Anna University Chennai 2008 M.Sc Software Engineering suggested GD topics - Question Paper

We don't learn from history, we repeat it
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
Relevance of history. Reminder of our past telling us what to do and what not to do.Still we have numerous examples which have occurred again and again for e.g. Time and again we have had innumerable wars and bloodshed , Hitler made the identical mistake as Napoleon and Napoleon in turn the identical ones as Alexander and all the 3 wanted to rule the world, countries making similar mistakes in world war II as they did during world war I ....etc....
But despite this there are also many examples which have not been repeated( or rather not brought out to the fore as they were not repeated). This could mean we have indeed learnt from history and avoided those mistakes. In fact that has been the purpose of teaching history so as not to repeat them. Today fear of war is directly due to the record history places before us...etc....
Indian villages-our strength or our weakness?
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
A typical Indian villages and its myriad issues. Lack of basic amenities and infrastructure. their contribution to the economy both in goods and services vis-a-vis their urban counterparts. they could be an even bigger drivers of our economy if they are made self reliant by improving infrastructure and reducing the general disparities ranging from cities and villages ...etc...etc
Agrarian Economy in India-boon or bane
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
Speaking for the topic 1 can argue the following- time and again it has made us self reliant in food. This increases our bargaining power tremendously in the world economy. Internally also food prices can be kept low and this will have a direct bearing on inflation. This would bolster the economy and give us freedom from world bodies and other nations.
Against the topic-agrarian economy is at the mercy of climatic conditions. A bad summer , monsoon, or winter could bring the nation down. It will have a spiral effect as increased prices will lead to inflation and issues associated with it. World bodies and other nations will dictate terms..etc....
If there were no armies in the world......
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
Wishful thinking indeed! It would be the key element for world peace. There will be no instrument to wage a war. It will also remove fear and distrust among different nations. We wont have a defence budget. This means more funds channelised into other productive areas. decreased terrorism and very little separatist groups
But the disadvantage could be imposition by 1 group, anarchy,laissez faire politics, lawlessness..etc..

Do we need a global policeman?
The role of a few countries in "disciplining" others. Assuming on itself to decide what is right and what is wrong for the whole world. Bullying others into submission by its sheer economic power. Overriding the brief of world bodies in world politics
Suggest options like more authority to world bodies like UN etc which is more representative of everyone's interests. More assertiveness to be shown by other nations to such policing nations . making more nations self reliant so that we have less of "Big Brother" Syndrome....etc.....
Indian customs-are we in a time warp?
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
a few undesirable practices over a long time. Dowry- prevalent even among the educated class, Sati- latest example of a lady in North India, Child marriages-still prevalent in backward areas etc. cause on why do we still follow such customs. Traditional subjugation of women-present even in big cities among upper class society. Allied issues due to such customs-intolerance, fundamentalism,exploitation, etc
Suggest ways out of this like education the masses, indicating the outmodedness and irrelevance of such practices today...etc...
"How green was my valley........".Are we paying the price of nature?
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
As every 1 tries to be 1 up on the other in the race for industrialisation, deforestation is taking place on a large scale. This effect is more pronounced in developing countries . It has made a perceptible difference in the last 50 years with rising temperatures. Global warming . Greenhouse effect. Ozone layer depletion. El Nino kind effects. Similarly it has affected other residing beings-both plant and animals driving many of them to extinction..etc...
But people have realised it now. A lot of NGOs and voluntary bodies are working on it. Infact there is even a Greens party in Germany which has been winning elections using the environmental plank...etc....
Management Education-Is it necessary to succeed in business
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
This is again a topic where we can have for and against arguments. There are many examples of great visionaries and leaders in business who have succeeded without any formal management education. People have simply done it by their will, passion and desire. But management education has also produced many bigwigs. A management education provide a perspective towards analysis and issue solving.It enables 1 to take decisions in a scientific manner , it enables you to handle the stress and strains of a demanding job...etc...
The role of NGOs in economics and politics
The subsequent points could be explained under this topic:
NGOs have become very powerful today. They have a major role to play in politics as they swerve peoples opinion. They enjoy a lot of support and goodwill of the people. They can also make or break a business. They protect the interests of the people and represent a collective voice against anything that goes against their interests. Most of the times NGOs are more capable in securing a fair deal for the general good. Also the NGOs have shown that they are in a better position to handle social problems than most governments ...etc...

Earning:   Approval pending.