Marie Antoinette Essay Example for Free

Marie Antoinette Essay Queen Marie Antoinette lived in France Just over 200 years ago. At the start of her life, she was surrounded by love by the people and luxury. But after many years of heartache and disappear, Marie dies a prisoner. Hatred by millions of ordinary people and deserted by most of her rich friends. We see Marie life change dramatically by a few different decisions made. There were many issues that surrounded the tragic death of Marie, but people fail to recognize what good she brought to France and how she was greatly Judged by all the people of France. There are different attitudes that the public had. This was influenced by many issues including her background being Austrian and the different interpretations that were laid of her, and most importantly, the effect that she had on the French Revolution. As Maries life was short by dieing at the age of 37 she made a great impact on France and even the world. Marie Antoinette was born in Austria, a daughter of Francis l, Holy Roman Emperor, and Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. She was born on the same day as the famous earthquake of Lisbon. As with most royal daughters, Marie Antoinette was promised in marriage in order uild a diplomatic alliance between her birth family and the family of her husband. Marie Antoinette married the French dauphin, Louis, grandson of Louis XV of France, in 1770. He ascended the throne in 1774 as Louis WI. Marie Antoinette was welcomed in France at first. Her frivolity contrasted with the withdrawn personality of her husband. After her mother died in 1780, she became more extravagant and this led to growing resentment. The French were suspicious of her ties to Austria and her influence on the King in attempting to foster policies friendly to Austria. Marie Antoinette, formerly welcomed, now was vilified for her spending habits and opposition to reforms. The 1785-86 Affair of the Diamond Necklace, a scandal in which she was accused of having an affair with a cardinal in order to obtain a costly diamond necklace, further discredited her and reflected on the monarchy. After an initial slow start at the expected role of childbearer, her husband apparently had to be coached in his role in this; Marie Antoinette gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in 1778, and sons in 1781 and 1785. By most accounts she was a devoted other. The attitude towards Marie Antoinette was very negative for basically for her whole life. It started off with troubles with her family life. Marie Antoinette found her husband and life at court boring. She spent most of her time with her friends and neglected her duties. The French began to say that she was a silly foreigner who spent too much time. Her popularity increased after her first child was born in 1778. Regardless of these changes, the public continued to blame her for her previous She was called Madame Deficit, and became the subject of pornographic, pro- evolutionary propaganda. While the phrase, Let them eat cake was never spoken by Marie Antoinette, the rumor illustrates the public sentiment for the queen on whom they blamed every unfortunate circumstance. Likewise, the Diamond Necklace Affair contributed further to the queens demise although she had no involvement in the situation whatsoever. In an effort to increase his status within the French court, Cardinal de Rohan fell victim to Comtesse de La Motte who hired a prostitute to pose as the queen and meet the cardinal in the Versailles garden at night and then old the cardinal that the queen wished for him to purchase an extravagant diamond necklace in her behalf. The necklace was purchased in the queens name, given to La Motte by the cardinal, who in turn gave it to her husband who sold it in London. The scandal became public when the Jeweler demanded payment for the necklace from the queen. Though both the cardinal and La Motte were tried for their crimes, the situation spurred on more rumors. When a mob descended on Versailles in 1789, demanding blood, Marie Antoinette faced the crowd alone, going out on a balcony with a bow and curtsey. The family was then moved to the Tuilere Palace in Paris where they were kept on house arrest. The familys attempt to flee in 1791 was thwarted by the means of transportation chosen by the queen herself. Refusing to leave her children behind to follow her and the king, Marie Antoinette insisted that the family flee together in a larger, slower coach than originally proposed, which enabled their capture. On August 10, 1792, the royal family was arrested on suspicion of treason and on January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was executed. After her husbands death, in July 1793, Marie Antoinettes son was aken from her. The poor woman begged that her son be allowed to stay but she was powerless to change the will of the ministers. The boy was put under the care of Simon, a cobbler and one of the Commissaires of the Commune, and died of neglect within two years. In September 1793, Marie Antoinette was separated from her daughter and sister in law. Now called Widow Capet, Marie was transferred to months of solitary confinement in the dank Conciergerie prison, where she was under twenty-four hour guard by revolutionaries who from behind their screen watched her every move. The Conciergerie prison was the antechamber to death. In this dank prison, she lost much weight and her eyesight began to fail, but she did not have long to live. On October 14, she was woken by the Revolutionary Tribunal. The trial was a horror, with the Queen attacked more as a person than as a queen. Her own son was forced to testify that she abused him. The queen bravely replied to all charges and to this she said, If I make no reply, it is because I cannot, I appeal to all mothers in this audience. Despite her eloquence, the verdict was never in doubt. Like the king, Marie was found guilty. When she came to her death on October 16, 1793, many gasped for Marie Antoinette was Just 38, but the crowd saw (as artist David sketched) an old hag in peasant garb, ragged and grey a stark contrast to elegant and voluptuous Queen of Trianon, the child of fortune, she had been Just 4 years earlier. Marie Antoinettes in the garbage cart amid the crowds whistles and Jeers. Yet, the poor woman sat straight and tried to retain her dignity. To the end, Marie Antoinette displayed a queens bearing and courage, in the face of all adversity. After her final ordeal, the body of Marie Antoinette was harshly pushed on to the guillotine plank, her head placed in the vice and at noon the blade fell to loud cheers all round. Never has Piere Duchesne seen such Joy as seeing that whores head separated from her crains neck. Sanson held her bleeding head high for all to see. Later her head was throne in the cart between her legs. The body of Marie Antoinette was left on the grass before being dumped in an unmarked grave. So ended the life of once the most illustrious and glamorous woman in all Europe.

Leadership And The Delegation In Nursing Nursing Essay

Leadership And The Delegation In Nursing Nursing Essay Florence Nightingale once said, But then again, to look to all these things yourself does not mean to do them yourselfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦But can you insure that it is done when not done by yourself. (p. 17). These words, written in her Notes on Nursing, spoke of the idea of delegation in nursing. Over the years, delegation has become increasingly important in the nursing profession. It is important for a nurse to understand how to delegate to others efficiently without compromising patient safety or facing a lawsuit. This can sometimes prove to be a harder task than one might think, especially for a new graduate who has no experience with delegation. However, there are certain guidelines set in place that, if followed, will enable you to delegate tasks safely, properly, and effectively. Delegation is defined as the transference of responsibility and authority for an activity to a competent individual (Berman Snyder, 2012). When delegating a task to another individual, there are five rights of delegation that must be considered. The five rights of delegation include the right task, the right circumstance, the right person, the right communication and the right supervision (Tomey, 2009). The first right, the right task, takes into consideration whether it is within a persons scope of practice to perform the task being delegated. A specific task that can be delegated to one person may not be appropriate for another person, depending on each persons experience and individual skill sets. Also, a task that is appropriate for one person to perform with one client may not be appropriate with a different client or the same client under altered circumstances. (Berman Snyder, 2012) A lot of times, a list of tasks that can and cannot be delegated can be found in the nurse practice act for the state of practice. In addition to considering if a task is within a persons scope of practice, the nature and complexity of the task to be delegated should also be considered. Only activities that have a predictable outcome and are done the same way every time should be delegated (Sheehan, 1998). For example, it is okay to delegate a task such as taking a blood pressure or measuring urine output. Tasks that are more complicated or could hurt a patient, such as changing a patients surgical dressing, should not be delegated. The right circumstance is the second right of delegation. Even if a person has the ability and is allowed to perform a certain task, it is important to consider the circumstances before delegating. For example, ambulating a patient is a task that can normally be delegated to a nursing assistant. However, if you consider a patient who is post-op for a hip replacement and has a history of hypotension and anemia, this task would not be appropriate to delegate to a nursing assistant or any other person who does not have the necessary training to know what to do if the person were to become unstable. Generally, appropriate activities for consideration in delegation decision making include those which frequently reoccur in the daily care of a client or group of clients, which do not require the UAP to exercise nursing judgment, do not require complex and/or multi-dimensional application of the nursing process, for which the results are predictable and the potential risk is minimal, and which utilize a standard and unchanging procedure. (National Council of State Board Nursing, 1997) The third right of delegation is the right person. It is important to consider who the best person would be to handle a given situation. This means taking into consideration whether or not a person has the knowledge, skill, and competency to perform the task. Also, it should be considered whether or not the person has performed the task in the past and if not, if they need supervision in performing the task. The RN must consider qualifications, job descriptions, and competency when delegating task to various caregivers. Qualifications are generally determined by state licensure or certification, and the RN may reference hospital policies and procedures, job descriptions, published state practice acts, or unit guidelines if unfamiliar with specific qualifications. For instance, an LVN/LPN may be permitted by license to draw blood in some states. In other states the LVN/LPN must have an additional certification to draw blood. (Osborn, 2010) The fourth right of delegation is the right communication. It is very important when delegating a task to another person to make sure and communicate what is needed. This means not only telling the person what to do, but giving all information that will be needed in order to perform the task. For example, when assigning the task of taking a patients blood pressure to someone, it is important to include when they need to be taken, as well as restrictions that may be needed such as to only use the left arm. In addition, specific instructions need to be given about when information should be reported back to you and any information that should be reported back immediately. For instance, if you assign the task of taking a patients blood sugar to a nursing assistant, it is important to make sure that he or she knows what a normal reading and that any readings that are not in the expected range should be reported immediately. It is also important to make sure that all instructions are unde rstood by the person you assigning the task to and if any supervision may be needed. The fifth right of delegation is the right supervision. It is very important that any time you delegate a task, you make sure that it has been done correctly and completely. At times, a task that is delegated will be completed under direct supervision. For example, when teaching a student to insert a foley catheter, you will be with them during the task guiding them through the process. It is not always possible to be present to directly supervise all tasks that you have delegated, even though you are still ultimately accountable. It is critically important to make sure and oversee the progress on the tasks that you have delegated to ensure they are properly executed, The Board of Nursing has the legal responsibility to regulate nursing practice and provide guidance regarding delegation of nursing tasks. The licensed nurses specialized education, professional judgment and discretion are essential for quality nursing care. Nurses are uniquely qualified for promoting the health of the whole person by virtue of their education and experience. Nursing is a knowledge-based process discipline and cannot be reduced solely to a list of tasks. Therefore, the nurse must coordinate and supervise the delivery of nursing care, including the delegation of nursing tasks to others. While some nursing tasks may be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the practice-pervasive functions of assessment, evaluation and nursing judgment must not be delegated. All decisions related to delegation of nursing tasks must be based on the fundamental principle of protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public. The issues surrounding delegation are compl ex and multi-faceted. It is the responsibility of the licensed nurse to determine which tasks can be appropriately delegated and accept accountability for the outcomes. Assigning unqualified persons to perform nursing care functions, task or responsibilities and or failing to effectively supervise persons to whom nursing functions are delegated or assigned constitutes misconduct. (South Carolina Board of Nursing, 2010) In order to be able to delegate efficiently and effectively, it is important to consider the four principles of delegation. The first is the principle of result excepted, which suggests that before delegating a task to someone, you should be able to clearly define the goals and results that are expected of them. In other words, as a nurse, you should be able to perform the skill that you are delegating to another person and be able to teach about it if necessary. The second principle is the principle of parity of authority and responsibility , which says that when delegating a task, you should choose a person who is capable of doing the job on their own and not impress excessive authority. The nurse should know the regulations in the state of practice regarding which tasks can be delegated to another person and those which should be done by only an RN. The third principle is the principle of absolute responsibility. This principle says that when delegating care to another person, the RN should be aware that he/she is the one who is ultimately responsible. It is very important to supervise tasks which have been delegated in order to ensure the safety of all patients and of her own license. The fourth principle is the principle of authority, which suggests that you should only delegate tasks that are within your jurisdiction. If you are ever in doubt about an important decision, you should consult someone in a higher position about the issue. Also, you should understand which tasks you are allowed to delegate and which tasks that only you should be performing. You should also consider that there are some situations that do not require tasksto be delegated in order to be performed. For example, in assisted living facilities, care is provided to patients without having to have delegated by an RN. (Management Study Guide, n.d.). It is very important as a nurse to consider all aspects that go into delegating tasks to others. When all the guidelines are followed correctly a good judgement is used when choosing who to delegate a task to, delegation can be a great tool that nurses can use. Your floor will run smoothly and you will be able to more efficiently care for your patients. It is of utmost importance that we as health care providers put the care and needs of the patients first when making decisions that could affect their treatment and ultimately their lives.

Defense Mechanisms Unruly Id and Neddy Essay example -- Essays Papers

Defense Mechanisms Unruly Id and Neddy The Swimmer The idea of the human mind being composed of both a conscious and unconscious has been around for quite some time. Not until Sigmund Freud elaborated on these structures though were the ideas so popular and accepted. Freud described our conscious mind as what we are aware of in any present situation including our thoughts, ideas and perceptions. Freud also introduced us to the idea of the preconscious mind, which is closely related to the conscious in that it holds thoughts and ideas that are easily available to be brought to the conscious. The most important aspect of the mind, as Freud would tell us, is that of the unconscious realm that holds information not readily available to us. It is proposed that much of the information in the unconscious is stored there because we cannot bear to think about it. Closely related to the conscious, preconscious and unconscious minds are structures Freud believes determine our behavior: the id, ego, and superego. When reading a piece o f literature the main focus is almost always on the characters. We try to understand their thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and drives. In The Swimmer, John Cheever forces us to ask ourselves what it is that compels Neddy to push himself beyond his limits and forget such critical aspects of his life. By analyzing Neddy’s id, ego, and superego, we begin to see a clearer picture of what drives his strange behavior. The id, located in the unconscious, is thought to be the primitive part of our psyche and the source of our motivations that drive us to fulfill our needs immediately. Freud believed that the id consisted of two parts: one driven by the life instinct, or pleasure principle, and the other driven by the death instinct. The life instinct promotes life of the individual and species by motivating him to eat and procreate. The death instinct refers to our desires to be still, at peace, and have no more needs. This instinct manifests itself by alcohol and drug abuse, getting lost in a book, craving sleep, or sometimes as seriously as suicide. Throughout the whole story of The Swimmer, we are constantly asking the question â€Å"why?† We first wonder why Neddy is pushing himself to the point of exhaustion while undertaking this journey, then we begin to wonder what it is that happened to Neddy and his family,... ...his family were probably too much for him to think about. This more than likely led to the unconscious repression of the event, person, or situation. The repression of these things into his unconscious is why he cannot recall anything relating to the situation. After first reading The Swimmer, I was confused as to why Neddy was behaving as he did. After applying Freud’s theories of different levels of consciousness and the id, ego and superego, we start to see a clearer picture of this disturbed individual. Neddy’s problems run far deeper than houses, money, or work related problems. His inability to cope with reality and its stressors is more troubling than any material possessions that he may be lacking. Neddy’s out of control id combined with his overwhelmed ego and resulting abuse of defense mechanisms seem to be at the route of his problem. Neddy’s ego has done a wonderful job of totally distorting his reality in an attempt to reduce stress. I think at at least one time in our lives we have all wanted to forget about some horrible, embarrassing, or troublesome event. The story of The Swimmer allows us ponder if this â€Å"easy way out† is really so easy after all.

Human Values and Ethics - What Science Cannot Discover, Mankind Cannot Know :: Philosophy Essays

Human Valuse and Ethics - What Science Cannot Discover, Mankind Cannot Know Those who maintain the insufficiency of science, as we have seen in the last two chapters, appeal to the fact that science has nothing to say about "values." This I admit; but when it is inferred that ethics contains truths which cannot be proved or disproved by science, I disagree. The matter is one on which it is not altogether easy to think clearly, and my own views on it are quite different from what they were thirty years ago. But it is necessary to be clear about it if we are to appraise such arguments as those in support of Cosmic Purpose. As there is no consensus of opinion about ethics, it must be understood that what follows is my personal belief, not the dictum of science. The study of ethics, traditionally, consists of two parts, one concerned with moral rules, the other with what is good on its own account. Rules of conduct, many of which have a ritual origin, play a great part in the lives of savages and primitive peoples. It is forbidden to eat out of the chief's dish, or to seethe the kid in its mother's milk; it is commanded to offer sacrifices to the gods, which, at a certain stage of development, are thought most acceptable if they are human beings. Other moral rules, such as the prohibition of murder and theft, have a more obvious social utility, and survive the decay of the primitive theological systems with which they were originally associated. But as men grow more reflective there is a tendency to lay less stress on rules and more on states of mind. This comes from two sources - philosophy and mystical religion. We are all familiar with passages in the prophets and the gospels, in which purity of heart is set above meticulous observance of the Law; and St. Paul's famous praise of charity, or love, teaches the same principle. The same thing will be found in all great mystics, Christian and non-Christian: what they values is a state of mind, out of which, as they hold, right conduct must ensue; rules seem to them external, and insufficiently adaptable to circumstances. One of the ways in which the need of appealing to external rules of conduct has been avoided has been the belief in "conscience," which has been especially important in Protestant ethics.

Moral Implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome Essay -- Domestic Vi

Moral Implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome The Battered Woman Syndrome, like the Cycle Theory of Violence, helps to illuminate the situation of the person victimized by domestic violence. However, it may also contribute to the violence of the battering situation. In this paper, I explore some of the implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome for domestic violence cases wherein an abused woman kills her abuser. I begin by delineating some of the circumstances of a domestic violence situation. I then discuss the particular moral issue of subjectivity or moral personhood involved in instances wherein a woman victimized by domestic violence responds by killing her batterer. Finally, I argue that the Battered Woman Syndrome and similar alternatives to or qualifications of self-defense are problematic because they strip a woman of her moral subjectivity. I conclude with a brief articulation of a proposal for reform of the criminal justice system specifically aimed at cases wherein there has been a long history of abuse or violence . This reform is unique because it does not rely on a separate standard of reasonableness particular to battered women, but arises out of consideration of the moral implications of legal proceedings involving domestic violence. Introduction The case of battered women who kill raises some interesting questions regarding the criminal justice system's ability to respond to domestic violence. The Battered Woman Syndrome, like the Cycle Theory of Violence, helps to illuminate the situation of the battered woman, why she does not just leave the relationship, and why some domestic violence relationships end in the death of the batterer. However, it may also contribute to the violence of domestic viol... ...77), pp. 113-118. (10) See Charles Ewing, esp. Chapter 4. (11) Walker, p. 143. (12) See Cynthia Gillespie, Justifiable Homicide (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1989). (13) This applies to cases where immediate threat of danger is not present. For instance, if a woman kills her batterer while he is asleep then there is said to be no immediate threat of lethal harm. If, however, the batterer is killed in the battering incident, then immediate threat of lethal harm is present and the standard understanding of self-defense should apply. However, there are numerous cases of the latter and the woman was nonetheless found guilty of some form of murder or manslaughter. See Ewing, Chapter 4. (14) Ewing, p. 79. (15) Ann Jones, "A Little Knowledge" in Take Back the Night edited by Laura Lederer (New York: William Morrow and Co., 1980), p. 182-183. Moral Implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome Essay -- Domestic Vi Moral Implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome The Battered Woman Syndrome, like the Cycle Theory of Violence, helps to illuminate the situation of the person victimized by domestic violence. However, it may also contribute to the violence of the battering situation. In this paper, I explore some of the implications of the Battered Woman Syndrome for domestic violence cases wherein an abused woman kills her abuser. I begin by delineating some of the circumstances of a domestic violence situation. I then discuss the particular moral issue of subjectivity or moral personhood involved in instances wherein a woman victimized by domestic violence responds by killing her batterer. Finally, I argue that the Battered Woman Syndrome and similar alternatives to or qualifications of self-defense are problematic because they strip a woman of her moral subjectivity. I conclude with a brief articulation of a proposal for reform of the criminal justice system specifically aimed at cases wherein there has been a long history of abuse or violence . This reform is unique because it does not rely on a separate standard of reasonableness particular to battered women, but arises out of consideration of the moral implications of legal proceedings involving domestic violence. Introduction The case of battered women who kill raises some interesting questions regarding the criminal justice system's ability to respond to domestic violence. The Battered Woman Syndrome, like the Cycle Theory of Violence, helps to illuminate the situation of the battered woman, why she does not just leave the relationship, and why some domestic violence relationships end in the death of the batterer. However, it may also contribute to the violence of domestic viol... ...77), pp. 113-118. (10) See Charles Ewing, esp. Chapter 4. (11) Walker, p. 143. (12) See Cynthia Gillespie, Justifiable Homicide (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1989). (13) This applies to cases where immediate threat of danger is not present. For instance, if a woman kills her batterer while he is asleep then there is said to be no immediate threat of lethal harm. If, however, the batterer is killed in the battering incident, then immediate threat of lethal harm is present and the standard understanding of self-defense should apply. However, there are numerous cases of the latter and the woman was nonetheless found guilty of some form of murder or manslaughter. See Ewing, Chapter 4. (14) Ewing, p. 79. (15) Ann Jones, "A Little Knowledge" in Take Back the Night edited by Laura Lederer (New York: William Morrow and Co., 1980), p. 182-183.

Pro Genetically Modified Foods Essay

We must have science to make medicine. All of us have been to the doctor to get medicine at least once in their lives. Think about how many people would die each year if it weren’t for modern day medicine; a lot, right? So it’s safe to say that some of us trust in medicine but not the science of genetically modifying foods? Believe it or not, genetically modifying foods has been around for thousands of years. â€Å"About 8,000 years ago, for example, farmers in Central America crossed two mutant strains of a weedy-looking plant called Balsas teosinte and produced the first corn on the cob. † (http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/harvest/engineer/) Without GM foods, farmers would be using more pesticides to keep their crops fresh. Scientists have created pest resistant plants that require fewer pesticides and grow faster. Along with being more cost efficient for farmers, the farmer’s use of fewer pesticides has been thought to be safer for consumers and for the environment. â€Å"How is the environment affected by pesticides? † After the rain comes and washes all the pesticides on the crops away the chemicals run off into the ground water and the water becomes contaminated. Then the animals of the surrounding area consume the water and then become sick and eventually die. If corn were not genetically modified, many crops would die as a result of pests and poor resiliency to changes in the weather. One of the biggest pathogens for corn is said to be the European corn borer. Because this insect subsides inside of the corn husk, pesticides do little to fix the issue. As a result of reduced production of corn, produce prices would become inflated and many people could no longer afford to buy it.

Overview of Marketing and Branding Products of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Essay

The correct usage of these Lubricants of right quality ensures prolonged and trouble free vehicle operation, providing maximum benefits to the users of present day modern vehicles. Overview In line with the economic liberalisation in India, Lubricants was the first downstream Petroleum product to be totally deregulated with effect from 1991. Since then a large number of players – National, MNCs as well as Global Players – have entered the Indian Lubricants market. Despite operating in a totally competitive environment, BPCL’s Lubricants SBU has been registering a growth in lubricant sales continuously over the past couple of years. In 2007-08, an overall growth of 10% has been registered, with a healthy turnover of Rs. 1680 crores (approx USD 350 million). In 1998, we re-launched our Lubricants in new attractive packs, mainly in Automotive category with three major brands depicting each segment- Mak for Diesel Engine oils, Automol for Petrol Engine oils and Glide for Two/Three wheelers(mainly 2T then). In the year 2003, we decided to go for Umbrella Brand-MAK Lubricants, in subsequent years, branded all our industrial grades with MAK. Retail Channel Our core strength is our retail outlet network across the country, this comprises of about 7530 retail outlets. Our Lubes SBU have undertaken various initiatives in co-ordination with Retail Business to grow our sales volume through this channel. Initiatives undertaken by the SBU are setting up of Hero Honda City Works, Tata Authorised Service Station (TASS) and installation of Quick Oil Change Machines at retail outlets. Bazaar Channel With a network of 190 PLDs, 600 MAK Garages and MAK Mobile Vans established to improve reach and penetration in rural and unrepresented areas of MAK Brand, the SBU could reach to the last mile as far as the customers are concerned! We continue to improve our brand visibility across the network and there by increasing our market share across the segments. Industrial Channel Large number of prestigious customers has been added during the year to our already existing prestigious customer list. We are also suppliers of initial engine oil fill to TATA Motors, TVS, and Hero Honda etc. We also hold respectable share of Railway and Defence business. Infrastructure The Lube Plants at Wadilube (Mumbai), Budge Budge (Calcutta), Loni (Delhi) and Tondiarpet (Chennai) have organised themselves as close-knit teams to maximize levels of production and dispatch. The Plant at Wadilube is an ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 ;amp; OHSAS 18001:2007 certified Plant. As part of the ongoing improvements in packaging, the new series of packages developed entirely in-house have been introduced. Other initiatives To support the business initiatives, a major thrust has been given to improving BPCL’s product offering and increases its market presence. The new R;amp;D Center at Sewree, Mumbai, has developed a number of new products in the automotive and industrial categories. Towards higher visibility, substantial investments have been made in revitalising the brands through product quality and package improvements. The entire distribution system has been revamped with the formation of Supply Chain Management department to ensure that products are more conveniently available and distinctively visible in the market price. Exclusive branded Lube Shoppe’s have been opened all over the country to improve our reach, as well as many innovative & unconventional methods are being used to create brand awareness especially in the diesel oils segments. Another major initiative has been to reach the products to the rural population through the tie-up with ITC – e-choupal network which has spread the MAK brand across the country in rural areas also. Currently this network is available in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh and is likely to extend to other states also shortly. MAK also embarked on another thrust area of enrolling garages across the country in the network of â€Å"MAK Garages† there by providing standardized service across the network. This initiative not only rovides opportunity for the garages to enhance their business opportunity but also provides an assurance to the end customers that their vehicles are getting the right kind of lubricants. Brand Ambassador To promote MAK brand among the youth and improve the brand visibility, MAK signed up M. S. Dhoni as Brand ambassador in the year 2006. The rise of MAK brand in the minds of the consumers as well as market share coincided with the rise of Dhoni also, who today is the Youth icon of the year and also the Captain of the Indian team for all versions of the game – like MAK being the â€Å"Champion of All Engines†. BPCL is confident that it will continue to make substantial and sustained efforts with appropriate investments, synergies business between channels, improve quality and quantity standards, invest in R&D for new product development and aggressively build the brands to result in maximising the value addition for both the business and its customers. Research and Development Vision To create a centre of technical excellence for Product & Application Development through pursuit of knowledge and fostering creativity / innovation to be a pacesetter and achieve cost leadership in petroleum industry. Introduction The Research & Development Centre at Sewree, Mumbai was established in 1983 and recognized by Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, MoS&T. The R&D Centre has highly skilled and experienced Scientists & Engineers capable of developing various types of lubricant products, innovatively, using modern technology. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment / facilities for testing of lubricants, greases and fuels besides certain rig & performance tests required for developing new lubricants as well as upgrading the existing products on continuous basis.