Marriage

Is marriage a private affair? My teacher asked the class before teaching the lesson “Marriage is a private affair“ by Chinua Achebe. A few guys said from the back, “Yes it is!“ I shouted “Nah! It is not. How can it be a private affair? What is there so private in marriage? If you talk about the talks among the couple, sharing of ideas or the key of the safe...yes it is! They are the private stuffs for obvious reasons.
But beside that? Are you talking about the sexual stuffs? “Oh...Come on! Every couple will have it,“ I claimed.
Marriage is a social relation where the couple needs to be accepted by the family and society. If not...why is there a gathering at the marriage ceremony? Why has the system of printing cards existed? Living with a girl far from the society in isolation is not a marriage for me...Marriage no way can be limited to husband and wife.
Parents, in laws and even the children come which never lets marriage be private.

Published under Blog Surf at The Himalayan Times dated 24th September 2012

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An opportunity for Growth

Sociologist Mary Parker Follet has said, “Social progress is like individual progress; we become spiritually more and more developed as our conflicts rise to higher levels.” An organ-isation has a separate society within it and is thus inseparable from conflict. Managers spend around one-fifth of their time handling conflicts within the organisation. Traditionally, conflict was always viewed as harmful. However, the new school of thought encourages managers to see conflict as an opportunity rather than something unpleasant, disturbing and irritating in the organisation. Conflict is destructive only if it is not managed properly.
Conflict promotes innovation within the organisation. It is through conflict that new ideas emerge. Every individual has different style of thinking; conflict provides the platform to express their feelings against the ongoing system. An organisation that tries to avoid conflict avoids change. However, conflicts should be carefully analysed. While destructive conflict is best avoided, managers should solve the constructive conflict through group discussions.

Published in The Himalayan Times; Perspective Section

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