:7)

(26) THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS

FIRST TRIAD - CONTEMPLATE & ADORE GOD DIRECTLY
1. Seraphim - (ISAIAH 6 : 1-7)
2. Cherubim - (Exd - 25:18-21 , Ezk - 10:14 , Rev - 4-6)
3. Thrones - (Ezk 10:17 , Col 1:16 , Dan 7:9)

SECOND TRIAD - FULFILL GOD'S PLAN IN THE UNIVERSE
4. Dominions - (Eph 1:21 , Col 1:16)
5. Virtues - (Eph 1:21)
6. Powers - (Eph 3:10 , Eph 6:12)

THIRD TRIAD - INTERACT AND SERVE HUMANITY CLOSELY
7. Principalities - (Eph 3:10 , Eph 1:21)
8. Archangels - (Jude 9 , 1 Thes 4:16 , Tob)
9. Angels - (Luke 22:43 , Mat 18:10 , Heb 13:2)

(27) THE THREE LEVELS OF REVERENCE

1. Dulia: the reverence we give to Saints
2. Hyperdulia: the reverence we give to Mary as the greatest of Saints and Mother of God
3. Latria: the reverence and worship we give to God alone

(28) THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS

1. St. George, Martyr, April 23
2. St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, February 3
3. St. Pantaleon, Martyr, July 27
4. St. Vitus, Martyr, June 15
5. St. Erasmus (Elmo), Bishop and Martyr, June 2
6. St. Christopher, Martyr, July 25
7. St. Giles, Abbot, September 1
8. St. Cyriacus (Cyriac), Martyr, August 8
9. St. Achatius, Martyr, May 8
10. St. Dionysius (Denis), Bishop and Martyr, October 9
11. St. Eustachius (Eustace), Martyr, September 20
12. St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr, November 25
13. St. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr, July 20
14. St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, December 4

(29) THE SIX DAYS OF CREATION

Day 1 — light and time (Gen 1:3-5);

Day 2 — the sky and “separated” waters (Gen 1:6-8);

Day 3 — dry ground, bodies of water, and plants (Gen 1:9-13);

Day 4 — the sun, moon, stars, and planets (Gen 1:14-19);

Day 5 — fish and birds (Gen 1:20-23);

Day 6 — land animals and humans (Gen 1:24-30; 2:7,15-25).

On the seventh day God rested from his work (Genesis 2:2-3).

(30) THE THREE POWERS OF THE SOUL

1. Memory
2. Intellect
3. Will

(31) THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL (Deuteronomy 33:6–25 and Judges 5:14–18)

In order of their birth:*
1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Levi
4. Judah
5.Zabulon
6. Issachar
7. Dan
8. Gad
9. Asher
10. Naphtali
11. Joseph (Menasseh and Ephraim)
12. Benjamin

(32) THE FOURTEEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS

1. Jesus is Condemned to Die - (Mark 15: 1-15)

2. Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross - (John 19: 13-17)

3. Jesus Falls the First Time - (Isaiah 53: 4-7 , John 1:29)

4. Jesus Meets His Mother - (Luke 2: 25-40, Lamentations 1: 12, John 19: 26-27)

5. Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross - (Mark 15:21 , Mark 8:34 , 2 Timothy 2:3)

6. Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face - (Isaiah 53: 2-3 , Matthew 25: 40)

7. Jesus Falls the Second Time - (Psalm 38: 6-22 , Isaiah 63: 9)

8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem - (Luke 23: 27-31 , Matthew 7:21)

9. Jesus Falls the Third Time - (Psalm 37: 23-24 , Hebrews 4: 15-16)

10. Jesus is Stripped - (John 19: 23-24 , Psalm 22: 16-18)

11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross - (Luke 23: 33-43 , John 19:1)

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross - (John 19: 38-40 , Psalm 22: 14-15)

13. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross - (John 19: 38-40 , Psalm 22: 14-15)

14. Jesus is Laid in the Tomb - (Mark 15: 46-47 , Matthew 27: 57-61)

(33) THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)

2. Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

3. Woman, behold thy son. . . .Behold thy mother. (John 19:26-27)

4. Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? (My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?) (Matthew 27:46, ref. Psalm 21)

5. I thirst. (John 19:28)

6. It is consummated.(John 19:30)

7. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46, ref. Psalm 30:6)

(34) THE TWENTY MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY (Sirach 50:8)

1 -JOYFUL MYSTERIES
First Decade: The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Second Decade: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
Third Decade: The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)
Fourth Decade: The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
Fifth Decade: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

2 - LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
First Decade: The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
Second Decade: The Wedding at Cana, when Christ manifested Himself (Jn 2:1-11)
Third Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
Fourth Decade: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8)
Fifth Decade: The Last Supper, when Our Lord gave us the Holy Eucharist (Mt 26)

3 - SORROWFUL MYSTERIES 
First Decade: The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
Second Decade: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
Third Decade: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
Fourth Decade: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
Fifth Decade: The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)

4 - GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
First Decade: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
Second Decade: The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
Third Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
Fourth Decade: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (Song of Songs 2:2,10-11) 
Fifth Decade: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth (Gn 3:15a) (Jdt 13:18) (Jdt 15:9) (Rv 12:1) (Sir 24:4) (Sir 14:9) (Cor 4:17) (Lk 8:21)(Gal 4:19)

(35) THE FOUR LAST THINGS (The Novissima)

1. Death
2. Judgement
3. Heaven
4. Hell

(36) THE CATHOLIC BIBLE

(73 Books in total -46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. )

OLD TESTAMENT

1. PENTATEUCH :
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

2. HISTORICAL BOOKS :
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees

3. WISDOM BOOKS :
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Wisdom, Sirach

4. PROPHETIC BOOKS :
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

5. DEUTROCANONICAL 
Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, parts of Esther and parts of Daniel

NEW TESTAMENT

1. THE GOSPELS : Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

2. HISTORICAL BOOK : Acts

3. PAULINE EPISTLES :
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews

4. GENERAL EPISTLES :
James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude

5. REVELATION - Revelations

(37) THE FOUR END SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

1. Adoration
2. Atonement
3. Thanksgiving
4. Petition

(38) THE SEVEN PLACES JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD

1. In the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:44)
2. At the whipping post. (Mat 27:26 )
3. Internally - from the intense beating (Mat 27:26)
4. When they put the crown of thorns on His head. (Mat 27:29)
5. When they pierced His hands. (Mat 27:35)
6. When they pierced His feet. (Mat 27:35)
7. When they pierced his side. (John 19:34)

(39) THE O ANTIPHONS

They are referred to as the "O Antiphons" because the title of each one begins with the vocative particle "O".Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

1. December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom) - Isaiah 11:2-3.

2. December 18: O Adonai (O Lord) - Isaiah 11:4-5 and 33:22

3. December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) - Isaiah 11:1

4. December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David) - Isaiah 22:22.

5. December 21: O Oriens (O Dayspring) Isaiah 9:1.

6. December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) Isaiah 2:4

7. December 23: O Emmanuel (O With Us is God) Isaiah 7:14

(40) THE CANDLES OF ADVENT

1. Prophecy Candle (PURPLE) - Isaiah 7:14
This first candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

2. Bethlehem Candle (PURPLE) - Luke 2:12
This candle typically represents love.

3. Shepherds Candle (PINK) - Luke 2:8–11
This candle represents joy

4. Angels Candle (PURPLE)- Luke 2:13–14
This candle represents peace

5. Christ Candle (WHITE) - Isaiah 9:2-7
This candle represents Jesus

(41) CATHOLIC PRAYERS

A - Classification of Prayer

1. Liturgical Prayer 
Public prayer that follows prescribed ritual formulas. These are formal in nature
For example - Holy Mass, Divine Office etc.

2. Non Liturgical Prayer
Public prayer that may or may not follow prescibed ritual formulas. May be informal in nature
For example - Holy Rosary, Prayers to Saints and Angels, private prayers,devotionals etc.

B - Expressions of Prayer ( CCC 2720 - 2724 )

1. Vocal Prayer 
Vocal prayer is that which is made by using some approved form of words, read or recited; such as the sign of the cross, the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), the Angelus, grace before and after meals, etc.

2. Meditative Prayer
Meditation is a form of reflective prayer which engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. 
For example - The Rosary or Lectio Divina

3. Contemplative Prayer
Contemplative prayer is a silent attentiveness which looks at God by contemplating and adoring his attributes.

C - Basic Forms of Prayer ( CCC 2644 – 2649 )

1. Adoration
A Prayer where God is worshipped

2. Petition 
A prayer of petition is a request to God that asks him to fulfill a need.

3. Intercession 
Prayer of intercession consists in asking on behalf of another.

4. Thanksgiving
A prayer thanking God for something.

5. Praise
Prayers of praise acknowledge God for what He is.

(42) - SEVEN THINGS GOD HATES

(Proverbs 6:16-19)

1. Haughty eyes
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that devises wicked plans
5. Feet that make haste to run to evil
6. A false witness who breathes out lies
7. One who sows discord among brothers.

(43) - THE TWELVE APOSTLES

(See Matthew 10:1-4 and Luke 6:12-16.)

1. Peter
2. James
3. John
4. Andrew
5. Bartholomew or Nathanael
6. James, the Lesser or Younger
7. Judas was replaced by Mattais 
8. Jude or Thaddeus
9. Matthew or Levi
10. Philip
11. Simon the Zealot
12. Thomas

(44) - THE THREE ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHURCH

1. Authority
2. Infallibility
3. Indefectibility

(45) - THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2: 34-35)

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2: 13-21)

3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2: 41-50)

4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19: 17)

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19: 18-30)

6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19: 39-40)

7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19: 39-42)

(46) - THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)

2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39–56)

3. The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1)

4. The Adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:11)

5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

6. The Appearance of Christ to Mary after the Resurrection (John 20, 21)

7. The Assumption and Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven (Revelation 12:1)

(47) - THE DIFFERENT LITURGICAL TRADITIONS AND RITES OF THE CHURCH

1. LATIN LITURGICAL TRADITION :

A - Latin Church

Rites

a) - Roman Rite

i. Ordinary Form (1969 revision)

ii. Glagolitic Rite

iii. Extraordinary Form (According to the 1962 Roman Missal)

* Pontifical High Mass

* Missa Solemnis or Solemn High Mass

* Missa Cantata or High Mass

* Missa Privata or Low Mass

iv. Personal Ordinariates (celebrate Divine Worship, a liturgy adapted from the Anglican tradition)

v. Zaire Use

b) - Gallican Rites

i. Ambrosian Rite (in Milan, Italy, and neighbouring areas)

ii. Braga Rite

iii. Mozarabic Rite (in Toledo and Salamanca, Spain)

iv. Lyonese Rite (in Lyon, France, maintained in a few parishes)

c) - Catholic Order Rites

i. Benedictine Rite

ii. Carmelite Rite (only by some communities or members of the order)

iii. Carthusian Rite (a Western rite of the Gallican family)

iv. Cistercian Rite

v. Dominican Rite (only by some communities or members of the order)

vi. Premonstratensian (Norbertine) Rite

vii. Rites in a broad sense (not distinct from the Roman Rite)

* Capuchin Rite

* Franciscan Rite

* Servite Rite

d) - Defunct Rites ( not in use )

i. Pre-Tridentine Mass (the various pre-1570 ordinary forms of the Roman Rite)

ii. Gallican Rite ('Gaul', i.e. France)

iii. Celtic Rite (British Isles)

iv. African Rite

v. Aquileian Rite (northeastern Italy)

vi. Durham Rite (Durham, England)

vii. Sarum Rite (England)

viii. Use of York (England)

ix. Cologne Use (Cologne, Germany)

x. The Esztergom Use

xi. Benevente and Sizilian Use.

_________________________________________________

2. ALEXANDRIAN LITURGICAL TRADITION :

Rites

i) Coptic Rite

A - Coptic Catholic Church.

ii) Ge'ez Rite

A - Ethiopian Catholic Church

B - Eritrean Catholic Church.

________________________________________________

3. ANTIOCHIAN LITURGICAL TRADITION :

Rite - West Syriac

A - Maronite Catholic Church

B - Syriac Catholic Church

C - Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

________________________________________________

4. ARMENIAN LITURGICAL TRADITION :

Rite - Armenian

A - Armenian Catholic Church.

_______________________________________________

5. CHALDEAN LITURGICAL TRADITION :

Rite - East Syriac

A - Chaldean Catholic Church

B - Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

________________________________________________

6. BYZANTINE LITURGICAL TRADITION :

Rite - Byzantine

A - Albanian Greek Catholic Church

B - Belarusian Greek Catholic Church

C - Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church

D - Greek Catholic Church of Croatia and Serbia

E - Greek Byzantine Catholic Church

F - Hungarian Greek Catholic Church

G - Italo-Albanian Catholic Church

H - Macedonian Greek Catholic Church

I - Melkite Greek Catholic Church

J - Romanian Greek Catholic Church

L - Russian Greek Catholic Church

M - Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church (also known in the United States as the Byzantine Catholic Church)

N - Slovak Greek Catholic Church

O - Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

1. PATRIARCHATES

A patriarchal church is a full-grown form of an Eastern Catholic church. It is 'a community of the Christian faithful joined together by' a Patriarchal hierarchy. The Patriarch together with the synod of bishops has the legislative, judicial and administrative powers within jurisdictional territory of the patriarchal church, without prejudice to those powers reserved, in the common law to the Roman pontiff (CCEO 55-150)

A - The Latin Catholic Church
B - The Coptic Catholic Church
C - The Chaldean Catholic Church
D - The Maronite Catholic Church
E - The Melkite Greek Catholic Church
F - The Syriac Catholic Church
G - The Armenian Catholic Church

2. MAJOR ARCHEPISCOPAL CHURCHES

Major archiepiscopal churches are the oriental churches, governed by the major archbishops being assisted by the respective synod of bishops. These churches also have almost the same rights and obligations of Patriarchal Churches. A major archbishop is the metropolitan of a see determined or recognized by the Supreme authority of the Church, who presides over an entire Eastern Church sui iuris that is not distinguished with the patriarchal title.

A - The Romanian Greek Catholic Church
B - The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
C - The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
D - The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

3. METROPOLITAN CHURCHES

The sui iuris church, which is governed by a metropolitan, is called a metropolitan church sui iuris. " A Metropolitan Church sui iuris is presided over by the Metropolitan of a determined see who has been appointed by the Roman Pontiff and is assisted by a council of hierarchs according to the norm of law" (CCEO. 1551)

A - The Ethiopian Catholic Church
B - The Eritrean Catholic Church
C - The Hungarian Greek Catholic Church
D - The Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church
E - The Slovak Greek Catholic Church

4. CHURCHES IN SUI JURIS

It is "a Church sui iuris which is neither patriarchal nor major archiepiscopal nor Metropolitan, and is entrusted to a hierarch who presides over it in accordance with the norm of common law and the particular law established by the Roman Pontiff" (CCEO. 174)

A - The Albanian Greek Catholic Church 
B - The Belarusian Greek Catholic Church
C - The Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church
D - The Byzantine Catholic Church of Croatia and Serbia
E - The Greek Byzantine Catholic Church
F - The Italo-Albanian Catholic Church
G - The Macedonian Greek Catholic Church

H - The Russian Greek Catholic Church.

(49) - JESUS CHRIST'S REAL PRESENCE IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST IN THE APPERANCE OF BREAD & WINE:

1. Body
2. Blood
3. Soul 
4. Divinity

(50) - CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING PRINCIPLES:

1 - Life and Dignity of the Human Person

▪Genesis 1:26-31 God created man and woman in his image. ▪Deuteronomy 10:17-19 God loves the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. You should too. ▪Proverbs 22:2 The Lord is the maker of both rich and poor. 
▪Luke 10:25-37 The good Samaritan recognized the dignity in the other and cared for his life. ▪John 4:1-42 Jesus broke with societal and religious customs to honor the dignity of the Samaritan woman. 
▪Romans 12: 9-18 Love one another, contribute to the needs of others, live peaceably with all. 
▪1 Corinthians 3:16 You are holy, for you are God’s temple and God dwells in you. 
▪Galatians 3:27-28 All Christians are one in Christ Jesus. 
▪James 2:1-8 Honor the poor. 
▪1 John 3: 1-2 See what love the Father has for us, that we should be called Children of God. 
▪1 John 4:7-12 Let us love one another because love is from God.

2 - Call to Family, Community, and Participation

▪Genesis 4:8-15 I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper. 
▪Leviticus 25:23-43 What you own belongs to the Lord and is given for the good of all. 
▪Jeremiah 7:5-7 If you act justly with one another, God will dwell in the land. 
▪Micah 6:6-8 Act justly, love kindness, walk humbly with God. ▪John 15:12-17 This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. 
▪Acts 2:43-47; Life among the believers. 
▪Romans 12:4-8 We are one body, individually members one of another. 
▪Hebrews 10:24-25 Rouse one another to love and good works. 
▪1 Peter 4:8-11 Serve one another with the gifts you have received. 
▪1 John 3:16-18 We ought to lay down our lives for one another. 
▪1 John 4:19-21 Those who love God must love their brothers and sisters.

3 - Rights and Responsibilities

▪Leviticus 19:9-10 A portion of the harvest is set aside for the poor and the stranger. 
▪Ruth 2:2-23 Boaz cares for Ruth, a widow and a foreigner, giving her far more than the law requires. 
▪Tobit 4:5-11 Give from what you have received and do not turn away from the poor. 
▪Isaiah 1:16-17 Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. ▪Jeremiah 22: 13-16 A legitimate government upholds the rights of the poor and vulnerable. 
▪Jeremiah 29:4-7 Seek the welfare of the city, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 
▪Matthew 25: 31-46 Just as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me. 
▪Luke 16:19-31 The rich man has a responsibility to care for Lazarus. 
▪Acts 4:32-35 There was not a needy person among them. 
▪2 Corinthians 9:6-15 God’s gifts are given to be shared. 
▪James 2:14-18 Faith without works is dead.

4 - Preferential Option for the Poor

▪Exodus 22:20-26 You shall not oppress the poor or vulnerable. God will hear their cry. 
▪Job 34:20 The Lord hears the cry of the poor. 
▪Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak out in defense of the poor. 
▪Sirach 4:1-10 Don’t delay giving to those in need. 
▪Isaiah 25:4-5 God is a refuge for the poor. 
▪Isaiah 58:5-7 True worship is to work for justice and care for the poor and oppressed. 
▪Luke 4:16-21 Jesus proclaims his mission: to bring good news to the poor and oppressed. 
▪Luke 6:20-23 Blessed are the poor, theirs is the kingdom of God. ▪1 John 3:17-18 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s good and sees one in need and refuses to help?

5 - The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

▪Genesis 2:1-3 God rests on the seventh day. 
▪Deuteronomy 5:13-15 The Sabbath is for everyone—all are allowed to rest from their work. ▪Deuteronomy 14:28-29 The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others. ▪Deuteronomy 24:14-15 Do not withhold wages from your workers, for their livelihood depends on them. 
▪Sirach 34:20-22 To deprive an employee of wages is to commit murder. 
▪Isaiah 58:3-7 To observe religious practices, but oppress your workers is false worship. ▪Jeremiah 22:13 Woe to him who treats his workers unjustly. ▪Matthew 20:1-16 All workers should be paid a just and living wage.
▪ Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. 
▪Luke 3:10-14 Practice integrity in your work. 
▪Luke 12:13-21 One’s worth is not determined by an abundance of possessions. 
▪James 5:1-6 Those who become rich by abusing their workers have sinned against God.

6 - Solidarity

▪Genesis 12:1-3 God blessed Israel so that all nations would be blessed through it. 
▪Psalm 72 Living in right relationship with others brings peace. 
▪Psalm 122 Peace be with you! For the sake of the Lord, I will seek your good. 
▪Zechariah 8:16 These are the things you should do: Speak truth, judge well, make peace. 
▪Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called children of God. 
▪Matthew 5:21-24 Be reconciled to one another before coming to the altar. 
▪Romans 13:8-10 Living rightly means to love one another. 
▪1 Corinthians 12:12-26 If one member suffers, all suffer. If one member is honored, all rejoice. ▪Colossians 3:9-17 Above all, clothe yourself with love and let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts.

7 - Care for God’s Creation

▪Genesis 1:1-31 God made the heavens and the earth and it was good. 
▪Genesis 2:15 Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation. 
▪Leviticus 25:1-7 The land itself must be given a rest and not abused. 
▪Deuteronomy 10:14 All of heaven and earth belong to the Lord. 
▪Psalm 24:1-2 All the earth is the Lord’s. 
▪Daniel 3:56-82 Creation proclaims the glory of God. ▪Matthew 6:25-34 God loves and cares for all of creation.
▪Romans 1:20 Creation reveals the nature of God. 
▪1 Corinthians 10:26 Creation and all created things are inherently good because they are of the Lord

TALIBAN ISSUE - 01: U.S & Talibans

 

* Eventhough, the U.S came to discipline the Talibans, what actually it had been doing either knowingly or unknowingly, was that it was the reason for the Taliban being upper hand now. 

* U.S have invested huge funds towards education and health in Afghanistan, and have earned a loyal set of considerable population of people, admiring and wanting to live an american life, and be true to U.S.

* But, such huge funds, have also been mishandled and grafted to various high level groups both within U.S and Taliban. Not to mention more have been stuffed by Afghan government also.

* What question lies now, is that, the global notion, that many democratic nations doesn't actually recognise Talibans, have now started to change. Countries are lining up to recognise Taliban regime at present to claim a share of their support towards it. 

* The 'Eurasian axis' of Russia, China & Taliban starting to imprint their domination have already been visible, and countries like Iran waiting for their bookings. But, does the people of Afghan wants it? 

* Many of us, confuse between, the state and the government. Governments are dynamic but state is static/permanent. What actually the people of Afghan (state of Afghan) wants is what matters here, rather than what all the countries are trying to set up. 

* A clash or misunderstanding between two sets of trio love story between U.S.-Taliban-Afghan and Afghan-Taliban-Russia seems to be evidently exposed. Previously when Afghan being under UK, Russia and US, the entire people seems to be 'encourage the invader' attitude, whereas now, the people wants an independent or somewhat free from huge power clashes. 

* The people of Afghan (State) and the government of Afghan (government) have never been in terms or in sink from the beginning. Similarly, the Talibans have never recognised the government of Afghan which have been in legitimate rule. So, the immicible state of People-Taliban-Government also plays a vital role.

* If, people have to be given importance to chose their government, then definitely the clash must be within Taliban & the government alone, rather than seeking aid of nations like Russia or U.S. Because on the whole, the involvement of these hegemonic powers have infact, tattered the morale of Afghan people. 

* U.S for instance, have been funding Afghan government as well as preventing Talibans, which on one hand proved to be effective, seeing the rise in literacy levels, women education and access to medicine, growing more than 45% before 20 years back. But, on the other side, the recognition laid on Taliban is definitely a leak in the tank. 

* U.S always prefer to respect the Taliban mindset not to recognise the Afghan government and have always held direct talks between U.S-Taliban neglecting Afghan government. U.S would have thought that gradually she could bring in Afghan by voicing for it on her behalf, but ultimately failed, by 'consistently undermining' the Afghan government. 

* All these boiled up to the moment, which gave the detonator in the hands of U.S to unleash the Talibans. In this aspect, both Trump & Biden administration have failed. First, Trump administration forced Ashraf Ghani government to release 5000 Talibans, knowing they were not ready to come to a peace deal at all. Secondly, Biden administration have 'pulled the rug under the Afghans' sensing that it has tremendous impact on U.S both financially and politically. It is like sending someone into the tiger's cage having the control in our hands, and suddenly letting it off, sensing that if he died we would be responsible. 

* Knowingly or unknowingly, it was the U.S which is the reason to continuously spoon-feed Afghan government, at the same time giving time for the Talibans to 'get recognised', and giving their prisoners also back to them, and expecting a peace by stopping to feed them. The people of Afghan are the end receiver of this failure. Yet, a considerable section of people of Afghan are strong to be loyal to U.S and dream to living the american life someday or other, which infact is happening now, thanks to U.S atleast accepting the people as refugees as of now. 

What is a true Independence day?

 In India, celebrating Independence day have been a day of holiday, distribution of sweets and watching movies in tv alone, rather than the realisation of what true independence mean.

- Independence of whom? What? A Nation? What is the definition of a Nation? Is a Nation living entity? 

Never! For a Nation to be independent, the citizens of its nation should be independent of their minds, from the clutches of superstitions, regressive mindset, pseudo modernisation & pseudo science. But, do we agree with it? 

- The people of this nation have infact more inclined towards superstitions, pseudo science and becoming narrow minded day by day with increasing number of violence against weaker sections of the society, and huge polarisation been found. Is this what called independence? Is the people independent? NO! 

- Government & State are different, either the government should be satisfied or the people should be satisfied with the prevailing policies. But now, legislative, executive and judicial wings are not independent. Also the state which is nothing but the people, are also not satisfied and independent, then why should we celebrate this day if both the government and the state is not independent. 

- Independence of a Nation means, it's citizens should be independent financially, socially, politically and be able to exercise their right to freedom of speech & expression, which is now diminishing. We cannot simply post status or wishes, leaving our fundamentals enshrined in the constitution

- A Nation is not a living entity to be revered, rather the people of the Nation does, Majority of the Nation is not satisfied with this kind of autocratic rule, inspite of which, simply celebrating for namesake is nothing less than selling our rights. 

- Then what is a true Independence? “When your inner emotions are not monitored , guided ,influenced or derived by the outside things around you “

The ultimate goal of a human life is to experience the state of happiness, blissfulness, ecstasy and to stay in that state all the time.

But does it really happen ..?? NO . it does for a while and get effaced the next moment.

After doing whole lot of things , still we feel miserable, we crib about traffic , government ,people , almost everything.

Because our Inner emotions i.e. happiness, sorrow, faith,mercy,jealous,love etc. are dependent upon the things outside .It is confined in the cage of outside events . We can not make this world act as per our will, can we?

In a nutshell , when we will be happy and when we will be miserable is not independent, not in our control.

- Do we have such an independent mindset now? Think and then celebrate this day.

DOES THE STATES HAVE TO FEAR THE BRAND NEW "UNION MINISTRY OF COOPERATION" ?

 

I). INTRODUCTION: 

Recently announced 'Ministry of Co-operative societies' under Amit Shah have been rising speculations and anxiety among various political spectrum, and is been pondered upon on whether this would also infringe on state rights and 'illegally' transfer itself the powers to conduct elections, audit finance etc in the societies in the states. 

Let us see what are the effects of this, depending on the existing legalities.

II). EXPLANATION: 

* First of all, 'Co-operative societies' fall under the direct control of State government only, and only they can enact laws and administer them. Then, where does the basic premise of justification for this infringe into territory comes from? It's as usual as the British rulers termed for in 'Doctrine of lapse' and most 'administrative reasons' which where lame. It's nothing but "inefficient administration" or "weakness" as mentioned in the Statement of objects and reasons in the amendment (97th Constitutional Amendment) which was brought by the then Dr.Manmohan Singh regime in 2011. 

* What is this 97th Constitutional Amendment? It dealt with issues related to effective management of co-operative societies in the country. It was passed by Parliament in December 2011 and had come into effect from February 15, 2012. It amended Article 19(1)(c) to give protection to the cooperatives and inserted Article 43 B and Part IX B, relating to them. Thereby, giving a Constitutional protection to the Cooperative societies, but there was a virus to it. 

* Any legislation involving the states, cannot be unilaterally passed and implemented. Therefore, the Gujarat High Court in 2013, have struck down certain provisions of the amendments, making 'ratification' of 50% from state legislature, along with the already present 2/3rd majority in the parliament, to enact laws for 'Co-operative societies' of State mandatory (acc. to Art.368(2)). But, this amendment doesn't say anything about the ratification needed (Art.368(2)) and simply infringes on state's law making autonomy. 

* The Union government, listed out their justification to call 'inefficient administration' of these societies, and pointed out some other reasons like delayed elections, lack of accountability, unapproved extensions of terms of office bearers and inadequate professionalism. So, the amendments came forward with some solutions like maximum 21 directors only to be allowed, fixed 5 year term for elected members and office bearers, maximum 6 months suspension period of a board of director and reservation of one seat to SC/ST and two seats for women on the board of every cooperative societies in India. Also, it mandates that, state should enact law, which falls under the 'framework' of union government's proposal. That is the reason, Part IXB was included so give a Constitutional recognition. That is, like Part IX (Panchayats) and Part IXA (Municipalities), Part IXB (CoOperatives) must also be in line with the Union government watch. The ultimate aim of the Union is to empower the Parliament to frame laws for cooperative societies functioning across the states, as followed now, i.e "Multi-State Co-operatives" only, and not the ones in state's jurisdiction, which is not possible. 

* In a recent SC Judgement, dated 21/07/2021, a three judge bench have upheld the 2013 Gujarat High Court judgement. Justice Rohinton Nariman, Justice B.R.Gavai, Justice K.M.Joseph penned the judgement in a 2:1 ratio. 

Majority comprising Justice Rohinton & Justice Gavai have favored the Union involving in 'Multi-State Co-operative societies' law making conformity, whereas clearly rejected the same into a state's society. Whereas, Justice K.M.Joseph dissented in a wonderful tone, placing that, "..Part IXB cannot be severed into two and making one (State societies) immune and the other (Multi-State Co-operative societies) subjected to Union's framework, because the entire part is that of the State, giving a clause alone to multi-state societies. The latter (Multi-State societies) cannot have an independent life, and if the part concerns to be infringing the states, the entire part has be to declared 'unconstitutional'".

Since the 2:1 Judgement was passed, as of now what Justice Rohinton and Justice Gavai told was penned.

III). CONCLUSION: 

As of now, depending on the Judicial point of view, atleast they have recognised that this Amendment of 2011 is partially unconstitutional. Which means it can be applied and been conventionally applied to 'Multi-State societies' till now, that is to be continued. But, when a separate 'Ministry of Co-operation' been established, it raises doubts about efforts to infringe on state's individual society also. If the current regime of NDA, sticks to the originally designed reform measure as intended by the UPA in 2011, then it is acceptable, because it would just be a reform on administration, rather if NDA comes up with it's usual vested motives implanted within, then it must be opposed strongly. Even if they try to take control or make to fall align, they can do only these; 

i). Multi State Co-Operative societies can be made to follow the union's framework 

ii). State's Co-Operative societies cannot be touched or made to fall into Union's framework, even if they do so, they need 2/3rd majority in parliament along with 50% ratification of State legislatures, which is not at all possible.  

United Kingdom, is it still United? - BREXIT & its implications

 

1. INTRODUCTION: 

* It is the abbreviation of “British Exit” from the European Union (EU).

Brexit mirrors the term Grexit — a term which was coined and used by two Citigroup’s economists in February 2012 to refer to the possible exit of Greece from the EU.

* So, what is European Union? 

- Post the Second World War, two countries Germany and France came together and decided that they wanted to establish trade relations as it would prevent their countries waging war against each other in the future. The result was the 6 members (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands) signed a deal covering resources like coal and steel.

In 1957 a treaty was signed in Rome (Europe)-European Economic Community (EEC) or Common Market

This has expanded and now has 28 member states.

- It is an economic and political partnership comprising of 28 member nations. Politically, a law passed in the European Parliament is applicable and binding on all Member nations directly. Economically, the EU is the single market allowing the free movement of goods and people. EU has its own currency, the Euro, which is being used by 28 member countries. The capital of the EU is located in Brussels, Belgium.

- There are four key institutions in the EU

European Commission- based at Brussels (Belgium), it consists of 28 commissioners (1 each from the member states, it administers the money spent and also formulates new laws

European Parliament– based at Brussels (Belgium), there are 751 members in the parliament, their function is to discuss and vote all the laws that have been proposed by EC

Council of European Union– based at Brussels (Belgium), It is where the government of each member country will have their say and hold discussions as to in what political direction should the European Union be moving. Usually, the deals are signed at the end of the discussions

European Court of Justice- based at Luxembourg. The function is to make sure that all the member states abide by the rules and regulations; will also come into picture if there are any frictions between the above three institutions.

Therefore, basically the EU is an union where there us no restrictions to entry of human resources and trade. So, definitely the one who is powerful and capable is more prone to be exploited by those who are not that much relatively capable or efficient. EU seems to be a common platform rendering equitable justice in trade and human resource leveraging the more capable to feed the relatively less or weaker ones. 

Also, the 'political' control the EU has over Britain is disturbing and definitely not agreeable by the citizens of Britain who are well aware of the sovereignty and might of her.

2. EXPLANATION: 

* Referendum: There were growing calls from many MPs of the Conservative Party and the UK Independence Party (UKIP), for a new referendum. (In 1975, Britain had voted to stay in the EU in a referendum).

A referendum was held on June 23, 2016, to decide whether Britain should exit or remain in the European Union.

Eligible voters: All British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals living abroad who have been on the electoral register in the UK in the past 15 years.

51.9% of voters favoured exit of Britain from the EU. It is the first time since the EU was founded in 1957 that a member country is leaving.

* REASONS FOR BREXIT: 

i). Migration

Migration of people from both within and outside EU, especially from the West Asia (Syria and ISIS Issue) and East European nations = Fear of losing jobs, social welfare benefits among the Britons.

Repeated requests of Germany to share the migrants across Europe and asking the UK to accept a number of them have been disliked by the Britons.

ii). Contributions to EU Budget

UK is one of the ten countries which contribute more to the EU Budget.

According to some studies, the UK’s contribution is not proportionate to the benefits it gets back.

iii). Failure of EU

The European Economic Community (EEC) had 6 members, 4 languages and 177 million population when it was founded. But now the EU has 28 members, 24 languages and 505 million population.

Thus the EU failed on several fronts in creating one community and one identity while solving the differences among its members, including Britain.

People feel that jobs, living standards were better offered during the early days of nation-states than now. (Click here to learn about the European states system through mind map).

iv). Sovereignty issue

Some of the Britons feel that they are being controlled by the diktats of Brussels bureaucracy rather than making their own decisions.

Although the British Government influences some form in selecting the members to the European Commission, the members are neither under the influence nor accountable to the British Parliament and some of the policy decisions such as competition policy, agriculture, copyright, and patent law go against the interests of Britain (these laws override the domestic laws)

They view the institutions of EU as undemocratic and do not want bureaucrats in Brussels to decide what laws the UK should follow.

v). Germany’s domination

With the coming of Angela Merkel, Germany has started playing an influential and leading role in both global and regional affairs.

It has indirectly made Britain feel marginalized both within the EU and the region.

Considering their imperial past, Britons are in no way ready to tolerate an EU dominated by a German leadership.

vi). Economic model

Some Britons are not happy with the way EU central bank responded to the 2008 financial crisis which resulted in an economic recession. (Note: Recession means a widespread decline in the GDP, employment and trade lasting from six months to a year).

They were not satisfied with the economic model that is in place for three decades and its failure to serve the interests of various sections of the Britons.

Some of the regulations such as –limits on the power of vacuum cleaners, non-recycling of tea bags, etc have often been seen as a burden on some of the conservatives in Britain. As per Michel Gove, these regulations have cost Britain to the tune of £3 billion per year.

Particularly, the youth are concerned about career opportunities and the affordable homes that were never built by the State.

It is estimated that unemployment across Eurozone is more than 10 percent.

According to some studies, the UK’s economy is losing 600 million euros every week because of the burdensome regulations of the EU.

vii). Euro currency failure: 

Euro is the common currency for the EU, Britain still uses the pound as its currency. Now if the euro had to be successful then it would have required greater fiscal and monetary integration and this cannot be achieved unless all the member states have the same currency. The problem with the euro as a common currency has also been exposed wherein on one side countries such as Greece and Spain are suffering from high debt, high unemployment, whereas other countries such as Germany are enjoying higher growth. Now in this situation, the ECB (European Central Bank) is in a dilemma whether to go for fiscal stimulus or prudence.

* REASONS AGAINST BREXIT: 

i). Image of UK

For the critics of Brexit including former PM David Cameron, the referendum was an utter insult to the entire country as it has reflected the great divide between Britain and EU.

They also claim that the UK’s image would get damaged by leaving the EU.

ii). Immigrants

Majority of the immigrants are young and hence would boost economic growth and will help pay for the public services.

iii). Trade

Trade gets a major boost for Britain if it stays with the EU. It is because selling products to other EU nations becomes easier with EU membership.

Foreign companies may not be willing to invest in the UK if it is not part of the EU. Moreover, they may also move their bases out of the UK as it will not be a part of the single market since it would face problems with different EU regulations.

iv). Security

According to Brexit critics, leaving the EU may affect the ability to fight cross-border crime and terrorism. They believe that Britain would be more secure as part of the EU.

3. CONSEQUENCES: 

I). On UK: 

- As per International Monetary Fund (IMF), a vote to exit the European Union in the referendum could leave Britain’s economy more than 5 per cent smaller by 2019 than if it stays in the 28-nation club.

- Brexit could cause the country’s economy to be between 3.8 and 7.5 per cent smaller by 2030.

- The pound expected to fall by around 20 per cent. This would mean that exports to the UK will suffer and imports from the UK will gain. Export companies operating in the UK will gain, while import companies will lose.

- More foreign tourists will visit Britain in the coming days as the currency value has fallen.

- More foreign students may prefer Britain for higher education as the fees may seem cheaper.

- EU citizens in Britain and Brits living in other EU nations would have to update their immigration statuses.

- Companies operating in both the UK and the EU would have to verify that they’re compliant with two sets of laws.

- US President Obama has warned that it could take 10 years for Britain to negotiate a new trade deal with the US.

- The referendum results (52:48) is very close. This means a major division of opinion in Britain which has social implications too. While the less educated and the old seems to favour the ‘leave EU’ campaign, the young and the employed are more in favour of Britain staying in the EU.

- Brexit could encourage England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland to appeal for quitting the United Kingdom.

- The weakening of pound: The value of pound weakened to a 30 year low after the Brexit referendum. It will negatively impact the country’s imports and exports.

- Trade agreements: the UK has to separately enter into trade agreements with the rest of the world.

- The breakup of the United Kingdom: Scotland (part of UK) had voted in favour of EU during the referendum campaign. Thus Brexit would boost the demand for independence of Scotland from the United Kingdom.

- The Irish question:Ireland is an island to the west of Britain and has 2 major regions – North and South, with different demographic features. “Protestant majority Northern Ireland” (a UK territory) and “Catholic majority Irish Republic” (an independent country in the south), have had serious ethnic tensions within and between them. Numerous agreements and EU’s integrated markets system have thus far been a considerable influence in resolving these tense and violent trends. Since UK plans to leave EU, the Irish question has come to haunt all concerned governments since there is a fear that a new era of violence might start.

II). On EU: 

- Britain is an important country in the EU. Without Britain, the EU may lose much of its influence as a global power bloc.  It may result in a resurgence of the nation-states that once ruled Europe. Because, with Brexit, right-wing political groups in Italy, France, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Germany, Spain, and Hungary have started demanding the exit of their own nations from the EU. (click here to learn about the European states system through mind map)

III). On World: 

- Remittance from the UK to countries outside in terms of Pound will fetch lesser returns compared to the past.

- Export dominated countries may be affected, whether exporting to the UK or not. If the UK is the major trading partner, the effect will be more.

- The United States will bear the major brunt of a Brexit being the UK’s biggest trading partner.

- A direct impact on Asian economies from Brexit is unlikely in the long term because as a percentage of GDP, exports to the UK is less than 2% for most economies.

- But businesses in some major Asian economies – like India and Japan- will be hit.

- Companies which have set up operations in the UK to gain access to EU markets will be affected.

- BREXIT would likely allow any US Dollar strength to play out. This may cause other currencies to decline in value.

iv).On India: 

India is one of the top investors in the UK.

There are about 800 Indian-owned companies in the country employing roughly 110,000 people. (Eg: Jaguar Land Rover is owned by the Tata group)

Many of these firms made investments with the wider European market in mind.

Together, the UK and Europe account for over-a-quarter of the country’s IT exports, worth around $30bn.

The UK is the third-largest source of foreign direct investment in India and India’s largest G20 investor.

India is the third-largest source of FDI to the UK in terms of numbers of projects. India invests more in the UK than in the rest of Europe combined, emerging as the UK’s third-largest FDI investor.

The key sectors attracting Indian investment include healthcare, agritech, food, and drink.

In November 2015, Prime Minister Modi has said, ”As far as India is concerned, if there is an entry point for us to the EU, that is the UK.”

But, the UK is only India’s 12th largest trade partner, well behind other European countries such as Germany and Switzerland.

Interestingly, the UK is also among just seven in 25 top countries with which India enjoys a trade surplus.

- Trade: India-UK trade will get a boost. The stringent regulations of the EU which were the biggest obstacle can be done away with. For example, the EU had banned Alphonso mangoes from India after it reportedly found fruit flies in the consignments. The weakening of pounds will also be advantageous for Indian imports. It will also benefit tourists and Indian students studying in the UK.

- Indian Businesses in the UK: may find it hard to access the single market of EU since their products may become uncompetitive if they are asked to pay import duties upon entering the EU. Thus Indian businesses will not be able to utilize the UK as the gateway to the European Union. Indian IT firms which have considerable exposure to the European markets, particularly the UK, will be affected since there is a risk of a decrease in growth levels in the EU and UK.

- Tourism: Due to the weakening of pound, there will be a decrease in tourists flow into India from Britain.

- Immigration: After Brexit, it is expected that there will be more restrictions on immigration in the United Kingdom thus affecting Indian immigrants.

- FDI: Brexit will affect the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. It will result in financial instability and a legal regime overhaul in the long-term.

- Indian students in the UK: will get benefitted since the number of applicants from EU nations to the universities in the UK is likely to decrease after Brexit. Also, the weakening of pound may lower down the total cost of education for Indian students. Furthermore, there may be a decrease in international student fee since the low fee structure for EU students may be withdrawn. It has to be noted that, the EU students were availing fee concessions which are being cross-subsidized by a higher international student feeI- 

- India’s Forex (currently a record 363 billion dollars) may diminish, particular if the currency is stored in Euros or Pound (this comes around 20% of total forex).

- Brexit will have a negative impact on the $108 billion Indian IT sector in the short term.

- Many Indian companies are listed on the London Stock Exchange and many have European headquarters in London. Brexit will take away this advantage.

- Due to fall in the value of Pound sterling, Indian exports to the UK will suffer. Cheaper rupee will make Indian exports, including IT and ITeS, competitive. Indian import companies operating in the UK may also report a loss. Also, note that India is exporting more than what it is importing from Britain.

Therefore, for India, there are both set of positive and negative impacts, but the overall weigh is that, it is positive for India on long term, since it's simple, that if Britain is out from EU, the chances of trade, economy and foreign studies (which favors us) will be prioritized to Indians still more, eventhough we can tackle certain negatives in a good relationship with Britain

4. What will happen to Northern Ireland? 

- Brexit would involve North Ireland’s departure from the EU as it is part of the UK.

- In the absence of another arrangement, checks would be required along the 499-km Irish Border as different trade rules would apply to north and south of Ireland after Brexit.

- This creates a security risk because a physical border infrastructure would be considered as a potential target for militants.

- To avoid this, an effective insurance policy called the Backstop was originally agreed by the UK and the EU in the withdrawal agreement.

- However, this was opposed by Northern Ireland’s lawmakers as it risked breaking up of the UK.

- Ultimately, the Backstop was replaced by Northern Ireland Protocol in order to avoid trade border emerging on the island of Ireland.

- The protocol was formed as part of last year’s withdrawal agreement.

- It prevents hardening of borders between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

- According to this protocol, Northern Ireland (NI) will remain in the EU single market for goods.

- Northern Ireland will also apply EU customs rules at its ports, even though the region is still part of the UK customs territory.

- The protocol will also see Northern Ireland follow certain EU rules on state aid and VAT on goods.

- It also mandates checking and controlling of goods arriving from Great Britain from January 1.

- However, goods going into the Republic of Ireland and the wider EU will face no new checks or controls.

-  This arrangement would still have applied even if the wider trade deal failed to be implemented.

- There were concerns regarding Northern Ireland becoming a tariff-dodgers’ backdoor into the EU’s customs union.

- It was addressed by allowing deeming of several goods as “at risk” and hitting them with EU tariffs as they entered from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

- The tariff could be rebated if these goods were shown to be consumed in Northern Ireland.

- The overall UK-EU trade deal eliminates tariffs on all goods traded, minimising the number of transactions being deemed as at risk.

CALENDAR METHOD of Birth Control

* Before you can use the calendar method as birth control, you need to keep track of the length of your menstrual cycles for at least 6 periods. 

* Mark the first day of your period (this is day 1). Then mark the first day of your next period. Count the total number of days between each cycle (the number of days between the first days of each period).

* You must chart at least 6 cycles, but charting a few more months is even better.

If all of your cycles are shorter than 27 days, the calendar method won’t be accurate for you.

- Predict the 1st Fertile day:  

To predict the first fertile day (when you can get pregnant) in your current cycle:

• Find the shortest cycle in your past record. (ex. 26)

• Subtract 18 from the total number of days in that cycle.

• Count that number from day 1 of your current cycle, and mark that day with an X. (Include day 1 when you count.)

• The day marked X is your first fertile day.

* For example: if your shortest cycle is 26 days long, subtract 18 from 26 — you get 8. Then, count 8 days starting from day 1 (the first day of your period). If day 1 was on the 4th of the month, you’ll mark X on the 11th. So the 11th is your first fertile day of this cycle — you should stop having vaginal sex on this day or start using another method of birth control.

- Predict the Last Fertile day: 

To predict the last fertile day in your current cycle:

• Find the longest cycle in your record. (ex. 30)

• Subtract 11 from the total number of days in that cycle.

• Count that number from day 1 (the first day of your period) of your current cycle, and mark that day with an X. (Include day 1 when you count.)

• The day marked X is your last fertile day.

For example, if your longest cycle is 30 days long, subtract 11 from 30 — you get 19. Then, count 19 days starting from day 1. If day 1 was on the 4th of the month, you’ll mark X on the 22nd. So the 22nd is your last fertile day of this cycle — you can start having unprotected sex the next day.

The days between the first fertile day and last fertile day is called the 'fertile days' zone in which when we have sex there is lot of possibilities to get pregnant. Apart from which is very less to zero possibility. Using this, we can have safe sex unprotected. 

Is Privitisation, the only solution?

A). INTRODUCTION: 

Continous onslaught on public sector enterprises terming them to be sick and giving them away to private players by the current NDA regime, is nothing but making things worse further. The current NDA gov, by all it's strength, have only made the things worse. The previous UPA government, had left the nation with few unsolved, minor and reversible issues, which the current NDA have made them worse, complex and irreversible, not only in economy but other aspects of governance like defense, social welfare, industry and foreign relations. In that list, do we really need to privatise the public sector enterprises calling them as a burden?! Is it justifiable, professional and scientifically tempered enough or just another mess up theory to complex the issue further before handing over the nation to the next government. 

B). EXPLANATION:

I). In India, from 1991 LPG Policy, privatisation have been taking roots from top to bottom till privatizing municipal finance (local bodies) too. This trickling down effect have proven that, people have took interest in privatisation. But, the reason from a common public, finding privatisation better, is from the 'service end' alone, i.e. privatizing is fine if the service is delivered good to us. But, infact, a broader and long term analysis is needed before supporting privatizing. 

II). If a single or few employee of a public sector bank, reluctant to serve people or lethargic in work, make it justifiable to privatise it entirely, on the premise that only then, services will be the best? Are these public sector bank employees the ones who sacrificed their last lives during COVID rendering their services to be termed 'essential' but their lives not so? Does a single employee's misbehavior or reluctance makes the whole sector deemed unfit? It only depicts the narrow mind of people. Governments make use of this narrow mind and collective thought of people, to privatise a sick public sector enterprise (in some case wantedly made sick), rather than treating their sickness. 

III). Public sector enterprises of our nation, are called as 'temples of our nation' by Jawaharlal Nehru. Not because it can provide services on daily basis, but a stronghold we can trust, that it's presence and strategic advantage is always made use by the government in all tough times. That's why probably he might have termed them so. Because, it is only when the tough times comes, we can see the public sector enterprise shine. Ex. During this COVID19 pandemic, the presence of public sector enterprises all around the nation, capable of delivering and obeying to emergency order from union government, proved to be a 'strategic advantage' to serve the people, especially at tough times. Imagine, those who support full privatisation, if such enterprises were not present at this dire time, do the 'so-called saviors of economy' able to coordinate, obey and implement government schemes and relief to people in an efficient way? What is the guarantee they will involve in social relief measures apart from their CSR (which even many does not adhere too)? What is the moral obligation of people to keep feeding these private players, when they doesn't have even a single point of moral or law to protect, preserve and promote the interests of the nation socially? Such so-called temples are the ones which act as a guardian of our nation's economy. 

IV). That doesn't mean, public sector enterprise are becoming more of a burden to the nation, unprofitable and low quality servicing to public. It is accepted that there are some enterprises that provide low quality services, run unprofitable and thereby becomes a burden tot he government. But, is it not the responsibility of the government to treat such sick enterprises rather than giving them off to some private player? Do we give our parents off to some caretakers for money if they feel burden? If we do so, do we recognise we being immoral and unfaithful? Reforming the sick enterprises and making them cured is the duty of the government. When the enterprise runs well, funds government, the government takes pride means, then at tough times, government should also stand with it. 

V). In India, there are 2 types of such public sector enterprises. One will be 'obsolete' in technology, men and machinery, impossible to save them, and irretrievably dying. Such can be closed and assets sold and labors amicably dealt with. Second type are sick, but retrievable, needs proper financial reforms, fresh personnel and more control over management with government being a backup. Then, they can be revived and slowly government can let them function free after sometime, when they are ready to fly alone. "Calculated disinvestment coupled with micro level management reforms increasing firm value in medium run" is needed rather than simply giving away them as a gift or takeaway prize to some private players, who doesn't have an understanding of the rationale behind creation such public enterprises and impact of their absence. 

VI). Does the absence of public sector enterprises have an impact on society?  Definitely yes!! A big yes! Because, it's simple, when it was framed it was kept in mind to be like a 'storehouse of energy' for the wellbeing of society and if such is dismantled no wonder the opposite will occur. To point out, the first societal impact is the 'social unrest' to burst out, when the labors are against it. No labor is ready to privatise the concern they are working in, if the government forcibly does so, labors tends to rise against the government, where all labors are solidly backed by proper politically affiliated organisations. So, is it possible for a government to risk their vote bank as well as creating a social unrest in the society by privatising a firm in which the labors are against it? Even if such labor issues, tackled by suppressive measures, no one will be ready to join in a company which is already in a tug with the existing labors. Not only in salary aspect, but in all terms of working conditions and environment, no fresh intake of labor is possible, if the current existing permanent set of affiliated labors are against such measures. Third and very important impact in the society, is the 'reservation' factor. In a public sector enterprise, their is a mandate to provide reservation eventhough the government wants it or not. But, when privatised, their is no reservation for the weaker sections of the society. This in particular is an agenda been pushed by the current government more vehemently to dismantle the reservation setup among the public sector enterprises.  Apart from these three, few minor situational impacts are also prone to occur due to proposed privatisation of public sector enterprises.  

VII). This narrow mentality of the current government have also affected the 'foreign investments' also. An investor invests in a place, only when he finds 'social & political stability' and law and order found. If the government itself keeps on breaching many Bilateral Investment Treaties(BIT) like Vodafone and Cairne energy due to its preferable ideology in between, FDI & FPIs are more prone to decline further. All this comes, when the government mixes its political ideology and agenda into economic, trade, commerce and industrial measures. Such regressive mentality would further damage the economy as a whole. 

C). CONCLUSION: 

So, is privatisation completely harmful? No. Privatisation must be done in a 'calculated' and in a way that private does not dominate the government decisions in any way even in a minor one. Because, such private interference in the government decisions have proven to be worse and a failure by many nations in the history. A private firm cannot run a nation entirely. A business minded organisation cannot act as a social welfare government. Never, can a private firm able to run a government, so efficient and empathetic than elected representatives and administration law mandated in our constitution alone. Nothing is bigger than that, to overshadow the nation guided towards a 'welfare state'. Out of 500 companies in the 'Fortune 500' list 124 are from China and the interesting fact is, 91/124 companies are public sector enterprises alone. To treat a sick public sector enterprise and make them bloom greater heights is the perfect solution. Private players are welcome in places where we need PPP(Public Private Partnership) sort of methods. India's current strategy to 'create a big business' and give the nation control to it, is also intangible, because, we don't have such huge 'number of big businesses' except very very fewest only. Just 2-3 big businesses cannot run the nation. What such big corporates can do, is to try to invest in 'sinking private companies' alone, rather than over-ambitiously trying to takeover government sectors, which are already in a bad shape, where these corporates does not have the resources to run them. What is best left to big corporates of our nation is to invest in both brownfield and greeenfield companies as well as save the sinking private companies alone, apart from some PPPs and agreements mutually cooperated with government., that much of involvement alone is enough. Only then we can be able to revive both private sectors as well as public sectors and have a perfect combination to fuel the economy. 

  

"HISTORY OF UNITED KINGDOM"

I. INTRODUCTION: 

* England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales: 

- The term United Kingdom refers to the collective body of nations made up of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The four cut a wide swath of territory across the eastern face of Europe, in spite of being geographically apart from the rest of the continent by virtue of separation by the North and Irish Seas, the Strait of Dover, and the English Channel. 

- The four countries, over time, have experienced transformations in coastline, climate, and vegetation, as well as changing values, culture, and governments. Changes in the educational systems of the four nations of the United Kingdom have been dramatic, but at no time have changes been more extensive than the 1990s and first years of the twenty-first century following attempts to dissolve the House of Lords in England and accomplishment of devolution in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.

II. HISTORY OF UNITED KINGDOM: 

1. ROMAN OCCUPATION: 

- Roman Occupation: The early inhabitants of Britain were pre-literate hunters, eventually cut off from the rest of Europe by the submerging of land under the waters of what became known as the English Channel. Extensive research by archaeologists in the twenty-first century has started to cast some light on early peoples of this area.

- Protected by fierce inhabitants and a rugged climate, England was considered a prize for conquest and began to undergo attacks from Rome. Well known to any beginning student of Latin are the campaigns by Julius Caesar in 55 and 54 B.C. immortalized by his own writings; his early biographers paint a portrait of a much crueler conqueror than the self-image he presents.

- Rome's attack on tribal leaders in Wales in the first century have become well known to twentieth-century players of fantasy games, because of the valiant, though doomed, fight of the Iceni warriors under Queen Boudicca, referred to by one Hollywood screenwriter as "a female Braveheart." Her story is dramatic. After being whipped and subject to vile indignities, including the rapes of her daughters, Boudicca massacred the residents of towns pledging allegiance to Rome until a counteroffensive wiped out her armies, and she committed suicide by taking poison. In spite of such furious fighting and heavy cost in lives, the Romans defeated the Welsh clans, failing to subjugate them. Little by little, however, their culture began reflecting the influence of Celtic Catholic missionaries among the Welsh people.

- Likewise, the Roman forces relentlessly invaded Scotland, repelled the clans known as the Picts, and declared the country under its rule. For all practical purposes, Scotland's rugged geography, particularly in the Highlands and its numerous adjacent islands, left the Romans hardly in control of the defiant clans and their allied clans from Ireland, the Celts. Nonetheless, Rome did have some influence on the Scottish people during five centuries of occupation, in part because of the preaching of Christian missionaries.

2. POST-ROMAN INVASIONS: 

- In the fourth century, Roman Emperor Constant I gave his namesake son, Constantine II, the conquered lands of Britain, Gaul, and Spain, but he gave the remainder of the empire to another son, Constans I. The unhappy Constantine II waged war on his brother but was cut down and killed during a battle in Italy. In the fifth century, the Romans pulled out of the lands they had fought so hard to win, driven out themselves after years of assault by fierce warriors they dismissed as barbarian hordes. In addition to the clans, invasions to the vulnerable east and south of England came from Denmark and northern Germany from warlike peoples known as the Angles, the Jutes, and the Saxons. The latter, collectively called the Anglo-Saxons about the sixteenth century, later used the term themselves as they grew settled and became farmers or town dwellers. Eventually, the term "Anglo-Saxon" embraced all in Britain.

- The Roman and British peoples of Wales also faced the invaders, but some pockets of the culture remained where they avoided enslavement. In general, culture and civilization declined until the seventh century when the Church of Rome sent missionaries to England and established monasteries dedicated to the preservation of learning and the transmission of culture and religion in written works. The immediate effect was to make the United Kingdom countries more open to trade and to developing the trappings of civilization already in place in other countries of Europe. Monasteries in the sixth and seventh centuries spread over Ireland and Scotland as well as England, though the politics of the time were chaotic, as kingdoms wielded power and waged conflict in these countries.

- By the tenth and eleventh centuries, parish churches were a reality in the Anglo-Saxon country of England, as they were elsewhere in Europe. However, instability in England and Ireland continued because of attacks by seas and rivers by marauding Vikings. Attacks by Danish warriors had begun in the eighth and ninth centuries, resulting in the destruction of monasteries and their manuscripts. The scholar-king Alfred the Great, king of Wessexin England, defeated the Danes in London in 886 and at Edington in 878. Had he been defeated, the Danes would have controlled England's main kingdoms in the ninth century. In addition to his heroics as a leader and contributions to the development of English law, Alfred was known for his championing of Old English literature and the translation of Latin classical writings into English.

- Alfred's contributions to learning made him a heroic figure of that era. In other areas, pandemonium was the rule. Ireland and Scotland were infiltrated by Norse warriors, who also sacked some monasteries in a quest for the abundant loot within. Alfred was the first ruler in a succession of rulers of Wessex who gained power for themselves, even as they drove out the powerful Scandinavians. The defeated Danes were assimilated and adopted Christianity. Rather than peace reigning, the kingdoms of Wessex and the West Saxons vied for power; Scotland was also invaded. In the end, Eadred emerged as the one supreme ruler of England. His successor, Eadgar, was crowned king, and his reign (957-975) brought stability to the country and an alliance with England's large, widespread Danish population.

- Ireland and Scotland experienced upheaval at the hands of invaders and men that vied for supreme rule. Battles for power were common between the ninth and twelfth centuries. The politics of Wales between the ninth and twelfth century were marked by almost constant intrigue, assassinations, battles, truces, and treaties.

3. DANISH & NORMAN RULE: 

- The persistent Danes continued to pour into England in their quest to subjugate England. At last, Denmark's King Swein prevailed early in the eleventh century, driving England's Aethelred the Unready into exile in Normandy. King Swein died, but his successor-son Cnut finished the fight against England, reigning as king of England from 1016 to 1035, as well as the kingdom of Demark from 1019 until his death. Like Alfred the Great, Cnut was a champion of the preservation of learning in the monasteries. His children were less wise and squabbled for power.

- The English regained control of the kingdom of Wessex between 1042 and 1066 under King Edward the Confessor, a son of Aethelred. Edward's death brought conflict between two men, William, the Duke of Normandy, and Harold, who claimed that the dead king had promised them the throne. Harold was given the crown and was occupied with an invasion by the Norwegians in the north. Although Harold's army prevailed, they were weakened and fell to a crushing attack in the south of England led by William, and Harold fell in battle. On Christmas Day, William the Conqueror was proclaimed King of England, and though he kept alive the English laws and customs, the French language and other customs led to immense cultural changes during this Norman occupation.

- The Middle Ages: The history of England from 1066 through the end of the fifteenth century is usually told through the accomplishments and failures of whatever monarch ruled at a particular time. Throughout this period, England experienced unity and prosperity to a greater degree than did Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. A system known as feudalism that was rampant in other parts of Europe became the norm in England as lords of manors extracted work and rents from their serfs, and knights served their lords, the supreme king, and the Church, marching on Crusades to try to wrest the Holy Lands from the Muslims.

- Royal power was, for a time, at its height during the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189), who elevated the power of royal courts of law and put down attempts of feudal barons who challenged his unlimited powers.

- Perhaps Britain's best-known constitutional document directly linked to feudalism was the Magna Carta of 1215. Signed by King John, known for his political inveigling and battles with the Pope, this "Great Charter," signed as a sign of appeasement by the embattled monarch, offered protections to the feudal lords that not even royalty could usurp, but it also guaranteed certain rights and privileges for the Church and even some rights for royal subjects.

- Throughout the Middle Ages, an uneasy relationship existed between English kings and barons. The various Crusades continued until 1291, and wars against France and other kingdoms were commonplace, costly, and counterproductive—seemingly designed to satisfy the vanity or rulers or their desire for the acquisition of lands. The long reign of Henry III (son of King John) from 1216 to 1272 was marked by the waste of human lives in war and by great expenditures to satisfy Henry's lust for lands in France and Sicily. His successor, King Henry IV, achieved the throne by force and established the Lancaster dynasty, but during his reign (1399-1413), he constantly needed to dispatch the royal troops to put down rebellions by the Scots and Welsh. Far more popular (and later immortalized by playwright William Shakespeare), King Henry V also engaged in great wars during his reign from 1413 to 1422, but he mainly kept the allegiance of his people because of his personal magnetism and the number of his great, yet costly, victories against the French.

- Like Alfred the Saxon, King Henry VI was a proponent of literature and learning, a patron of artists, and the founder of Eton College in 1440. However, he was a king unfit for governing, ruling at a time (1422-1461 and 1470-1471) of great unrest in England. He was murdered by Edward. Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII, contributed significantly to the support of universities, according to scholar Michael Van Cleave Alexander.

- A later ruler, Henry VIII, who reigned from 1509 to 1547, was a ruthless husband notorious for putting two of his six wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) to death. However, learning and great universities flourished under him. Henry VIII tried, unsuccessfully, to end fighting with Scotland by uniting the two nations. Warring with Scotland continued under his reign, but one of his successes was to bring Wales into the kingdom in 1536, although Wales retained its culture and the Welsh language. Scotland's destiny changed from that of a separate kingdom to part of the United Kingdom under King James I of England, whose other title was Scotland's James VI as the son of Mary Queen of Scots, who was forced to abdicate and later executed.

4. THE VICTORIAN ERA: 

- Queen Victoria ascended the throne at a time of unrest and unhappiness with royalty, particularly during the reign of the dissolute King William IV who ruled from 1830 to 1837. Nonetheless, during his era was the start of important changes in England, including recognition for the strengthening of human rights. The Factory Act was passed in 1833, which eliminated, on paper if not in fact, the practice of child labor. In addition, slavery was abolished in the United Kingdom and its possessions by another historically important act. Although William IV gave some words of support to such reforms, he was befuddled by them and distressed by a growing clamor for political and social change in the United Kingdom.

- Strong nationalistic feelings and greater national unity occurred during the reign of William IV's niece, Victoria, who ascended the throne in 1837 and ruled as queen of the United Kingdom until 1901. Influenced greatly by her husband, Prince Albert, whom she wed in 1840, Queen Victoria set a town for moral reform and a toning down of the more scandalous conduct of the nobles that had been commonplace before her reign. In education, her reign produced strong attempts to introduce literacy to all of the United Kingdom because of an 1870 act of Parliament establishing compulsory elementary education.

5. MODERN ERA: 

- From Victoria's death in 1901 through the twenty-first century, the United Kingdom has seen periods of calm and prosperity as well as unstable times caused by two world wars, strong nationalism on the part of English colonies, and the assimilation, particularly in England, of immigrants with diverse backgrounds.

- A national system of education was adopted for England and Wales in 1902. By 1944, the system had developed strong local governing bodies for the schools, and yet there was a central administration as well. In 1922, Northern Ireland received a separate Parliament, while the Parliament in London governed England, Scotland and Wales.

- As of 1998, the United Kingdom's population tallies at 58.8 million. The largest nation, England, has a population of 49.1 million. Scotland's population is 5.1 million. Wales has a population of 2.9 million, and Northern Ireland's population is 1.7 million people.

- Scotland does not control the universities, but it does govern primary and secondary education. In 2001, the term "United" in United Kingdom is nearly a misnomer; all four UK countries have separate educational systems. Northern Ireland and Wales Assemblies, as well as the Scottish Parliament, are empowered to keep existing laws regarding education and governance, or they can repeal or amend existing legislation.

- As this volume goes to press, the climate in the United Kingdom can be characterized as one of uncertainty, but also one of great nationalistic excitement and an opportunity for positive changes that reflect each individual nation's needs. Illiteracy rates in Wales are high and troubling. English schools need to solve the challenges of a diverse population with many immigrants. While Scotland remains stable with its own educational curriculum and a stable higher education system, Northern Ireland continues to adjust as it carries on with an uneasy political alliance with Ireland. The needs of England's urban, heavily populated island contrast sharply with those of less-populated, mixed urban and rural cultures of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

- Traditionally, in England the Labor Party has advocated regulation, reform, or abolishment of elite schools in spite of their historical traditions. The Conservative Party favors the status quo and protection of these institutions. Without question, the most significant proposals for reform after 1900 have occurred between 1992 and 1991 as English reformers have attempted to alter the makeup of the House of Lords to reflect the changing democratic society in England. Loud cries for the abolition of the House of Lords arose from numerous critics in 1974 with the election of the Labor Party that considered the House of Lords to be an anachronism and a remnant of an earlier England. The Conservative Party reacted with attacks on the Labor Party. In 1999, the government moved ahead to make major changes in the composition of the House of Lords, and most observers of social conditions in England anticipated additional party bickering and legislation regarding the ongoing House of Lords controversy in the twenty-first century.

6. SUMMARY: 

* c. 925 – The Kingdom of England. Established by the unification of Anglo-Saxon tribes across modern day England.

* 1536 – Kingdom of England and Wales. A bill enacted by King Henry VIII which effectively made England and Wales the same country, governed by the same laws.

* 1707 – Kingdom of Great Britain. The Kingdom of England (which includes Wales) joined with the Kingdom of Scotland to form The Kingdom of Great Britain.

* 1801 – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Ireland joins the union, and once again the name changes.

* 1922 – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland (Eire, or ‘Southern Ireland’) withdraws from the union, leaving just the northern counties of Ireland. This is the UK that remains to this day.

* The UK – a sovereign state that includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain – an island situated off the north west coast of Europe.

British Isles – a collection of over 6,000 islands, of which Great Britain is the largest.

England – a country within the UK.

 

Why should Civil service aspirants aim for SPSCs rather than UPSC?

 * When I started to prepare for UPSC, I dreamt of becoming an 'IFS officer'. I'm hugely interested in foreign policy and diplomacy. When I started and finished to learn about India's history and polity, as everyone would do, I was also motivated as a national executive.

* But, when I started to compare, how far the constitution is been practicing in present day, where few key aspects of it, been used or manipulated to favor certain states and betray certain states, I realised that, being a state executive is the grassroot of Indian administration and there is a huge auditing needed in this 'fiscal percolation' between union & states to avoid reverse percolation. 

* Our makers of constitution have intended to create such All India Services, for "administrative unity" in an union of 'diverse & pluralistic society'. When there is an infringement in "pluralism" of our nation, then why should we need IAS officers? Intentionally downplaying the role of IAS, is an act of centralisation in administration. If the trend persists, IAS will become faded away with direct control from center in administration via governor. 

* An IAS, recruited by UPSC, appointed by President of India, assumes an attitude of serving an individual entity(India), but infact it is not. IAS officers are recruited by UPSC for 'convenience in on-boarding alone', but work & get paid from State governments, making that IAS officer bound to obey the administrative head of the state(CM) and not the directions of center. 

That is why when Chief Secretary Bandyopadhyay of WB, obeyed path of his administrative leader(CM) eventhough he is an IAS, that's how one must be. 

* All executive actions are taken in the name of President. When recruited by UPSC, signed by President of India & deputed to work in a state, an IAS is bound to work aligned with the interests of that particular state's administrative head(CM) alone. Signed by President of India for an IAS or Governor of State for a SPSC both are bound to serve only the state, not center. 

* Does all the IAS adhere to this? Does not IAS officers become loyal to center? Is this the way, constitutionally it was meant to be?

* In due course, this kind of practise, of loyalty towards center would gradually erode the dignity of an All India Service(IAS). India as a whole, will develop, only when civil service aspirants, serve their own SPSCs, which is the grassroot of executive actions, and reduce administrative beurocracy. 

* So, 'without each and every states individually developing in social, economic & unique cultural aspect, India cannot develop'. "Without states, there is no union. Infact, to be tangible, there is no union at all, but only a beautiful unity of states, among various diversity". Let us not forget, the strength of our nation, is "Unity in diversity" which is nothing but, "Union among diversified states". 

"AN ATTACK ON FEDERALISM IN INDIA- A SOLUTION"

"AN ATTACK ON FEDERALISM IN INDIA - A SOLUTION"

                                                        "Only when each and every state's unique culture, identity is kept, coordinated and develop in a multi-parallel track, the nation, India, i.e Bharat, as an union of states would develop"

- Myself (☺)

                      In the past decade, to be precise from 2014-15, the fundamental of federalism is been on attack systematically & gradually in India, by the union gov towards the states. This may not be the first time, federalism is been attacked, the previous governments in union have also teased, bruised and hurt the federal nature, but the current regime have opted for a systematic & gradual erosion of federalism completely out of the nation both in letter and spirit in all possible ways. 

• The current NDA which came to power, rising slogans like 'One nation One tax One market One ration One etc' have boldly waged a war against the foundation of federalism. 

- Knowing that, One nation - is not at all possible in a completely diversified nation in a democracy; One tax - is a failed implementation; One ration - is not possible with abundant states not ready to share resources with lagging states, how come still the minions of this nation, believe in One nation theory?! 

• In terms of Fiscal federalism; the outright onslaught on the states is evident. GST which was built on the premise of 'trust' between the union gov and state, have failed on it's promises of GST dues, compensation and even extension requests on the term, and finally convinces the state to trust on centre, which have failed on it's promises. 

- But, when we have to look deeper, the number of states which support BJP(17/31) are greater than the number of states against BJP(14/31), and the fact is those who support BJP are the gainers who receive a huge portion of the compensation pool, contributing the least to it. Whereas, states like MH, TN & KA which contributes to the pool more, are given a very less only. Therefore, there is a need to restore 'fiscal justice to states'

- The idea of 'fiscal permeability' in India, where richer states feed the poorer states is acceptable, but the core question of how far the poorer states utilize the shared resources efficiently is a greater question and a clear audit of such 'differential resources' must be made by the one who contribute more. 

- So, an 'economical or fiscal grouping of contributing states' like MH, TN, KA and others must be made, and audit the resources 'shared' by them to states like Bihar, UP, Rajasthan and others. This would ensure accountability of the resources used effectively and not into waste. 

• In terms of Trade federalism; the union gov have cleverly sided with the 'merchant community' of the nation, favored them in all possible ways. For example: Protecting the 'big Indian business' from global competition by not entering the 'Regional comprehensive economic partnership' as well as from the 'rise of small business' which could be a threat to the big Indian businesses are also deliberately crushed by the 'demonetisation' and 'GST', which is evidently seen now. 

- So, the agenda of BJP towards a 'merchant community ruled polity' is slowly been enacted systematically. 

- What does the partiality in trade and commerce have to do with favoring political agendas?! Yes, the deeper idea, to 'cripple the regional parties' permanently making them 'permanently disabled' is the deeper idea here. By restricting local trade and hitting the small businesses, the regional parties which are been funded by small business and regional businesses are hindered, so the regional parties are lagging in funds, and cannot compete with the mammoth expense BJP does in every elections. 

- Thereby, by crippling the 'sources of regional parties', the BJP is cleverly making them "impotent to resist" the union gov. So, the regional parties must become aware of such tactics to safeguard their sources of incomes as well as the industrial (small and large) base of their state. 

• In terms of administration & legislature; the union gov have continuously used it's institutions to threaten and interfere with the administrative as well as legislative procedures of the state. 

- The trumpcard which the BJP uses is the 'Governor of State' who deliberately interfere with the day to day administration and affairs of the state, either to takeover the machinery, or to divert them from ruling the state well. The evidence examples of West Bengal where the union gov keeps on meddling with the state, and in case of Puducherry where the union gov have tookover the machinery and lots of others states like Maharashtra (they tried to and failed), Lakshwadeep islands, entirely their aim is to control both the administrative and legislative procedures to hinder the functioning of the state, all with he help of State Governors. 

- So, the State have to be most aware and careful of the Governors appointed to them, without trusting them blindly and have a huge watchful guardian, that none of the micro-agendas of BJP pushed into administration and legislation. 

• In terms of Health & Education; it is a known pathetic situation to see the union gov unilaterally taking control of the subjects of the states. This can be bearable, according to the situation, like done before during emergency and other times also, where union gov takes certain subjects into its hands, because states cannot do them well and they accept it and surrender. Whereas now, when the states are performing well, where is the need to takeover Health and education from states. 

- Coming to Health & Education, Tamilnadu is the best example. Why should the state like Tamilnadu, which already has a top notch higher education and an inclusive primary education have to listen to or surrender it's subject of education tot he centre? Why should the state of Tamilnadu, which have the best medical infrastructure and facilities both in terms of scale and implementing faculties depend on union gov to instruct them or on any other needs? Why should the state of Tamilnadu, which has achieved self sufficient status in foodgrains and have a perfect and best network of PDS system, depend or have to listen to the union gov which has no business to interfere with it? 

- The reason entirely lies in the clever agenda of BJP of introducing 'Central schemes' in the subjects of the state. Why should the union gov introduce a scheme in which Tamilnadu is already doing well? Not only in Tamilnadu, the entire Nationwide central schemes by the BJP are focused not on 'result based' but entirely for the purpose of 'interfering with the state subjects' alone. Imagine, Tamilnadu which have already been a role model for many states in Sanitation and hygiene, given a record in the website of union ministry that Tamilnadu have achieved open defecation free(ODF) status, now only, as per the union gov, whereas Tamilnadu been awarded ODF by various previous governments and organizations. It is not that the central wants a fruitful result, but to either 'steal the goodname' which someone already laid efforts to, or 'interfere in their subjects' like they are not putting efforts in that. It is entirely the act of keeping your name, for someone's child ,thereby increasing your publicity. 

- The States must resolve as a united way, not to accept any Central schemes pushed, in the subjects of the state. However or whatever it maybe, the state's subject must be taken care of through welfare programs of the state alone, leaving no space for the centre to keep its hand on state's subject. 

• In terms of Socio-Cultural fundamentals; every state is unique and has it's own beautiful culture and living, from what they consume, what they study, how they grow their children up, what they do to everything which comes under 'Right to life and liberty' given in the constitution. And, Ultimately the notion of 'One nation' is simply a cry to create orgasms for the hindutuva minions on one side, and looting the resources via the merchant community on the other side, making the richer states accountable & bear the burden of the 'deliberately made' poorer states and finally taking the role of 'victim' or 'martyr' of hindus to consolidate further troops of innocent minions.

- "Unity in diversity"(Pluralism) is been forgotten slowly by many of us. Slowly the words like Secularism, Federalism, Fraternity, Socialistic are ready to be attacked next. What can we do for it? What can we do to stop such goons from entering the state's 'socio-cultural' aspect also? 

- First, the revival of 'Regional identity' or 'Regionalism' and it's beautiful diversity. Second, the revival of fundamental values like Secularism, Socialism, Democracy, Equality & Justice  enshrined in the constitution. Third, to resist the idea, that hindutuva is the orgin of such regionalism. Because, their final strategy if they 'fail to conquer' is they 'smear'. They have started smearing the flavor of hindutuva to be the orgin of such regional tendencies and tastes in Bengal, Assam, and TN. It is like this, pushing you not to eat beef saying huge reasons and traditional logics and finally, when they clearly know they cannot push, they smear a thought that beef eating good and was infact advocated by hindutuva only. This is because, they do not have a standard or welfare ideology, their ultimate motive is land, money, power & women, for which they cook up stories and epics and term them to be the religion and push them to be the tradition and what them to be followed, only because finally it benefits the merchants, high castes and their footlicking politicians alone.