Essay Film For Free - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 2884 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/09/11 Category Cinematographic Art Essay Type Research paper Tags: Violence Essay Did you like this example? American through Film. Paper about the American Gangster and How His Portrayal Reflects the Issues of the Time Introduction Even though movies and films are good source of entertainment for many Americans, it is evident that most movies are produced based on the chronological events and the situations that the generations are facing. The writers of specific movies try to give and address the chronological accounts of events and situations at a particular time. Even though the stories and that actions may sometimes be characterized by exaggerations the deeper accounts of real happening and situations in the society remains upheld in the theme of the movies. By critically analyzing the movies, it is very possible to clearly understand the surrounding environment when the movie was created and the personal opinion of the producers on the situations American gangster despite being one of the famous movies in America holds an important account of events in American socie ty. Generally, gangster movies give an account of world in conflict with the legitimate society. For many years, gangsters have been viewed differently. Others have to the negative side of events viewed gangsters as deviant individuals coming up together with intentions to cause havoc in the lives of other members of the society. On the other hand, other people have had a positive view of gangsters as a way of living and addressing the challenges that a particular group of people are facing. The prohibition in the early 1920 led to the emergence of a new era of gangs who created criminal empires who created cartels for supplying illegal drugs and alcohol. The films of the 1930 gave a picture of criminal minded individuals willing to go the furthest level possible to create their world of criminal operations in order to acquire material possessions and power. The film glorified the genuine of the individuals who were willing to adopt the system that was controlled by corrupt busi nesspersons and government officials. Public enemy of 191 is an excellent example of early   Ã‚  gangster films in 1931.The public enemy gives an account of prohibition gangster from childhood through murderous, bootlegging adulthood and sudden sobering downfall. The film based on a 300 page draft of unpublished novel titled â€Å"beer and blood† written by two former street gangsters john Bright and Kubec Glasmon. Bright and Glasmon were Bright witnesses of gang rivalry in Chicago and witnessed series of Al Capones murderous actions. During this time, the stock market had crushed and people were struggling in the best way possible to meet their daily needs and make ends meet. The national unemployment levels skyrocketed and it was very difficult to root for protagonists who did whatever it takes to make their survival possible. During the great depression, denoting gangsters as heroes symbolized the decay of American societies as well as the paranoia that the traditiona l values would not survive the economic crisis. In various ways, the public enemy clearly expresses the psyche of the America, which rejects the qualities, and the demands of the modern life .gangster films are socially antagonistic traditions directed to lower class and socially marginalized groups in America. In the 1933, National committee for study of social values published their findings that gangster movies gave convicted criminals their early education .Increased censorship in the 1930s   almost resulted to the departure   of the gangster film, they did not disappear but however changed considerably after 1935. â€Å"Hollywood movie production system was not very certain on how to present gangster in the light of the hays office moratorium on the gangster movies.†   Gangsters began converting to good people. Many Americans identified with the film in various ways. Life had become very difficult for many Americans   Ã‚  especially the minority groups during this time. Many Americans had resulted to gangs as surviving means. The worst was that despite joining and the emergence of gangs in America, there was competition among the gangs often resulting to gang rivalry. The most powerful gang would survive. The director of the film in his mind giving a chronological account of a gangster who rises to power but then drastically ends in despair wanted to give the audience the picture that despite how you thrive to power through gangs , the government will always bring you down High sierra   Ã‚  presents a bridge from the classic gangster to the alienated protagonists. The film is acknowledged as one of the gangster pictures for the style and moral complexities. The film was created in the early 1940. The film marks the waning of the 30s gangster’s protagonists in the forties as the film begins. In the late 1940s and the early 1950s, high sierra romanticizes the classical gangsters the classical gangster of the previ ous decades. He lives by code and still has an honor and integrity in the society. High sierra was the last major film made before the Pearl Harbor attack that brought the United States to the light of World War II. The post-World War II introduce a new era of gangsters. The film gives chronological accounts of the influence of greed and corruption. During this time in America, outlawed heroes and larger than life lawmen appeared and were being looked by the public in response to certain situations. Such situations included unjust government regulations, concentration of wealth on the hand of the particular few and widespread poverty. During the great depression, United States witnessed unjust government regulations while wealth concentrated on few individuals while the larger populations languished in poverty. In the early years of depression, the government imposed a ban on alcohol in what was known as prohibition years. At the same time, very small percentage of American population controlled a large portion of wealth in America. Due to extreme depression, many middle class families succumbed to extreme poverty for the first times in their entire lives. On the side of the workers, early ages of depression brought with it desperation and conflicts .various riots and unemployment protests arose. At the beginning, the government seemed incapable to solve many problems that affected the lives of ordinary middle class citizens. In the middle of great depression, challenges with economic difficulties and desperations, American societies needed heroes to outsmart the government ban on alcohol. To respond to this call, ethically organized gangs in the ghettos, which were associated with criminal activities, organized themselves and began to supply the drugs. The organized gangs became powerful and by the middle 0f 1930s and early 1940s, the outlaws in the Midwest began robbing banks. The role of the federal government during this time was not only to de al with economic programs but also to enforce laws. The violent occurrences such as gangs’ rivalry, food riots in the streets of America were the hallmarks of the great depression. The film high sierra psyched many Americans in various ways. On the surface of the film, high sierra seems like a straightforward crime Humphrey Bogart is Roy Earle, a tough criminal trying to pull one last job. In the deeper sense, the film high sierra is about a man’s failure to redeem himself and eventual acceptance of tragic destiny. The film depicts the cruel unforgiving nature of the society. The tough guy faà §ade is something that Roy Earle develops as a result of the cruel harsh conditions around him and in this sense he represented many of the American men who have found themselves into criminal platforms simply due to the harsh environmental situations trying to provide a cold and lathery exterior   Ã‚  to guard themselves from the pains and hart breaks of daily life challe nges. Roy’s weaknesses here represent weakness of all men. His weakness is the desire to love and be loved in return even though Bogey   has   the sharp and sultry Ida Lupino he still wants Velma   the virgin , the innocent whom   he can truly start   a new life The movie has a wonderful feel. Roy seemed headed to emotional if not literal death and the joy relies in watching him trying to change his fate. Crime and gangster films are created along the sinister actions of criminals and gangsters, they include; bank robbers, underworld figures and hoodlums operating against the law, stealing and killing their ways through life. A new type of crime thriller In the 1940s emerged, very dark and cynical. Criminal and gangster films fall under the category of post-world war film noir due to the similarities. Crime stories of this kind often give a life account of crime figure or crime victims. They further glorify the rise and fall of   Ã‚  particular criminal of ga ngster in personal power struggle with the society and the law by giving an account of the rise and fall of a gangster. The forces of evil. During this time cold war was intensifying. Various events had plunged America and Britain into cold war with there was the fall of Czechoslovakia and berlin crisis. Communism is regarded as the real enemy and counterfeiters and smugglers were aiding the real public enemies. The film presents a statement about ones needs to preserve or regain personal integrity. Finding a balance between free speech and being labeled. The film was an exposes on the number rackets but censorship prevented the film from showing how the racket worked. Twenty minutes footage was cut before the film release. The number rackets fed on the nickel and dimes of the little people. Illegal clandestine â€Å"banks† operated the racket and were scattered throughout the big cities. In the film, Hollywood production code prohibited glamorizing the gangster legend Two bothers Joe and Leo are great criminals but Leo’s lack of ambitions really frustrate Joe. Leo seems not ready to join the larger outfits, he has certain degree of respect for the little people and eventually meets his death .On realizing the murder of his brother, Joe decides to seek revenge. In this case, the film highlights the struggle between the little guy and the soulless big business that is taking over. The film creators were questioned about their beliefs. The producer John Garfield appeared before the committee in 1951 .it was an experience that took its toll on his health. He died the following year. The director Abraham Polonsky was blacklisted and did not direct another movie for twenty years Forces of evil presents a world hooked in corruption. Director Martin Scorsese refers to the film as his own gangster dramas seminal influence.   The movie star John Garfield is a corrupt lawyer whose face represents moral conflict Garfield is a Wall Street lawye r who is selfish   and grew up on the streets. He is a product of Bronx street gangs but has had the opportunity and chance to rise to the place of undeniable importance.   Garfield’s â€Å"office in the clouds† was a result of criminal mob that practically use him as their brains in a plot to gain control of the city’s smalltime illegal gambling trade. Fixing the July 4 gambling racket so that the popular bet of 776 comes the winner. Joe and Ben Tucker plan to drive all the minor numbers racketeers out of business when they are in capable of paying out winning bets Abraham Polonsky bitterly compares between the money-oriented corruptions undertaken by lawyers such as Joe with more explicit graft of mobsters like Tucker. both of them refers to people who are not include in their   scam as â€Å"suckers† and casual dismissal of ordinary people is seen   in the film’s opening overhead shot of pedestrians Joe’s single attempt to reach out to the little man fails and results in jeopardizing the entire plan. Joe’s older brother who is sick operates a minor racket and Joe is determined to bring him into scheme of Tucker before his office is whipped out with the rest of the small change money rackets. Leo on the other hand has nothing to do with the scheme. The two brothers draw a line on the sand that leads to bloody battle between the two brothers finally leading to disastrous bloody consequences According to Polansky, the film was an examination of the sick souls of the modern man living within the political system. Capitalism cause major rifts between individuals in the human society. The capitalist system drives people into corruption in order to stay alive. The forces of evil is American business symbolized by Wall Street. Leo’s conversation with his wife stress the point â€Å"I have been business man all my life and honest. I do not know what business is† Leo. â€Å"Well you have a garage, you had a real estate business† Sylvia â€Å"†¦. real estate business. Living from mortgage, stealing credit like a thief and the garage-that was a business. Three cents over charging on every gallon of gas, two cents for the chauffer and a penny for me. Penny for one thief an two cents for the other† Leo. It did not matter whether the business was small or big they were all corrupt. Doris is an example of that. At first, she is innocent and resists Joe’s advances. He becomes greatly impatient and tries his best to demean her. deep down her she have the same desires   and it only takes a little pushing   for those desires to surface   and she breaks out of the shell. The telephone in the film plays a symbolic meaning. It represents the connection between different worlds. These worlds can communicate with each other. The film has very little actions and departs from the typical shoot them up gangsters. It shows the connections b etween business and politics, business and crime. During this period, various events had plunged Britain and United States into cold war with Russia. Stalin had ensured that the communist governments had come to power in all the countries of Eastern Europe by â€Å"salami statisticsâ€Å". Russia said that Winston Churchill had declared war on them. In February 1947, President Truman began paying for the soldiers fighting to prevent Greece from turning to communist nation. In March 1947, he clearly said that it was barely American responsibly to contain communism. American general George marshal convinced the congress to aid the fight to stop Europe from turning into communism by giving 17 billion dollars. When communists took power in Czechoslovakia, Stalin responded by setting up conform. Tension was growing between America and Russia even at the Yalta conference. The conference seemed successful, on the surface, but afterwards, Churchill wrote to Roosevelt that Soviet Union was becoming a threat to the free world In July 1945 during the Potsdam conference, arguments openly emerged. Stalin had arrested the non-communist polish leaders. America on the other hand knew that President Truman was very determined to resist Russians. In 1947, Stalin made sure that communist governments came to power in all countries in Eastern Europe. Russia took control over Albania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and East Germany.   On witnessing the Russian expansion, President Winston Churchill gave a speech on which he said that the countries of Eastern Europe should cut off by an iron curtain -were subjects to Soviet influence, totalitarianism and governments. The Russian response on the other hand was that Winston had staged war against them. It was certain that there was a great rift between Russia and America. By the time the film forces of evil was produced, there was increased tension between communist Russia and he capitalist America. During the earl y 1940s, American psyche was dominated by the total war effort and all the contradictory feelings that come along with war times. The film evil forces contained classic noir crimes and moral ambiguity, were marked by its stylistic stark shadows, and sense of claustrophobia- a mod that echoed the darker side of America at war. Many people identified with the film. Many people at this time with the expanding battle between communism and capitalism wanted to hold on their beliefs. On the other hand, America had just come out of the great depression and people were beginning to enjoy increased wages.   With the expanding capitalism. Many people who had come from poor background embarked on wealth accumulation. The strategy of accumulating wealth involved competition among people. Corruption was one of the major characteristics of capitalization of wealth in capitalistic states. On the other hand, the heated arguments between the capitalistic America and the socialistic Russia had c reated an intense enmity in the hearts of many Americans. In conclusion, gangster films give chronological accounts of particular people who through violence and illegal ways maneuver their ways in life. Crime stories of this kind often give a life account of crime figure or crime victims. They further glorify the rise and fall of   Ã‚  particular criminal of gangster in personal power struggle with the society and the law by giving an account of the rise and fall of a gangster. References Mason, Fran. American gangster cinema; from â€Å"little Ceaser† to â€Å"pulp fiction† Basingstoke, Palgrave, Macmillan, 2002 Minntz, Steven and Randy Roberts. Hollywood’s America; twentieth century America through film. Chichester; Willey Backel, 2010. Munby, Jonathan. Public enemies, Public heroes: Screening the gangster from little   Ceaser to touch the evil. Chicago, University of Chicago press,2009 ebook library. Rafter, Nicole Hahn. Shots in the mirror: crime films and society. New York: Oxford University press, 2006. Roso, Eugene. Born to lose: the gangster film in America. New York, Oxford university press, 1978. Shadoian, Jack. Dreams dead ends: the American gangster film. Oxford. Oxford University Press, 2003. Don’t waste time! 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Prostate Cancer Cancer And Cancer - 877 Words

Prostate Cancer Awareness There are men who can be in a percentile of having prostate cancer and unaware of what is going on with their body do to the lack of knowledge about prostate cancer. One main reason most men are unaware of the dangers of this illness is because it is not talked about enough amongst their peers. The advertisement is very veg to whom prostate cancer effects and may not be advertised enough. According to cancer.org there are about one in every seven men that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the ages of 65 and older, and it is rare before age 40. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About one in every 36 men diagnosed will die of prostate cancer. Just as all men have a prostate all men should be aware of what the terms and symptoms of prostate cancer are and what can be done to help slow this growing illness. Symptoms There are several different kinds of symptoms to be aware for when unsure about prostate cancer. One having to urinate a lot at night can be a sign especially if you have not taken in much fluid to have to go that much. Another sign can be the notice of blood in urine or in semen. When things like this happen, it is very important to know what exactly is going on. By going to see a doctor for routine checkups can help make many people aware and alert of signs that lead to prostate cancer. Knowing what all the symptoms are can be very powerful to a man’s life. Once aShow MoreRelatedProstate Cancer : Cancer And Cancer1283 Words   |  6 PagesCancer begins when cells start to grow uncontrollably. Prostate cancer occurs in a male’s prostate gland (a small walnut shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm) (Mayoclinic.org, 2015). Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men (Mayoclinic.org, 2015). There are 4 types of prostate cancer such as sarcomas, small cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors and transitional cell carcinoma. Most prostate cancer is considered to be adenocarcinomasRead MoreProstate Cancer1210 Words   |  5 PagesA prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer is cancer that forms in tissue in that gland, it usually occurs in older men. Cancer comes in forms of tumors, which is an abnormal growth of cells. Malignant tumors are the cancerous tumors of the two different types of tumors. Can cause pain and interfere with normal function, but they can also cause other systems in the body to act abnormally. Malignant tumors can invade nearbyRead MoreProstate Cancer1239 Words   |  5 PagesA prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer is cancer that forms in tissue in that gland, it usually occurs in older men. Cancer comes in forms of tumors, which is an abnormal growth of cells. Malignant tumors are the cancerous tumors of the two different types of tumors. Can cause pain and interfere with normal function, but they can also cause other systems in the body to act abnormally. Malignant tumors can invade nearbyRead MoreProstate Cancer4196 Words   |  17 PagesAbstract Prostate cancer is one of the major health concerns of the public. Worldwide prostate cancer has affected a big portion of the population and has become an issue for many males all around the world. Prostate cancer refers to the malignant growth of glandular cells located in the prostate. At the age of 85, a man is said to have a 1 in 5 chances of developing prostate cancer sometime in their life. Unfortunately Prostate cancer is a disease that does not give any warning signs when it isRead MoreProstate Cancer2703 Words   |  11 PagesProstate cancer Introduction Prostate cancer is a cancerous tumor in the prostate gland, a small walnut-sized gland in men that makes seminal fluid, which helps carry sperm out of the body. The prostate is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out through the penis. Prostate tumors can be benign or cancerous. With benign tumors, the prostate gets bigger and squeezes the urethra, interrupting the normal flow of urine. This condition, called benignRead MoreThe Correlation Between Cancer And Prostate Cancer1017 Words   |  5 PagesThe finding led to the belief that the solution lied in the saturation, where the maximal growth of the prostate cancer was achieved at a low level of testosterone. This model was produced by Fowler and Whitmore, who concluded â€Å"normal endogenous testosterone levels may be sufficient to cause near maximal stimulation of prostatic tumors.† There final conclusion was that â€Å"there is not today—nor has there ever been—a scientific basis for the contention that a higher T concentration causes pCA growthRead MoreProstate Cancer : The Most Common Cancer950 Words   |  4 Pages Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men aside from skin cancer. Out of six American men at least one of them will be diagnosed with colon cancer. The prostate is a small gland shaped like a walnut that is in the center of a man s body within the pelvis. The prostate makes a milky fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. It is wrapped around the tube that carries urine out of the body (the urethra). It sits just below the bladder. Prostate cancer is more common in AfricanRead MoreProstate Cancer And The American Cancer Society1529 Words   |  7 PagesEach year approximately 233,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer (Eggener, Cifu, Nabhan, 2015). In 2015, prostate cancer was the second most common cancer related cause of death among United States men (Eggener, et. al., 2015). While the majority of prostate cancers are slow growing with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 98%, statistics show that when prostate cancer is identified as metastatic, the 5-year survival rate dramatically drops down to 20-25% (Eggener, et. al., 2015)Read MoreTreatment for Prostate Cancer1369 Words   |  6 PagesTREATMENT of localized prostate cancer usually includes prostatectomy and radiation therapy, occasionally augmented with hormonal therapies. However, Fu et al., (2012) have noted that recurrence of prostate cancer occurs in about 15% of patients within 5 years after prostatectomy and in about 40% patients within 10 years. Although, more than 70% of patients are expected to survive for more than 10 years after prostatectomy, radiationRead MoreProstate Cancer : The Most Common Types Of Cancer1576 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, â€Å"there are nearly 3 million prostate cancer survivors in the United States today and this number is expected to increase to almost 4.2 million by 2024. Most prostate cancers (93%) are diagnosed at the local or regional stage, before the cancer has spread to surrounding organs. Treatment at these early stages is often very successful, and the 5-year relative survival rate approaches

How my life changed free essay sample

I swiped my hair back as it fell upon my wet brow. In a hurry, I scrambled to my feet and looked around the dark, sullen room that used to bring me such exuberant life and happiness; everything was packed. All of my colorful clothes, all of my pictures, and precious memories seemed to now lay lifeless in a bland cardboard box. I had no time to think anymore than I already had, no time to weep or gripe- I just wanted to leave. I draped my worn-out, tattered blanket over my shoulders, and I tiptoed to my bedroom door. For a moment I heard silence as I put my numb ear to the piece of plywood that separated me from the rest of the world. For that moment it was peaceful in my childhood home. Of course, that moment passed as quickly as it came; I suppose I hadnt enjoyed it enough to make it last. We will write a custom essay sample on How my life changed or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It stung me like an exasperated wasp as I began to heed the ongoing, ruthless lashing between my mother and father. At that moment, the only thing that seemed to matter in that house was my parents opinions, and who would win the fight this time; it wasnt me, it never was. Yet, as I heard their words of hate and blame being placed upon each other, I felt nothing. I guess emotions are complicated in that way. Usually, your heart breaks when something horrible happens to you or one you may love; yet, it was more my mental stability that shattered along with my parents divorce. Little by little I gathered my timid courage to gradually open my door. As my hand grasped that old doorknob, my complete hand froze as chills ran up my arm; the brassy metal felt like bitter ice against my burning skin. After a moment, my eyes strained around the doorsill as I gradually peeked out into the empty, bleak hallway. As I was about to take my first step out into the gloomy darkness, I heard heavy foo tsteps coming up the creaking stairs. Now, I had never been afraid of my loving dad. He had always been there for me, and I presume that he always will. However, at this moment in time his steps seemed much quicker, and heavier than usual, as if he were in a hurry. Hastily, I began to slam my door closed; but of course, I wasnt as speedy as he was. At that moment, I couldnt help but look at his face which was a deep rose color. He looked me in the eyes with the look of a man with a broken heart. As I stared back, I noticed the tears swelling in his deep blue eyes. Slowly he was able to speak, the words almost hidden with tears, asking me what was to come of him now. Being 13 and slightly immature, I had no idea or chance to think of the right words that would, or could ever comfort him. I stared at the floor. My head was blank and my mouth was dry. His voice was desperate as he proceeded to tell me that he had no one anymore; no body in his life worth living for, and he might as we ll be done with life. He proceeded to whimper words of hate; Yet, I believe these words were towards my mother who had taken his home, wife, and now his daughter from him (or so his mind told him). His words and tears struck at me like a sharply bladed knife. I had no idea at this time that he was mentally unstable; all I was worried about was his present safety. As I stared him in the eyes, I noticed that they were swollen from the tears that consumed them. They were bright red with splotches of drowning white and deep blue. My face felt like it was engulfed in frenzied flames; my palms felt as though they were dripping, my knees were weak and shook from shock and exhaustion. After sometime of listening to my father badger his life, and snivel about how he thought constantly about taking a rifle to his head, I allowed the looming tears to fall. In retrospect I learned how vulnerable a little girl could be during this tough time. However, I learned quite a lot about people in genera l, especially myself. I never understood how special life truly was until I pleaded and begged my father to keep his own. Each moment I beseeched my father, I thought of what would be left behind if I were to die in that moment. Every little thing in life (such as seeing the snow fall in the winter, or walking his daughter down the aisle) was examples I gave to my father. I believe that although these events of my parents divorce were a struggle, it made me a better person and forced me to become a more mature woman. This was a life experience that I could never possibly forget; but honestly, I dont think I would ever want to overlook this period of my life. Some people seem to lead perfect lives, with families that stick together and tragedies that never pester their years. However, each day I look at what I do have, and give thanks for everything that is left. I still have my father, my Mother and both of my brothers, as well as my own life. I believe the future holds great experi ences and opportunities for me, which is why Im proud to write this essay. I know that if I stay positive, anything can drift my way- and with it, success will closely follow.

Should There Be Private Universities Essay Example

Should There Be Private Universities Essay rivate universities in India why? how? Why do we need private universities? Higher education in India has largely been the preserve of the Government till recently in terms of both funding and provision of education. But for this to continue, the Government should continue to be in a position to pour in large sums of money to fund higher education. Today, the Government is unable to find the funds even to keep up its own commitment of spending 6% of GDP on education. There is also a clamour to spend more of what little funding the Government has allocated for education, on primary education than on higher education, and quite rightly so, given that many children dont even get a basic primary and secondary education today. Thus the Government spending on higher education as a percentage of overall government spending on education is only likely to decrease further in the coming years. But the demand for higher education is continuing to increase with more and more students wanting a higher education today than ever before. How can we bridge the gap between increasing demand and decreasing government funding for higher education? The only option is to tap the private sector to participate in the funding and provision of higher education. The process of increasing private participation in higher education has already begun with a few states like Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal having passed legislation to permit the setting up of private universities in their states. We will write a custom essay sample on Should There Be Private Universities specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Should There Be Private Universities specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Should There Be Private Universities specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Indeed the private sector has been funding higher education in India for a long time, albeit on a very limited scale. The Birla Institute of Technology and Science at Pilani in Rajasthan, which is funded and run by the Birla Group Trust, became an officially recognised university as far back as 1964. Other institutions like the Manipal Group in Manipal in Karnataka have been running private colleges since 1953 and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education became a deemed university in 1993. Many other self-financing colleges were set up in the early 1990s and a few of them have now become deemed universities. Problems arising out of poor regulation of private universities After the passing of legislation in Chhattisgarh in 2002 (and subsequently in other states like Uttaranchal), to facilitate the establishment of private Universities with a view to creating supplementary resources to assist the State Government in providing quality higher education, there was a spate of private universities that were set up under the Chhattisgarh Act. The Chhattisgarh legislation was passed in a hurry without much care, leaving many loopholes in the Act, which were quickly exploited by many organisations that set up private universities, without a serious commitment to higher education. Many of the private universities set up under the Chhattisgarh Act did not have either the infrastructure, or a campus, or the funds to provide quality higher education, and functioned out of one-room tenements. The Chhattisgarh Act did not provide for proper regulation and maintenance of standards by these universities and moreover, the Chhattisgarh Government did little to ensure that the private universities did what they were expected to do according to the legislation. Students who signed up for courses offered by private universities set up under the Chhattisgarh Act were being taken for a ride by many private universities who had no capability to offer quality courses. Prof. Yashpal, former chairman of the University Grants Commission, petitioned the Supreme Court in 2004 to declare the Chhattisgarh legislation unconstitutional and the Supreme Court after due deliberation concurred and declared in February 2005 that all the private universities set up under the Chhattisgarh Act were illegal, putting the careers of all the students who enrolled in the institutions set up by the private universities in jeopardy. But to protect the interests of the students, the Supreme Court directed the Chhattisgarh Government to take appropriate steps to have such institutions affiliated to the already existing State Universities in Chhattisgarh. It is important to note that the Supreme Court did not state that all private universities are illegal it has only stated that the manner in which the Chhattisgarh legislation allowed the setting up of private universities was illegal. The problem is not with private participation in higher education, but with the poorly drafted Chhattisgarh legislation and the lack of proper egulation. Given the Governments lack of funds for higher education and the increasing demand for higher education, we simply cannot do without private universities. We have no option but to tap private funding for higher education. The task before us now is to come up with ways and means to ensure that private universities are properly regulated, yet autonomous and independent enough to flo urish, and held to high standards to provide quality higher education. How can we ensure private universities are held to high standards? We can borrow the model from the corporate sector. Just as all companies are required by law to publish annual reports providing details of their assets, liabilities, profits and losses, the profiles of the board of directors and the management and various other financial information, every educational institution (whether public or private) should publish an annual report with details of the infrastructure and facilities available, profiles of the trustees and the administrators, the academic qualifications and experience of the staff, the courses offered, the number of students, the results of the examinations, the amount of funds available to the university and the sources of funding etc. In addition, every educational institution must get itself rated by an independent rating agency like CRISIL, ICRA or CARE and publicly announce its rating to prospective students to enable the students to choose the institution they want to enroll in. At one stroke, this will bring in transparency and ensure that every educational institution, whether public or private, is accountable not only to those students who are studying in the institution, but to prospective students and the public at large as well. Public announcements of the financial and educational records of the institutions as well as their ratings by independent rating agencies will generate healthy competition between the various private institutions and will also put pressure on the Government funded institutions to work towards all-round improvement. Such a system is already in place for maritime education in India. In 2004, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), which regulates maritime education in India, introduced a system of rating maritime training institutions in India. In 1996, maritime education was opened to private sector participation and over 130 private institutions are in operation today. To ensure that all institutions provide high quality education, the DGS has asked all maritime educational institutions to get themselves rated by one of the three reputed independent rating agencies in India – CRISIL, CARE or ICRA. The publicly announced ratings will benefit he students, in deciding which institution to enroll in, the institutes, in differentiating themselves based on their quality, the employers, in assessing the quality of students graduating from the institutes and the DGS as well, to non-intrusively regulate the maritime education sector and ensure high quality of education. Maritime education institutes, both public and private, are now getting themselves rated by independent rating agencies and the DGS lists the ratings on its web site. Introducing a similar model across all other sectors of higher education including engineer ing, medicine, arts, sciences etc. ill ensure that only those institutions with better facilities, staff and infrastructure and reputations will thrive. This will go a long way in ensuring the provision of quality higher education not only in the private sector, but in the public sector as well. The Centre and the States should pass legislation to make it mandatory for all higher education institutions to publish a detailed annual report of their financial and educational status and also be rated by independent rating agencies and publicly announce their ratings.